Holy Spirit Wkbk - La Vista Church of Christ

TheHolySpirit

ByCloyceSuttonII

3rdQuarter,2016 BartlettChurchofChrist

Contents

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Contents

Introduction...................................................................................................................................5

StartingPoints...............................................................................................................................7

BibleReferencestotheHolySpirit......................................................................................9

1. Names&DescriptionsoftheHolySpirit........................................................................11

2. TheHolySpiritisGod.............................................................................................................13

3. TheHolySpiritisaPerson....................................................................................................17

4. TheHolySpiritintheOldTestament...............................................................................21

5. TheHolySpirit&Christ.........................................................................................................25

6. HolySpiritBaptism..................................................................................................................29

7. GiftsoftheHolySpirit.............................................................................................................33

8. CessationofGifts.......................................................................................................................37

9. TheGiftoftheHolySpirit–Acts2.38..............................................................................41

10. TheIndwellingoftheHolySpirit.......................................................................................45

11. TheSpirit&theWord.............................................................................................................49

12. TheFruitoftheSpirit..............................................................................................................53

13. MiscellaneousQuestions.......................................................................................................57

Introduction

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IntroductionTheHolySpiritisoneofthemostpopular,yetleastunderstoodsubjectsintheBible.ManyChristians(andchurches),areinterestedinthesubject,buthavespentlittletimestudyingit.Someareevenreluctanttostudyit.

JesustoldNicodemus,“Thewindblowswhereitwishesandyouhearthesoundofit,butdon’tknowwhereitcomesfromandwhereitisgoing;soiseveryonewhoisbornoftheSpirit”(John3.8).Thatis,theeffectsoftheSpiritaremorevisiblethantheworkingsoftheSpirit.TherearesomethingsabouttheSpiritwewon’tknow.

YetPaulassuredusthat,“wehavereceived,notthespiritoftheworld,buttheSpiritwhoisfromGod,thatwemightknowthethingsfreelygiventousbyGod”(1Corinthians2.12).TheSpirithassearchedandrevealedtousthemindofGod,sothatweneednotguessathiswillforus(1Corinthians2.16).Anyone,believerorunbeliever,whostudiestheScripturesisconvictedbytheSpirit(John16.7-15).

ScripturerevealsexactlywhatweneedtoknowabouttheSpirit.However,somearedissatisfiedwithwhat’srevealed,andgobeyond.Othershaven’tstudiedatall,andarenobetteroffthanthefirstgroup.Stillothersstudy,buttheirviewsarecoloredbyerroneousideastheybringwiththem.SomestudyinreactiontofalseteachingsabouttheHolySpirit.So,ifCharismaticsbelieve“x”,then,becausetheyarewrong,then“y”mustbecorrect.TheystartwiththeCharismaticsratherthanScripture.

Inhisrecentbook,ForgottenGod,authorFrancisChanlamentsthatthechurchhas“tragicallyneglected,andforallpracticalpurposes,forgotten”theHolySpirit(p15).ButpartoftheproblemiswithScriptureitself,theproductoftheHolySpirit’sactivityandwork.heSpiritincludedonlyabout250referencestohimself,whereasthemostcommonOTnamesforGod(Lord,GodandYahweh)occurover10,000times.SomeofthesemayincludetheHolySpirit,butmany,perhapsmost,appeartobespeakingofGodtheFather.Likewise,themostcommonNTwordforGodoccursover2500times,andGodiscalledour“Father”over250times.Thewords“Jesus”and“Christ”occurover1500timesintheNT,andreferencestoJesusas“Lord”occurover600times.Somemayhave“forgotten”abouttheHolySpirit,butthesimplefactisthatwehavemuchlessinformationabouthim.ThiswastheSpirit’schoice.Perhapsit’sbettertothinkofhimasObscureGod.

Inthisstudywe’lllookatmostofthese250BiblereferencestotheHolySpirit.WewillstudyvarioustopicsandtextsrelatingtotheHolySpirit.Mostofthesestudiesinvolvebasicexposition,withaviewtobetterunderstandingthenatureandworkoftheSpirit.

CloyceSuttonII

Starting Points

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StartingPointsAswebeginthisstudy,answerthefollowingquestions:

1. HowmanytimeshaveyoupersonallystudiedthesubjectoftheHolySpirit?

2. Howmanyclasseshaveyouparticipatedin?

3. Howmanysermonshaveyouheard?

4. Howmanybookshaveyouread?

5. Inonesentence(ortwo,orthree,orfifty),describeyourcurrentunderstandingoftheHolySpirit.

6. Whatapprehensionsdoyouhaveaboutstudyingthissubject?

7. Whatdoyouthinkaresomecommonmisconceptionsaboutit?

8. Haveyoueverbeenaccusedof–orhaveyoueveraccusedsomeoneof–“puttingtheHolySpiritinabox”?Whatdoesthatmean?

Bible References

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BibleReferencestotheHolySpirit

OldTestamentGenesis1.2;6.3;41.38Exodus31.3;cf35.31Numbers11.17,25,26,29;24.2;27.18Judges3.10;6.34;11.29;13.25;14.6,19;

15.141Samuel10.6,10;11.6;16.13f;19.20,232Samuel23.21Kings18.12;22.242Kings2.161Chronicles12.182Chronicles18.23;20.14;24.20Nehemiah9.20,30Job33.4Psalms51.11;104.29f;106.33;139.7;

143.10Isaiah11.2;30.1;32.15;34.16;40.13;

42.1;44.3;48.16;59.21;61.1;63.10Ezekiel2.2;3.12,24;11.1,5,24;36.27;

37.1,14;39.29;43.5Joel2.28fMicah2.7;3.8Haggai2.5Zechariah4.6;7.12;12.10Malachi2.15

NewTestamentMatthew1.18,20;3.11,16;4.1;10.20;

12.18,28, 31f;22.43;28.19Mark1.8,10,12;3.29;12.36;13.11Luke1.15,35,41,67;2.25ff;3.16,22;4.1,

14,18;10.21;11.13;12.10,22John1.32f;3.5f,8,34;6.63;7.39;14.17,

26;15.26;16.13;20.22Acts1.2,5,8,16;2.4,17,33,38;4.8,25,

31;5.3,9,32;6.3,5,10;7.51,55;8.15,17ff,29,39;9.17,31;10.19,38,44f,47;11.12,15f,24,28;13.2,4,9,52;15.8,28;16.6f;19.2,6,21;20.22f,28;21.4;21.11;28.25

Romans1.4;2.29;5.5;7.6;8.2,4ff,9,11,13f,16,23,26f;9.1;14.17;15.13,16,19,30

1Corinthians2.4,10-14;3.16;6.11,19;7.40;12.3f,7ff,11,13

2Corinthians1.22;3.3,6,8,17f;5.5;6.6;13.14

Galatians3.2f,5,14;4.6,29;5.5,16ff,22,25;6.8

Ephesians1.13;2.18,22;3.5,16;4.3f,30;5.18;6.17f

Colossians1.8Philippians1.19;2.1;3.31Thessalonians1.5f;4.8;5.192Thessalonians2.131Timothy3.16;4.12Timothy1.14Titus3.5fHebrews2.4;3.7;6.4;9.8,14;10.15,29James4.51Peter1.2,11f;4.142Peter1.211John3.24;4.2,6,13;5.7fJude19fRevelation1.10;2.7,11,17,29;3.6,13,22;4.2;14.13;17.3;22.17

Names & Descriptions

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Lesson#1

Names&DescriptionsoftheHolySpiritInthislesson,we’llbrieflysurveysomeofthedesignationsgiventotheHolySpiritintheBible.Sometimesyoucantellalotaboutsomethingbylookingatthenamesgiventoit.TheHolySpiritisnoexception.Beawarethatsomeofthereferencestothe“spirit”inthislistaredebatable.

