The Holy Spirit Victory Christian Tabernacle Rev. James A. May, Pastor
The Holy Spirit In this 2-day session on God will focus on Who is the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit in the old Testament Holy Spirit Attributes Holy Spirit Personal-Personality Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit Spiritual Gifts Tongues The Triune God (explaining the Trinity)
Who is Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit Who is the Holy Spirit? [The Holy Spirit is part of the Triune God (Holy Trinity) with the Father and Son. He is true God with the Father and the Son. Matthew 28:19 NKJV Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV - 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is not a mere symbol of anything, just a force or power, but the third person of the Godhead. He is equal with God the Father and Jesus. No mere symbol is able to : communicate ('speak') (Acts 13:2), intercede (step in on behalf of someone) (Romans 8:26), testify (John 15:26) guide (John 16:13), command (Acts 16:6,7), appoint (Acts 20:28), lead (Romans 8:14), reveal to someone how wrong, foolish, or sinful he/she was (John 16:8). seal God's promise in believers' hearts (Ephesians 1:13-14) shape the life of each person and community to Christ's (Romans 8:1-17) In the Bible, the Holy Spirit has intellect, passions, and will, and can be grieved. In short, the Spirit has a personality.
Holy Spirit 1. 2. Out of three person in the Godhead, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is doubtless the least known and understood. Most Christians today understand Jesus the Son, and God the Father as two very distinct Persons within the Godhead; however, there has been much confusion over the identity of the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew and Greek word for Spirit is translated as "Breath," "Wind," or Spirit of God, in the sense of the vitality of living creatures. Genesis 6: 17. And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. Romans 8:16, 26, The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. John 14: 15-17 15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
"Godhead" The term "Godhead," referring to the three-in-one, can be found in Acts 17:2 Romans 1:20 Colossians 2:9 Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is not as visibly prominent as that of the Father and the Son. John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. The perfections and character of the Godhead can be seen in the work of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit 3.) The symbols used to describe the influence of the Spirit include oil, fire and water all of which are impersonal. Thoughtful reading of the Scriptures shows the Father and the Son are described in similar figurative ways as light, bread of life, living water etc John 6:34-36 John 6:47-49 *John 7:37-39
Holy Spirit-Personality 4.) The Holy Spirit is a personal being just as the Father and the Son. The Spirit is not an impersonal it or simply an influence. He has a mind, feelings, and a will. He can think, has emotions, and can choose just as God the Father and God the Son does. John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. He has intelligence (1 Cor.2:10-11). He has emotions (Eph.4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit ). He has will (1 Cor.2:11).
Comforter/Counselor The Holy Spirit is a comforter and counselor. *John 14:15-17 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. It would not be possible for the Holy Spirit to comfort and give counseling if it were just an impersonal influence.
Holy Spirit 5.) The Holy Spirit is equal in His personal nature to the Father and the Son. Acts 5:3-4 1 Corinthians 3:16 2 Corinthians 3:17 *Isaiah 6:8-13 Acts 28:25 The Holy Spirit does things, acts, as only a person would. He speaks: Acts 8:29, Genesis 6:3 Romans 8:26, and 1 Corinthians 2:10-11.
Holy Spirit Because the Holy Spirit is equal in His personal nature to the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit possesses incommunicable attributes that belong only to Deity. Self-existence (Rom.8:2) *Omnipresence (Ps.139:7-11) Spirit of Life (Rom. 8:2) Spirit of Truth (John 16:13)
Holy Spirit 5.)Finally the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to each one just as he [the Holy Spirit] determines 1Corinthians 12:11 Four key passages describe spiritual gifts: Romans 12:3-8 1 Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4:7-16 1 Peter 4:10,11
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit 6.) Jesus said that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is worse than blasphemy against the Son of Man. *Matthew 12:31-32. The implication is that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit maligns[badmouth speak unfavorably about, make false defamatory statements about someone] and discredits God. Mark 3:28-30 Romans 8:2 Luke 12:10
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit Situation Matthew 12:22-32 Great miracle had taken place. The blind and dumb man spoke and saw. Multitude was amazed. Pharisees knew they must discredit it or they would lose their following. Accused Jesus of casting out demons by the ruler of the demons. This indicates they recognized the miracle and had to attribute it to some power beyond man. They did not want to attribute the miracle to God, however, because then they would have to admit that Jesus came from God or had the power of God. A clear case of denying the truth in the presence of the facts. (People often do this today.) Jesus showed them how ridiculous their assertion was. Satan would not wage war on Satan. That done, he explains how his power was superior to that of Satan, the "strong man." "How can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man?" Then He goes on to indicate how serious it was to reject Him. "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with me scatters."
