"Who is the Holy Spirit ?"

If there is any Biblical question that has been raised by non-believers and challenged the credibility of the Christian faith in the whole world, it is this question. "Who is the Holy Spirit?"

As you read this Insight, please remember that many great Christian thinkers have read, written, and testified about the experience and the power of the Holy Spirit in a mission-shaped Church. This Insight is just a tip of the iceberg.

However, After the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, on Easter Sunday, followed by Ascension, then Pentecost Sunday - the Day when the Holy Spirit filled the disciples with Power. This is the very heart of Christianity.

Professor John Mbiti said,
"It's time to live in Christ in religion rather than to live in religion in Christ."

Every year around about this time, the Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday.

The Day when the Holy Spirit first filled the Disciples with power.

The First Experience of Holy Spirit What do we mean by The First Experience of Holy Spirit?

Pentecost Sunday is a special Sunday when believers in Christ commemorates and celebrates the first experience, receiving and the filling of Holy Spirit.

According to Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost, where Jesus would be baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. In John 14:26, Jesus confirmed this prophesy with the promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples.

He showed Himself to these men after His death on the cross and His Resurrection, giving convincing proofs that He was alive. In Luke's accounts in Acts 1:3-8, Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Father's gift of the Holy Spirit, from whom they would receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. After Jesus' ascension to heaven, the men returned to Jerusalem and joined together in prayer in an upper room. (Acts 1:13).

On the Day of Pentecost, just as promised, a violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 2:4. They were given the power of communication, which Peter used to begin the ministry for which Jesus had prepared him.

After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples did not stay in the room basking in God's glory but burst out to tell the world. This was the Birth Day of the Church of Christ - the beginning of the Church, as we know it.

Today, in many Christian churches, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated to recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit, realising that God's very life, breath and energy lives in believers. During this time, John 20:19-23 may be the core of the message about our risen Saviour supernaturally appearing to the fear-laden disciples. Their fear gave way to joy when the Lord showed them His hands and side. He assured them peace and repeated the command given in, Matthew 28:19-20, saying; "as the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Then He breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-23).

The celebration of Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the reality that we all have the unifying Spirit that was poured out upon the first century church. (Acts 2:1-4). It is a reminder that we are co-heirs with Christ, to suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him; that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good, (1 Corinthians 12:7), that we are all baptised by one Spirit into one body, (1 Corinthians 12:13), and that the Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead lives inside believers, (Romans 8:9-11). This gift of the Holy Spirit that was promised and given to all believers on the first Pentecost promised for you and your children and for all who are far off whom the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:39).

Paul's Testimony.

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all he appeared to me also, as the one abnormally born". (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Later St. Luke the historian wrote in his introduction to the book of Acts, "After Jesus' suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God". (Acts 1:3).

Because of the miracle of Christ's resurrection, Jesus' depressed and disappointed disciples were instantly filled and transformed by the Holy Spirit. They began to preach the gospel with power, and the resurrection of Jesus was at the heart of their preaching. Why? Without the resurrection, the Ascension, and the filling of the Holy Spirit, there is no Christianity. These disciples of Jesus willingly suffered martyrdom for their faith. The enemies of the gospel were totally unable to refute this central claim of the filling of the Holy Spirit.

They could not prevent the power, influence, conviction and work of the Holy Spirit. The Jewish believers, meanwhile, were so impressed by this miracle that they began to praise and worship Jesus Christ as Lord and King.

Unbelief in the Holy Spirit

Many people do not believe in the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Even in New Testament times we find those who refused to believe in the work and the power of the Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:13). "Some, however, made fun of them and said, 'they have had too much wine.'" This view was incorrect and Peter stood up to explain the event by giving his contemporary Jews a good historical lecture. (Acts 2:14-41).

The Power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter had been an unstable leader during Jesus' ministry letting his bravado be his down fall, even denying that he knew Jesus, (John 18:15-18). However, Christ had forgiven and restored him, (John 21).

This was a new Peter, the Peter; Jesus saw first was Simon son of John and called him Peter - the rock, (Matthew 16:13-20). His confidence came from the Holy Spirit, who made him, a powerful and dynamic speaker.

Have you ever felt as if you've made such bad mistakes that God could never forgive and use you? No matter what sins you have committed, God promises to forgive you and make you useful for His kingdom. Hallow him to forgive you and use you effectively to serve him.

Here at St Matthew's Church encouraging a healthy church filled with the power of the Holy Spirit motivates us and our five biblical purposes are:

1. Knowing Christ
   
   
2. Growing in Christ
   
   
3. Serving Christ
   
   
4. Sharing Christ
   and
   
5. Worshipping through Christ.
   
   

Modicum


Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng, disappeared on February 4th , and was last seen being taken away by a dozen police officers. Gao Zhisheng has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities, because he has defended the persecuted and has been an unyielding voice for justice in the Chinese courts.

Gao Zhisheng angered Chinese officials because he boldly spoke out for truth and justice, defending Christians and others persecuted for their beliefs. On February 4th, Gao was seen being hauled away by more than a dozen police officers from his home in Shaanxi province; he has not been heard from since.

As far as we know, Gao is experiencing severe torture. His wife and two children are anxious to hear from him. Please visit www.FreeGao.com and tell your family and friends today. We want to deliver the petition to Chinese and U.S. government officials right away and we need more signatures to release an outcry that will break the silence.

In addition, ChinaAid has just received 2,700 new e-mail addresses for Chinese government officials. When you visit www.FreeGao.com and sign up to send e-mails to officials, we will send you 25 e-mail addresses at a time. We invite you to partner with us to send as many e-mails as possible on Gao's behalf to sustain the pressure on the Chinese government.

The Chinese Communist Party is certain that their economic power buys the silence of the outside world, however they will be required to respond to tens of thousands of people crying out for one man's life. We are committed to push until the silence over Gao Zhisheng breaks.

Please Pray. © ChinaAid