Doctrine 3 Class Notes: © New Tribes Mission, Inc
Doctrine 3 Class Notes: © New Tribes Mission, Inc
Doctrine 3 Class Notes: © New Tribes Mission, Inc
I. INTRO - OVERVIEW................................................................................................................................................. 3
A. DEFINITION OF PNEUMATOLOGY ............................................................................................................................ 3
B. HISTORY OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT .................................................................................................. 3
1. Recognized a limitation on the duration of sign gifts and revelation............................................................... 3
2. Sabellianism (Emanations) ............................................................................................................................. 3
3. Arianism (Tri-Theism) ..................................................................................................................................... 4
4. Soteriological Views........................................................................................................................................ 4
5. Priests instead of the Holy Spirit for the common man................................................................................... 4
6. Reformation Views.......................................................................................................................................... 4
7. Sanctification Views........................................................................................................................................ 5
8. Summary Chart............................................................................................................................................... 5
C. W HO IS HE?......................................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Person ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
2. Deity................................................................................................................................................................ 6
D. W HAT DOES HE DO? ............................................................................................................................................ 7
1. Relationships .................................................................................................................................................. 7
2. Ministries......................................................................................................................................................... 7
II. WHO IS HE? ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
A. PERSON ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
1. Emotions......................................................................................................................................................... 8
2. Mind / Intellect................................................................................................................................................. 8
3. Will.................................................................................................................................................................. 8
4. Unique Spirit Being (Gender Neutral) ............................................................................................................. 9
5. Relates to other beings................................................................................................................................... 9
B. DEITY ................................................................................................................................................................ 10
1. Characteristics of Deity................................................................................................................................. 10
2. Referred to as Deity...................................................................................................................................... 10
3. Third Person of the Trinity ............................................................................................................................ 10
III. WHAT DOES HE DO? ............................................................................................................................................ 12
A. RELATIONSHIPS AND MINISTRIES… ..................................................................................................................... 12
1. To the Godhead............................................................................................................................................ 12
2. To OT Individuals.......................................................................................................................................... 13
3. To Jesus in His humanity.............................................................................................................................. 14
4. To the Disciples ............................................................................................................................................ 15
5. To the Apostles............................................................................................................................................. 16
6. To the Church ............................................................................................................................................... 18
7. To the Tribulation individuals ........................................................................................................................ 30
8. To the Millennium Kingdom .......................................................................................................................... 30
9. To the Lost.................................................................................................................................................... 31
IV. RECOMMENDED BOOK LIST............................................................................................................................... 32
1. Websites....................................................................................................................................................... 32
2. Books............................................................................................................................................................ 32
I. Intro - Overview
A. Definition of Pneumatology
Pneumatology is specifically the study of all things dealing with spirits. However, the common concept
of Pneumatology among theologians is the study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
DEFINITION = the theological study of the person and work of God the Holy Spirit.
The early church did hold to a proper doctrine of the Holy Spirit. There were heretical groups
2
(Gnostics, Ebionites and followers of Simon Magnus ) but they were not considered part of the
church.
The early church reverenced the Holy Spirit first and foremost in its devotional literature. As time
progressed, it became more necessary to document what they believed and accepted from their
studies of scripture. Thus the writings of the early church fathers began to provide specific doctrines
3
of the Holy Spirit in the second and third centuries.
1. Recognized a limitation on the duration of sign gifts and revelation
One heretical group was Montanism.
In response, the early church stood against special revelation outside of the Word of God and that the
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sign gifts were never promised to be the Church’s permanent possession. This was around the 1
century.
2. Sabellianism (Emanations)
This view from the first century rejected 3 separate persons. It viewed the Son and Holy Spirit as only
modes of manifestation. One God who appeared in different forms for specific purposes.
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Today’s Unitarian views are a modified form of this early heresy. It was also the first major error to
gain a following in the early church.
1
John F. Walvoord, The Holy Spirit – A Comprehensive Study of the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, Zondervan
©1991, pg 237
2
John F. Walvoord, pg 238
3
John F. Walvoord, pg 239
4
John F. Walvoord, pg 239
5
John F. Walvoord, pg 241
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These views would fall into the category of Emanations.
3. Arianism (Tri-Theism)
This early church heresy held the opinion that Christ and the Holy Spirit were created beings. It even
6
went on to teach that Christ created the Spirit. This view resulted in the logical conclusion that a
being created by another being cannot be equal and eternal with the first being. Thus they were three
distinct individuals with hierarchy of quality. Father – Son – Holy Spirit. These views would fall under
the category of Tri-Theism – the View that there are three distinct gods rather than three persons who
are also one God (3 in 1).
