The Holy Spirit


Who is the Holy Spirit

Study 1

Welcome to the first in a series of studies on the Holy Spirit.
This study is lead by the Holy Spirit, and with his guidance I will try to make everything as clear as possible so that everyone understands.
Remember you can E-mail questions as your studying.
Now before we start our study, I would like us all to take a little quiz.

Yes, the first day of school and we're taking our first test.


But this is not a school, but if it were we would like to take a break.
How about Christmas break?

See a test and Christmas break all in a matter of minutes; this is going to be fun!

These 4 questions have to do with Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
These are multiple choice questions.
Please don't yell out the answers (unless tour alone), let everyone think about them.
Here we go:

1. The wise men who journeyed from afar to visit Jesus were?
a. astrologers b. kings c. circus performers

2. How many wise men were there?
a. Three b. I don't know c. I know, but I'm not telling

3. The wise men found Jesus in Bethlehem and visited him in
a. a stable b. a manger c. a house

4. The wise men's gifts included
a. gold b. Frankenstein c. fur

You'll find the answers in Matt. 2:1-11


But the correct answers are:
1. A The wise men were astrologers, not like we would think of horoscopes more like what we would call astronomers today, they studied the stars and planets.

2. B Matt 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
The Bible does not say how many there were. We get three because of the 3 gifts presented to Jesus at His birth.

3. C Matt 2:11a And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. (see Luke 2:8-18 shepherds went to the stable not the wise men)

4.A Matt 2:11b And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

I just wanted to do this as an illustration of how important it is to check out the word of God for yourself, and not take my word for it or anyone else's.
As you see we have been taught by the world that there were 3 kings, that they found Jesus in the manger, and most people don't know what the gifts were that were presented to Him. (For a good study I would suggest that you look into what the 3 gifts represents.)

So check out what your taught even here in this study, and if there are any discrepancies, let me know and if you are correct I will let people know in the next study.
I will also let you know at the end of each study what will be the subject for the next week so you can personally prepare yourself.


As we start this study on the Holy Spirit, we will look at the following in the weeks to come:
  • Who He is

  • What part in the Trinity He plays

  • What is His role

  • How He affects our lives

  • The gifts He gives to each one of us as the body of Christ

  • The purpose of these gifts

  • Helping you determine what your gift or gifts are

  • How and when the gifts are used


    • 1. Who or what is the Holy Spirit?

    Let's first look at what Jesus said in the book of John:

  • John 14:15-18, 26 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
    26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
    26 "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 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.


  • John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.


    • Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit, Helper, or Comforter, and He will testify of Jesus (John 15:26) and bring Jesus' word to our remembrance (John 14:26) and He (Jesus) fulfilled that promise as we see in John 20:22.

    But who or what is the Holy Spirit Jesus was promising to send us?
    What do you think about or associate when you hear the word Spirit?
    Was He a gas or vapor floating around like we see ghosts in movies?
    Or was He a person?
    You also heard of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. So is He part of the Trinity, and if so, what part?
    This week's study will answer these questions and we will find the answers in God's word.

    In John 14:16-18 orphans refers to comfortless. The original Greek defines the word Comforter as "parakletos". Para is the Greek for "with" or "along side of" and Kletos means "called" .
    So Jesus is telling his friends that He will ask the Father to send another helper who will "come along side of " them to help them.
    The word "another" defined in the Greek is "allos" meaning "of the same kind or equal quality" Jesus is telling them He will pray the father to send someone just like him.
    So the Holy Spirit or Comforter is the same quality as Jesus, just like having Him with you always. Isn't that a great thing to know that you can have someone just like Jesus with you always, or as it says in verse 16 "forever! ".

    Just imagine if you were in the days of Jesus and He was walking along side you all the time. You would be free to ask Him any questions and He would answer you. Wouldn't that be great?

    But you know what? We have the same thing right know.
    I know, your saying, "Wait a minute, there's no one next to me all the time who I can confide in, or ask questions, or to be there for me when I just need someone to talk to."
    But as we just learned, you do!
    Here's an example: Think of us in school again (it's pretending so it's fun that way). We have now reached Easter (boy what a fast school year this has been), and with Easter comes tax season.
    So you may want to ask Jesus, " Do I have to pay these stupid taxes?"
    You sit there and hear nothing. So you think, " I guess not, because He didn't answer me."
    But not so, if you want to talk to Jesus and ask him questions, you need to let Him talk back to you. But, "How ?" you ask. Just look in the Bible and Jesus will answer you.

