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THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

by Doctor Fred Wittman

Introduction: (Gen. 24).

A. The Third Person of The Trinity.

B. Two gifts of God to man.

1. His Son given to the world (Jn. 3:16).

2. His Holy Spirit given to the Church (Jn. 14:16,17,26; 15:26; 1 Cor. 3:16,17).

I. The PERSONALITY of The Holy Spirit.

A. Necessity of Proof.

1. Contrasted with the persons of The Godhead, The Holy Spirit seems impersonal (Rom. 8:16,26.) This is because the Greek word for Spirit is a neuter gender noun. Therefore every pronoun referring to The Holy Spirit is translated neuter and rendered “it” rather than the proper designation “He.” “The Father” and “The Son” are masculine nouns so properly rendered “He.” However the persons of The Godhead do not have gender as we humans. So it is best to render Each One as masculine rather than neuter which refers to a thing. Persons of The Godhead are definitely not things but personalities.

2. The names and symbols used of The Holy Spirit are suggestive of the impersonal (John 3:5-8; 20:22; 1 John 2:20; Acts 2:1-4).

3. The Holy Spirit is not always associated with The Father and The Son in the greetings of The New Testament (1 Thes. 3:11 cf. 1:1).

B. The Proof.

1. Characteristics of a personality are ascribed to The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3,9).

a. Self-consciousness (Isa. 63:10; Eph. 4;30; 1 Thes. 5:19; Heb. 10:29).

b. Intellect (1 Cor. 2:10,13; Rom. 8:26,27). Intellectual faculty (Acts 2:4).

c. Self will(ed) (1 Cor. 12:11). Exercise of will (Acts 7:51).

d. Moral nature (John 16:7,8; Rom. 8:26). Able to distinguish between right and wrong (Acts 5:1-9).

e. Emotion (Rom. 15:30).

2. Actions of The Holy Spirit are actions of a personality.

a. He teaches (John 14:26).

b. He regenerates (John 3:6).

c. He reproves (John 16:8).

d. He speaks (Gal. 4:6; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 13:2; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:7; Rom. 8:15,16).

e. He prays (Rom. 8:26). Makes intercession.

f. He leads (Gal. 5:18; Rom. 8:14).

g. He seals (Eph. 4:30; 1:13,14).

h. He baptizes (1 Cor. 12:12,13).

i. He fills (Eph. 5:18; Acts 4:8,31; 7:55; 9:17).

j. He transports (Acts 8:39).

k. He comforts (Acts 9:31).

3. The Scriptures speak of The Holy Spirit as of other personalities (John 14:16,17,26; 16:7,8,13-15).

4. Names of The Holy Spirit allude to His personality.

a. In The Old Testament

(1) The Spirit of The Lord (Isa. 11:2; 59:19)

(2) My Spirit ( Zech. 4:6; Hag. 2:5; Ezek. 37:14; 36:27; Isa. 59:19; 44:3).

(3) The Spirit of Wisdom (Eph. 1:17; Isa. 11:2).

(4) Spirit of Grace (Zech. 12:10).

(5) The Spirit of Understanding (Isa. 11:2).

(6) The Spirit of Counsel and Might (Isa. 11:2).

(7) The Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of The Lord (Isa. 11:2).

(8) The Spirit of Burning (Isa. 4:4).

(9) The Spirit of Judgment (Isa. 4:4).

(10) Thy Holy Spirit (Ps. 51:11).

(11) Thy Good Spirit (Neh. 9:20).

(12) Thy Spirit (Ps.. 104:30).

(13) The Spirit of The Holy Gods (Dan. 4:8,9,18; 5:11).

(14) An Excellent Spirit (Dan. 5:12; 6:3).

(15) The Spirit of Supplications (Zech. 12:10).

(16) The Spirit of The Lord God (Isa. 61:1-3).

(17) Free Spirit (Ps.. 57:12).

b. In The New Testament

(1) The Spirit (John 1:32,33).

(2) The Holy Ghost (John 1:33; Mt. 3:11).

(3) The Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).

(4) The Spirit of The Lord (Acts 5:9).

(5) The Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 4:30).

(6) The Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9).

(7) The Spirit of God (Mt. 12:28).

(8) The Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:19).

(9) The Spirit of your Father (Mt. 10:20).

(10) The Spirit of The Living God (2 Cor. 3:3).

(11) My Spirit (Mt. 12:18; Acts 2:18).

(12) His Spirit (Eph. 3:16).

(13) His Holy Spirit (1 Thes. 4:8).

