Although the crucifixion of Jesus Christ caused pain and terror to His followers, His resurrection brought new light to their lives. When Christ broke the shackles of death, the dawn of God's Kingdom arose in their hearts.

Just a few weeks ago, the disciples were divided by unworthy differences, but now they admitted their guilt to each other, opening their hearts to the Savior and the ascended King.

Only now did they realize the absurdity of their ambitious motives and rallied closer, spending time day after day in joint prayer. And then on one of the unforgettable days, when they were praising God, suddenly there came “a sound from heaven, as from a rushing mighty wind... And cloven tongues appeared to them, as if of fire, and rested, one on each of them (Acts. 2:2, 3). Like blazing fire, the Holy Spirit fell upon the followers of Christ.

The Spirit-filled disciples could not contain within themselves that extraordinary feeling of joy and love for Jesus Christ. They enthusiastically began to proclaim the good news of salvation. Alarmed by the unexpected noise, local residents, along with pilgrims from other countries, hurried to the house. Amazed and confused, they heard in their own language the testimony of the great works of God from the lips of ordinary Galileans.

“It’s not clear,” some said, “what does all this mean?” Others mocked: “Yes, they are drunk.” The Apostle Peter, being among the noisy crowd, raised his voice: “They are not drunk, because it is only the third hour of the day. Now you are witnesses of how the risen Christ, whom God exalted by His hand, gives us the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2).

Is the Holy Spirit a Person?

The Bible reveals to us that the Holy Spirit is a Person and not a faceless force. Expressions such as “according to the Holy Spirit and us” (Acts 15:28) suggest that the early Christians perceived Him as a Person. Christ also speaks of Him as a Person. “He will glorify Me,” said Christ, “for He will take of Mine and proclaim it to you” (John 16:14). Scripture speaks of the Triune God, presenting the Holy Spirit as a Person (see Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 13:13).
The Holy Spirit has personal qualities. He experiences disdain from people (see Gen. 6:3). He teaches (Luke 12:12), convinces (see John 16:8), directs the affairs of the Church (see Acts 13:2), helps and intercedes (see Rom. 8:26), inspires (see . 2 Pet. 1:21) and sanctifies (see 1 Pet. 1:2). These actions can only be inherent to the Personality, and not to the faceless power and influence emanating from God.

The Holy Spirit is the true God

In the biblical account, the Holy Spirit is spoken of as God. Peter, turning to Ananias, said to him: “...Why did you allow Satan to put into your heart the idea of ​​lying to the Holy Spirit... you lied not to men, but to God” (Acts 5:3,4). Jesus Christ called blasphemy against the Spirit an unforgivable sin. In the Gospel of Matthew we read: “If anyone speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but if anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31, 32). These words of the Savior emphasize the biblical truth that the Holy Spirit is God.

According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit is endowed with Divine properties. He is life itself. The Apostle Paul calls Him “the Spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2). He is the truth. Jesus Christ called Him “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13). The expressions “the love of the Spirit” (Rom. 15:30) and “the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph. 4:30) show that love and holiness are part of His nature.

The Holy Spirit is omnipotent. He distributes spiritual gifts “to each one individually, as He pleases” (1 Cor. 12:11). The Holy Spirit is omnipresent. He will “abide” with His people “forever” (John 14:16). No one can hide from Him (see Ps. 139:7-10). He is also omniscient because “the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God,” and “no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:10, 11).

The works of the Holy Spirit are connected with the works of God the Creator. He participates in both creation and resurrection. Job said, “The Spirit of God created me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life” (Job 33:4). The psalmist says in prayer: “If you send your spirit, they will be created” (Ps. 103:30). The same thought is found in Paul: “He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Rom. 8:11).

Only the omnipresent God, and not a faceless force and an uncreated being, is subject to the laws of the world, and He showed this in the miracle of the conception of Jesus by the Virgin Mary. On the day of Pentecost, the only God-man Christ, thanks to the Holy Spirit, could simultaneously be present with everyone who wanted to receive Him.
Reading the Gospel carefully, we see that the significance of the Holy Spirit as Divinity is not inferior to the authority of the Father and the Son both in the apostolic blessings (see 2 Cor. 13:14) and in the words spoken at the moment of baptism (see Matt. 28:19 ), and in Paul's descriptions of spiritual gifts (see 1 Cor. 12:4-6).

Holy Spirit in Trinity

Initially, God the Holy Spirit coexisted unmerged and indivisible in the Holy Trinity. According to the Bible, like God the Father and God the Son, God the Holy Spirit has life in Himself. But despite the fact that the Persons of the Holy Trinity are equal to each other, each of them performs His own special ministry (see Chapter 2 of this book).

The truth about God the Holy Spirit is most fully revealed through Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit descends upon believers, He acts as the “Spirit of Christ,” without claiming His own personal rights or defending His own powers. His activity in history is focused on the saving mission of Christ. The Holy Spirit was actively involved in the birth of Christ (see Luke 1:35), confirmed the beginning of His public ministry at baptism (see Matt. 3:16,17) and made available to mankind the blessings of Christ's atoning sacrifice and His resurrection (see Rom. . 8:11).

In the Holy Trinity, the Spirit appears to be the performer. From the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 1:18-20) the Son of God was conceived when the Father gave Him to the world (see John 3:16).
The Holy Spirit came to fulfill God's plan for man in this world and make it a reality.

According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit took part in Creation, as evidenced by His presence at the creation of the earth (see Gen. 1:2). Life originates from Him, and it is sustained by Him. When the Spirit leaves, death occurs. The Holy Scriptures say that if God “turned His heart to Himself and took to Himself the spirit thereof (the earth) and the breath thereof, suddenly all flesh would perish, and man would return to dust” (Job 34:14, 15; cf. 33:4).

The creative ministry of the Spirit is reflected in the fact that He creates a new heart in a person open to God. God transforms and creates man through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Spirit carries out God's purposes in the mystery of incarnation, creation and rebirth to new life.

The Holy Spirit promised to the world

According to God's plan, the Holy Spirit was originally supposed to dwell in man. But the sin of Adam and Eve deprived them of the Garden of Eden and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. This break of creation with its Creator led the antediluvian civilization to tragedy. And God was forced to say: “My Spirit will not forever be despised by men” (Gen. 6:3).

In Old Testament times, it was the Holy Spirit who, through his influence, formed this or that person, preparing him for a special service (see Num. 24:2; Judg. 6:34; 1 Sam. 10:6). There were times when He dwelled in the hearts of individuals (see Ex. 31:3; Isa. 63:11).

