How do we Believe in the
Person of the Holy Spirit?
In scripture only a few texts refer to believing in the Holy Spirit:
"Let me ask you only this: did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? . . . Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? . . . that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:2, 5 and 14)
Moreover we are commanded to receive and depend on the Person of the Holy Spirit:
"And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘ you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit’" (Acts 1:4–5).
"And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:22)
We are taught to keep an intimate relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit and to cooperate with Him:
". . . in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:4–6)
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:16).
"Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit" (Romans 12:11)
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. . . . But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law." (Galatians 5:16–18)
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God." (Ephesians 4:30)
"Be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18)
"Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
We believe in the Holy Spirit by choosing to be available to Him, by choosing to rely on Him, by surrendering our judgements and choices to His guidance and empowerment. Then He can renew the Grace of Pentecost in the life and mission of the Church.
