The Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit
Statement of belief:
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to indwell, guide, teach, empower the believer, and convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

My understanding of the Holy Spirit as a "divine person?"
The person of the Holy Spirit is first recorded in the creation account in Genesis 1:2. The Spirit was described as hovering over the waters. The Holy Spirit was also seen in the Old Testament as giving the words of God to the prophets. Ezekiel 2:2 King Saul was also affected by the Holy Spirit in 1 Samuel 10:6,10. When the Holy Spirit was poured out his presence was felt in the realities of justice, righteousness and peace. Isaiah 11:2-5 Later in the New Testament we find many who were effected by their experience with the Holy Spirit. Jesus being a part of the Trinity had great connectivity to the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:35 states, "The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." The angel Gabriel announced the things to come for Mary, who was a virgin, by sharing this amazing information to her. The Holy Spirit was also physically present in the form of a dove during the baptism of Jesus. Luke 3:21-22 The Holy Spirit was also given to the disciples after the ascension of Jesus to heaven. On the day of Pentecost we find the followers of Jesus being filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4 After the filling the Holy Spirit empowered Peter to preach the sermon of his life. There are many more instances recorded in the Bible as to the description and activities of the Holy Spirit. I write all of these things to offer that I believe the Holy Spirit to be real and active, not only in the history of the Bible, but in the lives of every day believers of Jesus Christ. I thank God for the Holy Spirit being active in my own life and count it all joy to have him to help me in my daily attempts of Christ-like living. I could not do it without the Holy Spirit.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit to the believer and the unbeliever
I believe that the Holy Spirit's ministry is first to the unbeliever. Jesus said in John 16:6-8, "Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:" The Holy Spirit is the counselor/teacher to the believer and the convicter/motivator of the non-believer.

What I understand by "filled with the Holy Spirit"
The Christian was given a promise from Jesus in Acts 1:8. After the Pentecost experience in Acts 2:4 the life of the Christ-follower was changed forever. Luke writes that the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and then they walked in the dynamic power of God. Many things but none so compelling as the “fruits of the Spirit” demonstrate the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Galatians 5:22,23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." I understand that the filling of the Holy Spirit is promised by God to aid us in sanctification and presentation of special gifts that are to be used in the building of the growth of the Kingdom of God.