Graceview Church of Christ - The Holy Spirit

Lesson Nine

The Holy Spirit

In contrast to what it says about the Father and the Son, scripture says little about the Holy Spirit Himself. However, it does reveal His work.

Scripture provides much information about the Father: His qualities, purpose, loves, and role in salvation. It details even more about the Son: His volunteering to come and do the Father's will, involvements in becoming a man, earthly ministry, present activity and imminent return. But, we do not have this sort of detail about the Holy Spirit.

We read of the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1; 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2,8,9; 1 Peter 4:17) and the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16; 15:19, 29; 1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 1:27). Yet, we never read of the Gospel of the Spirit.

Scripture repeatedly refers to holy men preaching Christ, but nowhere do we read of men preaching the Spirit. The Holy Spirit did not come to upstage the Savior (John 13-14). Scripture says that men of God preached the Kingdom (Acts 8:12), repentance and forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47), and the cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:21-23). Never did men of God preach the Spirit. Such considerations arrest our attention when we hear so many prominent religious people proclaiming the Spirit, seemingly above Jesus.

The Holy Spirit was never the subject of their preaching, but rather He was the Worker who brought the preaching home to the heart, convicting and persuading men of the truth (John 16:7-11). The indwelling of the Spirit is not an end within itself. It is what He does that is the point.

Uninformed people have made receiving the Spirit the point. The Word of God makes what he does within our hearts the point.

Several hundred years before Jesus, God revealed that He was going to put His Spirit in His people (Ezekiel 36:27; 37:14; Jeremiah 31:31-34). At that time, this was a revolutionary thought. Later, the Spirit revealed that this referred to the covenant we have in Christ (Hebrews 8:10‑13; 10:16).

"Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture said, From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37‑39). Until Jesus was glorified, the Spirit could not be "given" as He is today. That means that Moses, the holy prophets, and even David, did not have the Spirit like those who are in Christ. He did not indwell them as He does those who are in the Son.

God now gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Notice the relationship of the Holy Spirit to obedience. This refers to our beginning obedience to the Gospel (Acts 2:38). Jesus called it believing and being baptized (Mark 16:16). Paul referred to it as believing on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

Scripture says absolutely nothing about "praying a sinner's prayer," or "asking Jesus into their hearts." Jesus never said to do any of these things. The Holy Spirit is not promised to those who do them. He is given to those that obey the Lord, namely: believe, repent and are baptized (Acts 2:38).

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of the Father and the spirit of the Risen Lord Jesus (Romans 8:9).

We speak of God as the Father, as the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4‑6; Revelation 1:4‑5).

What is important is that we readily confess all that scripture affirms about the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we can rest content, even while our minds confess and ponder the mystery of it all.

The Holy Spirit is the presence and power of God manifested toward humankind. Through the fellowship of the Spirit, believers and the believing community enjoy ongoing appropriations of love and grace. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to incorporate humanity into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) and enable us to live in Christ (Ephesians 3:20).

Neither the Old nor the New Testament writers defined, described, nor precisely identified the Spirit. However, Jesus provided valuable insight (John chapters 14-16). He said that:

(1) the Spirit proceeded from the Father (15:26).

(2) the Father (God) would send the Spirit (14:26).

(3) he (Jesus) would send the Spirit (15:26).

(4) the Father would send the Spirit at Jesus' request (14:16-17).

(5) the Father would send the Spirit in his (Jesus') name (14:26).

(6) the Spirit would abide with the disciples forever (14:16-17).

(7) the Spirit would abide in the disciples (14:17).

(8) the Spirit was to be a Comforter, Counselor or Helper (14:26). The original term literally meant "one called alongside." It was also translated as "advocate" (1 John 2:1).

(9) the Spirit would teach the disciples all things (14:26).

(10) the Spirit would bring to the disciples' remembrance all things that Jesus had said (14:26).

(11) the Spirit would not initiate a message but would teach what He had heard (16:13).

(12) the Spirit came not to be an innovator nor an originator nor even an imitator. The Holy Spirit's role was to call attention to Christ (16:13-15).

(13) the Spirit would bear witness of Jesus (15:26).

(14) the Spirit would glorify Jesus (16:14).

