PNEUMATOLOGY 002 The Holy Spirit of God - Systematic Theology Series Notes adapted and abbreviated from Theology I at Eternity Bible College INTRODUCTION: A. Review of Pneumatology -001 a. God supernaturally enabled leaders like Moses and Joshua, the judges, kings and prophets to align His people to His purposes. b. Old Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit was insufficient to align God s people c. New Covenant Ministry would be marked by the ongoing presence of the H.S. B. MAIN THOUGHT: We must accurately understand the New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit so that we can be a Spirit-filled people for His gospel purposes today! a. God has chosen to use this era of believers uniquely to advance His gospel b. We should expect to see the power of Spirit regularly in our walks with Jesus c. Our godliness should be marked with power not a man-made façade (2 Tim. 3:5) I. THE REGENERATING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (John 3:1-7; Titus 3:5) A. The work of regeneration is similar to a new birth (John 3:3-8) 1. Jesus compared the initial work of the Holy Spirit to a new birth (John 3:3-6) 2. The Spirit s regenerating work is analogous to the wind. We do not know where the Spirit will work but we will see obvious evidence of His presence (John 3:8) 3. The Spirit rebirths us so that we can be God s children (John 1:12-13) and therefore adopted in God s family (Rom. 8:15). 4. Regeneration or new birth, is an inner re-creating of fallen human nature by the gracious sovereign action of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:5-8) (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 924). B. The work of regeneration is instantaneous (1 John 2:29) - John states that believers have been born (something that happened in the past but has lingering effects) (1 John 2:29; cf. John 1:12-13) C. The work of regeneration produces life transformation (1 John 2:29; 3:9) - Everyone who has been born of God practices righteousness (2:29) and if we are born of God we will not practice sin (3:9) D. The work of regeneration gives a person a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17) 1. We were formerly dead in sin and by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:1-3) 2. The old nature is gone and the new nature has come 3. We are privileged to join God in sowing the seed of regeneration in others E. The work of regeneration is not based on experience (Titus 3:5) 1. Regeneration is one aspect of the broader concept of conversion. 2. The moment of regeneration is not derived from nor based on human experience. 3. Regeneration can be visible instantaneously and will definitely yield fruit F. The work of regeneration is synonymous with Spirit baptism (1 Cor. 12:13) 1. Spirit baptism began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 11:15-16) 2. Spirit baptism happens at the moment of salvation and therefore is not sought 3. Spirit baptism is universal among all Christians (1 Cor. 12:13) a) Every believer, regardless of their spiritual walk, is baptized by the Spirit b) It is not a matter of spiritual maturity or yieldedness 4. Spirit baptism brings the believer into union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-10; Gal. 3:27-28; Col. 2:12) 5. Spirit baptism makes the believer a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:5) 1
II. THE INDWELLING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A. The Spirit indwells all believers (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19) 1. The Spirit indwells all believers regardless of their maturity (cf. 1 Cor. 3:1-3) 2. God inhabits us, takes residence inside of us; we are His temple (1 Cor. 3:16) 3. Since God s Spirit is resident; we must glorify God with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:18-20) a) We have been purchased and the Holy Spirit is God s deed to our life b) "We generally think of the Father as transcendent and far off in heaven; similarly, the Son seems far removed in history and thus also relatively unknowable. But the Holy Spirit is active within the lives of believers; he is resident within us. The Holy Spirit is the particular person of the Trinity through whom the entire Triune Godhead works" (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, p. 846). B. The Spirit s indwelling is a gift given only to believers (Rom. 8:9; Jude 19) 1. He is freely given, not earned, to all believers (cf. Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 2:12; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5) 2. If one does not have the Spirit in them, they are not of Christ (Rom. 8:9) 3. Apostates are described as not having the Spirit (Jude 19) C. The Spirit permanently indwells believers (John 14:16-17) 1. Jesus claimed that the Spirit would abide with us forever; therefore He would not leave us as orphans (John 14:16-18) 2. It is interesting to note that the Corinthians who are rebuked for gross sins in their lives are explicitly said to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) III. THE SEALING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A. The Definition of a Seal: Sealing is a picture taken from the culture of the day. Seals were utilized in every aspect of the culture, marking an item or product for any one or more of the following reasons: 1. Protection: to make sure that a document or container was not opened or the contents not altered. 2. Ownership: property was engraved with a seal in order to distinguish that item as the personal property of the one administering the seal, much like branding cattle today. 