Generally1. Revelation1.4–

2. Hebrews9.14–

3. Ephesians4.30;Romans1.4–

InrelationtoGodtheFather4. Matthew3.16;Romans8.9–

5. 2Corinthians3.3–

6. Matthew10.20–

7. Isaiah61.1–



InrelationtotheSon10. Romans8.9–

11. Philippians1.19–

12. Galatians4.6–

Names & Descriptions

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Inrelationtobelievers9. John14.17–

10. Romans8.2–

11. Ephesians1.13–

12. Hebrews10.29–

13. John14.26–

14. Romans8.15–

SymbolsoftheSpirit15. Matthew3.16;cfLuke3.22–

16. Acts2.2;cfJohn3.8–

17. Acts2.3f–

18. Ephesians1.13f–

19. John7.37ff;cf3.5;4.10ff–

20. Isaiah61.1;cfLuke4.18f;Acts10.38–

Deity of the Holy Spirit

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Lesson#2

TheHolySpiritisGod

TheNatureofGodInIsaiah,theLorddeclared,“TurntoMeandbesaved,alltheendsoftheearth;forIamGod,andthereisnoother”(Isaiah45.22).Over100timesintheBible,Godmakesthisdeclarationorsomethingsimilar.ItemphasizestheuniquenessofGod.

WhatisitthatmakesGodwhoandwhatheis?TherearethreebasicaspectsofGod’snaturethatmakehimunique,andthathelpusunderstandhisrelationshiptoprayer:hiseternalnature;hisinfinitenature;hismoralnature.AfterweexaminethenatureofGod,we’llthenlookathowthisappliestotheHolySpirit.

God’sEternalNatureGodiseternal,meaningheiswithoutbeginningandwithoutend.Godsimplyis.Byimplication,thisalsomeansthatGodisself-existing.Hewasn’tcreated,butistheoriginofallthings.

Discuss:

q Exodus3.14–

q Psalm90.1-2–

q Romans8.28ff–

q Ecclesiastes3.11–

q Acts17.25–

God’sInfiniteNatureSeveraltimesintheBible,Godchallengessomeonewiththequestion,“Behold,IamtheLORD,theGodofallflesh;isanythingtoodifficultforMe?”(Jeremiah32.27).ThisisanaffirmationofthevastpowerandresourcesofGod.Thesecanbedescribedintermsofhisinfinitenature:hisomnipresence;hisomniscience;hisomnipotence.

1. Godisomnipresent.SeePsalm139.7-10;Philippians4.5.

2. Godisomniscient.SeePsalm139.1-4.

3. Godisomnipotent.SeePsalm135.5-6.


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God’sMoralNature.WhenGodreplacedthetabletsthatwerebrokenbyMosesonMountSinai,hemadeaspecialrevelationofhimselftoMoses.“ThentheLORDpassedbyinfrontofhimandproclaimed,‘TheLORD,theLORDGod,compassionateandgracious,slowtoanger,andaboundinginlovingkindnessandtruth;whokeepslovingkindnessforthousands,whoforgivesiniquity,transgressionandsin;yetHewillbynomeansleavetheguiltyunpunished,visitingtheiniquityoffathersonthechildrenandonthegrandchildrentothethirdandfourthgenerations’”(Exodus34.6-7).

Thismoralnaturecanbedescribedinthreeways:hisgraciousness;hisholiness;hispersonality.

1. Godisgracious.SeeActs14.17;Psalm86.5,10.

2. Godisholy.SeeLeviticus11.44.

3. Godisaperson.SeeJeremiah31.33.

WhoisGod?Toelaborateonthislastpoint,theBibleidentifiesthreebeingswhopossesstheseuniquequalitiesofdeity.They’recalledtheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.EachoneisGod.Thatis,eachonepossessestheattributesofdeity.Eachoneisdistinct.Thatis,theFatherisn’ttheSon,noristheSontheSpirit,noristheSpirittheFather.

Allwerepresentatcreation(Genesis1.1f;Colossians1.15ff).AllthreewerepresentatthebaptismofJesus(Matthew3.16f).Allareinvolvedinoursalvation(Matthew28.18ff).

Anancientdiagrammaybehelpful.


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TheHolySpiritisGodBelowareseveralpassagesreferringtotheSpirit.Whatdivineattributes(fromtheabovelistareascribedtotheSpiritineachpassage?

q Hebrews9.14–

q 1Corinthians2.10ff;John16.13f–

q Psalm139.7-10;1Corinthians3.16;6.19f–

q Psalm104.30;33.6–

TwoincidentsinparticularestablishthefactthattheHolySpiritisGod.Howdothesepassagesconfirmthis?

q Acts5.3f–

q Matthew12.28;Luke11.20–

NumerouspassagesintheNTmentionallthreemembersofthegodhead.SeeMatthew3.16f;28.18ff;1Corinthians6.11;2Corinthians13.14;Galatians4.6;Ephesians2.18-22;Hebrews9.14;1Peter1.2f.Brieflydiscussthesepassages.Canyouthinkofothers?

Questions1. WhyisitimportanttothinkoftheHolySpiritasGod?

2. WhyisitimportanttomaintainthedistinctionbetweenGodtheFather,GodtheSonandGodtheSpirit?


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Personality of the Holy Spirit

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Lesson#3

TheHolySpiritisaPersonWhatisaperson?Weusuallythinkofapersonasdistinctfromananimalorinanimateobject.Adictionarydefinitionofthewordspersonandpersonalitywillincludethenotionsofself-will,self-consciousness,intellect,emotions,anduniqueness.

InthislessonwewillseethattheHolySpiritpossessestheattributesofpersonality.WeshouldthinkoftheHolySpiritasaperson.

SomeDefinitionsHerearesomedictionarydefinitionsthatmayhelpclarifytheconceptofpersonality.

1. Webster’sNewInternationalDictionaryoftheEnglishLanguage(1930)a. “Person”–“arationalbeing”b. “Personality”–“thatwhichconstitutesdistinctionofperson;

distinctivepersonalcharacter;individuality.Personalityimpliescomplexbeingorcharacterhavingdistinctiveandpersistenttraits,amongwhichreason,self-consciousness,andself-activityareusuallyreckonedasessential.”

2. Webster’sNewCollegiateDictionary(1977)a. “Person”–“(1)anindividualhumanbeing;esp:ahumanbeingas

distinguishedfromananimalorthing…(5)theindividualpersonalityofahumanbeing:self”

b. “Personality”–“(3a)thecomplexofcharacteristicsthatdistinguishesanindividualoranationorgroup(3b-1)thetotalityofanindividual’sbehavioralandemotionaltendencies(3b-2)theorganizationoftheindividual’sdistinguishingcharactertraits,attitudesorhabits”

3. HarryEmersonFosdick’sOnBeingaRealPerson(1943)a. FosdickwasaBaptistpreacher(d.1969)b. Hegivesseveralelementsincludingunityofpersonality,integration

oftraits,security,direction,reliability,values,spirituality4. DavidGMyers’Psychology(1986)

a. “Yourrelativelydistinctiveandconsistentwaysofthinking,feeling,andacting”

b. CitesHarre&Lamb(1983)–“anindividual’senduringresponsepatternsacrossavarietyofsituations”


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Readanddiscussthefollowingpassages.ForeachonediscusshowthegivenpersonalityattributecanbeseenintheactivitiesoftheHolySpirit.

q Self-consciousness,distinctivenesso Acts13.2–

o Romans8.16–

o Romans8.26–

q Self-willo 1Corinthians12.11–

q Intellecto Acts13.2,4–

o Acts16.6f–

o 1Corinthians2.10-13–

q Uniquenesso Ephesians4.4–

ActionsbytheSpiritInthefollowingverses,whatactionsoractivitiesareascribedtotheHolySpirit?Howdothesesuggestpersonality?

q John14.26–

q John15.26–

q John16.13–

q Acts15.28–

q Romans8.26–

q 1Corinthians12.11–

q Acts8.29,39–


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q 1Corinthians2.10ff–

q Acts16.6f–

ActionsAgainsttheSpiritInthefollowingpassages,whatcanbedonetooragainsttheHolySpirit?Howdothesethingssuggestpersonality?

q Acts5.3–

q Acts7.51–

q Hebrews10.29–

q Matthew12.31f–

q Ephesians4.30–

q 1Thessalonians5.19–

PointofGrammarInsomepassagesintheNT,theHolySpiritisreferredtobythepronoun“he”.ThismightseeminsignificantuntilyouunderstandabitaboutGreekgrammar.InGreek,allnounsareclassifiedasmasculine,feminine,orneuter.Similarly,ifapronounisusedtorefertoanoun,thegenderofthepronounmustagreewiththegenderofitsantecedentnoun.Thus…

q Bobismyfriend.Hegavemeabike.q Sharonismycousin.Shecametoourhouse.q Thehouseisbig.Itisugly.

