A Study of the Holy Spirit - Lakeside Church of Christ Web Site

A Study of the Holy Spirit

by Norman Kling

Topics of Study/Discussion

In this study the New American Standard Version has been used. In passages where "Holy Ghost" is used in KJV, Holy Spirit will be used in this study. Feel free to use whatever version you like. We can compare the readings in class.

The Bible says that the Holy Spirit caused people to say things, to do things, that the Holy Spirit transported people to various places, that the Holy Spirit caused people to work miracles, and to do signs and wonders. Some people could speak with "other tongues." It never says that every believer must be able to do these things as a test of their faith. In fact the Bible specifically says that certain chosen people had supernatural powers, people such as Moses, the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles . Never does it say or imply either that all Christians were given any or all of the spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

In this series of lessons, we will study:

Topics of Study/Discussion
Who or what is the "Holy Spirit"?
What names are used in the scriptures for the Holy Spirit?
What was the function of the Holy Spirit in the creation?
How the Holy Spirit influenced man in the past.
How the Holy Spirit influenced the Prophets.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
The pouring out of the Holy Spirit.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit; the gift of the Holy Spirit
What is the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit"?
Baptism in the name of the Holy Spirit.
Born again or born of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual gifts
Who had supernatural gifts?
What does it mean to be "In the Spirit"?
Spirit compared to light.
The law of the Spirit.
Sanctification by the Spirit.
The Spiritual man.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Not the Letter but the Spirit.
Can the Holy Spirit be grieved?
Is it possible to rebel against the Holy Spirit?
Is it possible to lie to the Holy Spirit?
Is it possible to tempt or test the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit bears witness
The Holly Spirit can comfort.
The love of God poured out through the Holy Spirit
The love of the Spirit
Things that come through the Spirit
Contrast between the Spirit and the flesh
How do we know the Spirit of God?
Relationship of Father, Son, Holy Spirit
The Spirit invites.

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Who or what is the "Holy Spirit"?

Definitions:
Hebrew	Ruach	Spirit, wind
Hebrew	Qadosh	Separate, set apart, different
Greek	Pneumos	Spirit, wind
Greek	Hagios	Separate, set apart, different

In the Bible, holy carries the idea of separateness for some purpose related to Divinity. It contrasts with sameness, worldliness, wickedness etc.

In both languages the spirit is likened to wind. One can see the effects of wind. He can hear the sounds made when wind blows, but one cannot see the wind. Similarly one can see, and hear, maybe feel the effects of the Holy spirit, but the Spirit himself is invisible to the senses.

Genesis 1:2 First reference to the Holy Spirit. Revelation 22:17 Last reference.

I counted 248 references not including Galatians chapter 5:16-25 or Romans chapter 8 where it occurs many times.

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What names are used in the scriptures for the Holy Spirit?

Names or terms used for the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures:
Holy (Ghost)Spirit	Isaiah 63:10 Matthew 1:18
Spirit of God	Genesis 1:2	Most often used term
Spirit of the Lord	Judges 3:10
Spirit of Jesus Christ	Phillippians 1:19
Spirit of Jesus	Acts 16:7
Spirit of Christ	1 Peter 1:11
The Spirit	Numbers 11:25-29
My Spirit (God speaking)	Genesis 6:3
divine spirit	Genesis 41:38	Pharoah speaking of Joseph
Thy good Spirit	Nemiah 9:20
Thy Spirit	Psalm 104:30
His Spirit	Psalm 106;33
Spirit of grace and supplication	Zechariah 12:10
Spirit of your Father	Matthew 10:20
Spirit of Truth	John 14:17
Spirit of life	Romans 8:2
Spirit of His Son	Galatians 4:6
Eternal Spirit	Hebrews 9:14
Spirit of glory	1 Peter 4:14

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What was the function of the Holy Spirit in the creation?

What are the functions of the Holy Spirit? These are in the order found in the Bible not necessarily of importance.

A. Genesis 1:2 Active in creation Psalm 104:30; Job 33:4 Matthew 1:18,20; Luke 1:35; John 6:63

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How the Holy Spirit influenced man in the past.

