Ep.946: How Can I Get the Holy Spirit?
What the holy spirit is, what it does, who gets it and why
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CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: Ephesians 5:18
How would you like access to power? This power can change your life, give you things, protect you and even heal diseases! This power is from a source that is unlimited, a source that is generous and a source that truly has your best interest in mind. Sound intriguing? For many Christians, this power is the holy spirit and these enticing claims come across as very real. But are they real? Is this what the holy spirit is really about or does the truth of the matter look entirely different? Who “gets” the holy spirit? When you get it, what does that mean? What does it change? Can we, should we be trying to have the holy spirit working in our lives?
YES!
If you consider yourself a real and dedicated Christian, the obvious answer to that last question is "yes." Yes, you should be trying to have the holy spirit working in your life. The follow up to this question is where we begin to find trouble, because that is where we as Christians diverge in our understanding of the matter. Defining what the holy spirit is, what functions it performs and how the holy spirit actually changes one’s life is daunting.
When does God's spirit first appear in the Bible?
To begin to deal with this, we decided to look at when the it was first introduced in the Bible. The result of this search is instantaneous because the second verse of the very first book of the Bible reveals that “God’s spirit moved upon the face of the waters.” There it is, right at the beginning of all earthly beginnings - God’s spirit exerting the power of change and creation.
The most strict and literal sense of the word for “spirit” in Genesis is the Hebrew word for "wind" or "breath," which gives us a picture of an unseen force or power. This thought is actually born out in the New Testament as well. The two Greek words that make up the phrase “holy spirit” can be literally translated “sacred” and “current of air or breath” so we might take this as a description of “God’s sacred and unseen power” used to work with us in our lives.
When you think about that, it is pretty astounding. God’s power at work in my life! The same power that drove creation wrote prophecy and worked miracles. How does this even happen? The answer to that question is equally as astounding. When we look at the way God’s spirit - His sacred and unseen power - worked in the Old Testament with humanity, we can see a clear and distinct mode of operation. In the New Testament, there is an obvious change in not only method but the operation as well.
Find out what the differences are between the Old and New Testament applications of God’s sacred and unseen power. We also explore the specifics of what the holy spirit does and does NOT do for us here and now. Listen to our November 28, 2016 podcast, “How Can I Get the Holy Spirit?” and begin to put the pieces of God’s power applied in their proper places. If God’s power is going to work in your life, don’t you think you should know what to expect?
I need You to pray for me to have more faith in Jesus Christ and pray for me to have Jesus Christ to give me His Spirit ok
Hi, Walter – please watch this short video to learn how to receive the holy spirit: How do Christians receive the Holy Spirit? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfMYYuLj2t0 To learn more about increasing our faith, please listen to episode #1042: How Does Faith Actually Work? https://christianquestions.com/doctrine/1042-faith-work/ There are a lot of things that can strengthen our faith, and one is learning more about the Bible. We wish you the best in your studies. – Christian Questions
How can we explain to kids not to angry the holy spirit?
Thank you for your question! We think you might be referring to Ephesians 4:30: “Do not grieve the holy spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (NASB) (The New Living Translation says “bring sorrow” instead of “grieve,” which may be easier for a child to understand…such as when a child misbehaves or does something out of line with a parent’s values, that parent might feel sorrowful.)
The holy spirit is God’s power and influence. You might tell a child that a person who has the holy spirit is grieving (or, bringing sorrow to) God by not doing the right thing with their words or actions; they are going against the working of His holy spirit within them. For more information (for a parent to help explain further) see podcast #1168: Could God Convict Me of Murder? https://christianquestions.com/character/1168-murder/
So, you might say to a child that when God gives his holy spirit to someone, He has chosen and identified that person as “His.” When we behave badly, such as engaging in evil speaking or coveting, this makes God grieve, or feel sorrowful.
Most children have a difficult time understanding the decision one must make in order to begin the process to possibly receive the holy spirit, much less make that commitment. Most children (barring extraordinary exceptions) do not have the maturity (yet) to comprehend what it means to give up their wills in every aspect of their lives in order to follow God’s will until death. There are many steps involved to receiving the holy spirit. This is a very serious decision that should be approached with the utmost care and consideration, as once that promise to God is made, there is no going back. There is no changing of one’s mind. Therefore, such a decision to “consecrate” (devote) their lives to doing God’s will is typically made as a mature Christian who understands (as best they can) what it takes to walk the narrow path of a Christian life.
This step-by-step process is explained for (older) children in this video, How do Christians receive the Holy Spirit? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfMYYuLj2t0 The script is typed out underneath the video to make it easier for the child to read and follow along, in order to make sure they understand the steps involved.
This video might be helpful for a younger child, as it explains what the holy spirit is in a more general way: What is the holy spirit? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF0ovoQW4C0
If your child is interested in improving their character and habits, here are a few more to watch that focus on Christ-like behavior:
What are the “little foxes that spoil the vine”? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-loi2tJH_gM&feature=youtu.be
What does it mean to covet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBJtsKuW29k
What is evil speaking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWWx7Xo4F0U
More kids’ videos are available at our YouTube channel, ChristianQuestions.com/YouTube, or see our website’s top grey bar and hover over “CQ Videos” for a dropdown box to appear that will take you to all of our short, animated children’s videos.
Thank you again for contacting us; we hope our podcasts and videos will be a blessing to you and your family! – Christian Questions
The question is “Who, WHO is the Holy Spirit, not ‘what’! He is a person, not a thing!!
Thank you for writing. Please listen to this episode you are commenting on, along with Ep.1228: Where Do the Human Soul and Spirit Go When We Die? (Part II) for a systematic scriptural review of God’s power and influence. This will also be helpful: Ep.1188: Do We Have the Purpose of the Holy Spirit Backwards? For a more simple explanation, here is a short, animated video: What is the Holy Spirit?
This is a comprehensive and important subject to carefully and prayerfully study. It involves taking an unbiased look at the Hebrew and Greek words (including Greek rules of grammar that dictate when a masculine, feminine or neuter pronoun should be used) along with topically studying the purpose and actions of God’s spirit. It is a big topic, but we respectfully caution not believing a certain way because of the way we were taught or unquestioningly following tradition. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. Each must be convinced in their own mind after an honest and thorough study of the matter. May the LORD bless your endeavors to be faithful. – Christian Questions