[Note: this study has not been copied from anywhere, and is my personal study from Scripture]
There could be no Bible without the Holy Spirit, and there could be no Christianity without the Holy Spirit (also called “the Holy Ghost” in the King James Bible and other translations).Therefore it is imperative that Christians know what the Bible reveals about the Holy Spirit, and the many contexts in which He is mentioned.
The Holy Spirit is in fact the third person of the triune Godhead, therefore He is God (Mt 28:19;1 Jn 5:7 KJB; Acts 5:3; 2 Cor 13:14). The Holy Ghost descended in the form of a dove at the baptism of Christ (Lk 3:22; Jn 1:33). This incident clearly establishes the existence of the Holy Trinity, where the Father spoke from Heaven, and Christ was being baptized on earth. And because He is God, He can be blasphemed. Thus Christ said that all sins will be forgiven except one sin -- the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost (Mt 12:31,32 and other passages).
In the KJB, the term “Holy Ghost” is found 183 times in 89 verses. It would appear that the King James translators were using Martin Luther’s Heilige Geist as their basis for this term. And the term “Holy Spirit” is found 7 times. Unfortunately, the King James translators did not capitalize “Holy Spirit” consistently throughout the Bible, which is rather inexplicable.
The Holy Spirit is also called “the Spirit of God” (25 times) and “the Spirit of Christ” (2 times). Sometimes He is called “the Spirit of the LORD” (30 times) and sometimes just “the Spirit” or “the Spirit of Holiness” (Rom 1:4) or “the Spirit of Grace” (Heb 10:29). And because He is “the Spirit of God” He is not visible (Jn 3:8).
The Holy Spirit has many key roles in God’s plan of salvation, as well as in the life of the Church, and in the life of every believer. So Christians need to be fully aware of the greatness of the Holy Spirit.
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE AUTHOR OF SCRIPTURE
All Scripture has been given by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost (Mk 12:36; Acts 1:16; 28:25; 2 Tim 3:16,17; Heb 3:7; 9:8; 10:15; 2 Pet 1:21). Therefore it is called “the Sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12,13).
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST
1. Jesus of Nazareth was conceived in the virgin Mary’s womb by the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost (Mt 1:18,20).
2. Jesus of Nazareth was filled with the Holy Ghost after His baptism and continually thereafter, and performed His miracles by the power of the Spirit of God (Lk 4:1; Acts 2:22;10:38; Mt 12:28). Then Christ offered Himself to God by the “eternal Spirit” (Heb 9:14).
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES
1. After his baptism, the apostle Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost and also thereafter (Acts 9:17). All the other apostles were also filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4)
2. The Holy Ghost empowered the apostles, and now empowers believers to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8;11:24; Lk 11:15)
3. On the day of Pentecost (AD 30) the Holy Ghost enabled the apostles and the disciples to speak at least 15 foreign languages supernaturally (Acts 2:4). Note: modern tongues are not actual foreign languages.
4. Christ gave commandments for the Church to the apostles by the Holy Ghost, and spoke to the churches through Him (Acts 1:2; Rev 2:7)
5. When persecuted, the apostles would be given words by the Holy Ghost to use in their witness for Christ (Mk 13:11; Lk 12:22)
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS GOD’S GIFT TO BELIEVERS
1. Christ baptizes believers with the Holy Ghost, and this is the gift of the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11; Jn 7:39; 20:22; Acts 2:38;5:32;10:45;11:15,16; 1 Thess 4:8)
2. Those who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit must be baptized with Christian baptism (Acts 10:45,47) Note: water baptism should ideally be immediately after conversion as seen in the book of Acts.
3. The Holy Spirit grants spiritual gifts to beliervers in order bear witness to the Gospel and to edify the Church (1 Cor 12-14; Heb 2:4; Rom 15:19).
E. THE REGENERATIVE WORK OF THE SPIRIT
1. Regeneration -- the New Birth or being born again -- is by the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost (Jn 3:5;Tit 3:5) Thus Christians are washed, justified, and sanctified by the Spirit of God (1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 3:3).
F. THE BAPTIZING AND SEALING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit then “baptizes” or immerses believers into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12,13). He then “seals” the believer, which is a guarantee of eternal life (Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 5:5), and bears witness that they are children of God (Rom 8:14,16).
