The free gift of the Holy Spirit is the result of Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven where he reigns with the Father in glory. The Father poured out the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples of Jesus on the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2). Jesus told his disciples that anyone who asks the Father in faith will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). This is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy that there would come a time when God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28).

The gift of the Holy Spirit is not limited to a few but is available to every believer and disciple of Jesus Christ, in every land, every culture, and every place on the face of the earth. What is the essential and unique role of the Holy Spirit for Christians today? And what can we expect to receive when we ask the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire
When John the Baptist announced the coming of the Christ, God's Anointed Son, Messiah, and Savior of the world, he explained the Messiah's mission in terms of baptism with the Holy Spirit:

"I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Luke 3:16).

Many Christians today recognize the vital need for ongoing renewal in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is the unique role of the Holy Spirit to draw us into deeper unity with the Father and the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and to draw us into greater unity of mind, heart, and spirit with all who belong to Christ as members of his body. The Holy Spirit is the guiding force for effective mission and fruitful evangelization - even in the face of increasing opposition, hostility, and persecution.

We all need the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit so we can stand strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and on fire with the fervent love of Christ in our hearts - a burning and earnest love for all - even our enemies.

Paul the Apostle reminds us of the greatest gift and fruit of the Spirit who dwells within us:

"Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).

The Century of the Holy Spirit
This past century has been called the Century of the Holy Spirit. The Pentecostal and charismatic movements have their origin in a revival that culminated in the outpouring of the charismatic manifestations and gifts of the Spirit on January 1, 1901. (See The Century of the Holy Spirit by Dr. Vinson Synan.)

Now, more than 114 years later, many millions of Christian in every country of the world have experienced the baptism in the Spirit and the charismatic gifts and workings of the Holy Spirit. What is this spiritual phenomena? Is it for everyone? This issue seeks to give some answers for those who hunger for deeper conversion, fuller release of the power and gifts of the Spirit, and greater transformation in holiness, fruit of the Spirit, and Christlike character.

Don't miss the articles on being Baptized in the Holy Spirit by Steve Clark and why the Baptism in the Spirit is a Grace for the Whole Church by Raniero Cantalamessa.

Why do we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Why should every Christian today desire the full release of the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit? The Scriptures present us with many attributes of the Holy Spirit and with reasons why we should always desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit:

• The Holy Spirit is the giver of life – he fills us with the abundant supernatural life which comes from God.
• The Holy Spirit is our guard, defender, and shield of faith
  
• The Spirit is the Bulwark of Truth who guides and teaches us all the truth
  
• The Spirit is the giver of knowledge and understanding
• The Spirit is the giver of wisdom and counsel
• The Spirit is the giver of righteousness who helps us to do what is just and good
  
• The Spirit is the giver of discernment who frees us from ignorance, error, and wrong
  
• The Spirit is the giver of power, might, and strength which come from on high
• The Spirit performs mighty works and miracles in and through us
  
• The Spirit is the giver of prophecy, revelation, vision, and signs
  
• The Spirit is the giver of awe and reverence for God
  
• The Spirit is the all-consuming fire of God’s presence and warmth
• The Spirit is our guide who leads and directs us in doing God's will
  
• The Holy Spirit is the purifying fire who cleanses us of guilt and sin
• The Holy Spirit is our sanctifier who makes us holy as God is holy
  
• The Spirit of glory transforms us from one degree of glory to another
• The Spirit of fortitude instills confidence, boldness, and courage in us
  
• The Spirit is the giver and power of undying love and overflowing compassion
• The Spirit is the power of forgiveness and mercy who shows us the way of mercy
  
• The Spirit of meekness makes us meek and gentle of heart like the heart of Jeus
  
• The Spirit of humility makes us willing servants as Jesus served humbly and willingly
  
• The Spirit of hope gives us patience, long-suffering, and perseverance
• The Spirit of discipline and self-control helps us grow in self-mastery and maturity
  
• The Spirit is the giver of peace that passes all understanding
• The Spirit is the giver of unspeakable joy, happiness, and contentment
  
• The Spirit is the anchor and hope of heaven who makes our hope grow strong and steady
  
• The Spirit is our intercessor who knows our needs and shows us what to prayer for.
• The Spirit prays in and through us and gives us the gift of tongues and gift of praise.
  
• The Spirit fills us with generosity and magnanimity
• The Spirit is a guiding light when we are lost, confused, or perplexed
• The Spirit is our burning bush and pillar of fire who burns constantly within us
  
• The Spirit makes us a tabernacle and temple of God’s presence
• The Spirit is the power and strength of saints
• The Spirit is the power and strength of missionaries
• The Spirit is the power and strength of martyrs
• The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, and Advocate.

God wants to “pour out his Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). That has been his plan since the beginning and it is his will for us today. We can ignore or resist God’s offer to fill us with his Holy Spirit, or we can ask the Father to fill us with the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:11).

God is Spirit – we can only know and experience his presence and power at work in his creation, his people, and in our personal lives through the gift and working of his Holy Spirit. God wants each of us to know him personally and experientially as our Father in heaven.

We can only know God personally and experientially as our Father through his Spirit. This is the supreme work of the Holy Spirit who witnesses with our spirit that God is our Father who lives in us and makes his home with us and remains with us.

We can personally and experientially know God’s love for us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. God pours his love into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).