Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12- Gifts of The Holy Spirit Part 2

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for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

We talked about earlier in my previous post, that every Born Again believer has the Holy Spirit living inside of them and the Holy Spirit has given each of us a gift. These gifts and purposes can vary depending on what your calling is from God. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are to Glorify God and to expand Christs Kingdom, not for us to puff ourselves up

The Apostle Paul here lists some of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers, Wisdom, Knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation. Notice what Paul says here “Dividing to every man severally as He will” If someone has the gift of prophecy, don’t get annoyed or jealous with their ministry, God has chosen to appoint them this gift, we are not the Holy Spirit, we can’t give people the gifts of the Holy Spirit, only God can appoint these gifts

With that said, don’t be jealous of a brother or sister who has a gift that you desire. Scripture tells us that speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit,  I can tell you I have never spoke in tongues in my life. Should I be concerned or jealous of those who do speak in tongues? No I’m not concerned at all, it’s God’s plan on what gifts he wants to administer to whom. Now I know there are Christians who are going to argue this gift has ceased, I don’t find any scriptural support for that, therefore I will believe what the Bible is saying here. While there will be others who will fake speaking in tongues to demonstrate they have some kind of spiritual authority. I would warn you, this is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, since the Holy Spirit is the only one who distributes these gifts, I would advise you to not mock God

We need to stay Kingdom focused, stop worrying about who has what gift or who doesn’t have a specific gift, we are the body of Christ, together with these gifts we have the power and authority to overcome evil. This is why Satan wants to keep the Church divided, separating these gifts weakens the Church, but united together with the gifts of Holy Spirit, the Church becomes unstoppable, the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11)

If you are a Born Again Christian, you have the gift of the Holy Spirit, unite with your brothers and sisters in Christ and build Gods Kingdom, Amen!

1 Corinthians 12- Gifts of The Holy Spirit Part 1

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Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

The gifts of the Holy Spirit is unfortunately another debated topic in Christianity. I think part of the reason is there are many Christians who have abused the Holy Spirit, while there are others that have neglected the Holy Spirit. You will find out when you talk to various Christians, there is a broad spectrum of everyone’s understanding of the Holy Spirit

As we looked over in my previous post about Jesus Is Lord, the Apostle Paul states “Nobody can say Jesus Is Lord without the Holy Spirit” , so if you are Born Again in Christ, it’s because of the Holy Spirit. For a Christian to say the works of the Holy Spirit have ceased, they would have to deny their own salvation. You can’t be saved without the Holy Spirit, you can’t be regenerated without the Holy Spirit, you can’t even know Jesus Christ without the Holy Spirit

With all this said, if you are Born Again in Christ, you have a gift of the Holy Spirit. You may not know what that gift is or maybe you quench the Holy Spirit and don’t use it, but I can guarantee you have been given a gift. The Apostle Paul says “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man (everyone)” There are many different gifts of the Holy Spirit, not just speaking in tongues or prophecy, having the Fear of The Lord is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11) 

We take alot of things for granted in our salvation, we have this attitude or mentality that we just naturally know Christ or have knowledge of God. You don’t have anything without the Holy Spirit. You are like the Dry Bones in the valley of the book of Ezekiel, you have zero knowledge or hope, it’s only the breath of God that can bring you back to life. 

I want you to just notice the Triune language Paul uses in this teaching, “the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God” People who deny the Trinity and say Jesus and the Apostles never taught this, have clearly missed the references throughout the New Testament. Without the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in unison in your life, your not going to be saved, it’s the same with the gifts, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all working in unison to provide you these gifts.

Paul emphasizes “there are diversities of gifts, administration, and operations of the Spirit” The Body of Christ is One but we are all different, we all have different testimonies, different backgrounds, different experiences, and we all are going to have different gifts and different ministries. Let’s stop trying to compare ourselves to each other and work together for the Kingdom of God, Amen!

1 Corinthians 2- The Holy Spirit our Teacher

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For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:11-13

One thing that is very clear, becoming saved in Christ or becoming Born Again, is a supernatural process. You personally can’t take any credit for yourself coming to Christ, or coming to the knowledge of salvation. As the Apostle Paul says here “The things of God, nobody knows, but the Spirit of God” 

Nobody understands God without the Holy Spirit, nobody can confess Jesus Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3) This is why the world is offended by the gospel, this is why the world hates God. Because the world doesn’t know or understand God, they are dead in their sins, stuck in a unregenerate state

So when we see the blasphemy of this world, it should come as no surprise to us. Without the Holy Spirit there is no knowledge of God. This is why many “religious” people are unsaved also, you can do repetitious religious practices and still not know God. Is the Holy Spirit living inside of you? Have you become Born Again? 

