The Holy Spirit is Here!

Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the release of His power. This Holy Spirit outpouring first occurred on the Day of Pentecost or 50 days after Passover, and He hasn’t left (Joel 2:28 – 32; Acts 2:14 – 18)! He will remain here at work on the earth as well as restrain evil until Jesus comes to take His Body, the church, out of the world (John 16:8 – 11; 2 Thessalonians 2:7). Because the Holy Spirit convicts and draws people to Jesus (John 6:44; 15:26; 16:13 – 14; 1 John 5:6), He will also be at work during the Great Tribulation because we see that multitudes will be saved (Revelation 7:4, 9 – 10; 14:4; Zechariah 12:10).

The Holy Spirit came to make Jesus real in our lives, manifest the power of heaven, Bless us, and meet our needs (1 Samuel 10:6; Acts 1:8; Revelation 3:20). Therefore, it isn’t enough to only believe in the Holy Spirit or learn about Him, but to experience the Holy Spirit and His visitations in our lives, i.e., prophecy, dreams, visions, healing, tongues, etc.

When Jesus was ready to return to His Father in heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower His disciples (the church) for service and ministry to establish His kingdom here on earth (Acts 1:4 – 5, 8). Baptism with the Holy Spirit is for all believers and is a gift (Acts 2:38 – 39). By receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit, you are availing yourself of His power and the gifts He gives for advancing God’s Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4 – 11).

A gift is free and doesn’t have to be earned, just received and opened! Even as Jesus gave us the fullness of all He is and has as a gift through the cross of Calvary, we also can receive the fullness of the in-filling of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. He is in you, and His gifts are in Him. These gifts are given to us as believers for the profit of all), and we are to use these gifts in love (1 Corinthians 12:7; 13:1 – 2). These spiritual gifts exalt Jesus as Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). The book of Acts shows us how the power of the Holy Spirit transformed the early church, and it is still being lived out until Jesus comes for His Bride, the church today (Mark 16:17 – 20; Hebrews 2:3 – 4).

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Our God is a Triune God, one true God revealed in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4). Each has individual characteristics, responsibilities, and operations yet are equal and work in total unity and harmony. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity or Godhead (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). All plans come from the Father as He initiates them through Jesus, who proclaims because He is the Word and reveals the Father; (John 1:14; 14:10 – 11) and are carried out by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit possesses all of God’s attributes, i.e., omnipresent; omniscient; omnipotent; eternal; etc. (Hebrews 9:14; 1 Corinthians 2:11-12; Psalm 139). He is God, and He is a person who has the mind of God; knows the will of God; knows what God is feeling, and displays emotions (1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30).

Roles and Functions of the Holy Spirit

The role of the Holy Spirit inside us reproduces the life of Jesus in us through depositing His Divine nature, the love of God in our hearts, and the nine fruit of the Spirit into our re-created born-again spirit, i.e., love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:2; Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22 – 23). These nine fruit are present at salvation but need development through our cooperation with Him. The development of the fruit of the Spirit is evidence of our maturity in Christ. The fruit appears and develops when we walk in the Spirit so that our behavior and actions reflect them and Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Another purpose of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us is to bear good fruit. Jesus said that when we abide in Him and He in us, we will bear much fruit for, without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). The key to bearing fruit is staying connected or tapping into Jesus and obeying what He says. We don’t have to strive to bear fruit. Bearing fruit results from abiding in Jesus and His Words abiding in us! The secret to abundant life is fruit-bearing or being others oriented (Genesis 49:22).

There is one Spirit but with seven characteristics, personality traits, or expressions (1 Corinthians 12:8; Revelation 1:4 -5; Isaiah 11:1 – 2). These seven Spirits are before the throne of God and operate in and from the Courts of Heaven. [1]

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2

It is essential to listen and follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit and His seven characteristics as He directs our movements before the Courts of Heaven because He empowers us to function in the Courts of Heaven and is our legal aid.[2]

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, our Helper, and testifies of Jesus, teaching us all things and bringing everything Jesus has said to our remembrance (John 14:26; 15:26; 1 John 2:20, 27). He is the Spirit of Truth, our Guide; He speaks of things to come (John 16:13 – 14); and the Intercessor that helps us pray and intercede (Psalm 119:11; John 14:17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Romans 8:26 – 27; 1 John 2:27). An intercessor is a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer. He is the author of Scripture, and every book of the Bible reveals the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26 – 27; 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17; 2 Peter 1:20 – 21). The Holy Spirit’s work in the world is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7 – 11).

