THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

The Holy Spirit is and was from the beginning and was present when God created the heavens and the earth. In the very beginning the earth was formless, empty and covered with darkness. The Holy Spirit hovers over the waters of the earth. It was with the hovering of the Holy Spirit that God created the light, separated the light from the darkness to create day and night or evening and morning and so on (Genesis 1). From the beginning there was the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was present on earth in nature, and in communities, at Jesus’ birth, during his life and ministry, and notably, after his resurrection. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in community.

The Hebrew word ruach is the English word “Spirit.”
The Greek word ‘pneuma’ means ‘wind’ or ‘breath.’ Pneuma denotes life or life-giving.

Look at the trees on a front lawn, on a hiking expedition, or on a nature trail. On that front lawn, hiking expedition or nature trail all the trees stand still as though there is no life at all in them. Their leaves are green and beautiful and they are standing strong and tall in the air; the shrubs underneath them are motionless, and both trees and shrubs are standing as though there is not a single sign of life in them. Is the Holy Spirit present in this scene? Absolutely! The ‘ruach’ Spirit was present when the earth was formless, empty and dark without a sign of life. For the trees and shrubs to show signs of life they need the ‘pneuma’ spirit or the ‘pneuma’ wind to blow upon them. The Greek word ‘pneuma’ is ‘wind’ or ‘breath.’ The Pneuma wind is life giving. It gives evidence of life – movement to the trees and shrubs – to nature and to the whole creation.

In the Old Testament, David knew something of the Holy Spirit. In his sinfulness, he realized that he was helpless to stop his sinning without the help of the Holy Spirit. He knew that in order for him to have a pure heart and a right spirit it had to be the work of the Holy Spirit. But David also knew that he needed to ask or welcome the Holy Spirit in his worship and in his prayer life. In other words, he needed to allow the Holy Spirit free reign in his existence. David came to the conclusion that he could do nothing worthwhile and lasting without the help of the Holy Spirit. He understood that sin was his master unless he invites the Holy Spirit to come and help him. He knew that having a right relationship with God is to permit himself to be in God’s presence and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Knowing this, David humbled himself and cried out to God in repentance saying, “Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

David asked God to forgive him of sin, to change the condition of his heart, and place within him the Holy Spirit who is unwavering and committed.

In our own strength we cannot stop sinning – making mistakes. We cannot by our own strength stop sinful behavior. We need to accept the help of the Holy Spirit to draw us to Jesus through the Gospel through whom the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives our sins.

I concur with Luther in his ‘Small Catechism’ which states: “I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him. But instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, Enlightened me with his gifts, make me holy, and kept me in the true faith. . . Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins . . .”

THE QUESTION IS: Can the church function without the Holy Spirit?