The Spirit in Everyday Living

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The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded...
The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded by angels, by Giaquinto, 1750s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Book of Acts shows that Paul and his fellow evangelists were filled (kept on being filled) with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). Persecution and trouble only made them press on with even more joy. Paul’s converts also were filled with the same joy (16:34). It was a joy that came as the Holy Spirit gave honor and glory to Jesus.

Paul also gave all the glory to Jesus. His message, ministry, and personal life centered in Jesus. He never forgot that heavenly vision (26:19). Constantly, he spoke of being in Christ. He refused to try to satisfy the Jews with signs or the Greeks with (philosophic) wisdom. He simply preached Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:22, 23; 2:2). Then the signs followed in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power (v. 4). That is, signs followed, not to convince skeptics, but in response to the faith of those who believed. A good example is the response of the cripple at Lystra to Paul’s preaching and to his command (Acts 14:7–10).

Paul’s writings also show that the Holy Spirit was just as real and personal to him as Jesus was. He recognized the important place the Spirit had in his ministry, in the Church, and in the lives of individual believers. He also gave definite teaching concerning the Holy Spirit and His gifts, especially in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians.

Romans and Galatians emphasize the contrast between the new life in the Spirit and the old life of self-effort under the Law as well as the old life of sin. Corinthians and Ephesians emphasize the work of the Spirit both in the hearts of believers and in the Church. But in all Paul’s epistles the work of the Spirit is evident and important, even in Philemon, which does not specifically mention the Spirit. This is true also of the remaining books of the New Testament including Revelation.



Horton, S. M. (2005). What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit (pp. 167–170). Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House.

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