Notice here Paul says “The Holy Spirit teaches” when we understand the Bible or hear a sermon that pricks our hearts, that’s not because of the wisdom of men. That’s because the Holy Spirit is revealing this wisdom of God to us. 

Jesus said this “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my (Christ)  name, He (Holy Spirit) will teach you all things” Notice the Triunity of God in Jesus statement here. Who will teach us all things? Jesus clearly said the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Counselor, the Helper, the Comforter!

So before we go about bragging about our Biblical knowledge, give credit to the Holy Spirit, without Him, we would know nothing! Amen!

Matthew 12- Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

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Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Matthew 12:31-32

The previous article I just wrote “A Kingdom Divided” touched on this subject of “Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” We saw Jesus doing the works of God through the Holy Spirit and the religious leaders accusing him of doing the works of Satan. Obviously this is total blasphemy, to give Satan credit of doing God’s work, but it also demonstrates the deity of the Holy Spirit

Those who deny the Triunity of God, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) would have a harder time comprehending what is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5) just as Jesus Christ the Son is God (John 1) just as our Heavenly Father is God. To speak against the Holy Spirit is to blasphemy God. When you deny the works of the Holy Spirit, you are denying the works of God. 

When you understand this, you get a better understanding of what “Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” is. Some would just say it’s denying the salvation of Christ, however when you understand the Triunity of God, the blasphemy goes farther than that. The Holy Spirit is involved in all the works of God, the Creation of the Heavens and Earth , the resurrection of Christ, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Any denial of these things would be Blasphemy against God

So to take this one step further, an Atheist who denies the Creation of the Universe by God would be Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, a muslim who denys the resurrection of Jesus Christ would be Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the medical doctor who gives themselves credit for bringing a patient back to life is Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

As the Apostle Paul said “ The evidence of God is clearly seen so we are without excuse “ (Romans 1:20) The denial of God’s sovereignty and power is total Blasphemy, we are without excuse! We can claim we didn’t know or God didn’t reveal enough to us, but we do know. God has revealed his sovereignty, His power, His deity through the works of Creation and Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 12- A Kingdom Divided

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Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: Matthew 12:22-25

The religious leaders have witnessed many miracles performed by Jesus, so how did they deny this? They accused Jesus of being possessed by demons and working for Satan. Now when we talk about “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” which Jesus would go in more depth later in this chapter, this is blasphemy of God. To accuse the Son of God to be working for Satan is depraved and carnal

Jesus shut down their illogical argument very quickly, Christ said “Every Kingdom Divided against itself is brought to desolation” Meaning if you think logically, if Jesus was working for Satan why would he be casting out demons and healing people? There is no logic with the religious leaders, there is pure blasphemy on their part in their reject of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:26-30

Notice what Jesus says here “I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto You” Again going back to what is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the religious leaders are accusing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan, therefore it’s blasphemy. As Jesus continues to point out , the logic in the religious leaders’ reasoning is depraved. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. What the religious leaders are proposing demonstrates their depravity and hatred towards Christ

Jesus said “He that is not with me is against Me” It’s as simple as that , you are either Born Again with Christ or your against Christ with Satan. Rejection of Christ leads you to total condemnation, there is no way to salvation without Jesus Christ. One day every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2) Amen

Luke 24- The Coming of The Holy Spirit

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And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:46-49

The time was coming for Christ to Ascend back to Heaven and sit at the right of the Father. However before he left, he visited his disciples and he reminded them about the coming of The Holy Spirit. Now if the disciples remembered, Christ taught them about the Holy Spirit several times in John 14 and John 16, however he’s reminding them about the Promise of God The Father”

Now notice Jesus gave them specific directions, stay in Jerusalem. At first the disciples were confused about this command, however even though they didn’t understand , they were still obedient to Christ and carried out his orders. Maybe we as Christians today, should stop trying to overanalyze the Word of God and just listen. We try to make human understanding of everything Gods says, but His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, His ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Before Jesus went to the cross, he repeatedly told the disciples that the Christ would have to die for our sins and be raised on the third day. Even though it was prophesied in the Old Testament, and even though Jesus continually reminded them of this, they still didn’t get it, even after it already happened. Jesus is reminding them again, He had to die for the sins of the world, and He is now Risen. However now salvation is now possible for the entire world by the New Covenant, beginning at Jerusalem.

We know today , Jesus was referring to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit was poured down upon believers in Christ, and the gospel was spread to many nations spoken in many different languages. Many believe this is the official beginning of “The Church” , Pentecost was obviously an instrumental day for the establishment of the Church and the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19)

However Christ foretold about Pentecost, just as He foretold about his death and resurrection. Are we listening? The Bible still has other prophecies not yet fulfilled including the Return of Christ, are we ready? It’s time to do more listening to God and less disobedience. Did the Israelites understand when Moses told them to walk through the Red Sea? Did the disciples originally understand why Christ was crucified? Did the disciples understand why Christ told them to stay in Jerusalem? No but God knew and He is always sovereign and able, Amen!