B. Exodus 31:3; 35:31 Can cause a person to have wisdom, understanding, craftsmanship, and Knowledge. Numbers 11:17; Judges 3:10; Acts 6:10

C. Numbers 11:25-26 The Spirit can rest upon people and cause them to prophesy. Numbers 24:2; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 1 Samuel 10:6; 10:10; 19:20; 2 Samuel 23:2; 2 Chronicles 15:1-2; 20:14; 24:20; Joel 2:28; Zechariah 7:12; Matthew 10:20; 12:18; Mark 12:36; 13:11; Luke 1:67; 4:18; Acts 1:16; 4:8; 11:28 21:11; 28:25: 2 Peter 1:21; Acts 21:4; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 2:1-11; 2:13; 1 Peter 1:11

D. 1 Kings 22:24 The Spirit can come upon someone and speak to him. 2 Chronicles 18:23: Ezekiel 2:2; Nehemiah 9:20; Ezekiel 11:5; Luke 2:25-26; 12:12; John 14:26; Acts 13:2,4; 15:28; 16:6; 20:23; 20:28; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 21:11; 28:25; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:7; 9:8; 10:15; 1 John 5:7; 5:8; Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22

E. Judges 3:10 Can come upon a person to make him able to judge.

F. 1 Samuel 11:6 Can cause a man to have Godly anger.

G. Judges 14:6; The Spirit of the Lord gave Samson superhuman strength. Judges 14:19; 15:14

H. 1 Samuel 16:13-16 The Holy Spirit can come on a man mightily. Judges 14:6; 14:19; 15:14; 1 Samuel 10:6

I. Psalm 143:10 The Spirit can lead a person. Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12; Acts 16:7; Romans 8:4

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How the Holy Spirit influenced the Prophets.

J. Ezekiel 11:24 The Spirit lifted Ezekiel & brought him by vision to Chaldea. Ezekiel 2:2; 3:12,14,24; 8:3; 11:1; 43:5; Isaiah 48:16; Revelation 17:3; 21:10

K. Isaiah 34:16 The Spirit can gather.

L. Isaiah 63:11 The Holy Spirit can be put in the midst of people Ezekiel 37:14; Haggai 2:5

M. Acts 8:39 The Holy Spirit can snatch someone away

N. Acts 11:12 The Holy Spirit can make someone go.

O. Luke 4:14 The Spirit can give power. Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6

P. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 The Spirit can give joy

Q. Isaiah 63:14 The Holy Spirit can give rest.

R. Psalm 139:7 The Spirit is everywhere.

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Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

A. Matthew 1:18 Mary was with child by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:35

B. Matthew 3:16; The Spirit descended on Jesus. Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32

C. Mark 1:12 Immediately the Spirit impelled Him into the wilderness. Matthew 4:1

D. John 3:34 He gives the Spirit without measure.

E. Acts 1:2 Jesus gave orders by the Holy Spirit.

F. Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.

G. Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Isaiah 61:1; 1 Peter 4:14

H. Matthew 12:28 If I cast out demons by the Spirit

I. Acts 10:38 Jesus was annointed with the Holy spirit and Power

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The pouring out of the Holy Spirit.

The next section will deal with more difficult concepts. Some people today have difficulty distinguishing between: "Holy Spirit being poured out", the "indwelling of the Holy Spirit", "Baptism in the Holy Spirit", "Baptism in the name of the Holy Spirit" and "Spiritual Gifts." We may not learn all there is to know about these topics, but will read all the Bible has to say about them and to try to sort it out.

