Lesson
10: I believe in the Holy Spirit
I
believe in God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And
in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord;
Who
was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born
of the virgin Mary,
Suffered
under Pontius Pilate,
Was
crucified, dead and buried.
He
descended into hell,
And
on the third day he rose again;
He
ascended into heaven,
Where
he is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty,
Whence
he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe
in the Holy Spirit,
The
holy, catholic church,
The
communion of saints,
The
forgiveness of sins,
The
resurrection of the body,
And
the life everlasting.
Amen.
2 Thessalonians
2:13b ...God
chose you from the beginning for salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit
and belief in the truth;
Isaiah 11:2-3
[DRC] [2] And the
spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
the spirit of
wisdom,
and of understanding,
the spirit of counsel,
and of fortitude,
the spirit of knowledge,
and of godliness.
[3] And he shall be filled with the spirit of the
fear of the Lord, He shall not
judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to
the hearing of the ears.
These
are called by many the “seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
Galatians 5:22-23
[22] But the
fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faith,
[23] gentleness,
and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
The Main
Points for This Lesson:
The purpose of this
series of lessons is, using the Apostles' Creed, to teach the
essential teachings of the Christian faith and what it means to
believe them. To state it simply, the goal is to teach what we
believe and what it means to believe it.
The Apostles' Creed
has three main sections. The third section begins with the Holy
Spirit. In this lesson we will learn about the first part of this
third section: “I believe in the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is
God. We believe in one God. This one God in whom we believe is three
persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They are three
persons, and yet they are one God. The Holy Spirit is not a thing to
possess and use for our own purposes. To sin against the Holy Spirit
is a grave matter (Mark 3:28-30).
The work of the Holy
Spirit. God gave the Holy Spirit to many people in the times before
Christ. After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Spirit was poured out
on the disciples in the upper room. How can the work of the Holy
Spirit be described or summed up in one lesson? Some have used the
words spoken through Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 11:2-3 from the Greek
and Latin) to sum up the work of the Holy Spirit among men. Perhaps
many think of the fruits of the Spirit spoken of by the apostle Paul
(Galatians 5:22-23) when they think of the Holy Spirit. (Both the
words of Isaiah and the apostle Paul are important for understanding
and walking by the Holy Spirit.) At the risk of making too simple
what seems a large and difficult subject, I will sum up the work of
the Holy Spirit as the work of making men holy that they may be
saved.
Sanctifying (to make holy). In scripture, the Spirit is said to
convict men of sin, to give life, to lead God's people into the
truth, to strengthen and empower us, to seal us, to counsel, etc. It
may be reasonable to say that all this is done to make men holy that
they may be saved. The Holy Spirit calls men to turn away from sin
and to walk in the good and perfect ways of God. The Holy Spirit
calls men to leave the idols of this world and to love and serve the
true and living God. The Holy Spirit teaches, guides, counsels, and
strengthens God's people to walk worthily of the calling with which
we have been called, to grow in love for and obedience towards our
God. The Holy Spirit is given that the will of God may be carried out
on earth by men.
What does it mean to
believe this? Those who believe in the Holy Spirit will pursue
holiness in their thoughts, words and deeds. God is grieved by our
sin, and so we are exhorted, Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Believing
this, the child of God will humbly listen and obey as the Spirit
convicts of sin, as it teaches obedience to Jesus' commands. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The
apostle Paul gave an answer to the question, “What does it mean to
believe in the Holy Spirit?” He wrote, “If we live by the Spirit,
let’s also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). That is as much
to say, If we believe that we live by the Spirit, then let us walk by
the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit (for only thus do we really
live by the Spirit – Romans 8:13), so that our life in its daily
living may produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Those who believe in the Holy Spirit should find great comfort in
knowing that God will give his Holy Spirit to empower all who desire
to please him, and they will work out their salvation with fear and
trembling (Philippians 2:12-13).
Suggestions:
Open each lesson
with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.
Remind the children
that we are using the Apostles' Creed to teach the essential
teachings of the Christian faith, that is, what we believe and what
it means to believe it. Read through the Apostles' Creed with the
children.
For the purpose of
these lessons, we have broken the creed into twelve parts. Let the
children know that today we will talk about the eighth part: I
believe in the Holy Spirit.
Explain to the
children simply what the Holy Spirit does: The Holy Spirit works to
make men holy that they may be saved.
Read Acts 1:4-8. Ask
the children why Jesus told the disciples to wait. What would they
receive when the Holy Spirit comes upon them? What was the power for?
Read Acts
2:1-8,11b-17,22-24,32-47 (it may be easier to tell the story in your
own words). This is the story of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was
poured out on the disciples together in one place. Ask the children
to pay attention to what is said about the Holy Spirit. How did the
discipled receive it? What was the result of their receiving the Holy
Spirit? How could others receive the Holy Spirit? What was the result
of that at the end of the story?
