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THE SPIRIT POWER Volume I

BALBOA PRESS

Chapter One

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Old Testament believers such as Moses and all the prophets were saved and sanctified by the Spirit, but not in the same way as New Testament believers the Apostles, people in the early Christianity and present day Christians. This is because New Testament believers were indwelled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes and goes from the Old Testament believers like the prophets. He spoke to them and sent them to deliver messages. Old Testament prophets got close to God so that the Spirit of God could use them according to His Will.

The signs and symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament were wind, fire, water, breath, and light.

The role of the Holy Spirit in creation was that God spoke, and the earth was created. The Father spoke, and the earth was created; the Son is the powerful word through which God created all things. The word became flesh and dwells among us we behold its glory, the glory of the one and only begotten Son of the Father full of Grace and Truth. "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God" Jn. 1:1. The scripture plainly tells us why, John calls Christ the word; the word is in two folds: word conceived, and word uttered. The conceived word is the thought, which is the first product and conception of the soul. Therefore, the second person of the trinity is caled the word; for he is the first begotten of the Father. There is nothing we are surer of then than what we think. If we stop and think, our minds may well be allowed to in great awe of the mysteries of godliness, the bottom of which we cannot fathom, or comprehend. There is the word uttered, and this is speech, the chief and most natural indication of the mind. Christ is the word, for by him God has in these last days spoken to us. During His days on earth, Christ has made known God's mind to us, as a man's word or speech makes known his thoughts. Christ was revealed as the eternal word of God. "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made" Jn. 1:3. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be throne, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" Col.1:16. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds"

Heb.1:1–2.

The Holy Spirit was present and active in the creation of the Universe. The Bible states that the Spirit flew over the earth in order to preserve and prepare for God's creative process or activity. The Holy Spirit is the sustainer of the creation; the Spirit of God is the one that has been holding up the earth until today. If the Spirit of God should leave the earth today, the earth would perish. God created the earth for His glory and honor and He expects glory and honor from all His created beings. God created the Universe in order to provide a place for His purpose and plan for humanity to be fulfilled.

God created Adam and Eve in His own image and made them a Spirit being so that they could worship, enjoy fellowship, and communicate with Him in the beauty of His holiness. "God is a Spirit: they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth" Jn.4:24. Believers must maintain a personal relationship from this earth to heaven with the Lord. The book of Revelation stated, "And I heard a great voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" Rev. 21:3. This verse refers to the New Jerusalem, which is already in existence in heaven and will soon come down to earth as the city of God for which Abraham and all God's faithful people are waiting, for which God Himself is the architect and builder. The new earth will become God's dwelling place, and He will remain with His people forever. "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life" Job 33:4. "And the earth was without form, and void. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" Gen.1:2. "If he set his heart upon man if he gathers unto himself his Spirit and his breath" Job 34:14; "And the Lord said, my spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years" Gen.6:3.

The Holy Spirit is the messenger of revelation to humankind, "And Pharaoh said unto his servants, can we find such a one as this is, and a man in whom the Spirit of God is?" Gen. 41:38. "And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone" Num.11:17.

The Spirit of God came upon the people in the Old Testament for the purpose of revelation and for endorsement of the prophet. God will not use those who are not in a proper relationship with him to accomplish His purpose. The Holy Spirit empowers and enables the people in the Old Testament to build the tabernacle, "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses" Dt.34:9. The Spirit of God selected the leaders of God's people and empowered them to do the work He assigned to them.

The important and valuable desire of all Christians is to know God and experience a close relationship and fellowship with Him. As the children of God, we have the privilege of going to Him through the power of His Spirit that He gave to us. "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in all manner of workmanship" Ex.31:3.

The Spirit of God filled the people of Israel with spiritual equipment and enabled them to carry out a special service to God and to be able to teach others. Believers should pray that the Spirit will bless them with wisdom and knowledge for the physical skills, medical technological advancement, research, and knowledge that will help people find the cure for all the deadly diseases that plague the people in the world and spiritual gift to fulfill God's will for their lives. The Israelites were able to build the tabernacle and houses and to find medicine to cure sickness. "And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship" Ex.35:31. The Spirit of God comes upon individuals with energizing power, temporarily equipping leaders for physical and military service.

The Holy Spirit supernatural power is combined with inspirational knowledge of prophecy. The Spirit inspires and empowers prophets, sending them to deliver messages to the people of Israel, guiding them where and how to proclaim the message of God's salvation and judgment.

The Spirit was active in the writing of all the Psalms in the Bible. The writing of Psalms, such as those written by the prophet Isaiah, disclosed the coming of the Messiah as the Spirit revealed it to him. Isaiah develops this in many of his writings: that a new Spirit of judgment and fire will appear. "When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning" Isa.4:4. Believers will be separated from the sinful universe, cleansed from all defilement by Christ's blood and regenerated by the Holy Spirit over them, which will fly with the glory of God like a canopy. Isaiah's prophecy is that the Spirit of God will empower the Messiah with wisdom, power, knowledge, and holiness. He will be poured out corporately on all of God's people to bring about justice, righteousness, and peace for all of the people of the earth forever.

We have to consider Prophet Ezekiel's prophecy through the power of the Holy Spirit. He experienced the Spirit power when the Spirit sometimes lifted him up from prostration and often transported him to a new location. God promised to give him a new Spirit, a new heart, and a new name; He said, "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh" Ezek. 36:26–27. God promised to renew the children of Israel physically and spiritually, which required giving them a new heart that was gentle, so that they would be able to respond to God's word. God will impart His Spirit on them, and continued with New Testament believers.

