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The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life
Exactly who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do? In this classic volume, Graham offers a sensitive and comprehensive portrait of this much discussed but often misunderstood member of the Trinity.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
1081 people are currently reading
2293 people want to read
About the author
Billy Graham
648 books580 followersBilly Graham was an American evangelical Christian evangelist and an ordained Southern Baptist minister. Graham is best known for his evangelistic missions or “Crusades.” He believed God knew no borders or nationalities. Throughout his career, Graham preached to millions around the world. He met and prayed with every U. S. president from Dwight Eisenhower to Barack Obama.
Graham authored 34 books, including his memoir, Just As I Am. In 1983, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. In 1996, Graham and his wife, Ruth, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow on a private citizen.
Graham married Wheaton College classmate Ruth Bell Graham in 1943. They had five children ( Ruth Graham, Gigi Graham Tchividjian, Anne Graham Lotz, Nelson, & Franklin Graham) and made their home in the mountains of North Carolina. They were married for 64 years before Ruth’s death in 2007. Graham died from natural causes on February 21, 2018, at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, at the age of 99.
Graham authored 34 books, including his memoir, Just As I Am. In 1983, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. In 1996, Graham and his wife, Ruth, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow on a private citizen.
Graham married Wheaton College classmate Ruth Bell Graham in 1943. They had five children ( Ruth Graham, Gigi Graham Tchividjian, Anne Graham Lotz, Nelson, & Franklin Graham) and made their home in the mountains of North Carolina. They were married for 64 years before Ruth’s death in 2007. Graham died from natural causes on February 21, 2018, at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, at the age of 99.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
March 30, 2018
The Holy Spirit by Billy Graham is a very detailed Bible study of who and what the Holy Spirit is and does. My book was copyrighted in 1978 and 1988. I’ve had it since the 1990’s probably. I reread it recently after Graham’s recent death and all the many news stories about him. To think that he wrote this so long ago and yet it is so deep and so true to Scripture gives excellent illustrations of every possible facet of the Holy Spirit and his work in us.
I didn’t want to read the book at the beginning because it was so deep and required concentration and self-searching. However, I continued to read and was deeply blessed by the book. There is so much we need to know about the Holy Spirit. Toward the end of the book the chapters on the Fruit of the Spirit are the icing on the cake. Graham describes the first three fruit as Godward, the second three as Manward and the third three as Inward. This idea was new to me and very helpful and challenging. Here are a few of Graham’s profound thoughts:
“We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. If you are sealed, nothing can touch you.” (Romans 8:38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God) “We are set apart for God. We are his property forever!” Pg 75-76
“We have two natures competing and the one who wins is the one we feed. If we starve our spiritual nature and feed the sinful nature the flesh will dominate.” Pg. 81
“Anything short of a Spirit-filled life is less than God’s plan for each believer.” Pg 96
“In order to be filled with the Holy Spirit we must deal honestly and completely with every known sin in our life as sin blocks the work or the Spirit.” Pg 110
This book will help you grow spiritually.
I didn’t want to read the book at the beginning because it was so deep and required concentration and self-searching. However, I continued to read and was deeply blessed by the book. There is so much we need to know about the Holy Spirit. Toward the end of the book the chapters on the Fruit of the Spirit are the icing on the cake. Graham describes the first three fruit as Godward, the second three as Manward and the third three as Inward. This idea was new to me and very helpful and challenging. Here are a few of Graham’s profound thoughts:
“We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. If you are sealed, nothing can touch you.” (Romans 8:38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God) “We are set apart for God. We are his property forever!” Pg 75-76
“We have two natures competing and the one who wins is the one we feed. If we starve our spiritual nature and feed the sinful nature the flesh will dominate.” Pg. 81
“Anything short of a Spirit-filled life is less than God’s plan for each believer.” Pg 96
“In order to be filled with the Holy Spirit we must deal honestly and completely with every known sin in our life as sin blocks the work or the Spirit.” Pg 110
This book will help you grow spiritually.
February 5, 2011
I like Graham, but he works best for me when he's on TV (though those days are now gone). I believe he has one of the most distinctive voices in America. On top of that, I think he's a good man (unlike some other clowns in the same business). This is a good book, but it seems a bit redundant at times. It's probably best to read it in small chapter sized bites, and then meditate on it for a while.
May 20, 2020
Great book if you’re not looking for a theology of the Holy Spirit but rather an excellent method of application while avoiding any division. Although I’m not sure how much I agree with Graham’s view on the sign gifts I can certainly respect his way of continuing to pursue biblical truth. However His application on what the gifts are for and how they should be used is excellent.
January 10, 2019
Billy Graham tells us that to be saved we must not only believe Christ died for our sins but also WALK IN THE SPIRIT as per Galations 5 and Glations 6. If after saying we believe in Jesus we continue to walk in the flesh we are still under the law so it is vital that we walk in the spirit.
Special NOTE :Billy's son Rev . Franklin Graham has become vegan . I'm making use of this opportunity to inform my readers that the Holy Spirit wants us to become vegan to save the planet as per " love your neighbor" (The meat industry needs millions of acres of land to grow live stock feed which causes forest to be cut down and cows belch 70 liters of methane per day . If the 2.4 billion christians in the world stopped eating meat much of this feed growing land could return to forrest and the tremendous methane pollution would stop.(I will show this as we go along)
I am well aware of Galatians 3:5-29 and 2:16 galatians and I can not get mad or blame 3:16'ers(saved by faith not works people) for feeling quite justified in meat eating and being suspicious of and mocking anyone who tries to get them to to be vegetarian . They say Jesus died for our sins so why should we bother about this . Its not required for salvation.
I will just say this
That one who walks in the spirit becomes vegetarian because it is the right thing to do
I join with Franklin Graham in becoming vegan to help a suffering world despite the fact that ON THE SURFACE scripture says I don't have to--- because it is the right thing to do
(and because the joyful feeling that it is its own reward.)
The lacto-vegetarian diet provides a wide range of healthy, delicious and nutritious foods, including vegetables and fruits, dairy products (milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, etc.), grains (including most breads cereals, nuts, seeds, beans, and all non-alcoholic beverages. One will find no problem in preparing a wide variety of tasty dishes within these limitations, and the diet provides all the necessary proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and so on, that one needs.
I still hope that those who "believe that all they have to do is believe" will stop using Galatians 3:5-29 to justify supporting an industry that is causing such immense suffering . Someone walking in the spirit would abstain out of pure unselfish humanitarianism .(even if they get no reward for doing so and no punishment for not doing so --just because they can't stand the sight of so much suffering.)
