Holy Spirit Lesson 1
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LESSON 1 SPIRIT'S MINISTRY LESSON 1
Note: This lesson has been scanned and could have errors. If they
are pointed out to me I would appreciate it.
THE HOLY SPIRIT'S
MINISTRY.................................................................................
by Rev. John Green
MEMORY VERSE
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you
into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he
shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."John
16:13
THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY
This lesson on THE HOLY SPIRIT is a Supplementary Study. You will
notice as you read over the lesson, that some Scripture quotations are
left blank. You will need to up the references in the Bible and fill in
the blanks. Study the lesson carefully and fill in ALL Scripture blanks
completely before trying to answer the test questions at the end of the
course.
When you answer the test questions, you should review the lesson
materials at least twice before filling in the test. After you have
finished
the test, return the Test Section to: NSTN2705@FOX,NSTN.CA As you study
this lesson and take the test, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and
teach you this Bible truth. We want everyone to do as well as possible,
so do rush through the lesson. As you read it, keep in mind the study
questions
which will help you in taking the test. If some part of it is not clear
to you, please write us and we will seek to help.
The truths that are given in this course are those held by
generations
of Bible scholars.
AN OUTLINE OF THE STUDY THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE UNSAVED,
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE BELIEVER
A. God's Word the Only Source
B. Aspects of the Holy Spirit's Work
1. Regeneration
2. Baptism
3. Indwelling
4. Sealing
5. Anointing
6. Leading
7. Filling
C. Believer's Response
1. Negative
a. Grieving
(1) Bitterness
(2) Wrath
(3) Anger
(4) Clamour
(5) Evil speaking
(6) Malice
b. Resisting
c. Quenching
2. Positive
a Characteristics
(1) Kind
(2) Tenderhearted
(3) Forgiving
b. Reactions (obeying)
(1) Cleansing
(2) Yielding
(3) Abiding
[4] Walking
3. In the Holy Spirit's ministry to the believer, what is meant
by the following terms:
regeneration
baptism
indwelling
sealing
anointing
leading
filling
4. Which activities of the Holy Spirit must be accepted by faith?
5. Which activities of the Holy Spirit are received through
obedience?
6. What are the positive and negative aspects of the believer' s
relationship to the Holy Spirit?
Many of the Scripture references in this lesson are left blank for
the student to locate in the Bible and write in. Fill in the whole
verse,
or verses asked for.
In the lesson text we have shown our respect by beginning pronouns
and attributes referring to Deity with capital letters. Your Bible may
not capitalize these. Emphasis used in some Scripture quotations are
the
author's.
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE UNSAVED PERSON
VERSE: "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and
of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:8
This verse explains the threefold witness of the Holy Spirit to
a world lost in sin, without God or the knowledge of how to find Him.
1. Reprove (convict) the world of sin (of unbelief)
2. Reprove the world of righteousness (man's need of God's
righteousness
3. Reprove the world of judgment
It was Satan's lie that tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God. Satan
implied that God was holding out on them by refusing to let them know
the
difference between good and evil (Genesis 3:2-5). Adam and Eve believed
that lie and sinned, disobeying God by eating the forbidden fruit. The
wages of sin death; therefore, "death passed upon all men" (Romans
5:12),
because Adam was the ancestor of all men.
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict the unsaved person
of his hopeless condition. All man's works, no matter how noble, just,
and good, cannot bridge the gulf between man and God. In His mercy and
wisdom, God bridged that gulf by sending His Son into the world to be
the
Redeemer of mankind (Titus 3:5). Christ, by His death and shed blood,
has
provided a new and living way back to God. His blood is the basis and
the
means of reconciliation and forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:19).
The work of the Holy Spirit is also to show the unsaved person his
sinful condition caused by the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ as his
Saviour.
In John 16:9, Jesus makes it clear that unbelief condemns the sinner
and
bars him from heaven and eternal life (John 3:18). Any sinner who
believes
that Jesus died for him, and in repentance receives Jesus as his
Saviour,
is immediately regenerated (Born Again). The new birth gives him a new
nature and relationship with God, the Holy, Righteous One. He becomes a
child of God and a member of the household of faith. He has the right
to
call God "Father," and to look to Him for daily light and guidance (See
also 2 Corinthians; Ephesians 2:19).
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE BELIEVER
VERSE: "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide
you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever
He
shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come."
John 16:13
A. GOD'S WORD THE ONLY SOURCE
God's Word is the only source from which we can gain knowledge about
Holy Spirit's ministry to the believer. Human wisdom cannot attain
knowledge.
