INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Revelation of Christ
2. Resurrection of Christ
3. Regeneration to Christ
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing a theme: “The Work of the Holy Spirit.” We will review three aspects of His work in the New Testament. The believer learns of the doctrine of Christ, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The believer is subsequently: “born again through the work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion process,” John 3:3-5. The believer is then led by Him in his walk of faith, and will be resurrected by Him at our Lord’s return. Let the church say Amen!
2. First, we will consider the His work in the revelation of the Mystery of Christ. Jesus promises in our text that the Holy Spirit “would guide the apostles into all truth,” John 16:13. Paul would speak of this revelation later as the “mystery of Christ,” Ephesians 3:1-7. We know of Jesus; His work of redemption and Sonship because of the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes: “Great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory,” 1 Timothy 3:16.
3. Second, we will discuss the Holy Spirit’s work in the resurrection of Christ. Jesus and the Father also had a part in the “resurrection of Jesus’ body.” Jesus said: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment ...I received of my Father,” John 10:17-18.
4. Lastly, we will investigate the Holy Spirit’s work in the process of regeneration to Christ. No one can come to God or be converted to Christ, without the work of the Holy Spirit. Nor can we be called the “sons of God”; without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This thought presents a great deal of questions to many believers. However, the bible sets forth this precedence: “God has granted the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit into the life of the sons of God.” The believer has been granted the Holy Spirit to dwell in Him, “personally, as well as, through the word of God.” The Pentecostal converts had first “received the word”; as a result of Peter’s preaching; and were also promised: “the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost”; upon their “repentance and baptism into the name of Jesus Christ,” Acts 2:38. Paul affirms: “Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit), he is none of his,” Romans 8:9. With this introduction, let’s consider our first point: the “Revelation of Christ.”
BODY OF LESSON
I REVELATION OF CHRIST
A. Revelation of Christ. In our scripture lesson, Jesus stated that, “all truth was not yet revealed, and this would be the work of the Holy Spirit. Notice: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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. He shall glorify me... he shall take of mine, and shew it unto you,” John 16:12-15.
B. Pentecost. All this occurred on Pentecost, Acts 1:1-8; Acts 2:1-4.
1. He shall dwell in you: “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you,” John 14:17.
2. Promise of John the Baptist, Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8.
3. Filled with the Holy Spirit: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance,” Acts 2:1-4.
4. Natural man cannot receive: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned,” 1 Corinthians 2:12-14.
5. Holy Spirit given to sons of God: “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ,” Galatians 4:6-7; Galatians 3:26-29.
6. Holy Ghost given to all that obey God: “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him,” Acts 5:32; Romans 6:17-18; Romans 10:16-17.
Illustrate: Have Ye Received the Holy Ghost? Acts 19:1-7.
C. The revelation of Christ. Paul declared to the Galatians to have been granted the revelation of Jesus Christ. Notice: “But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ,” Galatians 1:11-12.
1. Paul’s revelation of Jesus Christ. Before we conclude this thought we must address in clear language what the Apostle Paul affirms he had received by the Revelations of Christ. We will consider his writings to the church regarding these revelations. To understand his “revelation” and how to apply it unto our preaching today, we need to consider his reference to the Roman’s regarding the “revelation of Jesus Christ.” Notice:
2. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen,” Romans 16:25-27. Consider:
a. He is able to stablish you – “according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ.”
b. According to the “mystery, kept secret since the world began.”
c. But “now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets.”
d. According to the “commandment of the everlasting God.”
e. Made known “to all nations for the obedience of faith,” Romans 1:5.
D. Mystery of Christ. Paul was granted the knowledge into the “mystery of Christ,” Ephesians 3:1-7. To the Ephesians he wrote:
1. First, he was a prisoner of Christ: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:”
2. Further, he received the revelation of Christ: “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”
3. Finally, he shared the promise of Christ: “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power,” Ephesians 3:1-7. Notice:
a. If ye have heard of the “dispensation of the grace of God.” Have you heard of the dispensation of the grace of God?
b. Which is “given unto me (Paul) to you-ward (Gentiles).” Paul says it was given unto him to be shared with us (you-ward).
c. How that “by revelation he made known to me the mystery.”
d. As I “wrote afore in few words.” I wrote out this mystery in a few words. That:
1) Whereby “when ye read, ye may understand his knowledge in the mystery of Christ.”