(14) The Spirit of His Son (Gal. 4:6).

(15) The Eternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14).

(16) That Holy Spirit of Promise (Eph. 1:13 (Acts 1:4,5; 2:33).

(17) The Comforter (John 14:16,26; 15:26).

(18) The Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Jn. 5:6,7).

(19) The Spirit of Holiness (Rom. 1:4 (1 Pet. 1:2).

(20) The Spirit of Life (Rom. 8:2).

(21) The Spirit of Him That Raised Up Jesus (Rom. 8:11).

(22) The Spirit of Adoption (Rom. 8:15).

(23) The Spirit of Faith (2 Cor. 4:13).

(24) The Spirit of Wisdom (Eph. 1:17).

(25) One Spirit (Eph. 2:18; 4:4).

(26) The Spirit of Power (2 Tim. 1:7).

(27) The Spirit of Love (2 Tim. 1:7).

(28) Spirit of A Sound Mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

(29) Spirit of Grace (Heb. 10:29).

(30) Spirit of Glory (1 Peter 4:14).

(31) The Spirit of The Revelation (Eph. 1:17).

(32) Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11).

(33) The Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 4:30).

(34) God (Acts 5:3,4).

II. The PROPERTIES of The Holy Spirit.

A. He is Omnipotent (Job. 26:13; 33:4; Ps.. 104:30; Lk. 1:35).

B. He is Omnipresent (Ps.. 139:7-10).

C. He is Omniscient (1 Cor. 2:9-11; Jn. 14:26; 16:12,13).

D. He is Eternal (Heb. 9:14).

III. The PARITY (co-equal with God) of The Holy Spirit.

A. He is called God (Acts 5:3,4; 2 Cor. 13:14).

Compare (Isa. 6:8,9 cf. Acts 28:25,26; Jer. 31:31-34 cf. Heb. 10:15-17).

B. He performs the works of God.

1. Creation (Job 33;4; Ps.. 104:30).

2. Impartation (Acts 20:28).

3. Regeneration (1 Cor. 6:11; Jn. 3:5-8; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Titus 3:5).

4. Inspiration (2 Pet. 1:21).

C. His Classification with The Godhead (Mt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14).

IV. The PERFORMANCE of The Holy Spirit.

A. His Presence.

1. Before Pentecost.

a. In The Old Testament.

(1) past Eternity (Job 26:13; 33:4; Ps.. 104:30 (before man was created; Jer. 4:23; Isa. 24:2).

(2) From Creation to the Flood (Gen. 1:2; 6:3).

(3) From Flood to Birth of Christ (1 Sam. 10:6; 16:14 cf. Ps.. 51:11; Num. 11:29; 24:2; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:6,19; 15:14).

b. In The Gospels.

(1) From the Birth to the Baptism of Christ.

i. The Conception of Jesus (Mt. 1:18-20; Lk. 1:35).

ii. Elizabeth (Lk. 1:41).

iii. Zacharias (Lk. 1:67).

iv. Simeon (Lk. 2:25-27).

v. John the Baptist (Lk. 1:15,16,17).

(2) From the Baptism to the Death of Christ.

i. In Jesus.

(a) The Lighting of The Holy Spirit (Mt. 3:16; 12:18; Jn. 1:31-33; 3:34).

(b) The Leading of The Holy Spirit (Mt. 4:1; Lk. 4:1,14-18).

(d) The Departure of The Holy Spirit (Lk. 23:46)

ii. In the disciples

(a) Able to speak by The Holy Spirit and given power to do miracles (Mt. 10:7,8,19,20).

(b) Given to those who ask The Father (Luke 11:13).

(d) Promised to be Another Comforter (John 14:16-18,26).

(e)As a Gift to teach (John 14:26) and to indwell (John 14:16,17).

(3) From the Resurrection to Pentecost

i. Raised Christ from dead (i Pet. 3:18).

ii. Given to disciples in measure until Pentecost (John 20:19-23).

iii. Promised to baptize them and endue them with power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5-8).

2. On Pentecost

a. A new relationship--promised by Jesus (John 7:38,39; 14:16).

b. Descended on Pentecost--10 days after ascension of Christ (Acts 2:1-4).

c. Why a waiting period? Answer found in “the feasts of Jehovah” (Lev. 23).

(1) Feast of Passover (Lev. 23:1-5) -- depicts the death of Christ. On 14th day of Nisan, “The Lamb of God” deposited His spirit into the hands of The Father at the precise hour the evening oblation was sacrificed.

