Question Night: the Holy Spirit

What is a spirit? Human spirit “…who forms the spirit of man within him” – Zech. 12:1 “As the body without the spirit is dead…” – James 2:26 Spirits of dead people “The spirits of the righteous made perfect” – Heb. 12:23 syn. “The souls of those who had been slain” – Rev. 6:9 Ex. Rich man & Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31 Evil spirits “the unclean spirit…came out of him” – Mark 1:26 God “God is spirit” – John 4:24

What are different names for the Holy Spirit in scripture? Alternative Names Example Passage Spirit of God Matthew 3:16 The Spirit* Mark 1:10 Helper/Comforter/Advocate John 14:16, 26 Spirit of Truth John 14:17 Spirit of Christ Romans 8:9 Spirit of the Lord/Spirit of YHWH Luke 4:18 (Isa. 61:1) The Eternal Spirit Heb. 9:14 The Spirit of Glory 1 Pet. 4:14 *Context matters!

Q: How old is the Holy Spirit? Gen. 1:1-2 “In the beginning…the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters” Heb. 9:14 “…the eternal Spirit…” A: Like Jesus and the Father, the Holy Spirit is eternal.

Q: Does everyone have the Holy Spirit? John 14:17 “The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive…” Romans 8:9 “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” Jude 19 “These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.” A: No.

Q: How do people know that they have received the Holy Spirit without miracles? Read Mat. 7:15-23 How could they know false prophets? Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? Read Gal. 5:16-26 Who will inherit the kingdom of God? Who lives by the Spirit? A: If they have obeyed the gospel and are living by it, they have the Spirit.

Q: Can a Christian lose the Holy Spirit? Pre-Christian era: “Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul” – 1 Sam. 16:14. “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” – Psalm 51:11 Christians: “In the case of those who have…been made partakers of the Holy Spirit…and then have fallen away” - Heb. 6:4-6 A: Yes.

What is the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives today What is the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives today? What does the Holy Spirit help us with today? What is the Gift of the Holy Spirit today? We walk according to the Spirit/ The Spirit leads us. Rom. 8:4, 14 Gal. 5:16-24 We set our minds on the Spirit/ The Spirit gives us life, peace, and joy. Rom. 8:5-7, 14:17, 15:4, 13 John 6:63 We put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit/ By the Spirit, we will live. Rom. 8:10-13 By the Spirit, we are children of God and heirs with Christ. Rom. 8:14-17 Gal. 4:4-7 The Spirits helps us in prayer. Rom. 8:26-27

When we are baptized does it matter if we are baptized in [the name of] the Father? Son? Or Holy Spirit? Or does it have to be all three? Mat. 28:19 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptize, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

When we are baptized does it matter if we are baptized in [the name of] the Father? Son? Or Holy Spirit? Or does it have to be all three? Col. 3:16 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” AUTHORITY, not VERBAL FORMULA

AUTHORITY, not VERBAL FORMULA By what authority did Jesus come? Jesus: “I have come in My Father’s name.” – John 5:43 Jesus: “The works that I do in My Father’s name…” – John 10:25 By what authority did the Holy Spirit reveal the gospel? Jesus: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things…” – John 14:26

When we are baptized does it matter if we are baptized in [the name of] the Father? Son? Or Holy Spirit? Or does it have to be all three? Mat. 28:19 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. NAME, not NAMES -> One authority, not an incantation. When baptized, did you know about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Did you believe that your baptism was by Their authority?

When we are baptized does it matter if we are baptized in [the name of] the Father? Son? Or Holy Spirit? Or does it have to be all three? 2 Timothy 2:14 “Solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.”