WITH GOD HOLY SPIRIT

WITH GOD HOLY SPIRIT

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRT, AMEN. Have you ever prayed this? Or heard it prayed? Or witnessed it being recited as a part of a formal ceremony? I have the privilege of officiating weddings and on occasion couples repeat lines from their vows and their ring exchange after me. The good news about this specific phrase is that they usually don t have to think as hard. As soon as I get to In the name of the Father, their brains often shift to autopilot and they can finish the phrase without help. Maybe that s the problem. We have a mental framework for the Father, we ve heard stories and seen artistic representations of the Son, but the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit feels more abstract and less personal than the first two persons in the Trinity. For some of us, this was compounded by another name for the Holy Spirit: the Holy Ghost. I remember hearing this term as a child and it put me over the edge. I didn t want a spirituality that sounded this spooky. THE AIM OF THIS MATERIAL IS ANSWER TWO QUESTIONS: - HOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT CONNECTED TO THE TRINITY? - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT S ROLE IN THE CHURCH, IN MY LIFE AND IN THE WORLD? WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE TRINITY? The Trinity can often be a difficult concept to grasp. In fact, there are some who deny the existence of a Triune God altogether. Their primary argument usually rests on their claim that the term trinity isn t found anywhere in the Bible. It s true; it isn t. That said, there are multiple New Testament scriptures that identify all three persons of the Trinity. The following is a representative, though not exhaustive, list of those passages. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Romans 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:10-11 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 15:16-19a I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. 19 They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God s Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:11 But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 2 Corinthians 16:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Ephesians 1:13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 1 Peter 1:1b-2 To God s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 1 John 4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, These eleven passages from at least four different writers (some scholars debate if Paul authored Hebrews) provide evidence for a biblical framework for the trinity.

WHAT S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD EXISTING AS A TRINITY? Theologian Louis Berkhof in his work Systematic Theology, says what appears as imperfect in man, exists in infinite perfection in God. The one outstanding difference between the two is that man is uni-personal, while God is tri-personal. And this tri-personal existence is a necessity in the Divine Being, and not in any sense the result of a choice of God. He could not exist in any other than the tri-personal form (84). He also writes, in God there are no three individuals but only personal self-distinctions within the Divine Essence (87). The Trinity then, is not an idea of God s, but the fundamental nature of God. God s own unity in what Berkhof calls a tri-personal form, gives us a model for how we can experience unity among unique difference in our own relationships. Each person of the Trinity is unique, and each one complements the others. The essence of the triune God reminds us of the goal of unity in our relationships even amidst our very real differences of race, gender, culture and class. HOW DOES ONE EXPLAIN THE TRINITY? Again, the Trinity can be an elusive concept. One resource I ve found helpful is a short video by Hans Fiene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqlfgauoqcw ). In it, he deconstructs unhelpful ways of viewing the Trinity. Here are three misunderstandings of the Trinity he explores: 1. Modalism- The belief that God is not three distinct persons, but reveals himself in three different forms. The analogy for this would be one element in different states, like water as liquid, solid, vapor. 2. Arianism- The notion that Christ and Spirit are creations of the Father, and not one in nature with Him. The example used here is the Trinity as the sun, which includes the star, light and heat. 3. Partialism- The claim that Father, Son and Spirit aren t distinct persons, but are different parts of God. The picture here is God as a three leaf clover. Throughout church history, different groups (councils) met to respond to these heresies with specific statements (creeds). Here are three examples of historic church creeds that specifically reference the Holy Spirit.

ATHANASIAN CREED That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.

NICENE CREED: We believe in the Holy Spirit, in the uncreated and the perfect; Who spoke through the Law, prophets, and Gospels; Who came down upon the Jordan, preached through the apostles, and lived in the saints. APOSTLES CREED: (United Methodist Version) I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. As you can see, the Athanasian Creed addresses the Trinity at length, and gives equal space to each person of the Trinity. The Nicene Creed references the unique role of the Spirit in the Bible and the life of the church. The Apostles Creed, however, just seems to lump the Holy Spirit in with a bunch of other topics. This leads us to our next question.

WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT S ROLE IN THE CHURCH, IN MY LIFE AND IN THE WORLD? It s always been helpful for me to see God the Father as Creator, Jesus Christ the Son as Redeemer and the Holy Spirit as the Equipper. The Holy Spirit empowers Christ-followers to become the people God created them to be and Christ redeemed them to become. This may be a little simplistic, however. So, I ll show you Louis Berkhof and J.I. Packer s more comprehensive lists of what the Spirit does and then offer my own. Again, in Systematic Theology, Louis Berkhof says the role of the Holy Spirit is to: Generate life. Inspire and qualify people. Prepare and qualify Christ for His mediatorial work. Inspire Scripture. Form and augment the church. Teach and guide the church. (Berkhof 98) In the New Dictionary of Theology, J.I Packer explains that the Holy Spirit: Reveals Jesus reality and the truth about him. Unites believers in Christ in regenerative, life-giving co-resurrection, so that they become sharers in his kingdom. Assures believers that they are children and heirs of God. Mediates fellowship with the Father and the Son of a kind that is already heaven s life begun. Transforms believers progressively through prayer and conflict with sin into Christ s moral and spiritual likeness. Gives gifts for expressing Christ in the believing community that is his body, so building it up. Prays effectively in and for believers in Christ who feel unable to pray properly for themselves. Prompts missionary action to make Christ known and pastoral decision for consolidating Christ s church. (New Dictionary of Theology, 317) Here are some of my own observations as I read the story of the Holy Spirit throughout the arc of the Bible. 1. The Holy Spirit actively collaborates in the act of creation. Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

2. The Holy Spirit facilitates the act of worship. John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. 3. The Holy Spirit authenticates God s work and confirms the Father s favor. Luke 4:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Acts 10:44-45 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 4. The Holy Spirit equips us with power, gifts and insight. Ex. 31:2-4 See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, Numbers 11:25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied but did not do so again. Judges 14:6 The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. (cf. Judges 14:19; 15:14) 1 Samuel 10:6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 1 Corinthians 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. Hebrews 12:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

5. The Holy Spirit empowers us for spiritual transformation. Galatians 5:23-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 6. The Holy Spirit prays with and for us. Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God s people in accordance with the will of God. APPLICATION: When you read these lists, what jumps out at you? In what area(s) of your life do you need input or intervention from the Spirit? Are you in a crisis? Then ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of the fact He is interceding with you and for you. Ask the Spirit to give voice to the yearning of your heart you haven t been able to verbalize with your words. Are you curious about your contribution? Do you know how God has wired and gifted you to serve His people and His purposes? Ask the Spirit to show you how God wants to use your skill set, passions, past experiences and gifts to serve the body and reach people who aren t yet in the Kingdom. Are your struggling with your character? Ask the Spirit to show you how keep in step with God and produce the fruit of the Spirit in your friendships, at home and in your place of work.