The Holy Spirit
Download StudyIn your constantly over-demanding life in the Capitol, you surely have times when you feel dry and depleted. During these times of drought, Satan tempts us in our weakest areas, and we are apt to sin.
Find your strength in God and His Word every day. The one remedy for a parched spirit is to drink from the well of the Word and find your solace in Him. The Capitol culture creates much autonomy, so if you need a confidant and/or some encouragement, feel free to reach out to your Ministry Leader. He struggles like you at times, and it’s likely he can relate to your needs.
I. INTRODUCTION
The Holy Spirit is God. The Bible identifies Him as one of three Persons existing as one God, that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This lesson will focus on who the Holy Spirit is, as well as His presence and ministry in the believer’s life.
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON
A. RECOGNIZED AS A PERSON
Personal pronouns like “He” or “Him” are used to refer to the Holy Spirit rather than “it.” That is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you ( John 14:17).
List the number of times “He” or “Him” is used in John 14:17 to refer to the Holy Spirit: ___________________________________________________________________
B. ATTRIBUTE OF PERSONALITY: INTELLECT
The Holy Spirit possesses the ability to know and understand reality. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27).
The Holy Spirit has a _______________________________.
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
The Holy Spirit searches _______________________________.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:11).
The Holy Spirit knows _________________________________.
C. ATTRIBUTE OF PERSONALITY: EMOTION
The Holy Spirit possesses the ability to experience emotion. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
What emotion is attributed to the Holy Spirit? _______________________________
D. ATTRIBUTE OF PERSONALITY: VOLITION
The Holy Spirit possesses the ability to determine or act decisively. In the following three passages, identify the decision or judgment that demonstrates the Holy Spirit’s attribute of volition.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. … But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11).
While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2).
“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell” (Acts 15:28–29).
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD
A. ATTRIBUTES
The Holy Spirit: Attributes of Deity
Omniscient—All-knowing (Isaiah 40:13–14)
Omnipresent—Present everywhere (Psalm 139:7)
Eternal—Without beginning or end (Hebrews 9:14)
Truth—Veracity; integrity (1 John 5:7, John 16:13)
B. STATEMENTS OF DEITY
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).
What key statement shows that the Holy Spirit is God? But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold,was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3–4). _________________________________
To what can lying to the Holy Spirit be compared? _________________________________
IV. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
In the following passages, how is the Holy Spirit active? _________________________________
You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground (Psalm 104:30).
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20–21).
The Holy Spirit Bears Witness of Christ
Attests that Jesus is the Christ (John 15:26)
Will disclose or reveal Christ (John 16:14)
Will not speak of Himself (John 16:13)
V. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SALVATION
One of the most important areas of the Spirit’s work is with respect to God’s plan of salvation. What special work does the Holy Spirit do? “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” ( John 16:7–8).
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By whom are sinners born into God’s kingdom? Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit” ( John 3:5–8).
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What work does the Spirit do when a person is saved? He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:5–6).
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For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
The baptism by the Spirit occurs only once— at the time of salvation.
How does the Holy Spirit guarantee a believer’s salvation? In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13–14).
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An explanation about the sealing of the Holy Spirit is in order. A seal was an ancient device, usually a signet ring or a cylinder seal engraved with the owner’s name or with a particular design. This device was used to seal goods, demonstrate ownership, attest to a document’s authenticity, or physically impress upon something an early form of a trademark. The seal indicated ownership and security. Here in Ephesians, the seal represents the guarantee of future blessings. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is God’s promise of our inheritance in the future! What a wonderful assurance!
VI. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER’S LIFE
What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the believer? However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him (Romans 8:9).
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Is it possible to be a Christian and not be indwelled by the Holy Spirit?
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What is another ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words (1 Corinthians 2:12–13).
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What caution is given to all believers in regard to the Spirit? Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
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Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
Colossians 3:16 records the same attributes listed in Ephesians 5:18. What, however, is the command in this passage? Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).
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Accordingly, are being filled with the Spirit and letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly the same concept?
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How does a Christian keep from sinning? But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
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When a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, he will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23). List these nine qualities:
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Are you exhibiting those qualities in your own life?
VII. APPLICATION
Read 1 Corinthians 6:19–20: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
What significance does this passage have for you?
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What do you need to do to glorify God in your body?
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May God bless your daily study of His Word. Develop the habit; there is no more important one in all of life.