1:13)
This will not be primarily a theological study designed to analyze and criticize, but out of necessity there will be some theological struggles to wrestle with. It is also not going to be a negative diatribe filled with warning against all the errors floating around within the ranks of Christian disciples, but again, there may be times when your present understandings are challenged. It is not designed to be a debate over the various understandings of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but if it causes you to personally ponder your beliefs and the foundations of your faith, then I will have accomplished what every pastor-teacher hopes to achieve.
I start with the premise that the Holy Spirit of God was sent to be experienced more than studied, so my goal is that we will move beyond mere religion of the head and include affections of the heart. Secondly, I hope to provide for God’s people an understanding of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit that keeps “Christ United” and gives us a greater sense of unity in the Spirit.
My desired outcome for this book is much the same as what I perceive Paul’s intent was in writing to the Corinthians. I wish for this to be a pastoral “letter” to all my sisters and brothers in Christ. In the process, if we should receive some blessings and insights on the intimate workings of the Holy Spirit, then joy will be ours. I pray that you find your reading personal, practical and positive.
O1: Let Me Introduce You
Before Indoor Plumbing
In the days before indoor plumbing, a hot bath was a luxury for the average family. The Saturday night bath became a family ritual and had its specific code of etiquette. The husband or man of the house was given the honor of having the first bath, along with it the privilege of hot and clean water. Next in line were the workingmen of the house according to age. Then the women bathed, followed by the children. Last to enter the ritual waters were the babies. By the time it became the babies’ turn, the water was rather dirty and soapy. One could literally lose sight of their little ones. And thus the saying, throwing the baby out with the bath water, was born.
The theological waters concerning the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s ministry within the Church have become so muddled and obscure that many pastors and congregations have thrown the baby out with the bath water. Out of fear and misunderstanding, they avoid, or outright reject, anything that appears to be related to the Holy Spirit. The mania of some and the phobia of others have divided more than just a few congregations. This struggle has alienated followers of Jesus and threatens the Christian movement as a whole.
An itinerant pastor named Paul faced this very problem at the First Christian Church of Corinth. The very gift God gave the church to empower it in its ministry was now the apparent source of division and strife. Paul was so concerned that this new church would be irreparably torn apart that he put in writing his theological understanding of this special Gift. Even though Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle, was addressing theological and ethical problems of the Corinthian Church, his task was not doctrinal, but pastoral. Paul poured out his heart to the people for whom he had a deep affection. Paul was giving them pastoral direction and insight concerning God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Let’s meet again the Holy Spirit that Paul introduced to the believers who worshiped in Corinth.
Let’s Meet the Holy Spirit…Again!
On a hot summer Sunday afternoon in central Florida members of the church youth group went water skiing. Youth workers and parents brought their boats providing a cool refreshing diversion from the heat. Many brought their entire families to enjoy the afternoon at the lake.
Larry invited his best friend to come with the youth. They had been best buds all through elementary school and now junior high. This was the first time, however, that Larry had ever invited his friend to a church function. As the youth were taking turns skiing around the lake, Larry and his friend swam and splashed and had a great time. When Larry’s turn to ski came he let his friend go first. After a couple of laps around the lake, his friend dropped off the rope and Larry took his turn.
The friend was wading back toward the shoreline watching Larry speed away. As he turned toward the beach he accidentally bumped into someone. About to apologize, the friend couldn’t believe what he was looking at. He had bumped into a three-year-old little girl – face down in the water! He grabbed the little girl and began running toward the shore. He tried to call for help but he didn’t know anyone’s name. The friend just started yelling as loud as he could but no one noticed. The boats were making too much noise and no one seemed to hear.
Once he reached the beach, the friend began giving the little girl mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He had learned how at a scout meeting, but had never even witnessed the real thing, much less done it himself. Finally, people began to realize what was happening and began crowding around. The child’s mother began crying hysterically. Other moms took her to the pavilion trying to comfort her. The little girl’s father just knelt down beside the young boy and his daughter, quietly praying and looking for any signs of life. An ambulance was called, the friend continued administering mouth-to-mouth, and all began praying. It seemed like an eternity before the ambulance arrived. Larry’s friend just kept breathing into the little girls lungs. Just as the paramedics were walking onto the beach, the little girl began to cough, and then cry. Larry and his parents helped the friend to his feet and quickly took him home. The little girl lived! Larry’s invited friend, who no one else knew, gave the little girl the breath of life.
The Breath of Life
Breath is the substance of life in the Bible too. “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7 ESV emphasis mine). The Hebrew word for breath is ruâh (sometimes ruach). Ezekiel uses the same word to describe the breath of God in his prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). “Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” Those bones came together, grew skin, and came to life! There was life, even in the midst of death.
In the New Testament, the Greek word for spirit, just like the Hebrew ruâh, can mean wind or breath. In John’s gospel account, Jesus makes an appearance to His disciples after His resurrection. Jesus came into the room where the disciples were hiding, breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22 ESV). Again, the breath of God brings life out of death and for John this breath of life is none other than the Holy Spirit, which is the presence of the Living Christ.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke describes the Holy Spirit a little differently. After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven right before their very eyes the disciples returned to Jerusalem and met in the upper room. The second chapter of Acts tells us, “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2 ESV). Again, the image of wind represents the Holy Spirit; only this time it is an image of power and strength. The rush of a mighty wind, the breath of God, the Holy Spirit, recreated those frightened, discouraged men into a dynamic powerful force – called the Church.
God created Adam from the dust of the earth and with His Holy Spirit breathed life into Adam. God, through His Holy Spirit, breathed new life into His chosen people as symbolized by Ezekiel’s prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones. God, through His Holy Spirit breathed new life into the disciples of Jesus and created the Church. God, through His Holy Spirit, used Larry’s friend to breath new life into a little girl’s lungs. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is first and foremost the gift of life. The Holy Spirit is also God’s gift of His unending presence with us.
