THE HOLY SPIRIT

What is the work, or mission, of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit Revealed the Scriptures
2Pt. 1:20-21 - How were men able to write “prophecy of Scripture”? This is why we can have assurance in the prophecies of Scripture.

The Holy Spirit, who is God, revealed words to the prophets, who in turn spoke or wrote these words. Therefore it could be said, “God said,” or “the Holy Spirit said,” or “the prophet said.”

Who are the words in the following attributed to?
• Heb. 3:7-11
• Heb. 4:3 (see v4)
• Heb. 4:7

Ac. 1:16 To whom or what is the prophecy that “had to be fulfilled…concerning Judas” attributed to? (three sources)
Ac. 7:51,52 - How did Stephen say his audience “resisted the Holy Spirit”?
Eph. 3:5-6 - How did Paul say the gospel was made known to men?
Eph. 3:3-4 - How were the Ephesians to come to an understanding of what the Holy Spirit revealed about the gospel?
Rev. 2:1…7 - How did Jesus give His revelation to the seven churches of Asia?

The Holy Spirit and the Word
When the same action is attributed to both a person and an instrument, the conclusion implied is that the action is or was performed by the person by means of the instrument.
Following are two statements. Write a third statement expressing your conclusion about what happened based on these two statements.
• John J. Jones cut down the cherry tree.
• The chain saw cut down the cherry tree (same tree).
• Conclusion:

Do the same thing using the following two statements.
• God saved Noah and his family, 2Pt. 2:4,5
• Noah and his family were saved by water, 1Pt. 3:20,21
• Conclusion:

Try it again...
• A man is born again of the Spirit, Jn. 3:5-8.
• A man (same man) is born again (same birth) through the word, 1Pt. 1:23.
• Conclusion:
Write your own illustration of the logical principle being illustrated. You can use an action from everyday life.

Applying this principle to the following chart, one can see that the Holy Spirit works through revelation (the Word) in accomplishing these actions that are attributed to Him. See Eph. 6:17.
Holy Spirit -----The Work------------ The Word
(Person)------------(Action)------------------- (Instrument)
Jn. 16:8------------ Convict world------------ Jn. 16:13,14; Ac. 2:14f..37
Jn. 3:5-8 -----------Born again ---------------1Pt. 1:23
1Co. 6:11 ----------Cleanse by washing-- Eph. 5:26
1Co. 6:11 ----------Sanctify -------------------Acts 26:16-18
1Co. 6:11---------- Justify ---------------------Ro. 5:1 with 10:17
Acts 9:31---------- Comfort------------------- Jn. 16:33; 1Th. 4:18
Rom. 15:13 --------Hope ---------------------Col. 1:5; Tit. 1:2-3
Eph. 5:18,19 -------Promote praise ------Col. 3:16
Tit. 3:5 -------------Renewed -----------------Eph. 4:20-24
Heb. 3:7-11------- Warns, Urges---------- Heb. 4:7; Ps. 95:7f
Rev. 2:7 -----------Address churches -----Rev. 2:1; 1:11

Quick Quiz
Choose all correct answers in the following.

1. When referring to something in Scripture it can be said
a. The Scripture says
b. The prophet says
c. The Holy Spirit says
d. God says

2. When the same action is attributed to both the Holy Spirit and the Word, it must be concluded
a. The Holy Spirit exercises an influence on the human heart in addition to the influence of the Word on the heart.
b. The Holy Spirit is the Word
c. The Holy Spirit works through the Word in accomplishing the action
d. None of the above

3. We can have confidence that the Bible reveals the mind of God because
a. The church has been entrusted with safeguarding the Bible and has assured us of its reliability
b. The Holy Spirit testifies directly to each one’s heart assuring him of its trustworthiness
c. The Holy Spirit revealed it
d. Our parents taught us this

4. Men resist the Spirit when
a. They do not yield to the Spirit to enable them to speak in tongues
b. They do not yield obediently to what the Holy Spirit has revealed
c. They do not yield to what the apostles and prophets have written by the power of the Holy Spirit
d. They do not listen to preachers today who are baptized in the Holy Spirit

5. The work, or mission, of the Holy Spirit
a. Was to reveal and confirm the gospel of Jesus Christ through chosen apostles and prophets
b. To enable any Christian in any age to be assured of his understanding of God’s will by a direct confirmation in his heart or experience of grace
c. To teach, encourage, and motivate men, through the words of the prophets, both oral and written, to obey God
d. To enable those elected for salvation from eternity to shed their depraved heart and to be able to understand and believe the gospel

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