“Slumbering Giant?”

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Why would you say that angels could aid us, but not the Holy Spirit?  Where are the verses that specifically tell us the Holy Spirit does not act outside of scripture?  Seems like the Holy Spirit doesn't have a role any longer if that is the case, because scripture isn't living, but already written.  Is one third of the Godhead dormant?

Sincerely,
Where Did He Go?

Dear Where Did He Go?,

We here at AYP have never meant to imply that the Holy Spirit wasn’t able to help us – just because the Holy Spirit doesn’t perform visible miracles such as the parting of the Red Sea or the instantaneous healing of the lame, doesn’t mean He isn’t active.  Since the Holy Spirit is God (1 Cor 2:11, Gen 1:2) just as much as Jesus and the Father are, He is capable of being involved in our lives in a variety of ways.  The Holy Spirit’s primary task was to bring the gospel to mankind.  As you mentioned, He is why we have the Bible, and that is how the majority of His impact is made upon mankind.  Here are some examples of things that the Holy Spirit does through the Word:

1. He shows us God’s love for us (Rom 5:5).
2. He teaches us how to be born again (Jhn 3:5).
3. He dwells in our hearts (Rom 8:9) as we allow His words to lead us (Rom 8:14).
4. He bears witness for the saved before men (Rom 8:16).
5. He tells us what is on God’s mind (1 Cor 2:10).

By inspiring the writers of the Bible, testifying of their divine authority by miracles, and preserving their words through all history, the Holy Spirit has made Christ’s sacrifice available to all of mankind.

The Holy Spirit also actively does a few things that don’t directly relate to the Bible.

1. He makes sure our prayers are understood (Rom 8:26).
2. He intercedes for us with God (Rom 8:27).
3. He acts as our guarantee from God of eternal blessings (2 Cor 5:5).  One way to think of this is that God sent Him to be with us- sort of like a downpayment on His promise to spend eternity with us in heaven.
4. He grieves when we sin (Eph 4:30).

There can be no doubt that the Holy Spirit is actively preserving and distributing God’s Word, watching over our lives with providential care, and intimately caring about how you live and where you will spend eternity.

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