The Holy Spirit is the invisible power and influence of God. His Spirit is called the “holy Spirit of God” in Ephesians 4:30. Other names used for God’s power include “the Spirit of Holiness” and “the Spirit of the Father”. Three of the many gifts that apply to followers of Jesus are: “The Spirit of Wisdom and understanding” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) and “the Spirit of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7.  It is important to realize that holy Spirit gifts are restricted to ones dedicated to serve God. “The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 RSV

“God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power,” Acts 10:38 RSV. After accepting God’s invitation to devote one’s life to God; the new disciple is also given the gift of the holy Spirit so that they can begin to “follow his (Jesus’) steps”, 1 Peter 2:21. “God who knows the heart bore witness. . . giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us” (Apostles and early Jewish converts), Acts 15:8 RSV. “He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge (or down payment),” 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NASB.  “God has revealed to us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God,” 1 Corinthians 2:10 DBY. 

If you give “…good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:13

  •  “…God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”  Romans 5:5 RSV
  • “…as you trust in him…overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
  • Holiness or Sanctification:  Romans 15:16 NLT
  • Fruit of the Spirit:  “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (and) self-control.”  Galatians 5:22-23 RSV 

The Apostles also had miraculous gifts through the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 2:4) Only Apostles could pass these gifts on to others. This show of divine power was to establish the Church and needed while the New Testament was being compiled.  After the Church was set up, the apostolic gifts ended.  For example: at Pentecost one of the apostolic gifts was being able to speak in a foreign language without having to learn it first. (Acts 2:4)  This was needed so that those gathered from many countries could learn the “good news” and take it back home to others.  Today, the Bible is available into many languages and so no one needs to miraculously “speak in tongues”.