Thestandard3rdpersonpronoun(him,her,it)inGreekis“autos”,andcanbeusedwithdifferentgendernouns.However,“autos”hasgender-specificspellingstoindicateitsagreementwiththenoun.TheEnglishword“spirit”translatestheGreekword“pneuma”,whichisaneuternoun.Butintwodifferentplaces,amasculinepronounisusedinreferencetotheHolySpirit,andbothoccuronthelipsofJesus.


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q John15.26–“WhentheHelper(masculine)comes,whom(masculine)IwillsendtoyoufromtheFather,thatistheSpirit(neuter)oftruthwho(neuter)proceedsfromtheFather,He(masculine)willtestifyaboutme.”

q John16.13-14–“ButwhenHe(masculine),theSpirit(neuter)oftruth,comes,Hewillguideyouintoallthetruth;forHewillnotspeakonHisowninitiative(literally,“fromhimself”,masculine),butwhateverHehears,Hewillspeak;andHewilldisclosetoyouwhatistocome.He(masculine)willglorifyMe,forHewilltakeofMineandwilldiscloseittoyou.”

SoWhat?Comparetheforegoingdiscussionwiththefollowingstatements.Accordingtosome,theHolySpiritis…

q “Etherealsubstancediffusedinspace”(Mormons)q “Notaperson…impersonalforce”(Jehovah’sWitnesses)q “DivineScience”(ChristianScientists)q “CreativeenergyofGod”q “PowerorinfluenceofGod”

UnlikeStarWars,theHolySpiritisn’t“TheForce”.TheHolySpiritisGod,whichalsomeansheisapersonalbeing,inthesamewaythattheFatherorSonarepersonalbeings.TheHolySpiritisn’t“it”;rather,theHolySpiritis“He”.

Holy Spirit in the OT

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Lesson#4

TheHolySpiritintheOldTestamentThefullestbiblicalteachingsabouttheHolySpiritarefoundintheNT.Itisherethattheinformationabouthisnature,personality,andworkaremostclearlyrevealed(See“BibleReferencestotheHolySpirit”,p9).However,manyofthesameconceptsarealsofoundintheOT,atleastinaseminalway.ThislessonconcentratesonwhattheOTsaysabouttheHolySpirit.

TheNatureoftheHolySpiritHowdothefollowingversessuggestthattheHolySpiritisaperson?

1. Genesis6.3–

2. Psalm106.32f–

3. Isaiah63.10–

4. Zechariah6.8(compareKJV&NAS)–

HowdothefollowingpassagessuggestthattheHolySpiritisdeity?

1. Genesis41.38–

2. Exodus35.31–

3. Psalm139.7–

4. Isaiah40.13–

5. Micah3.8–


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TheWorkoftheHolySpirit

CreationWhatdothefollowingpassagessuggestabouttheSpirit’sroleincreatingandmaintainingtheworld?

1. Genesis1.2–

2. Job33.4–

3. Job26.13;cf27.3(compareKJV&NAS)–

4. Psalm104.30–

5. Isaiah32.15;cf44.3–

6. Isaiah40.12ff–

7. WhatanalogiesmighthelpusunderstandtherolesoftheFather,SonandSpiritincreation?

SpiritualGiftsInthefollowingtexts,theHolySpiritgivesmiraculousabilitiesorsupernaturalpowerstocertainpeople.Matchthepassageontheleftwiththepersonontheright,andtellwhatabilitywasgiventoeach.

a. Exodus35.31(cf31.3) Saul

b. Judges3.10 Samson

c. Judges6.34 Ezekiel

d. Judges11.29 Bezalel

e. Judges13.25;14.6,19;15.14 Gideon

f. 1Samuel11.6 Jephthah

g. Ezekiel2.2 Othniel


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Revelation&InspirationInboththeOT&NT,oneofthemostimportantrolesoftheHolySpiritistherevelationofGod’swilltomen.TheSpirit’sroleininspirationismorefullydevelopedintheNT,butisnolesspresentintheOT.

MatchtheNTtextontheleftwiththecorrespondingOTpassageontheright.EachtextshowstheSpiritinvolvedintheoriginoftheScriptures.Whowasthehumanauthorineachcase?

a. Matthew22.43(//Mark12.36) Psalm69.25;109.8

b. Acts1.16(cfv20) Jeremiah31.33

c. Acts4.25 Isaiah6.9f

d. Acts28.25 Psalm110.1

e. Hebrews3.7(cf4.7) Psalm2.1f

f. Hebrews10.15 Psalm95.7-11

IntheseOTpassages,whoisguidedtospeakbytheHolySpirit?

1. Numbers24.2–(a)Moses;(b)Balak;(c)Barak;(iv)Balaam

2. 1Samuel10.6,10–(a)Samuel;(b)Saul;(c)David;(iv)Daniel

3. 1Samuel19.20,23–(a)Saul’smessengers;(b)David;(c)Saul;(iv)Baruch

4. 2Samuel23.2–(a)Solomon;(b)Saul;(c)Nathan;(iv)David

5. Ezekiel11.5–(a)Ezekiel;(b)Daniel;(c)Hosea;(iv)Joel

6. Nehemiah9.30–(a)Ezra;(b)Nehemiah;(c)prophets;(d)Esther

7. Isaiah48.16;16.1–(a)Isaiah;(b)Israel;(c)Hezekiah;(d)theServantofGod

8. Zechariah7.12–(a)formerprophets;(b)Zechariah;(c)Haggai;(d)Zerubbabel


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ProvidenceProvidenceishowGodarrangescircumstancestoaccomplishhispurposesandhelphispeople.SeeRomans8.28.Inthefollowingpassages,whatistheSpirit’sroleinaccomplishingtheprovidenceofGod?(NOTE:Someofthesetextsusefigurativelanguage.Butrememberthatafigureisvalidonlyifitsliteralcounterpartistrue.Also,inMessianictexts,howdidtheSpiriteffecttheparticularblessingorcondition?)

1. Psalm104.30–

2. Isaiah32.14f–

3. Isaiah44.3f–

4. Isaiah63.14–

5. Ezekiel36.27f–

6. Ezekiel37.1-14–

7. Zechariah4.1-9–

IndwellingTheNTgivesthefullesttreatmentoftheHolySpirit’sindwelling.TheOTgivesusaglimpseofit.Matchthepassageontheleftwiththepersonontheright.Someofthepeopleareusedmorethanonce.

a. Numbers11.17,25ff Ezekiel

b. Numbers27.18 David

c. 1Samuel16.13f Moses&theelders

d. Psalm51.11 Israel

e. Isaiah59.21 Joshua

f. Isaiah63.10f

g. Ezekiel2.2

h. Haggai2.5

Holy Spirit & Christ

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Lesson#5

TheHolySpirit&ChristInfourdifferentprophecies,IsaiahdescribestheServantoftheLord,theMessiah,asonewhowouldhavetheSpiritofGoduponHim.SeeIsaiah11.2;42.1-4;59.21;61.1ff.WhenJesusvisitedhishometownofNazareth(Luke4.16-21),hetookIsaiah61.1ffashistext,declaringthathewasthefulfillmentofthisprophecy.WhatwastherelationshipbetweenGodtheSonandGodtheSpirit?Thatisthesubjectofthislesson.