Also, a number of Christian leaders, both ancient and modern, observe that vegetarianism was and is a sincere part of Christian faith. The Reverend Andrew Linzey has supported the historical view that Jesus was a vegetarian. In his book, The Lost Religion of Jesus, author Keith Akers presents evidence that the historical Jesus was vegetarian.
Te above books point out that "FISH " was the name of of a loaf of unleavened bread baked into the Shape of a fish and that Luke 24:42 describes teh disciples giving Christ a piece of bread with honey.
Luke 24:42 is the only place in the whole bible which could be (MIS)interpreted as Jesus eating fish flesh but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control so it is highly unlikely that what he ate was anything other than bread and honey (it is more likely that they would have had bread and honey on hand than fish which spoils very quickly . Also people don't put honey on fish -they put it on bread.
Galatians 5:19-23 says that we must Live by the Spirit not by the flesh:
So we must walk in the spirit and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Among Christians there are those who focus only on the parts of the bible that say it is only by believing in Christ and not by keeping God's law that we are saved and skip the parts that say w must do anything else to enter heaven. They view with great suspicion anyone who tries to persuade them to become vegetarian. They believe that all they have to do is believe that Jesus died for them and then they are no longer "under the law" and regardless of what they do or dont do they are RSVP'd in heaven.
Billy Graham says that belief is not enough we also need to repent and walk in the spirit but he says " The clear trumpet blast calling men and women to repentance is conspicuous for its absence from the modern pulpit."
This gives rise to a generation of Christians that believe that God will not hold them accountable for their actions so they feel pangs of conscience in supporting meat industry which is causing immense suffering and environmental destruction. This is not what Jesus taught .
3:16ers completely ignore Matthew 7:21 which says " "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Billy Graham was not a 3:16er He said that unless we repent for our sins God will not forgive us and that sin is disobeying God . We can not be repentant if we don't listen to God and don't obey him.
If we believe in Jesus we will obey him . Acts 15:29 says : "But you should not eat anything offered to idols. You should not eat any meat that still has the blood in it or any meat of any animal that has been strangled."
Genesis 1:29 kjv says : And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
Romans 15: 15 says : If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting(walking ) in love(charity) . Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.
The destruction of our shared environment by the meat industry's millions of acres of animal food crop lands and methane emissions is distressing many brothers and sisters world wide so if we continue to eat meat we are no longer walking in the spirit.
Believing they are exempt from following the rest of the bible The 316ers call any one who points out Matt 7:21 and Acts 15:29 to them and then shows them quotes from the bible that God wants us to abstain from meat a heretic and a liar and they become violent.
The 3:16ers say that before Jesus' sacrifice people had to obey the law (10 commandments ) but after Jesus' sacrifice people obey the commandments out of love for Jesus and if they dont they are saved any way.
Yet they dont become vegetarian !!! Even when mesat eating caused such distress to so many billions of people. THIS IS NOT LOVING THY NIEGHBOR !!!! :
galations5 :13 - 52 says :
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
How can any one claiming to be Walking in the Spirit and loving their neighbor eat meat ?
We are not walking in the spirit but in the flesh. If we are walking in the flesh we are still under the law and will have to rep what we sow because it is not the holy spirit that is a acting through us.
Galatians 6:7 -8 says " Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for a whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. "
Have question for 3:16'ers:
A man who comes to believe that Jesus died for his sins then takes Crack cocaine and gets addicted and steals , desserts his wife and children , and deals crack . Is that the Spirit acting through him ?
Obviously not ! it is only when the spirit so acting through him that he is no accountable for his actions because the spirit so doing them .
Its is the lusts of the flesh that are acting through him . He is sowing from the flesh and what ever we do under the sway of lusts of the flesh is punishable under the law.
Therefore " Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for a whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. "
Similarly if we eat meat under the sway , even thought it distressed our brother and sister , of the lusts of our palate it is punishable by law.
To act under the sway of lust even though it distresses others and claim to be above to the law due to Jesus' sacrifice is to only deceive oneself and mock God .
Billy Graham says to 3:16'ers
"Repentance is a biblical word. The Old Testament thunders, “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30, NKJV). The New Testament also vigorously exhorts men and women to repent. “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish,” said Jesus (Luke 13:3, NKJV). “Repent … and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,” said the Apostle Peter (Acts 3:19, NKJV). The Apostle Paul said, “Now [God] commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NKJV).
The Bible commands it, our wickedness demands it, justice requires it, Christ preached it and God expects it. The divine, unalterable edict is still valid: “God commands all men everywhere to repent.”
But this theme proclaimed so emphatically in the Bible by prophets and apostles is scarcely mentioned by contemporary preachers. The clear trumpet blast calling men and women to repentance is conspicuous for its absence from the modern pulpit.
Gone is the mourner’s bench, gone are the tear-stained cheeks of godly sorrow for sin and gone is the joy in heaven over wanderers returning to the Father’s house.
None of us wants to accept blame for our sins. But either the Bible is wrong or we are wrong. When we look at the fruits of this unrepentant generation, I am convinced that we need to blow a loud blast on the trumpet of biblical repentance.
repentance carries with it the idea of changing–changing your mind, changing your attitude, changing your ways. The Bible says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10, NKJV). If we are truly repentant, our will is brought into action and we will make a reversal of direction. And God, seeing that we are in earnest, gives us the gift of eternal life.
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.” Repentance is a necessary step to salvation...Repentance with God’s help is your part. The Bible says, “Repent … and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” When you sincerely repent, God does the converting and He blots out your sins.
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” This is God’s promise in Acts 3:19.
Repentance and faith go hand in hand. You cannot have saving repentance unless it is accompanied by saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must receive Christ by faith."
Jesus really taught (like being vegan) Billy Graham's son ,Evangelist Franklin Graham , on January 4th 2017 announced his conversion ... to veganism
Evangelist Franklin Graham has converted to one of the last things his largely conservative following would have imagined: a modern American vegan.
The son of Billy Graham announced to his 747,000 Twitter followers that he is adopting a vegan diet in the new year, which means he will not eat animal products. This includes no butter, eggs and milk.
Graham is taking the vow seriously enough to post daily images of his vegan meals on Twitter. He has also included at least one image of something disgusting that he claims he used to eat: a pig’s head."
"above all the spirit reveals to me now that to be loving to our neighbor we should be vegan to help save planet earth and its inhabitants and those who don't heed this will risk being rejected on teh judgment day because you know the harm that livestock farming does to the climate ( methane and deforestation) and if you continue to buy meat to support the live stock industry you will be disobeying Jesus' HIGHEST order to love your neighbor. Well all those billions of people who will suffer in climate change are your neighbor so if you support the live stock industry you are hurting your neighbor and Jesus is IN them"
. Besides Matthew 4:20-5:46 check out the following biblical quotes telling that we MUST OBEY Jesus' HIGHEST law : Loving One's Neighbor :
Matthew 22: 36
“ Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? 37 Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and the great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.40 On these two commandments hangeth the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Deuteronomy
6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 6:14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Matthew 22:36
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
John 13:34
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another.
Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.
Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.
.
LUKE 10:25
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" He answered Jesus saying, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
"Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted and become
as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of
Heaven." (Mat. 18:3).
"Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same
is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven." (Mat. 18:4)
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask
what ye will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my
Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.
Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments,
ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's
commandments and abide in his love." (John 15:7-10)
"He that hath my commandments and keepeth them—he it is
that loveth, me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my
Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
(John 14:21)
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." John 14:21
The (saved by faith not works people) lean heavily on Galatians 3:5-29 and 2:16 galatians and when I read them I can not get mad or blame 3:16'ers(saved by faith not works people) for failing to grasp the subtle meaning of these scriptures but grasping only the grosser aspects and therefore feeling quite justified in your meat eating and being suspicious of and mocking anyone who tries to get you to to be vegetarian .
I will just say this
That one who walks in the spirit becomes vegetarian because it is the right thing to do
I still side with Rev. Franklin Graham in taking pity on a and helping a suffering world despite the fact that ON THE SURFACE scripture says I don't have to
because it is the right thing to do
The lacto-vegetarian diet provides a wide range of healthy, delicious and nutritious foods, including vegetables and fruits, dairy products (milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, etc.), grains (including most breads cereals, nuts, seeds, beans, and all non-alcoholic beverages. One will find no problem in preparing a wide variety of tasty dishes within these limitations, and the diet provides all the necessary proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and so on, that one needs.
I still hope that you will stop using scripture to justify supporting an industry that is causing such immense suffering out of pure unselfish humanitarianism .(even if you get no reward for doing so and no punishment for not doing so --just because you can't stand the sight of so much suffering.
Special NOTE :Billy's son Rev . Franklin Graham has become vegan . I'm making use of this opportunity to inform my readers that the Holy Spirit wants us to become vegan to save the planet as per " love your neighbor" (The meat industry needs millions of acres of land to grow live stock feed which causes forest to be cut down and cows belch 70 liters of methane per day . If the 2.4 billion christians in the world stopped eating meat much of this feed growing land could return to forrest and the tremendous methane pollution would stop.(I will show this as we go along)
I am well aware of Galatians 3:5-29 and 2:16 galatians and I can not get mad or blame 3:16'ers(saved by faith not works people) for feeling quite justified in meat eating and being suspicious of and mocking anyone who tries to get them to to be vegetarian . They say Jesus died for our sins so why should we bother about this . Its not required for salvation.
I will just say this
That one who walks in the spirit becomes vegetarian because it is the right thing to do
I join with Franklin Graham in becoming vegan to help a suffering world despite the fact that ON THE SURFACE scripture says I don't have to--- because it is the right thing to do
(and because the joyful feeling that it is its own reward.)
The lacto-vegetarian diet provides a wide range of healthy, delicious and nutritious foods, including vegetables and fruits, dairy products (milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, etc.), grains (including most breads cereals, nuts, seeds, beans, and all non-alcoholic beverages. One will find no problem in preparing a wide variety of tasty dishes within these limitations, and the diet provides all the necessary proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and so on, that one needs.
I still hope that those who "believe that all they have to do is believe" will stop using Galatians 3:5-29 to justify supporting an industry that is causing such immense suffering . Someone walking in the spirit would abstain out of pure unselfish humanitarianism .(even if they get no reward for doing so and no punishment for not doing so --just because they can't stand the sight of so much suffering.)
Also, a number of Christian leaders, both ancient and modern, observe that vegetarianism was and is a sincere part of Christian faith. The Reverend Andrew Linzey has supported the historical view that Jesus was a vegetarian. In his book, The Lost Religion of Jesus, author Keith Akers presents evidence that the historical Jesus was vegetarian.
Te above books point out that "FISH " was the name of of a loaf of unleavened bread baked into the Shape of a fish and that Luke 24:42 describes teh disciples giving Christ a piece of bread with honey.
Luke 24:42 is the only place in the whole bible which could be (MIS)interpreted as Jesus eating fish flesh but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control so it is highly unlikely that what he ate was anything other than bread and honey (it is more likely that they would have had bread and honey on hand than fish which spoils very quickly . Also people don't put honey on fish -they put it on bread.
Galatians 5:19-23 says that we must Live by the Spirit not by the flesh:
So we must walk in the spirit and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Among Christians there are those who focus only on the parts of the bible that say it is only by believing in Christ and not by keeping God's law that we are saved and skip the parts that say w must do anything else to enter heaven. They view with great suspicion anyone who tries to persuade them to become vegetarian. They believe that all they have to do is believe that Jesus died for them and then they are no longer "under the law" and regardless of what they do or dont do they are RSVP'd in heaven.
Billy Graham says that belief is not enough we also need to repent and walk in the spirit but he says " The clear trumpet blast calling men and women to repentance is conspicuous for its absence from the modern pulpit."
This gives rise to a generation of Christians that believe that God will not hold them accountable for their actions so they feel pangs of conscience in supporting meat industry which is causing immense suffering and environmental destruction. This is not what Jesus taught .
3:16ers completely ignore Matthew 7:21 which says " "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Billy Graham was not a 3:16er He said that unless we repent for our sins God will not forgive us and that sin is disobeying God . We can not be repentant if we don't listen to God and don't obey him.
If we believe in Jesus we will obey him . Acts 15:29 says : "But you should not eat anything offered to idols. You should not eat any meat that still has the blood in it or any meat of any animal that has been strangled."
Genesis 1:29 kjv says : And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
Romans 15: 15 says : If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting(walking ) in love(charity) . Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.
The destruction of our shared environment by the meat industry's millions of acres of animal food crop lands and methane emissions is distressing many brothers and sisters world wide so if we continue to eat meat we are no longer walking in the spirit.
Believing they are exempt from following the rest of the bible The 316ers call any one who points out Matt 7:21 and Acts 15:29 to them and then shows them quotes from the bible that God wants us to abstain from meat a heretic and a liar and they become violent.
The 3:16ers say that before Jesus' sacrifice people had to obey the law (10 commandments ) but after Jesus' sacrifice people obey the commandments out of love for Jesus and if they dont they are saved any way.
