Further Teaching about the Holy Spirit
Further Teaching about the Holy Spirit
INTRODUCTION This lesson is an attempt to cover other teaching about the Holy Spirit that is mentioned in Scripture but not included in previous lessons. This lesson does not intend to cover all that the Bible says on this subject.
I. EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Dr. C.L Scofield
Water - John 3:8; John 7:38-39. From water we learn five things about the Spirit.
Water fertilizes. The Spirit-filled Christians are like watered trees, Psalms 1:3.
Water refreshes - John 4:14; Psalms 46:4; Isaiah 41:17-18.
Water is freely given -- Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; Revelation 22:17.
Water cleanses. Ephesians 5:26, the Church washed and sanctified by the Spirit and the Word.
Water is abundant. John 7:37-38, not only water but "rivers" of water flowing.
Fire. Matthew 3:11. "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
Fire illuminates. John 5:35, John the Baptist, full of the Holy Ghost was shining.
Fireburns. John 5:35. the Spirit of burning burned in John the Baptist. Isaiah 4:4.
Fire purifies. Malachi 3:2-3, the Holy Spirit purifies with a refiner’s fire.
Fire searches. The Holy Spirit like fire cannot be stationary, 1 Corinthians 2:10.
Wind -- John 3:8.
Wind is powerful. 1 Kings 19:11; Acts 2:2; His power is unsearchable.
Wind is reviving. Ezekiel 37:9-10; Ezekiel 37:14..the Spirit (wind) revives the dead bones.
Wind is independent. John 3:8; 1 Corinthians 12:11; the Holy Spirit is sovereign.
Wind is invisible but effective. John 3:8, we certainly see the Spirit’s work.
Oil. Psalms 45:7, " . . . anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. "
Oil consecrates. In the Old Testament oil consecrated, Exodus 29:7; cf. Luke 4:18.
Oil comforts. Isaiah 61:3, " . . . the oil of joy for mourning. . . " cf. Hebrews 1:9.
Oil illuminates. Matthew 25:1-46, the Foolish Virgins without oil couldn’t shine.
Oil heals. Luke 10:34, the Good Samaritan used oil picturing the Holy Spirit.
Rain and dew. Psalms 72:6. "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass."
Rain is imperceptible like the growth of a plant, Mark 4:26-29.
Rain is refreshing. Psalms 68:9; Isaiah 18:4; the refreshing showers of revival.
Rain is abundant. Psalms 133:3, who can measure the dew or the rain? or the Spirit?
Rain fertilizes. Ezekiel 34:26-27, the showers of blessing can cause germination, growth.
Dove. Matthew 3:16, the Spirit descended as a dove at Jesus’ baptism.
The dove is very gentle. Matthew 10:16," . . . harmless as doves. . . "; Fruit of gentleness, Galatians 5:22.
Voice. Isaiah 6:8, " . . . the voice of the Lord saying. . ."
The voice guides. Isaiah 30:21, the Spirit’s voice guides us into truth. John 16:13.
The voice speaks. Matthew 10:20, ". . . the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
The voice warns. Hebrews 3:7-11; John 16:7-11, warning of sin, righteousness and judgment.
A seal. Revelation 7:2; Ephesians 4:30; " . . . whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
A seal authenticates. John 6:27; 2 Corinthians 1:22; we are marked, branded by the Spirit.
A seal secures. Ephesians 1:13-14, it is a down payment which secures the transaction.
THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE IS LIVED IN THE SPIRIT
We worship God in the Spirit, John 4:24; Php 3:3, worship God in Spirit and in truth.
We understand things through the Spirit. Revelation 4:1-2; John understood, "in the Spirit. "
Paul was bound "in the Spirit," Acts 20:22-24; lovely description of a close union.
Being "in the Spirit" is proof that the Spirit is in us. Romans 8:9.
Christians live "in the Spirit", Galatians 5:25; our lives are so closely joined.
Christians walk " in the Spirit", Galatians 5:25; the Spirit guides the way that we take
Christians’ service is rendered "in the Spirit", Acts 6:3; 1 Corinthians 2:4.
