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His Work, Gifts, Fruit, and Baptism
Reading: John 14: 15-31
Introduction
The presence of YaHuWaH 's Spirit (the Holy Spirit) is the greatest and best asset any believer can have. But, sad to say, in Christian circles there is much confusion about the Holy Spirit. Areas in need of clarification are:
- To whom is the Holy Spirit given?
- What work does He do in a believer's life?
- What 'gifts' does the Holy Spirit impart to the believer?
- What are the 'fruits' of the Holy Spirit?
- Can the Holy Spirit be withdrawn from a believer?
- How can we recognize the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives?
- What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
I will attempt to answer a few of these questions in this Article.
1. Given to the Obedient
To begin with the Holy Spirit is not given to unbelievers. They may be influenced by the Holy Spirit; but they are not given the Holy Spirit in the sense I am talking of Him this morning. Only believers who endeavor to obey the Almighty's commandments receive the Holy Spirit. I repeat, the Spirit of YaHuWaH enlightens - in varying degrees - 'every one that comes into this world:' but what I am speaking about is far more than the conscience of man. I am speaking about spiritual fruit, holiness, wisdom and power the Spirit of YaHuWaH brings with Him when He takes control of the believer's mind. The true believer receives these from on high - in direct proportion to his/her faith and obedience. Not blind obedience to man: but obedience to YaHuWaH.
YaHuWaH does not give His Spirit to the wilfull sinner. The Scriptures testify to this fact:
| Acts 5:32 | And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom YaHuWaH hath given to them that obey Him. |
2. The Obedient Believer
When the Holy Spirit takes up residence in a believer's mind, He inhabits the believer just as we humans would inhabit a house.
| John 14:17 | Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. |
| verse 23 | YAHUSHUA answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him. |
3. The Holy Spirit's Work
The Holy Spirit performs many duties when He takes up residence in a believer's life. A few of His divine duties are listed below.
He Teaches
| verse 26 | But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things... |
Note: Unless one has his/her eyes opened to spiritual realities by the Holy Spirit it is impossible to appreciate spiritual concepts and truths.
He Reminds
| verse 14:26 continued | ... and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. |
He Testifies
| John 15:26 | But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me. |
He Reproves
| John 16:7 | Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 8: And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin,and of righteousness, and of judgment. |
In other words the Holy Spirit convicts people of sin when they disregard and disobey YaHuWaH 's Torah, when they sin. (1 John 3:4). He will not only point out disobedience (sin), but He also directs people to do what is right (righteousness) and how to obey YaHuWaH. He will then go on to warn of the coming Judgement; when every soul on Earth will be judged according to his/her reaction to such awesome prompting.
The Holy Spirit's work goes even beyond those critical lessons.
| John 16:13-14 | "He will guide you into all truth ... He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." |
Note: These are vital lessons which the Holy Spirit of YaHuWaH teaches with untiring efficiency.
Are you responding to His sacred work?
4. Grieving the Holy Spirit
Disobedience grieves the Holy Spirit. If unchecked, disobedience will result in the Holy Spirit abandoning the sinner.
Can the Holy Spirit be withdrawn from a believer? The answer is yes if he/she persists in sin. When David sinned grievously against YaHuWaH, by committing adultery with Uriah's wife and then murdering that valiant soldier, the king came extremely close to being abandoned by YaHuWaH. David's penitent prayer is recorded in Psalm 51. Here is a portion of that psalm which tells us that YaHuWaH can withdraw His Holy Spirit from the unrepentant sinner.
| Psalm 51:7 | Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8: Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. 9: Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10: Create in me a clean heart, O Elohim; and renew a right spirit within me. 11: Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. 12: Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. |
David's prayer was heard and answered: but see how close he came to losing the Holy Spirit.
5. Evidence of the Holy Spirit
The most reliable evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence is obedience to the commandments of YaHuWaH. He gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him.
6. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is one of the most misunderstood teachings of Scripture. Many believers confuse the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They also fail to see the difference between the baptism, the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In reality the Holy Spirit is quite separate from His gifts, His fruit and His baptism.
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the reality to which water baptism points. Water baptism symbolizes a death to sin, a burial of the old sinful nature and a resurrection to walk in newness of life. Water baptism is a meaningful drama, a shadow, a type. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the substance, the real thing! When the Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place in a believer's life he dies to sin. He/she doesn't knowingly sin any more. His old evil nature is slain and buried. A new, nature then takes over. Every believer who enters the Kingdom of Elohim is, at some soon-coming date, going to be baptized by Messiah in the Holy Spirit - yes every one of us. The One who does the baptizing will be YAHUSHUA the Messiah. Of Him John the Baptist said:
| Mark 1:8 | I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit. |
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