The Holy Spirit (3)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on April 17, 2012
Topic: If there is no Holy Spirit …(2)
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, we began to focus on the comment of the adherents of John’s doctrines and teachings, when Paul asked if they had received the Holy Spirit, and the response of these disciples: “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” We saw that when a man admits that he has never heard of the Holy Spirit, nor has intimate knowledge of Him or His works, certain things will become apparent in the man’s life, even though he may be in church.
1. His spiritual experience can never go beyond human teachings.
2. He would believe and propagate the Big Bang and Evolution Theories, and not the Creation account in the bible.
3. He would not want to assume responsibility for his moral faults, believing that if he was doing anything wrong, God would have stopped him; and since God did not, his sinful conduct cannot be wrong!
4. He will see the bible as a novel, or, a mystical book which cannot be readily understood, or, as a source of special knowledge (such knowledge that has nothing to do with the kingdom of God, or the salvation of mankind).
5. He will have numerous private interpretations of the bible.
6. When he preaches from the bible, his messages will lack the Spirit that gives life to the word of God; thus, they will be lifeless, and will need the power of oration—motivational appeal, emotional persuasion, and carnal methodology.
7. His sermons will lack the power to transform the lives of men, hence, sin will abound unabated in the local assembly or gathering, where such a man superintends over.
8. There is never any conviction of sin in their lives or in the lives of those they preach to.
But we saw that those who have intimate knowledge of the Holy Spirit will believe, without question, the biblical account of the Creation of the heavens and the earth, the creation of man, and, the introduction of sin into the world. Such people know that the bible is the inspired word of God, which truthfully documents events in the lives of the people of God, and that it is useful for the salvation and transformation of man. Men who know, and walk with the Holy Spirit, preach the gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, with the effect of true repentance and salvation in the lives of the hearers, having been convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Scripture Text(s)
Acts 19:1-4
We shall continue with our sub-theme “If there is no Holy Spirit” tonight. We pray as always that the Holy Spirit will continue to teach and help us to understand, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
There are additional fundamental issues regarding an individual who neither knows about the Holy Spirit, nor has a relationship with Him, even though he may be in church.
Romans 8:9; John 1:12-13; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8; Luke 24:46-49; John 16:7-11, 12-15; 1 John 2:20, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Judges 16:20-21; Galatians 5:16-23; 1 Corinthians 12:1-3; Acts 8:9-11, 13-23; Daniel 11:32.
Conclusion
If a man does not have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, he is not a Christian, and cannot live like one, that is, he cannot be Christ-like no matter how hard he may try. He is not, and cannot be a part of the Church. He may be attending church, but he is not a part of the Church of God! Such a person cannot effectively witness about the earthly life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, with the result of conviction in the heart which produces repentance, neither can he have any revelation of truth from God, nor will he be able to stand against the oppression and bondage of the devil. Indeed, this man will be under perpetual bondage and oppression. He will seek what is good, but will only find evil, because that is all that will be accompanying him.
The man who does not have intimacy with the Holy Spirit will be a slave to the desires of the sinful nature, and no matter how hard he may try, he will be unable to resist engaging in sinful conduct such as; sexual immorality, sexual pervasion, and, depravity; things that cause division among men, witchcraft and manipulation, earthly and sensual wisdom, malice, anger, hatred, gossip, etc. He will be unable to truly call Jesus Lord and live it out, but will freely curse the Lord, not only in his speech and thoughts, but by the way he lives. This man will be heavily invested in the occult, magic, soothsaying, sorcery, etc., and even when it seems like he is performing miracles, it will be lying wonders. He will be easily swayed by the devil into the path of iniquity, for that is all he has opened himself to.
On the other hand, the people who have an ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit are the ones the bible truly identifies as Christians, and members of the Body of Christ, the Church. They are effective witnesses of the ministry and mission of Christ, and are introduced to truth, which is able to save them. These people are truly free of everything that holds men bound in unrighteousness, and will not give in to sinful desires. They will manifest the fruit of the Spirit, and will worship God in spirit and in truth. They will be able to live as God wants them to, with miraculous signs and wonders following them. And, they will continue to wax strong in all things, and will themselves do exploits!
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