Boatman examines the heart of an ongoing controversy. What is the relation of the Holy Spirit to the Father and to the Son? 1) Does the term simply denote in anthropomorphic language the presence or influence of God at work in a given situation? Is the term just a form of reference to a supernatural influence sensed or observed? Or 2) Is the term a form of reference describing the innate essence of a Divine person who performs his mission in a context in which his personhood is purposefully obscured lest he receives the honor that is due to the One sending and directing him in his mission? In short, is the Holy Spirit but a mode of Divine influence (whether of the Father or of the Son, or both), or a person who for some undisclosed reason is not to be known to us (in this life at least) by name? Obviously the Biblical mode of reference "the Holy Spirit" or "the Spirit" is not a name (pgs 74-75). He also presents the seven arguments against and seven arguments for the Personhood of the Holy Spirit (pgs 75-83).

Boatman was probably correct when he said, "the term, the Holy Spirit, appears to be a synonym for the presence or power of God (and/or of Christ) at work in the world through his word. This is not to say that the Holy Spirit has no existence except as God or Christ speaks, or apart from the written word. But it does point up the fact that whatever level of self consciousness or personhood the Holy Spirit possesses, his primary role is in the field of communication. In that role he does not occupy a freelance status. Jesus' words in John 16:13-14 underscore that fact (pgs 162-163)."

The Apostolic Gift of the Holy Spirit. God gave the Spirit to his disciples. The Spirit provided various gifts for the disciples (1 Corinthians 12:4). For some disciples, the Holy Spirit provided the apostolic gift.

The apostolic gift - a unique gift of the Spirit. Every disciple was not an apostle and did not speak in "other tongues"(1 Corinthians 12:29-30). The apostles possessed a unique and unequaled gift of the Holy Spirit.

The term "apostle" referred to one who had been commissioned, equipped and sent with authority to represent another (Matthew 10:1-4, Luke 9:1-2). Jesus personally sent those who would be his apostles (Acts 1:1-3, 9:1-16).

The apostles possessed this unique gift of the Spirit. Their gift of the Spirit was unique and unequaled; therefore, their power and prerogatives extended beyond that of other disciples. Every disciple was not an apostle and did not speak in "other tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28-30).

The Holy Spirit enabled the apostles:

(1) to perform signs that only they could perform (2 Corinthians 12:12). A sign was:

(a) supranormal demonstration of power

(b) kind of miracle which had a purpose outside of itself

A sign's greater value was not for what it was, but for what it indicated. For the sign to benefit, it must indicate something of value.

(2) to distinguish themselves from false apostles (Revelation 2:2).

(3) to lay their hands upon other disciples and empower them to perform miracles (Acts 8:18).

On the Day of Pentecost three thousand persons received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-41). There exists no mention of anyone other than the twelve apostles performing miracles (Acts 2:43). On another occasion, some disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit; yet, they never performed miracles until after the apostles had "laid hands upon them" (Acts 6:5-8).

The Assisting Gift of the Holy Spirit. The assisting gift - a utilitarian gift of the Spirit. It served a definite utilitarian function. It was utilitarian in that it equipped disciples to perform specific needed functions. God gave it to help in the performing of some specific thing needed at the time (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

This gift was neither a sign of nor a reward for advanced spiritual attainment. The disciples at Corinth possessed this gift; yet, they exhibited evidence of very low spiritual advancement (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

The apostle Paul planted the church at Philippi (Acts 16:11-15). Shortly afterwards, he left the area (Acts 16:16-40). How would this infant church survive and nourish itself spiritually? The assisting gift of the Holy Spirit enabled it and others like it to survive.

An infant church needed information. Through the assisting gift of the Spirit, God provided information. During the infant years of the first century church the disciples had access to few, if any, written New Testament documents; for few had been written. Therefore, the apostles transmitted to the disciples the gift of knowledge. Through their gift of knowledge, certain disciples received information and disbursed it to all other disciples (1 Corinthians 12:8; Ephesians 3:1-5; Acts 19:5-6).

An infant church needed confirmation. Through the assisting gift of the Spirit, God provided confirmation. During the infant years of the first century church, the disciples had little knowledge of who were indeed true teachers of the word. The apostles transmitted to the disciples the gift of power or signs. Through their gift of confirmation, certain disciples certified their credibility (Revelation 2:2; Hebrews 2:1-4; Acts 8:5-12, 9:10-26).

An infant church needed administration. Through the assisting gift of the Spirit, God provided administration. During the infant years of the church, the disciples needed to perform tasks of leadership of which they were not equipped. The apostles transmitted to the disciples the gift of service. Through their gift of administration, certain disciples could provide administrative leadership (1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 13:2-4).

We now have access to all of the written New Testament documents; therefore, we can validate our information, confirmation and principles of administration with principles from scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 3:1-6).