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit These men, Jesus said, were blaspheming the Spirit. Yet, rereading the passage, we see that they had not actually spoken evil of the Holy Spirit in so many words. Actually, their words were aimed at Jesus (see v. 24: "this man"), not the Holy Spirit. In verse 32, Jesus said that such words spoken against Him could be forgiven. No, it wasn't what they had said that brought them into so much danger, though what they said was certainly a serious matter. The problem was what they were doing. These men were rejecting the evidence supplied by the Holy Spirit (see verse 28: "if I cast our demons by the Spirit of God ") To continue to do such would be disastrous for them because, they were rejecting the only evidence upon which faith could be based.
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit "Blasphemy against the Son may be a temporary sin, for the one who commits it may be subsequently convinced of his error by the testimony of the Holy Spirit and become a believer (I Tim. 1:13). But blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is in its nature an eternal sin, for if one rejects the evidence given by the Holy Spirit and ascribes it to Satan, he rejects the only evidence upon which faith can be based; and without faith there is no forgiveness."
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 7.) Five differing aspects are discernible of the work of the Spirit in the Old Testament. a. He helped in creation in the universe and man (Gen.1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30). b. He equipped individuals for service (Judges 14:6 & Judges 3:10). c. He inspired the prophets (Ezekiel 2:2, Numbers 11:29, Acts 28:26). d. He produced moral living (Psalms 143:10; 139:23-24. (When David sinned he pled that the Spirit not be taken from him (Psalm 51:11). e. He foretold the coming of the Messiah. Scriptures suggest the Holy Spirit caused men to grow more and more conscious of their inner need for Gods help if they were to serve the Lord and be morally pure.
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 8.) The Holy Spirit came on individuals temporarily, generally for a particular task and for a period of time. Then when to occasion for His coming was over, He withdrew. *Judges 16:20 He selectively and conditionally indwelt certain people in the Old Testament (Joseph Gen.41:38; Joshua Num.27:18; Saul 1 Sam.10:9,10; David 1 Sam.16:13 etc.). The Spirit s indwelling was specifically related to enabling someone to do a particular task. The Holy Spirit could cease to indwell a person because of their disobedience. The Spirit left Saul (1 Sam.16:14). When David sinned he pled that the Spirit not be taken from him (Psalm 51:11). The writers of the Old Testament expressed a longing for help, God s power, and an ultimate relationship with Him. Only three times is the word Holy Spirit used in the Old Testament (Psalms 51:11; Isaiah 63:10-11). The New Testament uses Holy Spirit over 250 times when referring to God s Spirit.
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament The Old Testament makes definite reference both to the Son and to the Spirit (Holy Spirit). Proverbs 30:4 Isaiah 11:2 "... the Spirit... the Lord... Him Isaiah 42:1 "My Servant... I... My Spirit... upon Him Isaiah 48:16 "The Lord God... His Spirit... sent Me Isaiah 61:1 "Spirit of the Lord God... upon Me... the Lord Isaiah 63:9 "He...the Angel of His Presence... His Holy Spirit Ezekiel 36:26, 27
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament The Old Testament Foretold His Pouring Out on All People. Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Joel 2:28-29 28 And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams,your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament This extraordinary foretelling was always joined with the prophecies of the longanticipated, the Redeemer and one messianic figure. John the Baptist Mark 1:10 John 7:38-39 Isaiah 61:1 Luke 4:21
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament The Spirit indwells all believers in this age (Rom.5:5; 8:9; 1 Cor.3:16; 6:19). (unlike the Old Testament where the Spirit indwelt some) The Spirit indwells believers permanently in this age (John 14:16). (unlike the Old Testament where the Spirit could depart)
Holy Spirit Arrival of the Promised Gift The gift of the Holy Spirit was increasingly unfolded in Jesus lifetime on earth Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Holy Spirit Jesus was led by the Spirit Matthew 4:1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 3:13-17 He offered himself as a sacrifice through the Spirit Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Holy Spirit He was raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit Romans 1:4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. He gave commandments to the apostles Acts 1:2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
Holy Spirit Following his death and resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples His last instructions Acts 1:4-5 Exodus 23:15-16 Joel 2:28-32 And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Holy Spirit Only two incidents are recorded of the Holy Spirit s coming on a group in such power. a. The first is Peter speaking to the Gentiles in Caesarea Acts 10:34 b. The second incident is when Paul was on a missionary journey Acts 19:1-6
Holy Spirit 9). Work of the Divine Helper The Holy Spirit Has many descriptive titles I. the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29) II. Spirit of truth (1 John 5:6) III. Spirit of wisdom and understanding IV. Spirit of counsel and of power V. Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2) VI. Spirit of glory 1Peter 4:14 VII. Spirit of promise Ephesians 1:13