Close the lesson
with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's
Prayer together.
Stories:
Acts 1:4-8
[4] Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t
depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,
which you heard from me. [5] For John indeed baptized in water, but
you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from
now.” [6] Therefore when they had come together, they asked him,
“Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said
to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the
Father has set within his own authority. [8] But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses
to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
uttermost parts of the earth.”
Acts
2:1-8,11b-17,22-24,32-47 [1] Now when the day of Pentecost
had come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] Suddenly
there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] Tongues like
fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of
them. [4] They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began
to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to
speak. [5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men,
from every nation under the sky. [6] When this sound was heard, the
multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard
them speaking in his own language. [7] They were all amazed and
marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who
speak Galileans? [8] How do we hear, everyone in our own native
language? [11] ...we hear them speaking in our languages the
mighty works of God!” [12] They were all amazed, and were
perplexed, saying one to another, “What does this mean?” [13]
Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.” [14] But
Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke
out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words. [15] For these
aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of
the day. [16] But this is what has been spoken through the prophet
Joel: [17] ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will
pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters
will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will
dream dreams. [22] “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus
of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders
and signs which God did by him in your midst, even as you yourselves
know, [23] him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and
foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men,
crucified and killed; [24] whom God raised up, having freed him from
the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be
held by it. [32] This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are
witnesses. [33] Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and
having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he
has poured out this, which you now see and hear. [34] For David
didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord
said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand, [35] until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ [36] “Let all the house of
Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and
Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” [37] Now when they heard
this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of
the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] Peter said to
them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in
the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the
promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off,
even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” [40] With
many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save
yourselves from this crooked generation!” [41] Then those who
gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day
about three thousand souls. [42] They continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and
prayer. [43] Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were
done through the apostles. [44] All who believed were together, and
had all things in common. [45] They sold their possessions and goods,
and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. [46] Day
by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and
singleness of heart, [47] praising God, and having favor with all the
people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were
being saved.
More Stories
and Examples:
1 Samuel
10:1-16:14
This
is the story of king Saul, from the time that Samuel anointed him,
until the Spirit of God departed from him. Note verses 10:10; 11:6;
16:13-14.
Acts 4:17-35
The
apostles Peter and John were threatened for speaking in Jesus' name.
They returned and told the church. The church prayed and God answered
their prayer. This is a good explanation and illustration of Jesus'
words in Luke 11:13, “how much more will your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Other Verses:
WHO IS THE HOLY
SPIRIT
Psalm 139:7-10
[7] Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee
from your presence? [8] If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If
I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! [9] If I take the
wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea; [10]
Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.
Matthew 3:10-12
[10] “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore
every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast
into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but
he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy
to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit [TR and NU
add “and with fire”]. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and
he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his
wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable
fire.”
Matthew 3:16-17
[16] Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water:
and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of
God descending as a dove, and coming on him. [17] Behold, a voice
out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am
well pleased.”
Matthew 28:18-20
[18] Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority
has been given to me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go, and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to
observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND
CHRIST JESUS
Isaiah 11:1-5
[1] A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of
his roots will bear fruit. [2] The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on
him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge
and of the fear of Yahweh. [3] His delight will be in the fear
of Yahweh. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide
by the hearing of his ears; [4] but with righteousness he will judge
the poor, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will
strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of
his lips he will kill the wicked. [5] Righteousness will be the belt
of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his waist.
Isaiah 11:2-3
[DRC] [2] And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the
spirit of wisdom, and of
understanding, the spirit of
counsel, and of fortitude,
the spirit of knowledge, and
of godliness. [3] And he
shall be filled with the spirit of the
fear of the Lord, He shall not judge according to the sight of
the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears.
These
are called by some the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. It seems that
these “seven gifts” describe briefly the extensive work of the
Holy Spirit as recorded in God's word.
Isaiah 42:1-7
[1] “Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul
delights— I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice
to the nations. [2] He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause
it to be heard in the street. [3] He won’t break a bruised reed. He
won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring
justice. [4] He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set
justice in the earth, and the islands will wait for his law.” [5]
Thus says God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them
out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he
who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it.
[6] “I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness, and will hold
your hand, and will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people,
as a light for the nations; [7] to open the blind eyes, to bring the
prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of
the prison.
Isaiah 61:1-4
[1] The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because
Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He
has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound;
[2] to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor, and the day
of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; [3] to
appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for
ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. [4]
They shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former
desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations
of many generations.
