clss04

Christian Life Study Series Lesson 04
This study series focuses on some of the great elemental teachings found in the Bible. Each teaching is simplified and organized into an interesting and easy to understand Bible study. These studies are presented to help fill a need in your life and to provide an incentive to know more of God's Word.

THE HOLY
SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is God, and is equal to the Father and the Son. He is God the Holy Spirit and although he is one with the Father and Son he is yet distinct and separate from them. In the Genesis account of creation, the Holy Spirit is actively engaged in the work of creation along with the Father and the Son.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon men to empower them for service and when they were disobedient the Holy Spirit departed from them. In the New Testament following Pentecost, we see the Holy Spirit baptizing and indwelling believers, never to leave them, filling and empowering them for service.

Studying the person and work of the Holy Spirit is very important. As we will see in this study, the Holy Spirit is the one, this side of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, who is at work in us and in the world.

I. The Deity Of The Holy Spirit
Read Acts 5:1-4

In dealing with Ananias and Sapphira, the Apostle Peter revealed the deity of the Holy Spirit when he said, “you have not lied to men but to God.” In reading the Scriptures, it is very evident that the Holy Spirit is God, that he is co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existent with both the Father and the Son.
The Holy Spirit Possesses Divine Attributes

1. He is ever-present in the universe. (Read Psalm 139:7-10)
2. He is all-powerful. (Read Luke 1:35)
3. He possesses all knowledge. (Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-11)
4. The Holy Spirit is eternal. (Read Hebrews 9:14)

We Find The Holy Spirit’s Name Linked Equally With The Father And Son

1. In the baptism of the believer - (Read Matthew 28:19)
2. In the Apostolic Benediction - (Read 2 Corinthians 13:14)

We See The Deity Of The Holy Spirit In Relation To The Life And Ministry Of Jesus

1. Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit. (Read Luke 1:35)
2. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit. (Read Acts 10:38)
3. He was led by the Holy Spirit. (Read Matthew 4:1)
4. The Holy Spirit gave Jesus strength to face his crucifiction. (Read Heb. 9:14)
5. Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Read
    Romans 8:11)

IF JESUS NEEDED TO RELY UPON THE POWER OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT IN HIS LIFE, CAN WE AFFORD TO DO ANY LESS?

II. Natural Mediums That Serve As Emblems Of The Holy Spirit

It can be difficult to impart the truth by the use of words. Frequently they reveal only a part of the truth while the remainder of the truth remains cloaked. The writers of the Bible often use emblematic terms as they uncloak the mysteries of the Holy Spirit. These emblematic terms help us to understand a lot about the Holy Spirit.

1. Fire is used to represent the Holy Spirit. Fire reveals the purifying and consuming power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. (Read Acts 2:3 and Isaiah 6:1-7)

2. Wind is used to represent the Holy Spirit. Wind reveals the way the Spirit moves effortlessly and unrestrained. (Read John 3:8)

3. Water is used to represent the Holy Spirit. Water reveals the Holy Spirit’s ability to fill the believer to overflowing with spiritual life. (Read John 7:37-39)

4. Seal is used to represent the Holy Spirit. Affixing a seal represents God’s ownership of a believer. When we come to God and are born again, it is a finished transaction. We belong to God and the Holy Spirit working in us is God’s signature in our lives. (Read Ephesians 1:13)

5. Oil is used to represent the Holy Spirit. Oil reveals his power to anoint - gift with spiritual gifts and empower - believers for Christian service. (Read Acts 10:38)

6. Dove is used to represent the Holy Spirit. The dove reveals the gentle, peaceful, and tender nature of the Holy Spirit. (Read Mark 1:10)

Singularly, and in combination, these six mediums reveal much concerning the character and nature of the Holy Spirit.

III. Sins Against The Holy Spirit

It is a sobering thought when we take time to consider that we can sin against the Spirit of God. A sobering thought demands solemn study. We want to take this thought seriously because the Holy Spirit is God and can be sinned against.

1. There is the sin of resisting the Holy Spirit. (Read Acts 7:51) When we resist accepting the truth of God we are sinning against the Holy Spirit.

