Here in California, we are experiencing a major power crisis. We are even being told this summer could be bleak, indeed, with daily power outages lasting up to several hours. The picture isn't pretty from any angle, and it leaves Californians wondering if California will soon be looked at as a third world economy. Certainly, businesses of all types are looking beyond the California borders for places they can operate, uninterrupted; and the continuous stream of individuals looking to California as their land of promise are taking a second look. Power, it seems, is at the bottom of the California dream.

We, as Christians, focus on power, also, to make things happen for us. We are made to realize, at baptism, without extra power we won't succeed in our calling. We need something more than we can supply, if we are to overcome our weaknesses, the problems of this world, and Satan the Devil. We need much more than we can personally bring to the table, if we are to become like God; and power is the bottom line.

The Bible tells us the power we need to be a true Christian comes from God, directly. That power is referred to as the Holy Spirit. We know our Father in heaven begets us with it when we are baptized, but beyond that, very few, these days, seem to know how it works in their lives. Christ spoke to His disciples of this wonderful Spirit that would come to be with and dwell in them in the following way:

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away: for if I do not go away, the HELPER will not come to you; but if I depart I will send it to you" (John 16:7).

In the above verse, Jesus Christ speaks of the Holy Spirit as our HELPER! In this article I will discuss what the Holy Spirit is, and how it Helps us.

The Holy Spirit is the Power of God (Luke 1:35). It is God's mind, energy, motivation and nature. It is the force by which God creates (Genesis 1:2. Job 26:13); begets us as His children (Ephesians 2:18-22); inspires us (John 14:16-17); imparts His mind to us (I Corinthians 2:11-12); and performs works that would be physically impossible for us to do (Zechariah 4:6).

Though the Scriptures refer to the Holy Spirit in the masculine gender as "He," one can easily see from the above quoted Scriptures that the Holy Spirit is not a third person, not a Trinity!

Mr. Armstrong gave a simple explanation many years ago to help me understand God is not a Trinity. He said, "It was God the Father through the Holy Spirit who came upon Mary to impregnate her with the Messiah (Luke 1:35). If the Holy Spirit were a person, it would be the Father of Christ." We, of course, know that is not so.

By way of further explanation, consider the following Scripture and a brief explanation of the word Comforter and the pronoun He:

"But the HELPER (Comforter,) whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26).

The word Comforter is a masculine noun in the Greek, just like many other inanimate objects - like the word stone, which is also a masculine noun. According to the Greek rules of grammar, one must use a masculine pronoun to refer to a masculine noun. Since Comforter is masculine in Greek, a masculine pronoun (in this instance He) is used. (Tomorrow's World, September/October, 1970, page 2)

The Holy Spirit is a GIFT from God (Acts 10:45, 11:17). To receive this blessing we must repent of our sins and be baptized (Acts 2:38). We also must obey God and ask Him for this gift (Acts 5:32, Luke 11:13).

Once we receive the Holy Spirit, we are begotten with eternal life (Romans 8:9-11, I John 5:11-13), and we become a part of God's Family (Romans 8:16). Having God's Spirit in us adds us to His Church, the Church of God (I Corinthians 12:13). It gives us God's mind, and helps us to be spiritually, not carnally, motivated (Romans 8:8-9, 26-27). It guides us into all truth (John 16:13), and gives us the power to obey God (Acts 1:8). It also gives spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:4, 8-10).

We must strive daily through prayer, Bible study, and occasional fasting to be filled with God's Spirit (Ephesians 5:13, Philippians 1:19), and to Stir it up at the same time (II Timothy 1:6). We must act as the Spirit prompts us (Romans 8:1,5,10).

The Holy Spirit can be grieved when we are not using it as we should (Ephesians 4:30); it can be quenched (I Thessalonians 5:19); and it will NOT remain in us if we continue to practice sin (I Samuel 16:14). God will actually take it from us if we refuse to repent and do not keep striving to obey Him (Psalm 51:11).

God the Father and Jesus Christ have given us of their Holy Spirit, as we can see from these Scriptures, to be a mighty force at work in our lives, so that we may be accepted as part of the harvested firstfruits when Christ returns to this earth. As Jesus Christ stated to His disciples, "... I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, THE HELPER will NOT come to you" (John 16:7).

The Helper has, indeed, been sent to dwell within God's called out ones. This coming Feast of Pentecost should remind us that God followed through on His promise to send the help we need. Unfortunately, like California, the Church is presently experiencing a severe "power" shortage that accounts for all the confusion in the Church today. Yet, we know God's Spirit has been working in his people down through the ages to keep the Church alive, and we are assured through the scriptures it will continue to do so, right until the time of Christ's return. We, who are living at the very end of the Church age, in these days that are so much like the days of Noah, must by ALL means, continue to do our part in keeping and using this wonderful, precious gift from our wonderful God.

by Don Billingsley