Premium Essay

Holy Spirit Research Paper

Submitted By
Words 1032
Pages 5
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is a real Being who came to live within us Christ's followers after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended back to heaven (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit is equal in every way to God the Father, and God the Son. He is considered to be the third member of the Godhead. And Jesus said “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20) God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all the divine attributes written of the Father and the Son are equally …show more content…
Of all the gifts given to mankind by God, there is none greater than the presence of the Holy Spirit. What is the activity of the Holy Spirit? Once we give our lives up and belong to God, the Holy Spirit movies into our hearts and is there forever, marking us with the knowing, confirming, and assuring pledge of our forever state as God’s children. Jesus told us that He would send the Holy Spirit to us to be our Helper, Comforter, and Guide in our lives. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16). In Greek the word Counselor translated here means “one who is called alongside” He is there for us in any situation or problem that we face He is someone who encourages and urges to in the right direction. “convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:7-11). Everyone has a “God consciousness,” whether or not they admit it. The Spirit applies the truths of God to minds of men to convince them by fair and sufficient arguments that they are sinners. Responding to that conviction brings men to …show more content…
Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as somewhat as a “compensation” for His absence with us, to perform the things with us which He would have done if He had personally remained with us. Among these things that the He can do is that of a revealer of truth. The Spirit’s presence within us enables us to understand and interpret God’s Word as Truth. Jesus said to His disciples that “when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). He reveals to our minds the whole counsel of God as it relates to worship, doctrine, and Christian living. He is the ultimate guide, going before, leading the way, removing obstructions, opening the understanding, and making all things plain and clear. He leads in the way we should go in all spiritual things. Without such a guide, we would be apt to fall into error. A crucial part of the truth He reveals is that Jesus is who He said He is (John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:3). The Spirit convinces us of Christ’s deity and incarnation, His being the Messiah, His suffering and death, His resurrection and ascension, His exaltation at the right hand of God, and His role as the judge of all. He gives glory to Christ in all things (John

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Holy Spirit Research Paper

...This week I wrote a lesson for teaching or preaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. My lesson is intended to bring clarification to the misunderstanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Helpful feedback I received this week: To trust God in the path of my calling. This is what I did this week on my ministry project: This lesson is about the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. At times confusion circulates from the distinction between spiritual gifts and the fruit of the spirit. There seems to be a burden in the church setting...

Words: 798 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Holy Spirit Research Paper

...The Holy Spirit is the all – knowing, all – seeing, everywhere – present God. Acts 5:3 – 4 pointed out that the Holy Spirit is God. In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, before Ananias was struck dead, Peter told him, “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?... You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (NIV). It is a clear declaration that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God; therefore, the Holy Spirit is God. Christians also know the Holy Spirit is God because He possesses all the characteristics of God. For example, His omniscience is seen in 1 Corinthians 2:10 – 11, these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of...

Words: 926 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Holy Spirit Research Paper

...Wisdom is the first of the seven gifts of the holy spirit which are strengthened through the sacrament of confirmation. Wisdom helps us realize that the truths of Christian belief are far more important to are eternal soul that the things of these worlds, and and it helps us love creation for the sake of god instead of the sake of the creation itself. Another gift of the holy spirit is understanding. The gift of Understanding allows us to graspthe very essence of the truths of the Catholic faith. Through understanding, we gain a certitude about our beliefs that moves beyond faith. Counsel is the third gift of the holy spirit. Prudence can be practiced by anyone, but counsel is supernatural. Through this gift of the Holy Spirit, we are able...

Words: 641 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Reflection Paper 2

...Reflection Paper #2 Introduction On this reflection paper, the topics I choose were the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” and the “Rapture”. I choose these topics because they both bring topics of debate with them. There are many different views on these two topics and I will try to shed some light on them. Through Biblical research and theological definitions, we will try to discover the purpose and meanings of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Rapture. The first topic of discussion is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This topic stirs up much debate in the denominational realms of the church. There are many different views and standpoints on this topic. John 1:33 states that when John the Baptist, after witnessing the descent of the Holy Spirit as a dove at the baptism of Jesus, recorded these words: “He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost”. Later Jesus promised His disciples, “Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). On the day of Pentecost, the disciples had a number of experiences involving the Holy Spirit, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The disciples spoke in tongues to address the gospel of Christ to many different nations in attendance of Pentecost. This event was the start of the church and its spread of the gospel of Christ to all nations. Many Christians today have confused...

