As we move on in our study of the Helper (the Holy Spirit) we will examine who He is and His indispensable role in the life and ministry of Jesus. In subsequent posts we will discover His role and function in the life of the believer.
The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit was an integral and inseparable part of the life of Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of His mother Mary (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-38). Later He was baptized in water and empowered by the Holy Spirit for ministry (Luke 3:21-22; 4:1). One of the most significant prophesies of the ministry of Jesus is found in the book of Isaiah. It reveals how Jesus would operate as a man on the earth by the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the Will of God.
The term Christ is not Jesus’ last name. The word Christ means ‘Anointed One.’ It denotes Jesus as the Messiah, the express image of the Father who was sent to redeem us and save us from our sins.
1) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD….” Isaiah 61:1-2
Jesus quoted this passage in the synagogue at the beginning of His ministry, which enraged the people of His hometown, because they did not see Him as the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy (Luke 4:16-30).
Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) and operated in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38; Matthew 12:28). All of His miracles and signs were accomplished through the agency and power of the Holy Spirit just as Isaiah prophesied. As we learn to walk with Him, He promises we can do the same works through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:12).
Not only was the Holy Spirit involved in the conception of Jesus, the baptism of Jesus, and the ministry of Jesus… He was also instrumental in His resurrection from the dead.
3) “…concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4) and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:3-4)
Before we examine the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, let’s discover what the scripture has to say about Him. In Genesis, the book of beginnings, we see the Godhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) working together in creation.
1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2) The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
The book of Psalms alludes to this Divine collaboration of the Godhead during creation as well.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. Psalms 33:6
The Psalmist compares the Holy Spirit to the breath of the Lord. This is an important insight because we will later see, in this study, the Holy Spirit is often compared to the wind, fire, or water. Obviously, He is not wind, fire, or water, but can be manifested, experienced, and encountered as a mighty wind, a fire, or rivers of living water.
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead. He is just as much God as the Father and Son (Matthew 28:19). He proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 7:37-39; 15:26).
He is not some nebulous non-intelligible force. He has feelings, can be grieved, quenched, and spoken against (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Matthew 12:32). Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as a Person, and always used personal pronouns when referring to Him.
But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. John 15:26
The Holy Spirit shares all the Divine attributes as the Father and Son. He is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Psalms 139:7
So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27
9) But as it is written: "EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." 10) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1Corinthians 2:9-10
The Holy Spirit is the One who communicates, transmits, and reveals the purposes and plans of the Father and Son. He leads us, teaches us all things, and reminds us of the truths we have received from the Lord Jesus and the Father (John 14:26, 16:13-15).
Clearly, we miss out on much God has for us when we ignore or do not understand the Holy Spirit and His promptings and leadings in our lives. He was sent to be our Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Standby, Strengthener, Counselor, Teacher, and Intercessor.
We’ll cover more on the Holy Spirit next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 11/15/2023