The Holy Spirit - Part 7 Of 9 Series

THE HOLY SPIRIT

This nine-part series was originally developed for a class environment, and later adapted for use in a prison ministry conducted via correspondence. Because of that background, questions were developed for each lesson for participants to use in a setting conducive to discussion, or as handouts for private use if the lessons are presented as sermons. At the beginning of each part of the series, I will include the outline of the series.

OUTLINE OF THIS SERIES OF STUDIES

Part 1

Introduction, Holy Spirit as deity

Names of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Part 2

Holy Spirit in the NT (apostles to receive power)

Gabriel’s message to Mary

Foreseen by NT characters—Jesus, John

What we learn from Jesus in John 14,16

The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost

Baptism in, or by, the Holy Spirit

Baptism of believers

Part 3

If I do not go away the Holy Spirit will not come

Men received and were dependent on the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a Guarantee

Grieving the Holy Spirit

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Being Filled With the Spirit

Part 4

The Holy Spirit in the Functioning of the church (first installment)

(1 Cor 12; Rom 12; Eph 4)

Gifts of the Spirit

The Head

Grace as Gifts (did not delve into each of the gifts, or special aptitudes, given by the Holy Spirit)

Functions “God Has Appointed”

Tongues/prophesying

Part 5

The empowering gifts of the Holy Spirit

Bestowing honor upon less “presentable” members

Order of functions (First apostles, second prophets, third teachers) Teachers discussed in Part 6

Part 6

Teachers

First apostles, second prophets, third teachers.

Part 7

Ministries of the Holy Spirit

Are the Bible and the Holy Spirit the same?

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

Part 8

Fruit of the Spirit

The Spirit vs the Flesh

Attributes of the Holy Spirit

Part 9

Acting in opposition to the Holy Spirit

• Lying to the Holy Spirit

• Resisting the Holy Spirit

• Quenching the Holy Spirit

• Grieving the Holy Spirit

• Defiling the Temple of the Holy Spirit

• Insulting the Spirit of Grace (doing despite)

Intercessor (though mentioned previously)

How Can I Know if I Have the Holy Spirit?

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

Part 7

In this lesson we will examine three separate, but loosely connected aspects of the Holy Spirit: his ministries, the question of whether his work in modern times is performed completely through the written word, and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Ministries of the Holy Spirit

The word “ministries” refers to the various ways the Holy Spirit works. The Holy Spirit works in many capacities, all of which are in harmony with each other and with the eternal purposes of the godhead. We will not study all of these ministries in detail; however, it seems useful to cite a number of them here, to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit’s work is large and diverse. Some of the Holy Spirit’s works are more well-known than others, such as the comforter, indwelling spirit, and the guide into all truth, as stated by Jesus when he was gathered with his disciples for the last time before his death (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-14). But other aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work are less familiar.

Broadly, beyond his involvement in the creation, which we mentioned earlier in this series of studies, the Holy Spirit appears to be the “operational” feature of the godhead, being intimately involved and interactive with humans, especially but not exclusively since Pentecost.

The following list includes a number of mentions in the Bible of the Holy Spirit’s work.

Creator of the world – John 1:3; Col 1:16? ; Psa 104:30

Gave the apostles words to say – Luke 12:12; 10:19-20

Reminded apostles of Jesus’ words – John 14:26

Led Jesus, and leads us – Matt 4:1; Luke 4:2; Romans 8:14; Gal 5:18;

Raised Jesus from the dead – Rom 1:1-4; Romans 8:11

Revealer of truth – John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Gives birth (born of the Spirit) - John 31-16

Renews – Titus 3:5

Enables discernment – 1 Corinthians 2:14

Convicts – John 16:8-9, leading to washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit – Titus 3:5

Bears witness – John 15:16; 1 John 5:7-8

Agent for Jesus’ sacrifice – Hebrews 9:14

Sanctifier – 1 Peter 1:1-2

Enabler, or power, of miracles, casting out demons – Luke 4:14, 18f; John 3:34; Matthew 12:28; Hebrews 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Acts 10:38; cf. Acts 19:1-7

It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was raised from the dead. The same Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies – Romans 8:11