Basics of the Faith

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

So often people refer to the Holy Spirit as an it. However the Holy Spirit is not a force of nature like the wind or lightning. The Holy Spirit is an actual person who the bible refers to not as an it but as he. The Holy Spirit carries the same position, glory, power and image of deity that both of the other 2 members of the Godhead (Father & Son) carry.

Memory verse: “ 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 promised Holy Spirit.”  Ephesians 1:13

1.      From the following verses show how the Holy Sprit is God?

Genesis 1:2 – [the spirit of god hovered over the waters of the earth]. By the spirits name we know he is of god. At hearing a distinction so early in the bible people get a misguided impression that the spirit is not God himself. This is not true. It only shows a distinction in the work that was being performed. The spirit was in place above the waters when god spoke in verse 3 the spirit went into action. He also hovered above the waters, which suggest his involvement in creating and nurturing the earth.

Acts 5:3,4[Peter asked Annias why did he lie to the Holy Spirit then equated lying to the spirit to be the same as lying to God]. Peter makes no distinction between the Holy Spirit and God. The titles are used interchangeably. The truth of peters statement is verified by the immediate death of Annias after hearing these words in verse 5. A great fear arose amongst the people who herd. there was no doubt that Peter taught the Holy spirit is god himself.  

1 Corinthians 12:6,11[the same God who works all in all, the same spirit who works all theses things distributing to each one as he wills]. Again the equation of the spirit is with God. all good gifts come from god but we see that the spirit gives the gifts as he wills and is the power working in the gift.

2.      From the following verses list the divine characteristics of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:10,11 , John 16:12,13 [Omniscience-all knowing] the spirit knows the things of God and will guide us into all truth. To guide someone in all truth you must know all truth. The spirit knows every thing. Which means he also knows our needs and what is best for us. Nothing catches god by surprise. He knows what we do why we do it and how to get us out of a situation. 

Psalms 139:7,8[Omnipresence-he is everywhere] there is nowhere you can go that the spirit is not there. We can be assured that he sees us at all times and is always with us. He is with us as we live our daily lives. He is watching our every move there is nothing done in secret that he has not seen and recorded. Do not fool yourself every sin that is committed is known to god. We therefore should live as if god was standing visibly with us at all times

Luke 1:35[omnipotent-all powerful] the spirit possesses the same power as God. When the spirit comes upon you the power of the highest will overshadow you. All who possess the Holy Spirit posses god. Since the spirit can do all things there is nothing that we cannot accomplish in our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit. No goal is unattainable no barrier is too big. We are enabled to do anything god desires for us to do. (Can relate this to school, work, ministry, problems etc…)  

Hebrews 9:14[Eternal-always existing] the spirit of god was not created. He always was and always will be. He will never cease to exist.we will have fellowship with him eternally. We never have to worry if sin can enter again after were resurrected for he will be eternally in us.

       Gives life - Job 33:4, John 6:63 

       Breath of life- Genesis

 [Part of the spirits work in creation was to impart life. Adam body was formed from the dust of the ground but he did not live until he breathed the breath of life into him. The word spirit means breath or wind. The spirit was that breath of life that was breathed into him. The spirit not only gives physical life but spiritual life as well. Death means separation. When a person’s spirit leaves the body we bury them because we consider them dead. Likewise when were separated from the Holy Spirit we are dead to God]

3.      What do the following verses tell you of the personal characteristic of the Holy Spirit?

1 Corinthians 2:10,11{intellect} the holy spirit can think just like any other person

Ephesians 4:30[Emotions] the spirit can feel grief like any other person

1 Corinthians 12:11[will] the Holy Spirit has a will and can make decisions like any other person

A person is said to be anything that is said to have intellect, emotions and a will. The Holy Spirit has all the qualities of personage. Being a person does not have to do with having a body. We still consider the dead as persons even though they have left their body. The spirit is like wise a person even though we do not see him. It is an interesting fact that the pronouns used of the Spirit in the bible are all personal pronouns. The bible never calls the spirit an it, but always he and him. Jesus always used masculine pronouns when speaking about the spirit. Also note that the Pharisees blasphemed the spirit in Matthew chapter 12. This sin was unforgivable. You cannot blaspheme forces of nature. Blasphemy must be committed against a person.

          The holy spirit also:

                   Teaches - John 15:26, Psalms 143:10

                   Guides believers -Romans 8:14

                   Issues commands -Acts 8:29

                   Prays-Romans 8:26 

                   Commissions people for service- Acts 13:4

                   Speaks- John 15:26, 2 Peter 1:21

4.      Explain the Holy Spirits presence in the Old Testament according to the following verses.

A. Genesis 1:2[see above]                                  

 B. Judges 15:14 [the spirit came upon Samson and empowered him the ropes on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire. (Flax is a plant grown in Egypt and Palestine that has fibrous stems. a fine yellow textile fiber is made from the plant. Used for making clothing, linen etc…). Samson was given the strength too not only breaking his bonds but killed 1000 men with the jawbone of an ass.                                                                            

C. 2 Samuel 23:1,2[the spirit spoke through David. and it was his words that were on David’s tongue. David wrote many prophetic psalms. The spirit revealed to David many truths of things to come].