The position of the early church fathers was to declare a belief in the Holy Spirit. They did not attempt
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to combat this view until the 4 century.
4. Soteriological Views
Augustine was influential in developing views on the salvation influence of the Holy Spirit. Again, this
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attention was stimulated by a heretical view which was on the arise in the 5 century. Pelagius, a
British monk who traveled to Rome, believe that there was a little good in every man that allowed him
to do good works apart from God’s grace - Pelagianism. The pendulum swing against this view was
to believe that man was so depraved that he was not only unable to do good, but was unable to
mentally trust in God without a regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
A separate view, held by the Roman Catholic church, believed that man was in able to do good until
the Holy Spirit did a first work in the man, then he was able to do good. This view was referred to as
Semi-Pelagianism and ultimately became the view of Roman Catholicism. However there was a time
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in the 6 century when it was rejected
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5. Priests instead of the Holy Spirit for the common man
During the middle ages, the development of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit came to a standstill. The
9
church expressly denied that the Spirit of God could teach all Christians through the Word of God.
The priest was the sole explainer of the Word of God and took the place of the Spirit of God.
6. Reformation Views
When the Roman Catholic Church was challenged by the reformation, much focus was turned again
to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. As before, when refuting false doctrine, correct doctrine becomes
clearer.
At this time, the reformers rejected the priests as the sole explainer of the Word of God. They rather
turned back to the Holy Spirit as the illuminator of the Word.
6
John F. Walvoord, pp 240-241
7
John F. Walvoord, pp 242-243
8
John F. Walvoord, pg 245
9
John F. Walvoord, pg 246
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Christ. These views were more clearly developed by the movement of the Plymouth Brethren in the
Finally developed were the views that the Holy Spirit enables the believer to present the full life of
7.
Summary Chart
Sanctification Views
the Holy Spirit in an
undefined state.
Thomas Freeman Pneumatology-F04.doc
century.
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© New Tribes Mission, Inc.
C. Who is He?
The Holy Spirit is a unique person. He is not a mode of emanation from God. He is not a created being. He
has all of the characteristics of a person and is referred to as a person in God’s communication to us.
He is also part of the Trinity. He is Deity. He has the characteristics that are only ascribed to deity. He is also
referred to as God throughout scripture.
1. Person
The Holy Spirit has a personality.
a) Personality
As a person, we see that the Holy Spirit has a mind that is described as able to plan and
communicate. He also has emotions like grieving. We know that He makes his own personal
choices, which indicates that He has a will.
3. Will
Acts 15:22-28 – It seemed good or best to the leaders, people and Holy Spirit to send these men
giving only a specific set of guidelines. The Holy Spirit chose or decided to do this action.
1 Cor 12:11 – This basically says that He does as he chooses. He has a will and operates according
to it.
10
Ryrie, Charles C., Basic Theology,Victor Books, © 1986 by SP Publications, Inc.
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4. Unique Spirit Being (Gender Neutral)
John 16:13,14 – Uses masculine pronouns, which emphasizes the person aspect of the Holy Spirit.
This is an unusual case, which adds emphasis. Usually a pronoun agrees with the gender of the word
it is replacing, however, the Greek word for Spirit is a neuter word. It does not emphasize gender.
Spirits did not have bodies and commonly indwelt human bodies. We see several times in the life of
Christ where He is casting them out.
Luke 24:37-43 – This passage shows that Jesus was a human and not a spirit – even after
the resurrection. The Holy Spirit would not have had a body and thus no gender per se.
5. Relates to other beings
Judges 3:10; Matthew 4:1, etc. - We see the Spirit leading individuals in scripture
Luke 12:12 – The Holy Spirit would teach the disciples
John 14:26 – We are promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us.
Acts 13:2 – The Holy Spirit said
Acts 20:23 – Paul said that the Holy Spirit warned Him
We will look at this much more in later sections.
B. Deity
The Spirit is a person, but not just any person. He is God. We can see this because He has the
characteristics, which can only be God. He is also referred to as God and then thirdly He can be seen as part
of the Trinity of God.
1. Characteristics of Deity
ETERNAL - Heb 9:14 tells us that He is the Eternal Spirit. Eternal is the idea of no beginning and no
end. Several things are ever lasting (no end) but only God is eternal.
