Author: Donald N. Norris

The Promise of the Father

In the last posting, we explored the role of the Ruach HaKodesh in the Tanakh.  In discussing His ministry, I deliberately left out a very key passage because it serves as the foundation for our study of the Ruach in the Brit Hadashah.

Perhaps the most crucial passage on the Ruach in the Tanakh was when the prophet Yo’el (Joel) declared: “After this I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.  I will even pour out My Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days.”  (Joel 2:28-29 HCSB)  Recall from Part 1 what Yeshua promised: “Now I am sending forth upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been equipped with power from above.”  (Luke 24:49)  The promise of the Father was fulfilled during Shavu’ot as we read in Acts 2:17-18.

In fulfillment of Yo’el’s prophesy and Yeshua’s promise, we can identify three discernible periods of the Ruach’s ministry in the Brit Hadashah:

1. The period of the promise;
2. The period of the preparation; and,
3. The period of the realization.

Continue reading “Discovering Your Ministry Within The Kehilah: Living A Spirit-Filled Life ~ Part 3”

Discovering Your Ministry Within The Kehilah[1]:
Living A Spirit-Filled Life
Part 1

As I have shared in the past (see previous teachings here), we are created in the image of God for five specific purposes: to worship God with all of our heart; to fellowship with God and other Believers; to grow in our knowledge of God and take on His attributes – especially the fruit of the Spirit; to minister or serve others – both Believers and non-believers in meeting their needs; and, finally to share the Besorah (Good News) with non-believers around us.  The purpose of this series is to prepare us to live a Spirit-filled life in order to fulfill our God-given purposes, especially that of ministering or serving to the needs of others.

As you know, Yeshua (Jesus) had many talmidim (disciples).  Crowds followed Him everywhere.  He fed 5,000 men plus their families in one seating (Mark 6:44) and over 4,000 men plus their families in another (Mark 8:9).  Multitudes were coming to Him for physical healings and deliverance from evil spirits.

We read in Luke 10 that He sent out 70 talmidim in pairs as an advance team to towns where He was going to minister.  We also know that Yeshua poured out His teachings on twelve hand-picked talmidim.  After His resurrection and just before His ascension, He gave the following directions to the remaining eleven talmidim:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember!  I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ^{CJB [2]})

“Now I am sending forth upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been equipped with power from above.”  (Luke 24:49)

“At one of these gatherings, he instructed them not to leave Yerushalayim but to “wait for what the Father promised, which you heard about from me.  For Yochanan used to immerse people in water; but in a few days, you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh!”  (Acts 1:4-5)

These directions were fulfilled just a few days later during Shavu’ot (Pentecost) as we read in Acts 1:45.

As I did with the series on the fruit of the Spirit, I want to share with you some critical background information on the Ruach HaKodesh before we start to examine the gifts of the Spirit and explore which gift or gifts you might have.

Who Is The Ruach HaKodesh?

Continue reading “Discovering Your Ministry Within The Kehilah: Living A Spirit-Filled Life ~ Part 1”

 

Hi, my name is Donald N. Norris and I am a grateful believer in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).  I thought it would be helpful to share a little bit about myself on this first ‘official’ blog post.

Although I was born in San Diego,  I grew up in southern Michigan and was raised by my grandmother while my mom worked hard as a nurse anesthetist to support us.  As far back as I can remember, my mom always took me to church.  We were Episcopalians and I developed a deep sense of respect for the church.  I loved the liturgy and always asked to stay in the big peoples service rather than going to Sunday School.  My mom did send me to a vacation bible school at the local Baptist church one summer were I memorized John 3:16.

My mom and I moved to Petoskey, Michigan where I entered high school as a freshman.  Once again, we attended the local Episcopal Church and I became an acolyte.  I loved helping the parish priest and even thought of entering the priesthood myself.   Well, the best laid plans don’t always work out.

Continue reading “My Testimony”