2) Which in “other ages was not made known unto the sons of men.”
3) As it is now “revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”
e. That the Gentiles should be:
1) Fellow heirs, and of the same body, and”
2) Partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”
3) Illustrate: I Don’t See It Like That. “You ain’t been reading.”
f. Whereof “I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God.” This was given “unto me by the effectual working of His power.”
E. Truth which is after godliness. Finally, in Paul’s Letter to Titus he writes: “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour,” Titus 1:1-4.
1. Paul, “a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ.”
2. According to the:
a. Faith of God’s elect, and”
b. The acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness”
c. In hope of eternal life”
3. Which “God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
4. But “hath in due times manifested His word through preaching,”
5. Which is “committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.”
6. Summary: The revelation of Jesus Christ unto Paul was for these three purposes as revealed through his writings:
a. To standardize the preaching of “obedience of faith” or to the “obedience of the faith.”
b. To reveal that the Gentiles were “fellow heirs of the same body (the church), and partakers of His (God’s) promise in Christ by the gospel.”
c. To certify Paul’s apostleship and message was in accord to the “faith of God’s elect - (the common faith), and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness, in hope of eternal life.” To this end, let us now consider our second point, the “resurrection of Christ.”
II RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
A. Jesus promise. I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again. Jesus said: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father,” John 10:17-18.
B. Spirit’s work in Jesus’ resurrection: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you,” Romans 8:11. Notice:
1. The Spirit that (now) dwelleth in us, will be the source of power to raise us from the dead, when the Lord returns to “judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom,” 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5.
2. God to raise us: “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power,” 1 Corinthians 6:14; John 11:25-26.
3. Jesus shall raise us up: “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you,” 2 Corinthians 4:14
4. The Lord’s return, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
C. Father’s work in Jesus’ resurrection.
1. Peter’s announcement: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole,” Acts 4:10. Also: “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God,” 1 Peter 1:21.
2. Paul’s announcement: “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),” Galatians 1:1. Also: “And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people,” Acts 13:29-31; 1 Corinthians 15:5-6. Paul writes further: “And He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time,” 1 Corinthians 15:8.
3. Preaching that God raised Jesus from the dead, Acts 2:24; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 3:26; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:40; Acts 13:30-37; 1 Corinthians 15:15.
D. Paul’s message regarding the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:1-27.
1. The prophecy of scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
2. The proven testimony, 1 Corinthians 15:5-11.
3. The preaching of the apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:12-27.
E. Theories regarding the resurrection. These are comments from the Passover Plot, by Hugh J. Schonfield, Disinformation Company, 2004. The premise of his book is that: “The Passover Plot shows us the historical evidence that Jesus was a mortal man, a young genius who believed himself to be the Messiah and deliberately and brilliantly planned his entire ministry according to the Old Testament prophecies - even to the extent of plotting his own arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. My comments are present to answer the false charges of the book. We will consider three false charges in this book regarding the resurrection. Notice:
1. First, the women went to the wrong tomb, Matthew 28:1-15. Not true. If so, the officials sealed the wrong tomb; the soldiers guarded the wrong tomb; the angels went to the wrong tomb; the disciples inspected the wrong tomb, and God did not know where his Son was buried. How foolish. But why was Jesus raised? He was raised: "For our justification; to declare his Sonship; to sit on David's throne; and to reign over his kingdom," Romans 4:25; Romans 1:3-5; Acts 2:30; Luke 1:31-33.
2. Further, the disciples stole the body, Matthew 28:13-15. Not true. These frighten men were hiding for fear of the Jews, John 20:19. They had all forsaken him, Mark 14:50. They denied any knowledge of him. Surely these frighten men did not acquire enough nerve to go to the tomb, over-power the guards to steal the body of Jesus? Notice:
a. Testimony at the tomb does not bear such witness. John gives us a very graphic account of the “crime scene” the empty tomb. John’s account of the resurrection of Christ provides more information concerning the sepulchre than the other writers.
b. The Apostles John gives us indisputable evidence that Jesus had indeed risen. His account dispels the story of the Jewish Counsel; that the body of Christ was stolen by the disciples. Notice John’s account:
1) The women went unto the tomb, early on the first day of the week, John 20:1-2.
2) Peter and other disciples ran unto the tomb. He “looking in, saw the linen cloth lying; yet went he not in,” John 20:3-5. This no doubt was John!
c. Evidence in the sepulchre: “Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then that other disciple (John) went in, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must be raised from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home,” John 20:6-10. Let’s analyze the evidence at the “scene of the crime”:
1) Peter “went into the sepulchre.”
2) Peter “seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes; but wrapped together in a place by itself,” John 20:6-7; John 19:40; John 11:44; Luke 24:12.
a) He seeth the linen cloth lie. The linen clothes, Gr. othonion, or o-tho-ne-on, i.e., strips of linen cloth for swathing (wrapping) the dead. It appears that the linen cloth that wrapped around the body of Jesus; was still lying within the place where the body had once laid. The grave clothing was still in place in the sepulchre, (proof # 1).
b) The napkin, “that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.”
c) Napkin, wrapped together, Gr. entylisso or en-tu-les-so, i.e., to twist, entwine, to roll, or wind up; wrap in (together), John 20:7; Luke 23:53; Matthew 27:59. This napkin was placed carefully in the sepulchre neatly, all by itself, (proof # 2).
3) John depicts that during the resurrection, Jesus “passed through the piece” of Cerecloth (linen wrap) that was wrapped about His body and face; as is the custom of the Jews in burial. All these grave clothes were left behind in their place; except the napkin, that was wrapped about His face. It was laid neatly in a place by itself. However, the body was not there, (proof # 3).
4) Only John tells us of these facts surrounding the resurrection. Only John tells us that the soldiers divided Jesus’ garments into four parts, but, did not divide His seamless coat, John 19:23. These things did the soldier, “that the scriptures might be fulfilled,” John 19:24.
5) Conclusion: If the body was stolen, it does not seem likely that the thieves would have taken time to unwrap it; and neatly place the linen clothes, where the body of Jesus had laid. They would have taken the body, linen cloth and napkin, and fled. No, the evidence in this “crime scene,” indicates a resurrection and not a theft. And the church said: Amen!
3. Finally, the resurrection was spiritual – not- physical, John 2:19-21. Not true either. The disciples saw Him after His resurrection, Luke 24:36-49. The apostles saw the body of Christ, with the holes in His hands, and His side, John 20:24-31. Consider:
a. His appearance to the disciples as written by Luke:
1) Upper room: “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when He had thus spoken (unto the disciples); He shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me,” Luke 24:36-44.
2) Before His ascension, Luke wrote: "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up...To whom also he showed himself alive ...by many infallible proofs," Acts 1:1-3. There were other sightings of Jesus, but we mention these only as our proof.
3) It was the body of Christ, the same one that hung on the cross, which was later buried; that was raised from the dead. If not, why not?
b. JW’s testimony of the resurrection. The body of Christ was turned into gases and is being preserved as a memorial before God. The body they saw was provided to give the apostles faith. More than that, if they (JW) are right, that body was a fake, and they were deceived by Christ; and all gave witness to a damnable lie. And worse, Christ sent them out as false witnesses; to preach a lie regarding His resurrection.
c. And sadly still, they suffered persecution and death for their faith; and countless billions now believe their lie which is sanctioned by God; and commissioned by Christ, if they (JW) are right. This is sheer nonsense! Thank God for the truth!
d. Illustrate: Body of Christ, Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Let’s now consider our last point: our “regeneration to Christ.”
III REGENERATION TO CHRIST
A. Spirit’s work in regeneration. Paul writes to Titus: “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:4-7. The Holy Spirit has its work in the regeneration process.
B. Spirit’s work in the “new birth.” Jesus speaks of the new birth: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again; he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him: How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God,” John 3:3-5.
1. Jesus speaks of two components that are required to undergo the “new birth.” They are the “water and the Spirit.” Many would argue this point; but Jesus is clear.
2. Both components must be present during the regeneration process, Acts 8:26-39.
3. The Spirit enables the teaching of Christ; and the water enables the regeneration, or the baptism into Christ, Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8.
4. Baptism is where:
a. Regeneration occurs. Paul writes: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? ... And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Acts 18:8; Hebrews 10:22.
b. We are born again. Peter writes: “See ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit… Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever,” 1 Peter 1:22-23.
c. We are saved. Peter again: “Which sometimes were disobedient… The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 3:20-21; Mark 16:16-16.
d. Conclusion: In these afore mention passages the Holy Spirit converts through the word and our obedience to the truth. At which time our “sins are wash away,” Acts 22:16. And we receive the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38. This is the Holy Spirit’s work in our regeneration to Christ. I wish I had a witness!
C. Quickening power of Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the “quickening power in the new birth.” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit all are involved in the “quickening of the sinner to give eternal life.” Notice:
1. Spirit quickeneth: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” John 6:63. The idea of quickening is to be made alive. To be raised spiritually and physically from the dead.
2. Son quickeneth: “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will,” John 5:21; 2 Timothy 4:1; Romans 14:9. Paul discusses of this quickening power of God in Christ in our salvation. Notice:
a. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in our trespasses and sins;” Ephesians 2:1-3.
b. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;),” Ephesians 2:4-5.
c. “But God, who hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6-7.
d. “For by grace are ye saved through (the) faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast,” Ephesians 2:8-9.
e. “For we are his workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10.
3. Father quickeneth: “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession,”1Timothy 6:13. The Father and the Son “quickeneth all things.”
D. Operation of God. The Father is involved in performing an operation on the old man; that it might be made new. Notice: “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses,” Colossians 2:11-12. Notice:
1. Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.
2. Buried with him (Christ) in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him.
3. Through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.
4. We being dead in our sins and the uncircumcision of our flesh.
5. Hath quickened us together with him, having forgiven us all trespasses.
6. Illustrate: Buried With Him in Baptism, Romans 6:1-6.
7. Note Paul’s connection with the Letter to the Colossians; Romans and Ephesians, Ephesians 2:1-10. Each presents the same message regarding our death, burial and resurrection into Christ.
E. Spirit dwelleth in us. Paul affirms that the Holy Spirit dwelleth in us, the Christian; after we have believed, and obeyed the gospel of God. Notice:
1. Quicken our mortal bodies: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you,” Romans 8:11.
2. We are the temple of God: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” See 1 Corinthians 3:16.
3. Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost: “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's,” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
4. Holy Ghost dwelleth in us: “That good thing which was committed unto thee, keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us,” 2 Timothy 1:14.
5. Confess Jesus: “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God,” 1 John 4:15.
6. Keep his commandments: “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us,” 1 John 3:24.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. Revelation of Christ
2. Resurrection of Christ
3. Regeneration to Christ
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we considered the His work in the revelation of the Mystery of Christ. Jesus promises in our text that the Holy Spirit “would guide the apostles into all truth,” John 16:13. Paul would speak of this revelation later as the “mystery of Christ,” Ephesians 3:1-7. We know of Jesus; His work of redemption and Sonship because of the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes: “Great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory,” 1 Timothy 3:16.
2. Second, we discussed the Holy Spirit’s work in the resurrection of Christ. Jesus and the Father also had a part in the “resurrection of Jesus’ body.” Jesus said: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment ...I received of my Father,” John 10:17-18.
3. Lastly, we investigated the Holy Spirit’s work in the process of regeneration to Christ. No one can come to God or be converted to Christ, without the work of the Holy Spirit. Nor can we be called the “sons of God” without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This thought should no long present questions, to the believer. We have learned the bible sets forth this precedence: “God has granted the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit into the life of the sons of God.” The believer has been granted the Holy Spirit to dwell in Him: “personally, as well as, through the word of God.” The Pentecostal converts had first “received the word” as a result of Peter’s preaching; and were also promised: “the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost”; upon their “repentance and baptism into the name of Jesus Christ,” Acts 2:38. Paul affirms: “Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit), he is none of his,” Romans 8:9. We are His, if we have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in our lives.
C. Invitation. Present the plan of salvation. H, B, R, C, B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
