The Holy Spirit.....

[Penn]

.....how do we address Him? How do we appeal to Him? Should we?

When I say a prayer, I am usually addressing it to God The Father. Many times, I will ask that whatever I have mentioned, or am in need of, I will state: "In Jesus' Name, I pray". That, I have done now, for many years, but lately, I have wondered, how do I bring the Holy Spirit into the picture?

Should I, do I need to?

What concerns me, is that I read in the Gospels, that Jesus told His Disciples that He would be leaving them, shortly, and that they would not have to fear, or be worried, because He was going to leave them with a Counselor, and that He would be their guide.

I guess, what I am asking, is, how do we bring Him into our lives, when we already have Our Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ?

I hope I have not offended anyone.......

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by Penn

.....how do we address Him? How do we appeal to Him? Should we?

When I say a prayer, I am usually addressing it to God The Father. Many times, I will ask that whatever I have mentioned, or am in need of, I will state: "In Jesus' Name, I pray". That, I have done now, for many years, but lately, I have wondered, how do I bring the Holy Spirit into the picture?

Should I, do I need to?

What concerns me, is that I read in the Gospels, that Jesus told His Disciples that He would be leaving them, shortly, and that they would not have to fear, or be worried, because He was going to leave them with a Counselor, and that He would be their guide.

I guess, what I am asking, is, how do we bring Him into our lives, when we already have Our Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ?

I hope I have not offended anyone.......

Hi Penn!

Your question should not be taken in offense by anyone because clearly the Holy Bible states that the Holy Spirit is responsible for the life-changing experience that Jesus called "Being Born Again". The Holy Spirit is the personal indwelling of God's empowering promise to a believer whereby we are sealed unto the day of Salvation and through which we become children of God.

The other thing to take into consideration is the status that Jesus gave regarding the Holy Spirit of God. It is serious enough that Jesus proclaimed that if anyone were to blaspheme against the Son of man it would be forgiven but the only unforgiveable sin is the blaspheme against the Holy Spirit.

You see, it is the Holy Spirit that God sent to reprove this world of sin and to bring attention to the fact that we have a Saviour in The Lord Jesus Christ; Yeshua HaMashiach. The Holy Spirit is the Power of God that is manifest through Divine Interventions in the here and now and which intercedes on our behalf.

There are many Biblical studies that share about the work of The Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Here is an outline of verses that relate to your question: PART 1

Truth is taught by The Holy Spirit of God – not by man:

The Gospel of God's Plan of Salvation is revealed to man by the Holy Spirit of God. This is the main difference between the True Word of God that is spiritual and the misguided religious ideologies that are misinterpreted by man's fallible teachings - especially through false prophets and false teachers that Jesus warned us about. i.e.
(Matthew 7:15) (Mark 12:38-39) (Luke 12:1) (Luke 20:46) (Colossians 2:8)

We are One in the Spirit of God:

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 12:13)

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)

It is the Holy Spirit of God that reveals His Truth:

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.
(John 15:26)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
(John 16:7)

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)


The Holy Spirit testifies to the Truth of who Jesus is:

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
(John 15:26)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)


It is The Holy Spirit that empowers the Children of God:

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:31-33)

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
(Ephesians 5:18)


This is our personal and spiritual relationship with the True God of Creation:

The world is filled with many religious sects that spin off from major denominations, which spin off into cults which spin off into sub-cults and so on, and so on, and so on! All because of man's human nature of trying to interpret God from many view points. However, here is the summation of all: There Is Only One Truth.

Mankind's own fallibility in trying to interpret who God is and how we are to inter-relate with God is explained in the Holy Bible. First, humans try to use human intellect to understand God when the Bible states that God is a Spirit and he wants us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24)

Again, mankind's human reasoning, no matter how theologically intellectual a preacher may be will be swayed to fall away into false assumptions which lead to false teachings. This has resulted in the formation of numerous religions in the world today and widespread confusion among millions as to which is the true religion.
However, the Bible states that "...God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1Corinthians 14:33)

Here are some points to consider regarding the need to seek and worship God on a personal and spiritual level which will lead the seeker to God's Truth:

Taught by God's Spirit - not by man:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)

1 Corinthians, Chapter 2, verses:

9: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10: But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11: For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Born Again through the Indwelling Holy Spirit of God

It is not a "religion" that brings truth; it is a spiritual relationship with the One True God that brings Truth. This is the "Born again" experience that Jesus spoke of: (John 3:1-36) and whereby He culminates all faith by His Words:

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

There are many Biblical Truths that preachers do not go into detail about in order to deliberately avoid quoting verses that undermine the religious agenda of their specific denomination. In other cases, sermons only last so long because of time restrictions and the majority of those who attend church don't take the initiative to do some in-depth reading and studying of the Holy Bible on their own. For that reason, many believers do not fully grasp the authority that God has given us through our faith nor do they fully comprehend scriptural truths that can only be revealed through the Holy Spirit sent to us through our faith in Jesus:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:6-7)

[Starman3000m]

The Holy Spirit PART 2

One becomes a Child of God through being Born Again:

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:13-17)

Through being Born Again, One's Salvation is Sealed by the Holy Spirit of God:

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(2 Corinthians 1:22)

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

[rpexie]

Im not quite sure how to answer your question but I will do my best. Remember that they are the "three-in-one", so all one and the same. However, if you need advice, help or reflection about some struggle in daily life it is probably most beneficial to look to Jesus the Christ who was God in human form, reading about his human struggles and experiences, may help guide you.

