The Poor Redheaded Stepchild
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
“The church will never prosper until it more reverently believes in the Holy Spirit.” – C.H. Spurgeon
The Holy Spirit is real, and He appears in Scripture as early as Genesis 1:2… “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
He is referenced a second time – along with Jesus Christ – in Genesis 1:26 as part of the Triune God. “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’”
The Books of Isaiah and Ezekeil are chockfull of verses that pertain to the Holy Spirit, as are all four Gospels. So are many of Paul’s Epistles and the Book of Revelation. He was even there at Jesus's baptism along with the Father (see Mark 1:10-11 below). In fact, 2 Timothy 3:16 proclaims that all Scripture is inspired (God-breathed), so that means that the Holy Spirit is the Author of the entire Bible.
So, why do we treat the Holy Spirit as the poor, redheaded stepchild of the Trinity? As an ordained Baptist minister, I can tell you that many pastors in my denomination minimize the person, presence, and prominence of the Holy Spirit as a natural reaction to the abuses that occur in some Pentecostal congregations where Paul’s instructions about speaking in tongues (see I Corinthians 14) are not being followed. Others, including myself, believe that the “sign gifts” such as tongues, healings, and miracles were designed to authenticate the ministry and teaching of the Apostles… and ceased upon their deaths when the whole canon of Scripture was complete (see I Corinthians 13:8-10).
Admittedly, I may be wrong on that latter point. However, I am absolutely convinced that the Holy Spirit is as real as God the Father and God the Son. As such, we need Him every day to help us understand the Bible, to live as sinlessly as possible, and to guide and guard our steps.
After all, He is both our Helper (John 15:16-17); and our Sealer (Ephesians 4:30). He also prays for us when we are unable to (Romans 8:26).
“And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:10-11 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
