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EIBC Devotional #12 - “The Paraclete”

Emerald Isle Baptist Church

Pastor Zach Emory

Scripture - Acts 9:31

31 Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. 

As one of the 3 members of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit is a creative and powerful force that is present in both the Old and New Testament. It fills many roles and functions:  It helps us understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:13), it gives us assurance of our adoption into the family of Christ (Galatians 4:6-7), and it guides us in our prayers (Romans 8:26). The Spirit is not an impersonal force or power but rather a substantive reality, a figure and person, Who is with us. Our focus for worship this Sunday is that Jesus promised the disciples that he would send an Advocate to accompany them after His departure from this world (John 14:25-31). That Advocate is the Cosmic Christ, the invisible reality of Jesus. We learn here in Acts that because of the dwelling of the Spirit, the church continued to be built up. They had peace and comfort as the Spirit ministered to them, and they were able to live in the fear of the Lord because of Its presence. As believers, the Holy Spirit dwells with us and in us and empowers us to do all of the Kingdom work God has in mind. It helps us produce light to the world by teaching and counseling us. It is a gift from God which gives us confidence in our faith. We know that the Spirit was fully manifest in Jesus (Isaiah 11:1-5), and as we receive the gift of the Spirit from Him, we continue to grow more sensitive to Its presence and voice as we continue to become more like our Lord each day.

Questions for Reflection

How have you personally felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your own life?

What can you do to become more sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer - 

Loving God, help us to receive your Spirit so that we might be empowered to do the Kingdom work You have in mind for the whole world. Amen.

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