It is true that true believers have always been aware of His presence, but biblical prophecy speaks of a special outpouring of the Spirit “on all flesh” (Joel 2:28) when a greater manifestation of the Spirit will usher in a new era.

While the world was subject to the devil, the endowment of the Spirit was fully expected and expected in the future. Christ, according to God's providence, had to fulfill His earthly mission, make an atoning sacrifice, and only after that the Holy Spirit could be poured out on all flesh. Pointing to the ministry of Christ as the ministry of the Spirit, John the Baptist said: “I baptize you with water, and he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 3:11). But in the Gospel we do not find concrete evidence that Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit. Only a few hours before His crucifixion, Christ promised the disciples: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16, 17). Is there any reason to say that the baptism of the Spirit took place on the cross? No. At the moment of the crucifixion, the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit did not appear - only pitch darkness descended, and only peals of thunder were heard.

It was only after His resurrection that Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on His disciples (see John 20:22). In the Gospel of Luke we read: “And I will send the promise of My Father upon you; but remain in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The followers of the great Teacher were to receive power as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit and become His witnesses to the ends of the earth (see Acts 1:8).

The Evangelist John wrote: “The Holy Spirit was not on them, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39). According to God's plan, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was to follow only after the Father accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The dawn of a new era arose only when our Lord the Victor sat on the heavenly throne. Only then could He pour out the Holy Spirit in all His fullness. According to Peter, Jesus, "having been exalted by the right hand of God... poured out" the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33) on His disciples, who were anxiously awaiting this event and, having gathered, "continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (Acts 2:33). 1:5, 14). The Day of Pentecost, which came fifty days after Calvary, marked the beginning of a new era with a powerful manifestation of the Spirit. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they (the disciples) were sitting... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:2-4).

The mission of Jesus Christ and the mission of the Holy Spirit are completely interconnected. The Holy Spirit could not be given in full until Jesus fulfilled what God had ordained. In turn, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 1:8-21), baptized by the Spirit (see Mark 1:9-10), led by the Spirit (see Luke 4:1), carried out His miracles through the Spirit (see Matt. 12:24-32), sacrificed Himself on Calvary through the Spirit (see Heb. 9:14,15) and was resurrected by the Spirit (see Rom. 8:11).

Jesus Christ was the first to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. It is comforting to know that the Lord is ready to pour out His Spirit on all who seek Him with all their hearts.

Mission of the Holy Spirit

In the evening, on the eve of His death, Christ told the disciples that he would soon leave them. His words alarmed the disciples. But the Lord assured them: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever... I will not leave you orphans...” (John 14:16,18).

Origin of the mission. The New Testament reveals the truth about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of Jesus" (Acts 16:7), "the Spirit of the Son" (Gal. 4:6), "the Spirit of God" (Rom. 8:9), "the Spirit of Christ" (Rom. 8:9; 1 Pet. 1:11) and “by the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:19). The question arises: who has the authoritative right to send the Holy Spirit into this world - Jesus Christ or the Father?

When Christ reveals the mission of the Holy Spirit in a fallen world, He speaks of two sources. First, He points to God the Father: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter” (John 14:16, cf. 15:26 “from the Father”). It was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that the Savior called “promised of the Father” (Acts 1:4). Secondly, Christ points to Himself: “I will send Him (the Spirit) to you” (John 16:7). Therefore, the Holy Spirit comes from both the Father and the Son.
His mission in the world. Christ can only be recognized as Lord through the influence of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:3).

The Word of God assures us that through the Holy Spirit, Christ, the “true Light,” “enlightens every man who comes into the world” (John 1:9). His task is to “reveal to the world the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8, English translation).

Firstly, it is the Holy Spirit who helps us realize our sinfulness and exposes our complete indifference to Christ (see John 16:9). Second, the Holy Spirit moves people to accept the righteousness of Christ. Third, the Holy Spirit warns us of judgment, which causes the sin-clouded mind to feel the need for repentance and conversion.

Having experienced the renewing power of repentance, we can be born again through water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (see John 3:5). This, undoubtedly, is the beginning of our new life, for we become a temple of the Spirit of Christ.

Mission for believers. Most biblical texts that talk about the Holy Spirit deal with the issue of His relationship with God's people. By exerting a sanctifying influence, He leads us to obedience (see 1 Peter 1:2). However, in order for His influence to be constant and creative, the Christian must take into account certain conditions. The Apostle Peter emphasizes the idea that God gives the Spirit to those who continually obey Him (see Acts 5:32)1. Moreover, believers are warned not to resist the Holy Spirit, not to grieve or extinguish His influence in their lives (see Acts 7:51; Eph. 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

What is the participation of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian?

1. He helps believers by supporting them spiritually. Jesus Christ calls the Holy Spirit by the ancient Greek word “Parakletos” (John 14:16). Translated into Russian, this word means “Helper”, “Comforter”, “Adviser”. It can also mean "Intercessor", "Mediator" or "Attorney".

In addition to the Holy Spirit, the Holy Scripture calls the name “Parakletos” only Christ Himself. He is our Protector or Intercessor before the Father. “My children!” exclaims the Apostle John, “I write this to you so that you do not sin; but if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

As Advocate, Mediator and Helper, Christ represents us to God and reveals God to us. In like manner the Spirit leads us to Christ and makes us partakers of Christ's grace. This is why the Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29). The Holy Spirit helps to ensure that the saving grace of Christ becomes the property of people. Without this, the salvation of humanity is unthinkable.

2. He reveals the truth about Christ. Jesus Christ speaks of the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13). He is called, according to Christ, to remind us of everything that He said to us" (John 14:26), and to guide us "into all truth" (John 16:13). He testifies of Jesus Christ (John 15:26 ). “He will not speak from Himself,” Christ emphasizes, “but He will speak what He hears, and He will tell you the future. He will glorify Me, because He will take of Mine and proclaim it to you” (John 16:13, 14).

3. He makes the presence of Christ real. The Holy Spirit not only proclaims Christ, He makes the very presence of the Savior real. Jesus said: “It is better for you that I go; for if I do not go, the Comforter (Holy Spirit, John 14:16, 17) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 14:16, 17). 16:7).

Being limited by human capabilities, Jesus could not be present at the same time in different places. That's why it was so necessary for Him to leave. Through the Holy Spirit He will be able to be present everywhere and always. Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” He assured that the Spirit will be with us" and in us it will be: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:17, 18). "The Holy Spirit is the representative of Christ, not burdened by human nature, and therefore independent of circumstances."