2. There is the sin of grieving the Holy Spirit. (Read Ephesians 4:30-32) Believers commit this sin by refusing to allow the Holy Spirit total access and control.

3. There is the sin of quenching the Holy Spirit. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19) This sin is committed by believers when known sin is allowed to go unconfessed and unrepented of. (Read 1 John 1:9 and Isaiah 59:1-2)

4. There is the sin of lying to the Holy Spirit. (Read Acts 5:1-11) Ananias and Sapphira thought they were lying to man but they were really lying to the Holy Spirit.

5. There is the sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. (Read Matthew 12:31) This is often called the “unpardonable sin”, has no forgiveness, and has been the subject of much debate in attempts to determine precisely what indiscretion this is. It has been said that this sin is committed by those who return to a life of sin after knowing the forgiveness of sin.(Read Hebrews 6:4-6) It has also been said that this sin is committed by the enemies of Christ who attribute his divine powers to Satanic origin. (Read Matthew 12:22-28)

Concerning the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, rather than getting bogged down trying to affix this designation to a particular sinful act, it’s more important to realize that any of us can choose to live in such a way that we eventually become hardened to our sinful condition. Once our own consciences have been “seared as with a hot iron”, we have already consciously given ourselves over to the rulers of darkness. (Read 1 Timothy 4:1-2) It’s also important to realize that many people have come to Christ, stumbled and fallen along the way, then found their way back through repentance as the Holy Spirit dealt with their hearts.

Exercise #1 - You’ve been doing some Bible reading on your own. You’ve also completed CLSS01 which addresses the Bible as God’s Word. Make a list of things in the Bible that you resist accepting. In each instance, what is your reason for resisting the truth?

Exercise #2 - Believers can hold onto habits and attitudes that become hindrances in their walk with God. Habits and attitudes that are less than Christlike hinder us from walking in the fullness of God. The Holy Spirit helps us recognize these habits and attitudes, a certain “edge” or “nudge” that we can’t help but to notice. List any habits and attitudes that you have that are less than Christlike. What must you do to change these habits and attitudes in your life?

Exercise #3 - Take a few minutes and read Exodus 1-20. Also read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Revelation 21:6-8 and Galatians 5:19-21. Using these partial lists and your own Bible reading as a reference, what patterns of behavior do you find in your own life that are out of line with the obvious teachings of the Bible. These are things that, if left to run their course, quench or shut off the flow and working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we recognize them they become known sin in our lives. It’s important that we deal with known sin in the right way. The Bible tells us to confess it to God (Read 1 John 1:9) and repent of it (2 Corinthians 7:10).
IV. The Work Of The Holy Spirit
(Read John 16:7-15)

The Holy Spirit is more than a concept in the minds of religious people. The Holy Spirit is the very real presence of God at work in the world and in our lives. Concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit, while teaching his disciples, Jesus told his disciples that unless he departed the Holy Spirit would not come. But if he departed the Holy Spirit would come to continue fulfilling the work of God.

There Are At Least Ten Works Accomplished By The Holy Spirit

1. He convicts men of the sin of unbelief. (John 16:9)

2. He convicts men that Jesus Christ is the righteousness of God. (John 16:10
     and Romans 10:3-4)

3. The Holy Spirit brings the conviction that the power of Satan has been
     broken. (John 16:11)

4. The Holy Spirit indwells / infills believers. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and
     Ephesians 5:18)

5. The indwelling of the Spirit regenerates believers. (John 3:5 and Titus 3:5)

6. He baptizes believers. (Acts 1:5 and 1 Corinthians 12:13)

7. The Holy Spirit seals believers. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

8. The Holy Spirit leads believers. (Galatians 5:16-18)

9. He imparts power to believers. (Acts 1:8)

10.The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to believers. (1Corinthians 12:1-11)

The Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost and will remain with the church until it is complete and presented to the Lord Jesus when he returns at his Second Coming. Just as Jesus finished the work that he came to do in the flesh, so also the Holy Spirit will continue working to finish the work that he came to do in the world.