Luke 3- Baptism of Fire

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And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. Luke 3:15-17

Many people were moved by Johns preaching of repentance, some of them started to wonder if John was the Messiah? But John the Baptist made it very clear “there is One greater than me, that I’m not worthy to tie his shoe” John never tried to exalt himself in his ministry, his ministry was completely focused on exalting Christ and the need for repentance.

Secondly , John taught about the “second baptism” , there is a water baptism and a baptism of the Holy Spirit. The second baptism can only be done by Jesus , this is Christ referred to us becoming “Born Again” , the baptism of the Holy Spirit

And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. Luke 3:18-20

 John the Baptist was not looking for people’s approval, he was simply preaching the word of God. So when John rebuked King Herod for marrying his brother’s wife, it didn’t go well for him. John called him out on his sin, so instead of Herod repenting , he had John thrown in prison. This was obviously the work of Satan to try and stop the gospel from being preached. But as we know the more the Church is persecuted, the greater the gospel is spread!

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. Luke 3:21-22

One day while John was baptising people, along came Jesus and asked John to baptise him. When John saw Jesus he declared “Behold the Lamb of God , who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) The question is why would Jesus have John baptise him, since he is the Son of God? I believe Jesus was doing this as an example for us, Jesus never asked us to do anything that he hasn’t already done

Secondly we see the Triunity of God in this scene, the Son Jesus being baptised in the Water, The Holy Spirit descending upon him like a dove, and the Father proclaiming from Heaven “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”! 

Baptism is an essential sacrament of the Christian faith, have you made your public profession of Christ yet? Have you become Born Again by the Holy Spirit? Thanks be to God in Jesus name, Amen!

Acts 19- Receive The Holy Spirit

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And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Acts 19:1-4

There are two baptisms, the baptism of water for repentance and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Christians Paul met in Ephesus, never heard of the Holy Spirit, and he was about to introduce them to this baptism. It makes me wonder, how many Christians today have probably never been baptised by the Holy Spirit? 

The Holy Spirit is an important part of the Triune God that we often fail to forget. We talk often about the Father and Son, but many fail to mention or give glory to the Holy Spirit. But the Bible tells us the Spirit of God lives inside of us as Born Again believers (Romans 8:11) Its only by the Holy Spirit that we can declare Jesus is Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3) Its only by the Holy Spirit that we can understand “Spiritual Things” (1 Corinthians 2:14) We need to the Holy Spirit in our daily lives to walk with Christ!

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. Acts 19:5-7

When the Christians of Ephesus heard this, they wanted the Holy Spirit. So Paul laid his hands upon them and they received the Holy Spirit. Its interesting , how many Churches do this today? Has anyone ever laid hands on you to receive the Holy Spirit? This is one of the many reasons we need the Church, together in worship they received the Holy Ghost.

People wonder today why we don’t see more signs and miracles performed by the Holy Spirit. Are we doing the same things the first century Church did? No, so why do we expect to see the same results? If we want to see the power of God in the Church , we need the Holy Spirit!

Do you thirst for the Living Water of the Spirit? Do you cry out for the Holy Ghost to be poured down upon You? Receive The Holy Spirit in Jesus name Amen!

Acts 16- Let God lead You

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Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. Acts 16:1-4

As we know in the BIble, Paul wrote two letters to a man named Timothy, well we see him here in the book of Acts. The people spoke favorably of Timothy as a disciple, so Paul mentored him to preach the gospel. I think the relationship between Paul and Timothy should be well noted by pastors and all Christians. It’s important to mentor and train people, to make disciples as Jesus commanded us. Paul became like a “Spiritual Father” to Timothy

Now notice, even though from the Council of Jerusalem it was decided that circumcision was not required for the New Covenant, Paul had Timothy circumcised anyway to be accepted by the orthodox Jewish community. This was a matter of making the Gentile Timothy more appealing to the Jewish people so he could preach the gospel of Christ to them. This is also an important note to preachers and Christians, don’t just preach the word , build relationships with the community you’re in. It’s not about winning arguments , it’s about winning souls

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. Acts 16:5-8

Paul and Timothy were establishing new Churches, we notice Galtia, where we get the Epistle of the Galatians. However, Paul went to preach in certain regions and was forbidden by the Holy Spirit. It’s important while we are doing God’s work we stay in the will of God. Its not about us, its all about Christ, let God lead You to where you are called to be!

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.  Acts 16:9-10

God eventually gave Paul a vision where he was to go next, notice it wasnt Paul’s decision or choice where to go, it was Gods. How many ministries and Churches would be more successful if we followed God’s will instead of our own?

Whatever we do , we are to do it for the glory of God, listen to the Holy Spirit and allow God to lead you in Jesus name Amen!