10-22-2022        Jesus, the Fullness of the Godhead

                         

Who IS Jesus?  As Christians, we call Him Lord as well as Savior.  As we grow in the Lord, we come to know that He had a life, (in this world) before His ministry began which lead to our ‘salvation’.  We come to learn that He (as He walked this earth) was not just a man, but the fullness of the Godhead – all that represents God, the Father.  We also come to learn that He (in the flesh) is our brother, but did you know that when the day of judgment comes, He will be on the judges seat (He IS God). 

1 The infant Jesus

Concerning the hope of Israel, Isaiah prophesied that a child would be born and the government (misrah H4951 or power) will be upon His shoulder (shekem H7926 or burden) and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  There shall be no end to the increase of His power and no end to His peace as He sits upon the throne of David and upon His kingdom.  He will set things in order and establish them with His judgment and justice forever.  The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this (Isa. 9:6-7).

Paul also reminds the Galatians that Jesus redeems us from the law by becoming the law for us in that He was crucified upon the cross (He became one of us to redeem us).  Because this promise (through faith) is for all the world and not just the Jews, Paul was made the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-18, foc v13, Rom. 11:13).    

In order to become one of us, Jesus had to have a natural childbirth into this world.  The gospels of Matthew and Luke give us some of the details concerning the natural birth of Jesus, in the Manger.  They tell us that a young virgin, Mary, who was engaged to man, named Joseph, was to be the mother.  At the time of Jesus’ birth, his mother Mary was still a virgin as Joseph did not ‘biblically’ know (that means no marital relationship) her until after the birth of her first born son [Jesus] (Matt. 1:25).  One can read the full accounts in Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-12 and Luke 2:1-20.  Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled!   

According to the law, Jesus was circumcised (Lev. 12:1-3) as Luke verifies (Luke 2:21-24).  A foundation so Jesus could say that He didn’t come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Mart. 5:17) Jesus was born under the law and subject to the law so He could redeem us from the law (Ga. 4:4-5).

2 Coming of age

We know that when Jesus was about two years old, the wise men came from the east bearing the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Herod ordered all children under two years of age to be killed, but Joseph, Mary and Jesus had already fled into Egypt (Matt. 2:1-18).  After Herod’s death the family returned to Israel and settled in Galilee, in the town of Nazareth (Matt. 2:22-23).

When Jesus was twelve year old, the family went to Jerusalem for the feast.  After the feast was over, they returned home with family and friends.  However, after a day’s journey home, they realized Jesus was not amongst the group as they had supposed.  They went back to Jerusalem looking for Him.  After three days, they found Him in the temple talking with the rabbis (teachers of the law).  Mary spoke with Jesus and asked why had he dealt with them like this.  They were worried sick!  Jesus responded “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:40-52).

In the bible, we don’t see anything else about Jesus until He begins His ministry.   

3 The silent years

We see that the child Jesus grew strong in spirit and wisdom and God’s grace was upon Him (Luke2:40).  And we know that Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature maintaining favor with both God and man (Luke 2:52).

We know that Joseph, Jesus’ ‘supposed’ father, was a carpenter and sons usually followed in the father’s trade (Matt. 13:54-56).  Take note that at this stage, Jesus was preparing to follow in His true Father’s footsteps.

We know that Jesus apparently had brothers and sisters (Matt. 12:46-47).  But, understand that the term ‘brother’ could involve half brothers and sisters or step-brothers and step-sisters. 

4 Baptism

AS part of fulfilling the Law, Jesus had to be baptized with water (by John – Matt. 3:15), but consider what happened when He was baptized.

All four gospels give an account of Jesus’ baptism by John.  John was preaching repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan.  He declared that though he baptized in water for the remission of sin, the Messiah, who was coming after him, would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire (Matt. 3:11).  And then Jesus came.  John baptized Jesus and as He came up out of the water and the Holy Ghost descended upon Him like a dove.  (Matt. 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22), & John 1:15-18 & 28-33).

Take note that John was filled with the Holy Ghost in the womb (Luke 1:5-15) and Jesus received the Holy Ghost at His water baptism (Matt. 3:13-17).  Each needed the Holy Ghost in order to complete their given tasks.  And also consider the fact that John, himself, said that He (Jesus) must increase and I (John) must decrease (John 3:27-30).  For yourself, consider what this implies.

