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Introduction: 1. The functioning of Deity is both unified and
diversified.
a. The
work of each person of the Godhead is unified as all three work as
one. They have a common goal, purpose and aim. There is no
division in the plan of Deity. See John 17:20-21.
b. On the
other hand, the work of each person of the Godhead is diversified.
The Father planned the great scheme of redemption; the Son
executed it; the Spirit revealed it. Each member of the Godhead
had a specific work to do to make the unified whole a success. 2. As we focus on the Spirit's functioning in God's
plan, questions about miracles and spiritual gifts come to the
forefront. Why were
miracles necessary in the first century but not now?
How does the Holy Spirit work in the lives of people today? The Lesson:
I.
The work of revelation.
A. The Old
Testament scriptures were given by revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Note what the following verses say about the Old Testament
prophets.
B. The New
Testament scriptures were also revealed by the Holy Spirit. Note
what these passages say about the scriptures.
C. God
used apostles and prophets, guided by the Holy Spirit, to speak
and write His will.
1. Christ
promised His apostles that the Holy Spirit would teach them all
things, bring all things to their remembrance, testify of Christ,
and guide them into all truth, John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-14.
2. According
to 1 John 1:1-4 and
Ephesians 3:3-5, the apostles
wrote down the things revealed to them.
3. The
Holy Spirit’s words were used in inspiration, 1 Corinthians
2:9-13.
4. Man is
not to alter God's revelation, Galatians 1:6-9,
Revelation
22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2.
II. The work of confirmation.
A. Miracles
were used by God to bear witness that He was speaking.
1. Miracles
proved men were sent by God.
a. This
was true of Christ, Acts 2:22;
John 3:2; 20:30-31.
b. This
was true of Christ's apostles, Mark 16:20;
Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12.
2. In the
first century, miracles were necessary because new revelation and
confirmation were both necessary. Today, neither is necessary, for
both are completed. How do you answer the following questions?
Circle the correct word in each sentence that is in accord with
the verse:
a. Is
God's revelation complete or incomplete?
2 Peter 1:3.
b. Is
God's revelation unchanging or is it to be changed?
Galatians 1:8.
c. Is
God's revelation permanent or is it to be replaced?
Revelation 14:6.
d. Is
God's revelation given only once or is it to be given again?
Jude 3.
e. Is
God's revelation enduring or is part of it lost?
1 Peter 1:23-25.
f. If
you answered these questions according to the teachings in the
scriptures, then you know why no more revelation is being given
today.
B. Miraculous
spiritual gifts have ceased because no need exists today for new
revelation or confirmation.
1. The
Bible foretold that miracles would cease, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.
2. The
means by which miraculous powers were transmitted has ceased.
a. Some
received power directly by an outpouring from heaven, Acts 1:8;
2:1-4; 10:44-48. This means of giving the Spirit was never
promised to all believers and may be found only in the cases of
the apostles and Cornelius.
b. Some
received gifts of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the apostles'
hands, Acts 8:12-23. There are no more apostles on earth,
thus there are no persons today who have received gifts by this
means.
3. To say
that miracles have ceased does not say the Holy Spirit is no
longer active; it only means that miracles given by the Spirit are
no longer operative, because the Spirit did this work in a perfect
and complete way in the first century.
a. Some
object to this. But, consider this illustration: Christ has
completed His personal ministry on earth. He did His work in a
perfect and complete way in the first century. We understand that
Christ is no longer on earth, He is no longer on the cross or in
the tomb, but He is still actively involved in man's salvation.
b. Even
so, the Holy Spirit continues to work in converting the lost and
in giving power to the saved. Neither Christ nor the Holy Spirit
are defamed by advocating that they have completed a part of their
work!
III.
The work of conviction.
A. The
world must be convicted of sin, righteousness and judgment to
come, John 16:7-8.
1. The
Holy Spirit was the one used by Christ to do this work. As the
Advocate (paraclete - Comforter) sent by Christ, He would
be furnished with sufficient evidence and arguments to accomplish
His assigned tasks, John 16:13. Truth is the means by which
the Holy Spirit convicts.
2. The
Spirit would argue the case from three premises, John 16:7-11.
a. The
world stands condemned because of unbelief toward Jesus Christ.
b. Righteousness
(justification) can be obtained through faith because Jesus the
Christ has gone into heaven.
c. Judgment
is sure because the ruler of this world has been judged.
B. The
work of conviction continues today through the revealed word of
the Holy Spirit.
1. The
Holy Spirit used words—testimony—to establish the three points
of conviction. These words were revealed and confirmed by the
Spirit; they were recorded by inspired writers; they stand today
with the same force and power as in the first century.
