The Holy Spirit (part 1) Who Is the Holy Spirit?Dan Long 3/11/13

Here is a recap of tonight's (3-11-13) podcast. The videos made reference to in the podcast are embedded below the notes. 

THREE MAIN QUESTIONS:

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
2. When do we receive the Holy Spirit?
3. What does the Holy Spirit do in the life of the Believer?

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

A.The Holy Spirit is a Person

Main emphasis: THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IS TO POINT TO CHRIST.

James White from his book THE FORGOTTEN TRINITY says this:

There is a reason why the Holy Spirit does not receive the same level and kind of attention that is focused upon the Father and the Son: it is not His purpose to attract that kind of attention to himself. Just as the Son voluntarily chose to take the role of Suffering Servant so as to redeem God's people, so, too, the Spirit has chosen to take the role as Sanctifier and Advocate of the people of God. But since it is the Spirit's role to direct the hearts of men to Christ, and to conform them to His image, He does not seek to push himself into the forefront and gain attention for himself.

Acts 13:1-2

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

1. The Holy Spirit speaks. "the Holy Spirit said."

2. Notice the personal pronouns: "the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3. He calls people to a specific work“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

One of the things that is very easy to do is to refer to the Holy Spirit as "it" rather than thinking of Him as a Person.

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a Person.

John 15:26

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

TN: I would like to point out two things in the next set of verses.

1 Corinthians 2:10-11

Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Acts 10:19-20

And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

NOTICE AGAIN, THE HOLLY SPIRIT SPEAKS AND USES PERSONAL PRONOUNS.

TN: 1. An impersonal force doesn't search anything. Searching requires looking into something.

2. Because the thoughts of God are infinite, Romans 11:34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” what mere creature, human or angel, can know the thoughts of God but God alone?

B. The Holy Spirit is God!

James White- The Forgotten Trinity: "difference in function does not indicate inferiority of nature."

Why is it important to know that the Holy Spirit is God?

To know God dwells within us should change how we view ourselves.

False teaching.

HE IS SPECIFICALLY CALLED GOD.

Acts 5:3-5

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain

your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Isaiah 40:13-18 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,or who gave Him His counsel? Who did He consult with? Who gave Him understanding and taught Him the paths of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding? Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered as a speck of dust in the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust. Lebanon is not enough for fuel, or its animals enough for a burnt offering. All the nations

are as nothing before Him; they are considered by Him as nothingness and emptiness.

Who will you compare God with? What likeness will you compare Him to?

1. The Spirit took part in creation.

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Job 33:4

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

2. When Israel resisted the Holy Spirit they were resisting God.

Hebrews 3:7-10

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways. ’

3. New converts are to be baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

4. The Holy Spirit can be blasphemed.

Matthew 12:31-32

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.