Ruach haQodesh – The Spirit of Yah

 

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit (Ruach haQodesh) when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in Him who would come after him, that is, on Yahhua haMashiach.” (Acts. 19:1-4).

 

After their Baptism, Paul laid hands on them, and the Ruach haQodesh came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (vv. 6). Most of you reading this blog are likely familiar with this story. Yet, how many are just as knowledgeable concerning the Ruach haQodesh? These disciples had not heard of this sacred Holy Spirit of Yahuah. Like these disciples, many today have little to no knowledge of the Spirit of Yahuah. Many have awareness, but awareness does not equate to perception. Even worse, many do not give the Holy Spirit/Ruach haQodesh due to thoughtfulness or attention. The disciples had the understanding of repentance unto Baptism; they understood this as a necessity for salvation. Sanctification is the end goal of salvation. We receive salvation through sanctification (2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2) through the Ruach haQodesh. For the counselor, this knowledge is invaluable as we serve as a conduit, acting upon the direction of the Ruach haQodesh. Unique to the Ruach haQodesh is that clients and counselors experience special growth stages in the process. The relationship between the three is a win-win outcome.

 

Have you received the gift of the Ruach haQodesh since you believed?

 

Counselors cannot be effective counselors without the leadership and guidance of the Rauch haQodesh. Likewise, clients cannot achieve growth and fulfillment without this Divine Spirit. All Believers need the Ruach haQodesh. The client and counselor/coach receive a renewal of mind as the Spirit of Yah leads them.

 

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after Yahuah is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24).

 

How does one receive the Holy Spirit? On the Day of Pentecost/Shavuot, Peter told the people to repent and be Baptized for the remission of sin and that they would receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). This process is called Sanctification. It means to purify (Greek, hagiasmos). Sanctification involves eliminating old sinful ways and transforming into a new person in Yahusha. Some reading this may feel they are doing these things, and rightfully so, yet do you understand the work of the Ruach haQodesh in Sanctification? Who is the Ruach haQodesh? Yahusha Himself said:

 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (Ruach haQodesh), whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26-KJV).

 

The Holy Ghost/Ruach haQodesh is our Teacher. He teaches us all things. Yahuah said:

 

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. (Hebrews 10:16)

 

The laws of Yahuah are within us. Our Teacher resides in us. He will be found when we seek Him.

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God/Yahuah, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33).

 

What things?

 

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matthew:31-32).

 

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13).

 

 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

 

Based on the above verses, we receive sustenance for life. Yahusha also tells us we will receive those things we desire, such as a job, home, education, a mate, and children, all of which bring comfort to life when we seek Yahuah in righteousness. Yahuah spoke these words in Jeremiah 29:13,  and Yahusha talks about them again in Matthew 7:7-8. Likewise, behavioral, emotional, spiritual, and environmental healing is possible through seeking, asking, and knocking with all earnestness of heart.

 

The Ruach haQodesh Teach, Leader, Guide

 

The Holy Spirit teaches: John 14:26

 

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

 

The Holy Spirit leads: Luke 4:1

 

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.

 

The Holy Spirit guides: 119:105

 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

 

 

 

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

 

We, too, are led by the Spirit. More remarkable is when we recognize that the Spirit is leading us. In recognition, we begin to develop a relationship with the One Yah has given us to be with us as we walk along our way in life. Philip followed the voice of the Spirit, and by living in Yah and listening, we, too, will learn to live more abundantly through the Spirit. Yahusha came that we may live more abundantly (John 10:10). We do this by learning of Him. He left His Ruach haQodesh, the Teacher, that we may know Him.

 

How does this happen? By Sanctification.

 

BESORAH-THE GOOD NEWS

Many do not understand Sanctification and the Holy Spirit’s involvement. This process begins with the newly repented and develops as the Believer progress toward spiritual maturity. Repentance denotes a change of condition. It is a verb that means to have a change of mind, to surrender. It involves regret or sorrow, accompanied by a genuine change of heart toward being in a relationship with Yahuah. In a religious sense, repentance implies pious (virtuous and moral) sorrow for unbelief and sin and a turning from them to Yahusha for forgiveness. Repentance is a change of mind from evil to good or good to better.

