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THE HOLY SPIRIT A Series of Lessons by

DONALD TOWNSLEY

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

Lesson 1

THE HOLY SPIRIT, A PERSON Introduction:

1. This is the first in a series of lessons on the HOLY SPIRIT.

2. This subject needs studying because of all the misunderstanding about it-- both in the church and out of the church.

3. We do not propose to know all that is to be known on the subject.

4. All any man can know on the subject is what the Bible reveals.

5. In this first lesson we want to find out who the Holy Spirit is.

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE THIRD PERSON IN THE GODHEAD.

1. Three distinct, divine personalities make up the Godhead -- Rom. 1:20; Acts 17:29; Col. 2:9

2. They are separate, distinct entities.

(1) Eph. 4: 4- 6 -- one Spirit -- one Lord -- one God and Father of all.

(2) II Cor. 13: 14; I Pet. 1:2; I John 5:7

(3) Matt. 28:19 -- The Father -- the Son -- the Holy Spirit.

(4) Luke 3:22 -- Holy Spirit -- Christ -- God.

3. We must get this truth fixed in our minds.

(1) God, the Father is a person.

(2) God, the Son is a person.

(3) God, the Holy Spirit is a person.

4. These three persons are independent, self-existent, and individual.

5. The Bible teaches that there is only one God (or Deity, Divinity), but three persons, existing Beings, in the one God (or Deity). Deut. 6:4

(1) Just as there is one humanity (Acts 17:26), and many persons making up humanity-

(2) So, there is one God with three persons.

6. Each of these persons is called GOD.

(1) The Father -- God -- Deity -- I Cor. 8:6; John 20:17.

(2) The Son -- God -- Deity --John 1:1; Heb. 1: 8.

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(3) The Holy Spirit -- God -- Deity -- Acts 5: 3 - 4

7. Each of these persons are HOLY.

(1) Holy Father -- John 17:11; Luke 1:49

(2) Holy Child Jesus -- Acts 4: 27, 30

(3) Holy Spirit -- Matt. 1: 18

1. The adjective "HOLY" is applied to all three person of the Godhead (or Deity) at different times in the Bible. (Lev. 11: 44 - 45)

8. Each of these persons are SPIRIT.

(1) God is Spirit -- John 4:24

(2) The Spirit of Christ -- Rom. 8:9; I Pet. 1: 11

(3) Holy Spirit -- Acts 10:38

1. Man has a spirit in the image of God (Gen. 1: 26 - 27; Heb. 12: 9). Where there is spirit there is life, where there is spirit there is the desire for fellowship with kindred spirits.

9. The scriptures teach that there is complete unity in the Godhead.

(1) John 17: 11, 21

(2) They are one in doctrine -- II John 9; John 16:13

(3) They are one in words and work -- John 14: 8 - 11

(4) They are one in Grace to man -- Col. 2: 9 - 10

10. The scriptures teach that God is personal.

(1) God is not an impersonal energy such as electricity.

(2) He has personality.

1. He has Mind -- Rom. 11:34

2. He has Love -- John 3:16

3. He has Will -- Luke 22:42

4. He has Purpose -- Eph. 3:11

(3) God seeks a close relationship with man (James 4:8; John 4: 23).

II. THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE THIRD PERSON IN THE GODHEAD, POSSESSES ALL ATTRIBUTES OF A DIVINE PERSONALITY.

1. The attributes of God and the Being of God are not one and the same.

(1) God is love -- I John 4:14 -- This does not mean that God and love are one and the same. God is a God of love -- John 4:11

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(2) God is good, but the moral influence good and God are not one and the same -- Mark 10: 18

(3) God is merciful ( Eph. 2:4), but God and mercy are not one and the same -- Tit. 3:5

2. Let us study some other attributes of God.

(1) God is unchangeable -- Mal. 3:6; James 1:17

1. He is eternally the same.

2. All change must be to better or to worse -- God is absolute perfection.

(2) God is all-knowing; He knows all things -- Isa. 46: 9 - 10

1. He knows the hearts of men ( Jer. 17:10; Heb. 4:13; Rom. 2:16).

2. He knows when a sparrow falls ( Matt. 10: 29; Matt. 6:26).

(3) God is all-wise; He knows how to ordain and dispose all things in the best manner to attain His purpose and ends ( Isa. 46: 9, 10; Eph. 3: 9 - 11; Psa. 147:5 "His understanding is beyond measure" ESV).