The Virgin Mary conceived Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit revealed Christ the Victor to the world. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ's promises were fulfilled: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5) and “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). This is why the New Testament gives the Holy Spirit a name that is not given to Him anywhere in the Old Testament - “the Spirit of Jesus” (Phil. 1:19).

It is through the Holy Spirit that the Father and the Son dwell in the hearts of His followers (see John 14:23). In the same way, only through the Holy Spirit can believers abide in Christ.

4. He directs the activities of the Church. Because the Holy Spirit, through its influence, makes the presence of Christ evident in the life of a person. He is the true Vicar of Christ on earth. It is He, the Holy Spirit, as the unchanging authority in matters of faith and teaching, who leads the Church along the paths of truth and goodness in full accordance with the principles of biblical teaching. “The distinctive feature of Protestantism among other religious denominations, without which there would be no Protestantism, is the conviction that the Holy Spirit is the true vicar or successor of Christ on earth. To rely on church organization, leaders or human wisdom is to elevate man above the authority of God.”

The Holy Spirit really and visibly participated in the formation of the First Apostolic Church. On that important day of fasting and prayer, when missionaries for the Church were chosen, “the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:1-4). The chosen ministers expressed their willingness to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts speaks of them as a people “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:9, cf. 52), whose activities were under His Divine guidance (see Acts 16:6, 7). The Apostle Paul considered it necessary to remind the elders of the church that the Holy Spirit chose them to be the messengers of God (see Acts 20:28).

The Holy Spirit played an extremely important role in those churches where serious contradictions arose that threatened fraternal unity. Indeed, in Scripture the message about the decisions of the first church council is preceded by the words: “For it pleased the Holy Spirit and us...” (Acts 15:28).

5. He endows the Church with special gifts. The Holy Spirit has endowed God's people with special gifts. In Old Testament times, the “Spirit of the Lord” came upon individuals, endowing them with wisdom and the ability to guide the spiritual and political life of Israel (see Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29, etc.), as well as to prophesy ( see Num. 11:17, 25, 26; 2 Sam. The Holy Spirit came upon Saul and David when they were anointed rulers of God's people (see 1 Sam. 10:6,10; 16:13). Additionally, according to Scripture, the Holy Spirit endowed individuals with various artistic gifts (see Ex. 28:3; 31:3; 35:30-35).

In the early Christian Church, Christ also sent down His gifts of grace to the Church through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit distributed these spiritual gifts given to believers as He saw fit for the benefit of the entire Church (see Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 12:7-11).

In addition, the Holy Spirit imparted special power to all who proclaimed the gospel to the ends of the earth (see Acts 1:8; see chapter 16 of this book).

6. He is present in the hearts of believers. The Apostle Paul asked the disciples in Ephesus: “Have you received the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2). This question is still decisive for every Christian today.

After receiving a negative answer, Paul laid hands on the disciples and baptized them with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 19:6).

This incident in Paul’s missionary activity shows that the recognition of one’s own sinfulness, possible under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life are far from the same thing.

Jesus Christ pointed out to Nicodemus the need to be born of water and the Spirit (see John 3:5). Immediately before His ascension, He gave instructions to baptize new converts “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). This is why Peter said in his sermon that at baptism one must receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The Apostle Paul affirms the importance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (see chapter 14 of this book) and strongly encourages believers to be “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

The Holy Spirit, spiritually transforming us into the image and likeness of God, continues the work of sanctification begun at the new birth. God saved us in His mercy “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5, 6).
"It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so impotent. Learning, talent, eloquence, every natural or acquired ability, may have its place, but without the Spirit of God no heart will be touched, no sinner will be won for Christ. On the other hand, the most the poor and uneducated among His disciples will have a power that appeals to their hearts if they are united to Christ and given the gifts of the Spirit. God will make them channels for the transmission of the most sublime influence in the universe."

The Holy Spirit is of utmost importance in the lives of Christians. Jesus accomplishes all changes in our hearts through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And we, believers, need to constantly realize that without the Holy Spirit we cannot do anything (see John 15:5).

Today the Holy Spirit directs our attention to the greatest gift of love that God offers in His Son. He pleads with us not to resist His calls, but to accept the only way in which we can be reconciled to our loving and kind Father in Heaven.

1 See Arnold V. Wallenkampf, Hew by the Spirit (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1978), pp. 49, 50.
2 E. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 669.
3 Leroy E. Froom, The Coming of Comforter, rev. ed. (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1949), pp. 66, 67.
4 E. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 21, 22.

You probably already know or have heard something about the Holy Spirit. It's time to get to know Him better. What does Holy Scripture say about Him? Is the Holy Spirit God's power, the embodiment of Divine energy, or is He a Person?

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

No mystery occupies the human mind as much as the question of the nature of God.

“Oh, the depth of wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His destinies and unsearchable are His ways!” (Romans 11:33).

Let's open the biblical texts that speak about the essence, character and mission of the Holy Spirit.

At the very beginning of Holy Scripture, when it tells how God created the earth, there is a mention of the Holy Spirit.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. But the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was upon the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters” (according to another translation, “hovered over the chaos of the waters”) (Genesis 1:1,2).

Having once created countless worlds, God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit to this day do not stop Their creative activity, giving life to every earthly and heavenly creature: “The Spirit of God created me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life” (Book of Job 33:4).

The Bible also says that the Holy Spirit is omnipresent and works in this world, saving people from eternal destruction: “Where can I go from Your Spirit and where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven - You are there; If I go down to the underworld, you will be there too. If I take the wings of the morning and move to the edge of the sea, there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me” (Psalm 139:7-10).

After the resurrection and ascension of Christ, the Holy Spirit became His personal representative in our world. This is what Jesus said to His disciples before ascending into heaven to His Father: “It is better for you that I go; for if I do not go, the Comforter will not come to you, but if I do go, I will send Him to you” (Gospel of John 16:7).

Our earthly mind is not able to fully understand the essence of the Holy Spirit. In a conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus compared His influence on the human heart to a gentle breeze:

“The Spirit (in another translation - “wind”) breathes where it wants, and you hear its voice, but you do not know where it comes from and where it goes: this is what happens to everyone born of the Spirit” (Gospel of John 3:8).

Being one with God the Father and the Son, He knows all the secrets of this world. Our future is open to Him: “The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For which man knows what is in a man except the spirit of man that dwells in him? Likewise, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10,11); “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come... He will tell you the future” (Gospel of John 16:13); “For prophecy was never made by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Scripture tells us about the love of the Spirit, about His beneficial, transforming and saving influence on man: “... I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive with me in prayers for me to God... because the love of God poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 15:30; 5:5); “He saved us, not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5,6).

