Lesson 3 (part 1): THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Some of the names of the Holy Spirit which signify His relationship within the Trinity are phrased in the possessive tense; i.e. the Spirit of Your Father, the Spirit of His Son. We should never conclude from this that the Holy Spirit is less than God.

The Bible speaks of three distinct Persons of the Godhead: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three Persons are equal in nature while being separate in person and submissive in duties. They are ONE GOD: GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit.

I think the trinity is another one of those concepts that is difficult for us to fully grasp with our finite minds and limited realm of understanding. Perhaps this simple illustration will help a bit: The chemical H2O - one part hydrogen two parts oxygen, is water in its liquid form, ice in its solid form and steam in its gaseous form. Three distinct things: water, ice and steam but whether it is liquid, solid or gaseous; all three forms are H2O.

Jesus instructed us to "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." (Matt. 28:19) His singular use of the word "name" instead of nameS is illustrative of the ONENESS of the persons of the trinity.

The Trinity: Equal in Nature - Separate in Persons - Submissive in Duty

Let's look at a couple of the names of the Holy Spirit which reveal His relationship within the Trinity and with God the Father specifically:

THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER

When Jesus described the Holy Spirit as "the Promise of My Father" (Luke 24:49) and "the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4) the Holy Spirit had not yet come to indwell believers like He does in our age. On Pentecost Peter referred to Him by the abbreviated name, "the Promise" and explained that His coming was the fulfillment of prophecy. (Acts 2:16-21)

Fulfillment of prophesy is always an exciting event. Ultimately the Promise of the Father streches back hundreds of years to the new covenant God promised Israel. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Joel all spoke of a time when the Holy Spirit would be poured out universally and permanently.

As the Promise of the Father, when the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost He marked a new era in human history as it relates to the relationship between Himself and believers. When we become believers today, the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, fills and seals us. He takes us permanent residence in our lives.

Think of it - what the prophets saw from a distance is the daily privilege of believers today. What was promised has now arrived. We are blessed to live in the age of the Spirit. What the ancients looked for has been our heritage for two thousand years. Praise God for His great faithfulness in keeping His promises. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a constant reminder that God honors His promises in His perfect timing. Because the Holy Spirit indwells us, we know that our relationship with God is secure and we are free to serve Him out of a heart of gratitude. Do I hear anybody else shouting "Hallelujah"?

THE SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER (Matt. 10:20)

This name essentially describes the Holy Spirit as One whose nature is like that of God the Father. All that is true of the essential character of God the Father is also true of "the Spirit of Your Father."

If you don't have the workbook that corresponds to this study, I encourage you to look up each of these scriptures and see how:

1. God gives life to His children (John 1:13) and the Holy Spirit gives new life to believers (John 3:8).

2. God loves His children (Rom. 8:15) and the Holy Spirit expresses love in and through believers (Gal. 5:22).

3.God protects His children (Rom. 8:31) and the Holy Spirit protects believers by offering to lead them away from unnecessary danger (Acts 20:33).

4. God provides good things for His family (James 1:17) and the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers (1 Cor. 12:11).

5. God teaches/trains His children and so does the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

Everything God the Father does for the family of God, the Spirit of Your Father also does for the believer.

Just as the Spirit of the Father is like God the Father in actions, He is also like Him in character. We discussed the character of the Holy Spirit in the last lesson. He longs to produce those same characteristics and actions in us. Have you taken time lately to examine your life and see what progress you are making in becoming like the Father in your character and in your actions? Today would be a good day to take stock. If you find yourself lacking, ask God to allow the Spirit of Your Father to develop His character in you. I can promise you, that is a prayer He loves to answer.

Tomorrow we'll look at a few of the names of the Holy Spirit that show His relationship to Jesus as He functions within the Trinity.