If you seek a divine power in your life as in prayer for someone who is ill or something of that nature it might help you to ask for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. They are not seperate, and Im just giving examples of which it might help you as a Christian focus your prayer life.

That being said its all the same. As long as you approach God's council in a spirit of humility and with an open heart is all that matters.

Personally when I pray it varies day to day what I say Father, Lord, Jesus, Im not really to conscience of it to be honest, just depends on the mood of my time of prayer I suppose.

The Holy Trinity Demystified in Simple Bible Language
(I found this to be a good site concerning the Trinity. When I was younger, it helped me to think of the Trinity similiar to water, ice, mist. They are all the same element yet in different forms. )

Disclaimer: Im no expert or anything like that, this is just my take on it from one Christian to another =)

[Penn]

Yes, I have read most of what you have posted, but the question still remains: Do I pray to Him, the Holy Spirit, or to God The Father and Jesus Christ?

Between the time I posted my questions, and your response, I also looked to Heaven, and addressed the Holy Spirit, and I told Him, "I hold no disrespect towards You, Sir."

I just don't know if I should be talking to My Lord God, His Son - or to Him, in my prayers.

Does that make any sense at all?

[morningbell (Premo)]

How do you like your Jesus?
">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350">

[Penn]

Originally Posted by morningbell

How do you like your Jesus?

">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350">

Thanks, Morningbell! Heck, thanks to Starman3000m and rpexie for their thoughts!

I guess, what is a hard leap to make is, that all my life as a Christian, I was taught to pray to my Lord in Heaven, and to His Son Jesus Christ. So, am I disrespecting, out of hand, the Holy Spirit, because I do not specifically name Him, in my daily prayers? That is not my intent, because I know that He is part of the Trinity.

To my knowledge, this question has not been raised in these forums before; at least, I have not seen it as such.

Thank You for your replies! God is Great!!

[ItalianScallion (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Penn

Yes, I have read most of what you have posted, but the question still remains: Do I pray to Him, the Holy Spirit, or to God The Father and Jesus Christ?
Between the time I posted my questions, and your response, I also looked to Heaven, and addressed the Holy Spirit, and I told Him, "I hold no disrespect towards You, Sir."
I just don't know if I should be talking to My Lord God, His Son - or to Him, in my prayers.
Does that make any sense at all?

Jesus taught us to pray to the Father but it's not a sin to pray to each of them. Jesus never forbade it. They're all equally "God" but I wouldn't call them "sir". I've often prayed: Heavenly Father or Lord Jesus or Spirit of God. They're all "God" and they all hear ya so don't sweat it.
Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, in Jesus name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us to pray (Romans 8 v 26). Just because you don't mention His name, doesn't mean He's left out in any way. He speaks to us, why shouldn't we speak to Him?
Jesus spoke a lot about him in John 14 & 16.

[Penn]

Originally Posted by ItalianScallion

Jesus taught us to pray to the Father but it's not a sin to pray to each of them. Jesus never forbade it. They're all equally "God" but I wouldn't call them "sir". I've often prayed: Heavenly Father or Lord Jesus or Spirit of God. They're all "God" and they all hear ya so don't sweat it.
Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, in Jesus name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us to pray (Romans 8 v 26). Just because you don't mention His name, doesn't mean He's left out in any way. He speaks to us, why shouldn't we speak to Him?
Jesus spoke a lot about him in John 14 & 16.

Bingo! What you have so eloquently sent my way, makes a lot of sense! You just lifted a load off my shoulders, with that commentary. I'll drop the "Sir" portion of it; it was just a token of respect. WooHoo! Thanks a million, ItalianScallion!

Thanks to all the rest of you who replied! This is so cool! I'm free from the worriedness!

Can I get an Amen?!?

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by Penn

Bingo! What you have so eloquently sent my way, makes a lot of sense! You just lifted a load off my shoulders, with that commentary. I'll drop the "Sir" portion of it; it was just a token of respect. WooHoo! Thanks a million, ItalianScallion!

Thanks to all the rest of you who replied! This is so cool! I'm free from the worriedness!

Can I get an Amen?!?

Amen!

ItalianScallion gave an excellent explanation.