The saving mission of the Holy Spirit is to come into our fallen world and convict people of sin. With love, relentlessly, through the voice of conscience, life circumstances, through other people and the Holy Word, He leads us to repentance and acceptance of God's forgiveness. Jesus Christ says about the Holy Spirit: “And He, having come, will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; about righteousness, that I go to My Father... about judgment, that the prince of this world is condemned” (Gospel of John 16:8-11).

The Holy Spirit also comforts, encourages, and inspires devoted people, guiding their lives and helping them spread the light of the truth of salvation through Jesus:

“The churches throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria were at rest, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord; and, being encouraged by the Holy Spirit, they multiplied” (Acts of the Holy Apostles 9:31);

“And you will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, to be a witness to them and to the Gentiles. When they betray you, do not worry about how or what to say; for in that hour it will be given to you what to say, for it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you” (Matthew 10:18-20).

The Comforter lifts our prayers to the throne of the Lord and Himself intercedes for us together with Christ: “Likewise, the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses; for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be expressed. But he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26,27).

So, we see that the Spirit of God is spoken of in the Bible as a special Person who constantly dwells among people and carries out God’s plan on earth.

The Holy Spirit is one of the Persons of the Triune God, the Holy Trinity. He has life in Himself and Divine essence. He stands on the same level with God the Father and God the Son, as the Holy Scripture says: “Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Gospel of Matthew 28:19) ; “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:13).

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST

Talking with Jesus for the last time before His ascension, listening to His farewell words, the disciples suddenly felt lonely and abandoned. However, the Savior did not leave them without hope and support, promising them the Holy Spirit.

“And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth... I will not leave you orphans” (Gospel of John 14:16-18).

The incarnation of Jesus Christ, His birth, baptism, ministry to people - everything is marked by the blessed presence of the Holy Spirit. Having taken upon Himself weak human flesh and not taking advantage of His Divine nature, Jesus especially needed His help and strength. It is also promised to us if we accept God into our hearts.

According to the Divine plan, Jesus was destined to ascend to heaven after his resurrection, “that he might now appear before the face of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24). As the Holy Scripture says, “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). Thus, in heaven we have a Great Mediator - the Son of God, thanks to whom we have the opportunity to make requests for forgiveness and blessings from God the Father. The Representative of heaven in the person of the Holy Spirit was sent to earth to us.

“But I tell you the truth: it is better for you that I go; for if I do not go, the Comforter will not come to you; and if I go, I will send Him to you” (Gospel of John 16:7).

THE SAVING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit regenerates us to new life. Without His presence, the human heart cannot change. Only the Spirit transforms our sinful nature into the likeness of God:

“... truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Gospel of John 3:5).

The convictions of the Holy Spirit help us see our true condition and feel our great need for the forgiveness and healing offered by Heaven.

“And He will come and convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment” (Gospel of John 16:8).

The voice of the invisible Friend speaks to our hearts, helping us make the right choice: “And your ears will hear a word saying behind you: “This is the way, walk in it,” even if you turn to the right and if you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30 :21).

“When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak from himself, but he will speak what he hears, and he will tell you the future. He will glorify Me, because He will take of Mine and proclaim it to you” (Gospel of John 16:13,14).

The Holy Spirit leads people to Jesus, revealing to them His redemptive mission and fulfilling the wonderful promise of the Savior: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Me” (Gospel of John 12:32).

Hearing a voice on a telephone receiver, a person feels the closeness of his interlocutor, as if he were standing next to him, although they are separated by a great distance. By pressing the switch button, an invisible current is supplied to the light bulb, and the room in the dark is illuminated with a stream of light.

Both of these examples can be compared to the work of the Holy Spirit. It is He who invisibly, with His quiet, gentle voice, introduces us into the presence of Christ, and it is through Him that we receive spiritual light from the Father. Today all Divine power is directed toward the salvation of sinful man. The Spirit of God works tirelessly in us and for us to bring about our transformation.

“...not by might, nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

“...He abides with you and will be in you” (Gospel of John 14:17).

FULLNESS OF THE GIFT

On the day of Pentecost, Christ's disciples received a special precious gift from God. The Comforter was sent to them - the Holy Spirit.

If during the baptism of Jesus the Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove, then at Pentecost He took the form of a burning flame: “And divided tongues appeared to them, as if of fire” (Acts of the Holy Apostles 2:3). Having received the Holy Spirit, the apostles began to speak in other languages, thanks to which they were able to tell about Christ to more than twenty people who were in Jerusalem that day for the holiday.

Thus the prophecy of the Lord was fulfilled: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts of the Apostles 1:8).

The Lord speaks about Himself in the Holy Scriptures: “I will be dew to Israel; it will blossom like a lily and take root like Lebanon” (Hosea 14:6).

Just as rain or dew, saturating the earth, nourishes the seeds and awakens new life in them, the Spirit of God fills the word left by Christ with life-giving power and transmits it to people. This was the meaning of what happened on the day of Pentecost. Only the Holy Spirit, penetrating into the very heart of man, could lead people to the realization of their sinfulness, to the question: “What should we do, men and brethren?” (Acts of the Apostles 2:37).

In response, they heard from Peter: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts of the Apostles 2:38).

Jesus gives His great gift to those who choose to turn from sin. It is only through the power of God's Spirit that people can respond to the call to repentance. The Holy Spirit, acting on our conscience and convicting us of sin, leads us to the desire to change our lives, fill it with meaning, and receive internal renewal and liberation. Our openness to the influence of the Holy Spirit also depends on how fully we keep the Lord's commandments. Where the Spirit of God dwells, there is no room for sin. Conversely, persisting in sin drives away the presence of the Spirit of God.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you” (Gospel of John 14:15-17).

A person who expects the gift of the Holy Spirit and at the same time deliberately violates the law of the Creator is following the wrong path. Desiring to enjoy the benefits of God's blessing, he at the same time does not want to listen to the denunciations of the voice of Heaven. The Apostle Paul addresses such people: “Or do you despise the riches of God’s kindness, meekness and long-suffering, not realizing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).

Let's not forget that there are also evil spirits, that is, Satan and his dark angels. They resist the Holy Spirit, imitating Him and deceiving people. Anyone who expects the gifts of the Lord for himself, but does not see his need for repentance, is in great danger. Instead of these gifts, he may receive a deceptive feeling instilled in him by Satan's angels.