(4) God is all-powerful or almighty; He can do anything He wills to do, and has only to will it and the thing is done (Matt. 19:26; Gen. 17:1; Isa. 44:24; Psa. 115: 3).

(5) God is infinitely just -- Rom. 2: 2, 6, 11; Psa. 89:14; Gal. 6: 7 , 8

(6) God is infinitely faithful -- He faithfully executes all His judgments and fulfills all His promises -- II Tim. 2:13; I Cor. 10:13; Deut. 32:4; II Pet. 3:9.

(7) God's presence is everywhere.

1. Psa. 139: 7 - 12; Jer. 23: 23 - 34; I Pet. 3:12; Heb. 4:13; Matt. 10:29

2. But, keep in mind that the attributes of God and the BEING of God are not one and the same.

3. Because God's presence is everywhere does not mean His BEING is everywhere -- HIS BEING IS IN HEAVEN.

III. THE GODHEAD IS LOCATED IN HEAVEN.

1. Acts 1:11; 2:33; 7: 55 - 56; Dan. 7: 13 - 14; Heb. 9:24; Col. 3:1; John 14: 1 - 3; Matt. 6:9; 16: 17; I John 5:7

2. The scriptures teach that the being of God has "spiritual form" (Phil. 2: 6 - 8; John 17:5).

(1) Form -- "The form by which a person or thing strikes the vision; the external appearance" -- Thayer, p. 418

(2) Christ has spiritual form -- Phil. 3:21; I John 3:2; I Cor. 15:44; 15:49

(3) The Father is God and He has "form", the Son is God and He has "form", the Holy Spirit is God, therefore He has "form".

(4) The personalities of the Godhead could not enter man ( I Tim. 6: 16).

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(5) The Bible teaches that God's presence is everywhere and His presence is limited.

(6) The limited or "special" presence of God.

1. Cain and Abel -- Gen. 4: 3 - 8

a. "Cain went out from the presence of the Lord" -- Gen. 4: 16

b. He went from the special place where God met with them to worship.

2. The presence of God was in a pillar of cloud, and in a pillar of fire -- Ex. 13:21

3. The presence of God was in the Tabernacle -- Ex. 25: 8 - 9; 25; 21 - 22; Num 7:89; Ex. 20:24.

4. God's presence was in the Temple -- II Chron. 7: 11 - 16

5. God's name is now recorded in the church, and His presence is in the church -- Rev. 2:13; Rev. 3:8; Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1: 22 -23; Matt. 18:20; Eph. 2: 21 - 22; I Cor. 3:16

a. His presence is here in the Lord's supper -- Matt. 26: 28 - 29; I Cor. 10: 16

b. His presence is in all His word authorizes us to do.

6. God's presence is in Christians by the medium of the word -- II John 9; Eph. 3:17; Eph. 5: 18 - 19; Col. 3:16

IV. THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MANIFEST PERSONALITY

1. The Holy Spirit speaks -- I Tim. 4:1; Acts 8:29; Acts 13:2

2. He searches the mind of God -- I Cor. 2: 10 -11

3. He reveals the mind of God -- I Cor. 2:10; Eph. 3:5

4. He determined spiritual gifts -- I Cor. 12:11

5. He directed the apostles -- Acts 16: 6,7

6. He intercedes for us -- Rom. 8: 26 - 27

7. He testifies -- John 15: 26 - 27

V. THE HOLY SPIRIT POSSESSES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PERSON

1. He has a mind -- Rom. 8:27

2. He has knowledge -- I Cor. 2:11

3. He has love -- Rom. 15: 30

4. He has will -- I Cor. 12:11

5. Note: These are all characteristics of a person, an entity possessing intelligence.

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VI. THE HOLY SPIRIT SUFFERS SLIGHTS AND INJURIES WHICH CAN BE ASCRIBED ONLY TO A PERSONALITY.

