Most of us are familiar with the story of the Holy Spirit coming on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. However, for many people the Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood person of the Trinity.
Perhaps I should take a moment here to at least define, if not explain, the Trinity. (It would take an entire article, in fact a series of articles, to even try to explain it.) The doctrine of the Trinity (Tri-Unity) states that the Father is God, the Son, Jesus Christ, is God, and the Holy Spirit is God united in such a way that the three are distinct, unique, and equal persons but that there is still only one God. The Trinity is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is one of those things we believe even though we do not completely understand it.
All three persons of the Trinity are present and active in all the works of the Trinity, however, we do often speak of certain person of the Trinity doing specific things, so the work of the Holy Spirit is, among many others…..
• Drawing people to God. (John 6:44)
• Convicting us of sin. (John 16:7-11)
• Helping us to understand and remember Scripture and the teaching of Jesus. (Luke 24:45; John 16:13; James 1:5)
• Comforting us. (John 14:16)
• Helping us pray. (Romans 8:26)
• Gifting and empowering all of us for ministry. (1 Corinthians 12)
o There are a variety of gifts. Each of us has gifts. There are given for the good of the church and the mission.
• Producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-23)
o Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
• Sanctifying us or Making us holy. (1 Peter 1:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:3)
o Sanctification is a distinctive of Wesleyan/Methodist theology, and other theologies as well. Sanctification or, as Wesley called it, Christian Perfection, is a state which is attainable in this life in which a person commits no known and willful sin. However, there are two important facts to keep in mind: First, Sanctification is not something we do or earn, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. It is not about trying hard nor is it something to have pride about, that would be sin. Second, Sanctification does not free us from mistakes, misunderstandings, or limitations. It strictly deals with the idea of known and willful sin. Sanctification is something we should pray for and allow the Spirit to work in our lives; it is a process.
Before closing I would like to take a moment to lift ups another distinctive of Wesleyan/Methodist theology: the three types of grace…
1. Prevenient Grace – The grace that goes before. This is the grace that is active in creation and providence but it is also the grace that opens our eyes to our need for God and his forgiveness and draws us toward a relationship with God.
2. Justifying Grace – This is the grace that was revealed in the life and ministry and the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. This is the grace we receive when we put our faith in Jesus and receive him as our Lord and Savior. This is saving grace.
3. Sanctifying Grace – This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives empowering us and making us holy.
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