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Topic: What Exactly Is The Holy Spirit
splendidlife's photo
Tue 11/11/08 06:58 AM
Being raised on the outer fringe of Christianity, I've heard about the Holy Spirit, but as a child was never given solid definition.

That being the case and based on my observations of blatantly fraudulent behaviors of many so-called Christians, I began to take what little I'd been told and attempt to draw my own conclusions.

Now that I've reached this current point in my life, I wonder more and more about this "Holy Spirit".

It seems almost like a blanket or veil of fear placed on mankind to keep us from having too much knowledge. Like children, not readily provided with all information, perhaps so we won't hurt ourselves.

Like the atmosphere that envelops our planet, perhaps this veil holds us captive in this physical biosphere.

I don't go against anyone else's interpretation of The Holy Spirit because I have no solid definition myself. I'm curious about ALL views (Christian and ALL else).

lcjw's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:12 AM

Holy Spirit: One of Three Persons of God
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For many of us, this is a difficult concept to grasp. The Bible declares that there is only one living God, yet we learn from scripture that He comprises three separate personages. One way to partially visualize this concept is to examine the nature of water (H2O). Water is a single compound that can exist in three states – liquid, ice and vapor. An egg is another picture. It is comprised of the white, the yoke and the shell, yet it is still one egg. Of course, by no means do these examples paint a complete picture of our God, but they are illustrative of the fact that His three “persons” in no way invalidate His oneness.

Holy Spirit: Much More that an Ethereal Life Force
The Holy Spirit is not a vague, ethereal life force. He is not impersonal or unthinking. The Holy Spirit is a “person” equal in every way with God, the Father, and God, the Son. The Bible tells us that all the characteristics of God apparent in the Father and the Son are equally apparent in the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is composed of intellect, emotions and will. In 1 Corinthians 2:11, we see an example of the Holy Spirit’s intellect and will: “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

In Romans 15:30, we see the Holy Spirit has emotion, as represented by the capacity to love:“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”

Although the Holy Spirit has all the characteristics of God, He has specific roles and functions in our lives. In John 16:13, we see the Spirit of Truth as our guide: “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”

In John 14:26, we learn that the Holy Spirit is our Counselor and teacher: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

In 1 Corinthians 3:16, we see that the Holy Spirit lives inside us: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

In Acts 1:8, we understand where our power comes from: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you."

In Romans 8:14, we understand where our direction comes from: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

In Romans 8:26, we learn that the Holy Spirit is there for us in times of weakness and prayer: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

In Hebrews 9:14, we see that the Holy Spirit is eternal. In 1 Corinthians 2:11, we see that the Holy Spirit is all-knowing. In Psalm 139, we see that the Holy Spirit is everywhere.

Holy Spirit: Attributes of God
The Holy Spirit, Father and Son all comprise a unified Godhead known in Christianity as the “Trinity.” A common misconception is that Christians believe in three different gods. This isn’t correct. While each “personage” is distinct in function, each shares together in the same deity and each reflects the divine attributes of the one living God.

splendidlife's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:15 AM
Edited by splendidlife on Tue 11/11/08 07:16 AM
Thank you, lcjw.
:smile:

I'm curious to hear your own words...
From your heart...

lcjw's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:21 AM



Holy Spirit: One of Three Persons of God
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For many of us, this is a difficult concept to grasp. The Bible declares that there is only one living God, yet we learn from scripture that He comprises three separate personages. One way to partially visualize this concept is to examine the nature of water (H2O). Water is a single compound that can exist in three states – liquid, ice and vapor. An egg is another picture. It is comprised of the white, the yoke and the shell, yet it is still one egg. Of course, by no means do these examples paint a complete picture of our God, but they are illustrative of the fact that His three “persons” in no way invalidate His oneness.

Holy Spirit: Much More that an Ethereal Life Force
The Holy Spirit is not a vague, ethereal life force. He is not impersonal or unthinking. The Holy Spirit is a “person” equal in every way with God, the Father, and God, the Son. The Bible tells us that all the characteristics of God apparent in the Father and the Son are equally apparent in the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is composed of intellect, emotions and will. In 1 Corinthians 2:11, we see an example of the Holy Spirit’s intellect and will: “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

In Romans 15:30, we see the Holy Spirit has emotion, as represented by the capacity to love:“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”

Although the Holy Spirit has all the characteristics of God, He has specific roles and functions in our lives. In John 16:13, we see the Spirit of Truth as our guide: “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”

In John 14:26, we learn that the Holy Spirit is our Counselor and teacher: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

In 1 Corinthians 3:16, we see that the Holy Spirit lives inside us: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

In Acts 1:8, we understand where our power comes from: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you."

