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Introduction
This study introduces the Christian to the third person of our Triune God — the Holy Spirit. We generally hear more about the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father than of the Holy Spirit. Yet His role is so crucial that to be ignorant of Him and what He does is to rob ourselves of life and power. May the truths about the Holy Spirit change your life as you discover more of who He is and His role in the lives of Christians.
He is God
The Holy Spirit has the characteristics of God. What are some of them from this brief selection?
Characteristics of God that the Holy Spirit has:
Genesis 1:1-2
Psalm 139:7
Hebrews 9:14
In Luke 1:35, what is another name for the Holy Spirit?
In 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, who is said to fully understand God?
The Work of the Holy Spirit
In Our Salvation
Note down the specific roles of the Holy Spirit in the following verses.
John 16:8
Titus 3:5
1 Corinthians 12:13
1 Corinthians 6:19
Romans 8:16
In Our Daily Lives
Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in us whereby our inner being is progressively changed, freeing us more and more from sinful traits and developing within us over time the virtues of Christlike character.
—Jerry Bridges
In 1 Cor 2:12-14, what are the roles of the Holy Spirit...
(a) regarding the believer’s understanding of truths?
(b) regarding the speaking and preaching by the apostles?
What assurance do we have if the Spirit lives in us? Romans 8:14-16
How does the Holy Spirit go about teaching us? John 16:13-14
In Romans 8:26, in what area of life does the Spirit help us? How does He do that?
In Galatians 5:22-23, the Holy Spirit’s impact on a Christian is identifiable.
(a) What is the product of the Holy Spirit’s work in a Christian’s life called?
(b) What are the qualities of this fruit?
In Our Service for God
What did the disciples experience when the Holy Spirit came upon them? What will they be enabled to do? Acts 1:8
In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, what does the Holy Spirit add to the words of the gospel uttered by Christians?
From 1 Corinthians 12:7-11:
Does every believer have a spiritual gift (capacity or ability)?
Who determines which gifts are given to a believer?
What is the purpose of these gifts?
What guidance did the Holy Spirit give to the disciples in their service of the Gospel?
In Acts 13:2,4?
In Acts 16:6-7?
In 1 Corinthians 2:4?
Our Response to the Holy Spirit
In Ephesians 5:18-21:
What is the Christian commanded to do concerning the Holy Spirit?
What accompanies the filling of the Holy Spirit in verses 19-21?
In verse 18, what negative analogy with its attendant behaviour is used to contrast the filling of the Holy Spirit?
From this analogy, what do you think ‘filling’ is about?
What are some other results of being filled by the Holy Spirit from:
Acts 4:31?
Acts 11:24?
Acts 13:52?
According to Galatians 5:16 and 5:24, what are we commanded to do and not do?
What else are we asked to do regarding the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:25?
‘The normal life for every believer is the "Spirit filled life." It is not the result of some erratic second blessing as some would suppose but rather the result of meeting the conditions of faith and obedience to the plain simple teaching of the Word of God.’
—Al Troester, Wholesome Words blog
Warnings
What are some warnings about our response to the Holy Spirit?
In Acts 7:51?
In Ephesians 4:30?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19?
Application
Which truth or Bible verse most challenges you from this chapter?
What is one thing you can respond, do, or change as a result of this great truth?