THE

HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY

by Rev. John Green

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but

whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 16:13

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GLOSSARY

A glossary of less familiar words is provided in the back of this booklet to be a help as you study

THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY

This lesson on THE HOLY SPIRIT is a Supplementary Study. You will notice as you read over the lesson, that some Scripture quotations are left blank. You will need to look up the references in the Bible and fill in the blanks. Study the lesson very carefully and fill in ALL Scripture blanks completely before trying to answer the test questions at the end of the course.

When you answer the test questions, you should review the lesson materials at least twice before filling in the test. After you have finished the test, return the Test Section to the school from which you received this booklet. The address is on the back of the booklet.

As you study this lesson and take the test, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and teach you this Bible truth. We want everyone to do as well as possible, so do not rush through the lesson. As you read it, keep in mind the study questions which will help you in taking the test. If some part of it is not clear to you, get the help of a Christian friend, or your instructor. Do your work neatly! Write so that it can be read easily! Read and follow all of the instructions very carefully.

The truths that are given in this course are those held by generations of Bible-believing scholars.

If you have questions, as you study this lesson, please write. Your instruc-tor wants to be helpful to you.

INTRODUCTION

An Outline of the Study THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE UNSAVED PERSON II. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE BELIEVER

A. God's Word the Only Source B. Aspects of the Holy Spirit's Work

1. Regeneration 2. Baptism 3. Indwelling 4. Sealing 5. Anointing 6. Leading 7. Filling

C. Believer's Response 1. Negative

a. Grieving (1) Bitterness (2) Wrath (3) Anger (4) Clamor (5) Evil speaking (6) Malice

b. Resisting c. Quenching

2. Positive a. Characteristics

(1) Kind (2) Tenderhearted (3) Forgiving

b. Reactions (obeying) (1) Cleansing (2) Yielding (3) Abiding (4) Walking

D. Review 1. Accepted in Faith

a. Regeneration b. Baptism c. Indwelling d. Sealing

2. Received Through Obedience a. Anointing b. Leading c. Filling

CONCLUSION

STUDY QUESTIONS

LOOK FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS YOU STUDY THIS LESSON. The answers will help you gain an insight into just a few of the many spiritual truths taught in this lesson.

1. What is the Holy Spirit's ministry to the unsaved person? 2. What is the source of information about the Holy Spirit? 3. In the Holy Spirit's ministry to the believer, what is meant by the

following terms:

regeneration anointing baptism leading indwelling filling sealing

4. Which activities of the Holy Spirit must be accepted by faith? 5. Which activities of the Holy Spirit are received through obedience? 6. What are the positive and negative aspects of the believer's relation-

ship to the Holy Spirit?

Many of the Scripture references in this lesson are left blank for the student to locate in the Bible and write in. Fill in the whole verse, or verses asked for.

In the lesson text we have shown our respect by beginning pronouns and attributes referring to Deity with capital letters. Your Bible may not capitalize these. Emphasis used in some Scripture quotations are the author's.

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE UNSAVED PERSON

And when he is eome, lie will reprove the world of sin; and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8).

This verse explains the threefold witness of the Holy Spirit to a world lost in sin, without God or the knowledge of how to find Him.

1. Reprove (convict) the world of sin (of unbelief) 2. Reprove the world of righteousness (man's need of God's righteous-

ness) 3. Reprove the world of judgment

It was Satan's lie that tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God. Satan implied that God was holding out on them by refusing to let them know the difference between good and evil (Genesis 3:2-5). Adam and Eve believed that lie and sinned, disobeying God by eating the forbidden fruit. The wages of sin is death; therefore, "death passed upon all men" (Romans 5:12), because Adam was the ancestor of all men.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict the unsaved person of his hopeless condition. All man's works, no matter how noble, just, and good, cannot bridge the gulf between God and man. In His mercy and wisdom, God bridged that gulf by sending His Son into the world to be the Redeemer of mankind (Titus 3:5). Christ, by His death and shed blood, has provided a new and living way back to God. His blood is the basis and the means of reconciliation and forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:19).

