The Surprising God

This post continues a series presenting "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by Dr. Gary Deddo, President of  Grace Communion Seminary . For other posts in the series, click a number:  1 ,  2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ,  7 . In this post, we'll explore the Holy Spirit's ministry viewed corporately (in the church) and personally (in individual lives). Let's start with a question: Why does any group or individual repent instead of hanging on to their self-justifying pride? The answer is that the Holy Spirit is at work in them, though that work is often unseen. Let me explain. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) The Spirit's often unseen work We typically do not see the Holy Spirit working in a direct way -- most of his ministry among us is deep and internal, working directly with our human spirits (1 Cor. 2: 9-11). Thus, we don't see the Holy Spirit acting. However, we do see the results. When we're repenting, when we...

This post continues a series presenting "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by Dr. Gary Deddo, President of  Grace Communion Seminary . For other posts in the series, click a number:  1 ,  2 , 3 , 5 ,  6 ,  7 . Why say anything about the Holy Spirit beyond simply acknowledging him? One reason is to overcome the tendency to disconnect the three divine Persons. We see this in churches where one Person is emphasized to the near exclusion of the other two. But this fragmented approach trips us up in our faith and in our lived relationship to the Triune God. So, our goal is to have an understanding of the Trinity that is faithful to and coherent with the reality of who God actually is in the fullness of all three divine Persons. Our understanding of the Holy Spirit, and our ability to join more fully in what he is doing, will grow as we view him theologically --in relationship to the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit by Giaquinto (public domain via Wi...