Without the indwelling Spirit, it is impossible to live a true Christian life and to be obedient to God's commandments and God's will. It is very important for all believers to maintain a close relationship with the Lord so that the Holy Spirit may continue to guide, control, and direct the believer according to the will of God. God sent His new Spirit to the Israelites to move them to obey the law and receive the fulfillment of His promises.

Prophet Joel's prophecy was "And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughter shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions, And also upon the servants, and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit"

Joel2:28–32. Apostle Peter quoted this verse on the day of Pentecost when the prophecy was fulfilled.

Prophet Joel's prophecy was that, through the Spirit of God, God would pour out His Spirit on everyone who calls on His Holy Name. This outpouring results in the flowing of the Spirit's manifestation among the people of God. Peter explained the outpouring of the spirit on those who believe in Jesus Christ and become baptized. These promises to all those who accept Christ as Lord allow believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit's power. God spoke through the prophet Joel many years before it would happen. Joel envisions that, one day, the outpouring of the spirit will be the impartation of the Spirit of God as a gift from God. The manifestation of the Spirit through His gifts makes visible God's presence among His people. God pours out His Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, on individuals regardless of whether they are a man or woman, whether they are old or young, and regardless of their social status or ethnicity, according to His good pleasure. Also, other prophets, like Micah, Haggai, and Zachariah, all confirm the Spirit's power in their lives; they all connect the activities of its presence with their empowerment for building and rebuilding the temple the Spirit of God gives orders, commands, and directions and the people of God follow. The same Spirit of God that became active in the creation during Old Testament times is still active in the New Testament and will continue until Christ returns. Our Lord's earthly ministry was Spirit-led; there are many significant manifestations of this, including the fulfillment of prophecy. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Isa.61:1. The miracles of our Lord were the activities of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ's signs and wonders directly revealed God's Spirit at work upon or on Him. As the Spirit empowered Jesus, Jesus promises believers the Holy Spirit that the Spirit will, in the same way, empower His believers to do the work of God. The Spirit is the helper who will remain in us forever. The Spirit will equip and enable believers to be able to serve the Lord, boldly do the work of the Gospel, and confidently proclaim the word of God. Believers will be constantly filled with the Spirit so that they will be able to courageously speak and preach for Christ. The Spirit is God's agent for bringing people to himself and helping them to mature spiritually; only through His power will individuals first receive God's word as the divine word. The Spirit makes unique Spiritual insights available to all believers through the use of the word of God, which makes believers obedient to God and stand on the truth of the word of God, which many unbelievers cannot do. The Spirit of God helps believers in prayers, helping them to maintain an intimate relationship with God. God had a plan from the beginning of Creation and He is the only one who can carry it out, at His own time. Christ will come back to earth, according to God's plan. When that time comes, God will speak and Christ will return to earth. God is a trinity called the Holy Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Elohim means the word of God. It also means His might; this name is used whenever the power of God is revealed, the Bible tells us that Godhead was involved in the creation and also tell us what each of Godhead's activities during the creation were. God created the earth. The Spirit of God is moving and vibrating with supernatural energy; the Holy Spirit brought energy into the formless, void, and dark earth. The Holy Spirit poured out energy into the universe, God called light into existence, and this light was the result of the outpouring of energy that the Holy Spirit had pumped into the earth. The Spirit power illuminated the universe and dissolved the dark and void earth. God the Father spoke and everything was created and He pronounced them good. Sin filled the earth, the Spirit of God spoke again, and His word became flesh and dwelled among us. When God spoke, the Son acted; Jesus, the Son of God, is the creator. "Who is the image of the invisible God, first born of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible, invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." Col.1:15–16. Our Lord said, "But the hour cometh and now is, when true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth." Jn. 4:23–24. Jesus Christ is the creator and the sustainer of all things. The Father spoke, the Son carried out the order, and the Spirit enabled believers to respond to the command of God. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world." Heb.1:1–2. God the Father made the world through the operation of Jesus Christ His son, which brings us back to the beginning of creation, which shows that Jesus is the Word of God. God spoke and Christ came to being; the Holy Spirit put Christ in Mary's womb and sustained Him with Its power until His birth, throughout His ministry and work, and until the day of His resurrection and ascension when the Spirit took Christ back to heaven.

Our Lord said to Philip: "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen Him. Philip said unto Him, Lord shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus said unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou then, show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." Jn.14:7–9. Jesus Christ is the Spirit of God; He is the Word of God and the Word of God is God. Our Lord said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman, every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruits." Jn.15:1–2. These verses of Scripture indicate that the Holy Trinity, the Godhead, is one that it worked together in the creation and continues to sustain the earth. Jesus is the source of life and the Holy Spirit produces fruit. God the Father, through the power of the Spirit, washes us clean so that we can bear more fruits. The Father also separates the branches if they are withered and dry.

We must realize that each member of the Godhead operates together in unity in bringing about and sustaining the creation. Elohim means more than one name, it means that God is great and that His greatness is in His power, in His strength, and in His might; God's greatness is clearly seen in all that He has created, especially in his actions towards His people, the children of God. God was the Son on earth doing everything through Him. He exhibited His greatness by forgiving our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ and showing us His infinite love, loving kindness, mercy, and goodness through His Son. God's greatness is unsearchable, unattainable, incomparable, and indescribable. After the Spirit of God energized the earth, God said let there be light and light came upon the earth. God placed the light permanently in heaven; God is the light-bearer and the light of the world.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from THE SPIRIT POWER Volume I by Grace Dola Balogun Copyright © 2011 by Grace Dola Balogun. Excerpted by permission of BALBOA PRESS. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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