The Abiding Gift of the Holy Spirit. The abiding gift - a universal gift of the Spirit. It was universal in that it was promised to all and was provided for all who obeyed the Lord (Acts 2:38-39, 5:32). This indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we indeed are children of God (Romans 8:16, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Galatians 4:4-6). The abiding gift of the Holy Spirit functions before, during, and after our conversion.

This gift of God works with the power of the word. God dwells in us (2 Corinthians 6:16, 1 John 4:12-16). Christ dwells in us ( Romans 8:9-10; Ephesians 3:17).

The abiding gift of the Spirit is forever with the disciples; for, He seals us (Ephesians 1:13) energizes us (Ephesians 3:16-20) and fills us (Ephesians 5:18).

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus talked to the Pharisees about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-32). To blaspheme was to speak against with the intent to harm. Therefore, to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit was to speak against the Holy Spirit with the intent to harm.

Jesus announced a grave penalty for blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Those who blasphemed would never be forgiven. Jesus said they would not be forgiven in this world (age) nor the world (age) to come (Matthew 12:32).

Eternal condemnation resulted from the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. In lieu of the awesome consequences little is said about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Such grave circumstances seemed to demand more attention and dialogue.

However, only three references were made to this blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-32; Mark 3:28-30; Luke 12:10). No references outside of the gospels are made about blaspheming the Holy Spirit. No references after the death of Jesus are made about blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

Many worry if they might have committed this grievous sin. Some have abandoned their commitment because they believe their doom is sealed.

While Jesus was on earth, the Holy Spirit performed his deeds through Jesus (Matthew 12:28). At that time, sin was accounted against the Holy Spirit.

Now that Jesus is no longer on earth, he performs his deeds through the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-18). Since the death of Jesus all sins are charged against him not the Holy Spirit. Jesus is that one perfect sin offering. Therefore, no person today can possibly commit the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Selected Bibliography for Further Study

Boatman, Russell. What The Bible Says About The Holy Spirit. Joplin, Missouri: College Press Publishing Company, 1989.

Criswell, W. A. The Baptism, Filling & Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1966.

Howard, V. E. The Holy Spirit. Texarkana, Texas: 1966.

Winkler, Wendell, ed. "What do you know about the Holy Spirit?" Hurst, Texas: Winkler Publications, 1980.

Written Review for Lesson Nine

Write within the blank the letter of the term that is related within the lesson and then transfer answers to the ANSWER SHEET. Five points each.

1. ___ comforter a. Unique

2. 2. ___ apostolic gift of the Spirit b. Called alongside

3. 3. ___ abiding gift of the Spirit c. Informed and confirmed in the infant church

4. 4. ___ utilitarian gift of the Spirit d. Universal

5. 5. ___ sign e. Supranormal demonstration

Fill in the blanks. Five points each.

1. While Jesus was one earth, the Holy Spirit performed His deeds through _____________.

2. Now that Jesus is not on earth, He performs His deeds through the

_______________ therefore, sins are charged against Him not the Holy Spirit.

3. The Spirit would abide with the disciples ________________.

4. The apostolic gift of the Spirit enabled the ___________________ to perform

miracles.

5. The abiding gift of the Spirit functions before, during and after our

_________________.

True or False. Five points each.

1. ______ Neither the Old nor the New Testament writers defined precisely the Holy Spirit.

2. ______ Every person who received the Spirit performed miracles.

3. ______ The Holy Spirit was a reward for advanced spiritual attainment.

4. ______ The Holy Spirit would never initiate a new message.

5. ______ The Holy Spirit would bear witness of Jesus.

Circle the one answer that best answers the question or completes the statement and then transfer answers to the ANSWER SHEET. Five points each.

1. The abiding gift of the Holy Spirit

a. Is a universal gift of the Holy Spirit

b. Bears witness with our human spirit

c. Functions after our conversion

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

2. The assisting gift of the Holy Spirit was

a. A utilitarian gift

b. Provided confirmation for the infant church

c. Provided information for the infant church

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

3. The apostolic gift of the Holy Spirit

a. Was a unique gift

b. Enabled the apostles to perform miracles

c. Enabled the apostles to transfer miraculous power to other disciples

d. All of the above

e. A & B only

4. The term "apostle"

a. Referred to all disciples

b. Referred to one who had been commissioned with exceptional authority

c. Referred to those who had achieved certain spiritual maturity

d. All of the above

e. Both B & C

5. Through the assisting gift of the Spirit

a. Every disciple received information

b. Certain disciples received information

c. Certain disciples received confirmation

d. Both A & B

e. Both B & C