This study was first taught on April 3, 2012

Topic: What or Who is the Holy Spirit?

No audio available for this study.

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Background
After about two and a half years of studying the message of the teachings on the Mount, we concluded that the teachings of Christ, and indeed, the study of the word of God, are not just for the acquisition of knowledge for the sake of it; rather, they are for our acting upon them in our daily walk. What is significant is that the potency of the word of God becomes effective in the life of, and impacts, anyone who hears and does (or lives out) its precepts. This is true for the believer in Christ, as it is for the unbeliever; it is true for the wealthy, as it is for the poor; it is true for men, as it is for women; it is true for the high in society, as it is for the lowly; it is true for the old, as it is for the young; it is true for those who have been attending bible study regularly, as it is for those who do not attend bible study at all.

For example, the salvation God promises in John 3:16, applies to “… whosoever believeth in Him [the Son of God, Jesus Christ] …”. The moment ‘whosoever’ hears the word of salvation, in John 3:16, and acts on that word which he has heard, he shall “… not perish, but have everlasting life.”!

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 19:1-6
Tonight, we begin a new mega-theme, THE HOLY SPIRIT. Our scripture text gives us the story of some disciples of John’s doctrines and teachings, who had never heard of the Holy Ghost. In some Christian groupings, and even denominations, the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is not really given any significant place. Our objective in the course of this study is to see if we should accord the Holy Spirit any place, some place, or all the place, in the Church of God; and why? May the Lord help us to achieve this objective.
Not many Christians know what or who the Holy Spirit is. Our objective is thus to let us know what or who the Holy Spirit is.
Acts 5:3-4; Genesis 1:1-4; John 1:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; John 16:13; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 28:19; 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Genesis 1:26; 2:7; 6:1-3; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:27-30.

Conclusion
It is very interesting to note that some people, whom we would have called disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, may have never heard of, let alone, know about the Holy Spirit! And those who may, however, have heard of the Holy Spirit, only know about the Holy Spirit. In this study, we have set out to go beyond knowing about the Holy Spirit, to knowing the Holy Spirit in a special and relational way.

From our study, we have seen that the Holy Spirit is not a ‘what’. The Holy Spirit is not a thing, but the Third Person of the Godhead. Just as God, the Father is God, and God, the Son, is God, so also, is the Holy Spirit, God! The Holy Spirit is equal in essence and power with God, the Father, and, God, the Son; and, They all are One God! There is unity among Them, and yet They maintain Their distinct identities. The Holy Spirit is God, as evident in Creation, in baptism, in the doxology, and in the manifestation of spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit is a Person, and is always described as a ‘He’, and never as an ‘it’ or a ‘she’ as some have suggested. As a Person, He knows things, and thus possesses intelligence; He speaks, and teaches; and, He can be grieved to the point of withdrawing Himself from man.

However, the Holy Spirit does not want to withdraw from man. On the contrary, He wants to be man’s friend in a very close and intimate relationship. It is, however, up to man to make that happen, by first being born again, and then, beginning this friendship relationship (John 14:16-17).

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