The work of the Holy Spirit is also to show the unsaved person his sinful condition caused by the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ as his Savior. In John 16:9, Jesus makes it clear that unbelief condemns the sinner and bars him from heaven and eternal life (John 3:18). Any sinner who believes that Jesus died for him, and in repentance receives Jesus as his Savior, is immediately regenerated (Born Again). The new birth gives him a new nature and a new relationship with God, the Holy, Righteous One. He becomes a child of God and a member of the household of faith. He has the right to call God "Father"

1

THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY

and to look to Him for daily light and guidance (See also 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:19).

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY TO THE BELIEVER

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come (John 16:13).

A. GOD'S WORD THE ONLY SOURCE

God's Word is the only source from which we can gain knowledge about the Holy Spirit's ministry to the believer. Human wisdom cannot attain to that knowledge. The Bible declares that the "world by wisdom knew not God..." (1 Corinthians 1:21). Peter's admonition is timely, (1 Peter 2:2)" _____________

There is to be a two-fold growth - grace and knowledge, and it can come only by the Word of God (2 Peter 3:18). This growth

is to produce the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ in each believer. Paul had this desire for those whom he had led to the Lord: "My little children, of whom I travail in birth

again until Christ be formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). His desire was that they should show Christlikeness in all things. This growth (maturity) in each of us is

the goal of the Holy Spirit's ministry. Ask God, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to make your life Christlike

in meekness, gentleness and holiness. Then others will see "Christ in you" as an example of what God's power can do.

B. ASPECTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK

Certain words are used in the New Testament to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing about the new birth. These words are: Regeneration or New Birth, Baptism, Indwelling, Sealing, Anointing, Leading, and Filling. With-out the first, life with God is impossible; without the seventh, no acceptable service is possible.

FIRST WORD

1. REGENERATION - The new birth (John 3:3, 5, 7)

As the first birth is necessary before life on earth is possible, even so, spiritual birth is necessary before life with God is possible. How is this new birth accomplished? Peter explains the difference between the two births in 1 Peter 1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed [the first birth], but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." Apart from faith in God's Word, the new birth is impossible.

Two verses will help us to understand what God requires. The first is Romans 10:17, " _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________ ." The second is John 6:63, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth [makes alive]; the flesh [the unredeemed nature] profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." It is God's Spirit acting upon the Word of God in the heart that accomplishes the new birth. "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

Jesus gives an illustration in the parable of the sower of how the devil seeks to prevent the seed (God's Word) from becoming fruitful. He said,

"... then cometh the wicked one [Satan], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. . ." (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12). This leaves the

Holy Spirit with nothing to work upon in that heart; therefore, the new birth cannot come to pass. If you have repented and

believed the Word of God, and because of this received Christ as Savior, then you have been Born

Again by the Holy Spirit as God's Word promised (1 Peter 1:23). You have become a

new creature in God's sight. The Word of God says that the old things (of the old life) will be passing from your life and new things (from the Word) will characterize your new life in Christ. You will find no pleasure in some things you once enjoyed, and you will now love the things of God which you once thought foolish (2 Corinthians 5:17).

(See also Colossians 3:10 and Ephesians 4:22.)

Before we leave this truth of the new birth, ask yourself the following questions:

QUESTIONS - A changed life

a. Have you truly believed God's Word and received Jesus as your Savior? _______ When? ___________________________________________

b. What changes, if any, have taken place in your life? _______________

c. Name three things to demonstrate that you now love the things of God.

d. What changes, if any, have others noticed in your life style?

e. Has there been a change in your love for God's Word? ____________________ How has it affected your life?

