On the Road to Pentecost: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” (TLB)

The Apostle Paul explained in his second letter to the members of the church at Corinth, as recorded in chapter five verse seventeen, that we become newly created through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as He was instrumental in the creation of the world, the Holy Spirit is essential in creating us anew.

“the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapours.” – Genesis 1:2 (TLB)

It is God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who broods over our dark vapours of sin, working in us to purify and to sanctify by cutting away those habits and behaviours that are not aligned with a life that is rooted in Christ.

“You are controlled by your new nature if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that if anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ living in him, he is not a Christian at all.)” – Romans 8:9 (TLB)

The Holy Spirit performs this spiritual circumcision of our old lives (Colossians 2:11) by what is called the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are not the usual charismatic gifts that we are familiar with – speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing and so on (1 Corinthians 12) – which one receives as a result of your new nature but are special gifts designed to raise our divine consciousness in faith, hope and love, the transforming virtues. The movements of the Holy Spirit within us bring their effects into our lives.

Isaiah 11:2, in most versions of the Bible, lists six Gifts of the Spirit, however the Vulgate and Septuagint translations contain seven…

Wisdom

Understanding

Counsel

Strength (Fortitude)

Knowledge

(Reverential) Fear of the Lord

Piety

These seven gifts are not a one-time allotment but are continuous, an ongoing process in our conversion. They facilitate the Christian experience of God. It is only through our union with the risen Christ that we can experience the fullness of these gifts.

The seven gifts are infused by the Holy Spirit to enable us to enjoy God.

As you journey on the road to Pentecost, let go of your ordinary level of awareness, in order that a deeper spiritual level may be opened by the Holy Spirit dwelling within you.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “On the Road to Pentecost: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit“ © 2025, April 30, 2025