The Holy Spirit's Role in Scripture

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son.
Genesis 1: The Spirit of God is hovering over the face of the deep, or over the waters, at creation.
- Creation involves the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son (the Word, according to John 1).
Isaiah 61: Isaiah says, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me."
- Prophets are inspired by the Spirit to reveal God's will and warn people.
The Spirit comes upon kings and military leaders (Joshua, David, Saul) to empower them for specific tasks.
The Holy Spirit is active and present throughout the Old Testament, not just a New Testament phenomenon.

The Holy Spirit begins to work in a new way by indwelling people who have come to faith in Jesus Christ.
John 16: Jesus explains to the disciples what will happen to them.
- Jesus says it is to their advantage that He goes away because if He does not go away, the Advocate will not come to them, but if He goes, He will send Him.
  - The word "advocate" (parakletos in Greek) means "one who is called alongside."
  - Para means "alongside", Kleitos means "call."
  - The Holy Spirit is called to come alongside us as a comforter or advocate.
Jesus explains what the Holy Spirit does:
- He will prove the world wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment.
  - Sin: because they do not believe in Jesus.
  - Righteousness: because Jesus is going to the Father, and they will see Him no longer.
  - Judgment: because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
- The Holy Spirit brings truth and reveals the flawed ways of thinking and systems in the world ruled by sin.
- The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and reveals true righteousness.

The Holy Spirit comes in power at Pentecost.
The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ transitions to the Holy Spirit being manifest in us, with us constantly.
Acts 2:1-4: On the day of Pentecost, the followers of Christ were all together in one place.
- A sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the entire house.
- Divided tongues as of fire appeared and rested on each one of them.
- They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability.
Devout Jews from every nation were dwelling in Jerusalem.
- They were bewildered because each one was hearing the disciples speak in his own language.

The task of the Holy Spirit is not to perform a parlor trick.
Its purpose is to spread the Gospel.
It allows them to communicate with people they would not have been able to communicate with before.
It jump starts the spread of the Gospel around the world.
It enables them to share the Gospel with people in Jerusalem from all over the world, who can then take it back to their regions.
The Holy Spirit empowers Peter to preach.
Peter explains that what's happening is in fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29.
- "It shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."
Peter connects their experience to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit prophesied by Joel.

Racial and Ethnic Equality:
- The Christian message is not defined by racial or ethnic identity.
- Christianity transcends human boundaries based on race or ethnicity.
- People from Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia were present.
- These locations cover Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Gender Equality:
- In the gender-hierarchical culture of the Middle East, the Holy Spirit empowers both males and females for proclamation.
- Peter says, "Your sons and your daughters will prophesy."
- Women like Lydia, Lois, Priscilla, and Junia were early church workers.
- Women served as deaconesses, were ordained, and preached in the early church.
Age Equality:
- Old men and young men will dream dreams and have visions.
- Anyone can receive the Holy Spirit, even as a child.
- Maturity matters for wisdom and discernment in interpreting the Holy Spirit.
Socioeconomic Equality:
- The Christian faith is not intended to be a religion for the upper classes.
- The Holy Spirit is going to be poured out even on male and female servants.
- Worldly hierarchies based on wealth, power, prestige, and education are irrelevant to the Christian church.
- The Holy Spirit radically equalizes these hierarchies.

John 14: The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all that Jesus has said.
Romans 8: The Holy Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death.
John 3: Being born again is linked to the Holy Spirit.
- We must be born again through the power of the Holy Spirit to inherit eternal life.
Galatians 5: If we are in the Holy Spirit, we are free from sin and have the power to resist temptation and choose obedience to God.
1 Corinthians 12: Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit for the common good.
- Examples include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, understanding and interpreting tongues.
- The Holy Spirit is in control of these gifts.
- They are intended for the benefit of the entire community, not for self-glorification.

The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to live free from sin and exemplify the fruits of the Spirit.