¿Y quién es el Espíritu Santo?: Y otras preguntas sobre quién es Él y que hace

Questions Christians Ask

by Tim Chester, Christopher de la Hoyde

Un llamado a reconocer los indicios de la obra del Espíritu Santo en nuestras vidas y a ser más conscientes de su obra en el mundo hoy.

Mucha gente encuentra fácil entender lo relacionado a Dios y Jesús, pero les resulta difícil entender cómo y dónde el Espíritu Santo encaja en el cuadro. ¿Quién es Él exactamente? ¿Y cómo trabaja en nuestras vidas?

En este accesible volumen los autores explican, de forma clara y simple, lo que podemos afirmar con certeza que la Biblia enseña acerca de quién es el Espíritu Santo y cómo trabaja en el mundo hoy.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Faith, Audiobook

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

Dr Tim Chester is involved in The Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield, UK. He was previously Research & Policy Director for Tearfund UK, and has been published widely on prayer, mission, social issues and theology. He is married to Helen and has two daughters.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting and encouraging book, especially if you (like me) have a little bit of confusion about the exact nature and work of the Holy Spirit. This book showed clearly how the Spirit is present in the Old Testament (for example, the Hebrew word for "wind" and "spirit" is the same, so the wind that parts the Red Sea in Exodus is the same, in Hebrew, as the spirit that "hovers over the face of the deep" in Genesis 1 -- how cool is that?!). Moving into the New Testament, it explains how Jesus depended on the Spirit during his whole ministry, and how the three parts of the Trinity work together and glorify each other. Looking at our lives, it shows how the Spirit is necessary to make our hearts soft to believe the Bible, and how He lives inside us and helps us day by day, in order to sanctify us. This book was also helpful on questions to do with prophecy and miraculous gifts. All in all, really helpful. Highly recommend.

[Maree Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trinity always works in perfect unity so whoever Christ has redeemed, the Father has also predestined, and the Spirit has also indwelled.
The ability to recognise my sin and need for God was the regenerative work of the Spirit waking me up out of spiritual death, so every born again Christian has received the Holy Spirit. All or nothing.

“Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭19‬:‭3‬-‭6‬
Paul preached Jesus Christ and they received the Spirit.

[James Brixey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, concise and edifying.

Whilst there is nothing that is out of reach, it is thoroughly researched but has helpful content and, best of all, a surprising amount of stuff that I hadn't properly thought through. Well worth a read

[Liam Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet, simple.

[Caleb Ripple · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book is a wonderful primer on the Holy Spirit and a great encouragement to those Christians who feel as if they have stalled or fallen short of some expected high, religious spirituality. It is small but it doesn't fail to cover essential doctrines that a disciple of Christ must come to understand if they expect to grow up in faith and in holiness. Understanding who the Holy Spirit is is essential in order for sinners saved by grace to fully experience true comfort and joy as we live this life in the flesh.

It did well to remind me of the Holy Spirit's constant work in me using "so many things," including (and especially) failure and weakness that can often times be very discouraging, to lead and guide me (and all believers regardless of the language they want to use to describe this present reality) into all truth.

To me it seems as if the book really springs from Paul's exhortation to the Galatians:

"Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith..."

I will most definitely be recommending this to others, and especially to new followers of Christ.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short overview on the topic of the Holy Spirit. In this book, Chester describes the various ways the Holy Spirit is present in our lives today and speaks and relates to us. He answers questions such as: is it appropriate to pray TO the Holy Spirit (or just to God and Jesus)? What is prophecy and does it still exist today? Did believers in the Old Testament also have access to the Holy Spirit? And What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit (or baptized in the Holy Spirit? Although there are a wide variety of opinions about the Holy Spirit in chuches ranging from the Charismatic gifts of tongues, healings, and prophecies, to other churches which believe in cessation, I think Chester did a wonderful job in not taking either side, but sharing the truth behind both thoughts. Chester's final conclusion is that churches and individuals should be aware of the various ways the Spirit is present in our lives (through promptings, words of encouragement, Scripture, and prayer), but also not to discount the experiences others have had. Although short and somewhat basic for more mature believers, I think this book gets across the general gist and is a helpful guide in answering some common questions people might have.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the Holy Spirit has been the center of much discussion and study throughout Church history, in recent centuries He has largely been relegated to background status. Such neglect is harmful to those who would know God, and this short book is designed to answer basic questions about the Spirit’s nature and purpose. Helpful sidebars throughout address additional questions. While concise, this effort is useful in illuminating the primary characteristics Scripture attributes to the Holy Spirit.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to the doctrine and work of the Holy Spirit.

