The Role of the Holy Spirit
An outline on the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life by John Oakes, PhD
The Holy Spirit
The Facts About the Holy Spirit
Genesis 1:2 The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts."
(1 Samuel 16:13 Samuel, oil, David, "The Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.)
(HS even fell on Saul 1 Sam 19:23 "The Spirit of God came even upon him")
Zechariah 4:1-14 The endless supply of oil in the lampstand was a foreshadow of the Holy Spirit God gives to us.
John 14:15-17
The Holy Spirit is a Counselor. World does not accept Him because they cannot see him.
The Holy Spirit will live in you.
John 16:5-15
Jesus had to go (and presumably by crucifixion and resurrection) in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent.
v. 7,8,13,14 He HS is a person without a surname.
Functions of the HS:
Convict people with regard to sin, righteousness and judgment. v. 8,9
Guide you (apostles?) into all truth.
v. 13-14 Father ≥ Son ≥ Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:38,39 Receiving the Spirit. (a side note: the apostles were breathed on by Jesus. John 20:22)
Acts 5:32 To those who obey him. (a reference to baptism?)
Acts 19:1-6 Then what baptism did you receive?
Acts 5:3 You lied to the Holy Spirit (v. 9 test) v. 4 Lied to God HS = God.
Romans 8:26-27 HS helps us in our weakness-specifically in our prayers. The greatest prayers may well be those which involve no words at all. An emotional crying out to God or a quiet contemplation on God.
The Spirit intercedes for us to the extent that it is within God’s will.
Ephesians 1: 13-14. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised HS, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.
Guarantee ≠ it will definitely happen. More like "earnest money" left as a deposit reserving you a definite place. The full reception of that inheritance has not yet been received.
(also Romans 8:9-17 v. 11 if the HS… is in you,… he… will give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit. v. 13 …by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body = you will live v. 16 The HS testifies with our own spirit that we are God’s children)
The HS will leave us if we fall away. Hebrews 6:4-6 Shared the HS (been saved) if they fall away… crucify Jesus all over again. Impossible to be renewed. Hebrews 10:26-31. deliberately, willfully, habitually continue in sin… judgment, trampled Son of God under foot, insulted the Spirit. I assume at this point the HS which was a deposit is taken away and cannot be renewed.
This is "blaspheming of the HS" Matthew 12:31-32 Anyone who speaks against (blasphemes) the HS will not be forgiven.
Baptism of the HS
Prophesied: Matthew 3:11
Acts 1:5 Baptized with HS 1:8 You will receive power when the HS comes on you.
Acts 2:1-4 Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind… fire, tongues.
Acts 10:44 Cornelius’ house HS fell on Gentiles, tongues.
Acts 11:15 The HS came on them as he had on us at the beginning.
Miraculous Gift of the Holy Spirit
Mark 16:17 drive out demons, pick up snakes, heal the sick by laying on hands.
Acts 8:14-17 Miraculous gifts given by laying on of hands by the apostles. v. …they had simply been baptized (and presumably had the HS living in them)
[Acts 13:2 The HS says Set apart for Me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
Acts 16:6 The HS forbids Paul to preach
Acts 8:29 The HS told Philip to speak to the Ethiopian.]
Acts 19: baptized (presumably received the gift) then given miraculous gifts by laying on of hands.
1 Cor 12-14 Seems mainly be downplaying the importance of the miraculous gifts.
Heb 2:4 Gifts of the HS given to confirm new revelation is from God.
1 Cor 13:8-12 a hint that the gifts will disappear.
Historical fact, more than one church father noted that such gifts were no longer found among the orthodox church.
Application: The role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Our background: Church of Christ dramatically downplayed the role of the Spirit.
1. Alexander Campbell emphasized the rational aspects of Christianity.
The Holy Spirit only works in our lives through the Word of God.
(justified by some parallel statements about Spirit and Word)
2. 20th century CoC reacted strongly against the Charismatic movement.
No-no phrases: filled with the spirit. I feel the Spirit was working in me.
3. John 3:8 Being born again = born of the Spirit. Not something visible. This makes looking for signs of Him working can be somewhat subjective.
1 Thess 5:19 do not quench the Spirit. Look for ways to help God to work in your life and in the life of others-bringing out the gifts.
Eph 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. In sinning we can hurt God.
We need to help people become aware of the HS working in them. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:19
Romans 8:5 live according to the Holy Spirit
Luke 12:12 The Holy Spirit will teach you what to say at that time.
Pray for God to help us to say the right thing, do the right thing.
Acts 20:28 The HS has made you overseers of the flock (either by some direct working or by helping to transform you into what you needed to be in order to become shepherds.)
1 Cor 2:10 The Spirit searches all things. Helps us to understand God and what he has given us.
1 Cor 12:11 The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to each one individually just as He wills. (In context, miraculous gifts, but can be taken to apply to Romans 12:6-8 just as well)
[2 Cor 13:14 Fellowship of the Spirit.]
live by the Spirit (Gal 5:25
I can participate in the divine nature by the Spirit living in me (2 Pet 1:3-4). Thus, I don’t have to seek for some greater external spiritual experience; I need only to surrender myself to the Spirit of Jesus living in me
Gal 5:22-24
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
The Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans 8:11