Holy Spirit 10.)The Holy Spirit is the executor of the purposes and plans of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is the one who carries out God s purposes-creation, conviction, regeneration, enlightenment, sanctification and glorification. 11.) John 16:8-11 The Holy Spirit convicts of guilt in regard to sin The Holy Spirit is the one who brings conviction of sin of an individual John 18:8 The Holy Spirit convicts of righteousness. The meaning of this is only clear when we see the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the world. The Holy Spirit convicts of judgment to come John 16:8-11 The results of this conviction by the Holy Spirit is His work of regeneration, the new birth. John 3:8
Holy Spirit- -Spiritual Gift 12.) Gives Spiritual Gifts The Holy Spirit administers spiritual Gifts (the Greek charisma) for the good of the whole body. Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities to serve. The Greek word for spiritual gift (charisma) is a form of the word grace. So these special abilities are privileges. God graciously enables all believers to serve in spiritual ministry. The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good 1 Corinthians 12:7. The body of Christ is the place where the Holy Spirit teaches a new Christian to grow, learn and serve.
Holy Spirit 13.) Equally free is that every Christian has the Holy Spirit with His counseling, help and conviction, beginning from the time of belief and commitment- 1 Corinthians 12:3b no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. We receive spiritual gifts when we trust Christ as Savior. That s when we received the Spirit; that s when we became part of the body of Christ.
Holy Spirit- -Spiritual Gift How do we get spiritual gifts? The Giver The Holy Spirit in particular imparts these special abilities (1 Cor.12:7-11). But it is also accurate to say that they are Christ s gifts to the church (Eph.4:7,8,10). When do we get spiritual gifts Romans 8:9 tells us that if a person does not possess the Holy Spirit, he or she does not belong to Christ: We receive spiritual gifts when we trust Christ as Savior. That s when we received the Spirit; that s when we became part of the body of Christ.
Holy Spirit- -Spiritual Gift 14.) *Romans 12:4 There are four lists of gifts in the NT showing differences and some overlap. Each Christian has at least one gift. Some have more but the gifts are always the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 1 Corinthians 12 Gives us a look at the four gifts Wisdom: Divine insights that come from the mind of God and his word. Knowledge: More practical insight into every day living. Faith: Special trust that God can indeed move mountains. Prophecy: The Idea of preaching more than foretelling new insights from God. http://qandablog.typepad.com/questions_and_answers/2005/05/christianity_10_2.html
Holy Spirit- -Spiritual Gift 15.)The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Scriptures, and the one who interprets them 2 Peter 1:20-21 20NKJV knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. He is also the one who interprets them and guides our hearts and minds He is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation Ephesians 1:17 He interprets the mind of God for us through these Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
Holy Spirit- -Spiritual Gift 16.) Among the gifts, speaking in tongues is doubtless the most controversial, followed by the second baptism of the Spirit and signs and wonders. 1 Corinthians 14 gives helpful direction for each of these disputed areas. The gifts of the Spirit are varied and they are for the edification of the body of Christ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27-28 1 Corinthians 14:4, 14:6, 14:12, 14:26
Holy Spirit What does the Holy Spirit Do? Guides to truth- John 16:31 Reveals Jesus- John 16:14 Comforts- John 14:16 Counsels- John 14:26 Gives wisdom- Ephesians 1:17 Prays for me- Romans 8:27 Gives me power-acts 1:8 Helps my weaknesses- Romans 8:26 Gives spiritual gifts- 1 Corinthians 12:11 Gives Spiritual fruit- Galatians 5:22-23
Holy Spirit 17.) Gives Spiritual Fruit Galatians 5:22-23 The Holy Spirit does His work of producing His fruit in us, we find that this includes love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Acts 2: 37-39
Holy Spirit The Spirits' Sealing Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, We have certainty and assurance of salvation because we are sealed by the Spirit Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Holy Spirit 18.) The Spirit indwells each individual Christian, each one's body is the Spirit's temple. John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
Holy Spirit Filled with the Spirit 19,) We are sealed, indwelt, and baptized by the Holy Spirit at the time we believe in Jesus Christ Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Acts 2:8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and
Filled with the Spirit Holy Spirit 20.) Whatever live brings us, His power is more evident in us. His Joy and peace controls our emotions. Overall, He makes us effectively fruitful for him. Many believers come to a point of utter frustration in their service for the Lord simply because they fail to realize the need to be filled with the Spirit if they are to act in God's power. When we learn to trust Him fully and allow him to work through us, He frees us from the frustration of trying to accomplish spiritual and eternal results solely from our human ability-or, more properly, inability. He is referred as our comforter and a person to us.
