The Holy Spirit by Roy Deaver
THE HOLY SPIRIT
By ROY DEAVER
OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION:
1.The New Testament makes frequent reference to the Holy Spirit.
2. These references are suggestive of the nature, personality, and works of the Holy Spirit.
DISCUSSION:
I. This is an important study.
II. The Bible is our source book.
III. The present task.
IV. The Holy Spirit is called by various names.
V. The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead.
VI. The Holy Spirit had (and has) a vital part in the material creation.
VII.The Holy Spirit had (and has) a vital part in the spiritual dispensation.
VIII. This is the Spirit's dispensation.
IX. The Holy Spirit has had a special role in redemption.
CONCLUSION:
1. The present study is designed to prepare the way for the subsequent lectures.
2. Summary of material covered.
3. Our hope and prayer.
INTRODUCTION
The New Testament makes frequent references to the Holy Spirit. Following are some of the more familiar passages: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 1:18-20; "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him," Matthew 3:16; "There-fore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come," Matthew 12:31-32; "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the King-dom of God," John 3:5; "For he whom God hath sent speak-eth the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure," John 3:34; "It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life," John 6:63; "The former treatise I made, 0 Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen;" Acts I:1,2; "And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38; "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey Him," Acts 5:32; "For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is dead; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through the Spirit that dwelleth in you. So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; hut ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him," Romans 8:5-17; "Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye," 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; "And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father," Galatians 4:6. These references, though but a few among many, are sufficient to suggest the nature, personality, and works (varied and numerous) of the Holy Spirit. These verses are sufficient to suggest the com-plexity of the subject of this lectureship, and thus to point up the importance of and the need for this series of studies.
DISCUSSION
AN IMPORTANT STUDY
The study of the Holy Spirit is one of tremendous importance. On this subject there is much confusion and misunderstanding. There are many popular notions, ideas, and doctrines which are in obvious conflict with the Bible teaching. Preachers seldom preach regarding the Holy Spirit. Many have concluded that the subject is so "shrouded in mystery" that there is no need to make the effort to understand. Yet, the Bible plainly declares that the Holy Spirit has an important relationship to man's salvation, and it is necessary that we understand the understandable about that relationship. Every step that one takes in becoming a Christian is a step directed by the Holy Spirit. Every step that one takes in living the Christian life is a step directed by the Holy Spirit. It is essential, therefore, that we study the Holy Spirit.
OUR SOURCE BOOK
In studying the Holy Spirit our only source of information is the Bible. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge," Psalms 19:1-2. In declaring "the glory of God" the heavens also declare the existence of God. Through study of the heavens, nature, and natural laws we can learn much about God. However, we cannot learn satisfactorily about God without studying the Bible. Through the study of the heavens, nature and natural laws we learn nothing about the Christ, and we learn nothing about the Holy Spirit. Our only source of information regard-ing the Christ and the Holy Spirit is the Bible. We must be willing and anxious to lay aside pre-conceived notions, superstitions, feelings and prejudices and study the Bible to see what it says about the Holy Spirit. Everything that we know, or can know, about the Holy Spirit comes from the Bible which is a product of the Holy Spirit.
THE PRESENT TASK
The task of the present speaker is to lay the groundwork for the subsequent lectures. It is our obligation to set the foundation upon which others shall build. Other speakers and lectures shall deal with particular aspects of the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. The present lecture is designed to be a general study. There are some things of a general nature which must be understood before one can properly ap-preciate those matters of a more specific nature.
According to the "Rationale" furnished each speaker the present lecture (1) must consider the Holy Spirit in both old and new Testaments, (2) must consider the various names given to the Holy Spirit, and (3) must correlate thethemes of the entire lectureship.
Who (or what) is the Holy Spirit? Is the Holy Spirit a distinct personality? If so, what is the nature of that per-sonality? Is the Holy Spirit simply an influence? What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the written word? What is meant by "verbal inspiration"? In what sense, and for whom, is (or was) the Holy Spirit a "comforter"? What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to man? What is the work of the Holy Spirit? How does the Holy Spirit perform this work? What was (and is) the relationship of the Holy Spirit to Christ? How does the "incarnate" word compare to the "written" wcrd? What about the baptism of the Holy Spirit? What is mean by "the gift of the Holy Spirit"? What about the "indwelling" of the Holy Spirit? What about the miracu-lous measure of the Holy Spirit in the early church? Is there any such miraculous measure in the church today? What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to baptism? What about the Spirit as our "intercessor"? How does the Spirit enable the Christian to grow? What is the sin against the Holy Spirit?
