The Grace of God

Grace and Holy Spirit Fire

Mark T Watson / General

The Holy Spirit Fire is both an expression of God’s grace and the means by which it is experienced.

The Holy Spirit is himself a gracious gift of God

Ac 2:38; Tt 3:4–7; 1 Jn 3:24

Acts 2:38 (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.

Repent and be baptized. Admitting and turning from sin, accepting God’s forgiveness and being baptized in water are the conditions Peter states here for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and fire.

Fire Bible.

The Spirit is a gift of grace fulfilling God's promise.

Disciple's Study Bible.

Titus 3:4-7 (NKJV)

4  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

5  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7  that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 John 3:24 (NKJV)

24  Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

See also Jn 6:63; Jn 20:21–22; Ac 5:32; Ac 11:15–17; Ac 15:6–8; 1 Co 2:12; Ga 3:14

Through the Holy Spirit God brings believers out of slavery and into his family

Romans 8:15–16 NKJV

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

The Spirit himself testifies. As we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and remain in right relationship with Jesus, the Spirit gives us the confidence that we are God’s children.

Fire Bible.

See also Ga 4:6–7; Eph 2:17–18

Through the Holy Spirit God equips believers to serve him

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 NKJV

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

[manifestation] Greek: phanerosis (GSN-<G5321>), making visible. The visible manifestations would be the visible healings, miracles, manifest prophecies, tongues, interpretations, and even the giving forth of wisdom, knowledge, and discernments of various kinds

Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.

See also Jn 7:37–39; Ac 1:8; Ac 2:4; Ac 4:31; Ro 5:5; Ga 3:5; Heb 2:4

The Holy Spirit in God’s gracious work of redemption

Romans 8:1–2 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Those who are in Christ Jesus. When Paul uses the phrase “in Christ,” he is referring to those who are in a right relationship with Jesus through faith in him. Such individuals are united with Christ and identify with him in his death to sin and in being raised to a new life. In the previous chapters, Paul has just shown that life without Christ’s grace is defeat, misery and slavery to sin (i.e., our own rebellious way which separates us from God and brings spiritual and eternal death). Now in ch. 8, Paul tells us that spiritual life, freedom from condemnation (i.e., guilt, separation from God, eternal punishment), victory over sin and peace with God come through a personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship brings the presence of the Holy Spirit into a Christian’s life. By following the Spirit’s guidance and relying on his power, the follower of Christ is rescued from sin’s power and set on a course toward eternal life and honor with Christ.

Fire Bible.

See also 1 Co 2:4–5; 1 Co 2:13; 1 Th 1:4–5; 1 Pe 1:12

The Holy Spirit in God’s gracious work of sanctifying and sustaining his people.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NKJV)

13  But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

14  to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NKJV)

17  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Spirit... there is freedom. The freedom that comes through faith in and devotion to Christ rescues and liberates people from the guilt and slavery of sin and from the power and control of Satan

Fire Bible.

2 Co 3:17–18; 2 Th 2:13

See also Ac 9:31; Ro 8:26–27; Ro 14:17–18; Ro 15:13; Ga 5:4–5; Ga 5:22–23; Ga 6:8; Eph 2:22; Eph 3:16–20; Php 1:18–19; 2 Ti 1:14; Heb 10:29; Jas 4:4–6

INTRODUCTION. This is one of the clearest passages in the Bible on the grace of God and its results. A Christian is one who has been:

I. SAVED BY GRACE. (SALVATION) Titus 2:11.

A. Salvation is an inclusive term and contains a wealth of meaning. It means that we are:

B. Cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ. Rev. 1:5.

C. Delivered eternally from the penalty of sin. Rom. 6:23; John 10:27–30.

D. We are sure of heaven when we die. John 14:1–3; 2 Cor. 5:1–8; John 11:25, 26.

II. TAUGHT BY GRACE. (CHRISTIAN LIVING) Titus 2:12.

A. Teaches us the negative side of Christian living; that which we are to leave alone.

1. Ungodliness. Anything that is not for His glory. Cp. 1 Cor. 10:31.

2. Worldly lusts. James 4:4.

B. Teaches us the positive side of Christian living.

1. Soberly. Col. 3:5–10. Has to do with our self.

2. Righteously. Rom. 12:17–21. Has to do with our relations with our fellowman.

3. Godly. Col. 3:15–17. Has to do with our relationship with God.

III. MARKED BY GRACE. (CHRISTIAN HOPE) Titus 2:13, 14.

A. Will cause us to look for Christ. Compare. John 14:1–3; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; 1 John 3:1–3.

B. Will cause us to be a peculiar people. (A people for His very own possession.) Cp. 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

C. Will cause us to be zealous of good works. Cp. Eph. 2:8–10.

Bolick, J. H. (1987). Sermon Outlines from the Word (p. 10). Baker Book House.