The writings of Paul the Apostle, make up a huge part of the New Testament writings. This once enemy of the cross, met the risen Lord on the Damascus road one day, and things were never the same. Paul met adversity in his travels to spread the gospel. Perhaps he, more than many others, had such a love the people and a pressing desire to complete his mission of preaching Jesus.
Paul's writings to the various churches of that day contain an abundance of information concerning the function of the church, along with encouragement, correction and motivation to keep pressing on as they awaited the return of the Lord. From the book I wrote about in yesterday's blog I found a paragraph of scripture texts in which Paul gives us one of the best compilations of the work of the Holy Spirit. You are encouraged to read each of these verses which will collectively give you the proof that Paul understood the Holy Spirit to be a person. Here is the paragraph quoted from the book.
"The Spirit searches all things (1 Corinthians 2:10), knows the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:11), teaches the content of the gospel to believers (1 Corinthians 2:13), dwells among or within believers (1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 8:11, 2 Timothy1:14), accomplishes all things (1 Corinthians 12:11), gives life to those who believe (2 Corinthians 3:6), cries out from within our hearts (Galatians 4:6), leads us in the ways of God (Galatians 5:18, Romans8:14), bears witness with our own spirits (Romans 8:16), has desires that are in opposition to the flesh (Galatians5:17), helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26), intercedes in our behalf (Romans 8:26-27), works all things together for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28), strengthens believers (Ephesians 3:16), and is grieved by our sinfulness (Ephesians 4:30). Furthermore, the fruit of the Spirit's indwelling are the personal attributes of God (Galatians 5:22-23)."
Note all of the scripture references come directly from one or more of the writings of Paul. He knew his ministry would amount to nothing if it did not stress that God's Holy Spirit was the working power behind it all.
Today, get your Bible and read through the verses mentioned above as you ask God to reveal his truth to you, concerning his Spirit living inside you. God bless your study.
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