* Easter 2023 *
coming to serve
Christian Churches
in Marion County, Florida!
-
BibleProject Video!
-
-
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (see also Isaiah 40:13)
+ + + + + + + + +
T H E H O L Y S P I R I T
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and possesses the same Divine Nature. There are countless symbolic forms and descriptions of the Holy Spirit (dove, wind, fire) recorded in the Holy Bible (1). Also referred to as the Helper, Comforter, Counselor and/or Advocate, the Holy Spirit is mentioned in both in the Old Testament (2) and New Testament (3). To exhort that its unleashing was not relegated to some far off, third world village 2,000 years ago, we offer herein an overview on what Jesus Christ (4) had to say about the Holy Spirit and how we can inject this unstoppable force into our present lives.
Christians believe that the coming of the Holy Spirit was foretold by an Old Testament Prophet (5) (Joel 2:28-32) and promised by Jesus in the New Testament (John 14:15-17). This prophecy was first fulfilled on Pentecost (6), a Jewish feast (7) celebrated fifty days after Passover (8). As a result, even in the midst of endless secular persecutions, Christianity spread like wildfire for its first 400 years.
JESUS EXPLAINS THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES
After Jesus and His disciples (9) broke bread with one another at The Last Supper (10), He spoke to them about many things, including the coming of the Holy Spirit (John 14 - John 16). As would be expected, they were confused and did not understand what He was trying to tell them. They focused more on Him sharing that He was going to leave them, rather than on what was to come, for their benefit, afterward. Translation: The Son of Man announced that change was coming and His disciples were resistant to the concept. Are we any different today? Jesus shared with His followers that He had to leave them in order for the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon them. Rather than be WITH them physically whenever nearby, Jesus would be IN them spiritually for eternity.
John 15:26 (The Work of the Holy Spirit)
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from God (11)—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning."
All four Gospels (12) (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53 & John 18:1-14) tell us that Jesus was falsely arrested on charges of blasphemy and, after Six Trials (13) (3 Roman, 3 Jewish), He was sentenced to death. On what is now known as Good Friday, Jesus was crucified (14) at Calvary (15) and buried in a tomb donated by Joseph of Arimathea (16) (Matthew 27:33-61, Mark 15:22-47, Luke 23:33-56 & John 19:17-42). The most joyous occasion on the Christian calendar is Easter Sunday (17), as Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus (18), when He conquered the grave and defeated sin (19) and death for all who believe in Him (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12 & John 20:1-18).
THE RISEN CHRIST BREATHES THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON HIS DISCIPLES
John 20:19-23 (The Risen Jesus Appears to His Disciples)
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
CHRIST INSTRUCTS HIS DISCIPLES TO WAIT FOR POWER FROM ON HIGH
Forty days after His miraculous Resurrection, Jesus ascended (20) into Heaven (21) (Mark 16:19-20 & Luke 24:50-53). Prior to being taken up, Jesus foretells the coming of the Holy Spirit when He tells His disciples, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).
PENTECOST: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS UNLEASHED
Ten days after Christ's Ascension, 120 believers (Acts 1:14-15) were huddled together when the Holy Spirit was unleashed upon them. This anointed all with the Holy Spirit to go out and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ (22) to the four corners of the Earth. This day, known since Old Testament times as Pentecost, is now celebrated as the "Church's birthday." Additional Bible references are recorded in The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US PRESENT DAY?
Jesus Christ is with us where ever we go 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Luke 9 tells us that we already possess the ability to tap into the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. Doing so enables God to do a work in us to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
How does this happen? The Lord of lords Himself tells us in Luke 11:9-13 that all we need to do is ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Here's the critical part: 1 Corinthians 2:10b-16 instructs us to be eagerly desirous for the Holy Spirit to make sense to us. Otherwise, we won't accept the Spirit's teachings and, instead, consider them foolish.
IT'S ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST
Remembering that it's called "The Holy Spirit" and not "The Holy Religion" helps us avoid rigidity in our evangelistic endeavors. 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 cautions us not to become full of ourselves or to be "legalistic," brow beating non-believers and/or prospective converts into a doctrinal submission with our newfound authority:
"Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
Explore the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
https://www.marionmannaproject.com/fruits-of-the-holy-spirit
https://www.marionmannaproject.com/gifts-of-the-holy-spirit+ + + + + + + + +
All Bible verse references linked herein are courtesy of Bible Gateway (a). Footnotes within the narrative have been inserted by The Marion County Manna Project and re-direct to our webpages (unless otherwise noted) for additional spiritual insight and reflection.
+ + + + + + + + +
The Invitation: If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (23). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (24) (d) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!
Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (25), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (26), Discipleship Encounters (27) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
Modifications are welcome at goodnews@marionmannaproject.com.
+ + + + + + + + +
-
FOOTNOTES:
(1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news
(2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament
(3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/new-testament
(4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ
(5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/prophets-of-the-bible
(6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/pentecost
(7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/festivals-of-the-lord
(8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/passover
(9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-apostles
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-last-supper
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/god-of-the-bible
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-four-gospels
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/six-trials-of-jesus
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/obituary-of-jesus
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/calvary
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joseph-of-arimathea
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/easter
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/resurrection-of-jesus
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/sin
(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-ascension
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/heaven
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/called-to-evangelize
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
PAGE CREDITS:
(a) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020,
https://www.biblegateway.com/
(b) Videos, Milestones, Blogs & Poster, BibleProject, accessed September 29, 2020,
https://www.bibleproject.com/terms/#use
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
(c) "Who is the Holy Spirit?", Got Questions Ministries, accessed August 27, 2021,
https://www.gotquestions.org/who-Holy-Spirit.html
(d) How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020 https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html
(e) Lesson 4: The Meaning of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13), Bible.org, accessed September 3, 2021,
https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-4-meaning-pentecost-acts-21-13
+ + + + + + + + +
This document has been generated for non-profit use.
Feel free to re-produce and distribute without monetary gain.
SPREAD JESUS.
Admin Data:
The most recent modification of this webpage and PDF
took place on Friday, September 3, 2021.