    Here is Jesus' answer in:
  • Mark 12:13-17 13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 "Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it." 16 So they brought it. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." 17 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at Him.


    • So there we have asked Jesus if we have to pay our taxes, and He has answered us.
    But you may say I still don't get it? Well that's part of what we will learn here in this study, that the Holy Spirit is with us all the time and will direct us as we talk to God, or Jesus, and He will guide us as Jesus gives us the answer.
    Even if it is still a little confusing, by the time this study is over, I pray you will have a greater relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit!


    Let's start at looking at some descriptions of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Let's start in the Old Testament.

    Turn to:
  • Genesis 1:2 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.


    • This is the first time the Spirit is mentioned (by name) in the Bible, it says the Spirit of God was hovering or moving over the face of the waters. But this doesn't tell us much about who He is, or does it?
    First we can see that the Spirit moves around, and only a living thing can move; a rock can't move on it's own, and neither can a tree; although a tree is a living thing. The sofa or the chair your sitting on can't move, these things only move when something else moves them.

    What about a cloud, or steam, or smoke?
    They are pushed through the air by wind and it clearly says that He was moving over the face of the waters, which means: a decided area of being at, not forced to be there or move.
    So we can rule out the Holy Spirit as being a vapor or gas, rock, tree or any inanimate object.
    (Just a note, remember that a lot of people will worship a statue, making it their god.
    But look at the book of Isaiah 44:14-19 this is a great passage in the bible that talks about people bowing down to inanimate object. It always makes me laugh every time I read it.)

    Also notice in Chapter 1 it gives an account of how the earth was created. Notice the Spirit is there and is part of the creation of the universe and world.
    Look in:

  • Gen. 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."


    • God said let Us make man in Our image, us referring to God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit.
    We can see Jesus' part in

  • John 1:1-3 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.


  • Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.


    • Notice it say's the Spirit is good

  • Isaiah 40:13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him?


    • Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, and who has taught Him.
    This shows no one can teach the Holy Spirit or directed Him. Any animal or person can be taught.

    So He's not a vapor, rock, plant, animal or human. Sounds to me like He's God!

    But let's look some more about Him. Turn to:

  • Matt. 3:16-17 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."


    • Here we see the Trinity together at one time;
  • Jesus: being baptized

  • The Holy Spirit: descending on Jesus

  • God: speaking


    • But you may say, "Wait, it says the Spirit is a dove, so the Holy Spirit looks like a dove."
    But look closely, it says like a dove. Like meaning: similar, but not the same.

    Now we also associate the Trinity as Father, Son, Holy Spirit (see Matt. 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, also notice it says NAME not NAMES meaning one person) in that order, so we assume the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. But it's not always like this in the Bible.
    Here are a few examples that speak of the Trinity in different order

  • Eph 4:4-6 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.


    • Here it says Spirit, Lord (Jesus), God.

  • Rom 15:30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,


    • Here it's Jesus, Spirit, and God.

    and in
  • II Cor. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.


    • Jesus, God, Holy Spirit.

    So we see through these passages that there is no specific order for the Trinity. All three are equal, one, the same.

    Turn to
  • Acts 5:1-9 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." 9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."


    • verse 3 says lie to Holy Spirit
    verse 4 says to God
    and verse 9 says to the Holy Spirit
    So just like we can't keep things from God, we can't hide them from the Holy Spirit also.

  • I Cor. 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?


    • We are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us.

  • II Cor. 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.


    • Says straight out, "The Lord is the Spirit."

  • Eph. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.


    • Says we can grieve the Holy Spirit.

  • Psalm 139:7-12 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You


    • Says we cannot hide from the Spirit.

  • Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--


    • We are to pray in the Spirit, not from our heads, but from our hearts.

    Just a couple more verses before we finish this week's study.

    Turn to
  • Acts 10:44-48 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.


    • Here we see that the Holy Spirit fell upon those who were listening about Jesus, and how he was crucified and God raised Him from the dead.
    But the interesting thing is that, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles. WE are Gentiles. We are not Jews or the children of Israel.
    Also they were not even baptized with water yet.

    Now turn to
  • Acts 19:1-6 1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.


    • Here we see that there were some who believed that Jesus was the Messiah according to John the Baptist teaching, but they never received the Holy Spirit or even heard of the Holy Spirit.
    Also we see that the receiving of the Holy Spirit was from the laying on of hands (you can also see this in Acts 8:17). But also earlier in Acts we saw that they received just by hearing the word. It wasn't just hearing the word, but believing what they heard was true, and they knew in their hearts that Jesus was the only way.

