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March 2016 Printable .pdf (190 KB)

The February 2016 article discussed how man was formed, made and created and how man initially was a three-part being, consisting of body, soul and spirit. We discussed the commandment God gave to Adam and Eve and learned how the serpent twisted and deceived Eve. We know what died in Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God's commandment and why God needed to reconcile us back to Him. In losing the spirit of God, God needed to restore our spiritual connection with Him through His son the Lord Jesus Christ. In Romans 10: 9-10, God provided instructions on how to restore our spiritual connection with Him through His son the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is how a person is born again; that's what it says: that's what it means.

This teaching will focus on God who is Holy Spirit, His gift which is holy spirit, the capitalization of God the giver verses God's gift, and the Greek words pneuma hagion.

Let's begin by looking at God as Holy Spirit. "Spirit" with upper case S and "spirit" with a lower-case "s" are two different things. When God's Word refers to God the giver, it must always be capitalized with a capital H and S because God is Holy Spirit. John 4:24 provides explanation:

The two Greek words in the New Testament, pneuma (spirit) hagion (holy) are rarely used in reference to the Holy Spirit who is God, the giver. Thus, pneuma hagion refers to the gift given on the day of Pentecost, and should always be translated with a small h and a small s. In other words, when the Bible refers to God's gift of holy spirit, it must always be lower case h and s. John 3:6 will explain using both Spirit (God the giver) and spirit (the gift from God).

God is Holy Spirit and can only give that which He is - holy spirit. The gift from God is "Christ in you the hope of glory" with all of it completeness as stated in Colossians 2:10.

Pneuma hagion, as used in the New Testament beginning on the day of Pentecost, refers to that which is received at the time of salvation and to the inner function of the nine manifestations of the spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11.

It must be noted here that the phrase Holy Spirit has been translated several different ways in the Bible. However, they all reference God as giver when capitalized. In the Stephen's text, from which King James Version is translated, the word pneuma is used 385 times. It is translated, with a capital S "Spirit" 133 times, small s "spirit" is used 153 times, "spiritually" is used once, "spiritual" is used 1 time, "ghost" is used 2 times, "life" is used one time, and "wind" is used one time. The word hagion or holy, is translated "Holy Spirit" 4 times and "Holy Ghost" 89 times. The giver is God the Spirit and His gift is spirit!

The key is to understand that God's gift is holy spirit which we received on Pentecost from God, as Holy Spirit. The holy spirit, pneuma hagion, is put into action by the will of man, which in turns produces the manifestations of the spirit. These manifestations are energized by the Holy Spirit, God.

Let's look at the instructions Jesus gave to the Apostles. Just prior to Jesus' ascension, he instructed the apostles to "wait for the promise of the father" in Acts 1:4-5.

Additional instruction was given in Luke 24:49.

From these verses, we see that the "promise of the father" (pneuma hagion) in Acts 1:4-5 is the "power from on high" in Luke 24:49. The receiving of pneuma hagion is the same as or equal to "the promise of the Father." In other words, the receiving of God's gift is to be baptized with the holy spirit or pneuma hagion.

We can now be clear on precisely what originated on the day of Pentecost and the resounding meaning of pneuma hagion as "power from on high." The word power, dunamis, means spiritual ability which we receive through holy spirit or God's gift, pneuma hagion. The word dunamis is used today as our English word "dynamite."

By understanding the origins and root meanings of God's Word, we see how breathtaking and magnificent it is! Jesus Christ came to make the new birth achievable. He made it available for us to receive God's gift of holy spirit. Prior to Pentecost, no one could be born again. Only certain Old Testament believers had God's gift of holy spirit upon them. However, Pentecost started the Church of the Body. And those who were born again by grace on that day were the first members of the new fellowship!

In summary, this teaching has shown you from the Word of God, that God is Holy Spirit and His gift is holy spirit. We now understand the difference between the capitalization of God the giver (Holy Spirit) and His gift (holy spirit). We can see how the Greek words pneuma hagion relate to the gift of holy spirit. Thus, pneuma hagion, "the promise of the father" is "power from on high" and the receiving of which is to be baptized with the holy spirit, pneuma hagion.

Next month's teaching will focus on what it means to "receive" the gift of holy spirit. We will understand the Greek word origins of the word "receive" as dechomai and lambano and address concerns about the gift of holy spirit. Remember, it is God's Will that we receive His gift of holy spirit when we are born again. As an Ambassador for Christ, we were made righteousness in Christ.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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