1. He can be grieved -- Eph. 4:30

2. He can be blasphemed -- Matt. 12: 31 - 32

3. He can be despised -- Heb. 10:29

4. He can be resisted -- Acts 7:51

5. He can be lied to -- Acts 5:3

6. Note: A mere principle or influence cannot sustain any of these slights; only a personality can be so treated.

VII. THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEAL DEITY.

1. In creation -- Gen. 1:2

2. Regeneration -- John 3: 5; I Cor. 12:13

3. The resurrection -- Rom. 8:11

4. The working of miracles -- Matt. 12:28; I Cor. 12: 4 - 11

5. Dwells in the church -- I Cor. 3: 16 - 17

(1) The Holy Spirit is a person, referred to in the Bible as "He" and not "it". He is a divine being, not merely some mysterious influence or impersonal power.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

Lesson 2

IF THE HOLY SPIRIT OPERATES SEPARATE AND APART

FROM THE WORD OF GOD, WHAT DOES HE DO? Introduction:

1. The denominational dogma and practice has greatly obscured the truth concerning the manner of the Holy Spirit's operation in conversion.

2. They teach He works directly, without means, in conversion "in a manner above our comprehension".

3. Many brethren teach the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit after conversion.

4. Let us examine these doctrines in light of Bible teaching.

5. Now to the question:

I. IF THE HOLY SPIRIT OPERATED SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE WORD OF GOD, WHAT DOES HE DO?

1. He does not enlighten the soul.

(1) This is done by the Word of God.

(2) Psa. 19:8; 119: 130; 119: 104, 105; Eph. 5:17

2. He does not convert the soul.

(1) He does this through the word of God.

(2) Examples:

a. Pentecost -- Acts 2: 37 - 38

b. Samaria -- Acts 8: 4, 5, 12

(3) Psa. 19:7; Rom. 1:16; I Cor. 15: 1 - 4; I Cor. 4:15; James 1:18; 1:21

3. He does not make us wise unto salvation apart from the Word.

(1) He does this through the Holy scriptures.

(2) II Tim. 3: 14 - 15; I Tim. 4: 16; Mark 16: 15, 16; Matt. 28: 19 - 20

4. He does not cleanse apart from the Word.

(1) He does this through the Word.

(2) John 15:3; Acts 15: 7 - 9; I Pet. 1:22

5. He does not sanctify apart from the Word.

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(1) He does this though the Word.

(2) John 17: 17; I Cor. 6: 11; I Pet. 1:2

6. He does not save apart from the Word.

(1) He does this through the Word.

(2) James 1: 21; Rom. 1:16; Acts 11: 13 - 14

7. He does not make free from sin apart from the Word.

(1) We are made free from sin by obeying that form of doctrine.

(2) Rom. 6: 17 - 18; Rom. 6: 3,4 (Death, Burial, Resurrection)

8. He does not work apart from the Word in order to bring about the New Birth.

(1) He brings about the New Birth by the Word.

(2) I Pet. 1:23; John 3: 3 - 5

9. He does not produce faith in the hearts of men apart from the Word.

(1) Faith comes by the Word.

(2) Rom. 10:17; John 20: 30 - 31; I John 5: 13

10. The Holy Spirit does not produce fruit apart from the Word in the life of a Christian.

(1) He does this through the Word.

(2) Matt. 13: 23; Gal. 5: 22 - 23; Gal. 5:25; I John 1: 7; II John 4

11. The Holy Spirit apart from the word does not make the Christian "PERFECT" and "furnished unto all good works".

(1) He does this by the Word.

(2) II Tim. 3 :16 - 17

12. The Holy Spirit does not produce growth in Christians apart from the Word.

(1) He does this through the Word.

(2) I Pet. 2:2; I Thess. 2:13; Matt. 4:4

13. The Holy Spirit does not dwell in Christians separate and apart from the Word.

(1) He does this through the Word -- I Cor. 6:19; Gal. 3:2; Eph. 3:17

(2) The idea of "indwelling" is Unity -- John 17: 20 - 21

II. OBJECTIONS TO THE DIRECT OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. It makes God a respecter of persons (some receive the Spirit and others do not -- Acts 10: 34 - 35; Rom. 2: 11).

2. It takes away personal responsibility (man cannot act without God acting on him -- Acts 2:40; II Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:12; John 5:40).