The Psalmist wrote:

Psalms 119:59  I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow Your laws.

Yahusha tells us in Matthew 3:8

Let your change of heart (repentance) be seen in your works.

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

The Good News Translation reads:

Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.

We show our change by stopping those things we know to be unvirtuous and immoral, and we do this on an ongoing basis and will only find the strength to do so by the Ruach haQodesh.

Sanctification is necessary for pastoral counselors as they help problem believers understand the truth and glory of Yahusha and the Holy Spirit as divine counselors. But, in what ways does the Ruach haQodesh transform a repented heart into the likeness of Yahusha? Understanding this requires first understanding the meaning and process of Sanctification and the Ruach haQodesh’s function in the sanctification process.

What is Sanctification?

Broadly stated, Sanctification means “to be set apart” or “to be made holy.” Sanctification is a two-fold process. Once sanctified, through the power of the Ruach haQodesh, the Believer continues to grow into holiness as they follow the teachings of Yahuah. Sometimes referred to as glorification (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Grenz, Guretzki, Nordling), Barrett writes: “To understand the doctrine of sanctification properly is to open the door for the power of the Holy Spirit to provide for the Believer moment-by-moment victory over sin.”[1] Story writes: “Sanctification is engrafting to the righteousness of God (Yahuah), thereby making it always dependent upon justification in the ongoing life of the Believer. [2] Sanctification, therefore, involves coming to Yahusha and receiving the Ruach haQodesh, which furthers the work, the on-growing process of becoming engrafted into Yahuah.

The SPIRIT (Ruach haQodesh) of Yahuah

John 4:24

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Ephesians 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 1:13

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

ATTRIBUTES of the Ruach haQodesh

Communication (Acts 21:11), intercession (Romans. 8:26-27), performing miracles (Romans. 15:19), and restrains (Acts 20:21), things would be a lot worse without the Ruach keeping evil at bay. An attribute of the Ruach haQodesh an outpouring of divine love within us (Romans. 5:5; 15:30). The Ruach haQodesh teaches (John 14:26), indwells (Romans. 8: 9-11), sanctifies (Romans. 1:4) and renews (Titus 3:5). Convicts people of their sin (John 16:8–11), helps us pray (Romans 8:22-27), gives power and might (Zechariah 4:6, 2 Timothy 1:7). Oh, and this is a small list!

The Ruach haQodesh Was Here From the Beginning

And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis. 1:2)

The Spirit/Ruach was understood in the Old Testament:

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalms 14:10)

And Promised For the Future:

A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Yahusha made witness to the Ruach haQodesh:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26).

 The Function of the Ruach haQodesh in the Sanctification Process

The Ruach haQodesh convicts:

And when He is come, He will reprove (scold, rebuke, approve) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:8

A significant portion of the Ruach haQodesh guides the repented sinner towards unity in Yahusha and fellow Believers. Sometimes labeled Progressive Sanctification, it implies the process of things. John 17:17 referred to Progressive Sanctification when Yahusha prayed: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The same thought finds expression in Ephesians 5:26, where the present ministry of Yahusha is revealed to be that of sanctifying His church by cleansing it corporate Sanctification [emphasis added] by the washing of water by the Word of Yahuah (1Thess 5:23).[3] This same principle applies to the pastoral counselor and coach as the Ruach haQodesh is looked to for personal guidance, as guidance is given to the client.

What Is The End Result of Progressive Sanctification?

Righteousness!

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-24).

Righteousness (Grk.dikaioō), to render righteous or in good standing through Yahusha, and Him only!!!!

BESORAH INDEED!!

His Guiding Light – A Lamp to My Path

Stages of Progression

Sanctification. Call and Conviction. Repentance. Indwelling

Yahuah empowers His Ruach haQodesh to do the work of calling the individual. Conviction is part of Yah’s call. Grace speaks of conviction as the result of heeding the call to repentance.

