“…I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”— Joel 2:28-29 NLT
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. — Acts 2:1-4 NLT
I was recently thinking about the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the Church. I had quite a few questions running around in my head. Questions such as, at what point does a believer receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Is it at the point of salvation or sometime after? Is speaking in other “tongues” always or the only evidence of a believer receiving or being filled with the Holy Spirit?
As I pondered and reflected on these questions, it dawned on me that in the four years of Hills and Valleys, I have never done a study on the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit does sometimes seem to me the least talked about, the almost silent partner of the Trinity. But His work is however not so silent, but resoundingly loud, impactful, all-powerful and very active.
The work and influence of the Holy Spirit didn’t start at Pentecost. He has been moving, influencing and working in the earth and in people from the beginning of time.
In Genesis, we can see the work of the Holy Spirit in Creation: “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” Genesis 1:2 (NLT). Also, in Creation of man: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us…’” Genesis 1:26 (NLT)
Many people of old were filled, influenced and operated in the power of the Holy Spirit. One of those is Bezalel – “…Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.” Exodus 31:1-3 (NLT)
Another notable person was Mary when the angel Gabriel announced that she would conceive and give birth to a son. “Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen? I am a virgin.’ The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…’” Luke 1:34-35 (NLT)
In what ways does the Holy Spirit impact the life of believers and how do we make more room for Him?
We will explore these questions in the next blog.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 