TheIncarnationInprophecy,man’sredeemerwouldbedescendedofwoman(Genesis3.15;Isaiah7.14;cfMatthew1.22f;Galatians4.4).Thatis,hewouldbeamemberofthehumanrace,borninthesamewayasothersandenrobedinflesh.

WhatroledidtheSpiritplayintheincarnation?

1. Luke1.35–

2. Matthew1.18–

3. SeealsoHebrews2.14;10.5;cfPsalms40.6.

TheLifeofChristWhateventsaredescribedbelow?WhatroledidtheSpiritplay?

1. Luke3.22(cfMatthew3.16;Mark1.10);John1.32ff–

2. Luke4.18(cfIsaiah61.1ff);Acts4.27;10.38(cfLuke4.14f);Hebrews1.8f.WhatwasdonetoChrist?When?

3. Luke4.1(cfMatthew4.1;Mark1.12)–

4. Luke4.1;John3.34(cfIsaiah11.2;42.1)–

5. Luke10.21–


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TheWorkofChrist

Christ’sTeachingsq Insomeplaces,we’retoldthattheHolySpiritguidedChrist’steachings.

SeeActs1.2;Matthew12.18(cfIsaiah42.1);Luke4.18(cfIsaiah61.1).q Insomeplaces,we’retoldthathespokefromtheFather(John5.30;

12.49).q Inotherplaces,we’retoldhespokeonhisown(Matthew5.22;7.24,28f).

Fordiscussion:

1. Howdowereconciletheseideas?

2. WhatistheparticularsignificanceoftheSpiritguidinghiminhisteachings?

Christ’sMiraclesq Insomeplaces,Christ’smiraclesareattributedtotheSpirit(Matthew

12.28;Acts10.38;Luke4.14f,18)ortheFather(John5.36).q Inotherplaces,hismiraclesarehisown(Mark5.30;Luke5.12ff;6.19).

Fordiscussion:

1. Howdoweexplainthis?

2. WhatisthesignificanceoftheSpiritempoweringJesus?

TheDeath&ResurrectionofChristWhatpartdidtheHolySpiritplayintheredemptiveworkofChrist?Discussthefollowingpassages:

1. Hebrews9.14–

2. Romans1.4–

3. Romans8.11–

4. 1Peter3.18–

5. 1Timothy3.16–


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CooperationBetweentheSpiritandChristInwhatthingsdoboththeSpiritandChristshare?Matchthepassageontheleftwiththeworkontheright.

a. Matthew3.11;Mark1.8;Luke3.16;John1.33 KnowingJesusasLord

b. Matthew28.19;Acts2.38 AccesstotheFather

c. Ephesians1.13 GivingoftheSpirit

d. Ephesians2.18 Believer’sbaptism

e. 1Corinthians12.3 HolySpiritbaptism

f. John16.7;Titus3.5f;1John3.24 Sealingbelievers

Christ’sTeachingsAbouttheHolySpiritSummarizeChrist’steachingsabouttheSpirit.Whatdidheemphasize?

1. Matthew10.20(cfMark13.11;Luke12.12)–

2. Matthew12.31f(cfMark3.29;Luke12.10)–

3. Luke11.13–

4. John3.5ff–

5. John6.63–

6. John7.37ff–

7. John14.16f,26–

8. John15.26f–

9. John16.7-15–

10. Acts1.5,8–


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Holy Spirit Baptism

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Lesson#6

HolySpiritBaptismThebaptismoftheHolySpiritisamongthemostcontroversialaspectsoftheHolySpirit’swork.Whatwasit?Towhomwasitgiven?Whatwasitspurpose?Whatwereitseffects?Doesitdifferfromwaterbaptism?Dowestillneedorreceiveittoday?Theseandotherquestionsarefrequentlyasked.Inthislessonwe’lltrytoanswerafewofthem.

SomeBasics

ThePromiseThefirstexplicitreferencestoHolySpiritbaptismareinthegospels.Readanddiscussthefollowingpassages.Whomadethepromise?Towhomitwasmade?Whatwasitspurpose?

1. John1.33–

2. Matthew3.11(cfMark1.8;Luke3.16)–

3. Acts1.4f–

ItsAdministrationWhowouldadministerthisHolySpiritbaptism?SeetheabovepassagesandJohn14.26;15.26.

BaptismWithFireJohntheBaptistalsoremindedhisfollowersthatJesuswouldbaptizenotonlywiththeHolySpirit,butalsowithfire.

1. WhatdoesfiregenerallysymbolizeintheBible?See1Corinthians3.11-15.

2. ReadMatthew3.9-12.

a. Whatismeanthere?

b. HowdoesthiscomparewithJesus’mission?SeealsoJohn3.17;9.39.

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c. WhatisthemaindifferencebetweenMatthew3.9-12andActs1.5?HowdoesthishelpusunderstandthepurposeandrecipientsofHolySpiritbaptism?

d. IsthefireofJohn’spromisethesameasthatinActs2.3?Whyorwhynot?

CaseStudiesRegardlessofthedifferentviewsonHolySpiritbaptism,almostallagreethatwehavetwoclearexamplesofitintheNT:theApostles(Acts2),andCornelius’household(Acts10-11).Whilesomeargueformoreexamplesbesidesthese,allseemtoagreethattheseare,atleast,twovalidexamples.Let’snowexaminethesetwocases.

Case#1–TheApostlesontheDayofPentecost(Acts2)1. ReadActs1.4f.

a. Whomadethepromisehere,andtowhom?

b. Wherewouldthishappen?

c. Howwouldtheyknow(v7f)?

d. Whatwouldthiseventsignify(seeMark9.1)?

2. ReadActs2.1-4.

a. Whatphysicalsignswerepresent?

b. Whowasaffectedbythesesigns(see1.26;2.1,7,14)?

3. ReadActs2.14-21.

a. WhatOTpassagedoesPeterclaimisbeingfulfilled?

b. Whatdidthisprophecysaywouldcharacterizethelastdays?

c. Whatwasthepurposeofmiraclesandtheabilitytospeakintongues?SeeJohn14.26;16.13;Mark16.17f;Hebrews2.1ff.HowdoesthisapplytothepurposeofHolySpiritbaptismhere?

d. WasJoel’sprophecycompletelyfulfilledhere?

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Case#2–TheHouseholdofCornelius(Acts10-11)1. Whyisthiscaseofconversionsignificant?

2. BrieflyoutlinethesequenceofeventsinActs10-11.

3. WhathappensinthemiddleofPeter’ssermon(10.44-48)?

4. HadanyofPeter’saudiencebeenbaptizedwithwateryet?

5. Read11.1-18:

a. HowdidPeterlaterdescribetheincident?

b. Whatarethesimilaritiesbetweentheeventsofch10andch2(seePeter’sremarkat11.15ff)?

c. WhydidthiscaseofHolySpiritbaptismoccur?See2.17,39;11.18.

d. DidHolySpiritbaptismsaveCornelius?See11.13f.

6. ArethesetheonlycasesofHolySpiritbaptismintheNT?

ContrastHolySpiritBaptismisoftenerroneouslyequatedwithseveralotherthings.

1. Inthechartbelow,matchthepassageontheleftwiththecorrespondingthingontherighttocompletethissentence:

“HolySpiritbaptismisn’tthesameas…”

a. Acts2.37ff;10.47;11.18 “filledwiththeSpirit”

b. Luke1.15,41,67;4.1 receivingspiritualgifts

c. Acts8.16;19.5 waterbaptism

d. 1Corinthians12.13 salvation

e. Acts2.38;10.48 onebodyinChrist

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2. ListfourdifferencesbetweenwaterbaptismandHolySpiritbaptism.

a.

b.

c.

d.

3. HowdidpeoplereceivespiritualgiftsinNTtimes?Supportyouranswer.

SummaryTheBiblicalpictureofHolySpiritbaptismisrevealedprogressively.Consider:

q Joel’sprophesiedofanageinauguratedbytheoutpouringofGod’sSpirit.Itwouldinvolveallmankind,menandwomen,youngandold.

q JohntheBaptisttoldhisaudiencesofonewhowouldfollowhim,baptizingwiththeHolySpiritandfire.GodwouldshowJohnhisidentity.

q Jesusgavethepromisetohisapostlesataparticulartimeandplaceforaparticularpurpose.

q ThedayofPentecostshowsthefulfillmentofJesus’words.

q PeterdeclaredthatCornelius’conversionalsofulfilledtheLord’swords.

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Lesson#7

GiftsoftheHolySpiritWhenChristascendedintoheaventobeenthronedasourking(Acts1.9ff;2.32-35),hesentgiftstohispeoplebytheHolySpirit(Ephesians4.7ff).Questionsaboundaboutthesegifts:

q Whatwerethesegifts?q Howweretheygiven?q Wereanyofthemlimitedinextent?q Couldapersonpossessmorethanone?q Doesthewordgiftsreferonlytosupernaturalendowments?

We’llconsidersomeofthesequestionsinthislesson.

Note:Thephrase“giftoftheHolySpirit”inActs2.38willbetreatedinLesson#9.

“HeGivestheSpiritWithoutMeasure”

DifferentMen,DifferentMeasuresChristreceivedtheSpirit“withoutmeasure”inordertodotheFather’swill(John3.34).IfJesusreceivedtheSpiritwithoutmeasure,thisimpliesthatothersreceivedadifferentmeasureoftheSpirit.Thus,intheNT,differentmenhaddifferentabilities.Thatis,somecoulddosomethingsbutnotothers.Forexample:

q DuringJesus’ministry,theapostlesalreadyhadtheabilitytohealandcastoutdemons(Matthew10.1ff).

q AfterJesus’ministry,theapostleswerebaptizedintheHSandcouldspeakintongues(Acts2.1-4).

q ThesevendeaconsinJerusalemwerefulloftheHS(Acts6.3),butthereisnoindicationthattheywerebaptizedwiththeHS.

q Stephenwasoneoftheseven,wasfulloftheHSandcouldperformsignsandwonders(Acts6.5,8).However,hisabilitytoperformwondersismentionedonlyaftertheapostleslaidhandsonhim(v6).

q PeterandJohn,whowerebaptizedwiththeHS,couldalsobestowtheHSbylayingtheirhandsonothers(Acts8.14-18).

q Philip,oneofthesevenonwhomtheapostleslaidtheirhands,couldperformmiracles(Acts8.13),butcouldn’tlayhandsonothers(v18).

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ThreeMeasuresSomehavesuggestedthatforChristians,therearethreemeasuresoftheHS:

q TheindwellingoftheHS–Ro8.9ff(forallChristiansinthesameway)q ThegiftsoftheHS–1Co12.8ff(forallChristiansindifferentways)q ThebaptismoftheHS–Ac2,10-11(onlyontwooccasions)

Discussthislist.Howwouldyouexplainthe“measures”oftheHS?

Gifting&Regifting

KeyWordsThereareatfivedifferentGreeknounsthatcanbetranslatedas“gift”.Inreferencetospiritualgifts,onlytwoofthemrequireattention.

1. dōrea(dwrea)–gift;conveystheideaofsomethingunwarrantedandwithoutmerit.InNTusage,mayrefertosalvation(John4.10;Romans5.15,17)ortospiritualgifts,perhapsasproofofsalvation(Acts8.20;10.45;Ephesians4.7).

2. charisma(carisma)–gift,orspiritualendowment,freelybestowed.Usageshowssimilarrangeasdōrea.Itcanbeareferencetosalvation(Romans5.15f;6.23).It’sprimaryuseisinreferencetospiritualgifts(Romans1.11;12.6;1Corinthians12.4,9,30-31;1Peter4.10).

3. Note–Romans5.15usebothterms.“Freegift”ischarisma,whiletheseconduseintheverse,“gift”isdōrea.

Howweremiraculousspiritualgiftsgiven?1. Acts2.1-4;10.45f–

2. Acts6.6,8;8.14-18;19.1-7;Romans1.11–

3. Is1Timothy4.14anexception?Comparewith2Timothy1.6.

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Miscellaneous1. Whodecidedwhocouldreceiveaparticulargift?See1Corinthians12.4-11.

2. Couldapersongainadditionalgifts?See1Corinthians12.31;14.1,13.

3. Towhatextentcouldapersoncontrolhisgift?See1Corinthians14.26-33(espv32).

4. Couldapersonneglectaspiritualgift?How?See1Timothy4.14;2Timothy1.6.

SpecificGiftsBelowarepassagesthatlistspiritualgifts.Foreachpassage,listeachgift.Bepreparedtodiscusswhateachgiftwas;differences&similaritiesinthelists;differencesandsimilaritiesinthegifts.

1Corinthians12.8ff

1Corinthians12.28ff

Romans12.3-8

Ephesians4.7-13

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DiscussionQuestions1. Whatwerethepurposesofspiritualgifts?

a. Withrespecttobelievers(Ephesians4.12-16;1Corinthians14.1-19)?

b. Withrespecttotheonewhousedthegift(Mark16.17-20;Hebrews2.3f)?

c. Withrespecttounbelievers(1Corinthians14.20-25)?

2. Lookatthelistsofspiritualgiftsagain(thechartabove),especiallyRomans12.8ffandEphesians4.7-13.

a. Isitnecessarytoconcludethatallspiritualgiftswereintendedtobemiraculousorsupernatural?Doesthewordgiftsalwaysrefertosupernaturalabilities?Canitmeanordinary,God-givenabilities?See1Pe4:10-11.

b. GivesomeexamplesofgiftsthatwerealsocommandedbyGodofallChristians.

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Lesson#8

CessationofGiftsHasanyoneeveraskedyou,“Doyoubelieveinmiracles?”That’sloadedquestion,becauseitdependsonwhatthey(andyou)meanbymiracles.

q InanoldXeroxTVcommercial,amonkwhoisrunningascriptoriumgetsanewphotocopier,andexclaims,“It’samiracle!”

q In1980,whentheUSAbeattheRussianmen’shockeyteamintheOlympics,sportscasterAlMichaelsasked,“Doyoubelieveinmiracles?”

q SomepeoplethinkthefactthatIevergotmarriedwasamiracle.

TheNTteachesthatatsomepoint,giftsormiraclesliketongue-speakingandprophecywouldcease(1Corinthians13.8-10).Theobviousquestionis“When?”ThebiblicalanswerissometimeduringtheNTera.Let’slookatthisinsomedetail.

Whatisamiracle?TherearefourkeywordsusedintheNT,eachemphasizingadifferentaspectofmiracles.Miracleswereforthepurposeofdemonstratingdivinepower;forauthenticatingtheauthorityandclaimsoftheonedoingthem;forverifyingthedivineoriginorsourceofthemiracle;andforproducingaweandwonderinthewitnesses.LookupthesewordsinVine’sorinMounce’sdictionaries.Giveadefinitionforeach,andthinkabouttheemphasisofeachword.

1. “Signs”=semeion(shmeion)–77x;mostlyinreferencetomiraclesa. SeeIsaiah7.11;John2.18;Mark16.20b. Definition–c. Emphasis–

2. “Wonders”=teros(teroß)–16x;alwaysinreferencetomiraclesa. SeeActs3.10f;Romans15.19;2Thessalonians2.9b. Definition–c. Emphsis–

3. “Miracles”=dunamis(dunamiß)–119x;about3dozentimesinreferencetomiracles

a. SeeMark6.14b. Definition–c. Emphasis–

4. “Works”=ergon(ergon)–169x;15xinreferencetomiraclesa. SeeMatthew11.2;John5.20,36;7.3;10.25,32f,37f;14.10ff;15.24b. Definition–c. Emphasis–

5. Note:ThereareNOpassageswhereallfourwordsoccurtogether.ThefirstthreewordsoccurtogetheratActs2.22;2Corinthians12.12;Hebrews2.3f.