These are questions and thoughts that will be dealt with specifically in the subsequent lectures. The present study there-fore (1) must carefully avoid getting into the areas to be dealt with in other lessons, (2) must lay the foundation for the further studies, and (3) must contribute to a better under-standing of and deeper appreciation for the Holy Spirit.
NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Old Testament uses eighteen different names in re-ferring to the Holy Spirit. The New Testament uses thirty-nine different names in referring to the Holy Spirit. Five names are common to both Old and New Testaments, which means there are fifty-two different names used in the Bible in referring to the Holy Spirit.
These different names, when properly grouped together, indicate various significant facts and relationships. Seventeen names refer to the Spirit's relationship to God. Five refer to his relationship to the Lord. Five refer especially to the Spirit's divine nature. Seven names describe the character of the Holy Spirit. Seventeen names show the Spirit's relationship to man, and one refers to his peculiar relationship to the apostles.
This sacred being is generally called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Grace, the Spirit of Glory.
A MEMBER OF THE GODHEAD
The Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. In Acts 17:29, Paul refers to the "Godhead." In Colossians 2:9, Paul says, “.....for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily .,…." The Godhead is composed of three members: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In his relationship to the Father and the Son, the Spirit is usually mentioned last. The Lord said, ". . . baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19. Paul prays, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all," 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Another speaker shall discuss the nature and personality of the Holy Spirit, but here it is important that we understand that the Holy Spirit is characterized by the attributes of deity. The Holy Spirit is eternal: ". . . how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit of-fered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your con-science from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14). The Holy Spirit is omniscient: "But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). The Holy Spirit is omnipotent: "But as for me, I am full of power by theSpirit of Jehovah, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin" (Micah 3:8). The Holy Spirit is omnipresent: "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" (Psalms 139:7).
IN THE MATERIAL CREATION
Genesis 1:1 states plainly that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The word God, "Elohim" in the Hebrew, is plural because, as we have in Jno. 1:1, the second member of the Godhead was there, and the clear context-ual evidence is the Holy Spirit was there. The plural is used again in verse 26, when God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."
When we are first introduced to the earth (in Genesis 1:2) it is "waste and void." Isaiah (45:18) states plainly that the earth wasn't created that way. If it wasn't created that way, and if it was that way in verse 2, then something happened to cause it to become that way. How much time elapsed be-tween the "creation" of verse one and the earth's becoming waste and void" we have no way of knowing for certain, and the Bible is silent on this point.
As God begins the work of the six days the work of bringing cosmos out of chaos, the work of renovation "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters," Genesis 1:2. The word "moved" is literally "brooded" upon. The picture is that of the Holy Spirit hovering over the chaotic condition, with the objective of bringing about order and beauty. It was the Spirit's work here to produce order and beauty to organize.
Thus it is clear: (1) God was the creator, (2) the Lord the word was the agent of the creation, John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Corinthians 8:6; and (3) the Holy Spirit was the organizer. This work of organization would in-herently include the laws governing the material universe. The laws of nature are the laws of the Holy Spirit. "By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens," Job 26:13.
IN THE SPIRITUAL CREATION
There was a material creation; there was a spiritual creation. In Matthew 16:18 the Lord promised that he would build his church. The Lord was careful in specifying the time and place of the establishment of his church. In Mark 9:1 and Acts 1:8 he definitely connects the establishment of his church with the coming of the Holy Spirit. In Luke 24:46-47 and Acts 1:8 he specifies the place as being Jerusalem. The Lord kept this great promise, and we have the sacred record of its fulfillment in Acts 2. According to verse 4 (of Acts 2) the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles as had been promised. With the Holy Spirit came "power," and with the power came the Kingdom of God the Lord's church.
