In a profound devotional piece titled 'Adoration (46)', Emeritus Professor Mercy Olumide offers deep theological insights into the Christian experience of the Holy Spirit. Published on 17 January 2026 at 3:38am WAT, the reflection centres on spiritual sonship, the fullness of the Spirit, and the vital ministry of Jesus as the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit.
The Path to Sonship and Spiritual Fullness
Professor Olumide begins by establishing a foundational biblical truth. She references Romans 8:14, stating that only those who embrace divine truth and allow themselves to be guided by God's Spirit attain the status of 'sons of God'. This relationship, she explains, is the essential gateway to living in the Spirit's fullness, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:18.
The scholar provides a stark warning, however. She emphasises that sin actively destroys both the divine life and the fullness of the Holy Spirit within a believer. To support this, she cites several scriptures, including Romans 6:23 and Galatians 5:17, highlighting the spiritual conflict and consequences that disobedience introduces.
Understanding the Holy Spirit's Role and Ministry
A significant portion of the devotional is dedicated to clarifying the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. Professor Olumide addresses a common translation issue in John 16:13. She argues that the phrase 'he shall not speak of himself' is more accurately rendered from the original Greek as 'He will not speak on His own initiative'. This crucial distinction means the Spirit's message and instructions are received directly from Christ.
Expanding on this in John 16:14, she describes the Holy Spirit as the divine revealer. The Spirit takes everything that belongs to Christ—His presence, love, forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, power, and spiritual gifts—and makes them a living, experiential reality in the believer's life. Through this ministry, Jesus Himself draws near to foster personal fellowship, awakening and deepening the believer's awareness of His constant presence.
The Continuing Ministry of Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Professor Olumide then provides a clear overview of what it means to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. She anchors this teaching in the words of John the Baptist from Luke 3:16, who foretold that the coming Messiah would 'baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire'.
She outlines key points about this baptism:
- It was promised in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28) and reaffirmed by Jesus after His resurrection (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8).
- Its initial fulfilment occurred on the historic day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4).
- Most importantly, Christ's ministry as the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit is a continuing reality for the entire church age. She highlights that the Greek present participle in John 1:33 ('ho baptizōn') indicates an ongoing action—'he who will continue to baptise'.
This means the promise is not confined to the first apostles but extends to all believers, their children, and those far off, as declared in Acts 2:39. The baptism in the Holy Spirit remains the new covenant sign identifying God's people, offering them access to the power and presence of Christ in their daily walk.
The devotional concludes with a powerful declaration from Revelation 1:18, affirming the eternal, living presence of Christ. Professor Olumide's contact details, including her email and Facebook profile under 'Yetunde Mercy Olumide', are provided for further engagement.
