The Holy Spirit By Cloyce Sutton II 3 rd Quarter, 2016 Bartlett Church of Christ
TheHolySpirit
ByCloyceSuttonII
3rdQuarter,2016 BartlettChurchofChrist
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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–
8. 1Corinthians6.11–
9. 1Corinthians2.12–
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.
Deity of the Holy Spirit
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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.
Deity of the Holy Spirit
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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?
Deity of the Holy Spirit
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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”
Personality of the Holy Spirit
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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–
Personality of the Holy Spirit
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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.
Personality of the Holy Spirit
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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–
Holy Spirit in the OT
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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
Holy Spirit in the OT
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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–
Holy Spirit & Christ
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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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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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(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?
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4. Howwouldyouanswersomeonewhosaysthatyoudon’tbelievethatGod(ortheSpirit)isatworktoday?
5. Isitvalidtosaythatmiraclesexisttoday,inthesensethatGodmayinterveneinhiscreationinawaythatsupersedesnaturallaw,yetdoesn’tinvolvehumanagency.Ishumanagencyafactorwhenconsideringwhetherathingisamiracle?SeeActs2.22.
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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
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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.