Created to be Supernatural

In Genesis 1:26 (NKJV), “God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’”.  A lot has been said about the words “image” and “likeness”, but let’s turn to the words of Jesus for clarification. According to the words of Jesus recorded in the book of John, “image” and “likeness” mean that you, too, are created to be SUPERNATURAL, that God the Spirit can dwell in you (John 14:16-17, AMPC).  This occurs after you have been born (baptized) of the Spirit in preparation for entering the kingdom of God (John 3:5, AMPC).  Transformation is a journey of developing our SUPERNATURAL image.

Jesus Baptizes with the Holy Spirit

We often remember the part about Jesus' baptism when a dove descended on Him, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. However, John 1:32-34 (AMPC) shows that the Spirit was “never to depart,” indicating the Spirit now indwelt Jesus and empowered Him. This allowed Jesus to perform miracles like healing, weather control, and food multiplication. John was told the Spirit 'would come down and remain,' which it did onto someone (Jesus) sent to baptize “with the Holy Spirit”. John’s water baptism was a sign of repentance, but now there is a second baptism—the baptism with the Holy Spirit. We'll explore this second baptism, Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit, in the coming days.

John 1:32-34 [AMPC] “John gave further evidence, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it dwelt on Him [never to depart].  And I did not know Him nor recognize Him, but He Who sent me to baptize in (with) water said to me, Upon Him Whom you shall see the Spirit descend and remain, that One is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen [that happen—I actually did see it] and my testimony is that this is the Son of God!”

John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11 (NKJV): "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  After His resurrection, as He was about to leave the world, Jesus emphasized the importance of disciples relying on the Spirit of God and following His leadership. Jesus spent His last moments teaching that, unlike His physical leadership, the Holy Spirit would be invisible but just as guiding. The Holy Spirit would be like Jesus in every way (“allos”), acting and thinking exactly as He does (John 14:16, AMPC).

John 14:16-17, [AMPC]: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [Greek “allos”] Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.”

Baptism with the Holy Spirit

 Baptism with the Holy Spirit is understood as a second baptism, in "power," as Jesus declared in Acts 1:8. According to Peter, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when you repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, NKJV).  Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a gift offered to you as a believer, but you must accept it. Pray and surrender everything to God and ask Him to fill you abundantly with the Holy Spirit. Then, willingly receive it. Once you accept it, the Holy Spirit will remain within you and guide you “concerning all things” (1 John 2:27, NKJV). With the Holy Spirit living within you, you are now SUPERNATURAL. And now, you can worship God in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24, AMPC). 

John 4:24, [AMPC]: “God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).”

Spiritual Best Friend

Jesus promises you in John 14:27 (AMPC), “I'm sending someone to give you peace,” just as He did with His apostles. In the Message Bible, John 14:27 calls Him “The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you.” Remember, the Father and Jesus are seated on heaven’s throne, but you can trust the Holy Spirit to move through you, guiding and teaching you. Jesus reassures you with, “Why do you look at me? I have given you the helper” (John 16:7, NKJV). The Father has sent you a helper—the Holy Spirit—to walk alongside you, a friend with whom to commune and fellowship (2 Cor. 13:14, NKJV). He is your SUPERNATURAL friend. When Jesus said He, the Holy Spirit (John 16:13, NKJV), is coming in My name, that promise is as true as John 3:16, reminding us of His enduring love and presence. He’s not just floating around like a ghost. Instead, He's here to teach you all things and help you remember them.

When Jesus said on the cross, 'It is finished' (John 19:30, NKJV), He meant that His work on earth during His first visit was done, and He was succeeded by the Holy Spirit, who was sent to guide the disciples then and you today. This same Spirit empowered Jesus, then raised Him from the dead, and inspired the writing of the New Testament. You are blessed to have the same SUPERNATURAL best friend, comforter, helper, and advocate. Paul says, “The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you” (Rom. 8:11, NKJV). Jesus perfectly reflected God's character, and His followers knew that the Holy Spirit would perfectly represent Jesus, acting only in His nature. This continuity means the Spirit's work is Jesus' work; we shouldn't mourn the absence of Jesus in person but instead embrace the Holy Spirit's guidance now. He is your SUPERNATURAL best friend.