A quick reminder:  John baptized with water for he remission of sin (Matt. 3:11); Jesus baptized with the Holy Ghost for power (Acts 1:8, 2:1-5).  Also bear in mind that Jesus baptized no one with water, but His disciples did (John 4:1-2).

Today, we are baptized in water to signify our union with Jesus and that our sins are forgiven.  Yet, water baptism and baptism in the Holy Ghost don’t necessarily happen at the same time.  The people in Samaria received water baptism after Philip had preached to them yet Peter and John were called up from Jerusalem that these folks might receive the Holy Ghost (Acts:8:14-17).  There were twelve men Paul encountered on the road to Ephesus who had only received John’s baptism.  Paul then re-baptized them, laid hands on them and then they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-7).  Yet, Cornelius and his family received the baptism of the Holy Ghost before they were baptized in water (Acts 10:44-48). 

Take note that both water baptism and baptism in the Holy Ghost come after we believe and have received Jesus into our heart.

The Godhead

In our first paragraph we declared that Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead.  So just what does that mean?

Webster’s defines godhead as divine nature or essence or nature of God existing as three persons. 

3 Greek are words translated as godhead: theios (G2304), theiotes (G2305) & theotes (G2320) and ‘theios’ adds divinity.  All are Greek words which are derived from the root word  theos (G2316) or Supreme Being.  Note that theios is an adjective where the others are nouns.  Yet, they all refer to the fullness of the Godhead.

Paul cautions the Colossians not to be persuaded by philosophies, tradition or just plain deceit for the fullness of the Godhead dwells fully in the body of Jesus (Col. 2:8-10).

So, how do we know this?

The Father

The disciples asked Jesus to show them the Father and Jesus replied “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father!” (John 14:8-11).  Jesus forgives the sins of the man with palsy.  The Jews became indignant saying “Who does this guy think He is.  Only God can forgive sins!” (Mark 2:1-2) (paraphrase).  Jesus asks the Father that believers be one in Him as He is in the Father (John 17:1-26), indicating the unity of Father and Son.  Paul declares that Jesus considered Himself equal with God (Phil. 2”5-11).  Father declares Himself first and the last, the beginning and the end (Isa. 44:6, Isa. 48:12).  Jesus declares “I am Alpha and Omega” ( Rev. 1:8).  Alpha (G1) is first or beginning.  Omega (G5598) last letter of the Greek alphabet or the end.

When we get to “Jesus, the Word” we’ll see yet another connection to the unity of the Father and Son.

The Son

Of course, Jesus IS the Son o God`.  Is this not our whole basis for salvation? 

What did the angel Gabriel say to Mary?  “… He shall be great and be called the Son of the Highest …” (Luke1:26-33 foc v32).  Using Luke, we follow Jesus’ lineage ‘as the son of …’ through David, through Jacob, Isaac and Abraham, Enos, Seth, who was the son of Adam who was the son of God (Luke 3:23-38).  John the Baptist declares Jesus the Son of God (John 1:28-34). Peter declares Jesus the Son of God (Acts 3:11-13).  Paul declares Jesus the Son of God (Rom. 1:1-4).  The Centurion and those with him at the cross declare Jesus the Son of God (Matt. 27:46-54).  Even devils declared Jesus the Son of God (Mark 5:1-7).  Some vagabond Jews tried to cast a devil out of man and what did the devil say?  “Jesus I know and Paul I know, but whoooo are yoooou?” (Acts 19:13-16).

I love this account.  It reminds me of the Cheshire cat in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ sitting in a tree just sneering down.  My granddaughter played the Queen of Hearts (a great job) but one of her girlfriends who played the cat, in the tree – for me, stole the show!

And don’t forget with all these declaring the Sonship of Jesus, we can’t leave the Father out, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” (Matt. 3:16-17).  Any arguments on Jesus being the Son?    

The ‘Holy Spirit’

We’ve shown where Jesus and the Father are one, now we have to add the Holy Ghost into the mix.  We know that the Holy Ghost lit upon Jesus as a dove when John baptized Him (Luke 3:21-22, John 1:32).  Evidence of the Holy Ghost operating in Jesus is manifested in miracles, healings and casting out of devils.  But to get the ball rolling Jesus turns the water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-11).  He feeds the 4000 (Mark 8:1-9) then later the 5000 (Matt. 14:15-21).  Now, for rthesemeals, the count is only the men present, but there were also women and children present.  Jesus showed He had power even over natural elements.  They were aboard a ship when a storm came up.  The disciples were afraid and Jesus was asleep below deck.  He rises and rebukes the wind and the sea, and the sea calmed (Matt.8:23-27). 