 D. Judges 3:10  [the spirit empowered Othneil to judge (be a deliverer) for Israel and to go to war and have victory].     

 E. Exodus 35:30[the spirit filled Bezalel giving him wisdom, understanding and knowledge in all types of crafts. To work in artistic design, with gold, silver, bronze, wood carving, and cutting jewels. He gave him the ability to teach others. The spirit gave abilities to do his work (designing the tabernacle) similar to the ability that he gives us today to do his work.

 F. 1 Samuel 11:6[the spirit came upon Saul and he burned with a righteous anger. He empowers Saul to unify and lead the people of Israel in battle. The spirit today unifies us as believers. He gives us a zeal for god and a hatred for evil.

 G. Psalms 51:11[do not take your spirit from me. in the old testament times the spirit was given for a certain purpose and only for a limited time. David knew that the spirit was needed in his ruling of the people and more importantly his relationship with god would be severed. He recognized all he had came from god and pleaded that Gods hand remain on him.                                                   

 H. Ezekiel 36:27[Put spirit on Me. gods promise to put his spirit on us so we can obey him. We do not have the ability to obey god on our own. The spirit has too first come inside us to empower us to live holy lives. We are not born with the spirit we must receive him through faith; and allow him free reign over our lives. We do not get the Holy Spirit we are given the spirit by god.

 The Holy Spirits presence in the Old Testament believers was primarily_______________.

The Holy Spirits presence in New Testament times was different. Christ promised his disciples a Counselor, a Comforter, who would guide them the rest of the way. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples.

5.      From the following verses show how this change impacted the New Testament believers? 

1. John 16:8[he will convict this world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness and judgement. (The word convict in this text means to correct). The spirit corrects us in regard to our thoughts and our hearts. Sin because they do not believe in Jesus. Not believing in Jesus is sin. Disbelief in Christ leads to condemnation (John 3:18). The spirit corrects this view of disbelief by drawing those who are willing to Christ. Of righteousness because Jesus is with the father the spirit is our guide to lead us to righteousness. Of judgement Satan is all ready judged. And his world system stands in judgement with him. Just as in our courts a person is found guilty then often has a separate court date to pronounce the sentence (unless waived). Satan is judged waiting the carrying out of his predetermined sentence.
2. Titus 3:4,5[the spirit regenerates the believer (gives a new life, Born again). The spirit cleanses us of everything that is not like Christ. The renewing of the spirit deals with a reviving or refreshing of the spirit in our everyday lives].  
3. John 14:16,17 [the spirit will be in you. No longer will the spirit just be with you but he will be in you. The spirit will become a part of you just like your feet or your hand. The spirit being in you deals with your relation to god. You are now in a vibrant personal relationship with god himself. In Old Testament times the spirit caused people to stir or came upon them. Now the spirit is not upon us but in us. Joining us to god].        

D. 1 Corinthians 12:13 [the spirit joins us to the family of god. all believers are joined together by the spirit. through the sharing of the holy spirit we are connected as if we were babies sharing the same umbilical cord. The spirit is the umbilical cord that connects the believer to god. This connection was severed in the garden by sin and only through faith can we be reconnected].

E. 2 Corinthians 1:22[sealed by the spirit as a guarantee. A seal has two functions one it is a stamp of ownership. Secondly a seal keeps the contents inside. The spirit is our deposit guaranteeing that we belong to god forever. God has put his stamp of approval on us and let us know he will keep us. It is the spirit that places us in and keeps us in fellowship with god                                          

 F.1 Corinthians 12:7,11[manifestations of the Spirit. The spirit gives each believer gifts for the gain of all. Every believer has at least one gift. Most probably have a combination of gifts. These spiritual empowerments are for the benefit of everyone.  Are to be used to further God's kingdom. It is the spirit who decides what gift each person will get and it is our responsibility to use what he has given us].

G. Ephesians 5:18[being spirit filled has to do with being under the spirits influence or control. It is contrasted with being filled with wine (. IE Drunk). When a person is intoxicated his inhibitions our lowered and they act accordingly. Their actions are dictated by the carnal nature. The spirit works against the flesh. So when one is filled by the Spirit you inhibit (restrain) your will to sin. You are controlled by God and the flesh is brought into submission so god influences your every action].                 

H. Acts 1:8[receive power. The spirit gives us power for the purpose of being witnesses for Christ. We do not have the power of god for our own benefit but for his benefit. We do not have to worry about failure for god empowers us for all that he calls us to do. Even when it looks like we failed we have accomplished gods purpose. Our lack of understanding of the Gods purpose can get discouraging. But as we often find out god gets victory when we only saw failure. We don’t know whose life gets impacted when god empowers us]. 

I. Romans 8:11[the Spirit who raised Jesus form the dead give life to our mortal bodies. The spirit will on day raise us also from the dead just as he did Christ. We will be given new immortal incorruptible bodies.                                                     

J. 1 John 2:20,27[the anointing from the Spirit teaches you all things. the Holy Spirit leads you into truth and teaches. The spirit will guide you in his ways. In showing you how to live and operate in life. The spirit is our instructor others people can help at times but it is the spirit that explains all things. The spirit is needed to learn .the carnal mind does not understand the things of the spirit. The spirit reveals the truth about the bible and how it applies to us.

6.      The Holy Spirit and the Bible.

1. The Holy Spirit directed the writers of the Bible (2 Peter 2:20,21).
2. The Holy Spirit confirms the truth from the Bible when spoken (John 16:3).
3. The Holy Spirit illuminates the truth of scripture (John 16:3).