“Beloved! Believe not every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

“Turn to law and revelation. If they do not speak according to this word, then there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).

Thus, the Holy Scripture speaks of false teachers and spirits that mislead people. The Book of God warns that before the Second Coming of Christ there will come a time of global deception of mankind, when everyone who has rejected the pure biblical truth will be deceived by a false spirit and led away from the path of salvation.

“And then the wicked one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the revelation of His coming - the one whose coming, according to the work of Satan, will be with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception of those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10).

TRUE FREEDOM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

“We are Abraham’s seed and have never been slaves to anyone,” the Jews declared to Jesus in response to His call: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Gospel of John 8:32,33). They did not understand that they were internally in humiliating enslavement to sin and Satan.

Offering them real freedom, the Savior said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. But the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (Gospel of John 8:34-36).

How can we obtain this true freedom? Here's what the Bible says: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

By being born of the Holy Spirit, a believer gains a new, special relationship with God. The feeling of guilt and fear of punishment is replaced by trusting love for the heavenly Father, confidence in His care and protection.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

“And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying: “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Jesus Christ” (Galatians 4:6,7).

“Abba” is translated from Hebrew as “daddy.” We address our parents this way only if we have a very warm, affectionate relationship with them. It is to such a relationship with the Heavenly Father that the Holy Spirit calls us.

“We know that everyone born of God does not sin; But he who is born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18).

This is where true freedom lies. Having a close relationship with the Lord, we are no longer dependent on sin and do not feel attracted to it, since what Heaven gives us immeasurably surpasses all the riches and pleasures of this world.

The perfect harmony in which the three Persons of God reside - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - is reflected in the heart of a believer. By communing with the Holy Spirit, he becomes one with God in his feelings, thoughts and desires.

FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Bible says: “Every tree is known by its fruit, thereforethat they do not gather figs from thorn trees, or gather grapes from bushes” (Gospel of Luke 6:44). Just as a well-groomed, carefully grown tree pleases its owner with good fruits, so a person who has received the Spirit of God invariably begins to bear the fruits of Divine righteousness. Unlike those feelings that this world gives, together with the Holy Spirit, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control” settle in the human heart (Galatians 5:22,23) .

The fruit of the Spirit in our heart indicates that we are grafted into the Divine Vine: “I am the Vine, and you are the branches; He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (Gospel of John 15:5).

Of the fruits of the Spirit listed by the Apostle Paul, the very first and most amazing gift is love. “...For the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). God's love in us is very different from human love. Usually we love those who love us, and our feeling can be conditional and selfish. But the love given by the Lord is selfless and unconditional. It elevates and ennobles a person, making him truly happy. Here is how one of Christ’s disciples, the Apostle Paul, describes it: “Love is long-suffering, kind, love does not envy, love does not boast, is not proud, does not behave in an outrageous manner, does not seek its own, is not easily angered, does not think evil, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. ; covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

A loving Christian spreads around him the joy and peace that overflows his heart. It is impossible to complain and be discouraged, accepting everything that God does for us. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope... For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13; 14:17).

“Love suffers long-suffering, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not act rudely, does not seek its own,” says the Apostle Paul, who knew from his own experience what it means to bear the fruit of meekness and long-suffering. Let's take a look at his biography:

“I... was in labor, immensely wounded, more in prison, and many times near death. Five times the Jews gave me forty stripes minus one; three times I was beaten with sticks, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the depths of the sea; I have been on travels many times, in dangers on rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from fellow tribesmen, in dangers from pagans, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the desert, in dangers at sea, in dangers between false brothers, in labor and in exhaustion, often in vigil, in hunger and thirst, often in fasting, in cold and nakedness... In Damascus, the regional governor of King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus to capture me; and I was lowered down the wall from the window in a basket and escaped his hands” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27,32).

If the Spirit of God dwells in us, we can endure much and remain happy, following in the footsteps of Christ, who once “made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and becoming in appearance as a man; He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7,8).

A person born of the Spirit is characterized by kindness and mercy. Anyone who has become involved in Divine love will never be able to calmly pass by injustice and untruth. “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:8,9).

Faith is also the result of the influence of the Holy Spirit on the human heart. It maintains our purity in this world of evil, gives us hope for the future and helps us accomplish great and even impossible things. The Holy Scriptures say a lot about the meaning and power of faith. Here are some verses: “...and above all, take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16); “...the righteous shall live by his faith” (Book of the Prophet Habakkuk 2:4). “That according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16,17); “And whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22).

Another very important fruit of the Spirit is self-control. A person who has come to know God's grace is ready to give up a lot. In the battle with the flesh, with the unrighteous desires and sinful principles of this world, he is armed with the Holy Spirit. With His Power he can resist all temptations and enticements. Here is what the Apostle Paul writes about this: “And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is alive because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).

So, we see that a Christian who has the Spirit of God in him brings to the Lord the fruits of righteousness. They testify to the whole world of the power of Christ's promises: “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture says, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. This He said about the Spirit, which those who believed on Him were about to receive... I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” (Gospel of John 7:38,39;10:10).

How can we have abundant life? The Bible says:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another and forgiving each other if anyone has a complaint against anyone: just as Christ has forgiven you, so have you.” Above all, put on love, which is the sum of perfection” (Colossians 3:12-14).

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Christians who serve the Lord and others are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“...and it is said: “He ascended on high, took captivity captive and gave gifts to men.”... And He appointed some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as shepherds and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edification of the Body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:8,11-12).

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; and the services are different, but the Lord is the same; and the actions are different, but God is one and the same, producing everything in everyone. But everyone is given the manifestation of the Spirit for their benefit. To one is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to others gifts of healings by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another divers tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He pleases” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

As we see, the Lord does not give everyone the same gifts, but distributes them “to each one individually, as he pleases” (1 Corinthians 12:11). What is given to one is complemented by what is given to another.

Among God's gifts, Paul names wisdom, knowledge, faith, the gift of healing, miracles, prophecy, and discerning of spirits. There is the gift of speaking in other languages ​​and interpreting them. During the time of the first Christians, it was very relevant, since the language barrier was a serious obstacle to the spread of the gospel message. The apostle was alarmed by the prevailing opinion in the Corinthian church that the gift of tongues was the most significant of all gifts. On this basis, there was even a division between believers. Paul was careful to make clear that true spiritual gifts are in harmony with each other and the exercise of one does not in any way invalidate the other. A misunderstanding of the gifts and the high purpose for which they are given to the church can lead its members into disorder, confusion and division. It is not we who force the Holy Spirit to act according to our will, but He distributes the gifts among us as He deems necessary: ​​“That there may be no division in the body, but that all members may care for one another alike... Until we all come into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:25; Ephesians 4:13).