Luke 4:16-21
[16] He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered,
as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood
up to read. [17] The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He
opened the book, and found the place where it was written, [18] “The
Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the
broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives,
recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are
crushed, [19] and to proclaim the acceptable year of the
Lord.” [20] He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant,
and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
[21] He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been
fulfilled in your hearing.”
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil.
REVEALS JESUS
Luke 1:34-35
[34] Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a
virgin?” [35] The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will
come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the
Son of God.
John 1:29-34
[29] The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is he
of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me,
for he was before me.’ [31] I didn’t know him, but for this
reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to
Israel.” [32] John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit
descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.
[33] I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in
water, he said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit
descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the
Holy Spirit.’ [34] I have seen, and have testified that this is
the Son of God.”
John 14:23-27
[23] Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word.
My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home
with him. [24] He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The
word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
[25] I have said these things to you, while still living with you.
[26] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send
in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all
that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you. My peace I give
to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart
be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
John 15:26-27
[26] “When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from
the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he
will testify about me. [27] You will also testify, because you
have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:12-14
[12] “I have yet many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them
now. [13] However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will
guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but
whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things
that are coming. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take
from what is mine, and will declare it to you.
GIVES LIFE
John 3:3-8
[3] Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is
born anew, [also “again” or “from above”] he can’t see the
Kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be
born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s
womb, and be born?” [5] Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell
you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into
the Kingdom of God! [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh.
That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Don’t marvel
that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ [8] The wind blows
where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it
comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of
the Spirit.”
John 6:63 It
is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The
words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
John 7:37-39
[37] Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and
cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!
[38] He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within
him will flow rivers of living water.” [39] But he said this
about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive.
For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet
glorified.
SANCTIFIES
Romans 15:15-16
[15] But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you,
because of the grace that was given to me by God, [16] that I should
be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the
Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made
acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians
6:9-11 [9] Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not
inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually
immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor
homosexuals, [10] nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit the Kingdom of God. [11]
Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were
sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
in the Spirit of our God.
Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of
the flesh.
Galatians 5:19-23
[19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are:
adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries,
divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and
things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned
you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom
of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace,
patience, kindness,
goodness, faith,
[23] gentleness, and
self-control. Against such
things there is no law.
Galatians 5:16-26
[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the
lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one
another, that you may not do the things that you desire. [18] But if
you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the
works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual
immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions,
heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things
like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you,
that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of
God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faith, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against
such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ have
crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. [25] If we live
by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. [26] Let’s not
become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.
Ephesians 3:14-16
[14] For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
[16] that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory,
that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the
inward man;
2 Thessalonians
2:13-14 [13] But we are bound to always give thanks to God for
you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the
beginning for salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit and belief in the truth; [14] to which he called you
through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:3-7
[3] For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and
hating one another. [4] But when the kindness of God our Savior and
his love toward mankind appeared, [5] not by works of righteousness,
which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us,
through the washing of
regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom
he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; [7]
that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according
to the hope of eternal life.
THE WORK OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT
John 16:5-12
[5] But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me,
‘Where are you going?’ [6] But because I have told you these
things, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] Nevertheless I tell you the
truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go
away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him
to you. [8] When he has come, he will convict the world about
sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; [9] about sin,
because they don’t believe in me; [10] about righteousness, because
I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more; [11] about
judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
Acts 1:4-8
[4] Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t
depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,
which you heard from me. [5] For John indeed baptized in water, but
you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from
now.” [6] Therefore when they had come together, they asked him,
“Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said
to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the
Father has set within his own authority. [8] But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses
to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
uttermost parts of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-4
[1] Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one
accord in one place. [2] Suddenly there came from the sky a sound
like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where
they were sitting. [3] Tongues like fire appeared and were
distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. [4] They were
all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other
languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
Acts 2:14-21
[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and
spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at
Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. [15] For
these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third
hour of the day. [16] But this is what has been spoken through the
prophet Joel: [17] ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I
will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your
daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old
men will dream dreams. [18] Yes, and on my servants and on my
handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will
prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on
the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. [20] The
sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the
great and glorious day of the Lord comes. [21] It will be, that
whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Acts 4:8 Then
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You
rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN
US
Luke 11:9-13
[9] “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep
seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to
you. [10] For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him
who knocks it will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your
son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish,
he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? [12] Or if he
asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? [13] If you
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who
ask him?”
Jesus
says that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.
Ask him what? Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:5-25) asked for the power to
give the Holy Spirit to whomever he willed. It seems he sought power
and glory for himself. He received a rebuke in answer to his request.
What should we ask the Father? If we ask for wisdom to win souls
(Proverbs 11:30), if we ask for strength and endurance to faithfully
follow Jesus, if we ask to grow in godliness and the fear of the Lord
that his name may be glorified and we may walk worthy of our calling,
then “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?” Peter
and John were threatened by the council. Upon hearing this, the
church asked for boldness to speak the word, and that the name of
Jesus would be exalted. In answer. They were all filled with the Holy
Spirit, and spoke the word with boldness (Acts 4:29-31).