Words: 1274 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

The Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements and Speaking in Tongues

...Theologies of Pentecostals and Charismatics…….……….………2 a. Brief History of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements……..……….2-3 b. The Beliefs of the Pentecostals and Charismatics…………………..............3-5 III. The Bible and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit……………………..……….…….....5 IV. The Bible and Gifts of the Holy Spirit…………………………………….………..6 V. Scholarly Perspectives on Speaking in Tongues ………………………….………..7 a. Speaking in Tongues: A Reversal of the Babel Event at Pentecost….……..7-8 b. Psychiatric Views of Speaking in Tongues……………………….…......….8-9 c. Speaking in Tongues as Spiritual Warfare…………………………….…....9 VI. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….…....10 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………......…11 I. Introduction Author Paul Enns presents his perspectives on the supernatural gift of speaking in tongues and the Holy Spirit in his book The Moody Handbook of Theology, Revised and Expanded. However, Enns believes that gift ceased at the end of the Apostolic Age. This view is flawed because it does not take into account the manifestation of the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues in today’s modern world. Whether the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still at work and bestowed upon believers today is an issue causing considerable confusion, disagreement, and tension within the Christian community. There are as many arguments for as against the degree of...

Words: 3207 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Charismatic Theology

...Research Paper Of “A Select Issue in Contemporary Theology: Charismatic Theology." THEO 510-C03 LUO (Fall 2012) Survey of Christian Doctrine Dr. Eunice Abogunrin, Professor Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Carol H. Montgomery (ID# 24993689) November 11, 2012 CONTENTS COVER PAGE 1 CONTENTS 2 THESIS 3 INTRODUCTION 3 CHARSMATIC GIFTS DEBATE 3-12 CONCLUSION 12 BIBLIOGRAPHY 13 INTRODUCTION This research paper will show that biblical referred to as glossolalia; the ability to “speak in tongues” is fiercely debated. While the Bible gives clear examples of genuine glossolalia, which will be examined later, the modern debate centers around the need or not, nature, importance, and usage of “tongues” today. Lastly, this paper will examine the biblical accounts of glossolalia along with more occurrences that are contemporary to determine whether modern episodes of “tongues” are needed or not needed. Out of all the gifts, the one that Paul speaks of the most controversial is the gift of tongues. "Glossolalia" is the most commonly accepted term for "speaking in tongues." It comes from the Greek words meaning "tongues" or "languages," and "to speak." Although not exclusively, "speaking in tongues" is primarily practiced by Pentecostal Christians. Glossolalia is the "prayer language" of Pentecostal churches. Some Christians who speak in tongues believe they are speaking in an existing language. Most believe they are uttering a heavenly...

Words: 3542 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

What Does It Means to Be a Christian

...the way he teaches us to live. During its development, Christianity experienced numerous changes, changes in the structure, rituals, views on certain things. As for the ritual, then I think it is worth to consider related to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and a milestone in the history of Christianity - the emergence of Calvinism and explain its features, its content and the filling, the difference. Meaning of Baptism for us is that if we dare to participate in it, then we are free to live the kind of life that does not apply to death. Instead of living in fear, we are able to love - to love God (it's not as easy as it sounds ), and to love our neighbor ( it's even harder ). Calvinism is the name given to a system of philosophical thought, we have inherited from Jean Calvin. He is recognized as the spokesman of the system, but not the generator of ideas in its foundation. Calvinism is not just a set of ideas shared by Calvin and his followers, but the organic unity with a common root. Calvinism is not limited to theology, is a comprehensive system that includes well-defined views on politics, society, science and the arts. Baptism of Holy Spirit Baptism of Holy Spirit can be defined as the work by which the Spirit of God at the moment of redemption brings the believer with Christ. Spiritual baptism was given not only to the apostles, but...

Words: 1138 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

...BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: OUR FRIEND, COMFORTER, TEACHER, AND PART OF THE TRINITY A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO PROF. JOHN CARTWRIGHT IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BIBLE 364 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 SIGNS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST-------------------------------- 4 THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT---------------------------------------------------------- 5 THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL CONVICT US------------------------------------------------------------- 5 RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT---------------------------------------------- 6 CONCLUSION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 INTRODUCTION The Holy Spirit or as some refer to it as the “Holy Ghost”, is real and a very vital part of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). “From the Trinity we learn that the Creator is not static or standoffish but a loving relationality and sheer liveliness. It informs us that creation is grounded in God’s love and that grace underlies the gift of life itself.” There is scripture that shows the three as one, as we look Matthew 28:19 states “therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” There...