In Romans 8:14, we understand where our direction comes from: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

In Romans 8:26, we learn that the Holy Spirit is there for us in times of weakness and prayer: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

In Hebrews 9:14, we see that the Holy Spirit is eternal. In 1 Corinthians 2:11, we see that the Holy Spirit is all-knowing. In Psalm 139, we see that the Holy Spirit is everywhere.

Holy Spirit: Attributes of God
The Holy Spirit, Father and Son all comprise a unified Godhead known in Christianity as the “Trinity.” A common misconception is that Christians believe in three different gods. This isn’t correct. While each “personage” is distinct in function, each shares together in the same deity and each reflects the divine attributes of the one living God.



Thank you, lcjw.
:smile:

I'm curious to hear your own words...
From your heart...


He is God; he is the Redeemer, the One that gives me hope, and wisdom. That little voice inside me, that I hear sometimes, is not my conscience, is Him, the Holy Spirit, talking to me. He gives us gifts to use to glorify His name, and if we live more by the Spirit than by the flesh, we just might become better people, because only then we will see others thru the eyes of love, the God kind of love.

splendidlife's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:23 AM
Edited by splendidlife on Tue 11/11/08 07:26 AM


Thank you, lcjw.
:smile:


I'm curious to hear your own words...
From your heart...



He is God; he is the Redeemer, the One that gives me hope, and wisdom. That little voice inside me, that I hear sometimes, is not my conscience, is Him, the Holy Spirit, talking to me. He gives us gifts to use to glorify His name, and if we live more by the Spirit than by the flesh, we just might become better people, because only then we will see others thru the eyes of love, the God kind of love.



Thank you so much, lcjw!
:heart:

no photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:24 AM
the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others

lcjw's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:25 AM
My pleasure. I can only hope that you would have an idea of who He is. There is no clear description for God, we just have to believe that He is, He was, and He will be.

Take care,
L

Ruth34611's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:27 AM
Many Pagans view the Holy Spirit as the Goddess part of the Trinity.

Father, Mother, Son.

splendidlife's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:31 AM

the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others


Wow, Funch...

That's a fascinating take.

splendidlife's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:31 AM

Many Pagans view the Holy Spirit as the Goddess part of the Trinity.

Father, Mother, Son.


Cool...

But, what about the daughter?

Ruth34611's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:36 AM


Many Pagans view the Holy Spirit as the Goddess part of the Trinity.

Father, Mother, Son.


Cool...

But, what about the daughter?


No daughter. The Goddess joins with the God in the spring and becomes pregnant. In the fall the God dies but is reborn as the son in the winter. He grows to a man and it starts all over in the spring.

lcjw's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:41 AM
What kind of crazy mythology, legend, or folklore is that? How can one be God if one dies? and then do it all over again each year?

frustrated surprised spock scared

Ruth34611's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:43 AM
Yeah, I know. The whole idea of God dying and then being reborn/resurrected is crazy. flowerforyou

It's symbolic.

splendidlife's photo
Tue 11/11/08 07:45 AM

Yeah, I know. The whole idea of God dying and then being reborn/resurrected is crazy. flowerforyou

It's symbolic.


laugh
:heart:

splendidlife's photo
Tue 11/11/08 08:01 AM
Edited by splendidlife on Tue 11/11/08 08:02 AM

the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others


So the Holy Spirit is like an errand boy?

...a gopher, so to speak?

Seamonster's photo
Tue 11/11/08 08:15 AM


the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others


So the Holy Spirit is like an errand boy?

...a gopher, so to speak?


Yes, and jesus is Isaac and god is cpt. stubing.


lcjw's photo
Tue 11/11/08 08:16 AM


the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others


So the Holy Spirit is like an errand boy?

...a gopher, so to speak?


No He is not. They are all One in the same. One God three persons.

Ruth34611's photo
Tue 11/11/08 08:19 AM



the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others


So the Holy Spirit is like an errand boy?

...a gopher, so to speak?


Yes, and jesus is Isaac and god is cpt. stubing.




Does that make Julie the Goddess?

no photo
Tue 11/11/08 08:26 AM


the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others


So the Holy Spirit is like an errand boy?

...a gopher, so to speak?


as Sigmund Freud might call it the "id" ..to put it in Star Wars term it's the force ..I call it the memory contained in energy ..but it can be mostly described as being unawareness

no photo
Tue 11/11/08 08:28 AM



the holy spirit is no more than a mindless power source that once tapped into can alter reality

in science terms it's the substance of quantum Mechanics

without God being able to tapped into this source.. on a scale that God's can be measure on...God would be considered as being powerless

even the bible let it be known that all the holy spirit does is take orders from others


So the Holy Spirit is like an errand boy?

...a gopher, so to speak?


No He is not. They are all One in the same. One God three persons.


like in the three faces of Eve?

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