The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The descent of the Holy Spirit in the human being is beyond all human understanding, for it concerns the Spirit, the Spirit of God and His work within us. As the Holy Book says, "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8).
The Holy Spirit "fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:23). He is above place and space; He is above time. We can say He is everywhere, but He is much higher than any place and its relationship with matter. He is far above the dignitary relationships of material things. He is present with all His Divinity, in every spot, at every moment, not like the human being who has his eye on one place and his hand on another while perhaps also having something behind his back which he does not see. But the Spirit is present with all His Divinity, in every spot, at every moment, and yet He is far above place and time, as it is said in Psalm 139: 6-16:
6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. It is high I cannot attain it.
7. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8. If I ascend into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea.
10. Even there your hand shall lead me and Your right hand shall hold me.
11. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall fall on me, even the light shall be light about me.
12. Indeed the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day, the darkness and the light are both alike to You.'
13. For You formed my inward parts, You covered me in my mother's womb.
14. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
15. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me when as yet there were none of them.
Therefore, the Spirit in its essence neither rises nor falls, for it is everywhere. The descent of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is the beginning of His work within us, with His participation in the works, in the gifts, in the grace, in the power. It is the beginning of our union with Him in this meaning, as St. Paul said, "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (I Corinthians 6:17). The Spirit connects with us, embraces us, and carries us as long as we need Him. The Father cherishes His beloved son, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (Romans 8:14). He is the Spirit of Adoption,"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry out, Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15).
He embraces us as beloved children, as St. John the beloved said, "By this we know that we abide in Him and he in us, because He has given us of his Spirit." (I John 4:13)., and as St. Paul said, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:16).
This adoption and this new life in the bosom of the Father was not easy; it could not have happened without the reconciliation of the Lord on the Cross. This is why it was said, "He took what is ours and gave us what is His." He took our body, He carried our sins and our sickness, and he gave us His Holy Spirit. "He took our body and gave us His Holy Spirit and He made us one with Him..." (Friday Theotokia). We praise Him and glorify Him.
Copyright © 2007 Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. The above article may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. |