Yet they dont become vegetarian !!! Even when mesat eating caused such distress to so many billions of people. THIS IS NOT LOVING THY NIEGHBOR !!!! :
galations5 :13 - 52 says :
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
How can any one claiming to be Walking in the Spirit and loving their neighbor eat meat ?
We are not walking in the spirit but in the flesh. If we are walking in the flesh we are still under the law and will have to rep what we sow because it is not the holy spirit that is a acting through us.
Galatians 6:7 -8 says " Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for a whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. "
Have question for 3:16'ers:
A man who comes to believe that Jesus died for his sins then takes Crack cocaine and gets addicted and steals , desserts his wife and children , and deals crack . Is that the Spirit acting through him ?
Obviously not ! it is only when the spirit so acting through him that he is no accountable for his actions because the spirit so doing them .
Its is the lusts of the flesh that are acting through him . He is sowing from the flesh and what ever we do under the sway of lusts of the flesh is punishable under the law.
Therefore " Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for a whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. "
Similarly if we eat meat under the sway , even thought it distressed our brother and sister , of the lusts of our palate it is punishable by law.
To act under the sway of lust even though it distresses others and claim to be above to the law due to Jesus' sacrifice is to only deceive oneself and mock God .
Billy Graham says to 3:16'ers
"Repentance is a biblical word. The Old Testament thunders, “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30, NKJV). The New Testament also vigorously exhorts men and women to repent. “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish,” said Jesus (Luke 13:3, NKJV). “Repent … and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,” said the Apostle Peter (Acts 3:19, NKJV). The Apostle Paul said, “Now [God] commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NKJV).
The Bible commands it, our wickedness demands it, justice requires it, Christ preached it and God expects it. The divine, unalterable edict is still valid: “God commands all men everywhere to repent.”
But this theme proclaimed so emphatically in the Bible by prophets and apostles is scarcely mentioned by contemporary preachers. The clear trumpet blast calling men and women to repentance is conspicuous for its absence from the modern pulpit.
Gone is the mourner’s bench, gone are the tear-stained cheeks of godly sorrow for sin and gone is the joy in heaven over wanderers returning to the Father’s house.
None of us wants to accept blame for our sins. But either the Bible is wrong or we are wrong. When we look at the fruits of this unrepentant generation, I am convinced that we need to blow a loud blast on the trumpet of biblical repentance.
repentance carries with it the idea of changing–changing your mind, changing your attitude, changing your ways. The Bible says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10, NKJV). If we are truly repentant, our will is brought into action and we will make a reversal of direction. And God, seeing that we are in earnest, gives us the gift of eternal life.
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.” Repentance is a necessary step to salvation...Repentance with God’s help is your part. The Bible says, “Repent … and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” When you sincerely repent, God does the converting and He blots out your sins.
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” This is God’s promise in Acts 3:19.
Repentance and faith go hand in hand. You cannot have saving repentance unless it is accompanied by saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must receive Christ by faith."
Jesus really taught (like being vegan) Billy Graham's son ,Evangelist Franklin Graham , on January 4th 2017 announced his conversion ... to veganism
Evangelist Franklin Graham has converted to one of the last things his largely conservative following would have imagined: a modern American vegan.
The son of Billy Graham announced to his 747,000 Twitter followers that he is adopting a vegan diet in the new year, which means he will not eat animal products. This includes no butter, eggs and milk.
Graham is taking the vow seriously enough to post daily images of his vegan meals on Twitter. He has also included at least one image of something disgusting that he claims he used to eat: a pig’s head."
"above all the spirit reveals to me now that to be loving to our neighbor we should be vegan to help save planet earth and its inhabitants and those who don't heed this will risk being rejected on teh judgment day because you know the harm that livestock farming does to the climate ( methane and deforestation) and if you continue to buy meat to support the live stock industry you will be disobeying Jesus' HIGHEST order to love your neighbor. Well all those billions of people who will suffer in climate change are your neighbor so if you support the live stock industry you are hurting your neighbor and Jesus is IN them"
. Besides Matthew 4:20-5:46 check out the following biblical quotes telling that we MUST OBEY Jesus' HIGHEST law : Loving One's Neighbor :
Matthew 22: 36
“ Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? 37 Jesus said to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and the great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.40 On these two commandments hangeth the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Deuteronomy
6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6:13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 6:14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Matthew 22:36
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
John 13:34
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another.
Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.
Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.
.
LUKE 10:25
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" He answered Jesus saying, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
"Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted and become
as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of
Heaven." (Mat. 18:3).
"Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same
is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven." (Mat. 18:4)
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask
what ye will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my
Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.
Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments,
ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's
commandments and abide in his love." (John 15:7-10)
"He that hath my commandments and keepeth them—he it is
that loveth, me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my
Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
(John 14:21)
Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." John 14:21
The (saved by faith not works people) lean heavily on Galatians 3:5-29 and 2:16 galatians and when I read them I can not get mad or blame 3:16'ers(saved by faith not works people) for failing to grasp the subtle meaning of these scriptures but grasping only the grosser aspects and therefore feeling quite justified in your meat eating and being suspicious of and mocking anyone who tries to get you to to be vegetarian .
I will just say this
That one who walks in the spirit becomes vegetarian because it is the right thing to do
I still side with Rev. Franklin Graham in taking pity on a and helping a suffering world despite the fact that ON THE SURFACE scripture says I don't have to
because it is the right thing to do
The lacto-vegetarian diet provides a wide range of healthy, delicious and nutritious foods, including vegetables and fruits, dairy products (milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, etc.), grains (including most breads cereals, nuts, seeds, beans, and all non-alcoholic beverages. One will find no problem in preparing a wide variety of tasty dishes within these limitations, and the diet provides all the necessary proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and so on, that one needs.
I still hope that you will stop using scripture to justify supporting an industry that is causing such immense suffering out of pure unselfish humanitarianism .(even if you get no reward for doing so and no punishment for not doing so --just because you can't stand the sight of so much suffering.
May 30, 2020
This is an amazing and inspiring book on Holy Spirit. I just completed reading as the feast of Pentecost is celebrated. The author is only of the most renowned and his speeches are always inspiring. The book flows by knowing and understanding Holy spirit, which the author tries is best to narret and it is understanding the trilogy is difficult. The holy spirit is not an impersonal force, like gravity or magnetism. He is an person, with all the attributes of personality. But not only is He a person; He is divine as well. The attributes are
He is enteral | He is all powerful | He is everywhere present | He is omniscient | The holy spirit is called God | He is creator.
There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.
