The Holy Spirit. A Bible Study - #7 of 12. The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 1

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1 The Holy Spirit A Bible Study - #7 of 12 The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 1

2 Acknowledgements All Scripture quotations, except otherwise noted, are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, (Cambridge: Cambridge) Public Domain. Significant Outline of Course: Adapted from Fundamentals of the Faith, Revised Edition, Copyright 1991, 1993 by Grace Community Church. The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 2

3 Introduction This is a course on the basics of what being a Christian is all about. Whether the course is called First Principles, Fundamentals of the Faith, or Biblical Foundations, it all means the same thing- Basic truth in which to build on, mature, and grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. The old saying goes that if you teach a person to fish, they will always have fish. Someone can give you a fish and you are dependent upon that person always for food, or you can learn how to fish for yourself. These teachings are designed to give you the tools to help be the person that God has called you to be. The Bible word for this is called being a disciple. There are twelve different Bible studies. Each builds upon the previous study. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 3

4 The Holy Spirit And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16 1. The Holy Spirit is God. The Bible identifies Him as one of the three Persons existing as God, that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We can understand about whom the Holy Spirit is by what He does. In this lesson, we will study who the Holy Spirit is and His presence and ministry in the believer s life. The Bibles uses these names and titles to identify the Holy Spirit: Paraclete (the one who comes along side), Comforter, Counselor, Consoler, Advocate, Intercessor, Holy Ghost, and Spirit of Truth. The Greek language definition is pneuma - meaning breath of air, breeze, spirit, life, and Christ s spirit. An illustration: Pneumatic tools are found in most auto garages. These are an impact tools that are powered by compressed air. If you visit the garage, one can hear the whirl of the tool in action. At these same garages the mechanics will have toolboxes full of standard non-air powered wrenches and sockets. The pneumatic tools make the mechanic s job much easier and efficient. I. The Holy Spirit is a Person A. Recognized as a Person Personal pronouns like He or Him are used to refer to the Holy Spirit rather than it. List the number of times He or Him is used in John 14:16-17 to refer to the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 4

5 B. Attributes of Personality 2. Intellect. He posses the ability to know and understand reality. a. What does the Holy Spirit search (Romans 8:27)? b. What does the Holy Spirit have (Romans 8:27)? c. What does the Holy Spirit search (1 Corinthians 2:10)? d. What does the Holy Spirit know (1 Corinthians 2:11)? 3. Emotion. He possesses the ability to experience emotion. Record the emotion attributed to the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4:30: 4. Volition. He possesses the ability to determine, act decisively, and make decisions. List the decision or judgement in which the Holy Spirit demonstrates His attribute of volition: a. 1 Corinthians 12:7,11 b. Acts 13:2 c. Acts 15:28-29 The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 5

6 II. The Holy Spirit is God A. Attributes Holy Spirit: Attributes of Deity Omniscient All-knowing Isaiah 40:13-14 Omnipresent Present everywhere Psalm 139:7 Eternal Without beginning or end Hebrews 9:14 Truth Veracity; integrity 1 John 5:6-7; John 16:13 B. Statements of Deity 1. Write the key statement that shows that the Holy Spirit is God (2 Corinthians 3:17): 2. According to Acts 5:3-4, lying to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to: III. The Work of the Holy Spirit A. According to Psalm 104:30, the Holy Spirit is active in: B. 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us that the Holy Spirit was also active in: C. Zechariah 4:6 shares that believers have a powerful resource. Who is it? The Holy Spirit Bears Witness of Jesus Christ v Attests that Jesus is the Christ.John 15:26 v Will disclose or reveal Christ..John 16:14 v Will not speak of Himself John 16:13 The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 6

7 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. The baptism (or initial immersion) of the Holy Spirit occurs only once at salvation. But believers are commanded to keep being filled by the Holy Spirit (See Ephesians 5:18; Acts 2:4; Acts 4:31). God left the Holy Spirit with us to accomplish His work on this Earth. A. Turn to John 14:15-17 and answer the following Questions. 1. Who sends the Holy Spirit? 2. How long does the Holy Spirit stay with us? 3. Where does the Holy Spirit reside? B. What special work does the Holy Spirit do (John 16:7-8)? C. By whom are sinners born into God s kingdom (John 3:3-8)? D. What does the Spirit do when a person is saved? 1. Titus 3: Corinthians 12:13 3. Galatians 4:4-6 (answer in verse 6) E. How does the Holy Spirit guarantee a believer s salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14)? The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 7

