Core Christian Value
There are three that bear witness in heaven: The Father, The Word and The Holy Spirit and these three are one. Jesus is the Word, the Light sent from God, the Holy Spirit, sent.
We are now in physical bodies. We have a spirit and Jesus made it possible, by his atoning sacrifice (taking our sins upon Himself), for our spirit to be united with His Spirit. Since we know all physical bodies will die it is important to know that our spiritual selves do not die. Our spirits will live on, either separated from God or joined with God. If we make the choice to join our spirit with His Spirit, then from that time on we have the gift of the Holy Spirit (this is a choice God calls us to and one He knew we would make because He is omniscient, he knows all things including every action and thought of every person from the beginning of time and for eternity).
What is the Trinity? It is sometimes difficult for us to know whether to pray to God, to Jesus or to the Holy Spirit. When you pray do you tend to say “Father” or “Lord” or “Jesus” or “Holy Spirit? Which is right? They are all correct because all are present all of the time awaiting your prayers. John teaches us that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are “One”. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” I JOHN 5:7 NKJV
The Holy Spirit is an entity, sent by the Father and the Son to abide in us constantly and forever. It is this Holy Spirit in us that gives us the strength, courage and will to be like Jesus. It helps us love God with all our hearts, mind and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Holy Spirit in you is an “eternal” condition. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” MATTHEW 28:19 NKJV
This next verse presents a preview, so to speak, of what God intends for each of us: “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” MATTHEW 3:16-17 NKJV. When you are baptized in water you are following the example of Jesus and the Father will send the Holy Spirit to you as you declare your discipleship.
I speculate, but doves seem to always be around and I know the Holy Spirit is always present in me but the doves seem to be reminding me that He is present. I feel the same way about a gentle breeze. Have you ever felt the presence of the Spirit in the comforting caress of the gentle breeze? Listen to the words of Jesus: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” JOHN 3:8 NKJV
“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” 1 CORINTHIANS 2:11-12 NKJV. Do you know that God sends the Holy Spirit to teach and guide you? Discuss times that you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. How can God be omnipresent, constantly in you and around you? Jesus called the Holy Spirit the comforter, helper, teacher, counselor, the Spirit of truth, dwelling in you. You are no longer an orphan! (JOHN Ch. 14 & 15)