Nurture
[Session 8]
Holy Spirit “You will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.” (Acts 1:8)
[Session 8] Introduction In the same way that we are baptised in water, we should also be baptised in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). This is not a symbolic act but a reception of God’s power and presence (Acts 1:8). God promises all believers a baptism in His Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). Before we look specifically at baptism in the Holy Spirit, we shall ‘explore’ who the Holy Spirit is.
Who Is The Holy Spirit? He is a person, not some kind of impersonal influence, power or energy (John 16:13-14).
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The Bible gives distinct and equal personality to the Father, Son and Spirit. It honours the Spirit like it honours God and Christ (Mt 3:16-17 & Mt 28:19). Pronouns used for the Holy Spirit are always personal. Jesus refers to the Spirit as 'he', not ‘it’. Jesus is talking about a person (John 16:13-14). The Holy Spirit has personal attributes. He can be grieved, (Ephesians 4:30) stifled, (1 Thess 5:19) and resisted, (Acts 7:51). The Bible emphasises the personal relationship of the Spirit with us. He teaches, (John 14:26) regenerates, (John 3:5-6) works in us, (1 Peter 1:2) and comforts us, (John 14:16).
He is God (Acts 5:1-5) (Matthew 3:16) (Genesis 6:3)
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Names are given to the Holy Spirit which rightly belong to God (Acts 5:3-4). He has Divine attributes: knowledge, (1 Cor. 2:11) sovereignty, (1 Cor. 12:11) and eternity (Hebrews 9:14) are ascribed to the Holy Spirit. Divine acts like Creation, (Genesis 1:2) and Spiritual new birth, (John 3:3-8) are attributed to Him. Worship that belongs only to God is also given to the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14).
He is part of the Trinity/Godhead (Matthew 28:19).
lifechurch
Nurture
Prayer
[Session 8] [Session 8]
Prayer
What Is The Role Of The Holy Spirit? -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐
He glorifies Jesus Christ and reveals Him (John 16:14) (John 15:26). He reveals the future concerning God’s kingdom (prophecy) (Rev 2:7) (John 16:13). He convicts people of their sin and its consequences (John 16:8-11). He regenerates. Regeneration is the radical spiritual change in which God brings a person from a condition of spiritual defeat and death to a renewed condition of holiness and life (John 3:3-13). He comforts and counsels us, (John 16:7). He empowers and enables us to be Christ’s witnesses (Mark 13:11). He teaches (reminds) us what Jesus said and leads us to the truth (John 14:25-27) (John 16:12-15). He intercedes. When we don’t know how to pray or what to pray for, the Holy Spirit prays with us and for us on our behalf before God (Romans 8:26). He ‘guarantees’ our salvation now and the truth that we will receive everything God has promised when Christ returns again (2 Cor. 1:20-22) (Ephesians 1:13-14). He Baptises: the distinctive ministry of the Holy Spirit for this age is his baptising work (Acts 1:5) (Acts 11:15-16).
Conclusion Christ’s triumphant resurrection and ascension established a new age of God’s Kingdom. It unleashed a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, God’s personal presence, on the earth (Joel 2:28-32) (Acts 2). The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out. Not a little stream, but a mighty torrent filled God’s people and empowered them. This same presence and experience is available for us.
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