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3. It makes the preaching of the gospel unnecessary -- Mark 16: 15 - 16

4. It makes God responsible for the condemnation of sinners, withholding the saving power and the sinners are lost.

5. The direct operation theory denies the all-sufficiency of the Word of God -- II Tim. 3:16 - 17; Rom. 1:16

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

Lesson 3

THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(Part one)

Introduction:

1. Many in the religious world and in the church teach that the Holy Spirit, as a person without means, enters into and inhabits the body of a Christian separate and apart from the influence of God's revealed Word.

2. I affirm that the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians only through the medium of the Word of God.

3. We do not seem to have any difficulty in understanding how God and Christ dwell in Christians.

4. Let us study the subject of HOW the Bible teaches the indwelling of other things takes place. This will help us understand HOW the Holy Spirit dwells in us. (I John 3:24)

I. TRUTH DWELLS IN CHRISTIANS -- John 15:7; I John 2:14; II John 2:2; II John 3

II. CHRISTIANS DWELL IN TRUTH -- John 8: 31; I Cor. 15: 1; II John 4; III John 4

III. GOD DWELLS IN THE CHRISTIAN -- Eph. 4:6; II Cor. 6:16; Phil. 2:13; I John 4:4; I John 4:13; I John 4:16

IV. CHRISTIANS DWELL IN GOD -- I John 4:13; I John 4:15; I John 4:16

1. Paul said that the church of the Thessalonians was in God -- I Thess. 1:1

V. CHRIST DWELLS IN THE CHRISTIAN -- John 6: 56; John 15: 4 -5; Rom. 8:10; II Cor. 13:5; Gal. 2:20; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 3:17; Phil. 1:20: Col. 3:11

VI. CHRISTIANS DWELL IN CHRIST -- John 6:56; John 15: 4 - 7; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2: 6 - 7; II Cor. 5:17

VII. THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN CHRISTIANS -- Rom. 8:9; Rom. 8:11; I Cor. 6:19; II Tim. 1:14; Eph. 3: 16; I Thess. 4:8

VIII. CHRISTIANS DWELL IN THE HOLY SPIRIT -- Gal. 5: 25; Gal. 5:16

IX. THE MIND OF CHRIST IS IN THE CHRISTIAN -- Phil. 2:5

X. THE WORD OF CHRIST IS IN THE CHRISTIAN -- Col. 3:16

1. SUMMARY:

(1) Truth dwells in Christians.

(2) Christians dwell in truth.

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(3) God dwells in Christians.

(4) Christians dwell in God.

(5) Christ dwells in Christians.

(6) Christians dwell in Christ.

(7) The Holy Spirit dwells in Christians

(8) Christians dwell in the Holy Spirit.

(9) The mind of Christ is in Christians.

(10) The Word of Christ is in Christians.

1. The above are ten descriptions of one condition, the condition of the saved.

2. When one is saved by the gospel and the Word of God controls his life, he sustains these ten relationships.

XI. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN CHRISTIANS

1. The idea of the Holy Spirit dwelling in Christians is that of UNITY.

(1) Christ said the Father was in Him and He was in the Father in John 17:21.

(2) Christ said in John 14: 10 that the Father dwelleth in Him.

(3) We do not understand from these passages that there was literal indwelling, but that UNITY existed between them.

(4) Rom. 8:16 teaches that there is to be UNITY between the Holy Spirit and our spirit.

2. The Godhead is composed of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and they are UNITED in their functions.

3. If I can learn how any member of Deity acts, I can know how the other members act.

4. Christ dwells in the heart of Christians by faith -- Eph. 3:17

(1) Faith comes by the Word of God -- Rom. 10:17

(2) The Spirit is received by faith -- Gal. 3:2

5. Parallel verses show HOW the Spirit dwells in Christians.

(1) Eph. 5: 18 - 19

(2) Col. 3:16

XII. HOW CAN ONE KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN HIM?

1. By being in the faith -- II Cor. 13:5; Eph. 3:17

2. By abiding in the Word -- II John 9

3. By keeping the commandments -- I John 3:24

4. By the Holy Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are doing what the Spirit says -- Rom. 8:16

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5. By keeping in memory the gospel -- I Cor. 15: 2