We pray "in the Spirit". Ephesians 6:18; He guides us in this great exercise.
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Bible reading by James Smith
It is needed. Luke 24:49. "tarry until ye be endued with power"; it is useless to proceed in our Christian lives without the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is promised. Acts 1:8, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you". 2 Timothy 1:7, "We have the Spirit of power." 3. It is life giving. The Spirit quickens and gives an abundance of life, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
It is sufficient. 1 Corinthians 2:3-4, Paul found the Spirit’s power sufficient without oratory or gimmicks of any kind.
It cannot be purchased. Acts 8:18, Simon Magus tried it and was soundly rebuked
It cannot be imitated -- human zeal or fleshly effort must be rejected by the Lord; we may imitate Billy Sunday but we cannot imitate his power (Spirit’s power).
It can be lost. Judges 16:20. Samson once knew the power of the Spirit and lost it. The Christian that loses spiritual power is like salt without savour, fit only to be cast out. Matthew 5:13.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A TEACHER
Bible reading by James Smith
The characteristics of this teacher:
Indispensable. 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 11:33; only the Spirit can search these things.
Infallible. 1 Corinthians 2:10, "The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.? The Spirit has the knowledge of God for He is God.
All-sufficient. 1 John 2:27, "Ye need not that any man teach you." John 14:26, the Holy Spirit will teach the things regarding Christ.
Unassuming. John 16:13, "He shall not speak of Himself."
The methods of His teaching:
Enlightens the mind. Ephesians 1:17-18; He opens the eyes of the mind to the truth.
Points to the sufferings of Christ. John 16:11; Zechariah 12:10.
Quickens the understanding. Isaiah 11:2-3; He touches not only the mind but the brain.
Compares spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 2:13, ?...comparing spiritual things with spiritual.?
Reveals hidden things. Luke 2:26, revealed to Simeon by the Holy Ghost. John 16:14
Recalls forgotten things. John 14:26, "He shall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Psalms 119:11
Hindering selfish things. Acts 16:6-7; the Spirit forbade Paul and Silas, suffering them not to go their own way but His way, a much better way.
When does He teach us?:
When we obey. Acts 8:26, Philip obeyed and then the Holy Spirit directed him.
When we meditate. Acts 10:19, "While Peter thought. . . the Spirit said. . ."
When we serve. Acts 13:2, "As they ministered to the Lord. . . the Holy Ghost said...?
When we wait. Luke 2:26, Simeon was waiting and then the Holy Ghost revealed it.
When we listen. Revelation 2:7, "He that hath an ear, let him hear."
THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
by Mrs. E. W. Weller The anointing is for power and for understanding of God’s truth. Our Lord was continually filled with the Spirit during His 30 pre-baptism years. In Luke 3:21-22, Jesus was baptized in water and the Spirit descended in bodily form. In Luke 4:1, Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost and led out for the wilderness temptation. In Luke 4:18, Jesus speaks of His anointing, reading from Isaiah 61:1, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel. . ." The prophecy of this anointing is found in Psalms 45:7-8, "Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. All Thy garments smell of myrrh." This anointing for powerful service is given after wickedness is burnt away by the fire of Matthew 3:11; and righteousness of Christ is manifested. This anointing is likely a direct result of our surrender to the Lord and filling with the Holy Spirit.
There is but one anointing. Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27; Acts 4:31. The anointing of the Spirit is to be received by faith. John 7:37-39; John 4:14.
CONCLUSION Praise the Lord for the wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
List 7 emblems of the Holy Spirit.
Name 5 ways that water is a picture of the Holy Spirit.
How does fire demonstrate the work of the Spirit?
List 5 things that Christians should do in the Spirit.
Tell 7 things about the power of the Holy Spirit.
Give four characteristics of the Spirit’s teaching.
How does the Holy Spirit teach? (5 things)
What are 5 conditions of being Spirit-taught?
What are the purposes of the anointing of the Spirit?
Give the prophecy and fulfillment of Christ’s anointing.