We can gain basic understanding of the Holy Spirit with a simple introduction to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the context of Scripture.
Confused about the Holy Spirit
Have you ever been confused about the Holy Spirit or wondered what the relationship is between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?
I have. I’ll share some observations from the Bible to help us grasp some basics about this trio.
Don’t have to understand to experience the gift
I want to give a disclaimer. You don’t have to fully understand these three to experience the gift of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit in your life.
Simple introduction
In my evolving understanding of this trio, I once described them this way:
God is in the Old Testament.
Jesus is in the New Testament.
The Holy Spirit comes after Jesus.
The more I read the Bible, the more I see all three in more places, but for a simple introduction, we can start there.
Old Testament
God spoke to individuals
In the Old Testament God spoke to individuals like Noah and Abram.
“The Lord then said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.’” Genesis 7:1 NIV
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’” Genesis 12:1 NIV
God spoke through individuals
God spoke through individuals like Moses.
“The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them.’” Leviticus 1:1 NIV
God spoke through the Prophets like Jeremiah (Major Prophet) and Malachi (Minor Prophet).
“The word of the Lord came to me.” Jeremiah 2:1 NIV
“A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.” Malachi 1:1 NIV
God in church
For some reason this had me thinking of God in the place where we go to church. Maybe that’s because I remember only praying to God in church. Or maybe it’s because of that verse from Leviticus about the “tent of meeting.”
I used to think I would only experience God on Sundays. Church was the place to go to hear about God and pray to God. I think after I left the building, I would leave God behind.
What’s been your experience with God?
New Testament
Jesus spoke
In the New Testament Jesus spoke to and through individuals, as well as to crowds of people.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 NIV
Holy Spirit
While Jesus was still with His disciples, He told them of the Holy Spirit:
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, 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.” John 14:25-26 NIV
God present wherever we go
As I write this we are emerging from a long winter and a long year. Much of that time was spent either close to home or at home. Now the temps are warming up and the spring flowers are starting to stretch and unfurl their blossoms. As we step outside our doors, do we leave God behind in the confines of a room or do we remember we have access to His Presence wherever we go?
Worship from home
In this past season, church met online. In our church as we navigated participating in worship from home, we learned to set up a personal sanctuary or use an element to help designate a time and space to enter into worship. A candle, a Bible, anything that helped us focus on time with God. To create and designate a space to meet with God.
God already there
With this transition from the church building to online, God may have appeared to enter into homes and spaces He hadn’t been in before. I think it’s more likely He was already there. We may have associated His space with a church building and not realized He was with us at home.
Now that winter is waning and spring is blossoming, we may venture out more frequently. Is God confined to the spaces we’ve been confined to? Thankfully not.
Wherever we are, we can connect with God
Through the words of Jesus, we’ve received the Holy Spirit.
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in (Jesus’) name.”
These are comforting words.
I like to think of the Holy Spirit as God to go. Wherever we are, we can connect with God.
What is your experience with the Holy Spirit?
A few more thoughts on connecting with God: