The Holy Spirit is introduced in the first stories of both Old and New Testaments. In the first story of the Old Testament “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Gen 1:2) – bring order from chaos. This was creation. In the first story of the New Testament the Holy Spirit brought chaos to the ordered lives of a village couple – for “before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 1:18) Again, this was creation – with the angel announcing, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born (Jesus) will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) 

Then also, the Holy Spirit is integral to the final prophecies of both Old and New Testaments. The last words of Malachi declare that the prophet Elijah shall return before the great day of the Lord. (Mal 4:5, 6) Elijah had a unique relationship with the Holy Spirit – and his experience with the Spirit was exemplary of what ours is to be. Then towards the very end of Revelation, the prophet John recorded, “The Spirit and the bride (God’s faithful people) say, ‘Come!’ Let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:18) 

Jesus loved to speak of him – and spoke of him more and more as the end of his life drew near. Read how Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit – and his relationship to us – on the evening before his crucifixion: John 14:1-27. Notice that –

• Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as a person.
• Jesus called him another Counselor – who does for us the work Jesus had been doing. (Jn 16)
• Jesus called him the Spirit of Truth. (Jn 14:17)
• Jesus said the Holy Spirit would live with us – and be in us! (Jn 14:17)
• And, when he lives in us – we will realize that we are also in him. (Jn 14:18)
• In this way, Jesus does not leave us – for he is in us and we are in him. (Jn 14:18-20)
• Jesus and the Father will make their home in us – through the presence of the Spirit. (Jn 14:23)

 Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (Jn 14:15) And you will note from the context that he commands us to ask for anything in his name – and of course the priority request for believers is for the Holy Spirit. (Jn 14:13-17; Luke 11:9-13) This is how John 14:12 can be a reality – through the Holy Spirit living and working is us! Otherwise these words of Jesus would be crazy!