OMNISCIENCE - John 16:12,13 show that He will guide us into all truth and even tell us the future.
We know that He is responsible for inspiration and the communication of all of God’s Word. This
would require that He know all that has happened and will happen. Only God is omniscient.
OMNIPOTENT – The works that He has done have been the actions of Deity:
a) Creation – Gen 1:2
The words used here might be referred to as the Breath of God, but this isn’t consistent with
other passages of scripture that use the same phrase to only refer to God the Spirit. (Ex 31:3;
35:31; Num 24:2; 1 Sam 10:10, etc.)
This shows that He was involved in the supernatural work of Creation.
b) Regeneration – John 3:5 / Titus 3:5
When we take these two passages together, we can see that it is the Work of the Holy Spirit
to regenerate (create a new version of us) at salvation.
c) Inspiration – 2 Peter 1:21
It was the Spirit of God who empowered men to write the Words of God.
d) Raising of the Dead – Rom 8:11 / 1 Peter 3:18
It was the work of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
He has the power to create earth, a new version of us and to raise the dead. All of these indicate that
His power is limitless. Only God is All-Powerful.
OMNIPRESENCE – Ps 139:7-10 this passage shows that God the Holy Spirit is everywhere present.
2. Referred to as Deity
He has all the characteristics of Deity and this is enough for us to confidently say that the Holy Spirit is
God. However, a more clear indication than this is the fact that God says that He is God!
Isaiah 6:8-10 / Acts 28:25-27 – The passage in Isaiah says that these Words are God. The passage
in Acts says that these words are from the Holy Spirit.
Ex 16:7 / Ps 95:8-11 / Heb 3:7-9 – Both of these OT passages refer to God and the Heb passages
says about the same event that it is the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:3-4 – these verses both refer to the same person only once as the Holy Spirit and once as God.
3. Third Person of the Trinity
He is the third person of the Trinity, a separate individual person who is still God. He will be seen in
separate ministry than the Father or Son, but yet when he is referred to the others are assumed to be
involved as well.
John 14:16-18 – Christ says that He will send another (separate but of the same kind) and this other is
the Holy Spirit. But then in verse 18 he makes it clear that in this action He will be coming to them as
well.
2 Cor 3:17 – this passage refers to both Christ and the Spirit and says that where the Spirit is, so is
Christ.
Matt 3:16, 17 – these verses refer to the Baptism of Christ and show that all three persons are
separate at the event.
Generally we see that creation was the work of GOD and usually this is assumed to
focus on the Father. However, throughout scripture we see references to each
member of the trinity being involved.
The plurality of Elohim as the word is used in Gen 1:1 may give indication to the
trinity’s involvement.
Gen 1:2 – The Spirit clearly had some part in the creation.
Job 26:13, 33:4 – These passages indicate that Job and Elihu both thought that
God’s Spirit was involved in his creation.
Psalm 33:6 – Says that the Spirit was involved in creating the Heavens.
Psalm 104:30 – Again the Spirit was sent by the Father to perform some act of
creation.
1 Peter 1:11 / 2 Peter 1:21 – both of the passages indicate that the Spirit was
communicating God’s Word through them. He was the instrument through which
God’s will was to be given.
c) Glorifying
We know of many passages that talk about how God’s glory is revealed through creation. By
the Holy Spirit’s ministry in creation, He has brought Glory to God. (Ps 33:6 – Spirit created
the heavens / Ps 19:1 – the Heavens declare God’s Glory.)
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There is good reason to believe that the Sign Gifts (especially Tongues) are just this - a sign
to the Jews that God was now working through a different channel.
The Apostles had the unique ministry of building the foundation of the Church (Eph 2:20). As
such, they needed:
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The Holy Spirit ministered through the Apostles to accomplish this.
11
Richard C. Schwab, Let the Bible Speak…About Tongues, ©1985, pg. 94
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6. To the Church
The Apostles ushered in a new program apart from Israel, The Church. The Spirit is involved in
almost every aspect of the Church.
a) Received at moment of Salvation
Acts 11:16-17 is a passage that shows Gentiles also received the Spirit of God, not just Jews.
John 7:37-39 clearly shows that any who would believe in Christ would receive the Holy Spirit.
There do not seem to be any conditions placed on this except belief.
Rom 8:9 indicates that anyone who is a believer has the Spirit. If you do not have the Spirit,
than you are not saved. Pretty clear.