The New Testament church was involved in God's "eternal purpose," Ephesians 3:10-11. God had purposed it, the Old Testa-ment promises had included it, the prophets had spoken re-garding it, Old Testament history was preparation for it. The Lord lived to show men how to live. He taught and ex-emplified the lessons which were to find application in his church his kingdom. The Lord died to manifest the Father's love, to manifest his own love, to make possible for-giveness of sins, and to make possible the establishment and existence of his church. He "gave himself for it," Ephesians 5:25; he "purchased" the church "with his own blood," Acts 20:28. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles on Pentecost, and through them preached the gospel of the risen Lord. The Holy Spirit himself, as a gift, was promised to those who would ". . . repent and be baptized . . ." Acts 2:38. The Holy Spirit thus performed (and continued to perform) his work as organizer. Thus, in connection with both the material crea-tion and the spiritual creation we have (1) God, the creator, (2) the Lord, the agent of the creation, and (3) the Holy Spirit, the organizer.
The New Testament church is a "creation." In Ephesians 2:14-18 Paul says, "For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father." In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we have: "Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new." The word "creature" is the Greek "creation." If each Christian is a "new creation" then the totality would be a "new creation." In Romans 8:19 Paul says, "For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God." The "creation" is characterized by the "earnest expectation" and "waiteth for the revealing" which belongs to the sons of God. This is the "glory which shall be revealed to us-ward," Romans 8:18. The only thing that can wait for and expect to receive that "revealing" is the church. Hence, the church is "the creation." In Romans 8:21 we have: ". . . that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God." The creation shall experience the "liberty of the glory of the children of God." This fact can be asserted only with reference to the church. Hence, the creation is the church.
As God through the Holy Spirit gave the laws governing the material creation, He also through the Holy Spirit gave the laws governing the spiritual creation. In John 16:13 the Lord had said to the apostles, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what thingssoever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." In Matthew 10:20 we have: "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you." The New Testament (as well as the Old) is the product of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:10-13. The word of God is the "Sword of the Spirit," Ephesians 6:17. The word is "inspired of God," and is infallible and all-sufficient, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. By the word of God the new creation must be gov-erned, II Jno. 9; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 1:8-9.
THE SPIRIT'S DISPENSATION
Brother H. Leo Boles emphasizes that each member of the Godhead has had his dispensation with man upon the earth. "Dispensation" is used to mean a distinct period of time, marked off by certain events. Throughout the history of God's dealings with man the three members of the Godhead have worked together for man's benefit. Yet, each member of the Godhead has involved himself in a unique or special relationship to man.
God's dispensation spans the time from the creation to the coming of Christ. God was concerned about man, loved man, worked for man. God often spoke directly to man. He communicated through angels, through visions, through law. He powerfully made known his will through the prophets the prophets spake "as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." The second and third members of the Godhead were not absent during this time, but the first member of the Godhead was prominent.
The second member of the Godhead took upon himself the form of man, and came to live as men, Php 2:5-8. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . ." Jno. 1:14. The Lord's life and ministry upon the earth constituted his dispensation with man. The Lord is the only mem-ber of the Godhead to dwell in the flesh. During his ministry the Lord labored to accomplish the Father's will: "For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me;" "We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work," John 9:4. The Spirit was present with the Lord, Jno. 3:34. God and the Spirit cooperated with the Son, but during this period the Son was predominant.
Beginning with the first Pentecost after the Lord's resurrection we have the Holy Spirit's dispensation. The Lord has told his apostles to go to Jerusalem and "to wait for the promise of the Father," Acts 1:4. On Pentecost of Acts 2 "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance," Acts 2:4. The Spirit guided the New Testament writers into all truth (John 16:13), and by the Spirit we have the complete written word, the Sword of the Spirit, Ephesians 6:17. The church is God's temple, the dwelling place of the Spirit, I Car. 3:16; Ephesians 2:21-22. Our entire lives must be directed by the Spirit, and the Spirit directs us by the word. We live in the time in which the Spirit is uniquely related to man -- the Holy Spirit's dispensation. The fact is most likely involved in the Lord's statement in Matthew 12:31-32 : "Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And who-soever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him, but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come." Many who rejected the Christ did come to receive forgiveness, later, by accepting the instruc-tions of the Spirit. To reject the Spirit is to reject God's only plan for man's redemption. To die in a condition of rejection of the Spirit is to be guilty of an "eternal sin," Mark 3:28-29.