(2) Feast of unleavened bread (Lev. 23:6-8) -- observed for seven days depicts the perfect, sinless life of Christ The Life -- The Bread of life. Feast began the 15th day of Nisan. Leaven is the symbol of sin, a contaminating force.

(3) Feast of first fruits (Lev. 23:9-14) -- observed on the first day of the week, the day of worship; is symbolic of Resurrection of Christ at the beginning of harvest. Christ is The Firstfruit from the dead (1 Cor. 15:23).

(4) Feast of Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-22) --celebrated fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits.-- a celebration of thanksgiving for the spring harvest. It was a bread loaf baked with leaven representing the body of The Christ dying on the cross being made sin for us ( 2 Cor. 5:21).

d. The proof of The Spirit's presence on Pentecost (Acts 2:4).

(1) The sounds from heaven (Acts 2:2; 1 Kings 19:11).

(2) The signs of tongues like fire (not of fire (Acts 2:38; 8:16).

(3) Supernatural speech (Acts 2:4; i Kings 19:12).

3. Since Pentecost

a. How received

(1) In apostolic times, the transition era changing from Judaism to Christianity.

i. By the Jews

(a) First by believing on Christ with repentance (Acts 2:38; 8:12-16).

(b) By being baptized (Acts 2:38; 8:16).

ii. By Gentiles--by simply believing on and receiving Christ (Acts 10:40-48).

(a) In Non-apostolic times (our times)

(i) We are born by The Spirit (John 3:1-8).

(ii) We call Jesus, Lord! because we make Him Lord of all in our lives (1 Cor. 12:3).

(iii) We receive The Spirit as soon as we believe (John 7:38,39; Gal. 3:2; Rom. 8:9; 1 Thes. 4:8).

b. Baptized by Holy Spirit upon receiving Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

It is significant that the baptism of The Spirit in the four Gospels and Acts 1 is a future work.

(1) Every one in this present age who is regenerated by The Holy Spirit is baptized by Him at that time and are placed into the body of Christ as a member of the body.

(2) Christians are never exhorted to be baptized with The Holy Spirit because all regenerated believers have already been baptized by The Spirit at the point of Salvation.

(3) The special truths related to the baptism by The Spirit is that regenerated believers now enjoy a new position and are declared to be “in Christ,” they are identified with what Christ accomplished in His death, resurrection-ascension, and glorification, and they now have the life of Christ which is shared from the Head with the Body.

(4) The baptism of The Spirit is not in itself ‘an experience’ because it is a work of God to be understood and received by faith. It is an instantaneous act of God; not a subsequent experience.

(5) It is not necessary to speak in tongues in order to demonstrate one is baptized by The Spirit. As already presented, baptism occurs at regeneration and even in the early Church many individuals did not speak in tongues, yet they were baptized by The Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the Transitory gift of speaking in tongues is no longer in effect today (1 Cor.13:8).

(6) The teaching that the baptism of The Spirit in Acts 2 differs from the baptism of The Spirit to Gentile regenerated believers in 1 Corinthians 12:13 is wrong because, as seen in Acts 10-11, the conversion of Cornelius (a Gentile) had the same effect as when The Spirit descended in Acts 2, and Peter recognized that this was the same as that which occurred at Pentecost (Acts 11:15-17).

c. One Baptism--many fillings (Acts 1:5; 2:14-38; 11:16).

(1) Instances of the filling by The Spirit before the Day of Pentecost are relatively few. Examples:

i. The wise hearted makers of Aaron’s garments (Ex. 28:3),

ii. Bezaleel (Ex. 31:2,3; 35:30,31),

iii. John the Baptizer (Lk. 1:15),

iv. Elizabeth (Lk. 1:41),

v. Zacharias (Lk. 1:67),

vi. The Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 4:1)

(2) Significance of being filled by The Spirit:

i. Being filled by the Spirit is bringing self under the control of The Spirit even as one who has drunk wine to excess so that the ‘spirits’ control him.

ii. The significance of the contrast of being filled with The Spirit and being filled to excess with wine is that wine affects the entire body, including both mental activity of the mind and physical activity of the body. Thus, being filled with The Spirit should involve the entire mind and body in obedience to Christ by The Spirit’s control.

(3) Examples of Holy Spirit fillings in Acts:

i. Peter (Acts 4:8,31).

ii. Seven deacons (Acts 6:3,5).

iii. Stephen (Acts 6:5; 7:55).

iv. Barnabas (Acts 11:24).

v. Saul (Acts 13:9,52).

