Topical Bible: The Power of the Holy Spirit: Exhibited in Promised by the Father

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The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, is a central figure in Christian theology, known for His divine power and presence in the lives of believers. The promise of the Holy Spirit by the Father is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the transformative and empowering role of the Spirit in the life of the Church and individual believers.

Old Testament Promises

The promise of the Holy Spirit is rooted in the Old Testament, where the prophets foretold a time when God would pour out His Spirit upon His people. In Joel 2:28-29, the prophet declares, "And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days." This promise indicates a future outpouring of the Spirit that transcends social and gender boundaries, signifying a new era of divine interaction with humanity.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these promises through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus instructs His disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, saying, "And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). This promise is further emphasized in Acts 1:4-5, where Jesus commands His followers not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the gift promised by the Father, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost: The Outpouring of the Spirit

The fulfillment of the Father's promise is dramatically realized on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to speak in various tongues and boldly proclaim the gospel. This event marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of the Spirit's active role in guiding, teaching, and empowering believers. Peter, addressing the crowd, cites the prophecy of Joel, affirming that the outpouring of the Spirit is the fulfillment of God's promise (Acts 2:16-21).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The power of the Holy Spirit, as promised by the Father, is multifaceted. The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), guides believers into all truth (John 16:13), and glorifies Christ (John 16:14). The Spirit also imparts spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and produces the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of believers, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Empowerment for Witness

One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit, as promised by the Father, is to empower believers for witness. Jesus assures His disciples in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This empowerment is not merely for personal edification but for the advancement of the gospel and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.

Conclusion

The promise of the Holy Spirit by the Father is a testament to God's desire to dwell among His people and equip them for His purposes. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live out their faith, bear witness to the truth of the gospel, and experience the transformative power of God's presence in their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 24:49
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father on you: but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

John Chapter xiv. 25-27.
... the other is corporal, and is exhibited outwardly to ... it would certainly altogether
surpass the power of human ... and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we certainly do ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxvii john chapter xiv.htm

Against Heresies
... been separated from herself, or exhibited special tendencies ... deceits, wickedness,
and apostate power of Antichrist ... this point being reserved by the Holy Spirit. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/

Of the Appearance on Sinai. Whether the Trinity Spake in that ...
... are, as we have often said, exhibited through the ... that are made, even His eternal
power and Godhead ... His resurrection, and then came the Holy Spirit which the ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 15 of the appearance on.htm

John Chapter xvi. 13
... constitute the one person of the Holy Spirit, is compelled ... in some outward way, and
so exhibited themselves to ... formed for the moment by divine power from the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcix john chapter xvi.htm

John Chapter xvi. 12, 13
... the sacramental privileges of believers are not exhibited to them ... your minds themselves
may have the power to perceive ... it is effected by the Holy Spirit, of whom ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcvi john chapter xvi.htm

From the Eleventh Chapter.
... by the Father, He shed forth the Holy Spirit, the gift ... 3. "They shall tread the holy
city down for ... prophets against the adversaries, bespeaks the power of the ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the eleventh chapter.htm

Of the Words of St. Matthew's Gospel, Chap. Iii. 13, "Then Jesus ...
... saith He,"to lay down My life, and I have power to take it ... down the soul;" believe
that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit may be exhibited separately, by ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon ii of the words.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... taught that He had come to manifest his power, to give ... were wrought by Him and by
the Holy Spirit, is exhaustless. ... to him by vow.[417] He is exhibited as the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... by possession and use, employed the Holy Spirit at pleasure ... the law, neither as being
the power of God ... the poor;" (Matthew 11:5;) because it exhibited GRACE and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

General Remarks on the History of Missions in this Age.
... God.' He sang much besides from the Holy Scriptures, and ... one: O King of glory, Lord
of power, who this ... behind thee, but send to us the promised Spirit of the ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/general remarks on the history.htm