    This may be the first you ever heard or maybe even the first teaching you ever heard on the Holy Spirit. But I tell you that you can receive Him right now if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

    I have one little demonstration you can do on your own which will help to demonstrate what it's like receiving the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
    Get an empty glass, a plate or pie pan, and a pitcher of water (or a larger glass of water will do).
    Put the empty glass in the pie pan or plate.
    This empty glass represents you when you were an unbeliever. Empty with nothing to offer anyone except emptiness like you had.
    The plate or pie pan represents those around you that you come in contact with on a daily basis i.e. Family, friends, co-workers etc.
    But when you receive Jesus this is what happens. (Take the water and fill the glass to the top, but not over)
    This is now you with Jesus as your Lord, and the water represents the Holy Spirit.
    You are now full of the Holy Spirit. But notice that it does not affect those around you.
    Now take the rest of the water and continue to pour it in the glass of water.
    This is what happens when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit just flows out of you like rivers of running water onto others.

  • John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."


    • Notice also the effects to those around you; the Holy Spirit comes in contact with them. It's called witnessing, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit on the lives of others.

    If you were to take the empty glass and give it to someone when they were thirsty. They would drink from it and receive nothing. Just like what we had to offer those in need when we were without Jesus, only emptiness and no hope.
    But when someone is thirsty (as Jesus said) you give him or her a drink of water and they are satisfied.

  • John 4:14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."


    • As non-believers we have nothing to offer the world, only emptiness like the empty glass.
    But as believers we have much to offer. We have what people need to satisfy their thirst, Jesus. And as Jesus said they will never thirst again!
    Now let me ask you one thing, when someone gives you something to drink do you thank them for the glass or the water that's in the glass?
    You are thankful for the water not the glass.
    That's how it is when we minister to someone. People should see the water and not the glass. To make it simpler we are vessels (or glasses) and Jesus is the water (or living water) don't let people give glory to the vessel (you) but to the water (Jesus).

    Turn to:
  • Gal. 3:1-5 1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?--


    • We do not receive the Holy Spirit through works, but by faith, and by faith you can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit right now, all you have to do is ask.
    Jesus said ask and it will be given to you.
    Don't look for a feeling or try to experience what someone else did.
    Let the Holy Spirit do what He wants to in your life, how He wants to.

    May be you are reading this study and knowing you are empty inside with out any hope for tomorrow.
    Let me tell you now that Jesus is telling you that there is hope for tomorrow, and that hope is in HIM.
    You don't have to be that empty glass any more. You can be full RIGHT NOW!!!
    All you have to do is acknowledge that you are a sinner,

  • Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,


    • Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead

  • John 3:14-18 14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.


    • Give your life to Jesus

  • John 12:25-26 25 "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.


    • Here is a simple prayer that you can pray right now to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior:

  • Dear Jesus, I admit to you that I am a sinner, I believe that you died for all my sins. I accept you right now as my Lord and Savior. Just as you gave Your life for me, so I give my life to You.
    Thank you for dyeing for me and cleansing me of my sins. Fill me now with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to tell others about what you did for me and for them.
    I thank You and I Love You, I ask this in Your name Jesus, Amen!


    • If you just prayed that prayer and prayed it from your heart, you are now a Christian, and the angels in heaven are rejoicing.

    I want to rejoice with them also so please send me an E-mail and let me know.


    E-Mail
    Who is the
    Holy Spirit?    		 What the
    Holy Spirit does
    in our lives.    		 What the
    Holy Spirit
    does in
    our lives
    (part II)
    Prayer
    Prayer
    (part II)
    Intro to
    the gifts of
    the
    Holy Spirit.
    Intro to
    the gifts
    of the
    Holy Spirit
    (part II)
    Intro to
    the gifts
    of the
    Holy Spirit
    (part III)
    Intro to
    the gifts
    of the
    Holy Spirit
    (part IV)
    Word of
    Wisdom
    & Word of
    Knowledge.
    Faith
    Faith
    (part II)
    Healing
    Miracles
    Prophecy
    Prophecy
    (part II)
    Discerning
    of spirits
    Tongues/
    Interpretation
    of Tongues
    Tongues/
    Interpretation
    of Tongues
    (part II)
    Apostle
    Pastor/Teacher
    Giving
    Helps
    Helps (part II)
    Mercy
    Pastor/Teacher
    Administration/
    Leadership
    Evangelism