The Holy Spirit ABC (2)

In my previous post we have seen how the Holy Spirit came to replace Jesus here on earth because Jesus went back to the Father in heaven. It was better for the believers that it happened this way. If there is one thing we learn from this event, it is that God is one, yet three. The concept of the Trinity is hard to understand for many people, maybe due to our Western way of thinking. In the Hebrew language however, it is a common principle; the word echad (one) is being used  to describe a unity consisting of different parts.

As human beings we are made in the image and likeness of God, three and yet one. Spirit, soul and body and yet one human being. Think for instance about the following example. We can cry inwardly and feel depressed, but outwardly we can look cool. Soul and body work differently, but they cannot be separated. So it is with God. When Jesus was on earth He only did what He saw the Father doing, they talked with each other often. The Holy Spirit now lives inside the believers, but tells us only what He hears from the Father, they listen to each other. In this way they each do their own work , but they cannot be separated.

In John 14:26 Jesus says: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. The Holy Spirit has specific functions here on earth. One of these functions is that He will teach us everything. He is our teacher. What good is it to have a teacher that we never talk with, that we never ask questions and that we do not know personally? That wouldn't work in any school or college. It would be difficult to attend  classes with interest and to learn from such a teacher. Communication is the key word, especially with the Holy Spirit who lives in us. If we never talk with Him, we will not get to know Him.

Getting to know Him better is what the Bible calls the 'fellowship with the Holy Spirit'. More about that in the next post. For now I would like to encourage you to ask the teacher some questions. I am sure we all have questions about the Bible, about certain scriptures or stories. Take a cup of coffee, sit down and ask the Holy Spirit (who lives in you if you are a child of God) to give you wisdom and insight. He will do this, He longs to do this. Let me know whether He helped you or not...

The Holy Spirit ABC (1)

This past weekend we were in Ludwigslust, Germany, where we gave workshops on the person and the work of the Holy Spirit during a conference. We absolutely LOVE to do this kind of work: making complicated things simple and practical.

The theme of this conference, which was being held during the Ascension Day weekend, was: Transformation. A great theme in light of the ascension of Jesus. His return to the Father marked the beginning of a new era for all believers. An era of big changes and worldwide revival, we are still in it today! Jesus talked about the reason for his return to the Father, However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you] (John 16:7, AMP). It is profitable for us that Jesus went back to the Father. Why?

Because Jesus was able to reach only a limited amount of people while He walked the earth as a man. On foot and by ship He reached thousands in the Middle East, but as far as we know He never came to Northern Europe, or the USA for that matter. That is why the Holy Spirit had to come, because He can live in millions of people at the same time. And these people can go all over the world and do what Jesus did. This is how God had ordained it. Jesus said: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). Please, read and re-read these words in the context. It is so exciting and so clear what Jesus is saying to us.

The Holy Spirit came to replace Jesus here on earth, so we would not be left alone. He is our friend, our teacher and our comforter. He is near us and in us, always. In order to get to know Him better we have to develop our fellowship or friendship with Him. I will write more about that in my next post.

For now, have a wonderful weekend. Here in Holland we celebrate Pentecost big time. It is a public holiday, a long weekend! We will be camping at the Pentecost Festival, where about 60.000 people from all churches and denominations come together over the weekend to celebrate the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.