3. Authentication: the seal was tantamount to a signature; an individual s seal on a document demonstrated that the document was authentic and genuine. 4. Trademark: as on pottery, before firing the item was impressed with a distinctive seal to mark that item as the production of the one who made it. 5. In Summary: The Holy Spirit is given to the believer at the moment of salvation, and as such the Spirit functions as the seal of his redemption protecting the possession of eternal life, demonstrating that the individual has been made the personal property of God Himself, setting him aside as authentic in his claim to be the child of God. B. The Holy Spirit sealing occurs at the moment of salvation (Eph. 1:13) - The Holy Spirit seals all believers; faith is the only condition (Eph. 1:13) C. The Holy Spirit s sealing is permanent (Eph. 4:30) 1. Even those who grieve the Spirit are still sealed (Eph. 4:30) 2. Despite carnality, the Corinthians were sealed (2 Cor. 1:22) D. The Holy Spirit s seal is a guarantee of our future glory (2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5-9) 1. The Father has anointed us, sealed us and guaranteed for us eternity (2 Cor. 1:21-22) 2. Neither man (Phil. 1:6) nor God (Rom. 11:29) can revoke this promise of eternal life 3. The Spirit is our first installment of God and a guarantee that more is to come 4. Since we are sealed, we make it our aim to please Him by living by faith (2 Cor. 5:5-9) 5. The point of greatest significance in the sealing of the Holy Spirit is the eternal security of the believer. It is plainly stated that the seal is placed on the Christian with a view to keeping him safe unto the day of redemption the time of complete deliverance from all sin. The matter is not left in human hands, but is dependent entirely on the power of God (Walvoord, The Holy Spirit, 158). 2
IV. THE SANCTIFYING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2) A. The Definition of the Holy Spirit s Work of Sanctification 1. As believers set their mind on the Spirit and allow the Spirit to lead them, the deeds of the flesh are then put to death. (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 890) 2. The Spirit of God uniquely overcomes and destroys the power of sin, renews man in the image of God, and enables him to render a spirit of obedience to God (Louis Berkhof. Systematic Theology, 426) B. The Spirit convicts/reproves the world and believers (John 16:8; Heb. 10:15-17) C. The Spirit illuminates a believer s mind (1 Cor. 2:10; cf. John 14:26; 15:26) 1. He reveals the wisdom through God s Word 2. He teaches believers by opening their eyes to understanding (Eph. 1:17, Ps. 119:18) so that they may know and comprehend the amazing truths of God s Word (Ps. 119:18) 3. The Spirit of God aids the believer by applying, and recognizing the value, worth and significance of a text for a particular person, situation and time (Walter C. Kaiser. A Neglected Text in Bibliology Discussion: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. Westminster Theological Journal 43 (Spring 1981): 319). D. The Spirit intercedes on behalf of believers (Rom. 8:26-27; 8:34) 1. When we are overwhelmed with a situation the Spirit of God intercedes according to the will of God on our behalf. 2. There is comfort knowing that the Spirit will pray for us when we are unable. E. The Spirit guides/leads believers (John 16:13; Rom. 8:14) - Calls believers to act consistent with inward nature (Eph. 4:30) F. The Spirit comforts believers (John 14:16-17; 1 John 2:1) - The title of counselor or comforter (parakletos) speaks of a person who helps or gives comfort or counsel to another G. The Spirit imparts words to speak for believers (Matt. 10:20; Mark 13:11; Acts 8:29) - We are a mouthpiece for the God with the Holy Spirit speaking through us H. The Spirit equips a believer to serve (1 Cor. 12:11) 1. At salvation, believers receive a Spirit given gift (cf. 1 Pet. 4:10) 2. The Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts to believers so that the body of Christ may be strengthened, edified and ultimately unified by one another s service (1 Cor. 12:11) 3. Without the Spirit, believers are left ill-equipped to minister to each other I. The Spirit commands the saints (Acts 10:19-20; 13:2; 16:6) but He can be resisted (Acts 7:51) 1. Stephen, right before he was stoned called Paul and the Jews a stiff-necked and uncircumcised people who always resist the H.S. as their fathers (Acts 7:51) 2. Peter obeyed the vision given to him from the H.S. about the abolishment of the O.T. dietary restrictions (Acts 10:15, 19-20). J. The Spirit s work is visible in believers (Gal. 5:22-23; cf. Rom. 8:13) 1. Context: Galatians have bought into a false gospel of salvation (1:6-9) and a false gospel of sanctification (2:16-3:3). 2. Paul teaches them how to walk by the Spirit rather than by their flesh (5:16-26) a) A Spirit-led walk leads believers away from the gratification of the flesh b) You are a Spirit-led people not a law-driven people (v. 18) c) Look at your branches, what type of fruit do you see (vv. 19-23) (1) The Fruit of a flesh walk is obvious (vv. 19-21) (2) The Fruit of a Spirit walk is obvious (vv. 22-23) d) A Spirit-led people identify with the gospel work of the cross by allowing Jesus to crucify their flesh (v. 24) 3. A Spirit-marked people must walk in line and keep in step with the Spirit (v. 25) 4. A Spirit-led people are not marked by conceit or envy but love (v. 26) 3