Every believer receives the Holy Spirit at the moment they believe.
b) Regeneration
Titus 3:5 is the only NT reference to Regeneration in the sense of our salvation.
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John 1:13 refers to this new birth and says that we are “born of God”.
John 3:3-5 says that we must be born of Water and used this to refer to the Spirit.
Titus 3:5 – certainly indicates that the Spirit regenerates us.
Regeneration is unique for the Church.
If regeneration accompanied OT belief and justification, it does not require that God
empowered every believer to live righteously. They may have had a new spirit or life
imparted through which they could have fellowship and relationship to God – but
empowerment for righteousness seems to have been only when the Spirit came upon
them – and we already know that He could leave.
Joel 2:28, 29 indicates that the Spirit of God will be poured out on all flesh during the
Mill Kingdom. This may indicate regeneration. However, this also would be a
different work that that of the Church’s regeneration.
Eph 2:4-7 – We are “made alive” in Christ.
Eph 2:10 – We are created unto good works “in Christ”.
Our regeneration is one of giving us the VERY life of Christ! Col 1:27; 3:4; 2 Cor
3:17. The Spirit regenerated us with the life of Christ and we now have all of His life
to live out here on earth. We are the Body of Christ.
c) Baptizes into the body of Christ
Baptism of the Spirit is probably one of the greatest sources of confusion regarding the
ministries of the Spirit.
One night, around the year 1992, my wife and I, after reading a book on the Holy Spirit, knelt
by our bed and genuinely and earnestly prayed for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We got up,
looked at each other and then asked, “Do you feel any different?” The answer from both of us
was, “I don’t think so.” I have seen this concept tied to the ministry of the “Filling of the Holy
Spirit”, the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” and it has been referred to as the “Second Blessing”.
Extreme wings of the Christian faith were not the only ones to hold these views. D. L. Moody
(evangelist, pastor and founder of Moody Bible Institute), R. A. Torrey (prolific writer,
12
John Walvoord, pg 128
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© New Tribes Mission, Inc.
evangelist and president of Moody Bible Institute), C. T. Studd (missionary to China and
founder of the African Inland Mission) and many others besides me believed these
misconceptions.
John 14:20 – considers: Christ in us and Us in Christ. Christ in Us - refers to the work of
Regeneration. Us in Christ - refer to the Work of Baptism by the Holy Spirit.
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The central passage for clarity on the Baptizing Ministry of the Holy Spirit is – 1 Cor 12:13
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Stanford, Miles Stanford
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Stanford, Miles Stanford
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© New Tribes Mission, Inc.
But we are showing a picture of our identification. We look at what happened to Christ, and
then because of our belief, we become identified with Christ in every aspect (Death, Burial
and Resurrection) of His life.
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There are three phrases used in scripture that can create some of the confusion. “With”, “By”
and “IN”.
When Christ was anointed with the Holy Spirit, he was baptized WITH or IN water BY John
the Baptist.
John 1:33 – Most versions translate this as saying Christ would baptize “WITH” the Holy
Spirit.
Acts 1:4 – Again, most versions translate this as saying the Apostles would be baptized
“WITH” the Holy Spirit.
This seems to have the same idea if we were to say they were baptized “IN” the Holy Spirit. It
seems to refer to the medium that they would be immersed into – that which they have
become forever changed because of their union to.
However, this could also mean “BY” the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13 certainly is more clear when
taken as “by”. This verse refers to what we were baptized into and calls it a body. This would
not be a reference to the Spirit. It must be a reference of who baptized us into the body. It is
by the Spirit that we are baptized into the body of Christ (which is a common term used
repeatedly in Pauline teaching).
It is possible that Christ referred to Pentecost as the act of His Baptizing the Apostles with the
Holy Spirit, but it is more likely that He was referring to the time when He would send the Spirit
who would baptize us into His body and thus glorify Himself as he stated in John 14 and 16.
15
L. S. Chafer, Grace, pp. 307-308
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The Spirit has given special gifts to each person because each person is a member
of the body of Christ and has a purpose in ministering here on earth. The Spirit is
making us the earthly Body of Christ. What does Christ want to accomplish in the
world today? This is why we have been gifted - to carry out His plans today.
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Not every person has every gift. But they have them as the Spirit purposes to give
them for the particular need of the Church. It stands to reason then that not every
point in time must have every gift active. Nor must every congregation have every gift
active. If the Holy Spirit ever gifted one individual with the gift at any point in time, this
would have had benefit for the whole church throughout time. (The Holy Spirit gifted
Apostles for the founding of the Church; we experience the results of that gift to this
day.)