G. THE INNER WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits whether we speak the truth of Christ or not (Rom 9:1; 2 Tim 1:14)
H. THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The agape love of God is produced in the hearts of believers by the power of the Holy Ghost (Rom 5:5). So is righteousness, peace, hope and joy (Rom 14:17; 15:13; 2 Cor 6:6; 1 Thess 1:6). And that is how we are sanctified by the power of Holy Spirit (Rom 15:16; 2 Thess 2:13). Thus no one can call Jesus “Lord” except by the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3; Rom 8:9). Therefore the Holy Spirit leads Christians to “walk” in the Spirit (to live righteously) (Rom 8:9,14). Thus worship is also “in the Spirit” (Rev 1:10)
2. The bodies of believers are deemed to be “temples” of the Holy Spirit, which also means that they are purchased possessions of Christ. Therefore “ye are not your own” (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Eph 2:22). Thus the Holy Spirit can be grieved when Christians sin or disobey God (Eph 4:30).
3. It is the Holy Ghost who enable Christians to pray “in the Spirit” (Jude 1:20). He also enables Christians to call God “Abba, Father” (Gal 4:6)
I.THE TEACHING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The Holy Ghost is the Divine Comforter who teaches believers all things and brings to mind the words of Christ (Jn 14:26; Acts 9:31)
2. The Holy Spirit teaches believers to discern spiritual things within their spirits (1 Cor 2:13,14). Which means that He also gives wisdom to believers (Eph 1:17)
J. THE GUIDING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The Holy Ghost determines which Christians will serve and in what capacity, in which location and under what conditions, when believers wait for His direction (Acts 13:2,4; 16:6; 20:23,28; 21:11). Note: Persecutions and afflictions are also determined by the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Ghost determines whether the Law of Moses applies to Christians (Acts 15:28). Note: Since the New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant, the Law of Moses is now null and void. At the same time the Ten Commandments are incorporated into the Law of Christ (Rom 13).
K. THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. John the Baptizer was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb (Lk 1:15), and his parents were also filled with the Holy Ghost (Lk 1:41,67)
2. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are enabled to speak the Word of God boldly (Acts 4:8,31)
3. Deacons must be men who are filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 6:3,5; 7:55).
There could be no Bible without the Holy Spirit, and there could be no Christianity without the Holy Spirit (also called “the Holy Ghost” in the King James Bible and other translations).Therefore it is imperative that Christians know what the Bible reveals about the Holy Spirit, and the many contexts in which He is mentioned.
The Holy Spirit is in fact the third person of the triune Godhead, therefore He is God (Mt 28:19;1 Jn 5:7 KJB; Acts 5:3; 2 Cor 13:14). The Holy Ghost descended in the form of a dove at the baptism of Christ (Lk 3:22; Jn 1:33). This incident clearly establishes the existence of the Holy Trinity, where the Father spoke from Heaven, and Christ was being baptized on earth. And because He is God, He can be blasphemed. Thus Christ said that all sins will be forgiven except one sin -- the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost (Mt 12:31,32 and other passages).
In the KJB, the term “Holy Ghost” is found 183 times in 89 verses. It would appear that the King James translators were using Martin Luther’s Heilige Geist as their basis for this term. And the term “Holy Spirit” is found 7 times. Unfortunately, the King James translators did not capitalize “Holy Spirit” consistently throughout the Bible, which is rather inexplicable.
The Holy Spirit is also called “the Spirit of God” (25 times) and “the Spirit of Christ” (2 times). Sometimes He is called “the Spirit of the LORD” (30 times) and sometimes just “the Spirit” or “the Spirit of Holiness” (Rom 1:4) or “the Spirit of Grace” (Heb 10:29). And because He is “the Spirit of God” He is not visible (Jn 3:8).
The Holy Spirit has many key roles in God’s plan of salvation, as well as in the life of the Church, and in the life of every believer. So Christians need to be fully aware of the greatness of the Holy Spirit.
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE AUTHOR OF SCRIPTURE
All Scripture has been given by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost (Mk 12:36; Acts 1:16; 28:25; 2 Tim 3:16,17; Heb 3:7; 9:8; 10:15; 2 Pet 1:21). Therefore it is called “the Sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12,13).
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST
1. Jesus of Nazareth was conceived in the virgin Mary’s womb by the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost (Mt 1:18,20).
