New Believers Bible - Flipbook - Page 98
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A25
CORNERSTONES
Yet these descriptions must be balanced with the descriptions ofthe other
members of the Trinity. For instance, Jesus referred to himself as “the bread of
life” and “the good shepherd.” In the same way, God the Father is referred to as
“a refuge” and “a consuming fire.” Does this mean that Jesus is a loaf of bread or
a sheep farmer, or that the Father is a pile of rocks or a blast furnace? Of course
not! These are simply metaphors used in Scripture to help communicate God’s
character. Likewise, the unique descriptions attributed to the Holy Spirit do
not imply that the Holy Spirit is merely some “force” or “power.” Jesus said this
about the Holy Spirit: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into
all truth. . . . He will tell you about the future” (John 16:13). Note the use of the
pronoun he. The Holy Spirit has a distinct personality, and he also has specific
work that he wants to do in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. Explore what
the Bible says about him.
1. Whom the Holy Spirit Helps. The Holy Spirit strengthens and empowers
followers of Christ (see Acts 2:1-41, page 968).
2. How the Holy Spirit Works with the Father and the Son. The Holy
Spirit works alongside God the Father and Jesus, God’s Son, to make our lives
pleasing to God (see 1 Peter 1:2, page 1132).
3. Why God Gives Us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s presence in our
lives is God’s mark of ownership (see Ephesians 1:13-14, page 1064).
4. How the Holy Spirit Works in Our Lives. The Holy Spirit draws us to
Christ, enters our lives at conversion, and empowers us as we allow him to
work in our lives (see John 14:15-17, page 956).
5. When the Holy Spirit Can Be Sinned Against. There are six specific
ways we can sin against the Holy Spirit (see Acts 5:1-10, page 974).
6. Why Christians Need the Holy Spirit. Living the Christian life is
impossible without the Holy Spirit’s help (see Galatians 5:16-26, page 1058).
What is the devil like? Does he really look like the red-suited, pitchfork-holding
cartoon caricature seated on a throne in hell? Or does he roam through the
earth disguised as an angel of light?
Unfortunately, far too many people do not have an accurate view of who the
devil is. Many underestimate him and his prowess, even going so far as to doubt
his very existence. Someone once asked the great evangelist Charles Finney,
“Mr. Finney, do you believe in a literal devil?” Finney replied, “You try opposing
him for a while, and you see if he’s literal or not.” You will find out how literal the
devil is the moment you make a commitment to Jesus Christ.