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman, at the well all, about her life and she believed He was indeed, the Christ (John 4:4-29).  The Holy Ghost reveals things to us (John 16:13, Luke 12:12)

Of course, Jesus healed.  Jesus went with Peter to his house where his mother-in-law lay sick of a fever.  Jesus touched her and she was healed (Matt. 8:14-17).  Jesus heals a leper and tells him to go and offer what the law requires for the healing (Mark 1:40-45).  Jesus heals the centurion’s servant.  As Jesus approached the centurion house, the centurion sent a messenger saying that his house was not worthy of Jesus.  But, being a centurion, he understood authority al all Jesus had to do was speak the word and his servant would be healed.  And it was so. Jesus commented that He had not seen such great faith in all of Israel (Luke 7:1-10).    

“Lazarus, come forth!”  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead as He identifies Himself as the resurrection (John 11:25) (John 11:1-44, foc v40-44).  All these healings, and more are examples of the Holy Ghost operating through Jesus.

Jesus promises us, believers the Holy Ghost as well (John14:15-18).  And let’s back up two verses, Jesus says “He who believes on me shall do the same works I do and greater, because I go to the Father.”  But we had to wait for Jesus to be glorified (John 7:37-39).

Word

Genesis chapter one starts off with “In the beginning God …” and throughout the chapter God said …”.  God created by speaking.  God said “Let there be. . .” , and it was so! (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24 & 26).  “Let there be” are words so God spoke words.  The gospel of John start out with “In the beginning was the Word … was with God … was God” (John 1:1).  Then John goes on to explain that the Word is the Light of the world and was made flesh … and is the glory as the only begotten of the Father … (John 1:2-14).  Jesus is the only begotten of the Father (John 3:16).  Jesus lived on this planet for approximately 33 ½ years and He is the Word of God, ergo, He is the “living Word of God!  (Yes?) And we cannot separate Them.

Life and death are in the tongue (Prov. 18:21) and Jesus brings life (John 14:16) and God’s Word will not return void (Isa. 55:11).  So it brings life.  Unfortunately, not all will accept Jesus, but many will.  Yet we remember two things about the Word.  It is quick, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword and it is capable of completely separating soul and spirit and the joints and marrow exposing even the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).  Hey!  With God, all things are possible (Matt. 19:25-26).

Several of the apostles approached Jesus about the end times so Jesus tells them the signs. He also tells them that no man, nor angels nor the Son know when these things will happen, only the Father (Mark 13:1-37, foc v32).  Say What?  Jesus IS the Word of God!  How can He not know?  Jesus IS the Word of God.  In the beginning everything was created through Him when “God ‘said’” -  however, God never spoke when the end times would come, that is day, month year.  Even though He did give us some indications.

6 Savior/Holy One/Anointed One/Messiah

Jesus is our Savior.  If this weren’t true we’d be in trouble.

God promises Eve a savior will arise (Gen. 4:14-15).  Isaiah speaks of the origin, nature and calling of the one who will bear the sins of many (Isa. 52:13 – 53:12).

God expressed His love towards us through Jesus as our Savior (1 John 4:10-16, John 3:16) and frees us from the bondage of the law (Gal.4:4-7).  However, remember, freedom does not mean ‘no obligation’ but does transfer the law from our actions to our intents (Heb. 10:16, James 1:13-15).  Don’t forget that Jesus didn’t come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17-18).

Consider the unity of God.  Father declares Himself Savior (Isa. 41:1-3).  And then there are witnesses to Jesus as Savior.  The angel speaks to the shepherds in the field “…born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:9-12).  Peter, after being freed from prison by an angel, was brought again before the high council and confirmed His belief that Jesus was indeed Savior (Acts5:27-32).

Jesus declares His position in the synagogue “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me … (Isa.61:1-3).  And in Luke 4:17, Jesus restates His mission “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me …” (Luke 4:17-21).  Jesus tells the woman at the well that He is the Messiah (John 4:1-29, foc v25-26).  Shortly before He raises Lazarus from the dead, Jesus tells Martha “I am the resurrection and the life …” (John 11:19-25).  He is the Messiah, the hope and promise of eternal life! 