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38

Usingthesebiblicalwords,howwouldyoudefineamiracle?

ArgumentsfortheCessationofSpiritualGiftsIsthereanyevidenceintheNTthatgiftswereintendedtobepermanent?Isthereanyevidencethattheywereintendedtocease?TheshortansweristhattheNTteachesthecessationofgifts.Why?

(1)TheNeedhasceased1. Oneofthemainpurposesofspiritualgiftswhattheconfirmationofauthority

ofspeaker(Hebrews2.3f).TheNTtiesthisspecificallytotheauthorityofNTapostles.Sincewedon’thaveNTapostles,thepurposeofthegiftsisnullified.

2. Also,thegospelhasbeendeliveredtoallmankind(Colossians1.23),andtheplanofredemptionhasbeenfullyrevealed(Jude3).

3. Theneedhaschanged,thereforegiftsarenolongernecessary.

(2)Meanshasceased1. Spiritualgiftswereimpartedwhentheapostleslaidtheirhandsuponothers.

Iftherearenolongeranyapostles,thenthemeansofimpartingthemiracleshasceased.

2. Theapostleswereeyewitnessesoftheresurrection(Acts1.22);appointedbyJesus(Acts1.2,24ff;10.41;Galatians1.1);hadmiraculousabilitiestoprovetheirauthority(2Corinthians12.12).

3. Theapostleshadtheresponsibilityofimpartingspiritualgiftsuponothers–Acts6.6,8;8.12-18;19.1-7;2Timothy1.6;Romans1.8-11.

4. Nobodytodayhasthesequalifications,thereforeapostlesnolongerexist.5. Note:

a. Apostleswereconsideredthe“first”orgreatestgift–1Corinthians12.28ff;Ephesians4.11ff

b. Ifthefirst/greatestgifthasceased,thenitwouldfollowthattheothergiftshadceasedaswell.

i. Prophecy,likeapostleship,wasafoundationalgiftoflimitedduration–Ephesians2.20;itwasdisplacedbythewrittenword–2Peter1.19ff

ii. Tongueswereequivalenttoprophecywhenaccompaniedbyaninterpreter–1Corinthians14.5

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39

(3)Promisethattheywouldcease1. See1Corinthians13.8-13.Paulwasspeakingtoachurchenamoredwith

gifts(chp12-14).Theyneededtounderstandtherelativevalueofthesegifts.Paulthenshows(i)thesuperiornatureoflove(v1-7);thelimitednatureofspiritualgifts(v8-13).

2. Paultellsusthatgiftswouldend(v8)a. Prophecyandknowledgewouldbe“doneaway”(katargeo)=toleave

idle;tomakeofnoeffect;tonullifyb. Tongueswould“cease”(pauo)=tocease,tostop;middlevoice

indicatestheywouldend“ofthemselves”3. Paultellsusthatthesegiftswerepartial(v9f)

a. “Inpart”or“partial”(meros)=partial,incomplete,partofthewholeb. Whattheyhadbymeansofthesemiraculousgifts(prophecy,tongues

andknowledge)wasonlypartialandincomplete.Forthisreasonsomethingcompleteand“perfect”wasneeded.

4. Paultellsusthatsomethingperfectwoulddisplacethem(v10)a. “Perfect”(toteleion)=complete,perfect;neuter,meaningthatit

couldn’trefertoJesushimself(anyreferencestohimwouldbemasculine)

b. Iftheknowledgegivenbyprophecyandtongueswaspartial,thentheonlywaytounderstandthe“perfect”wouldbecomplete,fullorperfectknowledge.

c. Note–the“faith,hope,andlove”wouldabide,evenasthepartialgiftsofprophecy,tonguesandknowledgewerefading.Thus,itisn’treferringtothesecondcoming.

(4)Somethinggreaterhasbeengiven1. SeeLuke16.19-31.Thewrittenwordwasconsideredmoreauthoritativeand

convincingthanamiracle(cfMatthew12.38f;14.1ff;John11.45ff).2. SeeJohn20.30f.JohnwroteaboutJesus’“works”toproducebelief.3. See2Peter1.19ff.Petersaidthatmoresurethaneyewitnesseventsisthe

writtenrecordofprophecy.

Discussion1. Howwouldyouanswersomeonewhosaysthatthe“partial”and“perfect”of

1Corinthians13isheaven?

2. Howdoyouanswersomeonewhosaysthatthebeliefthatmiracleshaveceasedmeansthatwedon’tbelieveintheHolySpiritortheworkoftheHolySpirit?

3. Whatifsomeonetellsyouthatyou’retryingtoputtheHolySpiritinabox?

Cessation of Gifts

40

4. Howwouldyouanswersomeonewhosaysthatyoudon’tbelievethatGod(ortheSpirit)isatworktoday?

5. Isitvalidtosaythatmiraclesexisttoday,inthesensethatGodmayinterveneinhiscreationinawaythatsupersedesnaturallaw,yetdoesn’tinvolvehumanagency.Ishumanagencyafactorwhenconsideringwhetherathingisamiracle?SeeActs2.22.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

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Lesson#9

TheGiftoftheHolySpirit–Acts2.38Acts2:38tellsus,“AndPetersaidtothem,‘Repent,andeachofyoubebaptizedinthenameofJesusChristfortheforgivenessofyoursins;andyouwillreceivethegiftoftheHolySpirit.”

Thisversehasgeneratedseveraldebatedquestions.Does“fortheforgivenessofsins”meanbecauseoforforthepurposeof?Isbaptismaprerequisitefortheforgivenessofsins?WhatdoesitmeantobebaptizedinthenameofJesusChrist?WhatisthegiftoftheHolySpirit?

Thislessonwillexaminethelastquestion.

Note:SpiritualgiftsaretreatedinLesson#7.

TwoViewsThephrasegiftoftheHolySpiritisambiguous.Thatis,itcanhavemorethanonemeaninggrammatically.Thephrase“theHolySpirit”isinthegenitivecase.Thisissimilartoourpossessivecase,althoughitcanmeanmuchmore.Mostinterpretationsfallalongtwolines:

1. SomethinkthegiftistheSpirithimself. 2. SomethinkthegiftissomethingbestowedbytheSpirit.

Thus:

"TheGi(oftheHolySpirit"

TheSpiritHimself

DirectIndwelling

MediatedIndwelling

SomethingGivenbythe

Spirit

Salva?on Bap?smofHS Miracles Abili?es


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BothideasarefoundintheNT.Itisn’tunusualtofindpassagesintheBiblethatarecapableofmorethanonemeaninggrammatically.However,theimmediatecontextofapassage,orpassagesfoundelsewheremightruleoutoneormoreofthepossibleinterpretations.

Inthiscase,bothviewsaboutthegiftoftheSpiritarefoundelsewhereintheNT.SeeActs5.32,wheretheSpiritisthegift;and1Corinthians12.4-11,wheretheSpiritgivesgifts.BothviewshaveabasisinNTteaching.

TerminologyInActs2.38,thewordgiftistheGreekworddorea,whichmeansagift.Itmeansagiftofgrace,andissometimessynonymouswithcharisma(cf,Romans5.15ff,wherebothareused).Itcanalsomeananofferingorsacrifice(Hebrews5.1;8.3f;9.9;11.4).Itoftenreferstoaspecificthingthatisgiven,suchasjustification(Romans3.24),salvation(Ephesians2.8),orministry(Ephesians3.7).Sometimesitismoregeneric,includinganyorallofGod’sgifts(John4.10;2Corinthians9.15;Hebrews6.4;James1.17).