QUESTIONS

1. How did the Galatians receive the Spirit? ( Gal. 3:2) ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How does Christ dwell in our hearts? (Eph. 3: 17) _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How does one have both the Father and the Son? ( II John 9) ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How many persons are in the Godhead? (Matt. 28:19) ___________________________________________________

5. Where is the Godhead located? (Acts 1: 11; 2:33; 7: 55 -56; Dan. 7: 13 - 14; Heb. 9: 24; Col. 3:1; John 14:1 - 3; Matt. 6:9) _______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Does God have "spiritual form"? ( Phil. 2: 6 - 8; 3:21) _____________________________________________________

7. Could the personalities of the Godhead enter into mortal man literally? ( I Tim. 6:16)_________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

Lesson 4

THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(Part two) Introduction:

1. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians (Rom. 8: 9 - 11; I Cor. 6:19; Rom. 5:5; II Tim. 1: 13 -14).

2. The Bible teaches that God the Father dwells in Christians ( II Cor. 6:16; I John 4: 12 -15).

3. The Bible teaches that Christ dwells in Christians ( Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27).

4. The Bible teaches that the Word of God dwells in the Christian ( Col. 3:16; John 15:7; I John 1:8 - 10; II John 2:2).

5. Since the Bible teaches with equal clearness that God, Christ, and the Word dwell in Christians, one must be careful about claims of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which would not parallel the indwelling of God, Christ and the Word.

6. Some are arguing that the Holy Spirit dwells in us literally and personally.

(1) They mean that the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians directly apart from the instrumentality of the Word of God.

7. The only difference between those who take this position and denominational preachers and people is that they contend for a direct operation of the Spirit preceding conversion, and brethren contend that the Spirit operates immediately following conversion.

I. WHAT THE ISSUE IS NOT.

1. When I affirm that the Bible teaches that the Spirit dwells in Christians only through the medium (or by means of) the Word of God, there are some things this does not teach:

(1) It does not teach that the Spirit and the Word are identical.

a. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, a member of the Godhead ( Matt. 28:19; Eph. 4: 4 - 6).

b. The Word of God is the "sword" of the Spirit ( Eph. 6:17).

(2) It does not teach that the Spirit cannot do something for children of God at the throne of God.

a. Rom. 8:26 is talking about what He does for us at the throne of God, and not one word about the Holy Spirit doing anything in us.

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II. THE ISSUE IS "HOW" THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN THE CHRISTIAN

1. Does the Holy Spirit dwell personally, literally, and directly apart from the Word, or does He dwell in the Christian through the Word of Truth?

2. I affirm that the Holy Spirit dwells in Christians through His agent, the Word of Truth.

3. The Holy Spirit dwells in Christians in exactly the same way that the Father and Son dwell in them -- that is, through the WORD.

(1) II John 9; Eph. 3:17

(2) Gal. 3:2; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:18 - 19

4. The idea of the Holy Spirit being in Christians is that of unity.

(1) We do not understand the passages that teach we are IN Christ to mean that we are literally inside of Christ -- Rom. 6: 3; II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3: 26 - 27. We are united with Him.

(2) We do not understand the passages that teach Christ is in God, and God is in Christ to mean that they are literally inside each other -- John 14: 10; 17:21 -- UNITY.

(3) The Holy Spirit witnesses to what is required to be a child of God; our spirit witnesses that we are meeting those requirements ( Rom. 8:16). There is unity between us and the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is said to dwell in us ( I Cor. 6:19).

5. The word "dwell" often indicates that by which one is controlled.

(1) City of Pergamos -- "Where Satan dwelleth" -- Rev. 2:13

(2) In Paul -- "Sin dwelleth" -- Rom. 7: 17 - 20

(3) Truth -- "Dwelleth in us" -- II John 2

(4) If the will of God, Christ and the Spirit controls one, they are dwelling in him -- II John 9; Eph. 2: 20 - 22

CONCLUSION:

1. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of Truth as the medium by which He dwells in Christians and influences them, and His influence is limited to this medium.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

Lesson 5

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONVERSION Introduction:

1. This is a misunderstood subject in the religious world today.

2. This subject is not hard to understand if we will forget all pre-conceived ideas and take only what the Bible says.

3. In the beginning, let us clear the issue:

(1) Things we are NOT discussing:

1. That the Spirit DOES operate on the sinner.

2. That He produces faith.

3. That He sanctifies.

4. That He leads -- Gal. 5:18

4. The thing we ARE discussing is:

(1) HOW the Spirit does these things.