A ROLE IN REDEMPTION
The Holy Spirit, from the first, has occupied (and does occupy) a very unique role in God's plan for human redemption.
God purposed this sacred plan, and Paul frequently speaks of that purpose. In Ephesians 3:8-11 we have: "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church and manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." In Romans 8:28 Paul says, "And we know that to them that love God all things work together for ad, even to them that are called according to his purpose." In 2 Timothy 1:8-9, Paul refers to God "who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not ac-cording to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal . . ."
This plan reached its full fruition in Jesus Christ in the church, in the gospel. The spiritual blessings contemplated in Old Testament promises and prophecies are found in Jesus Christ. In his life the Lord taught and exemplified the sacred principles which would find application in his kingdom. In his death he made possible forgiveness of sins. He is the propitiatory secrifice (Romans 3:25), and by his stripes we are healed, 1 Peter 2:24. He "was delivered up for our treaspasses, and was raised for our justification," Romans 4:25. Thus, the Lord made the divine plan effective.
The word of God frequently asserts its miraculous inspira-tion. In Matthew 10:19-20 the Lord said, "But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you." In Jno. 16:13 the Lord promised the apostles: "How-beit when he the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." In 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 we have: "But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth; but in words which the Spirit teacheth, combining spiritual things with spiritual words." In 2 Timothy 3:11-17 Paul says, "But abide thou in the things which thou halt learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom thou has learned them; and that from a babe thou has known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that. the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." "Sacred writ-ings" is a specific reference to the Old Testament. ". . . no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit," 2 Peter 1:20-21. When the prophets "testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them" they did so by "the Spirit of Christ which was in them," 1 Peter 1:11. The original preachers of the gospel preached "by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven," 1 Peter 1:12.
Thus, from the beginning, it has been the special responsibility of the Holy Spirit to keep the record straight and clear to record God's dealings with man. Suppose God had purposed the plan, and the Lord had made it effective, but that we knew nothing about it! Our information is made possible because the Holy Spirit did his work well in providing the record. The Holy Spirit has functioned at the wonderful Secretary in the "Eternal Life Insurance Company." He has performed a unique role in redemption.
CONCLUSION
The present lesson is designed to prepare the way for the subsequent lectures. We have stressed the fact that this is an important study. We emphasized that in this study the Bible is our Source book. With reference to the present task we mentioned that (according to assignment) (1) we were to consider the Holy Spirit in both Old and New Testaments, (2) we were to deal with the various names given to the Holy Spirit, and (3) we were to correlate the themes of the entire lectureship. Attention has been directed to the names used in designating the Holy Spirit. Emphasis has been given to the fact that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. We have considered the Holy Spirit in the material creation, and in the spiritual creation. We have discussed the Holy Spirit's dispensation, and a special role in redemption which the Holy Spirit has performed.
It is our fervent hope and sincere prayer that these thoughts will contribute to a better understanding of and deeper appreciation for the Holy Spirit and his relationship to man's redemption.
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION
1. Quote from memory at least three of the scripture references cited in the introduction.
2. The scripture references cited in the introduction are sufficient to suggest what?
3. Why would you say that the study of the Holy Spirit is important?
4. In the study of the Holy Spirit what is our source book?
5. What is the particular task of the present study?
6. What is the significance of the various names used with reference to the Holy Spirit?
7. The Holy Spirit is characterized by what attributes of deity?
8. What was the Holy Spirit's unique function in the material creation?
9. What is meant by "the spiritual creation"?
10. What was the Holy Spirit's unique function in the spiritual creation?
11. What is meant by "The Spirit's dispensation"?
12. What special role in redemption has the Holy Spirit performed?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
In preparing the present lecture we have depended mainly upon the Bible itself, and especially upon the New Testament. In addition to the Bible we have considered carefully and have profited greatly from the following:
The Holy Spirit, H. Leo Boles.
The Spirit and the Word, Z. T. Sweeney.
The Holy Spirit and the Human Mind, Ashley S. Johnson.