Skip to main content

The Fatherhood of the Holy Spirit


Introduction: Believing the Word over Tradition

For us, it is not acceptable to teach that the Holy Spirit is not a Father. It is very simple to show the Fatherhood of the Holy Spirit in the Holy Scriptures. However, it is much harder for us to believe this, because of our broken and weak human nature. But believing this is possible and very necessary. Let us make a decision today to believe exactly what the Bible teaches, no matter what human tradition or our own feelings tell us.

Before we look into the Bible, we must understand one important truth. When we say the Holy Spirit is a Father, we do not mean that He is the same Person as God the Father. In the Trinity, the Holy Spirit and the Father are distinct Persons. However, the Holy Spirit is a Father by His very nature, by His supreme authority, and by His divine being. Just as a father gives life, rules his home, and protects his family, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual life, rules the Church with absolute authority, and cares for us as a Father.

The Fatherhood of the Holy Spirit is a helpful and joyful teaching.

The Spirit of Peace is a Father

When the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus to bring down fire from heaven to burn a city that refused to receive them, Christ rebuked them. In one version, Jesus said: "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of." In another version, He said: "Do not you know of what Spirit you are sons?" (Luke 9:55)

If we pray to God to show us which of these two readings is more correct, we can find the answer on the very next page of the New Testament. Jesus said:

"If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you." (Luke 10:6)

Since the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Peace, then He is the Father of the "man of peace." Therefore, the Holy Spirit is a Father.

Birth Shows Fatherhood

The biblical truth about being "born of the Spirit" proves that He is a Father. Jesus said:

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:6)

Also, the human-divine person of Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Father. The angel said:

"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20)

Therefore, when God asks in the Old Testament: "If I am a Father, where is my honor?", we should answer by honoring the Holy Spirit as our Father.

The Sin of Despising the Spirit

The prophet reveals the great sin of the priests and the believers in the time of Christ, and also in our modern last days:

"A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the Lord Almighty to you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'" (Malachi 1:6)

These are the words of the Holy Spirit where He speaks about Himself. The religious leaders of the last days will be known for rejecting the authority of the Holy Spirit.

What can we say about a person who takes the job to lead God’s people, to be a spiritual leader, but secretly does bad things as if the Holy Spirit does not see him? The Holy Spirit is present everywhere. Does He not read our hearts? Does the Holy Spirit not see half-hearted and lazy service? Can we believe that any believer will escape judgment if he serves God with less passion than he uses for his own temporary worldly interests?

God says to such leaders:

"You place defiled food on my altar. But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' By saying that the Lord’s table is useful for nothing. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? says the Lord Almighty. Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you? says the Lord Almighty. Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you, says the Lord Almighty, and I will accept no offering from your hands." (Malachi 1:7-10)

The Sovereignty of the Spirit

This is how God looks at the service of those who deny the Fatherhood of the Holy Spirit. By doing this, they destroy His authority and His first place in the church.

Jesus said that if anyone speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the age to come (Matthew 12:32). This is a true word, because Christ knew that in the last days, people would love a religion of the mouth, not of the heart. People talk a lot about Christ and God, while some even insult them. Some insult God because they are confused and shocked by the bad example of fake believers. So, it is not just about what a person says with his mouth. The critical question is: is he fighting against the Holy Spirit?

Therefore, when the first angel in the Book of Revelation says: "Fear God and give him glory" (Revelation 14:7), this message is about the Holy Spirit. This is a strong warning for all believers who treat the Holy Spirit lightly.

Closing Prayer 

"Hexavenly Father, Almighty God,

We thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit on this day of Pentecost. Holy Spirit, we welcome You today not just as a power, but as our Divine Father who gave us new life. We ask You to forgive us for the times we served You with lazy hearts or brought imperfect offerings to Your altar.

Cleanse our hearts today. Help us to respect Your presence because You see everything we do. We pray for our church and our leaders. May we never reject Your authority. Let our words and our lives give You the highest honor. Fill us again with Your peace and Your fire.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen."

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Key time of the Advent movement (part three)

That God's work on Earth can never be lost was clear to a prisoner after many sufferings he endured during his imprisonment. The day came when he was to be burned at the stake, and just before that, in his cell, he wrote the following words: "Today you will burn a goose, but after a hundred years, you will hear the song of a swan; you will not be able to burn him. You will have to listen to him." Martin Luther recognized himself as the fulfillment of this prophecy: "Jan Hus prophesied for me when he wrote from his cell, 'Now you will roast the goose (for Hus means goose in Czech), but after a hundred years, you will hear the swan sing. You will have to endure him.' And so it will go on, if it pleases God." In the same land that heard the words of these two witnesses of God, where tin swans adorn the tops of many church towers, another, an Australian, stated in the presence of his colleagues: "There should be a total of three calls to Adv...
Post a Comment
Read more

The key time of Seventh-day Adventism Part 1

  The depiction of the history of Seventh-day Adventists as God sees it, through a biblical picture. For a believer, there is only one sure way to know how God sees him, and that is to humbly turn to Him in prayer seeking an answer. It is in God's power to respond to such a prayer sooner or later. It is also up to Him to choose the manner in which He will do so. One thing is certain: regardless of when and how God speaks, the proof that it is true lies in the answer itself. On the morning of December 8, 2012, I experienced enlightenment from the Holy Spirit, which gave me answers to some questions that remained unanswered for many years. These days, the same Spirit compels me to publicly announce this, as it concerns not only me but also all those who have faith in the message of the three angels from Revelation chapter 14. This knowledge also pertains to the spiritually-minded representatives of other religious communities, as well as other people who are not believers by outward ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Key time of Advent Movement Second part

  For justice of faith is written: Because it is worth more than a pearl. Her husband's heart relies on her, and there will be no lack of gain. Do him good, not evil, all his life. He seeks wool and linen, and works as he pleases with his hands. She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from far away. He opens his hand to the poor, and stretches out his hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her family, because all her family have two dresses each. Her husband is known at the door when he sits with the elders of the earth. Virtue and beauty are her clothes, and she smiles at the passing time. She opens her mouth wisely and on her tongue is gentle knowledge. He watches over the rule of his flock, and does not eat bread in laziness. Her sons rise up and bless her; her husband also praises her. Give her from the fruit of her hands! In Revelation is described as Woman clothed in sun, and moon under feet her, and on head her wreath of twelve stars. At this are traitors r...
Post a Comment
Read more