O Espírito Santo: quem é e qual é a sua obra

Quem é o Espírito Santo

O Espírito Santo é a terceira pessoa da Trindade: Deus eterno, pessoal e atuante, que habita em quem crê e conduz a Igreja. Ele não é uma energia abstrata ou força cósmica, mas o próprio Deus presente para ensinar, consolar, convencer do pecado e capacitar o cristão.

Nas Escrituras, sua atuação atravessa toda a história da redenção — desde a criação e o ministério terreno de Jesus até a vida diária dos apóstolos e dos primeiros cristãos.

O Consolador prometido por Jesus

Antes de ser crucificado, Jesus garantiu aos discípulos que não os deixaria órfãos. Ele anunciou a vinda do Consolador (Paráclito, no grego: aquele que é chamado para caminhar ao lado), que ensinaria todas as coisas e revelaria a verdade de Deus ao coração humano.

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;(John 14:16)

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.(John 14:26)

26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me,(John 15:26)

7 But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment:(John 16:7,8)

5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’(John 3:5-7)

33 And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’(John 1:33)

O derramamento em Pentecostes e o nascimento da Igreja

No livro de Atos, a promessa de poder se cumpre no dia de Pentecostes. O Espírito desce sobre a comunidade reunida em Jerusalém, inaugurando a missão apostólica e capacitando os discípulos para proclamar o Evangelho com intrepidez diante de todas as nações.

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth."(Acts 1:8)

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tonguerested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.

5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.(Acts 2:1-5)

38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(Acts 2:38)

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.(Acts 4:31)

32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."(Acts 5:32)

2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them."(Acts 13:2)

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.(Acts 19:5,6)

A habitação interior e a concessão de dons

O apóstolo Paulo ensina que o corpo de quem crê é santuário do Espírito Santo. Para o serviço e a edificação do corpo de Cristo, o Espírito distribui manifestações e dons espirituais de forma diversificada e soberana, visando sempre o bem comum da comunidade.

11 For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God.(1 Corinthians 2:11)

16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?(1 Corinthians 3:16)

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.(1 Corinthians 6:19,20)

3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.(1 Corinthians 12:3)

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.(1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

O fruto do Espírito e a transformação do caráter

Enquanto os dons se relacionam ao serviço, o fruto do Espírito expressa o caráter divino gerado na vida diária. Em Gálatas e Romanos, a presença do Espírito contrasta com a natureza humana caída, gerando virtudes concretas que se manifestam no relacionamento com Deus e com o próximo.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.(Galatians 5:22,23)

5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.(Romans 5:5)

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.(Romans 14:17)

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)

A comunhão e o cuidado com a vida espiritual

Por se relacionar como pessoa, o Espírito Santo pode ser entristecido quando há divisão, falsidade ou conduta indigna entre o povo de Deus. A Escritura adverte contra a dureza de coração e orienta à busca contínua por uma vida guiada e renovada por Ele.

30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.(Ephesians 4:30)

18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,(Ephesians 5:18)

11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.(Psalm 51:11)

22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.(2 Corinthians 1:22)

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(2 Corinthians 3:17)

A capacitação divina no ministério e no testemunho

Desde o anúncio do nascimento de Jesus até o testemunho dos discípulos sob perseguição, o Espírito age como fonte de instrução, discernimento e intrepidez. É Ele quem conduz a oração, sustenta a fé em momentos de provação e inspirou as Escrituras Sagradas.

20 But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.(Matthew 1:20)

19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour.20 For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.(Matthew 10:19,20)

19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."(Matthew 18:19,20)

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."(Matthew 28:19,20)

11 And when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you at that time; for you are not the ones speaking, but it is the Holy Spirit.(Mark 13:11)

21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased."(Luke 3:21,22)

18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He anointed Me to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives,

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set free those who are oppressed,

19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."(Luke 4:18,19)

13 So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"(Luke 11:13)

14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?(Hebrews 9:14)

21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.(2 Peter 1:21)

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.(Jude 1:20,21)