Choo Choo
Christmas
Choosters
“I will pour water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring,
And My blessing on your descendants;
And they will spring up among the grass
Like poplars by streams of water.” (Isaiah 44:3-4)
This prophecy of Isaiah spoke of a glorious time to come – the very age in which we are now living! In Isaiah’s day, only a few people – like the prophets or some kings – had the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Today, it is the privilege of all believers!
Why do some folks say “Holy Ghost” and others “Holy Spirit?”
What is the Holy Ghost?
It’s better to ask “Who” is the Holy Ghost, as He is a Person. He is not an impersonal force. The Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) is part of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are equal. They are not three beings but one, just as your own spirit and body are one person.
The Holy Spirit is the life-giver. He was the agent of creation at the beginning of time. He is the author of the Bible. He gave revelation to the prophets and apostles who wrote the Old and New Testaments.
- “All Scripture is inspired by God [God-breathed] and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- “No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:21)
As the Bible teacher R. C. Sproul once said:
“The Bible is the Holy Spirit’s book. He is involved not only in the inspiration of Scripture but is also a witness to Scripture’s truthfulness.This is what we call the ‘internal testimony’ of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the Holy Spirit provides a testimony that takes place inside of us—He bears witness to our spirits that the Bible is the Word of God. Just as the Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16), He assures us of the sacred truth of His Word.”
Throughout the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit worked through certain people, and today, He infills and works through all Christians.
The Holy Spirit is the agent that raised Jesus from the dead, and He will do the same for us!
- “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)
One Lord, One Spirit, One Body
- “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)
All Christians – the Church – are part of one body – the body of Christ. Christ is the head of the body. We have one Spirit – the Holy Spirit – who applies Christ’s resurrection and brings us into the body of Christ. He baptizes us and infills us to serve the body.
- “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
When was the Holy Ghost first mentioned in the Bible?
The Holy Ghost is mentioned in the first two verses of the Bible!
- “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2)
The Holy Ghost was the agent of creation. He hovered over the waters. He brought life out of the desolate emptiness.
- “When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:30)
- “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4)
The Old Testament speaks of the Spirit of God 94 times! God’s Holy Spirit opened up the Red Sea and led Moses and the children of Israel through on dry ground!
- “Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them? Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses? Who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name? Who led them through the depths?
Like the horse in the wilderness, they did not stumble. Like the cattle which go down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. So You led Your people, to make for Yourself a glorious name.” (Isaiah 63:11-14)
Throughout the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit empowered and guided leaders like Joshua, the judges, some of the kings, and, of course, His prophets.
Is there a difference between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost?
No, both mean the same thing. “Holy Ghost” was used in translations going back over 400 years. Since then, the English language has changed, and “Holy Spirit” is used in modern translations.
In the Old Testament Hebrew, the “Spirit of God” is ruach Elohim. Ruach means “breath, wind, or spirit.” Elohim means God. So, it’s the “breath of God” or the “Spirit of God.”
In the New Testament Greek, the Holy Spirit is Pneuma Hagios. Pneuma means “spirit” or “breath.” Hagios means Holy.
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