Chapter - II : When the Holy Spirit has Come
There are three main expressions used in old testament for the work on Holy Spirit on human being
- He came upon men | he rested on men | He filled men
Pentecost is the day marked as crucial turning point in the history of Gods dealing with the human race. It is one of the five past events, all of which are essential components of the Christian gospel; the incarnation, The atonement, the resurrection, the ascension and Pentecost. The Holy Spirit also acts through the people of God, who are called the salt of the earth and the light of the world by Jesus.
Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action. But reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all actions.
Chapter - III : Holy Spirit and the Bible
This chapter the author presents the Holy spirits work in the scriptures, both from old testament and the New Testaments. As we approach the end of the age, persecution is going to be intensified.
Chapter - IV: The Holy Spirit and Salvation
Science and technology cannot change man's basic nature. Economic restructuring cannot change man's basic nature. No amount of self improvements or wishful thinking can change man's basic nature. Only God the one who created us can recreat us.
Spiritual regeneration is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is not the work of the evangelist; it is the work of God's Spirit. the indispensable condition of the new birth is repentance and faith, but repentance and faith itself does not save. The new birth will bring about change in your relationship with God, a change in your relationship with your family, a change in your relationship with yourself, a change in your relationship with your neighbors, Gradually, if you are an obedient believer, it will bring about a change in disposition, affection, aims, principles, and dimensions.
Chapter - 5 : Baptism with the Spirit
Baptism with the spirit is a collective operations of the spirit of God; it includes every believer. There are seven passages in the New Testaments that speak directly of the baptism with the spirit.
Chapter - 6: The Seal, The Pledge and the Witnessing of the Holy Spirit
Chapter - 7 : The Christian's Inner Struggle
We have two natures within us, both struggling for mastery. Which one will dominate us? it depends upon which one we feed. If we feed our spiritual lives and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us, he will have rule over us. If we starve our spiritual natures and instead feed the old, sinful nature, the flesh will dominate.
The Scripture teaches that sanctification has three parts, first - the moment you receive Christ, Second - as we progress n the Christian life and third - when we go to heaven. Whether we realize it or not, we are growing spiritually through the conflicts, turbulence, troubles, temptations, testings and so on that afflict all Christians slowly or rapidly
Chapter - 8 : The fullness of the Spirit
Power is dynamically related to person. This person is the Holy Spirit Himself, indwelling the chrisitian and filling him with the fullness of his power. He will permit us to have only as much as power as He knows we will use or need. Unfortunately many Christians are disobedient and having prayed for power, have no intention of using it, or else neglect to follow through in active obedience. I think it is a waste of time for us to look for power we do not intend to use; for might in prayer, unless we pray; for strength to testify, without witnessing for power unto holiness, without attempting to live a holy life; for grace to supper, unless we take up the cross; for power in service, unless we serve. Someone has said,"God gives dying grace only to the dying".
Chapter - 9: How to be filled with Holy Spirit
The New Testament teaching on how to be filled with holy spirit can be summarized in three terms;
Understanding | Submission and Walking by Faith
Chapter - 10: Sins against the Holy Spirit
Two sins against the Holy spirit can be committed - one is to grieve the holy spirit and other is to quench the spirit.
Chapter - 11: Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Chapter - 12: Further Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We can posses three kinds of wisdom, the first comes to us naturally, the second comes from learning and the highest kind of wisdome comes directly from God and is associated with the particular work of the Holy Spirit.
Chapter - 13: The Sign Gifts
The sign gifts include healing, miracles and tongues.
Chapter - 14: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
- love, Joy , Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control
Chapter - 18: The need of the hour
Eight characteristics of outpouring of Holy Spirit
1. There will be a new vision of the majesty of God
2. There will be a new vision of the sinfulness of sin
3. There will be an emphasis on the necessity of repentance, faith and the new birth
4. There will be the joy of salvation
5. There will be anew realization of our responsibility for world evangelization
6. There will be a deep social concern
7. There will be increased evidence of both the gifts and the fruit of the spirit
8. There will be renewed dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
A book that needs to be re-read for greater inspiration and faith building.
He is enteral | He is all powerful | He is everywhere present | He is omniscient | The holy spirit is called God | He is creator.
There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.
Chapter - II : When the Holy Spirit has Come
There are three main expressions used in old testament for the work on Holy Spirit on human being
- He came upon men | he rested on men | He filled men
Pentecost is the day marked as crucial turning point in the history of Gods dealing with the human race. It is one of the five past events, all of which are essential components of the Christian gospel; the incarnation, The atonement, the resurrection, the ascension and Pentecost. The Holy Spirit also acts through the people of God, who are called the salt of the earth and the light of the world by Jesus.
Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action. But reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all actions.
Chapter - III : Holy Spirit and the Bible
This chapter the author presents the Holy spirits work in the scriptures, both from old testament and the New Testaments. As we approach the end of the age, persecution is going to be intensified.
Chapter - IV: The Holy Spirit and Salvation
Science and technology cannot change man's basic nature. Economic restructuring cannot change man's basic nature. No amount of self improvements or wishful thinking can change man's basic nature. Only God the one who created us can recreat us.
Spiritual regeneration is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is not the work of the evangelist; it is the work of God's Spirit. the indispensable condition of the new birth is repentance and faith, but repentance and faith itself does not save. The new birth will bring about change in your relationship with God, a change in your relationship with your family, a change in your relationship with yourself, a change in your relationship with your neighbors, Gradually, if you are an obedient believer, it will bring about a change in disposition, affection, aims, principles, and dimensions.
Chapter - 5 : Baptism with the Spirit
Baptism with the spirit is a collective operations of the spirit of God; it includes every believer. There are seven passages in the New Testaments that speak directly of the baptism with the spirit.
Chapter - 6: The Seal, The Pledge and the Witnessing of the Holy Spirit
Chapter - 7 : The Christian's Inner Struggle
We have two natures within us, both struggling for mastery. Which one will dominate us? it depends upon which one we feed. If we feed our spiritual lives and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us, he will have rule over us. If we starve our spiritual natures and instead feed the old, sinful nature, the flesh will dominate.
The Scripture teaches that sanctification has three parts, first - the moment you receive Christ, Second - as we progress n the Christian life and third - when we go to heaven. Whether we realize it or not, we are growing spiritually through the conflicts, turbulence, troubles, temptations, testings and so on that afflict all Christians slowly or rapidly
Chapter - 8 : The fullness of the Spirit
Power is dynamically related to person. This person is the Holy Spirit Himself, indwelling the chrisitian and filling him with the fullness of his power. He will permit us to have only as much as power as He knows we will use or need. Unfortunately many Christians are disobedient and having prayed for power, have no intention of using it, or else neglect to follow through in active obedience. I think it is a waste of time for us to look for power we do not intend to use; for might in prayer, unless we pray; for strength to testify, without witnessing for power unto holiness, without attempting to live a holy life; for grace to supper, unless we take up the cross; for power in service, unless we serve. Someone has said,"God gives dying grace only to the dying".
