Topical Bible: The Holy Spirit: is God: As the Source of Miraculous Power

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The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Holy Trinity, is fully God and possesses all the attributes of divinity, including omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. One of the significant roles of the Holy Spirit is as the source of miraculous power, which is evident throughout the Scriptures. This power is not merely an impersonal force but is the active presence of God working in the world to accomplish His divine purposes.

Old Testament Foundations

The Holy Spirit's role as the source of miraculous power is evident from the earliest parts of the Old Testament. In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God is described as hovering over the waters during the creation, indicating His active involvement in bringing the universe into existence. This creative power is further demonstrated in the life of individuals such as Samson, who was empowered by the Spirit to perform feats of strength beyond human capability (Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14).

The Prophets and the Spirit

The prophets of the Old Testament also experienced the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel, for instance, was carried by the Spirit and given visions of God's glory and future events (Ezekiel 3:12-14; 37:1). The Spirit's empowerment enabled the prophets to speak God's word with authority and perform signs that validated their divine commission.

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit's miraculous power is most clearly seen in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, marking the beginning of His public ministry (Matthew 3:16). Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, performed numerous miracles, including healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead (Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38). These acts were a testament to the Spirit's power working through Him.

The Apostolic Age

After Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit continued to be the source of miraculous power in the early church. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak in tongues and proclaim the gospel with boldness (Acts 2:1-4). The apostles performed many signs and wonders, such as healing the lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:6-8) and raising the dead (Acts 9:40), through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gifts of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit also distributes spiritual gifts to believers, empowering them for service and the edification of the church. These gifts include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). These gifts are manifestations of the Spirit's power and are given according to His will to accomplish God's purposes in the world.

The Spirit's Ongoing Work

The miraculous power of the Holy Spirit is not confined to the biblical era but continues to be active in the world today. Believers are encouraged to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and to rely on His power for living a godly life and fulfilling the Great Commission. The Holy Spirit empowers the church to be a witness to the ends of the earth, demonstrating the reality of God's kingdom through both word and deed.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 11:20
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come on you.
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Acts 19:11
And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 15:19
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Power --Its Source
... into this belief, that divine, miraculous creative power resides in the Holy Ghost. ...
upbuilding of the Church of God are presided over by the Spirit of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter i powerits source.htm

The Gift of the Spirit
... believers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit are to be ... This outpouring of the
Spirit is likened to the ... But unless the members of God's church today have a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 5 the gift of.htm

Eldad and Medad
... for example, but only to serve God in another ... The river which near its source noisily
rushes over the ... are all under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and if ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

Acts V
... the most praiseworthy feature of the new Church into a source of corruption ... his
witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts v.htm

Book 1
... 4. It is also from another source that it is derived ... and have proceeded from the
Spirit of God; which is proved by the testimony of the Holy Spirit, by the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 1.htm

As a Child
... after knowledge, they turned away from the Source of wisdom. ... He was doing God's service
just as much when ... Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit, "Behold My ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 7 as a child.htm

A Word to Workers
... talk of this epistle as the great source of instruction ... and the Son in the hearts
of God's people. ... in the church of the Corinthians, the Holy Spirit came with ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/vii a word to workers.htm

The Divine Liturgy of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the ...
... And to thy spirit. ... May God bless, who blesseth and sanctifieth, who defendeth and
preserveth us all through the partaking of His holy mysteries; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of the.htm

The Last Journey from Galilee
... more closely you connect yourself with the source of light ... Rejoice that you are one
with God, one with ... to the words of Christ, the Holy Spirit was impressing ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 53 the last journey.htm

The Universal Gift
... emotions and experiences is to be traced to the conjoint operation of that Divine
Spirit as the source, and my ... Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the universal gift.htm