The Bible declares that the "world by wisdom knew not God (1
Corinthians
1:21). Peter's admonition is timely, (1 Peter 2:2
"___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ __
There is to be a two-fold growth--grace and knowledge, and it can
come only by the Word of God (2 Peter 3:18). This growth is to produce
the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ in each believer. Paul had this
desire
for those whom he had led to the Lord: "My little children, of whom I
travail
in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). His
desire
was that they should show Christlikeness in all things. This growth
(maturity)
in each of us is the goal of the Holy Spirit's ministry. Ask God,
through
the ministry of the Holy Spirit to make your life Christlike in
meekness,
gentleness, and holiness. Then others will see "Christ in you" as an
example
of what God's power can do.
B. ASPECTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK
Certain words are used in the New Testament to describe the work
of the Spirit in bringing about the new birth. These words are:
Regeneration
or New Birth, Baptism, Indwelling, Sealing, Anointing, Leading, and
Filling.
Without the first, life with God is impossible; without the seventh, no
acceptable service is possible.
FIRST WORD
1. REGENERATION--The new birth (John 3:3,5,7)
As the first birth is necessary before life on earth is possible,
even so, spiritual birth is necessary before life with God is possible.
How is this new birth accomplished? Peter explains the difference
between
the two births in 1 Peter 1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible
seed
(the first birth), but incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth
and abideth for ever." Apart from faith in God's Word, the new birth is
impossible.
Two verses will help us to understand what God requires. The first
is Romans 10:17,
"_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______
______________________________."
The second is John 6:63, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth [makes
alive];
the flesh profiteth nothing, and the WORDS that I speak unto you, they
are spirit, and they are life." It is God's Spirit acting upon the Word
of God in the heart that accomplishes the new birth. "Jesus answered,
Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
Jesus gives an illustration in the parable of the sower of how the
devil seeks to prevent the seed (God's Word) from becoming fruitful. He
said, ". . . then cometh the wicked one [Satan], and catcheth away that
which was sown in his heart. . ." (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12). This
leaves
the Holy Spirit with nothing to work upon in that heart; therefore, the
new birth cannot come to pass. If you have repented and believed the
Word
of God, and because of this received Christ as your Saviour, then you
have
been Born Again by the Holy Spirit as God's Word promised (1 Peter
1:23).
You have become a new creature in God's sight. The Word of God says
that
old things (of the old life) will be passing from life and new things
(from
the Word) will characterize your new life in Christ. You will find no
pleasure
in some things you once enjoyed, and you will love the things of God
which
you once thought foolish (2 Corinthians 5:17) (See also Colossians 3:10
and Ephesians 4:22.)
Before we leave this truth of the new birth, ask yourself the
following
questions:
QUESTIONS - A changed life
a. Have you truly believed God's Word and received Jesus as your
Saviour?____ When?______.
b. What changes, if any, have taken place in your life?_________
______________________________________________________________ __
______________________________________________________________
__
c. Name three things to demonstrate that you now love the things
of God. ______________________________________________________________
__ ______________________________________________________________ __
______________________________________________________________
__
d. What changes, if any, have others noticed in your life style?
______________________________________________________________ __
______________________________________________________________
__
e. Has there been a change in your love for God's Word?_________
How has it affected your life?__________________________________
______________________________________________________________ __
SECOND WORD
2. BAPTISM--Placed in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13)
A word of caution. There is an erroneous teaching that speaking
in tongues is the indispensable evidence of the Baptism of the Holy
Spirit.
This is misinterpretation of the Scriptures. A careful reading of these
verses (above) will show that the purpose of the baptism of the Holy
Spirit
is to place one in the Body of Christ. It is wholly the work of the
Holy
Spirit; no action to the believer but to believe what God has said.
Accepting
Christ immediately places the believer into the Body of Christ--also
called
the Church. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether
we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free; and have been all
made
to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13). This is not the local
church, but the WHOLE body of believers from the Day of Pentecost until
the moment of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). At that time, all
believers will be presented to Christ as "a glorious Church, not having
spot or wrinkle. . ." (Ephesians 5 :27). could not be said of any local
church.
QUESTIONS - BEING A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
a. Have you accepted the Bible truth that you are a member of
Christ's
Body, His Church? _____.
b. Does the realization that you are a member of Christ's Body make
any difference in the way you are now
living?_____How?_________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ___
c. As a living member of Christ's Body, could you justify living
after the flesh and expecting the Lord to be pleased with your
conduct?______________________________________________________
___
d. Is the Bible the sole reason for you to believe that you are
a member His Body,His Church?_______Give a Scripture to prove your
answer________________________________________________________
___
THIRD WORD
3. INDWELLING--Christ in you (1 Corinthians 6:19,20
Christ dwelling in you is an important and vital truth. It must
be accepted by faith. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit (the
Comforter)
was given in fulfilment of Jesus' promise to His disciples (John 16:7).