Chapter - 9: How to be filled with Holy Spirit
The New Testament teaching on how to be filled with holy spirit can be summarized in three terms;
Understanding | Submission and Walking by Faith
Chapter - 10: Sins against the Holy Spirit
Two sins against the Holy spirit can be committed - one is to grieve the holy spirit and other is to quench the spirit.
Chapter - 11: Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Chapter - 12: Further Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We can posses three kinds of wisdom, the first comes to us naturally, the second comes from learning and the highest kind of wisdome comes directly from God and is associated with the particular work of the Holy Spirit.
Chapter - 13: The Sign Gifts
The sign gifts include healing, miracles and tongues.
Chapter - 14: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
- love, Joy , Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control
Chapter - 18: The need of the hour
Eight characteristics of outpouring of Holy Spirit
1. There will be a new vision of the majesty of God
2. There will be a new vision of the sinfulness of sin
3. There will be an emphasis on the necessity of repentance, faith and the new birth
4. There will be the joy of salvation
5. There will be anew realization of our responsibility for world evangelization
6. There will be a deep social concern
7. There will be increased evidence of both the gifts and the fruit of the spirit
8. There will be renewed dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
A book that needs to be re-read for greater inspiration and faith building.
February 11, 2024
Graham achieves what he is trying to do with this book — helping people understand who the Holy Spirit is and what he does in our lives and in the world. I appreciate that Graham so clearly seeks unity rather than division all the way through. A few details I find hard to agree with, because he does not motivate them with Scripture as clearly as he does all other parts. That does not affect my rating of the book at all, since there are always some things you don’t agree with or fail to understand in an authors argumentation.
August 21, 2021
Billy Graham describes, with beautiful detail, personal anecdotes, inspiring references, and insightful scriptural citations, a clear path that leads us to become more and more Christlike. As we surrender more and more of ourselves to God’s sovereignty, we become ‘progressively righteous, and the Holy Spirit’s power grows stronger and more present in our lives.
He finishes this masterpiece with convicting, hopeful, and uplifting chapters on the gifts of the Spirit, and the Fruit of the Spirit.
This is one I will keep, treasure, and refer to frequently.
He finishes this masterpiece with convicting, hopeful, and uplifting chapters on the gifts of the Spirit, and the Fruit of the Spirit.
This is one I will keep, treasure, and refer to frequently.
September 26, 2024
This is my first book by Billy Graham, and I probably would have skipped it except that it was an assigned reading 📚. I am SO glad I read this book. While the book is by no means shallow, it was easy to understand and had a certain tone of kindness to it. A gentle challenge in a Mr. Roger's style!
April 22, 2018
It's difficult to NOT like any book by Reverand Graham.
'nuff said.
'nuff said.
January 10, 2021
Excellent.
December 1, 2021
Recently I have been reading as much as I can about the Holy Spirit. I don’t know how this came about really, just an inner nudging to do so. I am not allowing my preconceived notions or biases determine my selection of material, for I want an honest, accurate and historical perspective of the important concept. Billy Graham’s book has been an accessible (easy to understand) and thorough rendering of the subject. He has also been gentle and kind as he carefully explains the charismatic influences in history on the subject of the Holy Spirit. This book has been my favorite so far. Francis Chan’s “The Forgotten God” (more current) is also good. Torrey, Tozer and Andrew Murray are excellent, yet less contemporary. There are many more in my TBR pile. I thoroughly enjoy Sinclair Ferguson’s sermons on YouTube, but he is academian and a seminary professor from England. And yes, I have even purchased Benny Hinn’s book, “Good Morning Holy Spirit”, but I’ve hidden the book under my mattress.
June 20, 2024
Billy Graham makes a complex topic quite readable. Enjoyed the book and recommend to anyone who wants to review the basics of the Holy Spirits role in the Trinity and in our lives.
July 21, 2023
Amazing book. It really opened up to me the nature and person of the Holy Spirit.
I feel refreshed and like I know Him better because of it
I feel refreshed and like I know Him better because of it
March 4, 2021
Using the Bible to do a thorough study of the Holy Spirit will always be the best resource for learning about Him and His role in the believer's walk with the Lord. I have found, however, Reverend Graham's book The Holy Spirit to be a wonderful companion resource as I seek to get to know the Holy Spirit better.
September 6, 2021
For the longest time I didn't know Billy Graham was an author, I always knew him more as a speaker and evangelist, but didn't realize he wrote as well. While I do think this is a better book than the first book I read by him (which was Till Armageddon for those interested), I still don't find Graham that good of an author. He's not terrible, but he's also not that great either.
I feel that overall Graham does a good job of outlining who the Holy Spirit is and what role the Holy Spirit is to play in the life of Christian. While some of his answers aren't that much help in clearing up mystery and uncertainty or they end up in a kind of circular logic that makes you feel like you're chasing your own tail a bit, I feel it does a decent job of laying out what we can know fairly well.
He also has a good amount of insights and points throughout the book. I like how he approaches the idea of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, which is that this happens when you put your faith in Christ and follow Him. He also has some good insights about the fruits and gifts of the spirit as well.
On the negative side of things, I feel like Graham just likes to show the shiny exterior of faith. He likes telling almost glib stories of how Christians never are discouraged or sorrowful. About the Christian missionary in China who had no results in three years, but wasn't discouraged. The young widow of a man killed in a car crash who comforted Billy and his friends more than they did her. It all just rings a bit hollow, or at least feels like it's a bit of an imbalanced look at things. The Bible talks plenty of lament and sorrow, but it doesn't feel like there is much room for that in Graham's Christianity.
I also feel like he makes some fairly odd points here and there. For example, he groups the fruit of the Spirit into three groups. Three that are about our relationship to God, three that are about our relationship with others, and three that are about our relationship with ourselves. The only thing is I think he's kind of off on this view. I'm not sure if he felt he needed to make up some groups to validate doing three fruits in a chapter or what, but I'm not sure I agreed with this view.
Another thing I was disappointed about in this book is that it is another book on the Holy Spirit that puts the gifts of the Spirit before the fruit of the Spirit. I guess as I've been around the church enough and seen the damage wrought at times, it seems to me that the importance should be placed on the fruit of the spirit before the gifts. How we use our gifts are much more important than just using our gifts. Which Graham does agree with, but I can't help but feel that his placement of gifts before fruit doesn't display a trend in how we as Christians go about our faith. That the gifts are often much more important and interesting than those who display fruits of the Spirit.