SECOND WORD

2. BAPTISM- Placed in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13)

A word of caution. There is an erroneous teaching that speaking in tongues is the indispensable evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is a misinterpretation of the Scriptures. A careful reading of these verses (above) will show that the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to place one in the Body of Christ. It is wholly the work of the Holy Spirit; no action is left to the believer but to believe what God has said. Accepting Christ immediately places the believer into the Body of Christ—also called the Church. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13). This is not the local church, but the WHOLE body of believers from the Day of Pentecost until the moment of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). At that time, all believers will be presented to Christ as "a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle..." (Ephesians 5:27). This could not be said of any local church.

QUESTIONS - Being a part of the Body of Christ

a. Have you accepted the Bible truth that you are a member of Christ's Body __________ His Church? ________

b. Does the realization that you are a member of Christ's Body make any difference in the way you are now living? ____________ How? ____

c. As a living member of Christ's Body, could you justify living after the flesh and expecting the Lord to be pleased with your conduct?

d. Is the Bible the sole reason for you to believe that you are a member of His Body _________ His Church? ______ Give a Scripture to prove your answer._______________________________________________

THIRD WORD

3. INDWELLING - Christ in you (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)

Christ dwelling in you is an important and vital truth. It must be accepted by faith. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit (the Comforter) was given in fulfillment of Jesus' promise to His disciples (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit came to live in each believer. He dwells in the Christian's body - His temple - until death or the Rapture. In the key verses for this spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 6:19,20) the Apostle Paul reminds the Christians at Corinth that the Holy Spirit now indwells them. (1 Corinthians 6:19) "_______________

The Christian life is to be lived in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. How we live will either please or grieve the Holy Spirit. We should be careful that nothing we do or say will hinder or mar the Spirit's work in making us Christlike. We are admonished, in 2 Corinthians 7:1, to do certain things to make this possible. First, we must "cleanse [purge out]" what is called the "filthiness of the flesh," (See 1 John 1:9) and second, "perfect holiness" (make complete) - a continuous act of making our lives pleasing to the Lord.

QUESTIONS - lndwelling Holy Spirit

a. Do you still indulge in some habit that mars fellowship with God? _________ Name it before the Lord and ask Him to take control.

b. Is (here anything about your speech, dress, or conduct tliat would grieve the I loly Spirit'.' ____ Where do you need to improve?___________

C. Do you allow (lie world's language to influence your speech?

d. Do you notice any difference in your life and conduct since you received

Christ? In what areas? ___ __________

e. Are your former friends pleased with this change in your life style?

_____________ What are their reactions? ____________________

FOURTH WORD

The child of God has no part in the sealing by the Holy Spirit but to believe That it is true.

4. SEALING - Identified with Christ (Ephesians 1:12, 13; 4:30)

The sealing by the Holy Spirit is the evidence of the value that die Lord has put upon the redeemed soul. This, too, must be accepted by faith. God's Word declares tliat it is true. To doubt God's Word is to doubt God Himself (1 John 5:10). In I-phesians 1:13b, this fact is set forth: "After that ye believed [having be-lieved], ye were sealed with tliat Holy Spirit of promise." Then, in 2 Timothy 2:19, we find this statement of what God has done: "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. . . ." God has placed His identification (mark, stamp, seal) upon every redeemed soul. Tliat soul is eternally linked with Christ, by being united permanently to His Body—(lie Church. The child of God has no part in this action of the Holy Spirit but to believe that it is true. It is literally the downpayment (earnest) made by God to assure tliat one day the child of God will be fully redeemed—body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

That which God has begun in each believer, He is able to perform fully. (Phi- lippians 1:6) " _________________________________________________

Therefore, rejoice, resting in the assurance that He will complete our redemption in that day when we are presented before God as sons (Romans 8:23; See also Ephesians 1:5; 5:27; 1 Peter 1:5-7).