Words: 2212 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

How Practical Theology Guides My Lfe

...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY HOW PRACTICAL THEOLOGY GUIDES MY LIFE A RESEARCH PAPER ON HOW PRACTICAL THEOLOGY GUIDES MY LIFE BASED ON THE ESSENTIAL WORKS OF ANDREW MURRAY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES BY August 26, 2014 OUTLINE 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. HOW PRACTICAL THEOLOGY GUIDES MY LIFE 2 A. What prompts men to seek theology 3 1. How Andrew Murray views practical theology 4 2. How practical theology causes a deeper Christian life 5 3. The purpose of Practical Theology for a new life in Christ 6 A. How one comes to need practical theology 7 1. Absolute surrender 2. Practical Theology as a tool to abide in Christ 8 4. Conclusion 9 5. Bibliography 10-11 INTRODUCTION How practical theology guides a Christian...

Words: 3045 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Justification by Faith

...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR BRADLEY MCDANIEL 201540 FALL 2015 BIBL 161-B01 LUO BY DEIRDRE JONES-SHOOK LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA OCTOBER 2015 Table of Contents Definition 3-5 How is the term justification defined by scholars? What is your own definition based on your research? Basis 5-6 What is the act of being justified based or grounded on, that is, what is necessary to have happened or to be true in order for justification to be possible? Means 6-7 How does one obtain justification? What is the means by which one is justified? Time Factors 7-8 Is justification an act or a process? Is it instantaneous or gradual? Results/Fruits 8-10 Once one has been justified, what benefits or results follow? Assurance 10-12 How can one be assured of justification? Conclusion 12 Bibliography 13 JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH “Justification by faith alone” (justificatio sola fide) summarizes the doctrine of justification that has come to us as the great legacy of the Protestant Reformation. We frequently hear this formula used in preaching and teaching. The doctrine of justification by faith is a biblical doctrine. The Apostle Paul gives a full exposition of this doctrine. The letters he wrote to the Galatians and the Romans are especially important in this connection. However, the core message of justification by faith is found in the Old Testament. Paul himself argues from the...

Words: 3443 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

The Gift of Tongues Displayed in the Book of Acts

...IN THE BOOK OF ACTS A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR DOUGLAS PETERSON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BIBL364 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE BY SEAN HIGGINS LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA DECEMBER 5, 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 PENTECOST 2 THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS 5 TONGUES AT EPHESIAN BAPTISM 7 CONCLUSION 9 BIBLIOGRAPHY 10 Introduction The gift of Tongues has been becoming more and more popular over the past 10 years. Christians appear to have differing views on the matter. Some think it is a sign of the HOLY SPIRIT, other think it is a manifestation of demonic forces. There are Bible verses to support both of these opinions, so the issues can become rather confusing. This paper is meant to show exactly everything that the Book of Acts mentions on the subject of tongues. This paper doesn’t refer to any other parts in the Bible regarding tongues. There are three different incidences in the Book of Acts that refers to speaking in tongues. First in Acts 2:4, 6-11 at the day of Pentecost, then in Acts 10:46 at the conversion of Cornelius, and finally in Acts 19:6 at the baptism of the 12 men in Ephesus. I am going to look solely at these events in order to study exactly what the Book of Acts says about tongues. Pentecost The experience of the Spirit on Pentecost is a fulfillment of the prophecy of John the Baptist concerning the one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:6; Luke...