EARLY AND LATE RAIN

“And ye children of Zion, rejoice and be glad in the Lord your God;For He will give you rain in measure and He will send down rain for you, the former rain and the latter rain...” (Joel 2:23).

The people of Palestine understood the importance of the early and late rains. Early rains prepared the soil for sowing. The late rains made it possible for the harvest to ripen. It happened that the Lord, punishing the Israelis for apostasy, withheld timely rains from them, and then famine occurred in the country. The dried-up fields exposed the apostates, showing them their inner barrenness and emptiness. Often such harsh measures helped, and repentant sinners returned to the true Source of life. With what hope they then listened to the prophetic promises of rain, and how strong was their joy when, as a sign of forgiveness and mercy, the long-awaited precious streams finally watered the earth! “Thou, O God, poured abundant rain upon Thy inheritance, and when it was weary with labor, Thou didst strengthen it” (Psalm 67:10).

The descent of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples of Jesus on the day of Pentecost was the “early rain,” when the Christian church was still in its infancy and it was necessary to give life-giving power to the sown seeds of the Gospel. Centuries have passed since then. The Bible and the message of salvation it contains are spreading throughout the entire earth. The time for the “latter rain” is approaching. He will have to water the ripening ears and prepare them for the final harvest, which " is the end of the age” (Gospel of Matthew 13:39). This is how the prophecy describes the moment when the Holy Spirit will descend again on Christians:

“And it shall come to pass after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28).

Shortly before the Second Coming of Christ, the Comforter will reveal His regenerating power in every person who has repented of his sins and will prepare him for eternal life. Anyone who is not ready to accept this great gift of God will lose everything. Even today we need to have a strong connection with Heaven and abide in the Spirit of truth, so as not to lose the blessings of the latter rain and to get into God's granary during the last harvest.

“Sow yourselves in righteousness, and you will reap mercy; plow open your new ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, so that when He comes, He will rain down righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12);

“Ask the Lord for rain in your time of need; The Lord will flash with lightning and give you abundant rain, and for everyone there will be grain in the field” (Zechariah 10:1);

“...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth” (Acts of the Holy Apostles 1:8).

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Spirit of God does not suppress or dissolve a person’s personality, does not enslave his consciousness. He comes as a loving, caring Friend and addresses us through reason, feelings and conscience. He illuminates our inner world with His wonderful light. The Holy Spirit respects our freedom and never imposes Himself. Therefore, we ourselves need to daily invite Him into our hearts and ask God the Father for His constant presence and action in us.

"...Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Which father among you, when his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? or, when he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake instead of a fish? Or, if he asks for an egg, will he give him a scorpion? Therefore, if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Gospel of Luke 11:9-13).

The Holy Spirit is the greatest of all gifts of God. If we turn to the Lord asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He will never refuse us this. Earthly parents can sometimes turn away from their children, but He who gave His Only Begotten Son to die for us will never ignore the prayer of a yearning soul.

“Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and strengthen me with the sovereign Spirit” (Psalm 50:13-14), we repeat after David and in response we receive a wonderful promise: “...for God does not give the Spirit by measure” (Gospel of John 3:34).

So, the Holy Spirit is one of the Persons of the Divine Trinity. He is the representative of Christ on earth and was sent to us with a special mission - to prepare the people of God for eternal life. He convicts, comforts, instructs, encourages, guides a person’s path, gives him wisdom and true freedom from sin. A person born of the Spirit receives adoption from God and bears the fruits of righteousness pleasing to Him. The Holy Spirit governs the church, giving its members the abilities and talents needed to spread the gospel and grow spiritually. Shortly before the Second Coming of Christ, He will manifest Himself in a special way.

In conclusion, here is a wonderful biblical promise about the Holy Spirit: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11 ).

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" (2 Corinthians 13:13).

“My dear Heavenly Father! Thank You for the greatest gift that You send to every person, the gift of Your Holy Spirit. God, give me a Comforter to lead me by the hand in this life, revealing Your love and wisdom. May He convict me of sin and lead me to repentance. Teach how to hear and distinguish His voice, like a quiet breeze. In the name of I ask Jesus. Amen".

How do you imagine God, what He is like? Some people have an idea of ​​God from pictures depicting such a kind old man on a cloud. And for some, God is associated with the image that he saw on the icon in the temple. But what kind of God really is? Of course, the most accurate description of God will be how He Himself reveals itself to us in His Word - the Bible.

First, the Bible says that:

God is Spirit.

The Bible tells the story of a woman who once asked Jesus where to worship God:

Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where we should worship is in Jerusalem. Jesus says to her: Believe Me, that the time is coming when you will worship the Father, neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. The time will come, and has already come, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is looking for such worshipers for Himself. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth. (Bible, John 4:20-21,23-24)

The Lord is Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (Bible, 2 Cor. 3:17)

God is immaterial, He does not have any physical body. God is Spirit. Therefore, He cannot be represented in any external form. And He does not expect any external worship from man. What matters to Him is our insides, our heart, our spiritual nature.

God, who created the world and everything in it, He, being the Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man and does not require the service of human hands, as if He needed anything, Himself giving to all life and breath and everything. (Bible, Acts 17:24,25)

The Holy Spirit - why do we need it?

We continue our conversation about the Sacrament of Confirmation. What does the Holy Spirit bring into our lives?

Holy Spirit. Mosaic of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. XI-XIII centuries.

Human can cognize Godonly in the Holy Spirit.

Human can win sinonly by the Holy Spirit.

Human can become like Christonly by the power of the Holy Spirit.

These three actions of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity determine His role in our lives. He is the only “Mediator” between us and God. The Holy Spirit is a bridge spread over the abyss of original sin, which once separated man from the Creator; the bridge over which we move from a state of guilt, sin, shame and fear (see Gen. 3) to a state of filial and intimate relationship with God. In the Holy Spirit our Lord is revealed and experienced as Father (Rom. 8:15).

That is why for the early Church it was obvious and demonstrable that the sons and daughters of God are those who are “led” by the Holy Spirit in their lives; and “he who does not have the Spirit of Christ is not His” (Rom. 8:9). The daily guidance of the Holy Spirit was to be experienced in practice (see Acts 8:29).