I. THERE ARE TWO POSITIONS ON HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN CONVERSION

1. The direct operation of the Holy Spirit theory, which insists that the Spirit leads, sanctifies and produces faith, by exercising an influence in addition to the written or spoken Word.

2. The other position (and the one we maintain is the scriptural one) is that the Holy Spirit leads, sanctifies, produces faith and repentance, but that He does it through the Word.

3. So, we are faced with the question, "How does the Holy Spirit make Christians?"

II. A DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

(1) He is the third person in the Godhead -- Matt. 28: 19; I John 5: 7 - 8

(2) He is a person, personal pronoun -- John 14:16, 26; 16:13

(3) Personal attributes:

1. Luke 12:12 "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

2. Speaks -- I Tim. 4:1

3. He knows -- I Cor. 2:11

4. Makes intercession -- Rom. 8:26

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5. Can be grieved -- Eph. 4:30

(4) These are all characteristics of a person, an entity, possessing intelligence.

2. When the idea is grasped that the Holy Spirit is a personality, the method of His working will be more apparent.

3. WORK -- will include what He does and how He does it. Will see this later.

4. CONVERSION -- to change; to turn.

(1) Names MEN have given conversion:

1. "Join the church" -- Acts 2:47

2. "Getting religion" -- James 1:27

3. "Praying through" -- Matt. 7: 21; Rom. 8:2

(2) Names given in the Bible:

1. Born of water and the Spirit -- John 3:5

2. Washing of regeneration -- Titus 3:5

3. Obedient to the faith -- Acts 6:7

(3) What is involved in CONVERSION?

1. Change of heart by faith -- Rom. 10: 17; Acts 15:9

2. Change of life by repentance -- Luke 13: 3

3. Change of allegiance by confession -- Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37

4. Change of state or relationship by baptism -- Rom. 6: 3,4; Gal. 3:27

III. HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVERTS:

1. As stated, TWO ideas: DIRECT AND INDIRECT

2. PROOF that the Spirit always works indirectly through His word in conversion:

(1) The different things ascribed to the Spirit in conversion are ascribed to the word:

SPIRIT ACTION WORD OF GOD

1. John 3:5 born, begotten I Pet. 1: 23 - 25

2. I Cor. 6:11 sanctified John 17:17

3. Titus 3:5 saved James 1: 21

(2) Passages which affirm the sufficiency of the Word:

1. Rom. 1:16

2. I Cor. 15:2

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3. Psa. 19:7

4. Psa. 51: 12 - 13

5. Acts 20:32

6. II Tim. 3: 14 - 15

7. James 1: 18 -21

8. Eph. 6:17

3. Man has a mind to understand, God thus addresses with instructions adapted to his comprehension -- Matt. 13:15

(1) When the Spirit instructs, He uses words -- I Cor. 2:13; Eph. 3: 3 -5; Acts 2: 22

(2) Purpose of the scriptures -- II Tim. 3: 16 - 17

IV. INDICTMENTS AGAINST THE DIRECT OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THEORY

1. Not taught in the word of God, the Bible -- No example.

(1) Always a preacher present -- II Cor. 4:7

(2) They always heard, believed, and obeyed -- Rom. 10: 13 -17

2. No conversion where the gospel is not preached.

3. Makes God a partial God

(1) Willing and Planning the salvation of some, and condemning others.

(2) The Bible teaches: II Pet. 3:9; Acts 10: 34, 35; Rom. 2:11

4. Makes salvation unconditional on the part of man

(1) Makes man a mere machine, not a free agent.

(2) If man cannot move until he gets additional power, he is not responsible: John 5:40; Acts 17:30; Matt. 7: 21; Acts 2:40

5. Makes necessary the false theory of depravity -- Matt. 18:3

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Lesson 6

HAVE MIRACULOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CEASED?

Introduction:

1. The question before us needs our study.

2. In the world today there are three attitudes toward miracles:

(1) Modernist -- Miracles never occurred.

(2) Pentecostalism -- Miracles still occur.

