Lesson 4 - What About the Holy Spirit? (Cont'd.) (Text Version)
There Are Various Symbols Of The Holy Spirit Used In The Bible:
Fire, Wind, Water, Seal, Oil, Dove (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:2; John 7:38; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; Psalm 23:5; Psalm 92:10; Hebrews 1:9; Matthew 25:4, 8; Luke 10:34).
The Holy Spirit Was Revealed In Three Ways In The Old Testament:
- Creative. Also as the sustainer of creation. Man's existence is like a note on an organ; it lasts only as long as the Creator's finger is upon the key. Man owes his being to the "two hands of God" -- the Word and the Spirit.
- Dynamic (empowering). He gave inspiration to rule, guide and supervise programs. He also empowered people to speak for God.
There were two kinds of ministers:
- a. Workers for God, like Joseph,, Bezaleel, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, and Saul.
- b. Speakers for God or prophets, like Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and many other prophets.
God gave them power or ability to do these things by the Holy Spirit.
- Regenerative (giving new or spiritual life and changing the person so God could live in and through him or her). This aspect is present but not emphasized in the Old Testament. It speaks of it mainly as a future blessing. The general giving of the Holy Spirit by God was future and connected with Christ's coming and then with his departure into Heaven. when He would then send the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit In Connection With Jesus:
His birth, baptism, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.
The Holy Spirit In Human Experience:
- Conviction (John 16:7-11).
- Regeneration (Genesis 2:7 and John 3:1-7).
As with the body, so it is with the soul. Man is surrounded by the spirit world and by God who is not far from any of us (Acts 17:27). Yet he lives and acts as if that world did not exist because he is spiritually dead and therefore cannot react to it. Regeneration is not merely a doctrine but a reality.
- Indwelling (John 14:17; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 2:27; Colossians 1:27; 1 John 3:24; Revelation 3:20).
- Sanctification.
Brings about the Fruit of the Spirit and eliminates the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-16).
- Enduement with Power (Acts 1:8).
The apostles, disciples and early believers were in intimate relationship with Christ, yet they lacked the enduement of power by the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:12-16; Matthew 10:1; John 7:37-39; 14:17, 20-22; Luke 10:20; John 15:3, 5).
- The Gifts of the Spirit.
How Has The Holy Spirit Affected Your Life?
How Many Of The Above Five Categories Of The Holy Spirit In Human
Experience Have Been Operative In Your Life?
- It is important to yield to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and
- To experience the new birth,
- His sanctifying power in your life,
- His enduement of power for service,
- The gifts of the Spirit and
- His many blessings that He wants to bring to your life.
"Please tell me more."