Without the Holy Spirit, the Church would be just one of many religious institutions on our planet, and every Christian would be just an adherent of this religious organization. Unfortunately, it is precisely this view of Christianity that predetermined its “crisis” in modern society. Without “recognizing” the mysterious action of the Holy Spirit in the Church, without listening to His voice, without following His guidance, believers lose that very “salt” that alone makes Christianity a new Life, joyful News, and not another “human, too human” "system.

The Church is a community of disciples of Christ, filled and constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. The Church is a family of God's children, those who have trusted Him and whom the Spirit takes by the hand, leading them through their entire lives to complete and perfect likeness to Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven (in Eternity). This is how the Church was conceived, this is how it was created. The historical path of the Church from century to century is a thorny path, during which betrayals and deviations from the original Plan are constantly and patiently healed, healed by the same grace of the Holy Spirit that invariably resides in the very heart of the Church.

So, the Holy Spirit reveals to us God the Father and Christ as our Lord and Savior - yes; He reveals to us the Church as our common family, gathered around Christ and His Eucharistic Table.

Last Supper. Miniature from the Armenian Gospel of 1232

But the Spirit reveals ourselves to us too! It reveals the richness and beauty of our personality, with all its fragility and gifts. He seeks to gradually transform our entire being. Because He loves us. And it more and more highlights those facets by which each of us begins to become remotely similar to Christ...

In this sense, we can say that the gift of the Holy Spirit is given for the service of others, for the full development of a person's personality in such service. The early Church was well aware of this: very often, at the moment of the descent of the Spirit, believers immediately experienced extraordinary actions in themselves of spiritual gifts: prophecy, special inspired prayer, healing, etc. (1 Cor. 12). The gift through which the Holy Spirit manifests itself in each individual believer corresponds partly to his natural inclinations, character traits, and partly reflects the inscrutable ways of Providence about this person.

And now, as 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit still shines on believers and those who seek Him, although this does not always happen as clearly and brightly - however, if grace has touched the heart, it will certainly leave in it some kind of “inner testimony”, knowledge (cf. 1 John 2:20). To think otherwise would mean to reject the Church as such, to devalue the whole work of Christ and, according to the thought of the great Byzantine mysticSt. Simeon the New Theologian , fall into the worst of heresies.

But, just as in the case of Baptism, the grace of Confirmation must be deepened and revealed within oneself throughout the rest of one’s life. Otherwise, the Christian will remain a barren fig tree (Matthew 21:18-19). What fruits should the indwelling of the Holy Spirit have in a Christian? They are listed by the ap. Paul: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23).

These fruits ripen only under the condition of close communication with the Holy Spirit, in the literal sense of cooperation with Him. And it, in turn, passes through four main channels:

- prayer;

— Sacraments (especially the Eucharist);

- reading the Word of God;

- communication with people, with brothers and sisters in faith, and all the resulting actions, words and thoughts.

Of course, such a division is conditional: in the end, absolutely everything in our life must be spiritualized - become “spiritual,” that is, participating in the grace-filled action of the Holy Spirit. But this is Christian perfection. And while we are on the way to it, it is necessary to use the indicated “tools”. Holy Theophan the Recluse expresses the idea that the grace of Confirmation is like a fire hiding under the ashes of our passions, oblivion, and negligence: this fire should be fanned by the work of prayer and other Christian virtues. ASt. Seraphim of Sarov even taught , using visual images from the life of merchants, that these virtues need to be “traded spiritually,” that is, to see which of them give each of us more of the grace of the Holy Spirit: “prayer and vigil gives you more of the grace of God - watch and pray; Fasting gives a lot of the Spirit of God, fast, alms gives more, do alms, and thus reason about every virtue done for the sake of Christ” (conversation between St. Seraphim of Sarov and N. A. Motovilov). These images may confuse some with their seeming “commercialism,” as if the whole life of a Christian revolves around his own ego and its spiritual benefit. In fact, there is a deep truth here: that work, that work, in the performance of which a person feels grace to a greater extent than in other activities, indicates his calling and service in the Church and in the world, shapes him as a person. This is that personal and unique gift (or gifts) of the Holy Spirit to a specific person, which is given, in the end, for one purpose: growth in love. If you listen carefully, with reasoning and consultation with spiritual mentors, brothers and sisters in Christ, to this quiet wind of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Kings 19:12), it is possible - and certainly necessary! – find the answer to the frequently asked question: “What is God calling me to?”

And it's not as difficult as it sometimes seems. As a witty remarkprot. Alexy Uminsky , God does not hide His will from us (and His calling is always the greatest joy for the person himself!), like some kind of rebus. The Father is interested in making His children happy. The realization of a Christian's personality is nothing other than his response to God's call to him personally, and the fullness of this realization depends on the fullness of self-surrender in following the leading of the Spirit.

This is how many gifts, meanings and purposes are contained in the most little-known Sacrament of the Church. If Baptism is the starting point of the Christian path, then Confirmation itself contains the seed of its ultimate goal - “deification”, when the entire human being is transformed, transformed and renewed by the uncreated energies of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, all subsequent Sacraments of the Church, as well as all his works, are called upon to reveal the potential that is given in Confirmation. And if a disciple of Christ becomes like a sponge, filled with grace, so that it flows and pours out of his entire being like rivers of living water (John 7:38-39) - in other words, if he becomes a saint - this is that perfect fruit, growth and the maturation of which began in the sacrament of Confirmation. But I don’t agree with the lesser Gospel...

P.S. In conclusion, here is the most famous hymn of Simeon the New Theologian about the Holy Spirit:

Don't say that it is impossible to receive the Divine Spirit,

Don't say that without Him it is possible to be saved,

Do not say that anyone is involved in Him without knowing it,

Don't say that God is invisible to people,

Don't say people don't see Divine light

Or that it is currently impossible!

It's never impossible, friends!

But it is very possible for those who wish.

Conversation with Motovilov by Seraphim of Sarovabout the purpose of Christian life

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• In. 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
• 2 Cor. 3:17 The Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

Named in Scripture

Light

• Isaiah 60:19 The sun will no longer be the light of day for you, nor the brightness of the moon to give you light; But The Lord will be your everlasting light and your God is your glory.
• Jacob 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from Father of lights with whom there is no change or shadow of turning.
• 1John 1:5 And this is the gospel which we have heard from Him and proclaim to you: God is light and there is no darkness in Him.

Love

• 1John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
• 1John 4:16 And we knew and believed the love that God has for us. God is love and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Invisible

• Job 23:8-9 But behold, I go forward and He is not there, back and I do not find Him; 9 Whether He does what is on the left side, I do not see; I don’t see if it’s hidden on the right.