Every believer has A gift if not several.
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There are two types of Gifts. The first is the gifting of offices (or ministries)
that men can function in.
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This aspect is specifically for the purpose of equipping the individual
members of the body of Christ to function.
Apostles and Prophets were offices that specifically connected with founding
of the Church.
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Once the Church was established and functioning, these offices were no
longer necessary. The ministries that build up and enlarge the established
Church continue to be necessary (Evangelists and Pastor-Teachers).
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There are also personal gifts that enable each individual to function within the
body of Christ.
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God gives these gifts for service.
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Here is a general list as given in scripture:
(i) Apostleship (1 Cor 12:28)
(ii) Prophecy (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:10)
(iii) Miracles (1 Cor 12:28)
(iv) Healing (1 Cor 12:9, 28, 30)
(v) Tongues (1 Cor 12:10)
(vi) Knowledge (1 Cor 13:8)
Typically the above gifts are referred to as Sign Gifts – associated with the
founding of the Church and the Judgment on Unbelieving Israel.
(vii) Ministering (Rom 12:7; 1 Cor 12:28)
(viii) Teaching (Rom 12:7; 1 Cor 12:28)
(ix) Faith (1 Cor 12:8-10)
(x) Exhortation (Rom 12:8)
(xi) Discerning Spirits (1 Cor 12:10)
(xii) Showing Mercy (Rom 12:8)
(xiii) Giving (Rom 12:8)
(xiv) Administration (Rom 12:8; 1 Cor 12:28)
There may be more gifts than these, but there is no indication one way or the
other from Scripture.
16
Charles C. Ryrie, pg. 83
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There are several views regarding the sign gifts.
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This has already been covered under the Apostolic Ministry. This is the view
that NTM holds to. We believe that the Sign gifts had a purpose in the
foundation of the Church by confirming the message of the Apostles which
has been recorded in the Scriptures for us.
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There are some who believe that these gifts have the potential of creating
confusion and division. They believe that we still are gifted with these gifts
today, but that they must be exercised in order and should not usurp the
greater gifts.
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The real question is the duration. If these gifts were not temporary, then they
are still available today and must follow these guidelines. But are they still
available today?
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The gifts in relationship to the Church must have a limited duration. At the very
minimum they will end when the Church is raptured and the individuals are glorified.
There is definitely a sooner stopping point for Prophecy, Knowledge and Tongues.
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The question in this passage is what is the “perfect” that is coming? This can be in
reference to the glorification of the Church. If it were, than it would include all of the
gifts to the Church.
We know that several gifts were specifically connected to the Authentication of the
Apostles Ministry.
We know that Paul says that the gift of Tongues was specifically to show judgment on
unbelieving Israel.
This passage seems to indicate that there may be two different times when these
gifts would end. (And we don’t have to limit the ceasing of gifts to just these 3).
We have seen that the gifts were give for service. Once the service is complete, why
would the gifts still be given? If judgment on Israel has been declared and the
Program has now transitioned to the Church, the gift of Tongues is no longer
necessary. This probably petered out, as they got closer to the year 70 A.D. when
Jerusalem was destroyed.
Since the Church is complete in the sense of founding, it is no longer necessary to
have the gift of Prophecy, Apostle, miracles, and the other signs connected to the
apostolic ministry. These probably ended when Scripture was completed.
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This is the only passage that clearly deals with this concept. It does speak to one key area
that we know the Spirit is praying in our behalf on. It is possible that there may be other
areas.
This passage specifically is dealing with the Spirit’s prayer that God’s will of perfecting us will
be completed, even though we don’t know specifically how that should be worked out. We
might pray “Thy will be done.” The Spirit is praying, “Thy will of … be done.” Where He is
able to fill in exactly what that should be in our behalf.
This passage is a little less clear. It does show that the Spirit is to have a part in our praying
for the body – specifically, in this case, for evangelism. This does not have to mean that the
Spirit directs our prayers or leads in our prayers. It is a command that we can reject and does
mean that our prayers should be affected by the Spirit’s ministry to us.
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Guarantee/ Earnest has the idea of a down payment. When you put a down payment on
something, it proves that you will come back and complete the transaction. We are still
awaiting the final transaction in our salvation. We have been justified. We are being
sanctified. And we have the Spirit as a down payment that we will be glorified.