The Cross

Jesus prophesied His own death on the cross (Matt. 20:18-19).  He fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that He would be numbered among the transgressors as He was crucified between two malefactors (Isa. 53:12, Matt. 27:33-38).  Jesus became accursed for our sake for any who hang on a tree (punishment) is accursed (Deut. 21:22-23, Gal. 3:13).  Want the full picture of the cross?  Matt. 27:33-50, Mark 15:22-37, Luke 23:33-46, John 19:17-30.  Interested?  See what scripture says about between His death and burial: Matt. 27:51-60, Mark 15:38-47, Luke 23:47-53, John 31-42 

They knew Jesus had died because the legs of those who didn’t die in ‘short order’ had their legs broken.  He looked dead, but the soldier pierced the side of Jesus, as death produces blood and water (John 19:32-37).  There are two sacs around the heart and when the area between the sacs fill with fluid it puts pressure on the heart causing disruption of function and death.  Jesus was already dead, they didn’t have to break his legs to cause death by suffocation.

The Resurrection

Jesus died to save us but His resurrection is our promise of eternal life.  When Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave, because he had been there four days, Martha indicated that his body should have already begun decaying (John 11:39).  Psalm prophesied that the Holy One would not see corruption (Psalm 16:9-11).  Mary and the other women and Peter and John all attested to the empty grave on that day after the Sabbath (Matt. 1-7, Mark 16:1-7, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:3-9).

To assure that He had risen Jesus showed Himself to the eleven (Mark 16:1-8).  He met the eleven on the appointed mountain (Matt. 28:16), and the two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31).  Also, before the apostles, as they fished and they all sat down and had a meal (John 21:4-14).  Jesus showed Himself to the disciples for forty days after the resurrection (Acts 1:2-3).

The Ascension

And of course, Jesus showed Himself just before His ascension.  His ascension is prophesied by the Psalmist (Psalm 68:18) and comes to pass as recorded in the book of Acts.  Right after He commands the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Ghost, Jesus was taken up in a cloud and out of their sight (Acts 1:9-11). As further testimony, as they stoned him, Stephen testified that he saw Jesus at the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55-60).  Testifying that Jesus was back with the Father.

Jesus reminds us to keep in mind that He is preparing a place for us in eternity so we CAN be with Him – forever (John 14:1-4).

7 Brother

Realize it or not, Jesus is our ‘big brother’!  He is the first born into the New Covenant, of those who conform to His image (Rom. 8:28-29).

Let’s take a look at what this means.

Jesus had been speaking with the ‘multitude’ and as He spoke Mary (His mother) and brothers were outside the crowd trying to get His attention.  Someone told Jesus that His mother and brothers were looking for Him and Jesus asked “Who is my mother?  Or My brothers?”  He looked around the crowd standing around Him and said, as He motioned His hand, “Behold, my mother and my brothers.  Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35).

Jesus, later, tells His disciples that if we love Him, we will keep His commandment (John 14:15).  As we abide in agape love, the love of Jesus Christ, we are His brothers and sisters.  Agape love is selfless, all-caring love for the best for others. It doesn’t mean we neglect ourselves, but when it comes to the edification of our brothers and sisters, we choose to do what is right and best for them (1 Thess. 5:11, 1 Corinth. 14:26).

Because Jesus is the image of the invisible God, He is not only the first-born of the New Covenant, but of all things, therefore all things are by Him (He is he Word of God) and all that God is (as Jesus walked this earth) dwelled in Him (1 Col. 3:12-19).  Death came by Adam and Eve but life comes through Jesus Christ that Jesus is the first fruit (1 Corinth. 15:22-23).  As with the tithe where we give God the best of our first of the harvest or before we do anything else with our money, Father has given us Jesus, as the first fruit of redemption. 

Jesus says that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).  He will ‘do’ for us.  Whatsoever we ask in His name, He will give us (John 14:13).  Growing up, two brothers lived across the street.  When anybody ‘jumped’ on one, he had two do deal with, the older brother always picked up for he younger.  Jesus IS our older brother!