Words: 2440 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts

...The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts Ministry of Jesus Holy Spirit (Christianity) The gospel * By Bobby374 * Dec 15, 2012 * 2475 Words * 293 Views Page 1 of 6 Liberty University The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts A research paper submitted to Professor P. L. Brewster In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements For BIBL364 Liberty University Online By Robert Ortiz Jr. Lynchburg, Virginia August 17, 2012 Table of Contents Introduction 2 The Coming / Filling of the Holy Spirit 2 The Holy Spirit Speaks through Believers 4 The Holy Spirit Speaks to Believers 4 The Holy Spirit Works Miracles through Believers 6 The Holy Spirit Builds a Church 6 Conclusion 6 Bibliography 8 Introduction Jesus Christ’s work of redemption on the Cross established the foundation for freedom from the penalty of sin and death, it also facilitated in allowing for Jew and Gentile to enter into the household of God, Christ is the cornerstone. With this freedom however comes responsibility, and the book of Acts, as documented by Luke, expresses the Holy Spirit’s role in making available everything that would be necessary to put this responsibility into action. The Holy Spirit would be the conduit by which a revolution was sparked that would lead the work of Christ on to worldwide reach using early believer’s triumphs, sufferings, and persecution to see it through and ultimately begin building His church. Marguerat concludes, “…the Spirit in Luke...

Words: 2109 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Qualifications of a Biblical Counselor

...Counseling, Biblical or non-Biblical, in today’s society comes in many different forms and through many different people. Counseling could come formally through a pastor or a psychologist or informally through a friend, family member, or co-worker. When a person is deciding who to turn to for counseling for any type of situation in their life, one question they may ask is “Who is qualified to be a Biblical counselor?” This paper will attempt to answer this question and show the Biblical qualifications of a Biblical counselor. Required Qualifications Romans 15:14 says, “And I myself also am persuaded of you my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” In this verse, Paul clearly indicates three distinct characteristics that an individual must possess to be a Biblical counselor. The first qualification that Paul indicates as a must for individuals to have is salvation. Paul shows us this with his use of ‘brethren,’ which means brother , in this verse. Paul uses brethren to signify that the people he was writing to in Rome were his brothers. These people were not physically his brothers, but they were saved so they were Paul’s brothers in Christ. The second qualification that Paul indicates in Romans 15:14 as a must for individuals to have is ‘full of goodness.’ Writers in the New Testament use three different Greek words for goodness. The word that Paul uses is this verse means moral goodness, upright, or virtuous...

Words: 1254 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Calvinism vs Arminianism

...Calvinism and Arminianism The purpose of this paper is to compare two theological positions, namely Calvinism and Arminianism. These are two positions on either side of the extreme concerning free will and predestination. There are those who believe that we have the free will to love and obey God or deny God, and there are those who believe that God, in his sovereignty, has predetermined who will be saved or who will not be saved and neither group is willing to budge. Both sides claim to have the support of Scripture, and both have specific verses that are twisted and manipulated to show support and reasoning. The problem is that both sides appear, on some levels at least, to be right. The question that can be answered from a comparison of these two views is this: What are the basic differences between Calvinism and Arminianism, as well as, their relation to theology, biblical evidence and worldviews? This research paper covers the five key points or articles of Calvinism and Arminianism, as well as, the history, view of God and biblical evidence or support for each position. History The history of Calvinism and Arminianism dates back to the 16th century, where a man named John Calvin was born in 1509. John Calvin was a son of a lawyer and born in Noyon, France where he developed a love for theology and literature. In 1523 he went to the University of Paris where he studied theology, yet in 1528 he went to Orleans and a year later Bourges to study law. With Calvin’s...

Words: 2202 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

The Formulation and Recognition of the Canonical Books

...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ONLINE THE FORMULATION AND RECOGNITION OF THE CANONICAL BOOKS A PAPER SUBMITTED TO PROFESSOR C. PAUL KING IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR HISTORY OF THE CHURCH I 301 DEPARTMENT OF CHURCH HISTORY BY GLENN ROGERS LYNCHBURG. VIRGINIA 10 NOVEMBER 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Reason or Need for Adoption of a Canon of Scripture 4 Key Events that were Influential in Recognition of the Canon 5 Individuals and Councils that Helped Shape the Canon 6 Conclusion 8 Works Cited 10 Introduction The Bible is one of the most intriguing books ever written. There is no other book in history that covers the same amount of time or the comprehensive aggregation of people and cultures as found in the pages of the Bible. The mysteries and wisdom of the Bible have held the attention of Biblical and non-biblical scholars for centuries. We know from the study of history that not all Jews agreed on which books belonged in the Bible. As a matter of fact Christians also debated what to include and exclude in the New Testament Scriptures. This was a major problem in the first two centuries of Christianity. Biblical historian Paul Johnson wrote in his book entitled History of Christianity, “After more than two centuries...

Words: 2289 - Pages: 10