Brothers in God :
The Holy Spirit and Jesus
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1B. The Holy Spirit Works Amongst Us 
Martin Luther writes that "the third article is about the Holy Spirit, who is one God with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit's office is to "make holy." We must understand what the words, "Holy Spirit," mean, for there is the human spirit, evil spirits, and the Holy Spirit. Why is God called the "Holy Spirit" here? Because he sanctifies. Therefore I believe in the Holy Spirit" writes Martin, "because he has sanctified me and still sanctifies me." (1)
The Holy Spirit's Divinity
The third person of the Trinity demands the same reverence as the Father and Jesus. He is called the Holy Spirit and really is holy.
The Holy Spirit is omnipresent and is present everywhere or anywhere he chooses at any time. This is a mark of his deity.
The Psalmist is fully aware of this characteristic of God. "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." (2) God, the Holy Spirit, is everywhere.
The Holy Spirit Enables and Enhances Fellowship
Paul made this truth in writing, "May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (3). He also notes, "Now to him (meaning the Holy Spirit in this context) who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory." (4). The Holy Spirit brings power to his people.
The Holy Spirit's Truth
The searchlight of the Holy Spirit even reveals to us the deepest truths about God and his creation. "God has been revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."(5)
The Holy Spirit in Uniform
A story about the invisible presence of God in our lives appeared in the Readers Digest. "My father, a Presbyterian minister, was late driving home from an out-of-town meeting. In haste, he exceeded the speed limit and was stopped and ticketed by a highway patrolman. When he finally got home, Mother greeted him at the door with a hug. "Oh, darling," she said, "I have been so worried. I prayed and prayed that God would be with you as you drove home." "You know," replied Daddy, with a twinkle in his eye, "he was. But I just didn't recognize him in uniform." (6). What if God was one of us?
The Holy Spirit's Personality
The Holy Spirit is a person, just as Christ is a person and the Father is a person. There is equality in the Godhead. Just as kettle mist passes a window and we automatically glance over thinking someone was passing by outside, so we sense the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit as Teacher
Donald Coggan writes, "He (the Holy Spirit) has a way of annihilating the barriers of time and distance and making Jesus our great contemporary." (7). Jesus himself instructed his disciples that "the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (8) The Holy Spirit personally teaches us the mind of God. 2 Corinthians 2.7 may be loosely translated, "The Holy Spirit leaks things from the mind of God." In the same vein, we read elsewhere, "We have received the Spirit sent by God, so that we may know all that God has given us." (9)
The Holy Spirit Speaks
In the Early Church, the Holy Spirit spoke to the disciples, just as Jesus had spoken to the Apostles. The evangelist Philip was commanded to look for an Ethiopian official in a chariot. Luke recorded, "the Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'"(10) The Spirit tells the disciple what to do and what not to do. During Paul's missionary journeys, the Holy Spirit is there to guide and direct him. Again Luke records "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to" (11). The Holy Spirit does not permit certain things if he does not wish it.
The Holy Spirit Appoints
The Holy Spirit appoints leaders in the church who are variously called bishops, overseers or elders. A church may fancy the idea that theirs is a democratic process, but it is not! The Holy Spirit and not the church is totally responsible for this task. Luke writes, "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." (12) The Holy Spirit appoints those with the necessary qualities and characteristics to lead God's people. The church's job is to be guided by that unseen yet powerful hand. What if God was one with us?
Meditation
What impact does the Holy Spirit have in your life?
Notes
(1) Martin Luther "Sermons on the Catechism" p211 (2) Psalm 139.7-10 (3) 2 Corinthians 13.14 (4) Ephesians 3.20 (5) 1 Corinthians 2.10 (6) Mrs. Charles H. Bonfy Readers Digest Dec 81 (7) The Christian Faith p 10 (8) John 14.26 (9) 1 Corinthians 2.11 (10) Acts 8.29 (11) Acts 16.6,7 (12) Acts 20.28
"The Relationship of the Holy Spirit and Jesus."
