NCC 36

Alright. So to recap how we’ve gotten to where we are....

Part one of this deals with the nature of the Godhead, his holiness, etc, it discusses the law, and our falleness.

Part two focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ what we must and mustn’t do to be saved. As long as we’re baptized we’re good to go, right? NO! We are saved by grace through faith alone in Christ alone, and we must not try to add or supplement that with anything!

Part three focuses on the work of the Holy Spirit and our growth and believers in Christ. How do we grow? Why is church attendance important? Why is prayer important?

Question 36 What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?

That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe.

We’ve talked about the concept of the trinity…here we have the Holy Spirit, coeternal with the Father and the Son...

Is the Holy Spirit God?? How would you prove that from the Scriptures? Where would you go? Acts 5.

This is important, because not everyone affirms the Spirit to be God.

We live in Jeffersonville, IN, home to the Brahnamite cult. Not all Branhamites believe this, but some believe that the Spirit of truth who will guide you into all truth....that was a prophecy about william Brahnam. That’s Blasphemous!

1. The Holy Spirit is a Person. (Remember that He is the third Person of the Triunity)

a. Called “He” John 15:26

b. Possesses personal qualities:

i. Will 1 Cor 12:11

ii. Emotion Is 63:10; Rom 15:30; Eph 4:30

Ephesians 4:30 ESV

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

God grants the Holy Spirit irrevocably to those who believe in Christ.

The indwelling Spirit.

....what does he do?

Regenerates Titus 3:4-5

Titus 3:4–5 ESV

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Baptizes 1 Cor 12:13

1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

i. It is the Spirit’s work that brings us into the body of Christ. All believers receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion. It is not subsequent to salvation. It does not necessarily have an immediate outward manifestation (like tongues)

Seals. a. Seals Eph 1:13-14

i. A seal is a guarantee. Once you have placed your faith in Christ, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee, the earnest, the down payment, of the promise.

ii. Implications

1. This provides assurance (or should). John 10:28-30.

2. Provides hope for a future even greater inheritance

a. What is this inheritance? Eternal life, Jesus Christ, the Father, eternal communion with the Trinity, etc.

These are all things he does at the moment of conversion. Next week we will talk about how he helps us each and every day, and how it is our joy to walk by the spirit and be filled with the spirit