God Is Living Spirit

MEMORY VERSE: “Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He Math given us of His Spirit.” —I John 4:13

JOHN 16:7-11; ACTS 2:1-4; ROMANS 8:9-14

JESUS said that “God is a Spirit,” meaning that he is a spirit being, not a man. (John 4:24) However, when the Bible speaks of the “Holy Spirit” the reference is not to the Heavenly Father as a person but to his holy power and influence. Our Common Version English translation of the Scriptures frequently uses the personal pronouns “he,” “his,” and “him” when speaking of the Holy Spirit. This conveys the false impression that the Holy Spirit is a person, which it is not. The Greek text justifies the use of the “it,” which is in keeping with the general teachings of the Bible relative to the Holy Spirit.

The Common Version translation also frequently uses the word “ghost” instead of Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a holy ghost. This erroneous translation also attaches the thought of personality to the Holy Spirit, but the Greek text does not warrant such a translation.

Throughout the Old Testament there are frequent references to the Spirit, referring to the Holy Spirit when related to God, the first one being in Genesis, chapter 1, where we are told that “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” in connection with the work of creation. With the coming of Christ God used his holy power to enlighten, comfort, and guide his special people, the church. With the coming of Christ God also used his power to beget his dedicated people to a new, spiritual life.

Jesus had received the Holy Spirit for these purposes, and in our lesson he promised that when he would return to his Heavenly Father he would send the Holy Spirit to his followers as a comforter and guide. The Scriptures show that these like Jesus, are begotten of the Holy Spirit, and in the resurrection are born of the Spirit to glory, honor, and immortality.—John 14:16,17,26; 15:16,17; 16:13; Rom. 2:7

There is a close relationship in Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit, as recorded in today’s lesson, and the fulfillment of that promise, the record of which is also a part of our lesson. Instead of the word “reprove,” the marginal translation uses the word “convince” in the statement that the Holy Spirit would “convince the world of sin.” The Emphatic Diaglott translates it, “will convict “ In this ministry of the Holy Spirit it operates through the Lord’s consecrated people; and under the power of the Spirit, through Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost, three thousand souls were convicted, or convinced that they were sinners, and asked what they should do about it.—Acts 2:37,38,41

Through the Lord’s devoted people the Holy Spirit also is a reproving influence to sinners to the extent that they come into contact with it, but this is an incidental ministry of the Spirit, through believers. Its main accomplishment is to bring men and women to repentance and consecration, and to assure them that the righteousness of Christ is available to cover their unwilling imperfections because he ascended to the Father and appeared in his presence on our behalf.—Heb. 9:24

In order that God’s message of salvation through Christ might reach the largest possible number at Pentecost and later, the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in languages with which they were not ordinarily familiar. This was a marvelous demonstration of God’s power, and was directly related to the ministry of the Gospel at that time. The need for this type of ministry has long since ceased.

Perhaps even more marvelous is the power of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of God’s people, as mentioned by Paul in Romans 8:9-14. And in our memory verse John explains that we are assured of God’s presence with us—that we are dwelling “in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

And God does give his Spirit to his children! Jesus assured us of this when he said God is more willing to give us the Holy Spirit than earthly fathers are to give “good gifts” unto their children. Surely the blessings derived through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives are manifold and rich. (Matt. 7:11; Luke 11:13) God through the Apostle Paul, tells us to be “filled with the Spirit”—Eph. 5:18

QUESTIONS

What is the Holy Spirit?

How has it served God’s people during the Gospel Age?

How does the Holy Spirit convict of sin? Give one example.

What does the Holy Spirit accomplish in the hearts of God’s people?

Does God want his people to be filled with his Spirit?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |