PNEUMATOLOGY “Study of the Holy Spirit”
INTRODUCTION
At the beginning of the year, I set out to take the first Sunday of each month presenting one of the nine major categories of theology. We have missed a couple Sunday’s but today I want to get back on schedule. So far we have covered “Theology Proper” that deals with the basic understanding of the Godhead and the role of the Father.
The official alliance doctrine statement reads…
There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We provided a basic outline for a study of the person and work of Christ.
The official CM&A doctrinal statement reads…
Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. tie died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutional sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at tile right hand of tile Majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and peace.
Today we will present an overview of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. When Paul found some disciples of Jesus in Ephesus, he asked them…
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." Acts 19:1-2
Many today have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. An if they have it is a distorted or deficient understanding of Him. We mentioned a couple weeks ago from a recent survey of Biblical understanding of those who claim to be Christians that 22% strongly agreed and 17% somewhat agreed that the Holy Spirit is only “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity. Our understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit must come from a thouorugh and careful study of the Scriptures.
It is not experience but the Scriptures that must shape our thinking in this area.
This is meant to be just an overview. If you want a more thougough coverage of the topic you can get a copy of the notes from a past series on the Holy Spirit presented a few years ago. Today will be only a summary of His person and work. When you put all of the references together, the role of the Holy Spirit looks amazingly similar to that of a caring pastor. The Holy Spirit is God’s perfect perpetual pastor to His people. He is always there.
He was sent to encourage with the same kind of ministry Jesus had with His disciples.
The official CM&A statement reads:
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to indwell, guide, teach and empower the believer and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
I. The Name and Titles of the Holy Spirit
Names set people apart from the crowd. Names or titles tell you something of their function or character or association with others. Father, Son, Daughter, Cousin, Brother, Uncle, Professor, Helper, Aid, Sergeant, Secretary, Doctor, supervisor, senator, policeman or Pastor. Each of these names reveals and highlights a particular relationship or function. Many names and titles have been assigned in Scripture to the Holy Spirit that focus on both His relationship and function.
? Relationship to the Father
Spirit of God Gen 1:2; Matt 3:16
Spirit of the Lord Luke 4:18
Spirit of our God 1Cor 6:11
His Spirit Num 11:29
Spirit of Yahweh Judg 3:10
Your Spirit Ps 139:7
Spirit of the Lord God Isa 61:1
Spirit of you Father Matt 10:20
Spirit of the Living God 2Cor 3:3
? Relationship to the Son
Spirit of Christ Rom 8:9
Spirit of Jesus Christ Phil 1:19
Spirit of Jesus Act 16:7
Spirit of His Son Gal 4:6
Spirit of the Lord Act 5:9; 8:39
? Titles revealing attributes
Spirit of Life Rom 8:2
Spirit of Holiness Rom 1:4
Holy One 1 John 2:20
Spirit of Wisdom Ex 28:3; Eph 1:17
Spirit of Wisdom and understanding Isa 11:2
Spirit of Counsel and Might Isa 11:2
Spirit knowledge & fear of the Lord Is 11:2
Spirit of Truth John 14:17
Spirit of Grace Heb 10:29; Zech 12:10
? Titles revealing His Work
Spirit of Glory 1Pet 4:14
Spirit of life Rom 8:2
Encourager, Helper, Comforter John 14-16
Spirit of Adoption Rom 8:15
SYMBOLS
We must always exercise great care when handling symbols in Scripture. Symbolism can be a wonderful tool for understanding the reality of Spiritual truths. However, these symbols should not ever be pushed beyond their original intent. Sometimes in Scripture, water is water and fire is fire and oil is just oil and wind is sometimes just wind. Do not take a symbol and always assume it refers to the Holy Spirit just because it was used as such once.
• Clothed with Power Luke 24:49
• A Dove Mat 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32
• Down-payment 2Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:14
• Fire Acts 2:3
• Oil (Only by implication. There is no clear specific Biblical reference.)
• Seal 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30
• Water John 7:37-39
• Wind John 3:8; Acts 2:1-2
II. The Origin of the Holy Spirit
A person’s origin often tells us something of who they are. Often what country or state or even what county someone grew up in makes a difference in how they act. The Holy Spirit has NO origin, for He has always been. The Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father. John 15:26 “the Spirit of truth, which proceeds (present tense) from the Father”. Psalm 104:30 “You send forth Your Spirit”. The Holy Spirit exists from eternity along with the Father and the Son. He has no origin. His ministry has been from eternity.
III. The Nature and Character of the Holy Spirit
A. He is invisible but personal (John 3)
1. He has all the elements of personality
• Intellect (mind) 1Cor 2:10-11; Eph 1:17
• Sensibility (emotions) Eph 4:30; Joy in the HS
• Volition (will) 1 Cor 12:11
The Bible clearly affirms the personality of the Holy Spirit and we must not think of Him in any other way than a person.
2. His works affirm personality
Upon observing the kind of work attributed to the Holy Spirit it is immediately evident that only a living being is capable of these things.
• He Creates Gen 1:2
• He Empowers Zech 4:6
• He Teaches John 16:13
• He Guides Rom 8:14
• He Comforts John 14:26
• He Prays Rom 8:26
A mere force or power does not do these things. These are activities of a living person.
3. The use of personal Pronouns affirms Personality
The Word generally used for the Holy Spirit is a neuter noun. However, in several places the masculine pronoun is used in defiance of normal grammar to make a powerful point regarding the personality of the Holy Spirit. (See John 15:26; 16:13-14)
B. He has all the attributes of the Father and the Son
Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14
He shares their GREATNESS. He shares their GOODNESS. He shares their absolute PURITY.
There is no pastor like the Holy Spirit guaranteed. We have at our side; the universe’s most “perfect Pastor”. The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal force or power to be used for our benefit. He does not come in pieces or in installments. He either resides in you or not. He is not our personal gopher or spiritual battery charger to give us some spiritual buzz. His presence may or may not generate feelings. We must relate to Him as a person.
So what does the Holy Spirit do? What is his ministry? The Holy Spirit did not first manifest on earth at Pentecost. He, along with the Father and the Son, has ministered on this earth from the beginning.
IV. Summary of Past Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
• Creation activity
• Source of life
• Stirred hearts to work
• Instilled skills to individuals to work
• Gifted individuals to teach others
• Stirred hearts to give
• Granted ability to draw others to God
• Equipped leaders to bear burdens of others.
• Communicated the truth
• Provided wisdom for good decisions
• Imparted strategy for conducting warfare
• Gave ability to rally people to a cause
• Gave supernatural physical strength
• Dictated prophetic proclamations
• Generated righteous response to evil
• Provided protection from attack
• Spoke words of encouragement
• Provided specific direction
• Confronted sin.
• Gave vision for the future.
• Gave courage to confront sin.
• Calmed fears by His presence
• Skill to lead
• Incentive to remain faithful to spouse
V. Ministry in the Life of Jesus
The Old Testament predicted that the Holy Spirit would be active in the life of Jesus.
Isaiah 11:1-5; Isaiah 61:1-3
• Began at His birth. Matt 1:18-20; Luke 1:35
• Manifested in His childhood (Implied – Luke 2:46-49)
• Anointed Him with power for ministry at Baptism (Mark 1:9-11; John 1:33-34)
• Demonstrated throughout His whole ministry.
He directed His activities Mark 1:12
He empowered for ministry Luke 4:13-15
He provided the power for victory over demonic forces Matthew 12:27-28
He manifested joy and praise in the Lord’s goodness Luke 10:18-21
Acts succinctly summarizes Jesus’ earthly ministry
Acts 10:38 "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.
• He also worked in those associated with Jesus before Pentecost.
Elizabeth was filled the Spirit Luke 3 1:41
Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit Luke 1:67
John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb Luke 1:15
The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon in the temple Luke 2:25-32
The disciples “received the Holy Spirit” when Jesus breathed on them. John 20:22
VI. His coming at Pentecost
A. The promise
Joel 2:28-29; Matt 3:11-12; Jn 7:37-39;14:16-18;15:26;16:7-15; Acts 1:4-8
B. The fulfillment of the Promise
Jerusalem/Judea Acts 2:1-47
Samaria Acts 8:14-25
Uttermost Parts (Gentiles) Acts 10:44-48
C. Clarifying Event
Acts 19:1-7 And it came about that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found some disciples, 2and he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." 4And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7And there were in all about twelve men.
VII. His present Ministry
A. Related to Conversion
1. Baptism in the Holy Spirit
1 Cor. 12:13 For by (in or with) one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Baptism in the Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit whereby He indwells any and every individual upon genuine belief in Christ and unites that individual with all other believers into the church, the body of Christ. We all become connected by reason of all being IN the Spirit. We are identified with Christ through baptism.
2. Regeneration (new birth, core change) John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5-7
Regeneration is a work of the Holy Spirit whereby He imparts life to the human spirit which was dead in sin. It is clear that it is by the Spirit that we are made alive. He imparts life on the basis of faith in Christ. Any time we talk about new life, new birth, renewal, we are talking about a direct ministry and function of the Holy Spirit.
3. Indwelling
Indwelling describes the place of ministry of the Holy Spirit. He comes to permanently live in every “baptized”, “regenerated” individual.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If the Holy Spirit does not dwell in you, you do not belong to Christ. (Rom 8:9)
4. Sealing 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30
The Holy Spirit, by reason of His indwelling presence assures us God’s continual work in our life. He gives us a taste of what is yet to come and guarantees our delivery to the father. He seals us for the day of complete redemption; that is, the return of Christ.
B. Related to Sanctification
Sanctification has to do with the process of continual renewal; setting us apart and perfecting us as God’s special people. 1 Peter 1:1-2; Gal 3:1-8
1. Filling and empowering for life AND service
General everyday usage of the term
to man a ship, satisfy, appease, pay off, fully cover, to fill.
General Observations on the Spirit’s filling
• Filling happened more than once to the same individual.
• Generally used to describe the driving force behind an action.
• Describes the spiritual state of a group or an individual in relation to the Holy Spirit.
• It does not refer to acquiring more of the Holy Spirit than one had before.
• The fact that the Holy Spirit is a Person and the nature of His continual indwelling (as a person) clears up any piece-at- a-time perception.
• People were filled who didn’t necessarily ask directly for filling.
• Filling came about in the natural course of one’s relationship with God and practice of the spiritual disciplines.
Filling indicates the spiritual state of being a completely surrendered vessel under the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
2. He teaches and confirms truth. Jo 14:25-27; 16:13-15; 1 cor 2:10; 1 jn 2:20
John 15:26 Romans 8:16 Romans 9:1 Hebrews 10:14-17 1 John 3:24 1 John 5:7
3. Anoints with power and boldness to proclaim truth Act 4:31; 1 Thes 1:5
4. He enables prayer Eph 2:18; 8:26; 6:18; Jude 1:20
5. Provides specific direction when necessary Act 13:2-4; 16:6-7; 21:4,11
6. Continually transforms the soul 2 Thes 2:13; Titus 3:5-7; 2 Cor 3:17-18
He is the source of life Rom 8:2,6,11; Gal 5:25;6:8;
He produces godly fruit Gal 5:22-23
He inspires genuine love Rom 5:5; Col 1:8
He generates joy and peace Rom 14:17
7. Inspires eternal hope Rom 15:13
8. Enables Genuine fellowship 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 4:3; Philip 2:1
9. Furnishes inner strength and power Eph 3:16-19; Col 1:9-12;
10. Supplies power over the flesh desires Gal 5:16-25; Rom 8:12-14
11. Stimulates Genuine worship John 4:23-24; Phil 3:3; Eph 5:18-21
12. Encourages perseverance in tribulation Gal 5:5; I Pet 4:14
13. Mysteriously transports people to different location Acts 8;38-40
14. Gives direction and truth through prophetic visions Acts 10:19; Rev
C. Related to the church
1. Source of growth Act 9:31; Eph 2:22
2. In charge of leadership appointment and gifting Acts 13:2-4; 20:28; eph 4:11-13
3. Distributes Spiritual gifts according to HIS will 1 Peter 4:10-11
D. Related to the world
But 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 go, I will send Him to you. "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. John 16:7-11
E. Hindered by sin
1. Resisting the Holy Spirit by unbelief Act 7:51
2. Quench the Holy Spirit by failure to obey 1 Thes 5:16-22
3. Grieving the Holy Spirit by sin Eph 4:30
4. Lying to the Holy Spirit Act 5:1-11
VIII. His future ministry
The Holy Spirit will have a saving and preserving ministry during both the tribulation period and the Millennium and of course the new heaven and earth. He is not taken out of the world because no one can be saved without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Just as all three members of the trinity have been working together form eternity past they will also work together through eternity future.
Application
This has been a brief overview and provides a basic outline for thinking through the persona and work of the Holy Spirit. If you want to fully appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit as declared in the Bible you must begin to relate to Him as a person not some mystical feeling of tingling. Paul commanded the Ephesians to be continually directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We need to live our daily lives (walk) by His direction.
We need to be aware of resisting and quenching His work and grieving Him with our disobedience and rebellion. It is not a matter of getting more of Him. It is not a matter of Him coming down and falling on us. It is a matter of surrendering to Him. It is a matter of allowing Him to be the boss. We don’t get more of Him but He gets more of us. At the point of surrender, the Holy Spirit will provide direction and will empower us for personal growth and for ministry.