The Holy Spirit came to live in each believer. He dwells in the
Christian's
body--His Temple- -until death or the Rapture. In the key verses for
this
spiritual truth Corinthians 6:19, 20) the Apostle Paul reminds the
Christians
at Corinth that Holy Spirit now indwells them. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
______________________________________________________________
__ ______________________________________________________________ __
______________________________________________________________
__ ______________________________________________________________ __
The Christian life is to be lived in the power of the indwelling
Holy Spirit. How we live will either please or grieve the Holy Spirit.
We should be careful that nothing we do or say will hinder or mar the
Spirit's
work in making us Christlike. We are admonished, in 2 Corinthians 7:1,
to do certain things to make this possible. First, we must "cleanse
[purge
out]" what is called, "filthiness of the flesh," (See 1 John 1:9) and
second,
"perfect holiness (make complete)--a continuous act of making our lives
pleasing to the Lord.
QUESTIONS--Indwelling Holy Spirit
a. Do you still indulge in some habit that mars fellowship with
God?______.Name it before the Lord and ask Him to take control.
b. Is there anything about your speech, dress, or conduct that would
grieve the Holy Spirit?_____ Where do you need to improve?
_______________
c. Do you allow the world's language to influence your
speech?_______________________________________________________
_.
d. Do you notice any difference in your life and conduct since you
received Christ?________. In what areas____________________
______________________________________________________________
_
e. Are your former friends pleased with this chance in your life
style? ____. What are their reactions?__________________________
______________________________________________________________
__ ______________________________________________________________
__
FOURTH WORD
4. SEALING--Identified with Christ (Ephesians 1:12,13; 4:3)
The sealing by the Holy Spirit is the evidence of the value that
the Lord has put upon the redeemed soul. This too, must be accepted by
faith. God's Word declares that is true. To doubt
God's Word is to doubt God Himself. 1 John 5:10). In Ephesians
1:13b,
this fact is set forth: "After that ye believed (having believed], ye
were
sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Then, in 2 Timothy 2:19, we
find
this statement of what God has done: "Nevertheless the foundation of
God
standeth sure, having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his...."
God has placed His identification (mark, stamp, seal)upon every
redeemed
soul. That soul is eternally linked with Christ, being united
permanently
to His Body--the Church. The child of God has no part in this action of
the Holy Spirit but to believe that it is true. It is literally the
down
payment (earnest) made by God to assure that one day the child God will
be fully redeemed - body, soul and spirit 1 Thessalonians 5:2.
That which God has begun in each believer He is able to perform
fully. ( Philippians 1:6)
Therefore, rejoice. resting in the assurance that He will complete
our redemption in that day when we are presented before God as sons.
{Romans
8:23; See also Ephesians 1:5; 5:27; 1 Peter 1:5-7).
QUESTION - THE DOWN PAYMENT OR SEALING
a. What is your assurance that you are a child of God?__________
______________________________________________________________ __
b. Do you bear the Lord's seal as one of His redeemed?__________
______________________________________________________________ __
c. Do you believe that the Lord is able to keep His Word?_______
Upon what basis?________________________________________________
d. What is the purpose of this sealing? _______________(Ephesians
1:13)
e. How long will this sealing last?____________ (Ephesians
1:14)
MULTIPLE CHOICE INSTRUCTIONS
Each question is followed by three answers, lettered (a), b) and
(c). ONE of the answers is correct. Read each question carefully; then,
select the correct answer and write the letter on the line
provided.
QUESTIONS TEST PAGE LESSON 1
____1. The ministry of the Holy Spirit to the unbeliever is:(p.1
(a) To reprove the world of Adam's sin
(b) To reprove mankind for its waywardness
(c) To reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment
_____2. The source of information about the Holy Spirit is:(p. 2)
(a) Human wisdom
(b) God's Word
(c) A new revelation
_____3. In Regeneration, the Holy Spirit: (p. 3)
(a) Brings the believer to the new birth
(b) Gives energy to one who is saved
(c) Saves succeeding generations
_____4. In this lesson, the term "baptism" means: (p. 4)
(a) Being immersed in water
(b) Being "placed into" the Body of Christ
(c) Being sprinkled by a priest in infancy
_____5. The "indwelling of the Holy Spirit" refers to: (p. S)
(a) The cleansing of a person' s life by his own efforts
(b) The Holy Spirit living in the believer
(c) The believer living in @e Holy Spirit
_____6. The sealing" of the Holy Spirit is: (p. 6)
(a) God's mark upon the redeemed soul
(b) God sealing all sin out of the believer's life.
(c) The Holy Spirit keeping a person obedient.
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Updated Nov.25th 2000 by Harold
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