QUESTIONS - The downpayment or sealing

a. What is your assurance that you are a child of God?

b. Do you bear the Lord's seal as one of His redeemed?

c. Do you believe that the Lord is able to keep His Word? _________ Upon what basis? _________________________________

d. What is the purpose of this sealing? (Ephesians 1:13)

e. How long will this seal be valid? (Ephesians 1:14)

5. ANOINTING—Understanding God's Word (1 John 2:27)

"Anointing" stands for knowledge and teaching (1 John 2:20, 27). It is not enough to learn the truth from human teachers. We must listen to the teaching of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-14). We are dependent upon the Holy Spirit for power to perform various duties or service (Matthew 28: 18, 19; Luke 4:18; Acts 1:8; Acts 10:38).

In the Old Testament, three classes of people were consecrated by anointing. These were the Prophets, the Priests and the Kings. The New Testament states

FIFTH WORD

The anointing by the Spirit fulfilled the promise that Jesus made to His disciples before His ascension to the Father. "How-beit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into ALL truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatso-ever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come" (John 16:13). This was Jesus' au- thorization for the New Testament, yet to be written. In John 14:26, Jesus had already authorized the four Gospels to be written by those whom He had chosen. John and Paul make the application to each believer who faithfully studies and meditates on the Scriptures (1 John 2:27; 2 Timothy 2:15).

In 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, we learn that among the gifts of the Spirit were knowledge and wisdom. "For toone is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge . . ." As you read and meditate upon the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit to illumine your understanding of what you have read. Then, ask the Lord, by the Holy Spirit, to make the right application to your own life. Depend upon this anointing of the Spirit to teach you day by day what the Lord's will is for your life and to help you to live pleasing to Him. Jesus promised, in John 7:17, that if any man were WILLING to do His will, it would be made clear to him.

We are to search the Scriptures (John 5:39); to hide them in our hearts (memorize them) (Psalm 119:11); to study them (2 Timothy 2:15) for all were written for our learning (Romans 15:4); and to impart them to others (2 Timothy 2:2). This applies to all believers without distinction. God's purpose is that we are to be good witnesses and tell others what we have learned from His Word (1 Peter 3:15).

that believers are Kings and Priests, so we, too, are to be consecrated to God's service (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:5,6; Psalm 133:2, 1 John 2:27). There is also a fragrance that accompanies the anointed Saint of God that is indicative of the presence of the Lord. Since Christ is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley, His fragrance should permeate every Christian's life (Psalm 45:8; 2 Corinthians 2:14, 15).

QUESTIONS - Understanding the Scriptures

a. Do you believe that all Scripture is inspired by God? __________ Why?

b. Are you receiving spiritual profit from your Bible reading?

c. Have you asked God to give you understanding of the Scriptures? _____ Give an example. _____________________________________

d. Have you accepted and applied the truth of the Spirit's anointing?

_______ Give an example of how the Spirit's anointing is evidenced in your life.__________________________________________________

e. Is the Word of God becoming more precious to you? ________________ Whom have you shared it with? ________________________________

SIXTH WORD

6. LEADING - Sensitive to God's leading (Romans 8:14)

God does not drive His people. God does not compel them to obey the teaching of the Bible. He wants us to obey Him because we love Him! It has been said that cattle are driven, but sheep are led. In Psalm 32:8 we find these words, "I will guide thee with mine eye." If He is to guide us with His eye, then it follows that we must keep our eyes upon Him. Hebrews 12:2 opens with the words "Looking unto Jesus." In our key verse, Romans 8:14, we find this:

As children of God we ought to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 16:13). Twice in Psalm 23, the writer says, "He leadeth me."

Conduct for the child of God is set forth in the Bible. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Holy Scriptures, and will never lead a believer to violate any of its commands.

How does the Holy Spirit lead a child of God? BY OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD!

/ being in the way, the Lord led me. (Genesis 24:27)

The Holy Spirit also reveals God's will regarding the Christian's service or ministry. There are many ways He may choose to direct those seeking a field of service. He may use the advice of Godly friends, a burden in the light of a conscious need, an inner prompting that he should go in a certain direction, a constraint through prayer, and special circumstances. New Testament illustrations of these methods of the Holy Spirit's leading can be found in Acts 8:29 and Acts 13:2.

