Over a lifetime I have watched many misunderstandings develop inside churches and around the world about the Holy Spirit. Too often people form opinions without checking it carefully against Scripture. They repeat what they heard someone say, instead of finding out what Jesus told us about His Spirit.
The subject of the Holy Spirit may be one of the most misunderstood teachings in Christianity. It is not surprising that satan has worked diligently to scare people away. He has caused misconception of the most powerful aspect of God we have been given. All with a strategy to rob God’s people of the help they need in the last days.
Let’s discover what God has to say about the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Jesus Christ, sent to live within believers after Jesus ascended to heaven.
Sometimes what we hear sounds clever. But clever is not what we need. What we need is accuracy. We need a solid foundation in Scripture. We need the full counsel of God’s Word, understood in its proper context.
If you have been a believer in Jesus Christ for any length of time, you have probably heard three phrases:
- Being filled with the Spirit
- Being baptized with the Spirit
- Receiving the gift of the Spirit
In the Bible, these three expressions describe the same event. Each phrase refers to the Spirit of God coming to dwell in the believer.
In Acts 2:4, we read:
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (NKJV)
Later, in Acts 11:15–17, the apostle Peter explained why he had gone to the house of Cornelius. He said:
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” (NKJV)
When I was younger, I wondered why the Bible used three different expressions to describe this experience.
Over time, the answer became clearer to me.
There are three persons involved in this one spiritual transaction.
- Jesus is the One who baptizes the believer with the Holy Spirit.
- You and I are the ones who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit Himself is the One who fills the believer.
In other words, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us.
I have lived a relatively long life. Someday, God willing, I may write a small booklet on the most important lessons I have learned.
But one lesson stands out clearly today.
Every believer needs the Holy Spirit if they hope to succeed in the Christian life.
When you read the Gospels, it becomes obvious that Jesus empowered His followers through the Holy Spirit. I have watched this reality for decades.
There is a noticeable difference between a follower of Jesus who is saved, and a follower who is filled with the Holy Spirit.
The latter walks with the power of God active in their life.
As we move deeper into the last days, the power of the Holy Spirit has never been more needed—and it has never been more available.
Jesus Himself spoke about this promise.
In Luke 24:49, He said:
“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (NKJV)
This is the promise of God.
This is the power of God.
Jesus wants His followers to receive His Spirit in fullness and power.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13
Open your Bible. Study what God says about the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit. Do it today. Do it again tomorrow. Make it a daily prayer.
Ask in faith, then act as if it’s been done. Thank the Lord for His “good gift.” Then, expect to see a difference in your life.
Lord willing, we hope to release another book in the future titled “The Holy Spirit: The Power of God in You.” As funds come in, we will move forward with that project in God’s timing.
A Final Word
Let me close with both a warning and a hope.
We are living in serious times. World events are unfolding quickly. The stage of history is being set before our eyes.
Because of this, there is no time to delay in your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
If you feel afraid, worried, frustrated, or disillusioned, turn to the Lord Jesus today. Give Him everything. Surrender your life fully to Him.
You truly have nothing to lose.
Two weeks ago, someone wrote to me. That person was on the brink of suicide. It was more than a threat. I could read the pain between the lines.
As I prayed, the Holy Spirit helped me respond.
I wrote something like this:
Why throw your life away? If you don’t want it, I know Someone who does. Why not give your life to Jesus instead?
Apart from God, there is not much to live for in this world. But there is great purpose in walking with Him. There is joy in serving Him. There is meaning in following the mission He gives us.
So do not throw your life away.
Give it to Jesus.
When you come to the end of yourself, you will find the open arms of your Savior waiting. He will receive you just as you are. He will forgive you. He will lift you up.
And He can make something beautiful out of your life if you remain surrendered to Him.
Thank you for standing with us in this ministry. Your prayers and support mean more than you know. We are often swimming upstream, but God continues to open doors and use this work.
The Atomic Faith audiobook is now available in our store. Thank you to everyone who has supported it. You have been such a blessing.
Our new booklet, “The Most Important Words Jesus Ever Spoke,” will be released very soon. It focuses on the final instructions Jesus gave His disciples before ascending into heaven. Those words matter greatly—especially in the days we are living in now.
We are praying for you.
We love you.
And always remember:
With God, nothing is impossible.
Blessings,
Dale Black