2. Jesus of Nazareth was filled with the Holy Ghost after His baptism and continually thereafter, and performed His miracles by the power of the Spirit of God (Lk 4:1; Acts 2:22;10:38; Mt 12:28). Then Christ offered Himself to God by the “eternal Spirit” (Heb 9:14).
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES
1. After his baptism, the apostle Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost and also thereafter (Acts 9:17). All the other apostles were also filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4)
2. The Holy Ghost empowered the apostles, and now empowers believers to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8;11:24; Lk 11:15)
3. On the day of Pentecost (AD 30) the Holy Ghost enabled the apostles and the disciples to speak at least 15 foreign languages supernaturally (Acts 2:4). Note: modern tongues are not actual foreign languages.
4. Christ gave commandments for the Church to the apostles by the Holy Ghost, and spoke to the churches through Him (Acts 1:2; Rev 2:7)
5. When persecuted, the apostles would be given words by the Holy Ghost to use in their witness for Christ (Mk 13:11; Lk 12:22)
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS GOD’S GIFT TO BELIEVERS
1. Christ baptizes believers with the Holy Ghost, and this is the gift of the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11; Jn 7:39; 20:22; Acts 2:38;5:32;10:45;11:15,16; 1 Thess 4:8)
2. Those who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit must be baptized with Christian baptism (Acts 10:45,47) Note: water baptism should ideally be immediately after conversion as seen in the book of Acts.
3. The Holy Spirit grants spiritual gifts to beliervers in order bear witness to the Gospel and to edify the Church (1 Cor 12-14; Heb 2:4; Rom 15:19).
E. THE REGENERATIVE WORK OF THE SPIRIT
1. Regeneration -- the New Birth or being born again -- is by the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost (Jn 3:5;Tit 3:5) Thus Christians are washed, justified, and sanctified by the Spirit of God (1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 3:3).
F. THE BAPTIZING AND SEALING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit then “baptizes” or immerses believers into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12,13). He then “seals” the believer, which is a guarantee of eternal life (Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 5:5), and bears witness that they are children of God (Rom 8:14,16).
G. THE INNER WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits whether we speak the truth of Christ or not (Rom 9:1; 2 Tim 1:14)
H. THE SANCTIFYING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The agape love of God is produced in the hearts of believers by the power of the Holy Ghost (Rom 5:5). So is righteousness, peace, hope and joy (Rom 14:17; 15:13; 2 Cor 6:6; 1 Thess 1:6). And that is how we are sanctified by the power of Holy Spirit (Rom 15:16; 2 Thess 2:13). Thus no one can call Jesus “Lord” except by the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3; Rom 8:9). Therefore the Holy Spirit leads Christians to “walk” in the Spirit (to live righteously) (Rom 8:9,14). Thus worship is also “in the Spirit” (Rev 1:10)
2. The bodies of believers are deemed to be “temples” of the Holy Spirit, which also means that they are purchased possessions of Christ. Therefore “ye are not your own” (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Eph 2:22). Thus the Holy Spirit can be grieved when Christians sin or disobey God (Eph 4:30).
3. It is the Holy Ghost who enable Christians to pray “in the Spirit” (Jude 1:20). He also enables Christians to call God “Abba, Father” (Gal 4:6)
I.THE TEACHING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The Holy Ghost is the Divine Comforter who teaches believers all things and brings to mind the words of Christ (Jn 14:26; Acts 9:31)
2. The Holy Spirit teaches believers to discern spiritual things within their spirits (1 Cor 2:13,14). Which means that He also gives wisdom to believers (Eph 1:17)
J. THE GUIDING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The Holy Ghost determines which Christians will serve and in what capacity, in which location and under what conditions, when believers wait for His direction (Acts 13:2,4; 16:6; 20:23,28; 21:11). Note: Persecutions and afflictions are also determined by the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Ghost determines whether the Law of Moses applies to Christians (Acts 15:28). Note: Since the New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant, the Law of Moses is now null and void. At the same time the Ten Commandments are incorporated into the Law of Christ (Rom 13).
K. THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. John the Baptizer was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb (Lk 1:15), and his parents were also filled with the Holy Ghost (Lk 1:41,67)
2. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are enabled to speak the Word of God boldly (Acts 4:8,31)
3. Deacons must be men who are filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 6:3,5; 7:55).