And when He (Ruach haQodesh) has come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 11:8-11)

A primary purpose of the Ruach haQodesh is to convict the individual to the point of repentance. Calling happens in several ways, for example, through music, another’s testimony, reading the Gospel, nature, or a nudge from the Ruach haQodesh in private moments of anguish, despair, and joy. However, of most importance is that the sinner becomes aware of the presence of Yah’s Spirit, even if they have not wholly perceived it. Of greater importance is whether the sinner receives or rejects the call.

Repentance

The Ruach haQodesh leads to repentance for those who accept the call. Grace combines repentance with conversion, and the sinner no longer lives the lifestyle from whence they were called from. After Peter preached the Shavuot Sermon, many were convicted of their sin, and he gave them the invitation or call to repentance (Acts 2:38). Grace moves on to provide the Believer the gift of the Ruach haQodesh. Grace prepares the Believer for the next stage, the indwelling of the Spirit, where “conversion is the beginning of salvation sanctification [emphasis added] through the preaching of the Spirit-inspired Word.[4] In addition to hearing the Word, Sanctification also involves doing the Word, reading and studying the Word, prayer, praise, and worship, all under the ministry of the Spirit of Yahuah.

Indwelling

Following repentance, the Ruach haQodesh rests in the Believer, gifting them a new heart, which initiates turning from sin as they grow in grace and faith in Yahusha. Then, having become a new creature in Yahuah, the Ruach haQodesh continues the transformative process.

Therefore if any man be in Yahusha, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of Yahuah, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Yahusha haMashiach, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that Yahuah was in Messiah, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

Growth and Maturity

Understanding that sin is forever prevalent (1 Peter 5:8) and having received righteousness through sanctification, the Believer receives warning not lean to their own understanding (Proverbs 3: 5-6). 1 Corinthians 15:33 reminds us of living morally. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Remaining morally obedient to the will of God creates a life of becoming more like Yahusha. As Believers live Qodesh, they become Qodesh.

The Ruach haQodesh in Bible-based Counseling             

Pastoral Counselor and Client

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate counselor. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV). Understanding this principle plants strong roots within the counselor. Counselors do not always know what to say regarding the client’s concerns. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: “Trust in the Yahuah with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him.” Counselor and client receive strength when the counselor allows the Ruach haQodesh to work. As the counselor leads the client to understand the beauty of this verse, the client will begin to lean on Yah and the Ruach haQodesh more and less on self or others for guidance. This is the work of the Ruach haQodesh, which leads, guides, teaches, indwells, renews, and sanctifies progressively into the Glory of Yahuah.

Conclusion

The Ruach haQodesh guiding post directs the repented sinner towards Sanctification through Yahuah’s Grace. Sanctification happens in progressive stages. The process begins with call and conviction, which leads to repentance. Then, having repented and received forgiveness of sin, the Believer receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19).

As Believers live Qodesh, they become Qodesh

The Ruach haQodesh works in conjunction with Yahusha, having been sent from Him as He was by the Father. His purpose, among many, is to teach, indwell, sanctify, and renew. His objective is guiding the sinner towards unity in Yahusha through Yah’s Word.

The Ruach haQodesh works in and through Bible-based counselors as we seek to bring problemed Believers to Yahusha and help them reach their goals for spiritual maturity. Just as the Ruach haQodesh focus is on Yahusha, the Bible-based counselor must focus on reliance on the Ruach haQodesh. The counselor grows as a unique individual and client as they become filled with this Divine Spirit of Yahuah.

Notes 

[1] Barrett, Matthew. “We Believe In The Holy Spirit”: Revisiting The Deity Of The Spirit.”

Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 16, no. 4 (Winter 2012): 32-47

[2] J. Lyle Story. “Pauline Thoughts About the Holy Spirit and Sanctification: Provision, Process, and Consummation,” Journal of Pentecostal Theology 18, no. 1 (2009): 70 

[3]Walvoord, John F. “Contemporary Issues in the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Part V:

Spiritual Power Today.” Bibliotheca Sacra 131, no. 521 (Jan 1974): 37-38

[4] Ibid., 91.