V. THE FILLING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A. The Special Filling of the Spirit: The special filling of the Holy Spirit may be described as a sovereign act of God whereby He possesses someone for special activity (Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, 434). 1. It was a sovereign work of the Spirit determining when, who, and where (e.g., Lk. 1:67; Acts 2:4) a) This special filling is similar to the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. b) This filling indicates that it was given specifically for prophesy, confrontational witness, or ministry consecration. c) Special fillings are sudden, sovereign, unexpected, overwhelming, incident oriented acts of enablement; undefined as to duration, lasting as long as its purpose and situation demanded; and resulting in verbal proclamation....[it] designates the intense presence or the abnormally strong activity of the defining quality in a definite event of short duration...special fillings did not indicate abiding spirituality (Larry Pettegrew, The New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit, 202) 2. Described as an event (Luke 1:67; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9). 3. It was an unsought filling; people did not seek it, it just came (e.g. Acts 4:8). a) No conditions for the special filling b) John the Baptist in his mother s womb (Luke 1:15) B. The Normal Filling of the Spirit: The second facet of Spirit filling may be described as the extensive influence and control of the Spirit in a believer s life. It evidences an abiding state of fullness rather than the specific event (Ryrie, 434). 1. Describes a quality of a believer (Acts 6:3, 5; 11:24). a) full of the Holy Spirit : a life characterized by yieldedness b) One allowing the Holy Spirit to take full control of one s life c) These are moments in the sanctification process when believers allow themselves to be controlled (filled) by the Spirit of God. d) Men were selected who were characteristically filled with the Spirit to take care of the physical needs of the early church (Acts 6:3, 5) e) Barnabas was described as a man full of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 11:24) 2. It is available to every believer (Acts 13:52; Eph. 5:18) a) The disciples lived in such a way that they were characterized by being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52) b) It is possible for believers to be regenerated, indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit but not be filled. 3. It is a sought filling (Eph. 5:17-6:9) a) Context: In light of everything God has done for us (1-3); Paul urges the Ephesians to walk in a manner of their calling (4:1), striving to walk in love by being imitators of God (5:1-2) b) v. 17: We must avoid foolishness and instead understand the will of God c) v. 18: In order to understand the will of God we must be filled with the Spirit - completely intoxicated with the Spirit s control, not with wine d) Results/Evidences of being Spirit-Filled (5:19-6:9) (1) v. 19a: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs - the Spirit will influence our speech towards others (2) v. 19b: singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord - focused on our heart attitude of worship towards God 4
(3) v. 20: always giving thanks for all things - gratitude to the Father for the work of Jesus in our lives (4) v. 21: be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. (a) Wives (5:22-24, 33): Spirit-filled wives are marked by a church-like submission (b) Husbands (5:25-33): Spirit-filled husbands are marked by a Christlike love (c) Children (6:1-3): Spirit-filled children are marked by God-honoring submission that leads to obedience to their parents (d) Fathers (6:4): Spirit-filled fathers raise their children in gentleness with the discipline and instruction of Jesus. (e) Slaves and Masters (6:5-9): Spirit-filled slaves are marked by a Christ-like submissiveness to their masters. Spirit-filled masters strive to imitate their Master who is in heaven. e) Examine the relationships in your life. Do you see evidence of the Spirit s control and influence? How can you practically be filled with the Spirit each day? CONCLUSION A. God has privileged us with the Holy Spirit s supernatural presence in our lives a. He has completely bleached and recreated our insides (regeneration ministry) b. He has decided to take residence within us (indwelling ministry) and has locked the door behind Him (sealing ministry) c. He has provided us with supernatural power to crucify our flesh and to tap into the resurrection power to live as His new created image bearers (sanctifying ministry) d. He has commanded us to be completely yielded to His control as He directs us to accomplish His gospel purposes in our lives (filling ministry) B. The Holy Spirit has qualified us and enabled us to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) a. The Holy Spirit is evidence of our association with the God Himself b. We must be marked by the supernatural presence of God s Spirit - The world is looking for a people that has evidence of God in their lives c. Jesus gave us His Spirit in order to advance His gospel work - We cannot trust in man-made strategies, historical tradition or human discipline but the supernatural power of the Spirit d. We are called to be God s image bearers. The Spirit alone enables us to live according to our design. We have been made His new creation in order to join God in sowing the supernatural seed of regeneration in the lives of others (2 Cor. 5:17-21) 5