8 Judge

We’ve talked about Jesus as being the fullness of the Godhead.  Obviously, He is the Son of God but we also learned that all that the Father is and the Spirit of God all dwelled in Jesus’ person as He walked this earth.  I don’t think anyone has a problem understanding that Jesus is our Messiah, our Savior as He shed His blood on Calvary cleansing us from our sin.  We saw that Father raised Him from the grave on the third day and returning to the Father giving us the promise for life after this life.  We also saw that in being the first raised from the dead in the New Covenant, Jesus is oldest to many brothers and sisters who would/will follow.

How many of us, though, are familiar with the ‘great white throne’ judgement in the book of revelation (Rev. 20:11-15)?  The Father has given all judgment to the Son (John 5:22-27). 

A quick refresher: As prophesied, Jesus (Savior, Messiah) was born of a virgin (Is. 7:14, Luke. 1:26-33).  He came to fulfill the law (Matt. 5:17).  He shall redeem us from the law (Gal.3:13-14).  He was crucified and died on the cross (Matt. 27:33-50).  He rose from the grave on the third day (Mat. 28:1-9) and ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:9-11).

He explained that God’s law is love (Matt. 22:36-40) and there is no greater love than to give oneself for his brother (John 15:13).  So Jesus humbled Himself by going to the cross (Phil. 2:5-11) thereby reconciling all things unto Himself (Col. 1:20).

In the first covenant, the Jews had to shed the blood of sacrificed animals to be cleansed from their sin.  Jesus became the final blood sacrifice for sin by becoming our propitiation (1 John 2:1-2 – atonement, stand in our place) for sin (Heb. 9:11-28).  Because Jesus washed our sin away, we don’t have to face the second death, the lake of fire which we see in Revelation.

Now, though those who have received Jesus don’t have to worry about the ‘great white throne’ judgment, we will face Jesus at what is called the ‘judgment seat of Christ’ (2 Corinth. 5:10).  Here, we will be judged and rewarded for the works we’ve done, in our lifetime, for the Lord (1 Corinth. 3:9-16).  Not to worry, we are already in the eternal kingdom so our ‘salvation’ is not jeopardized, only the level of reward which we may receive.

So we add ‘judge’ at the end of our list.

Remember, this is just to help one get started on their journey.  We spend a lifetime learning about our Lord.  So we need to read the scriptures, ask the Holy Ghost to guide us in our reading giving us understanding, communing with God, learning His voice and then doing what Father tells us to do – live in agape love!

Father, Son and Holy Ghost (the Godhead) are one.

Amen

   

10-8-2022  Who is the Holy Spirit?

 
What (or should I say?) “Who” is the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost?  He is part of what we Christians call the Godhead, Trinity of God – Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.  He is the breath of God.   The Hebrew word ruwach  (H7307) means breath or spirit  and is used in reference to God.  In the Greek, the word pneuma (G4151) is derived from the root word pneo (4154) which is blow or breathe hard.  Pneuma goes a bit deeper meaning as translated spirit, ghost, rational soul and, in the New Testament, the word is usually used in reference to God.

 

Breath of God

 

Simply put, the Holy Ghost is the breath of God!  Think about ourselves.  We breathe in and we breathe out.  God also breath out, but it accomplishes His will.

 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form and empty and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:1-2).  Tohuw (H8414) is confusion, without form, empty, waste, wilderness, etc.  Choshek (H2822) means darkness, ignorance, sorrow, death, destruction.  Tehom or tehowm (H8415) is an abyss, deep, subterranean water supply or depth of waters.  Its base word is huwm (H1949) which is uproar or to agitate greatly.     

 

So, in the beginning, as God spoke everything into existence, His breath agitated the nothingness into something – whatever He said (Gen. 1:3-31) came into being! 

 

‘Ghost’ and ‘spirit’ have been used to not only reference God, but anything of a spiritual nature.  Here are some more words and definitions to keep in mind:

 

In the Old Testament, nephesh (H5315) means ghost, but also refers to a living, breathing creature whereas gava (1478) refers more to the ‘act’ of breathing.

 

In the New Testament, to the above definition of pneuma, we add ekpneo (1606) which reflects giving up the ghost or to die.

 

In the Hebrew, owb (H178), as well as ghost, refers to a hollow sound or familiar spirit and we’ve already defined ruwach above.

 

In the Greek, to pneuma, we add phantasma (5326) which is also spirit but includes ‘as a specter’ (disembodied spirit).