It does what a work of theology should, it causes the heart to soar with love and wonder towards God.

It has a few points which I would quibble over but I would be happy to give a copy to anyone who was seeking to learn more about God the Holy Spirit.

One of the 'Questions Christians Ask' series published by the Good Book company.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong little overview of the Holy Spirit, but perhaps too short, since it didn't go into a lot of detail. That said, perhaps the length was just right--the Bible doesn't exactly go into a lot of detail on the Holy Spirit, either. I appreciated that the author kept opinions in the realm of opinions and seemed to stick to just what the Bible says.

[Ben Connelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Chester makes difficult concepts accessible and practical. I don't agree with all of his conclusions, but this is a clear, well-written brief on an often confusing, often ignored vein of theology.

[Eric Kimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a fantastic series of books. This one on the Holy Spirit was a great introduction for my study of the Holy Spirit this month. It is incredibly concise and helpful. Pick it up for just a few bucks and read it if you want a good intro to the topic.

[Ashton Trimble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but was looking for something a little more meaty

[N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction to the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. Good overview of relevant debates, too.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great primer.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Q and A on the Holy Spirit. I often take for granted the theological education I have received. This is a good resource for those who have not had formal theological training.

[Ben Clouston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to who the Holy Spirt is and what he does.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a book.

[Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another entry in thegoodbook Company's series Questions Christians ask, and a poor one at that!

Five chapters with headings such as The Spirit of life ... of God ... of love ... of truth ... and, of power indicate the areas the joint authors would cover. Included in these are 9 'breakout' segments dealing with one-off questions, which again, are not that helpful, in my opinion! One wonders just what the writing brief was for the series and this book in particular.

For me, the very best passage was in Chapter 3: The Spirit of Love, where the experience of Russell Moore and his wife adopting two Russian children is shared to illustrate the far better life they would have when adopted than they had experienced in the orphanage. And I quote, (page 47/48) ...

"Reaching back to the orphanage." 'The boys had a wonderful new life. But they didn't realise it yet, and so they were reaching back to the orphanage. We have a wonderful new life as children of God. But when we lose sight of that truth, we reach back to the old life. We worry, we hide food in our high chairs, because we don't yet trust of new Father. Or we reach back to our old sinful ways because we don't yet grasp the privileges and joys of being a child of God.

'God wants us to stop reaching back. So he gives us the Holy Spirit. He wants us to stop worrying, stop hiding, stop living like slaves and to enjoy his love. The Spirit is the Spirit of the Son. He gives us a Son-like experience. He helps us experience the same security and affection that the divine Son receives from the Father.

'The Father doesn't want your duty. He wants your love. He doesn't want you to act like an employee who discharges his responsibilities. He wants you to live as a royal Son. He wants you to live as a Princess. And so he gives you the Spirit of his Son.

'What does this look like? Paul tells us: "Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.''

The wee book is worth reading for these few pages, 45 to 48!

2-star at best.

[Darren Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good pastoral perspective and overall quite sound in theology however there are a few minor theological issues
- leans more towards the defective Trinitarian Eternal Functional Subordination view, the way how Tim wrote this book seems to suggest that there are 3 distinct wills in the Trinity
- The absence of indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the lives of ordinary OT believers which unintentionally implies a Pelagian order of salvation for OT believers
- not being transparent enough on his view of Charismaticism especially with the gift of prophecy

That being said, this is a good book to understand the basic overview of the Holy Spirit. I like his take on what it means to be transformed by the renewal of our mind and testing and approving what God's will is.