Holy Spirit It is the Holy Spirit who delivers us from the power of sin: Through the Holy Spirit we come to know Christ, and by the Holy Spirit's power we live and grow in Christ, in the service of the King and in the fellowship of His church Ephesians: 5:18-20 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Our Triune God 8.) Our Triune God The word trinity does not occur anywhere in the bible, but the fact is inescapable and does not mean the idea is a later development or a product of philosophic speculation. The words "omniscience," which means "all knowing," "omnipotence," which means "all powerful," and "omnipresence," which means "present everywhere," are not found in the Bible either. But we use these words to describe the attributes of God. So, to say that the Trinity isn't true because the word isn't in the Bible is an invalid argument. *God is one being, but He exist in three persons. The Old Testament begins using the Hebrew word Elohim for God, the plural form of the general name el meaning God. John explicitly identifies Jesus Christ, the Son, the Word, with the same words John 1:1-3, 14. We must not allow the scriptural truth of the trinity to deprive us of the equally important teaching that there is only one God. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one. In the New Testament, the distinctness of the persons of the Godhead is made clearer. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Our Triune God 9.) A Semantic Problem Part of the problem of understanding the trinity is the inadequacy of human words to express divine reality. Person used in human terms implies independence, not oneness of will and actions, and feelings as is true of the Trinity. The Divine Spirit executes Trinity is one self-conscious, self-directing being, yet no part every acts independently, or in opposition to the others. He is one in essence, in personality, and will. The Son and the Spirit are said to be subordinate to the Father, but this does not mean they are inferior. Their subordination had been called a matter of relationship, not of nature.
Our Triune God 10.) Subordinate Not Inferior The Father originates, the Son reveals, and the Spirit executes. [We can see that the Father is first, the Son is second, and the Holy Spirit is third. The Father is not begotten, but the Son is (John 3:16). The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (John 5:26). The Father sent the Son (1 John 4:10). The Son and the Father send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26). The Father creates (Isaiah 44:24), the Son redeems (Gal. 3:13), and the Holy Spirit sanctifies (Rom. 15:16). This subordination of order does not mean that each of the members of the Godhead are not equal or divine. For example, we see that the Father sent the Son. But this does not mean that the Son is not equal to the Father in essence and divine nature. The Son is equal to the Father in his divinity. Creation is from the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit.
Our Triune God An Illustration Basically, the universe consists of three elements: Time, Space, and Matter. Each of these is comprised of three 'components.'
As the Trinity doctrine maintains, each of the persons of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is distinct, yet they are all each, by nature, God. With time, for example, the past is distinct from the present, which is distinct from the future. Each is simultaneous. Yet, they are not three 'times,' but one. That is, they all share the same nature: time With space, height is distinct from width, which is distinct from depth, which is distinct from height. Yet, they are not three 'spaces,' but one. That is, they all share the same nature: space. With matter, solid is not the same as liquid, which is not the same as gas, which is not the same as solid. Yet, they are not three 'matters,' but one. That is, they all share the same nature: matter. Note that there are three sets of threes. In other words, there is a trinity of trinities. If we were to look at the universe and notice these qualities within it, is it fair to say that these are the fingerprints of God upon His creation? I think so. Not only is this simply an observation, but it is also a good source for an analogy of the Trinity.
Our Triune God But Not 1+1+1=3 1x1x1=1
Questions?