 

So the terms which refer to God also could refer to something lesser.  So we need to understand the context in which the word is used.

 

In scripture, God breathed into Adam, giving him life.  That is Adam became a living creature (Gen. 2:7). 

 

Prophets Jeremiah (Jer. 5:24), Joel (Joel 2:23-29) and Haggai (Hag. 2:5-9) prophesied the coming of the Holy Ghost.  Even Deuteronomy made note of it (Deut. 11:14).  Of course, they spoke of Him as the former and latter rain.

 

So was the Holy Ghost only for the early disciples?  After Jesus’ ascension back into heaven, Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, a convert, and his family received the Holy Ghost while listening to Peter preach (Acts 10:1-48).  And Paul encountered twelve of John the Baptist’s disciples on the road to Ephesus.  Note that they had not yet received the Holy Ghost  until this encounter (Acts 19:1-7).

 

Jesus breathed on His disciples giving them a commandment to receive the Holy Ghost (John 20:21-23) which the disciples actually received later in the upper room (Acts 2:1-16), thus receiving a new life in Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:4, Col. 3:10).

                                   

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn to the Holy of Holies giving us direct access to the Father through the Holy Ghost, in Jesus’ name, enabling us to receive from the Father directly (Matt. 27:50-51, Psalm 51:10, 1 Corinth. 2:9-16). 

 

Active Power of God

 

We’ve seen the Holy Spirit active in creation.    But now, let’s get personal.  He wants to be a part of our lives.

 

Jesus says that when the Holy Ghost is come upon us we shall have power (Acts 1:8).  What kind of power?

 

Webster’s defines power as authority or influence over others.  It produces an effect or can mean physical might.

 

Because the Holy Ghost comes to us, in the New Testament, let’s look at two Greek words translated as power.

 

Exousia (G1849) is translated as power or authority over others.  Whereas dunamis (G1411 is violent or explosive power or the ability to work miracles.

 

So, power to do what?  Jesus gave His apostles and the seventy disciples (He sent out later) power over sickness, disease and to cast out devils (Mat. 10:5-8, Luke 10:1-17).  Peter and John healed he lame man at the beautiful gate (Acts 3:1-8).  Paul cast the spirit of divination out of a woman (Acts 16:16-19).  Effectual, fervent payers bring results (James 5:16). 

 

With the Holy Ghost comes the fruit of the Spirit (qualities of life) (Gal. 5:22-23) and gifts of the Spirit (the ability to do different things for God) (1 Corinth. 12:1-31, Rom. 12:5-10 & 29, Eph. 4:11.  All given for the edification of man and the church and the ability to reach out to the ‘lost’.

 

Think in terms of God (HS) abiding in us/with us.  As He walked with His disciples, Jesus told them that the Holy Ghost was with them but would be in them (John 14:17)!  Jesus spoke in reference of the Holy Ghost coming after His ascension.   

 

Note:    Some of these passages refer to the early and latter rains.  Early rain comes in the planting season and is usually a light rain and stimulates growth in the newly planted seeds.  Where the latter rain is heavier and comes just before and into harvest to help plants grow and ripen.

 

(by permission) early rain is 2000 years ago, latter rain beginning (@1850’s).  The early rains corresponding with the disciples receipt of the Holy Ghost and the latter rains beginning around the mid 1800’s, the rise of Pentecost which leads to the ‘ripening’ at the harvest. 

 

Wisdom

 

The dictionary defines wisdom as knowledge, insight or judgment.  The Hebrew word, generally, used for wisdom is chokmah (H2451) which means good sense or skillful.  The Greek word Sophia (G4678) implies natural or spiritual wisdom.

 

Proverbs (the book of wisdom) tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10).  Want wisdom?  Get to know God and follow His lead.  Isaiah tells us that God will teach us His ways (Isa. 2:3). 

 

We want wisdom?  We must start with God and that by the indwelling (in us) of the Holy Ghost, who is promised to all believers (John 14:17).  He helps us to rightly divide those things which we encounter (2 Tim. 2:15).  For us, wisdom come by the Holy Ghost (2 Corinth. 2:12-14).

 

Comforter

 

The dictionary defines comforter as a source of strength or consolation.

 

The Hebrew word nacham (H5162) cites to feel sorry for, pity, revenge or console. 