(3) All regenerated believers can and should be filled with The Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:19; 5:18).

(4) It is inaccurate to refer to the filling by The Spirit as a second work of grace because it occurs again and again ( Acts 2:4 cf. 4:8,31; 7:55; 9:17; 13:9). It is not limited to one work after salvation.

d. He will indwell regenerated believers forever (John 14:16,17; 1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 5:5; 8:9,11; Gal. 4:6; 1 Thes. 4:8; Titus 3:5,6; Eph. 2:19-22; Num. 11:17-30).

(1) There is a difference from Old Testament times when The Holy Spirit was with the saints and occasionally came upon and left certain individuals, while today He dwells in the saints.

(2) So important is the indwelling of The Spirit that if an individual does not have Him dwelling within, he does not belong to Christ (Rom. 8:9)

(3) In our day The Holy Spirit indwells saints corporately - in the Body of Christ (Jn. 14:17; Rom. 8:9,11; 1 Cor. 6:19,20; 12:13; Col. 1:27 -- all verses contain second personal plural pronoun).

(4) In our day The Holy Spirit indwells regenerate believers individually (John 7:38,39; Rom. 8:9b; 1 Jn. 3:24; 4:13; Jude 19).

(5) The Indwelling Holy Spirit guarantees the resurrection unto life (Rom. 8:11).

e. He will dwell on earth in regenerated believers until the Rapture (John 14:16-18; 2 Thes. 2:1,5-7).

f. He will continually witness of Christ (Jn. 15:26; 16:14,15):

(1) To us -- The Children of The God :

i. That we are children (sons) of The God (Rom. 8:16, 9-14; 1 Jn. 3:24):

ii. Within the child of The God directly (Rom. 8:16);

iii. With other children of The God that one another is a child of The God (Rom. 8:16);

iv. By our following His leading (Rom. 8:14).

(2) To the world (the lost) of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8-11).

g. He will enter two witnesses in the middle of the tribulation (Rev. 11:11).

B. The Propelling of The Holy Spirit

1. In Old Testament

a. Moses was propelled to guide and judge (Num. 11:17,25).

b. Bezaleel was propelled to make furnishings for the Tabernacle and in the construction of the Tabernacle; also priests' garments (Ex. 31:2-11; 28:3; 35:30-35).

c. Joshua was propelled to take up leadership of Israel in Moses' stead (Num. 27:18; Deut. 34:9).

d. Judges were propelled to deliver Israel.

(1) Othneil (Judges 3:10).

(2) Gideon (Judges 6:34).

(3) Jephthah (Judges 11:29).

(4) Samson (Judges 13:2-5,25; 14:6,19; 15:14,15).

e. David spoke propelled by The Spirit (2 Sam. 23:2; Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16).

f. Prophets prophesied propelled by The Holy Spirit (Neh. 9:20,30).

(1) Azariah (2 Chron. 15:1-7).

(2) Jahaziel (2 Chron. 20:14-17).

(3) Zechariah (2 Chron. 24:20-22).

(4) Ezekiel (Ezek. 2:1-8; 3:24-27; 37:1-4).

(5) Micah (Micah 3:8).

g. Old Testament was written by men propelled by The Holy Spirit 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:10,11; 2 Tim. 3:16).

2. In New Testament

a. Holy Spirit propelled :

(1) Joseph to take Mary to wife (Mt. 1:19,20,24);

(2) Elizabeth to bless Mary (Luke 1:41-45);

(3) Zacharias to prophesy by Holy Spirit (Luke 1:67-80).

b. Holy Spirit propelled Jesus through His life:

(1) In the wilderness (Mark 1:12; Mt. 4:1);

(2) Into Galilee (Luke 4:14);

(3) In all He did (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38);

(4) To be gracious (Mt. 12:18-21);

(5) To cast out demons (Mt. 12:28);

(6) To offer Himself to God (Heb. 9:14);

(7) Raised by The Spirit (1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 8:11);

(8) In giving commandments to apostles (Acts 1:2).

c. Holy Spirit propelled the disciples of Jesus:

(1) To speak before governors, magistrates, and kings (Mt. 10:18-20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11,12);

(2) To remember what Jesus taught (John 14:26);

(3) To learn new things, yea ‘all things’ (1 Cor. 2:9-12);

(4) To follow into all truth and see ‘things to come’ (John 16:13).

d. The Holy Spirit propelled Stephen to be a martyr for Christ (Acts 7:55-60).

e. The Holy Spirit propelled Philip:

(1) To witness to the Ethiopian Eunuch to lead him to Christ (Acts 8:29-38);

(2) Away to Azotus (Acts 8:39,40).

f. The Holy Spirit propelled Peter to go to a Gentile and preach Christ (Acts 10:19,20; 11:12).

g. The Holy Spirit propelled Agabus:

(1) To predict a world-wide famine (Acts 11:28);

(2) To predict Paul's future (Acts 21:10,11).

h. The Holy Spirit propelled Paul:

(1) To speak and to cause Elymas to be blind (Acts 13:9-11);.