So overall, I consider The Holy Spirit by Billy Graham an okay book. It wasn't my favorite, but there was good to be had in reading it. Personally, I think I have some better resources to look to than this book, but it wasn't too bad. In fact I'd say some of my problem with the book is that I had read much of what he put in other books or resources and it wasn't that new to me. I do feel that Graham has a bit too much of a focus on presenting a idealized triumphant Christianity that either looks down on or at least doesn't like to look at the darker sides of life and faith. He does have some good things to say, but there were also things that I wasn't sure I really agreed with or even found very helpful.
I feel that overall Graham does a good job of outlining who the Holy Spirit is and what role the Holy Spirit is to play in the life of Christian. While some of his answers aren't that much help in clearing up mystery and uncertainty or they end up in a kind of circular logic that makes you feel like you're chasing your own tail a bit, I feel it does a decent job of laying out what we can know fairly well.
He also has a good amount of insights and points throughout the book. I like how he approaches the idea of being baptized by the Holy Spirit, which is that this happens when you put your faith in Christ and follow Him. He also has some good insights about the fruits and gifts of the spirit as well.
On the negative side of things, I feel like Graham just likes to show the shiny exterior of faith. He likes telling almost glib stories of how Christians never are discouraged or sorrowful. About the Christian missionary in China who had no results in three years, but wasn't discouraged. The young widow of a man killed in a car crash who comforted Billy and his friends more than they did her. It all just rings a bit hollow, or at least feels like it's a bit of an imbalanced look at things. The Bible talks plenty of lament and sorrow, but it doesn't feel like there is much room for that in Graham's Christianity.
I also feel like he makes some fairly odd points here and there. For example, he groups the fruit of the Spirit into three groups. Three that are about our relationship to God, three that are about our relationship with others, and three that are about our relationship with ourselves. The only thing is I think he's kind of off on this view. I'm not sure if he felt he needed to make up some groups to validate doing three fruits in a chapter or what, but I'm not sure I agreed with this view.
Another thing I was disappointed about in this book is that it is another book on the Holy Spirit that puts the gifts of the Spirit before the fruit of the Spirit. I guess as I've been around the church enough and seen the damage wrought at times, it seems to me that the importance should be placed on the fruit of the spirit before the gifts. How we use our gifts are much more important than just using our gifts. Which Graham does agree with, but I can't help but feel that his placement of gifts before fruit doesn't display a trend in how we as Christians go about our faith. That the gifts are often much more important and interesting than those who display fruits of the Spirit.
So overall, I consider The Holy Spirit by Billy Graham an okay book. It wasn't my favorite, but there was good to be had in reading it. Personally, I think I have some better resources to look to than this book, but it wasn't too bad. In fact I'd say some of my problem with the book is that I had read much of what he put in other books or resources and it wasn't that new to me. I do feel that Graham has a bit too much of a focus on presenting a idealized triumphant Christianity that either looks down on or at least doesn't like to look at the darker sides of life and faith. He does have some good things to say, but there were also things that I wasn't sure I really agreed with or even found very helpful.
August 12, 2012
Very deep and informative. Learned a lot about the Holy Spirit because of this. A powerful read.
May 6, 2024
I have never read anything by Billy Graham before this. After some questions were raised on the topic of the Holy Spirit, I started looking into resources and chose this as one to read.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Graham, but the first word to come to mind was... humility... followed quickly by "beautiful". It was so significant and overwhelming, it caught me by surprise. I had the feeling that I was sitting with a father or grandfather who walked so closely with the Lord that the light of Jesus shot forth from his mouth and bathed me in supernatural Grace and Love. I wondered if we were actually sitting together for this teaching, if Graham's face may have shown as Moses' did after he fellowshipped with God. The only other way I can think to describe the delivery of this information is like experiencing the nine attributes of the fruit of the Holy Spirit all at once. I truly felt that he wanted me to know God as he does... intimately, with awe, and enveloped in powerful love. I saw the Trinity and He is lovely beyond words.
Saying I enjoyed this book feels like an understatement. One of the best books I've ever read by a "preacher/teacher" of God's Word.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Graham, but the first word to come to mind was... humility... followed quickly by "beautiful". It was so significant and overwhelming, it caught me by surprise. I had the feeling that I was sitting with a father or grandfather who walked so closely with the Lord that the light of Jesus shot forth from his mouth and bathed me in supernatural Grace and Love. I wondered if we were actually sitting together for this teaching, if Graham's face may have shown as Moses' did after he fellowshipped with God. The only other way I can think to describe the delivery of this information is like experiencing the nine attributes of the fruit of the Holy Spirit all at once. I truly felt that he wanted me to know God as he does... intimately, with awe, and enveloped in powerful love. I saw the Trinity and He is lovely beyond words.
Saying I enjoyed this book feels like an understatement. One of the best books I've ever read by a "preacher/teacher" of God's Word.
Read
April 10, 2022“Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. the other for goodness.”
With this introduction, Billy Graham writes clearly and comprehensively about what the Bible teaches about the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Cognizant that issues like speaking in tongues have divided church groups, Graham handles the breath of this topic well, with conservative but not frigid views.
Good anecdotes from his vast experiences (he must be a good listener though the world remembers him as great preacher) > in a conversation between a friend (David McKenna) and young son in a 1958 Chevorlet “ Listen son, under the hood is one battery. Yet I can use it to turn on the lights, blow the horn, and start the car. How it happens is a mystery - but it happens.”
And so, we read a sound book, written from a warm pastoral heart, sharing biblical wisdom about how the Holy Spirit helps us to find forgiveness and goodness.
With this introduction, Billy Graham writes clearly and comprehensively about what the Bible teaches about the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Cognizant that issues like speaking in tongues have divided church groups, Graham handles the breath of this topic well, with conservative but not frigid views.
Good anecdotes from his vast experiences (he must be a good listener though the world remembers him as great preacher) > in a conversation between a friend (David McKenna) and young son in a 1958 Chevorlet “ Listen son, under the hood is one battery. Yet I can use it to turn on the lights, blow the horn, and start the car. How it happens is a mystery - but it happens.”
And so, we read a sound book, written from a warm pastoral heart, sharing biblical wisdom about how the Holy Spirit helps us to find forgiveness and goodness.
December 1, 2022
The Holy Spirit by Billy Graham is a deep study into the work of the Spirit in the Bible and in the lives of believers today. Billy describes how the Holy Spirit should be at work in every believer and a believer without evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit is a defective Christian. Billy clearly laid out a lot of the purposes and works of the Holy Spirit as well as what that means for His people. Overall, this was a really awesome read that helped me understand the Person of the Holy Spirit a lot more! I’d definitely share this book with someone that wants to know more about God and living for Him! I might also share this book with someone struggling with their own sin, as this book could be an encouragement as to the work of the Holy Spirit in their life.
