Before I became a follower of Jesus Christ at seventeen, I didn’t really know what the Bible said about God. So, in those first years my understanding of Jesus Christ and the commitment I made grew exponentially. In my eagerness to learn, I was vulnerable to misinterpretations of God’s word. There were times I allowed the convictions of others to throw me into confusion regarding my own relationship with God.

I am thankful to God for his word (the Bible), the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and faithful brothers and sisters who’ve held me accountable and point me back to Jesus Christ time and time again.

It is my hope this personal study of the Holy Spirit, will bring me peace in decision-making and give me confidence that I am following his lead.

I also hope it will encourage you!

This is what I know about the Holy Spirit (because the Bible tells me so!):

• I received the Holy Spirit when I repented and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 2:38-39 ESV (Peter speaking to those gathered in Jerusalem at Pentecost)

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

• When I received the Holy Spirit, I became a powerful witness of Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:8 ESV (Resurrected Jesus speaking to his disciples)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

• The Holy Spirit is with me and in me forever. He is the Helper who will always guide me in what is true.

John 14:15-17 ESV (Jesus to his disciples before his crucifixion)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

• The Holy Spirit prays for me according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27 ESV (Paul to the believers in Rome)

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

More tomorrow!