(2) To go to Macedonia and not to Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-12).

i. The Holy Spirit propelled other believers to prophesy concerning Paul (Acts 20:23; 21:4).

j. The New Testament was written by men propelled by The Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Rev. 1:10; 2:7,17).

3. In present day believers

a. The Holy Spirit propels Christians to confess:

(1) Jesus Christ as Lord (1 Cor. 12:3),

(2) Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (1 John 4:2);

b. The Holy Spirit propels us to obey the commandments of Jesus Christ (1 John 3:24; 1 Pet. 1:22);

c. The Holy Spirit propels us to live for Christ (Rom. 8:4,12-14; 2 Cor. 5:14,15);

d. The Holy Spirit propels us to wait for the hope of righteousness (Gal. 5:5);

e. The Holy Spirit propels us to mortify the deeds of the body (Rom. 8:13; 6:11,12);

f. The Holy Spirit propels us to strive in prayer:

(1) To build up faith (Jude 20),

(2) For servants of God and furtherance of the Gospel (Rom. 15:30).

g. The Holy Spirit propels us in spiritual strength (Eph. 3:16).

h. The Holy Spirit propels us to worship God (John 4:23,24; Phil. 3:3).

i. The Holy Spirit propels us to witness and preach for Christ (Rom. 15:19,20; 1 Thes. 1:5-8; 1 Pet. 1:12; Acts 1:8).

j. The Holy Spirit propels us to suffer for Christ's sake (1 Pet. 4:12-14).

C. The Power of The Holy Spirit:

1. Manifest in creation (Job 26:13; 33:4; Ps.. 104:30);

2. Manifest in The Lord Jesus to heal and cast out demons (Acts 10:38);

3. Manifest in raising Jesus from among the dead (1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 1:4);

4. Manifest in the Apostles:

a. To witness (Acts 1:8),

b. To preach and do miracles (1 Thes. 1:5; 1 Cor. 2:4; Rom. 15:18,19);

5. Manifest in Re-creation:

a. By quickening the soul (John 6:63; 1 Cor. 15:45),

b. By quickening the body for life in Heaven (Rom. 8:11);

6. Manifest in Christians in abundance of hope (Rom. 15:13).

D. The Production of The Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit produced the conception of Christ in Mary (Lk. 1:35; Mt. 1:18-20).

2. The Holy Spirit produced utterance to the Apostles (Acts 2:4).

3. The Holy Spirit produces life (Gal. 6:8):

a. To dead sinners:

(1) Through the Word (John 6:63; 1 Pet. 1:23),

(2) By the New Birth known as regeneration (John 3:5,6,8);

b. In Saints (1 Pet. 4:6; Gal. 5:25);

c. To the dead bodies of saints (Rom. 8:11);

d. To the two witnesses killed during the Tribulation (Rev. 11:11).

4. He produces assurance in the regenerated believer (1 Thes. 1:5).

5. He produces an epistle of Christ on the hearts and in lives of regenerated believers (2 Cor. 3:3).

6. He produces fruit of character traits in the regenerated believer (Gal. 5:22,23; 6:8; Rom. 14:17):

a. Love (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22,23),

b. Joy (1 Thes. 1:6; Gal. 5:22,23; Rom. 14:17),

c. Goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:9),

d. Peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness and temperance (Gal. 5:22,23).

7. The Holy Spirit produces:

a. Worship in the hearts of regenerated believers (John 4:23,24; Phil. 3:3),

b. Prayer in the regenerated believer (Eph. 6:18; Jude 20).

8. The Holy Spirit produces gifts in regenerated men for service in the Church (1 Cor. 12:4,7-11; Heb. 2:4; 1 Pet. 4:10,11).

E. The Protection of The Holy Spirit.

1. He protects regenerated believers from being lost (Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22).

2. He is the pledge of assurance to protect our Eternal Redemption (Eph. 1:14; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5).

