Dogma 3: The Holy Spirit

Christians believe in God in three Persons, the Blessed Trinity. The Third Person of the Trinity is The Holy Spirit.

The first mention of the Holy Spirit is in Genesis 1:2. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Six roles:

 1. Creator

Father – Genesis 1:1
Son – John 1:1
Holy Spirit – Job 33:4

Job 33:4 says, The Spirit of God has made [us].
Made – Produced by constructing or forming.

2. Companion

In Psalm 139:7-10, we find much hope and reliance. It speaks of a constant presence.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast. (NIV)

3. Conceiving One

John 3:5-8 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

Christina Rossetti

When it happens that man obtains that freedom of becoming a hearer, a responsible, grateful, hopeful person, this is not because of an act of the human spirit, but solely because of the act of the Holy Spirit. So this is, in other words, a gift of God. It has to do with a new birth, with the Holy Spirit. (Barth 140)

4. Communicator

The Spirit also helps us in communication with God. Ever have trouble praying? Romans 8:26-27 says that the Spirit himself intercedes for us when we try to pray and cannot express ourselves properly.

5. Counselor

While the Holy Spirit teaches us how to pray, He also teaches us much more. In John 14:16, He is referred to by Jesus as the “Counselor.”

John 14:16 (RSV)    
And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever,

He is the One who directs, teaches, challenges, motivates, and encourages.

To have inner ears for the word of Christ, . . . – that is the freedom which we obtain, when Christ breathes on us, when He sends us His Holy Spirit. If He no longer lives in a historical or heavenly, a theological or ecclesiastical remoteness from me, if He approaches me and takes possession of me, the result will be that I hear, that I am thankful and responsible and that finally I may hope for myself and for all others . . .  (Barth 139)

6. Composer

a. Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

b. Living Letter

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NLT) tells us that our ministry is not recorded on paper, but more poetically on the “tablets of human hearts.”  These “writings” cause a fire in us which Scripture implores us not to put out. The “Spirit’s Fire” is vital to our lives as Christians. Without its glow, we are dead.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NIV) - Do not quench the Spirit.

Six Names:
Although as I said, there is only one Spirit, he goes by many different names:

Spirit of Promise - Ephesians 1:13         
Spirit of Grace - Hebrews 10:29      
Spirit of God - 1 Corinthians 3:16           
Spirit of Christ - Romans 8:9           
Spirit of Life - Romans 8:2           
Spirit of Truth - John 16:13

In order to reverently worship God the Father and his Son, we must also honor and worship the Spirit.

#ordinarylives

Reference:
Barth, Karl. Dogmatics in Outline. New York: Harper & Row, 1959.