Thereareseveralphrasesthataresimilarinconstructionandmeaning.Discussthemeaningofeachofthesephrases:

1. GiftoftheHolySpirita. Acts2.38–

b. Acts10.45–

c. Bothtextsusetheworddorea

2. GiftsoftheHolySpirita. Hebrews2.4

b. Usesthewordmerisma(adistribution)

3. GiftofGoda. Occursthreetimeswithcharisma

i. Romans6.23–

ii. 1Corinthians7.7–

iii. 2Timothy1.6–


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b. Occursthreetimeswithdoreai. John4.10–

ii. Acts8.20–

iii. Ephesians2.8–

4. GiftofChrista. Ephesians4.7–

b. Usestheworddorea

Thissurveyreinforcesthedifficultyweface.Thegrammaroffersusdifferentmeanings;thevocabularyandwordusageofferusdifferentmeanings;andvariouscontextsofferusdifferentmeanings.

Inotherwords,theonlywaytodecideisthecontextofthepassage.

View#1–TheGiftistheSpiritHimselfInActs2.38,thegiftoftheHolySpiritisofferedtoallwhorepentandarebaptized.Verse39referstoapromisethatincludedhisimmediateaudience,theirdescendants,andotherswhoarefaroff.ThisistooinclusivetomeanHolySpiritbaptism,whichhadtwofulfillmentsintheNT.Ifitreferstoaspiritualgift,itseemstoimplythatallbelieverswould,uponrepentanceandbaptism,receivethisgift.Butthiscontradictspassagesthatmentionungiftedbelievers(cf,Romans1.11;1Corinthians14.16).Hence,itmostlikelyreferstotheSpirithimself.

ThisviewisconsistentalsowiththesettingofActs2.ItbeginswiththeoutpouringoftheHolySpiritontheapostles,manifestedbytheirabilitytospeakintongues(v1ff).Whenaskedbythecrowdwhatwashappening(v5-13),PeterreferredthemtoJoel’sprophecy(v14ff;cfJoel2.28-32).JoelwaspredictingtheadventoftheMessianicera,whichhedescribedastheoutpouringoftheSpirit.Thiswouldbecharacterizedbythegivingofgiftstomankind.TheeventwasthegivingoftheSpirit;theproofwasthegiftsthateveryonewitnessed.

ItseemsclearthatActs10.44,47;11.17allrefertotheHolySpiritasbeingthegift.Thissuggeststhatthesecondoccurrenceofthephrase“giftoftheHolySpirit”inv45shouldbeinterpretedasareferencetotheSpiritasthegift.Also,whilethesepassagesmentiontongue-speakingbyCornelius’household,theemphasisisuponthefactthattheSpirithadbeengiventoGentiles.AsimilarpointcouldbemadefromActs8:20.Whilethismayrefertotheapostolicauthorityoflayinghandsonothers(v19),itmorelikelymeanstheSpirithimself:nonecanpurchasewhatGodalonecangive.TopurchasewhatGodgivesisultimatelytoownGod.


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Finally,theSpiritismentionedexplicitlyasGod’sgifttomeninwhatistheclosestandmostsimilarreference(Acts5.32;cfJohn20.22).TheconclusionisthatthegiftoftheHolySpiritofActs2.38istheSpirithimself.

Ifthisviewiscorrect,thequestionthenarises,whatdoesitmeanthattheSpiritisgiventous.Isitindividuallyorcorporately?Isitabodilyindwelling?Isitthroughthemeansormediumofsomethingelse?

Note:TheindwellingoftheSpiritwillbediscussedinLesson#10.

View#2–TheGiftissomethinggivenbytheSpirit.Here,thegiftoftheHolySpiritisablessingofsomesortthatisbestoweduponbelievers.Verse39statesthereasonforreceivingthegift,namely,becauseofthepromisetothemandtheirdescendantsandtothosewhowerefaroff.Thispromiseisconnectedwiththeideaofapromiseinotherpassages(eg,Galatians3.14),wherethepromiseseemstobesomekindofblessing.

InotherNTpassages,theSpiritisrepresentedasgivinggiftstomen.See1Corinthians12.4-11;2Corinthians13.14;Hebrews2.4.Thewordsforgifts(doreaandcharisma)areoftenusedinreferencetospecificbestowments(seeabove).

IfthegiftissomegiftgivenbytheSpirit,twovariationsareusuallygiven:

1. Somebelievethatthegiftwasmiraculousability.a. TheNTerawasmarkedbymiracles.TheDayofPentecost,in

particularwasmarkedbymiracles.b. ThephrasegiftoftheHolySpiritisfoundintwoplacesintheNT:Acts

2.38and10.45.Inbothplaces,thebaptismoftheHolySpiritoccursandmiraclesareperformed.

c. Thepromisehereisgenericandnotrelevanttoday.AgoodparallelisMark16.15-18.

2. Somebelievethatthegiftistheofferofsalvation.a. Joel’sprophecy(Joel2.28-32)isquotedbyPeter(Acts2.17-21).Verse

21includestheofferofsalvationtomenasaresultoftheoutpouringoftheSpirit.Theargumentisthatthepromiseofverse39isareferencebacktoverse21.

b. OtherNTpassagesrefertosalvationastheresultofGod’spromises.SeeGalatians3.16;Romans9.8;Ephesians3.1ff;Acts3.19-26.

Hereisapassagethatisachallengetobelievers.SinceremenhavedebatedthemeaningofthegiftoftheHolySpiritforcenturies,soitshouldn’tsurpriseusifwestillhavequestionsaboutittoday.Thetwomainviewsaregrammaticallypossible,andthevariationsofeachviewallhavesomeScripturalsupport.HereisacasewhereeachdisciplemuststudytheScriptures,weightheevidence,andbefullypersuadedinhisownmind.

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Lesson#10

TheIndwellingoftheHolySpiritOnecontroversialsubjectistheindwellingoftheHolySpirit.ThereisnoquestionthathedwellsinChristians(seeRomans8.9ff).Thecontroversyarisesfromthatfact.Whileweshouldalwaysbereadytodiscussthissubject,itisashamethatthesignificanceoftheindwellingtobelievershasoftenbeenobscuredinourdiscussions.

Thislessonexaminesthenatureandsignificanceoftheindwelling.

Note:Lesson#11willstudytherelationshipbetweentheSpirit&theWordofGod.

TheIndwellingisaFactInthefollowingverses,whoindwellswhom?

1. 1John4.12-16–

2. Ephesians3.17;Colossians1.27;2Corinthians13.5–

3. Romans8.9ff;1Corinthians6.19f;2Corinthians1.21f–

4. John15.4;1John2.24,28–

Isthefactoftheindwellingindispute?

TheMeaningoftheIndwellingDiscussthefollowingEnglishstatements:

q “Youhavealotofyourfatherinyou.”

q “You’reinmyheart.”

q “Helivesoninthelivesofhisstudents.”


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Nowconsiderthefollowingpassages.EachreferstotheindwellingofGodorChristortheSpirit.Discussthemeaningofeach.Whatisrequiredfortheindwellingtooccur?

1. John14.16f(cfv20f)–

2. John15.1-10(cfv4-7,10)–

3. 1John2.24-28(cfv24,27)–

4. 1John4.12-16(cfv12,15)–

5. Romans8.9ff(cfv1,4ff,12f)–

TheNatureoftheIndwelling1. HowdoesDeityindwellus?SeeEphesians3.17.

2. WheredoesDeityindwellus?SeeEphesians3.17;2Corinthians1.21f;Galatians4.6.

3. WhomdoesDeityindwell?Individualsoragroup?See1Corinthians3.16-17;6.12-20.

4. Doesthissuggestabodilyindwellingorsomesortofpersonalbodilypossession?Isthisanalogoustodemon-possession?Isthisfigurativelanguage?Istheindwellingthroughamedium?


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TheEffectoftheIndwellingIfitistruethattheSpiritdwellsineachChristian,howdoesthataffecteachofuspersonally?