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i) Adoption – Future
This is basically the same concept as sealing. We have the Spirit of Adoption.
Adoption is the act by which the Father gives all the privileges of an adult son. We already
have these privileges and can refer to our Father as a direct member of His family.
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One day our adoption will be fully revealed, when we are glorified.
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Notice that the context refers to light, Christ giving them light and to understanding
the will of God. The context is in reference to knowledge.
The statement “be filled with the Spirit” is based on the Greek preposition that can
mean “by, with or in”. There is very good reason to take this as “by”.
(You can access a very good article from the Internet at:
http://www.freemanfeedback.org/articles/Ephesians518.htm
http://www.freemanfeedback.org/articles/Filling.htm)
This action would be one of being filled with something other than the Spirit, by the
Spirit.
I believe the clearest way to understand this is to consider the ministry of the Spirit of
leading us into all truth. As the Spirit leads us to truth, if we think on these things and
accept them by faith, we will be influenced by that truth in our actions. This is not
This passage is saying that by walking in the Spirit, we will not do that which our flesh
is lusting to accomplish.
In this particular context, Paul is writing to the Churches of Galatia in order to correct
their misunderstanding of sanctification. They are attempting to be sanctified by the
Law. Paul tells them that this is not of God, but is rather a desire of their flesh. The
law stirs up our flesh, not the Spirit.
You cannot do what you would wish is in reference to their desire to be sanctified by
the Law. If this way of sanctification is a desire of the flesh (that which is corrupt)
than it cannot be a means of sanctification.
The only means of sanctification is the way that the Spirit is leading us into. Does the
Spirit lead us to focus on Him and what He would have us do? NO. One of the first
principles is that the Spirit is leading us to understand and focus on what we already
have in Christ. If we walk in these truths, than we will be sanctified and will not fulfill
the lust of the flesh.
This has nothing to do with control.
k) Summary
The Spirit has ministries that were accomplished the moment we were justified:
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The Spirit has ministries that are going on while we are being sanctified:
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And the Spirit has ministries that are preserving us for glorification:
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There are no passages that indicate the Spirit should CONTROL the Believer.
It seems that the primary way the Church should cooperate with Spirit is that of believing what
He is teaching us. Everything we need for life and godliness has already been provided in the
new life He has given us. He will reveal this life in our walk as we walk by faith in what he is
revealing to us.
He will show us Christ; we believe that this is true of our life and then the Spirit will empower.
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This seems to be a extremely unique situation. On the contrary, Revelation records many instances
of their being false signs and miracles by which the people will be deceived.
8. To the Millennium Kingdom
With the introduction of the Millennium Kingdom, there is every indication that the Spirit will be poured
out on all flesh. EVERYONE. This will be the greatest outworking of the Spirit during all time.
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This ministry of the Spirit will be specifically for the purpose of empowering people to keep the laws of
the Millennium Kingdom.
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9. To the Lost
The last ministry of the Spirit we want to look at is the ministry that seems to cross all dispensations.
It is the ministry to the lost.
a) This ministry is through revealing the truth of God’s Word.
Through the inspiration ministry of the Spirit, the truth of God’s saving plan has been recorded
and is available to every generation. There is no generation that did not have the message
that God is willing to justify all who turn to Him in faith.
b) This ministry is through conviction.
The Spirit has striven with man for many years. This is through the means of convicting,
either through His word, the life of believers empowered by the Spirit, or through His ministry
directly to the heart of them.
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It seems that God will one day stop striving with man. This is probably in reference to the
tribulation period.
In the meantime, men are convicted. The Holy Spirit can regenerate them. We have a
message to share with them. Don’t believe that they are callous without ever having been
convicted. There is not a lost person who cannot be convicted, or has not been convicted.
Reach out to them where they hurt.
1. Websites
www.letusreason.org
www.carm.org
2. Books
*The Holy Spirit – A Comprehensive Study of the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit –
Walvoord
*The Holy Spirit – Ryrie
Basic Theology – Ryrie
Systematic Theology Vol. 6 – Chafer
*Let the Bible Speak…About Tongues – Schwab
The Line Drawn – Stanford
Person and Work of the Holy Spirit – Ridout
The Holy Spirit – Torrey
Lectures in Systematic Theology – Thiessen
He that is Spiritual – Chafer
The Holy Spirit in Today’s World – Criswell
*These books are highly recommended because of the clarity and reference material they provide.