If He leads us, through reading God's Word (and He does), then our obedience to what we read is imperative. To neglect the reading of the Bible is to become ignorant of the leading of the Holy Spirit. In Hosea 4:16, God called Israel a "backsliding heifer." May it never be said that you, a child of God, are so set against obeying the Word of God that the Lord would liken you to that self-willed animal!

QUESTIONS - God's leading

a. Will God's leading ever be contrary to His Word? _________________ b. Have you been negligent in reading God's Word? __________________ c. Have you found it adequate in guiding your daily walk?_______________ d. What happened in your life when you disobeyed His Word?

e. To what extent do you depend on God's Word for His leading?

SEVENTH WORD

7. FILLING - Doing God's Work

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled; with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)

The filling of the Holy Spirit enables the believer to do the work that God appointed to him, for the glory of God: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). This Scripture makes it clear that God has created each believer to do good works—works that will magnify the goodness and grace of God. In Philippians 2:13, we find that it is God working in the believer to accomplish that which will magnify Him and glorify His holy Name. (Philippians 2:13)"______________________________________

When filled by the Spirit, the believer will acknowledge the Lordship of Christ, and himself as the humble servant of the Christ of glory. By this infilling, he will be enabled to speak the truth in love, to teach the Word as he himself has been taught by the Spirit, and to live a life that will bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ—a life that is holy. A balloon (hot air type) is a beautiful thing, but unless it is filled, it lies powerless on the ground. When filled it will rise above its surroundings to perform as it was designed to do. Even so, the believer, when he is filled with the Holy Spirit, will be gracious and Christlike. He will be loving and obedient, and fruitful in every good work.

When speaking of the filling of the Holy Spirit, most writers go to great lengths to admonish the believer to be filled. Few tell him how to be filled.

Throughout the book of Acts, there are instances of the Holy Spirit's filling. Acts 4:8 — "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost [Spirit]." Acts 4:31b — "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost [Spirit]". Acts 13:9 — "Then Saul (later called Paul), filled with the Holy

Ghost [Spirit]." Acts 13:52 — "And the disciples were filled with joy and with the

Holy Ghost [Spirit]."

These Scriptures indicate that the filling of the Holy Spirit is directly related to service for God. The Holy Spirit in His filling enables those who serve, to do God's work in God's way (1 Peter 4:11).

By comparing Scripture with Scripture, we can discern how to be filled. Turn to Colossians 3:16 and note what is commanded there: "Let the word of Christ

THE BIG QUESTION - HOW TO BE FILLED ?

dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Look at Ephesians 5:18b, 19: "But be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."When you compare these two Scriptures, you will note they produce identical results. A further help is found in John 6:63: "It is the spirit that quickeneth [makes alive]; the flesh [old nature] profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." This Scripture shows that Jesus intended that the child of God be filled with the WORD OF GOD. The more of the Word a believer has dwelling in him, and knowingly obeys, the greater will be the empowering of the Spirit for service. David understood this principle when he prayed, (Psalm 119:11)

___________________________________________________ ." Believers

must be so saturated with God's Word that the Holy Spirit may have it available for His operation in their lives (Colossians 3:16). When the Word of God is truly treasured in our hearts, the result will be rejoicing, praise, and thanksgiving (See also Luke 8:15).

QUESTIONS - How to be Filled

a. Have you taken this command of Ephesians 5:18 to mean you person ally? _________ How are you filled? ___________________________

b. Have any of the things mentioned in these verses become a part of your

personal worship time with God? (Ephesians 5:19,20) ________________ c. Have you ever been conscious when doing the Lord's work that a power

beyond your own has been working through you? _______________ d. Does the filling of the Spirit encourage you to memorize more of the

Word? ______________ e. Have you sought to do the Lord's work without seeking this enabling?

f. Are you doing what the Holy Spirit has indicated you should from your

study of the Bible? _______________

C. BELIEVER'S RESPONSE

Several other words in the Scriptures show attitudes and actions that should be avoided in our relationship with and treatment of the Holy Spirit: grieving,

resisting, quenching. These de-serve careful study. It is certain that at some time in our Christian lives we have experienced one or more of these evidences of the flesh.