March 19, 2018
This is a work of great simplicity, readability, and knowledge. Dr. Graham has communicated profound truths in simple language that even a child can understand. I learned a lot from this book especially in my early days as a Christian struggling with issues concerning the Baptism and Filling of the Holy Spirit. I have returned to this book often for fresh insight or to remind myself of what has proven sound from an examination of the Scriptures. This book in my opinion is one of Dr. Graham's greatest contributions to the cause of Christ and the Kingdom of God. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know what the Bible teaches concerning the Holy Spirit His person and work.
November 12, 2022
I have never focused much on The Holy Spirit in my walk. However, the last two Christian books have been about this very topic, so I am paying attention now!
Billy Graham has provided a detailed study of The Holy Spirit starting with the who, when and why of the Spirit in our lives. Much of his book deals with the application of the Spirit's gifts and fruits.
The writing is powerful, easy to understand, and it tries to stay neutral and Bible-based on any specific dogma. It is filled with wonderful detail, references and, of course, applicable verses.
Personally, I found it difficult to get into in the beginning, but very interesting and impactful before it was done!
Billy Graham has provided a detailed study of The Holy Spirit starting with the who, when and why of the Spirit in our lives. Much of his book deals with the application of the Spirit's gifts and fruits.
The writing is powerful, easy to understand, and it tries to stay neutral and Bible-based on any specific dogma. It is filled with wonderful detail, references and, of course, applicable verses.
Personally, I found it difficult to get into in the beginning, but very interesting and impactful before it was done!
June 15, 2019
A Very Good Read and Listen. 🎧
A very easy to read book on the Holy Spirit. This man knows his Bible inside and out, so interesting to see the conclusions he came to, differ from other books I’ve read on The Holy Spirit. Joy Unspeakable by Dr Martin Lloyd Jones, another great read, He differs in his conclusions and considerations on this doctrine.
We need the Baptism and we need to be continually filled, that is the bottom line. How we arrive there is the debate, but we needs must arrive.
KJ
A very easy to read book on the Holy Spirit. This man knows his Bible inside and out, so interesting to see the conclusions he came to, differ from other books I’ve read on The Holy Spirit. Joy Unspeakable by Dr Martin Lloyd Jones, another great read, He differs in his conclusions and considerations on this doctrine.
We need the Baptism and we need to be continually filled, that is the bottom line. How we arrive there is the debate, but we needs must arrive.
KJ
March 14, 2020
Solid review of scriptural roles of the Holy Spirit in salvation and sanctification. Graham has a measured approach addressing the sometimes divisive “sign gifts.” Convicting reminder to seek ways to use the gifts we have, don’t be afraid to ask God for gifts, and to honestly appraise the fruit in our lives and ask why some is more apparent than others.
Also kind of fun to read a Christian Living book from the 70s and realize every generation thinks the nation/world is at a terrible place...not necessarily untrue, but our present-day crises are far from unprecedented.
Also kind of fun to read a Christian Living book from the 70s and realize every generation thinks the nation/world is at a terrible place...not necessarily untrue, but our present-day crises are far from unprecedented.
February 1, 2021
This book started off very slow and hard to actually sit down and read, but towards the end the information (though packed full) was making sense. I am glad that I stuck through and read the rest of the book instead of just giving up on it. The way that it breaks down the information of the Holy Spirit is good, however sometimes I wish it would have gone deeper in some areas and then could have lighted up in other areas. Will for sure be using in the future as a reference book about the Holy Spirit.
May 20, 2022
I’ve read a few books about the Holy Spirit and this one is my favorite that I’ve read. Billy does a great job about breaking down all elements of the Spirit and comparing it back to Scripture. Without knowledge of the Spirit, this book will either open your eyes or put knowledge behind the Spirit’s work in your life. You can read this over and over and gleam something new each time. I loved the second half of the book this time and learned the most from there! Grateful for literature like this for believers.
August 2, 2022
Great Book for Seeking The Holy Spirit
This book is well written by one of the most respected and faithful men of God in our day. Billy Graham was able to shed light on the Holy Spirit in a way that comes from knowing Him intimately, through trusting and relying upon Him. I highly recommend this book to anyone who hears the call from the Holy Spirit into a deeper walk of faith and obedience. This book is rooted in scripture and a favorite portion of mine was regarding the fruits of the Spirit.
This book is well written by one of the most respected and faithful men of God in our day. Billy Graham was able to shed light on the Holy Spirit in a way that comes from knowing Him intimately, through trusting and relying upon Him. I highly recommend this book to anyone who hears the call from the Holy Spirit into a deeper walk of faith and obedience. This book is rooted in scripture and a favorite portion of mine was regarding the fruits of the Spirit.
February 18, 2024
Absolutely incredible. My spiritual goal this year is to better understand the Holy Spirit and this book exceeded my needs. It contains most (if not all) the biblical references to the Holy Spirit - His role in the life of the believer, His gifts, and His fruit. It clears up a lot of misconceptions proclaimed by the more charismatic believers. It also encourages you to examine the role of sin, the Holy Spirit in your own life and desire more of His presence. Highly recommend. It’s one that will stay on my shelf.
October 26, 2025
Excellent reminder of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives
This was an excellent reminder of the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life how excellent is the Lord in all of his. Thanks to Reverend Graham for a thought-provoking and a thorough breakdown of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. I was truly convicted of some of my ways. Especially those where I look back and know that it was the Holy Spirit working in my life. I recommend reading this book and praying while you read it amen.
This was an excellent reminder of the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life how excellent is the Lord in all of his. Thanks to Reverend Graham for a thought-provoking and a thorough breakdown of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. I was truly convicted of some of my ways. Especially those where I look back and know that it was the Holy Spirit working in my life. I recommend reading this book and praying while you read it amen.
April 25, 2018
I learned so much from reading this book! I have great respect for Billy Graham and his ministry, so I found great comfort in exploring a topic that is often either ignored or misunderstood, and can at times be divisive within the church, from such a respected and humble leader.
The ideas and truths in this book are presented in straightforward and balanced manner. It's accessible and enlightening, and I highly recommend!
The ideas and truths in this book are presented in straightforward and balanced manner. It's accessible and enlightening, and I highly recommend!
September 29, 2018
Billy Graham is well known for his gift of evangelism, but this book really demonstrates his command of scripture and biblical theology. A very insight look at the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our salvation, our sanctification and the church. Also, a very good section on the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit. I plan to get an updated edition and will read again at some point.
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