The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

IntroductionIntroduction

The prominence of the SpiritThe prominence of the Spirit

• In the Old TestamentIn the Old Testament– Mentioned 88 timesMentioned 88 times– Referred to in 23 books out of 39Referred to in 23 books out of 39

•Often by “Spirit of God” Often by “Spirit of God”

• In the New TestamentIn the New Testament– Mentioned 264 timesMentioned 264 times– Referred to in 24 books out of 27Referred to in 24 books out of 27

•60+ references in the gospels60+ references in the gospels•57 references in the book of Acts 57 references in the book of Acts

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit

• In the life of ChristIn the life of Christ – His involvement in the birth of JesusHis involvement in the birth of Jesus

• Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit in Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary - the womb of Mary - Mt 1:20; Lk 1:30-35Mt 1:20; Lk 1:30-35

– Various individuals were filled with the Various individuals were filled with the Spirit to make pronouncements about Spirit to make pronouncements about His birthHis birth•Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist - Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist -

Lk 1:41-42Lk 1:41-42•Zacharias, father of John the Baptist - Zacharias, father of John the Baptist - Lk Lk

1:67-791:67-79•Simeon, who saw the infant Jesus when Simeon, who saw the infant Jesus when

presented in the Temple - presented in the Temple - Lk 2:25-35Lk 2:25-35

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit

• In the life of ChristIn the life of Christ – His presence at the baptism by John

•Descended in bodily form like a dove - Lk 3:21-22

•Even "alighting upon Him" - Mt 3:16

– His presence during the temptations of Jesus• Jesus was "filled with the Holy Spirit" - Lk 4:1

•He was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness - Lk 4:1; Mt 4:1

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit

• In the life of ChristIn the life of Christ – His power during Jesus’ ministry

• Jesus returned from His temptations "in the power of the Spirit" to teach in the synagogues - Lk 4:14-15

•He applied Isaiah's prophecy to Himself, which said "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me..."- Lk 4:16-21

•On one occasion it is said that Jesus "rejoiced in the Spirit" - Lk 10:21

• Jesus claimed to cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit - Mt 12:28

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit

• In the Christian’s lifeIn the Christian’s life– His involvement in our becoming His involvement in our becoming

ChristiansChristians•We are convicted of sin by the Holy

Spirit - Jn 16:7-8•We are "born again" of the Spirit - Jn 3:5-8

•We are "renewed" of the Holy Spirit - Ti 3:4-6

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit• In the Christian’s lifeIn the Christian’s life

– His presence in our lives as ChristiansHis presence in our lives as Christians•We "live in the Spirit" - Ga 5:25a•We are to "walk in the Spirit", producing the "fruit of the Spirit" - Ga 5:25b,16-18,22-23

•We must set our minds on "the things of the Spirit" - Ro 8:5-6

•It is "by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body" - Ro 8:12-13

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit• In the Christian’s lifeIn the Christian’s life

– His presence in our lives as ChristiansHis presence in our lives as Christians•Only when "led by the Spirit" are we truly the "sons of God" - Ro 8:14

•The Holy Spirit "makes intercession for us" in our prayers - Ro 8:26-27

•God strengthens us "with might through His Spirit" in the inner man - Ep 3:16

•Thus we can enjoy the "communion (fellowship) of the Spirit" - 2 Co 13:14; Ph 2:1

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit

• Regarding truth and errorRegarding truth and error– He is the source of God’s truthHe is the source of God’s truth

•The O.T. scriptures with their prophecies came through the agency of the Holy Spirit - 2 Pe 1:20-21; 1 Pe 1:10-11

•Jesus told His apostles that the Holy Spirit would teach them "all things", and guide them "into all truth" - Jn 14:25-26; 16:12-13

•There is no other way to know the truth of God's Will except by what the Holy Spirit revealed to the apostles - 1 Co 2:10-13

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit• Regarding truth and errorRegarding truth and error

– He is the subject of much errorHe is the subject of much error•Much error is taught about the nature

of the Holy Spirit– Some think He is an impersonal force

expressive of God's power– Others think He is really Jesus in another

form

The The prominenceprominence of the Spirit of the Spirit• Regarding truth and errorRegarding truth and error

– He is the subject of much errorHe is the subject of much error•Many people misunderstand:

– The baptism of the Holy Spirit– The gift of the Holy Spirit– The spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit– The indwelling of the Holy Spirit

•Many attribute "impressions or "intuitive feelings" to being "led by the Spirit"

– Ignorant of how the Holy Spirit leads us– Attributing to the "Holy Spirit" what is

really the "human spirit"

ConclusionConclusion

• The Holy Spirit is important in God’s The Holy Spirit is important in God’s will and planwill and plan– We need to learn about Him so we can We need to learn about Him so we can

more completely understand His work more completely understand His work in our own livesin our own lives

– Next week: The Personality of the Holy Next week: The Personality of the Holy SpiritSpirit