John 14:13-18
[13] Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you will ask anything in
my name, I will do it. [15] If you love me, keep my commandments.
[16] I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another
Counselor, that he may be with you forever,— [17] the Spirit of
truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t
see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you,
and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you orphans. I will
come to you.
John 20:19-23
[19] When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the
week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were
assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst,
and said to them, “Peace be to you.” [20] When he had said this,
he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were
glad when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus therefore said to them again,
“Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send
you.” [22] When he had said this, he breathed on them, and
said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! [23] If you forgive
anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s
sins, they have been retained.”
Acts 8:14-20
[14] Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria
had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, [15]
who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might
receive the Holy Spirit; [16] for as yet he had fallen on none of
them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. [17]
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy
Spirit. [18] Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given
through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them
money, [19] saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay
my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] But Peter said to
him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you
could obtain the gift of God with money!
Romans 8:1-17
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the
Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me
free from the law of sin and of death. [3] For what the law couldn’t
do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in
the flesh; [4] that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in
us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5]
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the
things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the
things of the Spirit. [6] For the mind of the flesh is death, but the
mind of the Spirit is life and peace; [7] because the mind of the
flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law,
neither indeed can it be. [8] Those who are in the flesh can’t
please God. [9] But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it
is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t
have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. [10] If Christ is in you,
the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of
righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from
the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead
will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who
dwells in you. [12] So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the
flesh, to live after the flesh. [13] For if you live after the flesh,
you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of
the body, you will live. [14] For as many as are led by the
Spirit of God, these are children of God. [15] For you didn’t
receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] The
Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;
[17] and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with
Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified
with him.
Romans 8:26-27
[26] In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses,
for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit
himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be
uttered. [27] He who searches the hearts knows what is on the
Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints
according to God.
Romans 14:16-17
[16] Then don’t let your good be slandered, [17] for the Kingdom
of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace,
and joy in the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians
3:16-17 [16] Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and
that God’s Spirit lives in you? [17] If anyone destroys the
temple of God, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy,
which you are.
1 Corinthians
12:4-11 [4] Now there are various kinds of
gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are various kinds of
service, and the same Lord. [6] There are various kinds of workings,
but the same God, who works all things in all. [7] But to each one
is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.
[8] For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom,
and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same
Spirit; [9] to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to
another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; [10] and to
another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy;
and to another discerning of spirits; to another different
kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of
languages. [11] But the one and the same Spirit works all of
these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.
Ephesians 1:12-17
[12] to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who
had before hoped in Christ: [13] in whom you also, having heard the
word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having
also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
[14] who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of
God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. [15] For this
cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is
among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, [16]
don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my
prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him;
Ephesians 2:18-22
[18] For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the
Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners,
but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of
God, [20] being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; [21] in whom the
whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the
Lord; [22] in whom you also are built together for a habitation of
God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:25-32
[25] Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his
neighbor. For we are members of one another. [26] “Be angry, and
don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, [27]
neither give place to the devil. [28] Let him who stole steal no
more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that
is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. [29]
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good
for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those
who hear. [30] Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you
were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness,
wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all
malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving
each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
The
Spirit of God came mightily upon king Saul (1 Samuel 11:6). The
Spirit remained with Saul while he did the work of shepherding the
flock of God. Saul began to disobey the commands of God. At some
point, because of rebellion against the commands of God, God rejected
him as king, and chose another. In doing this, God took his Spirit
from Saul, sending upon him then an evil spirit, and giving the
Spirit of God to David. Following his sin in the matter of Uriah's
wife, David, fearing the Lord, prayed that God would not take his
Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11). May we learn from those who have
gone before us to
walk in faithfulness and humility that we do not grieve the Holy
Spirit of God.
1 Thessalonians
1:4-7 [4] We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,
[5] and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also
in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You
know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your
sake. [6] You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having
received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
[7] so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and
in Achaia.
Revelation 2:29
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
assemblies.
When
the Spirit convicts us of sin, when it calls us to say no to sin and
yes to righteousness, when the Spirit urges us to forgive and love
one another, when it speaks of trials and teaches us of endurance,
then let us hear what the Spirit say, and obey.
DIFFERENT SPIRITS
1 Corinthians
12:1-3 [1] Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I
don’t want you to be ignorant. [2] You know that when you were
heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be
led. [3] Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by
God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say,
“Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:1-3
[1] Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits,
whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out
into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit
who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, [3]
and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in
the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of
whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already.
Nave's Topical
Bible has many references related to the Holy Spirit.
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