8 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, used to seal goods, demonstrate ownership, attest a documents authenticity, or impress an early form of a trademark. The seal indicated ownership and security. It is the guarantee of future blessings (like an engagement ring). 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)? B. Is it possible to be a Christian and not be indwelled by the Holy Spirit (YES or NO). (Romans 8:9)? C. What is another ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)? D. What does the Holy Spirit guide the believer into (John 16:13)? E. For the believer, does the Holy Spirit do the work of sanctification, the process of a believer becoming more like Jesus (Romans 15:16) (yes or no)? F. What does the Holy Spirit do (Romans 8:14-15)? G. Who teaches and brings Christ s Words to the believer s remembrance (John 14:26)? H. What does the Holy Spirit do (Luke 12:11-12)? The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 8

9 I. What exhortation is given to all believers in regard to the Spirit? 1. Ephesians 4: Thessalonians 5:19 3. Ephesians 5:18 4. John 4:23-24 In Acts 2 we have a record of how the early New Testament believers received empowerment for service. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8 J. How does a Christian keep from sinning (Galatians 5:16-17)? K. When a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, they will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5:22-23 and list these qualities below: Note: Are you exhibiting these qualities in your own life? The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 9

10 There is a sin that God will not pardon. (See Mark 3:28-30; Luke 12:10-11; Matthew 12:31-32). 1. The danger of not recognizing the Holy Spirit as the power behind the work of Christ. 2. Accusing the miracles that Christ performs as done by the devil or demonic forces. 3. The complete rejection of Jesus Christ s power and authority as the Son of God. VI. Application In the Old Testament, 2 Chronicles 7:1-2, Solomon was dedicating a glorious temple. The result was a powerful manifestation of God: Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD S house. Now in the New Testament found in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 the Apostle Paul writes that each believer is God s temple: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God s. A. What significance does that have for you? B. What do you need to do to glorify God in your body? He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 10

11 What Spirit are You of? But he (Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Luke 9:55 Spirit of the Antichrist 1 John 2:18-22; 2 John 1:7 The names of the antichrist (devil, Satan- adversary, Apollyon/Abaddon- destroyer, Beelzebub- lord of the dung/flies) Rebellion- Lawlessness Religion- Traditions 1 Samuel 15:23 Acts 17:22 Fruit of the spirit of antichrist (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 2:16) 1. What is the spirit of the antichrist? (1 John 2:18-22; 2 John 1:7) 2. Rebellion is sin as witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23) 3. Who is the antichrist? (devil, Satan- adversary, Apollyon/ Abaddon- destroyer, Beelzebub- lord of the dung/flies) 4. Paul addressed a very religious people in Athens (Acts 17:22) (2 Timothy 3:1-9) 5. The fruit of the spirit of antichrist (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 2:16) 6. What is the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:1-9) 7. Who is Jesus Christ? (Isaiah 9:6 Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace ). 8. Obedience (1 Samuel 15:22) 9. Our Relationship (Acts 17:23-31) 10. The fruit of the Spirit of Christ (Galatians 5:22-23) 11. Conform or Transform our worship (Romans 12:1-2) Spirit of Christ Romans 8:1-9 The names of Jesus Christ Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6 Obedience & Submission Relationship 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 51:16-19 Acts 17:23-31 Fruit of the Spirit of Christ (Galatians 5:22-23) One reason religion is so dangerous is that it never causes us to ask ourselves "Where am I with Jesus?" It is cold and external. And as we go through this study, we will find that it is outright devilish. (Isn't that why the devil was cast out of heaven anyhow, because he wanted the worship?!) (Isaiah 14:13-24) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4:1-3 The Holy Spirit, Foundations of the Faith Page 11