A. Proverbs 1:23 The Holy Spirit can be and was "poured out" Isaiah 32:15; 44:3; Joel 2:28-29; Ezekiel 39:29; Zechariah 12:10 Acts 2:17-18, 33

B. Ezekiel 2:2 The Holy Spirit can enter someone

C. Micah 3:8 The Holy Spirit can fill someone. Luke 1:15 41; 4:1 Acts 2:4; 4:31; 6:5; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9,52

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The indwelling of the Holy Spirit; the gift of the Holy Spirit

D. Genesis 6:3 Spirit can abide in man but He might not abide in man. Genesis 41:38; Numbers 27:18; 1 Samuel 16:14; Psalm 51:11; Ezekiel 1;2; 3:24; 36:27; 37:14; Matthew 10:20; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13

E. Ezekiel 2:2 The Holy Spirit can depart from a man. Psalm 51:11; 1 Samuel 16:14

F. John 7:39 The Holy Spirit could be received. John 20:22; Acts 10:47 Acts 8:17-19; 10:45; 19:2; 5:32; Galatians 3:2-5; 3:14

G. Acts 2:38 You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 19:2; 5:32 1 John 4:13

H. Luke 11:13 The Holy Spirit given by the Father Acts 15:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:8

I. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Your (singular) body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you. 1 Corinthians 3:16 (plural); 2 Corinthians 6:16 (plural) Ephesians 2:22; James 4:5

J. Ephesians 5:18 A person can be filled with the spirit

K. 1 Corinthians 7:40 Paul has the Spirit of God.

L. 2 Corinthians 1:22 Spirit in our hearts as a pledge 2 Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13

M. Hebrews 6:4 Partakers of the Holy Spirit

N. 2 Corinthians 3:3 written with the Spirit on the heart

O. 2 Corinthians 3:6 the Spirit gives life

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What is the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit"?

Baptism in the Holy spirit. The preposition "en" is used in the Greek. The usual translation is "in." It can also be translated "by" or "with."

A. Matthew 3:11 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Mark 1:8 Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 12:13

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Baptism in the name of the Holy Spirit.

B. Matthew 28:19 Baptism into the name of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:5

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Born again or born of the Holy Spirit.

"Born again" or "Born of the Spirit"

A. John 3:5-6 Born of water and the Spirit Titus 3:5; Galatians 4:29

B. John 1:13 Born again John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:3; 1:23

C. 1 Peter 1:23 Imperishable seed Luke 8:11

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Spiritual gifts

Spiritual Gifts

A. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Speaking by the Spirit of God

B. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Varities of gifts but one Spirit, one Lord, one God

C. 1 Corinthians 12:7 Gifts were manifested for the common good.

D. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues.

1. Tongues Acts 2:4,6-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1,8; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4-23; 26-30

2. Prophesy 1 Corinthians 13:2,8-10; 14:1,3-4,29-33

3. Knowledge 1 Corinthians 13:2,8-10

4. Faith 1 Corinthians 13:2,13

5. Healing 1 Corinthians 12:28-30

E. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 These supernatural gifts would pass away.

F. 1 Corinthians 13:10 the perfect is in the neuter, neither masculine nor feminine. "that which is perfect" verse 9 speaks about know in part, prophesying in part. Conclusion: That which is perfect is complete or perfect revelation of God.

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15. Who had supernatural gifts?

Who had these supernatural gifts?

A. Apostles: Acts 1:21-2:14, 43, 3:6; 4:8,31: 5:12-16; 9:33-34,40-41; Romans 1:11

B. Those who received by the hands of the Apostles: Acts 6:3-6,8; 8:6-7,13: 8:17-19

C. Some received directly by the Holy Spirit: Acts 9:17? 10:44-47; 11:15-18; 27-28 maybe Acts 21:9?

D. Paul (Saul): Acts 9:17,27 13:1-4; 13:11; 14:3; 8-10; 19:6,11-12; 20:9-10; 27:9-10; 21-25,31-44; 28:3-6 2 Corinthians 11:5-6; 12:11-13; Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 15:7-10; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1

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What does it mean to be "In the Spirit"?

Miscellaneous

A. Matthew 22:43 David said "In the Spirit"; Revelation 1:10; 4:2; Romans 14:17; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 3:5; 6:18; Phillipians 3:3; James 4:23 Colossians 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:16; Jude 20

B. 2 Corinthians 13:13 Fellowship of the Spirit Philippians 2:1

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