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

The Anointing is the presence, goodness, and power of God. It is tangible, evident, and observable (Acts 10:38). As believers, we have the Holy Spirit living within us since we were born again (John 14:16 – 17).

Jesus had the Holy Spirit living within Him from the moment of conception (Luke 1:35). Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit after His water baptism before starting His earthly ministry (Luke 3:21- 22). Jesus didn’t work one miracle until His baptism with the Holy Spirit. Only after He received the Anointing did He preach, heal the sick, and do the mighty works of God (Luke 4:18 – 19; Acts 10:38). The sevenfold Spirit of God was upon Him (Isaiah 11:2).

The Anointing is the person of Jesus Christ manifesting Himself by grace in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We have the same anointing that Jesus had when He walked on the earth because He lives in us (Luke 4:18 – 19; Isaiah 11:2; 2 Corinthians 1:20 – 22). So we, too, can have the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, which manifests in our lives, within us, coming upon us and flowing through us.

The Spirit of knowledge brings revelation of God the Father and His ways and truth. Through the Spirit of knowledge, revelation also shows us what we have in Christ, frees us from sin and oppression, and allows us to enter into His rest and walk in our destiny (Luke 4:18; Romans 6:1 – 9; John 8:31 – 32; Matthew 11:27 – 30). [3] The Spirit of understanding heals the brokenhearted, and the Spirit of wisdom destroys poverty and brings prosperity (1 Kings 3:11 – 13; Proverbs 3:13 – 14; 5:8 – 10; 13:11; 23:4 – 5; 28:19).[4] We can be set free through the Spirit of counsel (Luke 4:18; John 8:7 – 11), even thru our dreams (Daniel 4:27).[5] The Spirit of might brings us to victory! The fear (reverence) of the LORD is hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13). The Spirit helps us walk in the fear of the LORD, which is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10).

The Holy Spirit is our Power Source

We have His power, resurrection power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead to help us walk in victory over sin, the devil, and the world (Romans 8:11). He is the greater one than lives inside of us (1 John 4:4).

When Jesus gave His disciples the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28: 19 – 20), He knew that they couldn’t fulfill it in their own power and so told them to wait in Jerusalem until they received the power from on High or the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).

Baptism with the Holy Spirit means immersion or in-filling with the Spirit’s life and power, and Jesus is the one who is doing the baptizing (Acts 1:5). When the Holy Spirit comes upon us through the baptism with the Holy Spirit, we are anointed for supernatural ministry just like Jesus was to do the Father’s works. It is empowering for service to reproduce the ministry of Jesus, including signs, wonders, and miracles! His in-filling gives us the power to be witnesses for the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). We are to enforce His kingdom on the earth, but we need a power greater than our own to serve and minister Christ’s kingdom here. Not only does His presence dwell within us, but He flows through us!

Power is connected to obedience and humility, as we see in Jesus’ life as our example (Philippians 2:5 – 8). So even though the anointing dwells in us (1 John 2:27), we need to surrender our lives and wills to the work of the Holy Spirit so that the anointing increases and we can walk in the fullness of His anointing and power, that same power that raised Christ from the dead!

Are you living the abundant life by walking and living in the fullness of God that is offered to us through the work of the Holy Spirit? So, whether you believe you receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation or at a later time, I believe it opens the door to the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, which can be repeated and increased according to our desire for more of God in our lives or when needed for the kingdom assignments the Lord gives us. We need His anointing and power that Jesus said is available for all who believe!

