What Every Christian Should Know about the Holy Spirit

What Every Believer Should Know About the Holy Spirit

· The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity.

· The Old KJV often translated the term, “ghost.” Changed to “Spirit” as language evolved. I believe “Spirit” is a better translation.

The Distinctiveness of the Holy Spirit…

1. What the Holy Spirit IS NOT…

a. The Holy Spirit is not the Father. He was sent by and from the Father (; ; ). Furthermore, He intercedes to the Father on our behalf (,).

b. The Holy Spirit is not the Son. He is another comforter sent by Jesus (; ). Further, He humbly seeks to glorify Christ (,).

c. The Holy Spirit is not an abstract concept, a vapor, an essence, a force, or an it.

d. While “spirit” is normally a neutral-gender word in Greek, Jesus always referred to the Holy Spirit with a personal pronoun: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth” ().

2. What the Holy Spirit IS…

a. Eternal ().

b. A person

i. He has intelligence

1. He knows the things of God ()

2. He has a mind ()

3. He teaches people ()

ii. He has emotions

1. He can be offended ()

2. He loves ()

iii. He has an independent will

1. He chooses the distribution of gifts ()

c. God (repeated phrase – “Spirit of God.” See also ; ; )

The Function of the Holy Spirit in History…

1. During the Old Testament

a. The Holy Spirit was active in creation (; ).

b. The Holy Spirit was active in revelation ().

c. The Holy Spirit restrained sin ().

d. The Holy Spirit’s indwelling was selective and temporary.

i. In certain people—Daniel (; )

ii. Upon certain people—Judges ()

iii. Filled certain people—Bezalel ()

2. During the Life of Christ

a. Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit ().

b. Christ was full of the Holy Spirit ().

c. Christ was led by the Holy Spirit ().

d. Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit ().

e. Christ was empowered by the Holy Spirit ().

f. Christ was sealed by the Holy Spirit ().

g. Christ was resurrected by the Holy Spirit ().

3. During the Tribulation

a. The Holy Spirit’s church-related activities will cease (baptism into the body of Christ).

b. The Holy Spirit’s activities will revert to OT characteristics (selective/temporary indwelling).

The Function of the Holy Spirit Today…

1. He’s the Big Initiator

a. He brings about conviction

i. – “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”

ii. He persuades us of God’s holiness, opening our spiritual eyes.

iii. He shows us our need to choose to receive Christ’s salvation.

2. He’s the Change Maker

a. He is the source of our regeneration.

i.

ii.

b. He is the source of our sanctification.

i. What is the Fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Spirit are character qualities that God possesses and that the Holy Spirit imparts to us as we live in trusting obedience to Jesus.

1. Nine fruit divided into 3 clusters:

a. Upward = Love, joy, peace (our relationship to God)

b. Outward = Patience, kindness, goodness (our relationship with other people)

c. Inward = Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (our relationship with ourselves)

3. He’s the Inside Source

a. He is the still, small voice nudging us in God’s direction.

b. He is the Spirit of God that lives in us (; ).

4. He’s the Family Name

a. The HS baptizes all believers into the family of God. (This happens at the moment of regeneration).

b. – “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free.”

5. He’s the Eternal Guarantee

a. Every believer is made a permanent member of God’s family by the HS.

b. – Christ has “set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”