2. Men
today are convicted in the same way as in the first century—by
the gospel!
a. Convicted
of sin, John 8:24;
Romans 3:23-26.
b. Convicted
of righteousness, Romans 1:16-17;
Titus 2:11-12.
c. Convicted
of judgment, Acts 17:30-31;
John 12:48.
3. In the
first century, men were convicted of none of these things in a
miraculous way. The Holy Spirit did not convict men by working
miracles on their hearts to cause them to believe. They were
convicted by words! Miracles were used to reveal these truths and
to confirm these truths, but the miracles reached no further than
the point of confirmation. The miracles did not reach into the
hearts of unbelievers. The word of the Spirit was the thing that
reached the heart. It is still reaching the hearts of men today.
IV.
The work of conversion.
A. Without
the new birth, one cannot enjoy the blessings of the kingdom, John
3:3.
1. Jesus
said, "Except a man be born of water and the Spirit he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God”, John 3:5.
2. The new
birth is described as being accomplished by the “word of
God," 1 Peter 1:23.
B. We are
born of the Spirit as we respond to the word given by the Spirit. 1. The Holy Spirit converts men, but He does it through the use of His word which is the sword of the Spirit, Ephesians 6:17. Can you find a passage in Acts 2 where this instrument of the Spirit was used?
2. The
word given by the Holy Spirit is able to “save your soul,” James
1:21.
3. The
Spirit's truth will purify your soul when you obey it, 1 Peter
1:22.
C. It is
at the point of baptism that the new birth takes place.
1. 1
Corinthians 12:13, "By one Spirit we are all baptized
into one body."
2. According
to Ephesians 5:26, we are sanctified and cleansed with
“the washing of water by the word.”
D. Conversion
is accomplished by the power of the gospel, Romans 1:16-17;
10:12-17.
1. There
is no need the sinner has in being saved that is not supplied in
the gospel.
2. There
is no influence employed by the Spirit in conversion that is not
attributed to the gospel.
3. There
is not a case of conversion recorded by the Spirit that was not
accomplished by the preaching of the gospel.
4. Everything
necessary to move men to become Christians and thus be saved is
set forth in the gospel: God's love for man, Christ's sacrifice,
the things required of man to be saved, the forgiveness of sins,
the hope of heaven, the fear of hell, and the certainty of
judgment.
V.
The work of sanctification.
A. God's
people are called upon to live a separated life, 1 Corinthians
6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 1:13-16.
1. If we
are led by the Holy Spirit, our commitment to Christ will be
apparent, Romans 8:12-17.
a. God,
the Father, will be found in us, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18;
1
John 4:12-15.
b. Another
who will be found in us is Christ, Colossians 1:27;
Galatians
2:20.
c. The
Holy Spirit will be found in us, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20;
Romans
8:9.
2. We are
assured of salvation; the Holy Spirit bears witness with our
spirit that we are God’s children, Romans 8:16.
a. This
witness is neither found in the form of a voice speaking to us,
nor by some feeling, but rather by knowing that we have done what
the Holy Spirit directs.
b. It
is significant to note that the text says the "Spirit bears
witness with our Spirit;" it does not say "to
our spirit." Some
misquote and misapply this text and conclude that the Holy Spirit
speaks to us personally.
c. Witnesses
give testimony. In
the case of Romans 8:16, we have two witnesses. When the
testimonies of the two witnesses agree, then there is certainty
that the person is a child of God. When the two agree, then a
person can be certain that he is sanctified—set apart as one of
God's children. Look at the two lists which follow. The Holy
Spirit has given His testimony. Ask yourself whether the testimony
of your spirit agrees with that of the Holy Spirit. Check the
correct box.
e. The
Holy Spirit does not speak to us directly to give us assurance of
salvation. Remember, we walk by faith, 2 Corinthians 5:7.
We have confidence in His word.
3. The
work of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying us and in giving us
assurance of salvation is not a supernatural work. When it is said
that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are working in us, that is
not to be understood as a supernatural influence. It is simply
that each of the persons of Deity influence us and thus we live a
holy life. It is through the revealed will of God that this
influence is exerted.
B. Sanctification
is accomplished in us by means of the word, John 17:17.
1. We are
called by the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. Our calling
sets us apart from the world.
2. We are
to be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18. We are to let
the word of Christ dwell in us, Colossians 3:16. These
passages are parallel, and show how the Spirit works in us.
3. Sanctification
is accomplished by means of faith, Acts 26:18.
Faith comes by hearing God’s word, Romans 10:17.
4. Sanctification
is revealed in the will of God, 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Conclusion: 1. The Holy Spirit continues to work through a
confirmed revelation to produce conviction, conversion and
sanctification. 2. The Holy Spirit does the work, but He does it through means of teaching. The medium He uses to teach us is the gospel.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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