Understanding the Holy Spirit
LESSON ONE
I. Who Is the Holy Spirit?
A. The Holy Spirit is more than an “experience.”
1) The Holy Spirit is not an “it.”
2) The Holy Spirit is a person and He has a Personality.
B. Jesus never referred to the Holy Spirit as just a resource or an experience.
1) He always presented the Holy Spirit with a personal noun or pronoun, setting forth His person, or personality.
2) In John 16:13-15 Jesus used the personal pronoun nine times in these three verses as He talked about the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-15 (KJV)
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
3) Altogether, in John chapters 14-16, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit in personal terms no less than 19 times.
C. The New Testament gives many further references to the Holy Spirit in personal terms.
1) The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32).
Matthew 12:31-32 (KJV)
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
a. Jesus was anointed of the Holy Spirit that He in the form of a man might destroy the works of the devil.
b. In Matthew chapter 12, a man with a withered hand in healed by Jesus.
• Multitudes are healed “He healed the all” verse 15.
• Who did He healed? The multitudes that followed Him.
• Then they brought unto Him one who was possessed with a devil and was blind and dumb and Jesus healed Him and He was able to speak and to see.
c. The people are amazed and they asked “Is not this the Son of David?” Verse 23
• Some were more concerned about having a political leader.
• But Jesus had come to destroy the works of satan.
• He was able to heal the sick and to cast out devils because of the power of the Holy Spirit.
• The Pharisees accused Him of casting out devils by the power of the devil.
• They are attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to that of the devil.
• Matthew 12:24 (KJV) “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”
So blaspheming the Holy Spirit is to say that the things He is doing are of the devil. It is to put down His works. It is speaking against the Holy Spirit.
A kingdom or a house divided cannot stand – it will tear its own self apart.
2) The Holy Spirit testifies (John 15:26).
John 15:26 (KJV)
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
a. I love this passage – the “Spirit of Truth” cannot lie – He can only speak the TRUTH because He is the very Spirit of TRUTH and He that is the Spirit of Truth will testify of Jesus.
b. We see again in this passage –- The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father.
c. His comforts us by testifying of Jesus.
d. He makes Jesus known unto us.
e. He causes the POWER of JESUS to work within the yielded believers today.
f. Jesus is very much alive and He is active in His Church today by way of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
3) The Holy Spirit can be lied to. (Acts 5:3,4)
a. Ananias and Sapphira
4) He leads (Acts 8:29, Romans 8:14)
Acts 8:29 (KJV) “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.”
• A man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians.
• Philip won this man to Christ and took him down to the water and baptized him, all because he heard and obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit.
a. We are to be led of the Holy Spirit today.
• Romans 8:14 (KJV) “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
5) The Holy Spirit speaks (Acts 13:2)
• Acts 13:2-3 (KJV)
2 As they (the church at Antioch) ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
6) The Holy Spirit commands (Acts 16:6,7)
• Acts 16:6-7 (KJV)
6 Now when they (Paul and Timothy) had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
7) The Holy Spirit guides ( John 16:13)
• John 16:13-15 (KJV)
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
8) He appoints (Acts 20:28)
• Acts 20:28 (KJV)
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
• Paul to the elders in the Church at Ephesus
9) He intercedes (Romans 8:26)
• Romans 8:26-28 (KJV)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
10) The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30)
• Ephesians 4:30-32 (KJV)
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
• What is it that grieves the Holy Spirit?
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
He lives and abides within us and these things are so contrary to His person.
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
11) The Holy Spirit can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29)
• Hebrews 10:29 (KJV)
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
• Hebrews 10:29 (NLT)
29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.
D. The Holy Spirit is ONE with whom believers experience a dynamic, personal relationship.
1) Every day and in every situation, the Holy Spirit is with you.
2) He is with all believers, pastors, teachers, leaders, laymen and laywomen.
3) We all need the strengthening and undergirding knowledge and power that He gives.
4) In the middle of the darkest night, and during the toughest times of our lives, the Holy Spirit is there.
E. Every believer can have a continuing, dynamic, personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.
1) He is the Chief Executive Officer of the mind, the ministry, and the mission of Jesus Christ.
2) Everything believers have, every transaction of GRACE, every authority, every power, and every responsibility is carried out through and by the power, the guidance, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
3) The Holy Spirit continues, through empowered believers, to do the work Jesus started when He lived on Earth.
F. As we read the Gospels, we often think, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had Jesus with us today as the disciples had Him with them during their time.
1) Would it not be wonderful to walk along a dusty road at evening time with Him in person?
2) Would it not be wonderful just to sit with Him for hours around a campfire or ride beside Him across Galilee and ask Him questions life brings to mind?
3) Would it not be wonderful, during life’s storms when all is out of control, just to wake Jesus and have Him speak to the winds and waves?
a. In TRUTH – all believers do have Jesus with them, because He is represented in the marvelous presence of the Holy Spirit
b. We know that Jesus has ascended into Heaven, we know that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, we know that Jesus has an immortal, resurrected body.
c. He is seated at the RIGHT HAND of God, as the High Priest forever.
d. But we also know that Jesus said; John 14:18 (KJV) “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
• John 14:18 (NKJV) “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
G. Paul refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of Christ,” – this is not a mere analogy, the Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ in the believer’s life.
1) Jesus is personally present at all times and under all circumstances.
II. What Are the Works of the Holy Spirit in the Believer’s Life?
A. The convicts people of sin.
• John 16:7-8 (NKJV) “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”
1) He convicts the world of sin.
2) He convinces the world of God’s righteousness.
3) He also convinces the world of the judgment that is to come upon all who have sin in their lives.
B. The Holy Spirit Imparts Saving Faith –
1) People are born with a sin nature, so people do not ny nature turn to God; they are in a natural state of rebellion.
2) Paul says; Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
C. The Holy Spirit is who changes us upon our conversion.
1) The blood of Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
2) The Holy Spirit makes us a new creature.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
3) The Holy Spirit seals us.
4) He gives the believer continual access to the Father.
• Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV) “ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
5) He provides inner strength and supplies us with the resources we need to growth spiritually strong. (Eph.3)
6) He sanctifies us (2 Thess. 2)
7) He calls all believers to character, ministry, and service (Eph. 4)
8) He strengthens the inner testimony regarding Christ and His lordship.
• John 5:26-27 (NKJV)
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
9) He guides the believer into TRUTH – He reveals future things, always glorifying Christ Jesus.
• John 16:12-15 (NKJV)
12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
D. He will give you assurance as to your salvation – your security.
1) Satan comes often and makes efforts to cause us to doubt our salvation.
• Romans 8:16 (NKJV) “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”
E. The Holy Spirit gives POWER for SERVICE and MINISTRY.
• Luke 24:49 (NKJV)
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
• Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
• Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) 1
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
III. There Are Many Organizations That Attack the Teaching of Being Filled with the Holy Spirit.
A. There are many today who want no part in anything that would move them out of their comfort zones or cause them to feel as though they are not in control of their own actions.
B. Why would anyone reject the Power of God given to man through the presence of the Holy Spirit?
C. Some fear the supernatural – they want nothing to do with it.
1) They don’t like thinking about the unseen world – things happening in another realm.
D. Let’s stick with the Bible and TRUST GOD and allow God to use us as His Great Witnesses today.
Acts 2:38-39 (NKJV)
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
E. There is nothing like living the Spirit Led Life -- walking in the Spirit and fulfilling the plan of God in your life.
1) We need the Power of the Holy Spirit so that we may be able to dismantle the kingdom of darkness which controls so many of our friends and loved ones and holds them as prisoners of sin. The sinful nature of man holds them in bondage, as believers, we have been called to free them.
F. The Holy Spirit always leads us in line with God’s Word. The Word and the Spirit always agree.
1 John 5:7-8 (NKJV)
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
1 John 5:9 (NKJV)
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
