The Holy Spirit is not merely a mystical presence but the very breath, wisdom, and power of God working in and through believers. Isaiah 11:2 offers one of the clearest biblical outlines of the Holy Spirit's attributes, describing seven distinct manifestations—often called the seven powers or spirits of the Holy Spirit. These powers were fully embodied in Jesus Christ and are given to believers to live godly and victorious lives. Isaiah 11:2 (KJV) " And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. " Let’s look at each power in detail: 1. The Spirit of the Lord This is the foundational presence of the Holy Spirit—the sovereign power of God that rests upon a person for divine assignment. It represents God’s anointing, approval, and presence. ...
The plot to assassinate Paul is a significant event recorded in Acts 23:12-22. It reveals the deep hostility Paul faced from certain Jewish factions and the divine intervention that ensured his survival. Background: Why Was Paul Hated? Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, was a devout Pharisee and a fierce persecutor of Christians. However, after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), he became one of the most influential apostles, spreading the message of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire. His teachings were radical because he preached that salvation came through faith in Jesus, not just the Mosaic Law. This angered many Jewish religious leaders, who saw him as a heretic and a threat to their traditions. Furthermore, Paul welcomed Gentiles into the faith, which some Jews found offensive because they believed salvation was exclusive to Israel. By the time of Acts 23, Paul had...