 

The Greek word parakletos (G3875) cites intercessor, advocate, comforter as well as consoler.

 

Jesus says to the disciples that if they have seen Him, they have seen the Father.  That they will do the same works He has done and greater.  That whatever we ask in His name, Father will do it.  These should be words of comfort. Then Jesus tells His disciples that He will pray the Father to give them another comforter who will be with us forever (John 14:15-18).  Say what?  Consider.  John the Baptist testifies that he witnessed the Holy Ghost descending upon Jesus like a dove (Matt. 3:14-16) and then the Holy Ghost is made available to man as with the disciples in the upper room (Acts 2:1-4).

 

The Comforter (Holy Ghost) will comfort us in all that we face (2 Corinth. 1-3-7).  When we have no father, mother, brother or sister, He will fill the gap (Mark 10:29-30). 

 

He is with us always and as necessary will prompt others to rise up and help us as well (Gal. 6:2).

 

Healer

 

A healer restores, cures, or returns to a sound state (dictionary).

 

The Hebrew word for healer is rapha (H7495) which is to cure, repair, make whole.

 

Two Greek words are therapeuo  (G 2323) and iaomai  (G2390) to heal, cure, make whole (hmmmm!).

 

So as a healer, the Holy Ghost, makes whole, repairs, heals or cures.

 

The Spirit helps our infirmities . . . making intercession for us . . . according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27). 

 

Jesus heals the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-12).  He healed two blind men outside Jericho (Matt. 20:29-34).  Cast out demons from the man at the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1-19).

 

Jesus looks for our faith in healing.  The Roman Centurion beseeched Jesus to heal his servant, saying that ‘you have but to say the word and he shall be whole’.  The centurion arrived home later and discovered that his servant had been healed the same hour Jesus spoke the words (Matt. 8:5-13).  And of course, after four days, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44).  Jesus asks that we believe so He can heal us (via he Holy Ghost) naturally and spiritually.

 

Even in the Old Testament God healed.  God uses Elisha to heal the Syrian captain who was a leper (2 Kings 5:1-14). 

 

The Holy Ghost rises up and heals us from whatever we face.  And, of course, with all prayers, Jesus reminds us that we should avoid any doubt (Matt. 21:21-22).  We have to believe then receive (Mark 11:24).

 

Teacher

 

The dictionary sys that to teach is to cause to know, impart knowledge, instruct, train, educate, etc.

 

There are three Hebrew words mostly used for teacher.  Biyn (H995) which is to teach, instruct, inform, etc.; yarah  (H3384) which is to point out, show, instruct, etc.; and iamad (H3925) which is to expertly teach or instruct.

 

Didaktikos (G1317) declares the ability to teach; (G1320) didaskalos is a master or teacher; and didasko (G1321) is ‘to teach’.

 

Because the Holy Ghost puts what God says into action He is our teacher so Jeremiah tells us that God will write His laws into our heart (Jer. 31:33).  And as John tells us in his gospel, the Holy Ghost not only teaches us but brings things back into memory (John 14:1-26, not v26).

 

This is possible because the Holy Ghost abides (lives) within us (1 Corinth. 3:16) and John reminds us in his letter that the Holy Ghost will teach us all things (1John 2:27).  This enables us to say what we need to say and when we need to (Matt. 10:19).  We know that what the Spirit tells us is valid because He compares spiritual things with Spiritual things (1 Corinth. 2:12-16, foc v 13), in other words, God’s standards.  So we know that what the Holy Ghost shares with us is the truth (John 16:13-15).

 

So, I part, we know that the Holy Ghost is the breath of God which makes Him the ‘active’ power of God.  He gives us wisdom to know how to deal with things.  He comforts us in our sorrow – whatever it may be.  He heals us and He teaches us what we need to know and how and when to use that knowledge.  And keep in mind, the Holy Ghost reveals the deep things of God (1 Corinth. 2:10).

 

Being the breath of God, He actually is part of the Father, which the Father can then, share with us – that is be an active part in our lives.  He does this through what we call the ‘baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-16, Acts 8:9-24, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-7).  We can walk and operate in the full power of the living God!

 

Of course, this is not a complete dossier of the Holy Ghost, but it should be enough to help you understand who He is and how important His presence is to us.  My prayer is that this encourages all to research more for themselves and grow closer to our heavenly Father as your understanding grows.

 

Amen