Page 2 - The Bible Online CC09

The Online Study Course – Lesson 9
WHY YOU NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT
Mankind is engaged in a frustrating search for answers to the problems of humanity. Yet the real answers have eluded this world's greatest thinkers. Only the Creator God has the ultimate answer ‒ if we are willing to seek and accept it!
WHAT is the Holy Spirit? What does it do? Why do we need it anyway? The answers to these questions are vitally important to everyone, for the Holy Spirit is the only real, permanent and lasting answer to the problems of every human being!
Jesus said: "... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). One reason Christ came into this world was to teach humanity the true values in life ‒ the way which would bring true happiness and joy into our lives. But more importantly, Christ came to reveal the way to receive God's gift of eternal life. Jesus taught that unless we receive and retain the Holy Spirit, we can never hope to enter the Kingdom of God.
Why?
Because it is only through God's Spirit that we develop the lasting character of God in this life, and are resurrected to glorious eternal life at Christ's return.
Holy Spirit Now Available
Jesus Christ came to herald the coming of the Holy Spirit ‒ to make this precious gift freely available to every person whom God would call and who would truly repent and believe. "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said," proclaimed Jesus, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive...)" (John 7:38-39).
After teaching His disciples for three and one half years, Jesus Christ prepared to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. Soon, He would be crucified and murdered by His contemporaries. After three days and three nights in the tomb, He would be resurrected to sit at the right hand of His Father in heaven. His twelve apostles would then spearhead the Work He had personally begun.
These men would have to face the sobering prospect of carrying an unpopular gospel message to a hostile world. They would have to contemplate years of persecution, ridicule and possibly even martyrdom. A discomforting prospect to say the least!
The apostles would need strength, encouragement and wisdom. They would need love, patience and endurance to follow in Christ's steps and carry out His commission.
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