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ACCORDING to the Trinity doctrine, the holy spirit is the third person of a Godhead, equal to the Father and to the Son. As the book Our Orthodox Christian Faith says: "The Holy Spirit is totally God."
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word most frequently used for "spirit" is ru'ach, meaning "breath; wind; spirit." In the Greek Scriptures, the word is pneu'ma, having a similar meaning.
THE Bible's use of "holy spirit" indicates that it is a controlled force that Our God uses to accomplish a variety of his purposes. To a certain extent, it can be likened to electricity, a force that can be adapted to perform a great variety of operations.
At Genesis 1:2 the Bible states that "God's active force ["spirit" (Hebrew, ru'ach)] was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters." Here, God's spirit was his active force working to shape the earth.
God uses his spirit to enlighten those who serve him. David prayed: "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your spirit [ru'ach] is good; may it lead me in the land of uprightness." (Psalm 143:10) When 70 capable men were appointed to help Moses, God said to him: "I shall have to take away some of the spirit [ru'ach] that is upon you and place it upon them."—Numbers 11:17.
Bible prophecy was recorded when men of God were "borne along by holy spirit [Greek, from pneu'ma]." (2 Peter 1:20, 21) In this way the Bible was "inspired of God," the Greek word for which is The·o'pneu·stos, meaning "God-breathed." (2 Timothy 3:16) And holy spirit guided certain people to see visions or to have prophetic dreams.—2 Samuel 23:2; Joel 2:28, 29; Luke 1:67; Acts 1:16; 2:32, 33.
The holy spirit impelled Jesus to go into the wilderness after his baptism. (Mark 1:12) The spirit was like a fire within God's servants, causing them to be energized by that force. And it enabled them to speak out boldly and courageously.—Micah 3:8; Acts 7:55-60; 18:25; Romans 12:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:19.
By his spirit, God carries out his judgments on men and nations. (Isaiah 30:27, 28; 59:18, 19) And God's spirit can reach everywhere, acting for people or against them.—Psalm 139:7-12.
June... quick question first. Have you ever been to a football game? you know... actually at the game? or baseball? or any sporting event involving a stadium?
Think of the game (God) as the center of our attention... and all the fans in the seats.
We all see the same game... so how come we see things different? Logic would say there's the facts... there's the proof... it's right there in front of our noses... and yet who agrees? Logic would say we all must come to the same conclusion if we observe the same truth.
So....... Does it matter to the game that your seat doesn't give a clear view? does it matter to the game you can't know everything during the game? Does our view of game in any way shape or form, alter anything on the field of play? The answer is always the same... and yet we all come to different conclusions about the game.
So there's June... in the "cheap" seats! She see's the game... but wants to see better... she wants to see clearer. She looks for the ref's to help her understand what's happening and why.
She has just felt the Holy Spirit. I love seekers!!
Dave: Despite the fact that June isn't into sports, (ballet, perhaps, but not necessarily sports...) she likes your analogy...Interestingly enough, if I remember correctly, the Hindus have a similiar type of anology in explaining God.
So in what sense is the holy spirit the "referee?"
Dave: Despite the fact that June isn't into sports, (ballet, perhaps, but not necessarily sports...) she likes your analogy...Interestingly enough, if I remember correctly, the Hindus have a similiar type of anology in explaining God.
So in what sense is the holy spirit the "referee?"
Take gentle care from Red Sox Nation.
The ref makes the call for what is "plain to see" but so many are blinded by: a) I'm a fan, b) I'm a non fan c) hate the game, my hubby made me come, d) kill the ref.... the point is... the ref helps us see through all the "junk" we carry with us to the game. Worldly view, those sinning hypocrite Christian's, science is always right, etc.
The Holy Spirit is not limited to believers... God has no limits. So... yes June, you have felt God's spirit. God has planned (His Holy Spirit)this very moment for all of us to see a clearer view for your life and mine.
He works through imperfect people trying to explain in an imperfect way, to work His incredible perfection in our lives. Very cool stuff!!!
So many here are so much better than myself at expressing a lot of these things! Bunches got rep points, thats for sure!
I can give you an example of when I feel the Holy Spirit.
Typically before I go to bed each night (because its the only time it is quiet and I don't have kids pulling me in three different directions!) I lay in bed and read my Bible- usually between 15-30 minutes. I have done this for quite some time now, and it is habit (odd for me, because I can't even get in the habit of taking my coffee cup from my desk to the kitchen! So, I am not a 'creature of habit' typically speaking! lol).
On the nights that I don't- whether because I'm too exhausted, or couldn't find my booklight- I feel so guilty! This is the Holy Spirit telling me I should be studying!
Now why is it taught that in order to be baptised in the HS you have to speak in tongues.....this is one of those teachings that make my blood boil, I do however believe if you are filled with the HS you have the abiltiy to speak in tongues, but not as evidence.
The best way I can "simply" explain the Holy Spirit (at least MY perspective) is:
He's your conscience with a Higher Power. He's kind of like little ole Jiminy Cricket to the power of 100. if that makes sense. Some people say that the Holy Spirit is what makes you feel all "warm and fuzzy" inside. I don't know about that so much, but I sure do know that He lets me know when I have done something wrong that, before I was a Christian, may not have noticed.
When some people are "saved", they are immediately blessed with the Holy Spirit, but for others it may be a long standing progress. lol
This was probably of little help, but it's the best I can do right now.
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Dear bean town... almost perfect season....
...this is one of those teachings that make my blood boil,
I do however believe if you are filled with the HS you have the abiltiy to speak in tongues, but not as evidence.
