Talk Truths
This study looks at the information given to us through the Bible about the Holy Spirit. It covers the differences between God’s Spirit and the Holy Spirit, how the term “Holy Spirit” is used in the Bible, the purpose of the Holy Spirit being given to people, the things people were able to do with the Holy Spirit, where the Holy Spirit is now and the future of the Holy Spirit.
When God created the earth, His Spirit moved over the face of the waters and by His Spirit we were created (Genesis 1:2,Genesis 1:2XWaiting for response Psalm 104:30).Psalm 104:30XWaiting for response God’s Spirit is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-8,Psalm 139:7-8XWaiting for response Acts 17:28).Acts 17:28XWaiting for response There is a connection with life and God’s Spirit such that if God were to make His Spirit return to Him, all flesh would perish together and humanity would return to the dust (Job 34:14-15).Job 34:14-15XWaiting for response
While God’s Spirit is everywhere, in contrast the Holy Spirit is not everywhere, so God’s Spirit is not the same as the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).Mark 1:8XWaiting for response Holy means separate, so the Holy Spirit is part of His Spirit separated. It does not follow the normal rules of life, and it is able to do miracles (Luke 1:35,Luke 1:35XWaiting for response Matthew 1:18,Matthew 1:18XWaiting for response Luke 2:26).Luke 2:26XWaiting for response
In the Old Testament, when God’s Spirit did miracles through people, these miracles were explained by the “Spirit of God” being on them (Judges 14:6).Judges 14:6XWaiting for response The prophecies in Psalms are explained by the Psalmist in the same way (Psalm 104:30).Psalm 104:30XWaiting for response In one instance in Psalms however, God’s spirit is described as holy, so the term holy spirit is found (Psalm 51:10-11).Psalm 51:10-11XWaiting for response It seems this was adopted by people so that in the New Testament, the term Holy Spirit was used as a way to describe people who had God’s Spirit on them so they were able to do miracles by it (Luke 2:25-27).Luke 2:25-27XWaiting for response
Just by hearing the word of God, one does not have the Holy Spirit, for example Jesus’ followers did not receive the Holy Spirit just by following Jesus (Acts 8:14-16,Acts 8:14-16XWaiting for response John 7:39).John 7:39XWaiting for response The early apostles were given the Holy Spirit by Jesus after he ascended to Heaven (Luke 24:49,Luke 24:49XWaiting for response Acts 1:8-10,Acts 1:8-10XWaiting for response Acts 2:17).Acts 2:17XWaiting for response Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Comforter because it would help the apostles, and others (John 14:26).John 14:26XWaiting for response
Once the Holy Spirit was received by the early apostles, they had access to more power than they would normally (Luke 24:49,Luke 24:49XWaiting for response Acts 1:8).Acts 1:8XWaiting for response The power that they had access to varies. The prophets and apostles had some power but Jesus had, and has, all power - having the Holy Spirit without measure (Judges 15:14,Judges 15:14XWaiting for response 1 Corinthians 12:28-31,1 Corinthians 12:28-31XWaiting for response Matthew 28:18,Matthew 28:18XWaiting for response John 3:34).John 3:34XWaiting for response
Sometimes the Holy Spirit came upon people by a physical display. For example, it came upon Jesus in the shape of a dove and the apostles received it through tongues of fire (Acts 2:3,Acts 2:3XWaiting for response Luke 3:22).Luke 3:22XWaiting for response In some cases, such as John the Baptist, it was on them from birth (Luke 1:15).Luke 1:15XWaiting for response
Jesus gave people the Holy Spirit, and it was termed being ‘baptized’ with the Holy Spirit. Baptism is being immersed, and a change happening because of that immersion - so it makes sense that people were being ‘baptized’ with the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit came upon them, the change being that they had the ability to do more by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11,Matthew 3:11XWaiting for response Acts 1:5,Acts 1:5XWaiting for response Acts 2:3-4).Acts 2:3-4XWaiting for response The early apostles were given the Holy Spirit and had the ability to give the Holy Spirit to others by laying on hands (Acts 8:17).Acts 8:17XWaiting for response They spread the gospel and the Holy Spirit. People saw that the Holy Spirit was given to others, and one individual is recorded desiring to buy the ability to spread the Holy Spirit, but is denied (Acts 8:18-23).Acts 8:18-23XWaiting for response
After Jesus was given the Holy Sprit, he began preaching and used the power given to him through the Holy Spirit to prove to people that what he preached was true (Luke 3:22,Luke 3:22XWaiting for response Matthew 14:24-33,Matthew 14:24-33XWaiting for response Acts 2:22).Acts 2:22XWaiting for response The early apostles were given it because they were tasked to spread the gospel to the whole world and they needed to prove to people what they taught was, and is still, true (Mark 16:15-20,Mark 16:15-20XWaiting for response Acts 1:8).Acts 1:8XWaiting for response The prophets and judges of the Old Testament were given the Holy Spirit, termed the “Spirit of God”, to do wonderful works, to speak God’s words, to do God’s will, to guide the people of Israel to do God’s will and to deliver Israel (Judges 15:14,Judges 15:14XWaiting for response Nehemiah 9:30,Nehemiah 9:30XWaiting for response Judges 2:16,Judges 2:16XWaiting for response Judges 3:10,Judges 3:10XWaiting for response 2 Timothy 3:16).2 Timothy 3:16XWaiting for response
