1. List the arguments for the deity of the Holy Spirit. Which argument is the strongest? First, the Holy Spirit is spoken of as God. This is the strongest argument because no one has been able to disprove it. Second, the attributes of God are possessed by the Holy Spirit. Third, the Holy Spirit accomplished the work of God. Fourth, the Holy Spirit receives honor due only to God. Fifth, the Holy Spirit is associated with the titles of deity. Sixth, the early church recognized the deity of the Holy Spirit. Seventh, the Words of God are ascribed to the Holy Spirit.
2. Why is it important to believe in the personality of the Holy Spirit? Believing in the personality of the Holy Spirit is important because personality (intellect, emotion, will, and self-awareness) is an attribute of deity, also because it shows that we can relate to Him in a personal manner.
3. What is the procession of the Holy Spirit and why is it important? The Holy Spirit continually proceedeth from beside, not out of the Father. He is eternally being sent by the Son from the Father. This teaching is important because it shows that the Holy Spirit is a separate person of the Godhead and also how the Third Person of the Trinity relates to the other two Persons.
4. List the figures that represent the Holy Spirit and indicate the basic meaning of the Holy Spirit in each.
5. In light of the current debate surrounding creation, why is it important to know the work of the Holy Spirit in creation? What was His work? Knowing the work of the Holy Spirit during Creation confirms that He was there, thus that He is deity and part of the Trinity. His part in Creation was to provide order, sustain life, and make the earth beautiful.
6. From you limited knowledge of the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, how would you contrast His ministry in the Old Testament to the New Testament? What did He do in the Old Testament? In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was preparing the way for the Incarnation. In the New Testament, He has been showing the realization of the Incarnation.
7. List the future ministry of the Holy Spirit. During the Tribulation and the Millennium, the Holy Spirit will again deal with the nation, Israel, showing that nation the truth about Jesus Christ.
8. Summarize the relationship between Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was involved in the Incarnation and birth of Jesus, in His growth, baptism, and temptation, in His miracles, and in His death, resurrection, and glorification.
1. Obviously the Holy Spirit works in the lives of those who do not understand what is happening to them. Why should a person know about the present ministry of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is presently involved in various stages of a conversion ministry as well as the ministry of reproving the earth. When a person understands these things, he or she can see how God deals with His people in a personal way and how He is trying to draw them to Him.
2. Explain conviction in relationship to preaching, response, and regeneration. When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, the Holy Spirit causes the unsaved hearer to be convicted. Next, the Holy Spirit encourages the unbeliever to receive the free gift of salvation. Then, when the person has done that, the work of regeneration is performed to spiritually transform that individual into a child of God.
3. List the different conversion ministries. Explain what the Holy Spirit does in each.
4. List the post-conversion ministries of the Holy Spirit and define each briefly. What is accomplished by each work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life?
5. List the sign and serving gifts of the Holy Spirit. What is the function of each? The sign gifts are the calling of apostles, speaking in unknown tongues, interpreting tongues, performing miracles, and healing. The serving gifts are faith, knowledge, exhortation, prophesying, teaching, giving, governments, administration, hospitality, and pastoring.
6. Why have sign gifts ceased? The sign gifts were used during the First Century to give credibility to the writers of the New Testament. They are no longer needed because that work is done.
7. What is the basic difference between enabling and task gifts? Enabling gifts, such as faith, wisdom, and knowledge, are given to all believers. Task gifts, such as exhortation, prophesying, teaching, giving, governments, minstering, ruling, administration, hospitality, and pastoring, are given to specific individuals for specific tasks.
8. Suggest several ways a believer can discover and develop his spiritual gift. A believer should understand that he or she can have more than one gift. A spiritual gift is many times associated to a natural ability. A spiritual gift is given embryonically at conversion, but then developed over the life of the believer. The magnitude of spiritual gifts can vary among believers. A person can and should seek spiritual gifts. Many times, a person will have a prominent gift.
Tom of Spotswood "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
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