1. NEGATIVE

a. GRIEVING (causing sorrow). The thought back of this word is to distress, or to make sorrowful. In Ephe- sians 4:25-31, we are shown the things which grieve the indwelling Holy Spirit (See also James 4:1,2 and Hebrews 12:15).

The Spirit is grieved when the Lord's work is done wholly apart from the leading of the Spirit, with the idea of getting the glory for self, using worldly methods and schemes. This type of work is easily spotted in such statements as, "This is my work," or "This is my idea," or "This method gets results," or "I have the biggest Bible class," or "I have the greatest bus ministry," etc. These cast aside scriptural teachings, ignoring what the Lord has said in Zechariah 4:6b: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." When the Lord judges the works of men, some, now regarded by the world as mighty men, will be found to have built with wood, hay, and stubble (1 Corinthians 3:12-14). Let us be careful to seek the leading of the Holy Spirit in doing the Lord's work.

(1) Bitterness.Thisword covers a lot of attitudes: enmity, vindictiveness, resentment, antagonism, and alienation from another person.

(2) Wrath. This is the outgrowth of bitterness. It is allowing bitterness to sway the emotions, so we give way to rage, anger, and spite. (James 1:19, 20; Romans 12:19)

(3) Anger. This is the flash point at which control is lost, giving way to an outburst of indignation and resentment. (Colossians 3:8)

(4) Clamor. This is a loud, persistent outcry, complaint or de- mand). It signifies an outburst of sound made by an unruly crowd (See Acts 19:32,40). It was the sound made by the Pharisees and Sadducees when Paul spoke of the resurrection (Acts 23:6-8).

(5) Evil speaking. This means to blaspheme or to speak irre- verently or falsely of God). It is a thing which no believer should do. But, when giving place to anger or wrath, the old nature within each of us is capable of anything.

(6) Malice. This word has the thought of deliberately injuring another, or to have an evil intent or ill will toward another.

b. RESISTING (Acts 7:51). Stephen accused the Jews of resis- ting the Holy Spirit. They considered Jesus a blasphemer, a liar, and a deceiver. But there is a sense in which the believer may be guilty of this same sin or attitude toward the Holy Spirit. It may be because the Holy Spirit has convicted you of some habit, some word or language that is unbecoming, or conduct that brings shame upon the Lord Jesus, or does not adorn the Gospel. Maybe there has been resistance to this action of the Holy Spirit, or refusal to give up that thing, or manner of life, that brings shame upon the Savior. Do not resist the work of the Holy Spirit.

c. QUENCHING (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Quenching the Holy Spirit could have a primary application to ministry. Therefore, we need to be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit in our lives as He urges us to be devoted to God. The command in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, "Quench not the Spirit," is preceded by the command to "Rejoice ... Pray ... give thanks..." (1 Thess. 5:16-18). He urges us to do these both privately and publicly. If we do not we will be "quenching the Spirit."

We not only quench the Spirit in ourselves, but also in others by not speaking out for the Lord as we ought through prayer, praise, giving of thanks and witnessing to those who are unsaved. It may also refer to other types of service

that He urges us to do. We quench His Spirit as we refuse to go to a particular field of service where He is leading us.

Verse 20 of 1 Thessalonians 5 says, "Despise not prophesyings." This would indicate that we can quench the Spirit in others and in the assembly by our critical spirit. We need to be exceedingly careful about criticizing the testimony of some believers or the sermon of some preacher lest we be guilty of quenching the Spirit of God.

Quenching is carrying resistance to the leading of the Holy Spirit to the point where the old nature (the flesh) takes over, ruling our thoughts and actions.

