Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:38 CSB

As we round out our first week exploring God’s good and perfect gifts, I want us to take some time to meditate on one gift that keeps on giving: Holy Spirit. I call the Holy Spirit “the gift that keeps on giving” because I know I can’t address the full scope of this good and perfect gift from God in just one post. In truth, it may take us all next week (or longer) to fully discuss the gift of Holy Spirit.

For today, let’s start with a glimpse of what this gift is and how we come to receive it.

Holy Spirit is also known as:

• the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2)
• the Spirit of the Lord (Judges 3:10; Isaiah 11:2; Micah 3:8)
• the Advocate (John 14:26)
• the Spirit (Romans 8:26; Matthew 12:31-32; Galatians 5:22-23)
• the Spirit of truth (John 14:15-17)

Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity along with God the Father and Christ the Son. We know from Genesis 1:2 that the Spirit of God, Holy Spirit, was present at the creation of the world. Holy Spirit knows the mind of God the Father and reveals God’s ways and will to us (1 Corinthians 2:10).

How do we receive the gift of Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit has been communicating and empowering God’s people since the beginning of time as seen in the Old Testament through examples like the prophet Micah (Micah 3:8) and Othniel, an Israelite God empowered to deliver them from Aram (Judges 3). We also see the Holy Spirit come upon Bezalel (Exodus 31), Samson (Judges 13, 14, 15), Samuel (1 Samuel 10, 16), Saul (1 Samuel 19) and David (1 Samuel 23), among others.

In the New Testament we see a change in the language used when Holy Spirit is on the scene. Rather than “came upon” which is commonly used in the Old Testament, Jesus says that God will “send” us a helper (John 14:26; 16:7) and Paul shares that the Holy Spirit will fellowship with us (2 Corinthians 13:14). These examples along with others demonstrate that, through Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit now dwells within those who believe on the name of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19).

God’s good and perfect gift of Holy Spirit is made freely available to us through His Son Jesus and by our faith in Him.

Now, what exactly does that mean as recipients of this gift?

That’s a post (or five) for next week.

Take some time today to thank God for His good and perfect gift of Holy Spirit and to reflect on the joy and the honor that God has made your body a temple for His in-dwelling Holy Spirit.

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