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Christianity for Dummies - 3 - Holy Spirit

by Michael Russell
November 2002

Based upon a sermon series by Pastor Jim Henry, senior pastor of First Baptist Orlando, and enhanced with my personal commentary. Apologies to the book publisher for the title.

Today's lesson was about the third person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one that is most active in a believer's life, but often is the most forgotten.

By the way, while the term, Trinity, does not appear in the Bible, it is a shorthand term to identify the nature of God as described in the Scriptures. Throughout the Bible, God appears in three roles and distinct personalities (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), yet there is only one God. A poor analogy would be to think of the tri-state of water. Under the right pressure and temperature, water will exist in gas, liquid, and solid form all at once. These are three "roles" of water, but it is only the one water molecule.

My notes and comments are short this time. The pastor went very quickly over a lot of material and didn't go into much depth on any piece. A couple years ago he did a three month study of the Holy Spirit.

1. What is the Holy Spirit?

1.1. Is a person.

John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Notice, Jesus describes the Spirit as a distinct personality and calls him, he.

1.1.1. Has feelings

Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

This is only one of a few passages that indicate that the Holy Spirit responds to the way we behave. We know God the Father and Jesus show emotions, so it makes sense that the third person would likewise.

1.1.2. Has intellect

1 Cor 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

The Holy Spirit is the conveyor of heavenly wisdom.

1.2. Is active.

Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Even from the beginning, the Spirit has been the energizing force in the Creation.

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Likewise, the Spirit takes an active role in leading the believer's daily activities.

1.3. Is real, not imaginary.

Acts 2:3-4 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

The message here is that this was a very obvious change in the Disciples. The presence was real. Likewise, even today, a believer who is letting the Spirit guide his life will have an obvious change.

1.4. Is part of the Godhead

Acts 5:3-4 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Peter, in this event, equates the Holy Spirit with God. He used the terms interchangeably, because to lie to one is to lie to the other.

There were a couple other verses mentioned, but I didn't get them.

1.5. Is powerful

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

2. What is the work of the Holy Spirit?

2.1. Convict a person of the need for salvation.

John 16:8-11 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

2.2. Guide a believer into righteousness.

Rom 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

2.3. Make known God's judgement.

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

And, John 16:8-11 quoted above.

2.4. Bring assurance of eternal life.

Eph 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

2.5. Guarantee the believer's place before God.

See Eph 1:13-14 quoted above.

2.6. Supply the believer's needs.

Phil 1:18-19 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

2.7. Council and encourage believers.

John 14:26-27 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

2.8. Provide insight and wisdom.

1 Cor 2:12-14 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2.9. Comfort in the midst of difficult times.

Phil 2:1-3 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

3. What is the wonder of being filled with the Spirit?

Eph 5:18-20 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Not a lot of commentary this time. But a wealth of material to study.