Glad you liked the article Quix! I recently updated it, and so I'm posting the "new, improved" version to you. I added some more scritpure references, and tried to make the language a bit clearer and more succint.
-------------------------
My understanding of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit from scripture and experience
1) Paul, in his letters, is constantly stressing the need to "live by the Spirit." This is especially so in his letter to the Galatians. Living by the Spirit and being controlled by the Spirit is absolutely critical for living a righteous Christian life. The Holy Spirit is the power that enables us to live a godly life. (Ga 5:16-26)
2) Jesus, in the Last Supper discourse in the book of John, tells his disciples that it's a good thing he's leaving them! (To die, and be resurrected, then to ascend to heaven.) The reason it was to their advantage was so that the "helper" (Holy Spirit) would be sent to them. Jesus thought it better for the disciples to have the Holy Spirit with them, than for He, himself to stay. This is not just false humility on Jesus' part, he honestly believed that it was better for the disciples to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit than for himself to continue leading and guiding them. If Jesus thinks the impartation Holy Spirit is that important for believers, then we can be assured that it should be a priority for us to know and understand the Holy Spirit and his ministry. (Jn 16:5-16)
3) Neither Paul nor Jesus explains exactly how we are to live by the Holy Spirit. It is assumed that believers will know how to do this. No practical instructions for "living by the Spirit" are given anywhere in the NT (though there are many guidelines for ethical living). Because of the lack of instructions, we must figure this out how to do this on our own, though we can certainly rely on the Holy Spirit's help in the matter (Jn 16:5-16)
4) Despite the lack of practical instructions, we do have a model, or standard, of what it is to live by the Holy Spirit. This model is none other than Jesus himself. All four gospels accounts show us a perfect picture of what it is for a man to live by the power of the Holy Spirit. And yes, it can be easily demonstrated that Jesus did, in fact, expect his followers to live the sort of life he modeled for them. But not only did he want them to be imitators, but to exceed the example he gave. (Jn 14:12)
5) We also have another model of what "living by the Spirit" is like for believers: the entire book of Acts. It clearly demonstrates that the early believers moved in the power of the Holy Spirit and were able to do the same sort of miracles as Jesus. Though the book of Acts highlights the ministry of key apostles, there is nothing in the NT that limits the power of the Holy Spirit to apostles only. In fact, from Paul's instructions to the Corinthians, it seemed as if the charismatic gifts were distributed to a wide range of believers, regardless of their position (1 Cor 12-14).
6) Two of the four gospels, Mark and John, take it as their starting point Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist and his subsequent baptism by the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not do a thing, in terms of ministry, until he received the water and the Spirit baptisms. While many people were baptized at that time, it was only Jesus who received the gift of the Holy Spirit in power. Later, in the 2nd chapter of the book of Acts, we see how the Spirit was poured out upon the disciples after Jesus' ascension. The pouring out of the Spirit enabled the disciples to engage in the same sort of ministry Jesus did, and move in power, signs and wonders. (Acts 2-5)
7) It is very important to realize that Jesus was fully man (Phil 2:5-11). While he certainly knew who he was, he did not claim any of the divine powers of his position. We often get the mistaken notion that Jesus moved in miracles because he was divine. But the truth of the matter is that he emptied himself of all divinity, other than his identity. He voluntarily chose to leave his divine power behind when he came to earth in human form. He was absolutely a man just like us, with all of our limitations, and had no more divine power than any of us do. He was completely man, and had to be so to correct the mistake of Adam. So where did his miracle working power come from? The Holy Spirit (and his obedience to the Holy Spirit/Father). That is why his water/Spirit baptism is the logical starting point of his ministry. When Jesus performed miralces, it was not just to identify himself as the Messiah, although that was an important aspect of the miracles (Jn 10:22-39). But according to Jesus himself, the miracles were a sign that the kingdom of heaven had come to earth (Mat 12:22-28). Hence, he authorized his disciples to move in miracles as well, as a further demonstration of the power of the kingdom of God (Mat 10, Luke 9 & 10).
8) The Holy Spirit is promised to all who ask for it, the only prerequisite given is belief in Jesus (Lk 11:9-12). There are examples in the book of Acts of people receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit without even having yet received water baptism. (Acts 10:44-48)
9) The NT does not provide us with a standard, normative process for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. However, it usually occurs when someone prays for someone else to receive it. (Acts 8:14-17) In all NT instances recorded where people receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is accompanied by signs and wonders. Those signs include speaking in tongues, prophesying, visions, and so forth. There is nothing in the NT that states that the Holy Spirit is automatically given to a person who believes in Jesus. However, there are instances where it appears that believers are, in fact filled with the Spirit upon belief. But such instances are not the norm in narrative accounts. (Acts 10:44-48, 11:15-18)
10) The Spirit is also a teacher, and a guide. His main purpose: to lead us into all truth (Jn 14:15-17, 14:25-26, 16:5-15). The teaching aspect of the Spirit, and its miracle working aspect are complimentary. One does not have to choose between one aspect or the other, both are available to those who desire them. The best source of orthodoxy is the Holy Spirit himself. If a believer lives a life abandoned to the Holy Spirit's guidance, it is impossible for them to be deceived about the things of God. Deception comes when the person and work of the Holy Spirit is minimized, distorted, or ignored. (1 Cor 2:1-16)
11) Throughout the NT epistles the apostles are encouraging believers to live by the Holy Spirit. Why do they do this if the Holy Spirit is already present within the believers? The reason has to do with the fact that the Holy Spirit does not take control of a believer. The believer is given absolute choice as to whether or not he wishes to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, or ignore it. The Holy Spirit is not a control mechanism, it is a truth mechanism! We must everyday, and every minute of the day, consciously choose to live by the leadings and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:1-17, Gal 5:13-26, 6:7-8).
12) This brings us back to the foundational issue of how to live by the Holy Spirit. First, you must pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, not just assume it's present. You can even have someone pray for you to have the Spirit's indwelling. The Holy Spirit can work from the "outside" as well as the "inside." Often people mistake the outside working as indwelling. Secondly, you must listen for the Spirit's guidance and direction, and know how to discern when the Spirit is speaking, and when other voices (your own, evil spirits, etc., ) are leading you. In order to learn how to listen, you must will yourself to listen. This involves a whole different aspect of prayer than what most of us are taught. This type of prayer is listening prayer, also known by many other names. In listening prayer, you literally tune into the Holy Spirit, and tune-out those other voices that are speaking to you. The Catholic church has a wonderful tradition of contemplative prayer, where one intentionally focuses themself upon God, and waits in an attitude of listening, expecting God to speak to them through the Holy Spirit. When you engage in this spiritual discipline, you will hear God speaking to you in your thoughts. You will be able to discern the truth. You will be able to know when God is speaking, and when other voices are clamoring for your attention. Listening prayer--contemplation--meditation are absolutely critical disciplines for a Christian of any denomination. But since these are not explicitly taught or commanded in Scripture, they have become the lost disciplines of Christianity. Yet without these disciplines, we cannot know that still, small voice of God within.
source: http://theodicy.org/holyspirit.htm
(I decided to post this "improved" article on my own internet site.)
I wholeheartedly agree, Ronzo. Listening prayer-contemplation-meditation ought to be made a regular part of one's daily life. Wonderful essay!
THANKS MUCH.