QUESTIONS - Serving in the Flesh

a. Have you been serving the Lord in your own way or using methods that have not had the approval of the Holy Spirit? _________________

b. Have you asked for the Lord's guidance when seeking to serve Him?

c. Do you know that your works will be judged; that you will be held

accountable before God for how you serve Him?_______________ d. Have there been times when you have resisted the Holy Spirit's leading?

____________________ When? ______________________________

e. What is the only acceptable way to do the Lord's work?_______________

There are a number of important words that the Holy Spirit has given to help us guard against any of the above negative attitudes. These are words that need to be in every believer's working vocabulary. It is important to cultivate them and make them a part of our daily lives. In the following verse, three of them are mentioned: kind, tenderhearted, forgiving. (Ephesians 4:32)

2. POSITIVE

a. CHARACTERISTICS.

b. REACTIONS (obeying).

(1) Cleansing. (John 15:3). In Isaiah 52:11 there is a com-mand: "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." Jesus said, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3). Later in His high priestly prayer, He said, "Sanctify [cleanse] them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Paul, in Ephesians 5:26, speaks of "the washing of water by the word." This cleansing or washing is to be done by the Word of God. Reading and meditating upon the Word will reveal things in our lives that hinder the work of the Spirit, mar our testimony, and fail to bring honor or glory to God. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9).

We need to think about our lives since we have become children of God. Do some things from the old life still persist, things done prior to salvation? Are there some habits, some mannerisms, words or thought patterns retained from the old life to which we are still clinging? Remember, these things will hinder growth in Christlikeness.

In 2 Corinthians 7:1, we are told what to do about these things. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh [the old life] and spirit [self righteousness, pride, intellect], perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Here are clear instructions, given for the purpose of making us clean and holy in His sight. These are things that we are to do, not something the Lord will do for us. God expects us to be obedient to His Word by putting out of our lives anything and everything that will hinder us from being and doing what the Lord expects. He will help us to rid our lives of those things as we yield moment by moment to Him. He will replace them with qualities that will glorify Him, and will enable us to be victorious over our past lives (Philippians 4:13; Colossians 3:9, 10).

(2) Yielding. (Romans 12:1, 2). Yieldedness is the commit-ment of our whole self - body, soul, and spirit - to the Lord. In Romans 6:13 and 19, Paul tells us, by inspiration, that the things that we yield to are the things we will serve. "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of un-righteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13). "I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness" (Romans 6:19). Now that we are the children of

God, the things of the old life are said to have passed away, no longer controlling our conduct and lives. Then we are told "all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). The key verses given at the beginning of this paragraph, Romans 12:1 and 2, tell us that we are to "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God..." and not to be "conformed to this world [pressed into its mold]: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." We need to be careful that our consciences do not become dulled by the things we allow. As clay in the hands of the potter yields to his lightest touch, so must we yield to the Holy Spirit's ministrations. It is the Holy Spirit Who will make us aware of anything in our lives that would hinder our spiritual growth. Yielding is the complete commitment of body, soul, and spirit, to Him Who has redeemed us (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

(3) Abiding. (John 15:4-7). (John 15:7) " __________

To abide is to "stay put" or to "remain in one place." We are not to be

weather vanes, changing direc-tion at the movement of the wind, or

like the tumble weed, tossed about by the breeze. Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. . ."

(John 15:4). There is no fruitful-ness apart from this abiding.

In Ephesians 4:14 and 15, we are warned not to be as children, "tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine [teaching], by the sleight of men [trickery], and cunning craftiness [unscrupulous conduct]...," but on the contrary, that we "may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." This means to be anchored in Jesus the Rock of Ages. And that Anchor holds! He cannot fail for He is GOD! (See Hebrews 6:19.)

