50 Things You May Not Know About God's Spirit

Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:17 am

Here, from author Frank Viola, excerpted from his book Jesus: A Theography from Thomas Nelson Publishers, are 50 things that you may not know about the Holy Spirit, according to the New Testament:

1. The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16: Cool

. 2. The Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13). 3. The Spirit regenerates us (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5). 4. The Spirit glorifies and testifies of Christ (John 15:26; 16:14). 5. The Spirit reveals Christ to us and in us (John 16:14-15).

“The Holy Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ and to His body,” writes Viola. Additionally: 6. The Spirit leads us (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18; Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1). 7. The Spirit sanctifies us (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 5:16). 8. The Spirit empowers us (Luke 4:14; 24:49; Rom. 15:19; Acts 1: Cool

. 9. The Spirit fills us (Eph. 5:18; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17). 10. The Spirit teaches us to pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jude 1:20). 11. The Spirit bears witness in us that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16). 12. The Spirit produces in us the fruit or evidence of His work and presence (Gal. 5:22-23).

“The Spirit reveals Christ to us, gives us His life, and makes Christ alive in us,” writes Viola. “The Spirit takes the experiences of Jesus ... His incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension ... and brings them into our own experience. Additionally, 13. The Spirit distributes spiritual gifts and manifestations (the outshining) of His presence to and through the body (1 Cor.12:4, 8-10; Heb. 2:4). 14. The Spirit anoints us for ministry (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). 15. The Spirit washes and renews us (Titus 3:5). 16. The Spirit brings unity and oneness to the body (Eph. 4:3; 2:14-18).

That means the Spirit plays the same role that He plays in the Godhead. The Spirit is the life that unites Father and Son. The Spirit plays the same role in the church. When the Spirit is operating in a group of people, He unites them in love. Therefore, a sure evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a group is Love and Unity. Not signs and wonders (those are seasonal and can be counterfeited). And 17. The Spirit is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5). 18. The Spirit seals us unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). 19. The Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).20. The Spirit quickens our mortal bodies (Rom. 8:11).
21. The Spirit reveals the deep things of God to us (1 Cor. 2:10). 22. The Spirit reveals what has been given to us from God (1 Cor. 2:12). 23. The Spirit dwells in us (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14; John 14:17). 24. The Spirit speaks to, in, and through us (1 Cor. 12:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:11; Heb 3:7; Matt. 10:20; Acts 2:4; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:2; 16:6,7; 21:4,11). 25. The Spirit is the agent by which we are baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). 26. The Spirit brings liberty (2 Cor. 3:17). 27. The Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). 28. The Spirit cries in our hearts, “Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:6). 29. The Spirit enables us to wait (Gal. 5:5). 30. The Spirit supplies us with Christ (Phil. 1:19, KJV).

31. The Spirit grants everlasting life (Gal. 6: Cool

. 32. The Spirit gives us access to God the Father (Eph. 2:18). 33. The Spirit makes us (corporately) God’s habitation (Eph. 2:22). 34. The Spirit reveals the mystery of God to us (Eph. 3:5). 35. The Spirit strengthens our spirits (Eph. 3:16). 36. The Spirit enables us to obey the truth (1 Pet. 1:22). 37. The Spirit enables us to know that Jesus abides in us (1 John 3:24; 4:13). 38. The Spirit confesses that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:2). 39. The Spirit says “Come, Lord Jesus” along with the bride (Rev. 22:17). 40. The Spirit dispenses God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5).

41. The Spirit bears witness to the truth in our conscience (Rom. 9:1). 42. The Spirit teaches us (1 Cor. 2:13; John 14:26). 43. The Spirit gives us joy (1 Thess. 1:6). 44. The Spirit enables some to preach the gospel (1 Pet. 1:12). 45. The Spirit moves us (2 Pet. 1:21). 46. The Spirit knows the things of God (1 Cor. 2:11). 47. The Spirit casts out demons (Matt. 12:28). 48. The Spirit brings things to our remembrance (John 14:26). 49. The Spirit comforts us (Acts 9:31). 50. The Spirit makes some overseers in the church and sends some out to the work of church planting [through the body] (Acts 20:28; 13:2).

“Because of the Holy Spirit, the history of Jesus Christ becomes our story and experience,” writes Viola.