Are you ready for some good news?
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Himself. He is Jesus with us at all times in all places.
“… I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” (Philippians 1:19)
The Holy Spirit is referred to in Scripture in many different ways: The Spirit of Holiness, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Living God, the Spirit of Truth – but perhaps my favorite term for Him is the Spirit of Jesus Christ, as Paul referred to him in Philippians 1:19, and as we see in Acts 16:7. The disciples were seeking which direction to go with their ministry. “When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”
It is a remarkable thought: The Holy Spirit is Jesus in the spirit. This is why Jesus explained to the disciples that though He was going away He would come again to them.
Some might interpret Jesus’ statement in John 14:18, “I will come to you,” as reference to a post-resurrection appearance, or some might refer to it as an eschatological end times appearance of the final coming of Jesus. Because Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit, I interpret it to mean that He is telling them that He, Jesus, is going to leave and then return at Pentecost.
You have been with me, Jesus says. You know the Holy Spirit because He lives with you. You know the Holy Spirit, because He is my spirit, and when He comes back you will be made aware.
It’s astounding news. Because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ, being filled with the Spirit means we are filled with the presence of Jesus Himself. And that’s the Gospel!
