The Power of the Holy Ghost

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7

Today is Pentecost, the day we remember the Holy Spirit being given to believers. It is certainly something we should celebrate – as believers we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit wasn’t part of the everyday lives of those who believed in God. He only came to a specific person at a specific time for a specific reason. When His work was done, He left the scene.

Then Jesus came, and He promised that when He went away, He would send us a Helper.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13

The Holy Spirit does not speak on His own initiative, but hears from God, and then speaks. And if you have confessed your sin and accepted Christ as your Savior, you have the Holy Spirit as your guide. The Spirit is given at the moment of salvation, and He guides us into all truth. We can be assured that He will not depart from us.

He has incredible power – power to heal our heart, remove the dross of sin, and transform us into the image of God’s son, Jesus. If we have open ears, and a receiving heart, we can hear the Holy Spirit speak to us.

The Power of the Holy Ghost
Words by Fanny Crosby

Come, Spirit, come in mighty power,
As on the blessèd day of old
When fell the pentecostal shower
That gathered thousands to the fold.

Refrain
Nothing but the power of the Holy Ghost
Can sanctify and keep through a Savior’s love,
And light within our souls the flame
That burns on the altar of Heav’n above.

O for a mighty rushing wind
To fill this consecrated place,
That sinners lost might seek and find
The gate of hope, the door of grace.

O for a power that heals the heart,
That takes away the dross of sin,
That we may, like the world, depart,
And let the King of Glory in.

Dear Savior, from Thy throne on high
Now grant the power for which we call,
Till shouts of rapture fill the sky,
And Thou, O Lord, art all in all.