Paul writes about the power given to people by having the Holy Spirit, called spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14). He starts by explaining all the good gifts that have been given through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).1 Corinthians 12:1-11XWaiting for response Most of these gifts are common things, such as; wisdom; knowledge; faith; and speaking in and interpreting other languages. The other spiritual gifts are uncommon such as healing, miracles and prophecy (Acts 3:7).Acts 3:7XWaiting for response Both types of spiritual gifts were given instantly upon receiving the Holy Spirit and were used as evidence that their preaching was true (Acts 2:4,Acts 2:4XWaiting for response Acts 1:8).Acts 1:8XWaiting for response
Paul writes that love is the most important thing, more important than the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31,1 Corinthians 12:31XWaiting for response 1 Corinthians 13:13).1 Corinthians 13:13XWaiting for response Every spiritual gift is useless without love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).1 Corinthians 13:1-3XWaiting for response To have love is to be like God and Jesus (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).1 Corinthians 13:4-7XWaiting for response Love endures whereas the spiritual gifts cease (1 Corinthians 13:8).1 Corinthians 13:8XWaiting for response The Holy Spirit would only be around until the gospel was fully preached (Ephesians 4:7,11-16).Ephesians 4:7,11-16XWaiting for response
When God, Jesus, the apostles, the prophets or the judges did something “by the Holy Spirit”, they did it by the power of the Spirit of God in order to do God’s will. It seems people who have the Holy Spirit can still do the wrong thing. This is shown as the apostle Paul writes to Timothy to not give out the Holy Spirit to just anyone, as he may be then partaker of their sins (1 Timothy 5:22).1 Timothy 5:22XWaiting for response
The effects of what the apostles preached then through the Holy Spirit is still seen today. The gospel is known so it was successfully preached throughout the earth. We are able to have the true faith, and to know that we are a part of the gospel, if we love and believe - the important thing is not having these gifts, it is that you love and believe in the true gospel and Jesus. This is how you will receive eternal life and a place with God and Jesus.
People of this day say that they have the Holy Spirit when someone lays hands on them or because they have joined a church, but they do not know what the Holy Spirit is. When someone says they have it nowadays they do not speak about any power coming upon them that they can actually prove that they have - which is why the apostles had it in the first place, to prove what they were preaching was true (Acts 1:8).Acts 1:8XWaiting for response Even if someone did say they had the Holy Spirit nowadays and had some power, if they preached against the truth in the Bible then that is proof they are not to be followed. Just like in the Old Testament, if someone said that they were speaking in God’s name, or in other words, had the Spirit of God on them, and then lied, they would prove that they were a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).Deuteronomy 18:20-22XWaiting for response People of today could not have the Holy Spirit and preach against the truth in the Bible because the Old Testament was written by prophets with the Holy Spirit and the New Testament was written by the early apostles with the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16).2 Timothy 3:16XWaiting for response
Nowadays the Bible is everywhere so there is no need for miracles or healing to give evidence for the truth of preaching because the truth is already spread! It is readily available for everyone and the evidence for it is in the Bible. There are miracles in the Bible that prove it is the Word of God. These miracles are in the form of prophecies that we can see have been proven. For example, the oppression of the people of Israel was prophesied, including their scattering among the nations - their return to their own land also prophesied (Amos 9:8-14).Amos 9:8-14XWaiting for response They returned just recently in 1967. Prophecies like this prove the prophet spoke the Word of God and we should be believing in their word. People just need to believe God’s words about himself, Jesus and the gospel, do as God says and hope for the reward from Heaven.
Saying that you have the Holy Spirit when you don’t could be considered a fatal sin as it could be considered blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which Jesus warns will not be forgiven (Mark 3:29).Mark 3:29XWaiting for response
The early apostles had a taste of the power of the Holy Spirit but the saints will receive more power in the future (Hebrews 6:5,Hebrews 6:5XWaiting for response John 14:12).John 14:12XWaiting for response
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:4-6Isaiah 35:4-6XWaiting for response
The above prophecy from Isaiah speaks of the glorious time when the Holy Spirit will be given again to the people by God’s grace.