[398 words]
The “One Spirit” is the Holy Spirit. He is a person, not an it. He is known by several different names throughout the Bible: Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16), Spirit of the Lord (Luke 4:18), Spirit of Truth (John 16:14), and Comforter (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost are one and the same. He is mentioned together with God the Father and God the Son in Matthew 28:19; Acts 17:29, and Colossians 2:9, making him deity, one of the three in the Godhead. He is God the Spirit.
The Spirit is the revealer of the Truth, the mind of God. We are to live according to the teaching of the Spirit, not after the flesh (Romans 8:1,4). We do this by living according to the WORD of the Spirit, which was given by inspiration from the Father in heaven. It was the Spirit who guided the apostles into all Truth. Jesus said of Him, When he, the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth (John 16:13). Inspired writers of the Bible were miraculously led by the Spirit. 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). All scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
There are several things the Bible reveals about the Spirit. He dwells in Christians by faith (Galatians 3:14). He helps our infirmities and makes intercession for us (Romans 3:26-27). The fruit produced through His word in the lives of Christians is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-26).
The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion! It is strange indeed for preachers to claim to be led by the Spirit when they preach, yet everyone who makes such claims all teach different doctrines. One preacher in one sect claims one thing while another in a different group claims something else, and both blame it on the Holy Spirit! The truth is, neither is being guided by the Spirit in what to say. The Spirit guides people today through God’s word, the Scriptures, not by direct intervention. One shows his lack of faith to claim a miraculous leading. Its just not so!
Garland M. Robinson