by J. Lee Grady

We charismatics celebrate the Holy Spirit, yet our theology of the
Spirit is often off balance.

Two popular charismatic speakers stood on a stage two years ago
and decided they should demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit.
One guy pretended to throw an imaginary "fireball" at his friend,
who promptly fell over as if he had been zapped by the divine power.
Then, feeling equally playful, the guy on the floor stood to his feet
and threw the "fireball" back at his friend-who fell after the "blob"
of God hit him.

Everybody laughed and had a hilarious time at this outrageous
party. There was just one problem. The Holy Spirit is not a blob,
a fireball or any other form of divine energy that can be thrown,
manipulated, maneuvered or controlled.

This scenario happened in a charismatic church-a place
where the ministry of the Holy Spirit is presumably honored
and understood. It's incredibly sad that many of us who wear
the charismatic label have forgotten what the Scriptures teach
about the third person of the Trinity. At the risk of sounding way
too elementary, I'd like to offer this basic layman's guide to
pneumatology-the study of the Holy Spirit and how He works:

1. He is the Spirit of the Lord. He is not a force (as in Star Wars),
a magical power or an "it." The Holy Spirit is God, and we should
revere Him as God. The concept of the Trinity doesn't make sense
to the human mind. Yet Scripture reveals God as a triune being.
As theologian Norman Geisler writes: "God is one what (nature)
with three whos (persons). This is a mystery but not a
contradiction."

2. He is our Regenerator. Jesus told Nicodemus that we are
born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5). True conversion is the
most supernatural thing we will ever experience! When a person
puts his faith in Christ for salvation, it is the Spirit who opens the
heart and quickens divine life. He then indwells us. While this is
an invisible process, it is no less miraculous. When we are
converted our hearts cry out, "Abba! Father" because the Holy
Spirit is "the Spirit of adoption" (Romans 8:15); He gives us
confidence that we are now children of God.

3. He is our Empowerer. When we are baptized in the Holy
Spirit we are "clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49,
NASB). The Spirit who already indwells us fills us to the point
of overflowing. Jesus said the Holy Spirit's power would flow
out of us like "rivers of living water" from our innermost being
(John 7:38). This overflow releases supernatural boldness
(Acts 4:31) as well as the anointing for various gifts of the
Spirit including prophecy, speaking in tongues and healing.

4. He is the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit has access to all the
wisdom and knowledge of God. When we abide in Him, He
leads us continually into truth-causing us to grow and
mature spiritually. He wants to fill us with the treasures of
heavenly revelation. We can fully trust Him because He never
does anything to violate the Word of God. As our teacher
(1 John 2:27), He knows the difference between truth and error,
and those who depend on Him will walk in discernment and
avoid deception, pride and carnality.

5. He is our Counselor. This word is also translated "Advocate,"
"Comforter" or "Helper." The Greek word, parakletos, means "one
called alongside to help." It implies that the Spirit comes to our
legal defense when we are accused or troubled; it also means
He is a close friend who offers encouragement, consolation and
direction when we face any difficulty. He is truly a friend who
"sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24).

6. He is our Intercessor. This is probably one of the greatest
miracles of grace. The Spirit who lives inside of us "intercedes
for us with groanings too deep for words" (Rom. 8:26). Even
when we don't know how to pray, the Spirit prays the perfect
will of God. No matter what kind of dark difficulty we face, the
Spirit travails for us until we emerge on the other side.

7. He is our Unifier. Like the master conductor of an orchestra,
the Holy Spirit pulls together each individual Christian-with all
of our diverse gifts-and causes us to flow in synchronization as
one body. The Spirit distributes His gifts to individuals (1 Cor. 12:11)
and He brings about the "fellowship of the Spirit" (2 Cor. 13:14)-
a supernatural, loving harmony among believers that overcomes
jealousy, envy, strife and bitterness.

8. He is our Refiner. The Spirit took the form of a dove at Christ's
baptism, but He is often portrayed in Scripture as a fire. He is
the "refiner's fire" (Mal. 3:2-3) who purifies us of selfishness, pride
and wrong motives. The Holy Spirit is indeed the fire of blazing
holiness, and He can be both grieved (Eph. 4:30) and quenched
(1 Thess. 5:19) when we disobey His promptings.

As we prepare to celebrate the day of Pentecost in less than a
month (it's on May 23), let's meditate on all aspects of the Spirit's
work in our lives-and invite Him to fill us in a fresh way.

http://charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/

A MEGA HUGE AMEN to this!!!!!!!!!!

2HH,
This vessel has to gently disagree with you.
The HOLY SPIRIT in the form of a fireball.In
the colors of red and blue.Then turning to red
and orange.Changed to the form of a star.And
entered my stomach.And that is how this vessel
received the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.
My husband saw the fireball comeing across
the room.I didn't see the fireball.But I sure
felt THE HOLY SPIRIT.Go in to my stomach.
I don't have any scripture to back this up.
But this vessel would ask you to go to THE
HOLY SPIRIT.With what this vessel has said.
Bless your heart,
Star

Bless you sweet Star . . .

Here's how I understand . .

Not only is the Holy Spirit God, He is the Spirit and 3rd Person of the Trinity. He feels, He grieves. He has intellect, passions, and will. Holy Spirit has a Personality..

In Scripture we read Holy Spirit manifests as a 'symbol' of His power; as a dove, as wind, and like you say, a fireball.

Bless you sweet sister,
As this vessel was watching Perry Stone.
The Lord reminded me.That the HOLY SPIRIT came as
tongues of fire on Penticost.
THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY.
Can and does come in many forms.
When my husband passed away,THE HOLY SPIRIT
visited me for three nights.In the form of a
DOVE.
Praise the Lord,
Star

Donna,
That bless you sweet sister was for you.
Thank you for the help.
This vessel prays that 2HH will take what Donna
I have said to THE HOLY SPIRIT.
In JESUS name,
Star

I always refer to the Holy Spirit as "He" because He is the 3rd in the Trinity.. Our Father, Our Savior, and the one that gives us "gifts", that "seals" us for that day of redemption, and He does so much more that most people, I doubt, realize what all He does..

I think it as an insult to the God-Head when someone calls him an "It"...

He is the one that reveals the need of Jesus in our lives, and touches our hearts with conviction...

He's the one that makes us feel uneasy when we stray from the path, warning us to not go there.

He is the one< as sister Star stated< that comes upon us in a strong way at times to reveal or to make known the truth of his Word in the Bible.

Also as sister Donna stated, we can grieve the Holy Spirit.. Paul states to NOT to grieve the Holy Spirit..

Eph 4:30 And GRIEVE NOT the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.


Joseph

2HH Good Piece! Excellent.

D. Boyter

Star dear I did not write the article I only posted it. So your words are more for the person who wrote it than for me.

But I took a different meaning to the post than what you apparently have. I am fully aware that the Holy Spirit can manifest as a burning bush, or a tongue of fire, or a cloud of glory or any way He cares to manifest but the point of the article I felt was that is that He is a person, a member of the Triune God, not an it as many think of him. That puts it simply. That was the only reason I posted it.

I have no problem with what you posted or your experience. I just again think you may not have understood the point the author was trying to make.

We are all blessed by different things. If you weren't blessed by this, that is fine. I take no offense.

May you have a blessed day in in Christ.

Joseph Amen That is exactly what the article is saying.

D. Boyter So glad this blessed you.
I thought it was a great word too.

2HH,
Thank you for the post.
love in JESUS,
Star

You are welcome Star. Bless your day.