Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR?

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13.

Just what do people mean when they say, “I want to get the Holy Spirit?” Think for a moment on this topic. What is known, and what may be known about the Holy Spirit? 1) The Holy Spirit is the third part of the triune God, I John 5:7, and is the active force of God that accomplishes His desires.

The Holy Spirit is seen first in the Bible in Genesis 1:2. 1) hovering over the chaotic mass that once was earth, and at the command of God brought order to it. 2)Since that time the Holy Spirit has wrought marvelous things in the Old Testament. 3) But throughout time, the Holy Spirit effected the new birth in repentant men. 4) In New Testament times, the Holy Spirit continues to effect salvation in those who accept Christ Jesus as their personal Savior, while convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come, John 16:8. 5) Moreover, He also takes the place of Jesus as the guide and teacher in New Testament Churches.

So, the question is asked again: what do people mean when they say, “I want to get the Holy Spirit?” If they do not have the Holy Spirit in salvation; if they do not have the Holy Spirit in the church to which it is given, then the request is asking for something foreign to the scriptures altogether.

The Holy Spirit does not aggrandize men. Men cannot have and display the effects of the Holy Spirit as they will or to accomplish their will apart from God’s stated Word. The Holy Spirit is God, and God is not an arbitrary God. Additionally, the request is an admission that the person saying it does not have the Holy Spirit either in church leadership or in personal salvation or both.

So, might one who makes such a request, have it fulfilled? Indeed, yes! What is required is to repent of sin, and trust Jesus as your personal Savior. The Holy Spirit will be there. Follow the Holy Spirit into baptism, and into church fellowship, and it will be there. Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, and it will be there. “But, I did not realize the Holy Spirit was with me in all this, you may say.” Exactly! The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but of Jesus, and of His teachings. John 16:13. Holy Spirit-led people are folks of great faith in, and obedience to,

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