(4) Walking. (Galatians 5:16). Here is a command to "walk in the Spirit." The act of walking means progress; moving from one place to another, step by step. There must be progress in our Christian living if we are to please the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Scripture makes it clear that not walking in the Spirit will mean fulfilling the desire of the flesh. Here are some of the ways God's Word exhorts us to walk:

in newness of life Romans 6:4 in honesty Romans 13:13 by faith 2 Corinthians 5:7 in good works Ephesians 2:10 worthy Ephesians 4:1 in love Ephesians 5:2 as children of light Ephesians 5:8 circumspectly Ephesians 5:15

In 2 John verse 6a, it is all summarized: "And this is love, that we walk after His commandments." These are all positive. There is also the negative walk which the believer is to avoid These are:

not in darkness John 8:12 not after the flesh Romans 8:4 not after the manner

of unregenerate men 1 Corinthians 3:3 not in craftiness 2 Corinthians 4:2 not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7 not in vanity (pride)

of the mind Ephesians 4:17

D. REVIEW

1. ACCEPTED IN FAITH

There are several immediate activities of the Holy Spirit at the time of the new birth: Regeneration, Baptism, Indwelling and Sealing. The believermust take them by faith in God's Word. He should believe them and rejoice that they are true.

a. REGENERATION is the work of the Holy Spirit as we exercise a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior (1 Peter 1:23).

b. BAPTISM by the Spirit is the work of the Holy Spirit in placing the new believer into the Church which is the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13).

c. INDWELLING is also the work of the Holy Spirit Who makes the body of the believer to be His home (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).

d. SEALING with the Spirit is the work of the Holy Spirit in making the believer secure and safe in Jesus until that day when Jesus will gather all His redeemed ones unto Himself (John 14:1-3).

2. RECEIVED THROUGH OBEDIENCE

Anointing, leading and filling depend on how obedient the believer is to what God has given him to do. Equally important is how submissive, yielded, and obedient he is to the Word of the Lord. He should "desire the sincere milk of the word __ " (1 Peter 2:2) so that his spiritual growth will be normal and in harmony with God's will for his life.

a. ANOINTING. God's anointing is immediate, and a bless- ing that should be cherished by every one of His children. It is an act of the Holy Spirit to show us the truth. To know the Scriptures and to understand their application to the believer's life and daily walk calls for full cooperation with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

b. LEADING. The leading of the Holy Spirit should be the highest priority in the believer's life. His attitude should always be one of yielding to the leading of the Spirit. It is the will of the Spirit to make every Christian a living testimony of what God's grace can do with one whose life has been dedicated to the Lord (See Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

c. FILLING. It is a privilege to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and is absolutely necessary in doing the work of the Lord.

It is not only a privilege, but a command, "[You] be filled with the Spirit." Without this infilling of the Holy Spirit, acceptable service is not possible (See 1 Peter 4:11). God's call to service is always accompanied with the divine enablement.

CONCLUSION

As you finish this study, we trust that your knowledge of and relationship to the Holy Spirit will be greatly improved. May your relationship to the Holy Spirit always be based upon Scripture. These truths should help you in the days ahead to grow to be more and more like Christ. Such growth will glorify the Lord.

QUESTIONS - A Spirit-led self analysis.

a. Do you honestly believe that there is something in your life that is displeasing to God? __________________________________________ What? _______________________________________

b.Are you putting into practice the command of 2 Corinthians 7:1?

c. Have you asked the Lord to help you to do this, not trusting in yourself?

d. When you read the Word, do you apply it to your own life? _____________

How?_____________________________________________________

e. Do you seek to keep a yielded attitude in order to obey God's Word?

f. Are you an unstable Christian, changing your mind frequently?

g. Do your faith and hope hold you steady when times of doubt arise in your

life? ____________ How? ____________________________________

h. Is it your belief that to walk as the Bible directs is to grow spiritually? _______________________________ How can you grow spiritually?

A TEST REMINDER

1. Do not try to answer the questions in this test section until you have filled in all of the blank Scripture quotations in the lesson section and have studied the course thoroughly.

2. This course has been arranged so that you can keep the lesson section.

3. Return only the TEST SECTION to us. 4. Please return to the TEST SECTION in the center of the

booklet which should be completed and returned to the address indicated.