Lesson 10  May 5, 2002

There is an ongoing controversy concerning the Holy Spirit's  active ministry in the life of the believer.

Introductory observations:

 

 

 

 

 

What about the current emphasis on the filling of the Spirit?

Introduction: Background

 

 

 

Dr. Chafer centered his Christian life teaching upon what he termed "spirituality." [many definitions today]

 

For this filling of the Spirit and the resultant instant spirituality, Dr. Chafer laid down three conditions:

     - (1) repentance and confession of all known sin (1 John 1:9);

     - (2) yielding and dedication of all to God (Rom. 6:13);

     - (3) reliance upon, and walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

 

 

 

Couple of problems.

-  The first problem with this is that it deals with symptoms (sin) and neglects to take into account the source, sin nature.

 

- It fails to lead the believer to consider as true, to count on  the reality of our identification with Christ in His death [Rom.6] as God's remedy/provision for the root cause of sins committed, the sin nature.

 

 

 

 

-  There's also another problem, that of who is the center of focus?

 

 

 

The teaching of Ephesians 5:18 as a source of Spirituality 

Dr. Bright for the most part has taken over Dr. Chafer's teaching on "spirituality" and condensed it by outlining three conditions for the filling of the Spirit.

 

You can appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you;

A.   Sincerely desire to be controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 5:6;       John 7:37-39; 

 

B.   Confess your sins.

By faith thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins--past,  present, and future--because Christ died for you     (Col. 2:13-15;  1 John 1; 2:1-3; Heb. 10:1-17).

 

C.   By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to:

1.   HIS COMMAND--Be filled with the Spirit.

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit"   (Eph. 5:18).

2.   HIS PROMISE -- He will always answer when we pray according to His will...                  (1 John 5:14,15).