Scripture Reading: John 16:8-15
The Holy Spirit (An Overview) - Part 2
Intro.
1. Part 1:
a. The divine nature of the Holy Spirit (person who possesses power, not impersonal force or power).
b. What He has done for our redemption: HS baptism (apostles), bear witness to the truth (Cornelius household), revelation, inspiration, confirmation of the gospel.
2. Continue by studying what He is doing and not doing today.
I. WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DOING TODAY.
A. He is Using the Word He Gave the World to Help Accomplish Human Redemption. {Agency}
1. To convict the world, John 16:8-13; 2 Thess. 2:13-14.
-Conversion / salvation / sanctification / cleansing.
2. To guide Christians, Rom. 8:14; 1:16. James 1:21-22.
3. To testify that we are children of God, Rom. 8:16.
-We know we are saved by the Spirit’s testimony of truth (1 John 2:5).
4. Every action of the HS in conviction and conversion is accomplished by the word He revealed (Rom. 1:16; 10:17; Eph. 6:17).
B. He has Fellowship with Christians, Phil. 2:1.
1. “Spirit dwells in you” is equivalent to “Christ in you”. HOW?
a. By faith (Eph. 3:17; John 14:23).
b. Filled with the Holy Spirit as the word of Christ richly dwells in us, Eph. 5:15-18; Col. 3:16.
2. Holy Spirit communes with Christians, 1 John 3:23-24; 4:12-13.
II. WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT DOING TODAY.
A. He is Not Baptizing People with Himself.
1. cf. The United Pentecostal Church (“new birth”), cf. Eph. 4:5.
2. Purposes and promises of Holy Spirit baptism have been fulfilled.
B. He is Not Distributing Miraculous Spiritual Gifts, 1 Cor. 12:11.
1. Full revelation: Scaffolding not longer needed, 1 Cor. 13:8-10.
2. If HS miracles today, then what/where is the new revelation?
C. He is Not Revealing New Truth, John 16:13 (Jude 3).
-Neither personally nor corporately.
D. He is Not Enlightening People Apart from the Word of God, Rom. 1:16 (Ps. 119:105; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; 3:8-9).
1. Some brethren using this terminology: “The Holy Spirit led me…”
2. How? Word or subjective reactions attributed to HS?
E. He is Not Actually/Literally Indwelling People’s Bodies, 1 Cor. 6:19.
1. Connotes fellowship, Rom. 8:9-11. cf. Father and Son (John 14:23; Col. 1:27)
2. Deity incarnate is Jesus; Not Christians (Gal. 2:20).
Conclusion
1. Divine promise of understanding God’s plan of human redemption, Eph. 3:3-5.
2. Work of the Holy Spirit is central to our salvation in Christ.
3. Do not be afraid of studying and learning about the Holy Spirit.
4. He is God and as such he demands our loyalty and deserves our praise for what He has done and what He is doing for our salvation.