Lesson 1 April 14, 2002

Understanding the Person and Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Introduction:

Our best is really not what God wants. He wants faith in His best, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we could live the Christian life and serve the Lord without God's power through faith, why would the Lord Jesus:

(1) give the Holy Spirit the title of the "Helper" or [para,klhtoj] comforter, advocate, counselor, all of which adds up to being "the Enabler" (John 14:16, 26), then

(2) point to the disciples' inadequacy apart from the Spirit (John 16:7-15), and

(3) tell them not to attempt any ministry until the coming of the Spirit (Acts 1:4-8)?

It has been said that, "Christianity is not just a way of life, it is a life to live." Gal. 2:20

One of the great needs that every believer has is to understand the importance of the identification truths of Rom 6-8 in our daily life and to learn how to ensure that those truths and some of the related Biblical imperatives like Ephesians 5:18, "be filled with [by] the Spirit," and Galatians 5:16, "walk by the Spirit" or 2 Cor 5:7 "walk by faith", How do they all fit together? Where is the Biblical emphasis?

The purpose/objective of this study is to:

1. Define and clarify just who the Holy Spirit is and what it is that He does.

2. Understand the unique age in which we live and how the Holy Spirit and His ministry relates to it in a unique way.

3. Define and clarify the terms used of the Holy Spirit such as anointing, indwelling, and filling, etc..

4. Demonstrate from Scripture what it means to be empowered for the Christian life.

Subjects to be covered in this study.

The Personality of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit is a Person

The Deity of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God

The Promise of the Spirit as God's Special Provision

The Primary Ministry and Purpose of the Spirit

The Ministries of the Spirit

What the Spirit Is to Believers in His Indwelling

The ongoing controversy concerning the Holy Spirit's active ministry in the life of the believer.

The current emphasis on the filling of the Spirit

The teaching of Ephesians 5:18 as a source of spirituality.

The filling of the Spirit in the Greek New Testament

Various interpretations of Ephesians 5:18

Conclusion: What Is the New Testament Basis of Developing Maturity?