The Person and Minstry of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God.

The Bible identifies Him as one of three Persons existing as one God—that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

In this lesson, we will study who the Holy Spirit is and what His presence and ministry are in the believer’s life.

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON

A. Recognized as a person

Personal pronouns such as “He” or “Him” are used to refer to the Holy Spirit rather than “it.”

Here is a list the number of times “He” or “Him” is used in John 14:17 to refer to the Holy Spirit.

John 14:17 ESV

17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

2 (NASB), 4 (ESV), 5 (NIV), 4 (NKJV)

B. Attributes of personality

1. Intellect. He possesses the ability to know and understand reality.

a. Romans 8:27: The Holy Spirit has a mind.

Romans 8:27 ESV

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

b. 1 Corinthians 2:10: The Holy Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

c. 1 Corinthians 2:11: The Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

2. Emotion. He possesses the ability to experience emotion.

Whats the emotion attributed to the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4:30 Grief

Ephesians 4:30 ESV

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

3. Volition. He possesses the ability to determine or act decisively.

List the decision or judgment in which the Holy Spirit demonstrates His attribute of volition.

a. 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11 as He wills

b. Acts 13:2 setting apart Barnabas and Saul for specific work and ministry

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD

A. Attributes

The Holy Spirit: Attributes of Deity

Omniscient: All-knowing Isaiah 40:13–14

Isaiah 40:13–14 ESV

13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? 14 Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

Omnipresent: Present everywhere Psalm 139:7

Psalm 139:7 ESV

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Eternal: Without beginning or end Hebrews 9:14

Hebrews 9:14 ESV

14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Truth: Veracity; integrity 1 John 5:7 John 16:13

John 16:13 ESV

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

1 John 5:7 ESV

7 For there are three that testify:

B. Statements of deity

1. What is the key statement that shows that the Holy Spirit is God (2 Corinthians 3:17). “The Lord is Spirit.”

2. According to Acts 5:3–4, lying to the Holy Spirit is the same thing as lying to God.

III. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. According to Psalm 104:30, the Holy Spirit is active in creation.

B. Second Peter 1:20–21 tells us that the Holy Spirit was also active in prophecy; the inspiration of the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit Bears Witness of Christ

Attests that Jesus is the Christ John 15:26

John 15:26 ESV

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

Will disclose or reveal Christ John 16:14

John 16:14 ESV

14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Will not speak of Himself John 16:13

John 16:13 ESV

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

IV. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in Salvation

One of the most important areas of the Spirit’s work is with respect to God’s plan of salvation.

A. What special work does the Holy Spirit do?John 16:7–8

John 16:7–8 ESV

7 Nevertheless, 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. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment

B. By whom are sinners born into God’s kingdom John 3:5–8

John 3:5–8 ESV

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

C. What work does the Spirit do when a person is saved?

1. Titus 3:5–6 regeneration and renewing

2. 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”

The baptism by the Spirit occurs only once—at the time of salvation.

D. How does the Holy Spirit guarantee a believer’s salvation Ephesians 1:13–14

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

The Sealing of the Holy Spirit

A seal was an ancient device, usually a signet ring or cylinder seal engraved with the owner’s name or with a particular design.

It was used to seal goods, demonstrate ownership, attest a document’s authenticity, or impress an early form of a trademark.

A seal indicates ownership and security.

It is the guarantee of future blessings.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is God’s promise of our inheritance in the future!

What a wonderful assurance.

V. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER’S LIFE

A. What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the believer Romans 8:9

Romans 8:9 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

“the Spirit of God dwells in you.”

B. Is it possible to be a Christian and not be indwelled by the Holy Spirit? No!

C. What is another ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer 1 Corinthians 2:12–13

1 Corinthians 2:12–13 ESV

12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

He teaches us the things of God.

D. What exhortations are given to all believers in regard to the Spirit?

1. Ephesians 4:30 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.”

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit.”

3. Ephesians 5:18 “Be filled with the Spirit.”

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

To be filled with the Spirit is to be under His total domination and control.…

To be filled with the Spirit involves confession of sin, surrender of will, intellect, body, time, talent, possessions, and desires.

It requires the death of selfishness and the slaying of self-will.…

To be filled with God’s Spirit is to be filled with His Word.

And as we are filled with God’s Word, it controls our thinking and action.

E. How does a Christian keep from sinning Galatians 5:16

Galatians 5:16 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

walk by the Spirit

F. When a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, he will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5:22–23 and list these qualities below:

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1. love

2. joy

3. peace

4. patience

5. kindness

6. goodness

7. faithfulness

8. gentleness

9. self-control

Are we exhibiting those qualities in our life?

VI. APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, the apostle Paul writes: “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.”

A. What significance does that have for you?

B. What do you need to do to glorify God in your body?