1. Ephesians1.13f;2Corinthians5.5–

2. Ephesians5.18f–

3. Galatians5.22-25–

4. Romans8.12-17–

5. John14.16-24–

6. 1Corinthians6.15-20–


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Spirit & Word

49

Lesson#11

TheSpiritandtheWordTheHolySpiritguidedmeninrevealingandrecordingthewillofGodinScripture(2Peter1:19ff).BringingthewrittenwordofGodintoexistenceisinmanywaysthedistinctiveworkoftheHolySpirit.ThislessonlooksattherelationshipbetweentheSpiritandtheWord.

TheHolySpiritinRevelation&Inspiration1. Definerevelation.DiscusstheSpirit’sroleinrevelation.See1Corinthians

2:10-16;John16:13;Revelation1:10;1Peter1:11f.

2. Defineprophecy.DiscusstheSpirit’sroleinprophecy.See2Peter1:19ff.

3. Defineinspiration.DiscusstheSpirit’sroleininspiration.See2Timothy3:16f.

4. DidGodsimplydictatethewordstothewriters,orwereanyoftheirthoughtsorpersonalitiesincluded?

5. ReadMatthew10:16-20;John14:25f;15:26f;16:12-15.Towhatextentdidtheapostleshavetothinkaboutwhattheysaid?Wasthereeverapointatwhichtheirneedfordirectrevelationwouldcease?

6. HowdidthewordofGodcomeintoawrittenform?IsthereanyevidencefromtheBibleitselfabouthowthewrittendocumentscameintobeing?IsthereanyevidencefromtheBibleabouthowthesewritingswerecollected?Isthereanyevidenceabouthowthewritingswerepreservedovertime?Supportyouranswers.

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TheIndwellingSpirit&theWordInthepreviouslesson,welookedattheindwellingoftheSpirit.HowdoestheSpiritdwellinus?Thatis,doeshedwellinusthroughamediumorwithoutanymedium?

ReadColossians3:16.ComparewithEphesians5:18f.WhatdoesthisparallelsuggestabouthowtheSpiritdwellsinbelievers?

Completethefollowingchart.OntheleftarepassageswhereanactionoreffectisascribedtotheHolySpirit.OntherightarepassageswherethesameeffectoractionisascribedtothewordofGod.

Spirit ActionorEffect Scripture

Galatians5:22 Romans10:17

John3:5f 1Peter1:23

John6:63 Psalms119:50

Titus3:5 James1:21

1Corinthians6:11 John17:17

Ephesians5:18f Colossians3:16

Galatians5:18 Psalm43:3

Acts9:31 Psalms119.50,52,76,82

Acts7:51 2Timothy3:8

John15:26 John5:39

Ephesians3:16 Psalms119:28

1Corinthians2:13 2Timothy3:16f

1Corinthians6:11 John15:3

1Corinthians6:11 Galatians2:16;Romans3:28

Romans15:13 Romans1:16

John16:8 Titus1:9

John16:8 2Timothy4:2

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Discussion1. Basedonthechartabove,howwouldyoudescribetherelationshipbetween

theSpiritandScripture?

2. IfwesaythattheSpirit’sindwellingandworkinusisthroughScripture,doesthismeanthatthemoreweknowtheScriptures,themoretheSpiritindwellsus?Howwouldthisapplytoanewconvert?Or,howwouldthisapplytosomeonewhoknowstheScriptureswell,butdoesn’tbearthefruitoftheSpirit?

3. ArethereanyareaswheretheSpiritoperatesinrelationtoChristianswithouttheWord?Consider:

a. Providence(cfPhilippians1:19;Isaiah63:10)

b. Prayer(cfJude20;Romans8:26f)

c. Sustainingandrenewingtheearth(cfPsalms104:29f;Isaiah23:15;44:3)

Note:ManypassagesspeakofwhattheHolySpiritdoeswithoutexplaininghowtheHolySpiritdoesit.Whilewetendtoinserttheexplanation,“throughtheWord,”wemustbecarefulthatwe’renotaddingsomethingthatisn’tthere.

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Fruit of the Spirit

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Lesson#12

TheFruitoftheSpirit

StudiesoftheHolySpirittendtofocusonthedoctrineoftheSpirit.Unfortunately,manystudiesneglectthepracticalimplications.GodhasgivenushisSpirit(Acts5.32).Butthatismorethanmerelyateaching;itisalife-changingtruth.TheSpiritpromisesussomethingbetterthanwhatwehavenow(Ephesians1.13f).Butuntilthen,theSpiritshouldhaveanimpactuponallofus(John16.7-11).

ThislessonlooksatGalatians5.16-24tohelpusunderstandhowtheSpiritaffectsourlives.

Context1. DiscussthebackgroundofthebookofGalatians.

2. WhoisaddressedinGalatians?Discusstheirbackground.

3. Whenandwhywastheletterwritten?

4. Whatisthebasicthesisoftheletter?

WordUsage1. BrieflydiscusshowthewordspiritisusedinGalatians.

q 3:2–

q 3:3–

q 3:5–

q 3:14–

q 4:6–

q 4:29–

q 5:5–

q 5:16–

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q 5:17–

q 5:18–

q 5:22–

q 5:25–

q 6:8–

2. Howarefleshandspiritcontrastedinthefollowingpassages?

Text Flesh Spirit

3:3

4:29

5:16

5:17

6:8 (Alsosee3:2,5;5:18)

DeedsoftheFleshReadGalatians5.19ff.Defineanddiscussthedeedsoftheflesh.(Note:TheKJVaddsanextraitem.Itisn’tincludedinthislist,whichisbasedontheNASB).

1. Immorality–

2. Impurity–

3. Sensuality–

4. Idolatry–

5. Sorcery–

6. Enmities–

7. Strife–

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8. Jealousy–

9. Outburstsofanger–

10. Disputes–

11. Dissensions–

12. Factions–

13. Envying–

14. Drunkenness–

15. Carousings–

16. “Thingslikethese”–

TheFruitoftheSpiritReadGalatians5.22f.DefineanddiscussthefruitoftheSpirit.

1. Love–

2. Joy–

3. Peace–

4. Patience–

5. Kindness–

6. Goodness–

7. Faithfulness–

8. Gentleness–

9. Self-Control–

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10. “Suchthings”–

Discusshowtoavoidfleshlylivingandhowwedevelopspiritualliving.Givepracticalsuggestions.

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Lesson#13

MiscellaneousQuestionsThislessonincludesvariousquestionsthatareoftenaskedabouttheHolySpirit.Inmyopinion,theyweren’tbroadenoughtohaveincludedthemasseparatelessons,soIlumpedthemtogetherhere.Someofthepassageshavealreadybeenreferenced;somehaven’t.Bepreparedtodiscussyouranswers.

1. WhatdoesitmeantoquenchtheSpirit?See1Thessalonians5.19.

2. WhatisblasphemyagainsttheHolySpirit?SeeMatthew12.31f;cfMark2.29;Luke12.10.

3. WhatisthesealorpledgeoftheSpirit?SeeEphesians1.13f;2Corinthians1.22.

4. Does1Peter1.1fteachthattheSpiritsetsapartorsanctifiespeoplesothattheywillbecomeChristians?

5. WhenprophetsweremovedbytheSpirit,didtheyunderstandwhattheyweresayinganddoing?See1Peter1.11f;2Peter1.19ff.

6. HowdoestheSpiritbringaboutunity?SeeEphesians4.1-6.

7. WhatdoesitmeanthatChristiansarebornofwaterandSpirit?SeeJohn3.3,5.

8. WhatdoesitmeantoworshipGodinSpiritandtruth?SeeJohn4.23f.

9. WhatdoesitmeanthatChristhadtheSpiritwithoutmeasure?SeeJohn3.34.

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11. HowdoestheSpiritbearwitnesswithourspiritaboutouridentityaschildrenofGod?SeeRomans8.14-17;Galatians4.6.

12. WhatdoesitmeantoprayintheSpirit?HowdoestheSpirithelpusinprayer?SeeJude20;Romans8.26f;Ephesians6.18.

13. InwhatsenseistheChristian’sbodyatempleoftheSpirit?See1Corinthians6.19.

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