Unexplored

• Job 11:7 Can you find God by searching? Can you completely comprehend the Almighty?
• Job 37:23 Almighty! we do not comprehend Him. He is great in power, judgment and fullness of justice. He doesn't oppress [anyone].
• Ps. 144:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.
• Is. 40:28 Don't you know? Have you not heard that the eternal Lord God, who created the ends of the earth, does not become weary or faint? His mind is unsearchable.
• Rome. 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His destinies and His ways are unsearchable!

Imperishable

• Rome. 1:23 and glory incorruptible God changed into an image like corruptible man, and birds, and four-legged creatures, and reptiles, -

Ancient

• Tue 33:27 [thy] refuge is the ancient God, and [thou] under everlasting arms; He will drive out your enemies from before you and say: Destroy!
• Ps. 89:3 Before the mountains were born, You formed the earth and the world, and from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
• Open 4:8-10 And each of the four living creatures had six wings around, and within they were full of eyes; and they have no rest day or night, crying out: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, is and is to come. 9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 then the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and lay down their crowns before the throne, saying:

Immortal

• 1 Tim. 6:16 the only one who has immortality, who dwells in the unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. Honor and eternal power to him! Amen.

Omnipotent

• Life 17:1 Abram was ninety and nine years old, and the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless...
• Ref. 6:3 I showed myself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the name “God Almighty,” but with my name “Lord” I did not reveal myself to them...

Omniscient

• Ps. 138:1-6 1 To the director of the choir. Psalm of David. God! You have tested me and you know. 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; You understand my thoughts from afar. 3 Whether I walk or rest, You surround me, and all my ways are known to You. 4 There is not yet a word on my tongue, but You, Lord, already know it completely. 5 You embrace me from behind and from before, and put Your hand on me. 6 [Your] knowledge is marvelous to me - high, I cannot comprehend it!
• Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he measures all his paths.

Ubiquitous

• Ps. 138:7 Where shall I go from Thy Spirit, and where shall I flee from Thy presence?
• Jer. 23:23 Am I God [only] near, says the Lord, and not God also afar off?

Unaltered

• Ps. 101:27-28 They will perish, but You will remain; and they will all wear out like a robe, and like a garment You will change them, and they will be changed; 28 But You are the same, and Your years will not end.

The only wise one

• Rome. 16:27
• 1 Tim. 1:17 To the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Glorious

• Ref. 15:11 Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who, like You, is majestic in holiness, worthy of praise, Creator of miracles?
• Ps. 144:5 But I will meditate on the high glory of Your majesty and Your wondrous works.

Almighty

• Ps. 82:19 And let them know that You, whose only name is Jehovah, are the Most High over all the earth.
• Acts 7:48 But the Most High does not live in temples made with hands, as the prophet says...

Perfect

• Mat. 5:48 Therefore be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Saint

• Ps. 98:9 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship on his holy mountain: for Holy is the Lord, Our God.
• Is. 5:16 And the Lord of hosts will be exalted in judgment, and God is Holy He will reveal His holiness in righteousness.

Righteous

• Tue 32:4 He is a stronghold; His works are perfect, and all His ways are righteous; God is faithful, and there is no unrighteousness in Him; He is righteous and true...
• Is. 45:21 Declare and say, having consulted with each other: Who announced this from ancient times, said it in advance? Is it not I, Lord? and there is no other God besides Me, there is no righteous and saving God besides Me.
• Ps. 24:8 The Lord is good and righteous, therefore he guides sinners in the way,
• Ps. 91:16 To proclaim that the Lord is righteous, my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
• Ps. 144:17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways and good in all His works.
• Ezra 9:15 O Lord God of Israel! You are righteous. For we have survived unto this day; and here we are in our iniquities before Thy face, although after this we should not stand before Thy face.

True

• Jer. 10:10 And the Lord God is the truth; He is the living God and the eternal King. The earth trembles because of His wrath, and the nations cannot withstand His indignation.
• In. 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

Good

• Ps. 24:8 The Lord is good and righteous, therefore he guides sinners in the way...
• Ps. 119:68 Thou art good and beneficial; teach me Thy statutes.

Great

• 2Years. 2:5
• Ps. 85:10 For You are great and do wonders; You, O God, are the only One.

Merciful

• Ref. 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and cried, The LORD, the LORD, a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and truth...
• Ps. 114:5 The LORD is gracious, and just, and our God is merciful.

Loyal

• 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide relief, so that you can endure it.
• 1 Pet. 4:19 Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him, as to a faithful Creator, doing good.

Gracious

• Ref. 34:6-7 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed: The Lord, the Lord, a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but not leaving unpunished , punishing the iniquity of the fathers on the children and on the children's children to the third and fourth generation.

Long-suffering

• Number 14:18 The Lord is long-suffering and abounding in mercy, forgiving iniquity and trespasses, and not leaving unpunished, but visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.

Zealot

• Joshua 24:19 Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God, a jealous God, who will not tolerate your iniquity or your sins.”
• Nahum 1:2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; The Lord is an avenger and terrible in anger: the Lord takes revenge on His enemies and will not spare His opponents.

Compassionate

• 2 Kings 13:23 But the Lord had compassion on them, and had mercy on them, and turned to them for the sake of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and did not want to destroy them, and did not cast them out of His presence until now.

Consuming fire

• Heb. 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

None before him

• Tue 4:35 It has been given to you to see [this], so that you may know that [only] the Lord is God, [and] there is none besides Him;
• Is. 44:6-7 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God, 7 for who is like me? Let him tell, proclaim and present to Me [everything] in order since the time when I created the ancient people, or let them announce the coming and the future.

None after him

• Is. 43:10 And you are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me and understand that it is I: before Me there was no God, and after Me there will be no God.

No one like him

• Ref. 9:14 For this time will I send all my plagues into thy heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth;
• Deut. 33:26 There is no one like the God of Israel, who came across the heavens to help you and in His glory on the clouds...
• 2 Sam. 7:22 You are great in everything, my Lord, Lord! for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
• Isaiah 46:5 To whom will you liken Me, and with whom will you compare, and with whom will you compare me, that we may be alike?
• Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things, from the beginning of the age: for I am God, and there is no other God, and there is none like Me.

No one is good like him

• Mat. 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? No one is good except God alone. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.

Fills heaven and earth

• 1 Kings 8:27 Truly, shall God live on earth? Heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You, much less this temple that I have built.
• Jer. 23:24 Can a man hide in a secret place where I cannot see him? says the Lord. Do I not fill the heavens and the earth? says the Lord.

Should be Worshiped in Spirit and Truth

• In. 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.