3. He protects the gifts He has given to regenerated believers (2 Tim. 1:14).

F. The Prayer of The Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26,27).

G. The Program of the Holy Spirit.

1. He convicts:

a. Of sin (Heb. 3:7),

b. Of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:7-11).

2. He testifies of Christ (John 15:26; 16:13,14; 1 Jn. 5:6,7; 1 Pet. 1:11).

3. He summons sinners to Christ (Rev. 22:17; 2; 3).

4. He regenerates sinners who heed the summons (John 6:63; 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 3:6; Rev. 2:7,11; 17,29; 3:6,13,22).

5. He baptizes believers into the Body of Christ (Mt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Cor. 12:13).

6. He sanctifies (Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2).

7. He justifies (1 Cor. 6:11).

8. He anoints and indwells (John 1:32,33; Acts 10:38,45; 2 Cor. 1:21,22; 1 John 2:20,27; Eph. 2:22; 1 Cor. 6:19; James 4:5; 1 Cor. 3:16,17).

9. He loves (Rom. 15:30).

10. He teaches all truth (John 14:26):

a. About Christ (John 16:13-15),

b. About things to come (John 16:13),

c. About spiritual things and ‘the deep things of The God’ (1 Cor. 2:9-14).

11. He leads (Acts 8:29; 10:19,20; 11:12; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6,7; Rom. 8:14; 2 Cor. 12:18; Gal. 5:16-18,25).

12. He reveals truth (Luke 2:26; John 16:13; Acts 11:28; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Eph. 1:17; 3:5; 1 Tim. 4:1; John 14:26; Luke 12:12; 1 John 4:2,6,13; Rev. 1:10; 4:2; 14:13; 17:3; 19:10; 21:10).

13. He sends forth missionaries (Acts 13:4).

14. He empowers (Acts 10:46,47; 19:6; Rom. 15:13,19; Acts 8:19; 1 Cor. 2:4; 1 Thes. 1:5).

15. He distributes gifts (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; Heb. 2:4).

16. He comforts (Acts 9:31; Rev. 1:4; John 14:16; Phil. 2:1,2).

17. He fills regenerated believers (Acts 2:18; 7:55; Eph. 5:18).

18. He prays (Rom. 8:26,27).

19. He restrains:

a. The wicked, iniquity, and sin from running rampant (2 Thes. 2:6-8).

b. The totally committed disciple by gracious and in obtrusive checks and stops and by means of open and closed doors (Acts 16:6,7; 1 Cor. 16:3-9; Rom. 15:23-28).

20. He provides fellowship and unity (1 Cor. 6:17; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 2:1).

21. He strengthens regenerated believers (Eph. 3:16).

22. He seals regenerated believers (Eph. 1:13,14; 4:30).

a. A seal is a sign and proof of ownership (Esther 8:8; Jer. 32:9-11).

b. A seal indicates protection and security (Dan. 6:17; Mt. 27:63-66)

c. A seal is certification of transaction (Jer. 32:9,10,14).

H. The Prompting by The Holy Spirit -- “bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26). In order for The Holy Spirit to perform His ministry of prompting three things are required of the regenerated believer:

1. Prior Acquaintance or knowledge previously acquired. Without The Word of The God, The Holy Spirit is mute; just as The Word of The God is powerless without The Holy Spirit. Therefore we must do our part to get to know God’s Word before The Holy Spirit can do His part to remind or prompt us.

2. Prudent Cognizance (Jas. 1:5; Prov. 9:10; Ps. 25:12). The prompting of The Holy Spirit comes in three ways:

a. As a word heard in the ears (of one’s conscious or subconscious mind) (Isa. 30:21),

b. By guidance with God’s eye seeing all in the future (Ps. 32:8),

c. With God's counsel found in God’s Word (Ps. 73:24).

3. Prompt Acquiescence (Ps. 37:23; Gal. 1:15,16; Rom. 12:1,2; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10; Rom. 8:9-14).

I. The Provocation of The Holy Spirit.

1. He can be blasphemed (Mt. 12:31,32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10).

2. He can be lied to (Acts 5:3,9).

3. He can be resisted (Acts 7:51; 6:10).

4. He can be quenched (1 Thes. 5:19).

5. He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30).

6. He can be despised (Heb. 10:29).

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Happy Heralds, Inc

Send mail to Info@HappyHeralds.org Last modified: May 28, 2005

Send mail to Info@HappyHeralds.org
Last modified: May 28, 2005