Talk Tuesday: The HOLY SPIRIT Series; Introducing the HOLY SPIRIT

Greetings! Last week we explored what it means to worship GOD in spirit and in truth. This week we will take a brief look at how we are first introduced to the HOLY SPIRIT:

Genesis 1:1-2 NIV, “ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

Matthew 1:18-20 NJB, “18 This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. 20 He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.'”

Mark 1:6-8 NIV, “6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: 'After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'”

Luke 1:13-16 NKJV, “13 But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.” 

John 1:32-34 NKJV, “32 And John bore witness, saying, 'I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.'”

Notice that within the first chapter of the Bible, and in the first chapters of the New Testament's four Gospels, we hear about the HOLY SPIRIT. Here we see the HOLY SPIRIT in the Creation Narrative, and in the Virgin Birth. He will empower John the Baptist in ministry, and confirm the identity of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD. It is also here that the Baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT is foretold and announced.

Next week we will explore the identity of the HOLY SPIRIT more in depth. We leave you with the following verse, as preparation for our discussion on what is the HOLY SPIRIT; “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen,” Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV.