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Knowing the Holy Spirit

ALPHABET ON THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A. Advocate, to plead in us. “ I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Advocate” ( John 14:16,R.V.,m.).

Anointing, for power. “ Hath anointed us ” (2 Cor.1:21).

B. Baptism, to unite to Christ. “ By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1.Cor.12:13).

C. Comforter, to cheer. “ He shall give you another Comforter ” (John 14:16).

Convincer, to alarm. “ He will reprove the world of sin” (John 16:8).

D. Director, to guide. “ Led by the Spirit of God” (Rom.8:14).

Dew, to refresh. “ I will be as the dew” (Hosea 14:5).

E. Earnest, to assure. “ Which is the Earnest of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14).

Enlightener, to reveal. “ The true Light now shineth” (1. John 2:8).

F. Fulness, to enrich. “ Be filled with the Spirit ” (Eph.5:18).

Fruit, to manifest. “ The fruit of the Spirit is ＆c. (Gal.5:22).

G. Guide, to lead. “ He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Spirit of Glory, to remind. “ The Spirit of Glory and of God resteth on you” (1. Peter 4:14).

H. Helper, to enable. “ The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” (Romans 8:26).

Holy Spirit, to sanctify. “ Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph.4:30).

I. Indweller, to occupy. “ The Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1.Cor.3:16).

Illuminator, to reveal. “ He will show you things to come” (John 16:13).

J Joy, to gladden. “Fill you with all joy…through, the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13).

K. King, to rule. “ The Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor.3:17).

L. Life, to ennoble. “ The Spirit of Life” ( Romans 8:2).

Liberator, to free. “ Hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

M. Mark of God, that we are His. “ Also sealed us and given us the earnest of the Spirit” (2 Cor.1:22).

N. New nature Begetter. “ That which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6).

O. Oil of gladness. “ God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness” (Psalm 45:7).

P. Power, to strengthen, “ Strengthened with might by His Spirit” (Eph.3:16).

R. Renewer, to invigorate. “ The inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor.4:16).

S. Searcher, to search. “ The Spirit searcheth all things” (1. Cor.2:10).

Sanctifier, to separate. “ Sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:16).

T. Teacher, to instruct. “ He shall teach you all things” (John 14:26).

Spirit of Truth to arm. “ The Spirit of Truth” ( John 15:26).

U. Unction, to empower. “ Ye have an unction from the Holy One” (1.John 2:20).

Understanding, to discern. “ The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding” (Isaiah 11: 2).

W. Witness, to establish. “ The Spirit Himself beareth witness” (Romans 8:16, R.V.).

Well of Living Water. “ The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water” ＆c. (John 4:14).

Z. Zeal, to inspire. “ I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh” ＆c. (Acts 2:17).

── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》

《The Holy Spirit Of God》
 
An Important Subject For Our Study
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. This lesson begins a series of studies on the Holy Spirit...
 a. One might ask, "Why such a study?"
 b. Is it important to spend several lessons dealing with this subject
  alone?
 
2. An understanding and appreciation of the Holy Spirit is indeed
 important, and the purpose of this introductory lesson is to make
 sure we understand why
 
[The value of studying about the Spirit is to be seen in noticing His
prominence in several areas...]
 
I. THE PROMINENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN "THE BIBLE"
 
 A. HIS MENTION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT...
 1. The O.T. mentions the Holy Spirit 88 times
 2. 23 books in the O.T. refer to the Holy Spirit
 3. Although the actual expression "Holy Spirit" is used only 3
 times - e.g., Psa 51:11
 4. Other expressions referring to the Spirit are used (e.g., "the
 Spirit of God") - Gen 1:2
 
 B. HIS MENTION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
 1. The N.T. mentions the Holy Spirit 264 times
 2. 60 or more references in the gospels
 3. Acts has 57 references (which is why some call it "The Acts Of
 The Holy Spirit")
 4. The epistles refer to the Holy Spirit 132 times
 5. Only 3 epistles make no mention of the Spirit (Philemon, 2 & 3
 John)
 
[To understand much of the Bible itself, one needs to understand (as
much as humanly possible) such a prominent figure as the Holy Spirit! 
Imagine someone saying they understood the story of the Bible, but did
not know much about Abraham! Note also...]
 
II. THE PROMINENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN "THE LIFE OF CHRIST"
 
 A. HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE BIRTH OF JESUS...
 1. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary - Mt
 1:20; Lk 1:30-35
 2. Various individuals were filled with the Spirit to make
 pronouncements about His birth
 a. Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist - Lk 1:41-42
 b. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist - Lk 1:67-79
 c. Simeon, who saw the infant Jesus when presented in the
 Temple - Lk 2:25-35
 
 B. HIS PRESENCE AT THE BAPTISM BY JOHN...
 1. Descended in bodily form like a dove - Lk 3:21-22
 2. Even "alighting upon Him" - Mt 3:16
 
 C. HIS PRESENCE DURING THE TEMPTATIONS IN THE WILDERNESS...
 1. Jesus was "filled with the Holy Spirit" - Lk 4:1
 2. He was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness - Lk 4:1; Mt 4:1
 
 D. HIS POWER DURING JESUS' MINISTRY...
 1. Jesus returned from His temptations "in the power of the
 Spirit" to teach in the synagogues - Lk 4:14-15
 2. He applied Isaiah's prophecy to Himself, which said "The Spirit
 of the LORD is upon Me..." - Lk 4:16-21
 3. On one occasion it is said that Jesus "rejoiced in the Spirit"
 - Lk 10:21
 4. Jesus claimed to cast out demons by the power of the Holy
 Spirit - Mt 12:28
 
[As Christians, can we really hope to grow in the knowledge of our Lord
and Savior, without at least an elementary understanding of the Holy
Spirit, so prominent in His earthly life? Consider also...]
 
III. THE PROMINENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN "THE CHRISTIAN'S LIFE"
 
 A. HIS INVOLVEMENT IN OUR BECOMING CHRISTIANS...
 1. We are convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit - Jn 16:7-8
  2. We are "born again" of the Spirit - Jn 3:5-8
 3. We are "renewed" of the Holy Spirit - Ti 3:4-6
 
 B. HIS PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS...
 1. We "live in the Spirit" - Ga 5:25a
 2. We are to "walk in the Spirit", producing the "fruit of the
 Spirit" - Ga 5:25b,16-18,22-23
 3. We must set our minds on "the things of the Spirit" - Ro 8:5-6
 4. It is "by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body" 
 - Ro 8:12-13
 5. Only when "led by the Spirit" are we truly the "sons of God" 
 - Ro 8:14
 6. The Holy Spirit "makes intercession for us" in our prayers - Ro
 8:26-27
 7. God strengthens us "with might through His Spirit" in the inner
 man - Ep 3:16
 8. Thus we can enjoy the "communion (fellowship) of the Spirit" 
 - 2 Co 13:14; Ph 2:1
 
[Future lessons will discuss these things in greater detail. Suffice it
to say that since the Holy Spirit is so involved in our lives as
Christians, it behooves us to understand the proper relationship we are
to sustain with the Spirit! Finally, the need to study what the Bible
teaches concerning the Spirit is seen when we consider...]
 
IV. THE PROMINENCE OF THE SPIRIT REGARDING "TRUTH AND ERROR"
 
 A. HE IS THE SOURCE OF GOD'S TRUTH...
 1. The O.T. scriptures with their prophecies came through the
 agency of the Holy Spirit - 2 Pe 1:20-21; 1 Pe 1:10-11
 2. Jesus told His apostles that the Holy Spirit would teach them
 "all things", and guide them "into all truth" - Jn 14:25-26;
 16:12-13
 3. There is no other way to know the truth of God's Will except by
 what the Holy Spirit revealed to the apostles - 1 Co 2:10-13
 
 B. HE IS THE SUBJECT OF MUCH ERROR...
 1. Much error is taught about the nature of the Holy Spirit
 a. Some think He is an impersonal force expressive of God's
 power
 b. Others think He is really Jesus in another form
 2. Many people misunderstand:
 a. The baptism of the Holy Spirit
 b. The gift of the Holy Spirit
 c. The spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit
 d. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
 3. Many attribute "impressions or "intuitive feelings" to being
 "led by the Spirit"
  a. Ignorant of how the Holy Spirit leads us
 b. Attributing to the "Holy Spirit" what is really the "human
 spirit"
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. It should be evident that our chosen subject is indeed an important
 one...
 a. As our understanding of the Holy Spirit increases, so will our
 appreciation for Him
 b. Our next study will consider what is revealed about the
 personality of the Holy Spirit
 
2. As important as understanding the Holy Spirit might be...
 a. It is not essential to have a comprehensive knowledge of the
 Spirit to become a child of God
 b. Any more than understanding the birth process when we were
 physically born
 
What is essential is that we respond to the terms of pardon revealed by
the Holy Spirit in the gospel of Christ - cf. Act 2:36-38

－－《Executable Outlines》

 
《Summary: The Holy Spirit, Then And Now》
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In this study we have discussed various aspects of the Holy Spirit...
 a. Why such a study is important g. The gift of the Spirit
 b. The personality of the Spirit h. The indwelling of the Spirit
 c. The deity of the Spirit i. The leading of the Spirit
 d. The work of the Spirit j. The fruit of the Spirit
 e. The promise of the Spirit k. The gifts of the Spirit
 f. The baptism of the Spirit l. The sins against the Spirit
 
2. The Holy Spirit is certainly a challenging subject of study...
 a. Which may explain the diversity of views that people have
 b. Which ought to encourage a sense of caution and humility
 
3. Yet it is a much needed study, for many people...
 a. Claim the Holy Spirit leads them in this way or that way
 b. Base their faith upon what they believe the Spirit tells them
 -- But when such people come up with contradictory beliefs, something
 is wrong!
 
4. Part of the difficulty may be a failure to distinguish between the
 work of the Spirit...
 a. His work that was temporary, unique to the beginning of the church
 b. His work that is age-lasting, continuing until Christ comes again
 
[In this final lesson, I wish to offer a summary with a focus on
illustrating this distinction....]
 
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT THEN
 
 A. THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT...
 1. Promised by God (via Joel) - Joel 2:28-29
 2. Promised by John the Baptist - Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16
 3. Promised by Jesus Himself - Ac 1:4-5
 -- The fulfillment of the promise occurs on Pentecost - Ac 2:1-22,
 32-33
 
 B. THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT...
 1. As defined by John the Baptist - Mt 3:11-12
 a. To serve as a winnowing fan in the hand of the Lord
 b. Separating the wheat from the chaff, gathering the wheat
 into the barn
 2. As defined by Jesus to His apostles
 a. To guide them into all the truth - Jn 16:12-13
 1) By teaching them all things - Jn 14:26a
 2) By reminding them what Jesus told them - Jn 14:26b
 3) By bearing witness together with the apostles - Jn 15:
 26-27
 -- This the Spirit did through signs and wonders, confirming
 the Word - Mk 16:17-20; He 2:3-4
 b. To convict the world - Jn 16:7-11
 1) Of sin - Jn 16:9 
 2) Of righteousness - Jn 16:10
 3) Of judgment - Jn 16:11
 -- This the Spirit did through the preaching of the gospel 
 - e.g., Ac 24:24-25
 
 C. THE BLESSINGS OF THE SPIRIT...
 1. The gift of the Spirit
 a. Promised to all who obey - Ac 2:38; 5:32
 b. More on this and related blessings in the next section
 2. The gifts of the Spirit
 a. Miraculous manifestations of the Spirit - 1 Co 12:1,4-11
 b. Imparted by the laying on of the apostles' hands - e.g., Ac
 8:14-18; 19:1-7; Ro 1:11; 2 Ti 1:6
 c. Enjoyed by some, but not all
 1) Not all could heal, speak in tongues - cf. 1 Co 12:29-30
 2) Some were "ungifted" (NASB) - cf. 1 Co 14:16,23
 d. For the benefit of all, not just the possessors of the gifts
 1) To reveal the truth - cf. 1 Co 14:6
 2) To confirm the truth - cf. 1 Co 14:22
 e. Temporary in their duration
 1) To cease when knowledge is complete - 1 Co 13:8-12
 2) While faith, hope and love will remain - 1 Co 13:13
 3. The anointing of the Spirit
 a. Spoken of by Paul in 2 Co 1:21
 b. Also by John in 1 Jn 2:20,27
 1) Enabling one to know all things
 2) Not needing to be taught by anyone
 c. Likely referring to those who possessed the gifts of the
 Spirit
 -- Many of these blessings were related to the process of
 revealing God's Word
 
[The promise, work, and blessings of the Holy Spirit had an amazing and
miraculous beginning. While some of this proved temporary, much appears
to be age-lasting, continuing until Christ returns. Our focus now turns
toward that which should be of special interest to us today...]
 
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT NOW
 
 A. THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT...
 1. Promised by Jesus - Jn 7:37-39
 a. To all who believe in Him
 b. A special dispensation of the Spirit, unlike any before;
 therefore different from...
 1) The miraculous workings of the Spirit
 2) The normal influences through the Word
 2. Promised by Peter - Ac 2:38-39; 5:32
 a. To all who repent and are baptized
 b. To those who obey God
 -- This promise of the Spirit relates to His indwelling and the
 accompanying blessings (see below)
 
 B. THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT...
 1. To convict the world through the gospel
 a. To convict them of sin, righteousness and judgment - Jn 16:
 7-11
 b. Done through the gospel
 1) The instrument designed to produce faith - Ro 10:17; Co
 1:5-6
 2) God's power to save - Ro 1:16-17; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Th 2:13;
 He 4:12; Ja 1:21
 2. To regenerate those who respond
 a. Saving them through the washing of regeneration (baptism) 
 - Ti 3:4-6; Ac 22:16
 b. Causing them to be reborn, in conjunction with the Word 
 - 1 Pe 1:22-23
 3. To sanctify those who are saved
 a. A process begun when washed and justified - 1 Co 6:11
 b. A process that continues with the aid of the Word - cf. Jn
 17:17; Ac 20:32; 1 Th 5:23; 2 Ti 2:21
 -- This work of the Spirit is age-lasting, accomplished with the
 aid of blessings involving the Spirit (see next)
 
 C. THE BLESSINGS OF THE SPIRIT...
 1. The gift of the Spirit - Ac 2:38-39; 5:32
 a. Indwelling the Christian - Ro 8:9-11; 1 Co 6:19
 1) Enabling us to overcome the flesh - Ro 8:12-13
 2) Strengthening us in the inner man - Ep 3:16,20; Ph 2:
 12-13; 4:13
 3) Interceding in our behalf - Ro 8:26-27
 b. Serving as a seal and an earnest
 1) A seal marking us as belonging to God - Ep 1:13; 4:30; 
 2 Co 1:22
  2) An earnest or guarantee as a promise of our inheritance 
 - Ep 1:14; 2 Co 1:22
 2. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives
 a. Leading those who walk in the Spirit - Ga 5:16-18; Ro 8:5-6
 b. Producing the graces of Christ-like conduct - Ga 5:22-26
 c. Engendering a deepening love for God as our Father- Ga 4:6;
 Ro 8:15-16
 d. Filling us with hope - Ro 15:13
 -- These blessings the Spirit provides both internally (via His
 indwelling) and externally (via the Word of God)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The Spirit's promise, work, and blessings at the beginning of the
 Christian age...
 a. Included the necessary process of revealing and confirming God's
 Word
 b. Was accomplished by special offices (apostles, prophets) and gifts
 (signs, wonders)
 -- Once the Word was fully revealed, the miraculous manifestations
 came to an end
 
2. Yet the Spirit's promise, work, and blessings throughout the
 Christian age...
 a. Includes the important process of convicting, regenerating, and
 sanctifying souls
 b. Is accomplished by preaching the gospel, and the gift of the
 Spirit given to those who obey
 -- While not a miraculous manifestation, it is a Divine operation
  nonetheless
 
3. Many challenge the notion that miraculous manifestations of the
 Spirit ceased when the Word was completely revealed and confirmed...
 a. But the burden of proof rests upon those who affirm that such
 gifts continue
 b. All they need to do is to demonstrate that they do indeed possess
 the gifts
 c. For such was the purpose of the gifts, to convince unbelievers! 
 - cf. 1 Co 14:22
 -- When many Bible-believing disciples are not convinced such claims
  are real, what does that say about the validity of such "signs"?
 
4. But in reacting to many false claims about the Holy Spirit, we must
 be careful not to...
 a. Quench the Spirit by denying His work in our salvation
 b. Grieve the Spirit by failing to seek His aid in living holy lives
 -- If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit! - cf. Ga
 5:25
 
We close our study with these two benedictions by the apostle Paul:
 
 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
 believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy
 Spirit." - Ro 15:13
 
 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
 the communion of the Holy Spirit [be] with you all. Amen." 
 - 2 Co 13:14

－－《Executable Outlines》