The doctrine of the Holy Spirit has been called the Cinderella of Christian theology. We know plenty about God the Father and Son but little about the Holy Spirit.

There is a baptism of water and a baptism of fire. Water baptism is visible. Fire baptism is invisible. You can live the same way after water baptism. When you are baptised by fire, you are not the same! This fire baptism will burn sin up, burn self out and burn Jesus in. Fire provides heat and light. The fire of the Holy Spirit warms up our cold heart and brings light to our dark hearts.

1 – His reality

Most of us don’t understand the reality of the Holy Spirit. There are no pictures of the Holy Spirit. We tend to think of the Holy Spirit as a power or a force. He is a person. The Holy Spirit is described as the breath of God. We cannot live unless we breathe in air. We cannot do anything in our Christian life without the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who brought us to God. It is the Holy Spirit who dwells within a Christian. It is the Holy Spirit who produces the fruits of the Spirit. See Romans 8:16. He is a person. See John 14:16. The Holy Spirit is another helper. The Greek word means another of the same kind rather than a different kind. See Ephesians 4:30. The Holy Spirit is a person who can be grieved.

2 – His identity

The Holy Spirit is a divine person. There is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. See 2 Corinthians 13:14. The Holy Spirit is not a junior partner in the firm! They are co-equal. There are three persons in one essence. See Zechariah 4:6. The Holy Spirit is omnipotent. The Holy Spirit is omnipresent. See Psalm 139:7-13. He can be everywhere at the same. Jesus was limited by His human body when he was here on earth. You can’t get away from God the Holy Spirit. You can’t get away from God the Holy Spirit, so you might as well praise the Lord!

• He is the agent of inspiration – The Holy Spirit gave us our Bible today.
• He is the agent of incarnation – It was the Holy Spirit who placed Jesus in the womb of Mary.
• He is the agent of illumination – He opens our eyes so that we can understand the Word of God.

3 – His activity

Why is the Holy Spirit referred to as fire? This shows the activity of the Holy Spirit. Fire-fighters struggle to put out fires. Fire is a consuming power.

• It is the Holy Spirit who convicts people of their sin so that they can be saved.
• The Bible was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. See 2 Peter 1:20-21.
• It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to understand the Bible. See 1 Corinthians 2:12-15. The Holy Spirit gives us eyes to see what the Bible is saying.

4 – Our response

What should we do?

• Recognise Him – We need to realise reality, identity and activity.
• Receive Him – Make Him welcome in your life. Let Him take over your heart and mind.
• Reverence Him – He is the third person of the God-head. He should be held in awe.
• Rely on Him – He is your guide. He is your power. We can pray and ask for the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit. That he might light my fire.

Categories: Matthew