1 Cor. 2:6-14, The Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Today’s post provides an outline study of the Holy Spirit with a brief application at the conclusion.

1)    Who is the Holy Spirit?

a)    A person (John 14:26; 15:26; 1 Cor. 2:10; 12:11).

b)    God (compare Ez. 17:2-7 with Heb. 3:-9; Acts 5:3 with 5:4; John 3:6 with 1 John 5:4; 1 Cor. 3:16 with 2 Cor. 6:19).

c)    The third member of the Trinity (Matt.28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).

2)    What was the Holy Spirit’s relation to Old Testament (pre-Calvary) believers?

a)    It was different than after the cross (Jn. 7:39; 14:17).

b)    He came on certain men for service but not upon all believers (Judges 3:10).

c)    He could come upon a man for a time and then leave him (1 Cor.10:10; 16:14; Ps. 51:11).

3)    How does the Holy Spirit draw a person to salvation in Christ?

John 16:7-11: He convinces men of their sin, of the truth that Christ alone can make them righteous, and that apart from Christ they will be judged along with Satan, the Ruler of this world.

4)    What is the Holy Spirit’s work when a person is saved?

a)    He does the work of “regeneration” (the new birth) within the person (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5; in Romans 6:3-4 this work is described by baptism).

b)    He immediately indwells the person (1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9; Jn. 7:39).

c)    The believer is immediately baptized in the Spirit (that is, immersed or placed in the Church, 1 Cor. 12:13).

d)    He gives gifts to the believer to be used in service for Christ (1 Cor. 12:7,11).

e)    He is God’s pledge (earnest, guarantee) within the believer that his salvation is eternal and that God will complete the work He has begun (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30).

5)    What is the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work for the believer?

a)    In general, He is our Helper/Advocate (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7).

b)    More specifically, He fills (controls) the believer as he yields to Christ (Eph. 6:18).

6)    What are the results of the Spirit-filled life?

a)    Gal. 5:22-23: dynamic, life-changing Christian character.

b)    Ac. 1:8: power for witness and service.

c)    Eph. 5:19-20: a life of praise and thanksgiving.

d)    Eph. 5:21: a life of good relationships.

e)    Rom. 8:26: power in prayer.

Here are two application questions based on John 7:37-39.

7)    How does a person receive the Holy Spirit?  In response to the spiritual thirst in his life, he follows the Spirit’s lead by coming to Christ for satisfaction and believing in Christ.  If a person does not have the Holy Spirit it is because he does not have Christ.  (Rom. 8:9)

8)    How is a Christian filled with the Holy Spirit?  The Christian continues to believe in Christ from day to day. In other words, he walks by faith.  He who believes in Me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.  (Isa. 44:3; 55:1; Eph. 5:18)