Holy Spirit - Power Source for the Christian Life!

The Holy Spirit is a very important yet controversial topic. Opinions vary widely about the role of the Spirit, from various forms of traditional orthodox and different levels of charismatic beliefs. However, Christians often lack knowledge of what scripture teaches about the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at what the Bible itself says about the Spirit to better shape our thinking, based on the true word of God. The general structure of scripture’s teaching about the Spirit for the New Testament church can be listed into three basic areas:

• The Spirit’s work in salvation
• The Spirit’s role in our Christian walk
• The Christian’s duties to the Spirit

For this blog let's focus on the Spirit’s role in salvation. Indeed, the Spirit in salvation is key. He performs the following vital functions:

• Convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8) – This role is vital because left to our own resources, as fallen man both physically and mentally, we would not come to faith and salvation by our own efforts (Romans 3:10-12). Therefore, the Spirit helps unbelievers recognize their faults, the coming judgment and God’s demand for righteousness.
• Baptizes (Romans 6:2-9; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:12-13) – In the epistles the word ‘baptism’ signifies spiritual baptism which occurs at our salvation by the Spirit. The actual meaning of the Greek word for baptism (βαπτιζω, baptizoo) is ‘to identify with’. Therefore, the Spirit baptizes us by identifying us with Christ’s death and resurrection.

The Spirit accomplishes this by putting to death our old person” and upon belief, resurrecting us to a new living person. ‘Regeneration’ and ‘born again’ are other concepts in Scripture signifying this important event (Titus 3:5; John 3:9). These wonderful verses demonstrate to us the profound importance of the resurrection because there is no eternal life without the resurrection and regeneration (1 Corinthians 15:13-19).The incredible fact of spiritual baptism (which water baptism may symbolize) gives us surety for our great salvation. As a new creature we cannot be slain and re-created into our old dead self.

• Seals to redemption (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14) – This great promise indicates that each believer has the Holy Spirit from time of belief in Christ’s death and resurrection until death and going to be with God. Indeed, one of the definitions of a Christian is one who has the Holy Spirit for without Him a person is not yet a believer (Romans 8: 9).
• Places believers into the church (1 Corinthians 12:13) – The Spirit graciously places believers, at salvation, into the universal church (body) of Christ of which Christ is the head (1 Corinthians 12:13).

As you can see, the Spirit is integral in bringing believers to salvation, completing salvation and beyond to eternal life. What a fantastic blessing that believers have such a gift from God as the Holy Spirit!

Stay with me, in our next few blogs we'll discover more about how the Spirit helps us in our daily life following salvation. Learn scripture as it is the key to understanding the Spirit’s work in empowering our lives.

Thank you for joining me. I look forward to seeing you next time.

William C. Stewart, MD

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Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.