We receive power from on High or baptism with the Holy Spirit with the same Holy Spirit who re-created our spirit when we became born again! The baptism with the Holy Spirit is received by grace through faith, just like all the other Blessings of God (not by our feelings); (Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 5:7). Remember, it is not just an experience but the reality of the person of the Holy Spirit in us, upon us, and working through us. The Bible reveals different ways that people receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit, i.e., by asking, by prayer, by the laying on of hands, etc. (Luke 11:9 – 13; Acts 8:14 – 17; 10:44 – 46; 19:6).

In Acts 2:1 – 4, we see that the baptism with the Holy Spirit brought the initial evidence of speaking in tongues (a heavenly language or language unknown to the one speaking) followed by boldness (Acts 4:13, 31). When we speak in tongues, we’re not speaking to men but to God; however, in the spirit, we speak mysteries (1 Corinthians 14:2 – 4). Speaking in tongues edifies or builds us up and refreshes us (1 Corinthians 14:4; Jude 1:20; Isaiah 28:11 – 12). It is nothing to be fearful of. We need to trust Jesus and receive this gift by faith. He is the one who is doing the baptizing with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8).

We can experience more of God when the Holy Spirit brings the fullness of God to us (Ephesians 3:19 – 20). Each person’s encounter is unique and special. Some speak in tongues right away; others need the laying on of hands to increase their faith or have an agreement in prayer, and some ask in prayer by themselves. It doesn’t matter how you receive the baptism with the Spirit that Jesus gives; He knows how you need to receive Him.

If you would like to receive the fullness of God by the baptism with the Holy Spirit, you can have a Pastor or ministry leader pray for you, lay hands on you, or you can pray this prayer out loud yourself:

Lord Jesus,

I ask you to baptize me with the Holy Spirit. By faith, I fully expect to receive power from on High and to speak with other tongues, as the Holy Spirit gives me utterance. Thank you for pouring the Holy Spirit upon me and immersing me in Him.

In Your name, I pray, Amen.

Now, begin to praise and worship, and when the Holy Spirit brings words and syllables to you, then speak them forth. They will be in a heavenly or an unknown language to you! Continue using this blessing God has given you, and pray in the Spirit every day! Praying in the Spirit is part of the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:18) and includes being led by the Spirit in prayer on how and what to pray and praying in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:14 – 15).

When we allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us by praying in tongues, God’s perfect will is being prayed, and strategies for victory are released for the angels of the Lord to carry out His Word (Psalm 103:20 – 21). The Holy Spirit knows what to pray for even when we don’t know.

Prayer generates power, and our prayers are powerful when we pray according to His Word and His leading (James 5:16). Our power increases as we pray in tongues because our spirit man is edified and built up. Don’t neglect your prayer life, including speaking in tongues. Spiritual battles are won in the prayer room in the supernatural realm!

The power to walk victoriously comes from the Holy Spirit, and we can experience the Holy Spirit’s power by being filled moment by moment as we yield to Him (Ephesians 5:18). Without His power, we will fail and fall back into sin and bondage (Romans 8:13). We know this because the Bible tells us that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17), so only the Spirit sets people free and empowers them to walk in freedom. Therefore, with the Holy Spirit, we have the power to fight sin effectively because He strengthens our inner man (Ephesians 3:16).

Developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit

How do we develop a relationship and have communion with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14)? Start by welcoming Him and thank Him for coming to you and bringing all that He is and has. Acknowledge and enjoy His presence, His gifts, His nature, and His functions. Invite Him to take control of your life and decisions and ask Him to lead, direct and counsel you. Spend time in fellowship with Him by soaking in His presence, waiting on Him in worship, and listening to His voice as you would in talking to a friend. Be aware of Him in your day’s activities, make yourself available to Him, and obey Him when He asks you to do something. He is always with you and wants to be your best friend!

Real friendship with the Holy Spirit can change your life. Get to know Him better by meditating on the Scriptures, listening for His voice, and obeying what He says. He will lead and guide you into all truth, which will make you free, which is abundant life indeed (John 8:31 – 32, 36)!

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15 – 18

[1] Henderson, Robert. (2020). 365 Prayers and Activations for Entering the Courts of Heaven. Shippensburg, Pennsylvania: destiny image publishers, Inc.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid

[5] Ibid.

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