Questions and Answers About the Spirit of God

Q. Is the spirit of Christ different from the spirit of God the Father?

A. Christ's spirit is only different from the Father's spirit in that he has had a unique life experience and he has a difference in glory, power, and personality.

Q. How can one have the mind of Christ?

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil.2:5 KJV).

A. In order to have the mind of Christ, a person must have the spirit of Christ. In order to have the spirit of Christ, one must first have the spirit of the Father. And in order to have the spirit of the Father, a person must be given the holy spirit by the Father. It is through the spirit of the Father that the unique qualities of Christ's personality and mental attitude are imparted to the children of God.

Q. What does the holy spirit do at baptism.

A. With the placing of God spirit into our minds, we are born into his family. This event places us at the starting point toward immortal life as a spirit-being in the Family of God. This is the time of spirit-

ual conception and birth from which we can grow into a mature spirit-being.

Q. How is the holy spirit confirmation that a person is a child of God?

"For we who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God's very own children, begotten into the bosom of his family, and calling to him, Father, Father. For his holy spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us that we really are God's children" (Rom.8:14-16 LBP).

A. When the holy spirit becomes an active part of a converted person's conscious thought process, they will have certain abilities beyond those of a person without this spirit. However, the level of the holy spirit's activity within the converted person is dependent on their resolve and interest in growing toward spiritual maturity.

The holy spirit confirms that we are children of God, because there are identifiable and discernible attributes and qualities that a true child of God should possess, which can be manifested through our thought processes, and sometimes through physical and spiritual exhibitions of power.

Q. Who administered the Father's holy spirit after the Creator God gave up his immortality and became a human in the form of Jesus?

A. During the period of time encompassing Christ's conception, birth, life, death, and resurrection, God the Father administered his spirit power as necessary.

Q. Is the spirit of God omnipresent?

A. Yes! the spirit of God is omnipresent. It is omnipresent in the sense that it is the power of God through which all things are created, controlled, and sustained. In this sense, it is truly in all things. However, God the Father and Jesus Christ are not omnipresent; they are individual and unique beings who can only occupy one place at one time.

The scriptures clearly show that God the Father has never been to earth and that he resides in the spirit-realm described as heaven. If God the Father and Christ were omnipresent, they would have no need to send forth angels to gather information and perform certain tasks for them. Although the power of God is omnipresent and permeates all things, spirit-beings are not omnipresent, because they can only occupy one place at a time.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND POWERS

Q. Do I have any gifts of the spirit?

A. Every child of God has the gifts of the spirit. There are many different attributes, qualities, authorizations, and powers that the Father gives through his holy spirit. Although everyone does not receive all of these attributes, qualities, authorizations, and powers (1.Cor. 12:1-12), every child of God is given what they need to be successful.

Every child of God is initially given faith, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and the Father's love. These basic gifts should continually grow stronger in a Christian's life. If these gifts of the spirit are unrecognizable or weak, they must be strengthened in order for a person to obtain salvation and perform their calling. See Matt.7:7-11; 1.Cor.12:8-10; 13:1-13; Jms.1:5; 2.Pet.1:5; 1.Jn.5:14.

Q. How does a person know if they have a special authorization of the spirit?

A. All authorizations of spirit-power are given for the purpose of performing a function, responsibility, or task for the benefit of the elect or the work of the church. God only gives special authorizations of the spirit to be used. If a person has an authorization of the spirit, they will be able to use it.

There are many special authorizations mentioned in the scriptures, such as the ability to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, or perform other supernatural acts.

It is apparent from the scriptures that, if a person has been given a special authorization, such as the gift of prophecy or the ability to perform miracles, they will know they have the authorization. The various attributes and functions of the spirit are to be used; otherwise, they would not be given.

Although the scriptures do not give detailed instructions as to how a person knows they have been given a special authorization of spirit power, it is very clear that those who are given these authorizations know that they have them. For example, Moses was told by the Creator God himself (Ex.3:15-22; 4:1-9); Elisha the prophet was told by Elijah the prophet; Christ told his disciples (Mk.3:14-15; Matt.28:19-20); Christ told Ananias in a vision to tell Paul (Acts 9:10-18); Paul told Timothy (2.Tim.1:6-7).

God has also revealed his will and directed his people to perform certain tasks through angels, dreams, the holy spirit, visions, and a voice out of the air. Regardless of what method is used, a person with a special authorization of the spirit knows what is required of them and they know they have the power to perform their task or responsibility.

Q. Are there specific instructions given as to how to use the various gifts, authorizations, and powers of the holy spirit?

A. Yes, there are instructions in the scriptures concerning what to do in order to use some spiritual gifts, authorizations, and powers. Two examples of this are the instructions about the use of the holy spirit with prayer and study. However, instructions are not given on how to use all spiritual gifts, authorizations, and powers.

Spirit-power is useless without knowing how to use it. Moreover, because the Bible does not contain instructions for every authorization of spirit-power, this knowledge has to be given directly to those individuals who need it so that they can perform their specific function or task.

By B.L. Cocherell b6w10