We are currently between Easter and Pentecost. This is a time of extra reflection on the role of the Holy Spirit in the congregation or church. This file offers some materials to help you prepare for Pentecost. You may be working on a sermon and looking for additional information. It may also be that you desire more depth in your personal life and are looking for information about the Holy Spirit. This file can be a starting point for that. In the overview below you will find more information that might help you with that.
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament - Mart Jan Paul (Study Bible Magazine 10 issue 2, 2016, pages 8-11)
Mart Jan Paul begins the article with the following sentence: "The work of the Spirit in the Old Testament is difficult to put into words." The article is a pallet of descriptions of the Spirit's work in the Old Testament. It culminates in the well-known prophecy from Joel that looks ahead to Pentecost in the New Testament.
You can order this magazine from the website via this link.
The Holy Spirit in the New Testament - Gijs van den Brink (Study Bible Magazine 10 issue 2, 2016, pages 4-7)
In this article, Gijs van den Brink draws lines from the Old Testament, Jesus' ministry on earth to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. He shows what the outpouring of the Holy Spirit has to say to us today.
You can find this article in the Study Bible via this link.
The usefulness of the spirit gifts - Gijs van den Brink (Study Bible Magazine 3 issue 1, 2009, pages 4-7)
What are gifts of the Holy Spirit and what role do they play in the church and in a believer's personal life? In this article, Gijs van de Brink discusses not so much each individual gift mentioned in the Bible, but rather their purpose.
You can order this magazine from the website via this link.
Blogs on the work of the Holy Spirit
In these blogs, Gijs van den Brink gives an overview of themes surrounding the work of the Holy Spirit. Topics covered include: the gifts of the Spirit, fullness of the Spirit and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
You can find these blogs through this link.
The rule of the Law and of the Spirit - Gijs van den Brink, 1995
In this article, Gijs van de Brink juxtaposes the roles of the law and the Spirit in the New Testament from Romans 7 and 8.
You can find this article in the Study Bible via this link.
Spirit baptism in the early church - Gijs van den Brink, 1996
Finally, an article dealing with Spirit baptism in the time of Tertullian (born in the 2nd half of the 2nd century). There is a difference of opinion within the church about baptism with the Holy Spirit. How did the early believers think about it and what can we learn from it? Is it a sacrament or is it not? Gijs van den Brink looks back so we can benefit from it today.
You can find the article in the Study Bible via this link.