(3) People who rightly divide the Word teach that:

1. Miracles did occur during the New Testament times.

2. God fulfilled His purpose with them.

3. They have ceased -- do not occur now.

3. What is a Miracle?

(1) An act of God superseding or suspending a natural law.

(2) That which deviates from natural law (a miracle has been performed when natural law has been suspended and an act has been performed which is contrary to natural law).

(3) A miracle has no acceptable natural explanation.

4. A miracle should not be confused with the work of Providence.

(1) Providence is the preservation, care and government which God exercises over all things that He has created in order that they may accomplish the end for which they were created.

(2) Providence differs from a miracle in that its ends are brought about by means of the established laws of God and through ordinary channels.

(3) God answers prayer today through providence, not by miracles.

I. THE MIRACLES CHRIST WORKED

1. Jesus Christ was endowed with the Spirit to an unlimited extent -- John 3: 34 -35; Matt. 12:28

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2. Jesus Christ performed miracles to establish the fact that He was the Son of God -- John 20: 30 - 31; Matt. 11: 2 - 5

3. Christ's power to perform miracles stamped His work with a divine seal and proved He was the Son of God -- John 3:5; John 5:36; John 10:25

II. THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST WERE OF FIVE CLASSES

1. He demonstrated His power over NATURE in stilling the tempest -- Matt. 8: 26 - 27

2. He demonstrated His power over DEMONS, and therefore over the devil, by casting out demons -- Matt. 8: 16

(1) God allowed demon possession during the first century while Christ was on earth and while the New Testament was being revealed.

(2) Christ showed His power over Satan by casting out demons -- Matt. 12: 22 -29

(3) Demons understood they were limited in this appointed time -- Matt. 8: 28 -29; Luke 8: 31

(4) The apostles, and inspired men of the first century, cast out demons as a sign identifying them as God's spokesmen -- Mark 16: 17 - 20; Matt. 10: 1 - 8

(5) Zechariah prophesied when demon possession would end in Zechariah 13: 1 - 3

1. "Fountain opened" -- blood of Christ -- Matt. 26:28; I Pet. 1: 18 - 19

2. "Cut off the names of the idols out of the land"

3. "The prophets ... pass out of the land" (or cease) -- I Cor. 13: 8 - 10

4. "The unclean spirit to pass out of the land"

(1) The demons are fallen angels now "reserved in everlasting chains" until the judgment -- Jude 6; II Pet. 2:4; Matt. 25:41

(6) Christ's death destroyed the power of the devil -- Heb. 2:14; I John 3: 8; Col. 2: 14 - 15; Rev. 12: 11

(7) Satan is bound -- Rev. 20: 2 - 3

(8) We can now resist Satan -- James 4:7; Rev. 12:11

3. He demonstrated His power over DISEASE by healing leprosy, every disease and every sickness ( Matt. 8: 2- 3; Matt. 9:35).

(1) Jesus COMPLETELY healed (no partial healing) -- Matt. 12: 22 - 23; Matt. 9: 32 - 35; Matt. 15: 29 - 31

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4. He demonstrated His power over MATERIAL THINGS by multiplying the loaves and fishes, and by feeding the five thousand men besides women and children -- Matt. 14: 15 - 21.

5. He demonstrated His power over DEATH by raising Lazarus from the dead -- John 11: 39 - 45.

III. PURPOSE OF THE MIRACLES OF CHRSIT

1. To demonstrate that He could forgive sins -- Matt. 9:6

2. To prove that He was the Son of God that we might believe -- John 20: 29 -31.

IV. THE MIRACLES PERFORMED BY THE APOSTLES

1. The apostles had miraculous powers which were signs of their apostolic office -- II Cor. 12: 11 - 12

(1) They healed all manner of diseases -- Acts 19: 11 -12; Acts 3: 2 - 8; 28: 8 - 9

(2) They cast out devils -- Acts 19: 11 - 12; Mark 16: 17; Acts 16: 16 - 18

(3) They imparted spiritual gifts to members of the early church by the "laying on of hands" -- I Cor. 12:1, 8 - 11; Acts 8: 14 - 19; 19:6; Rom. 1:11

(4) A viper fastened on Paul's hand and he felt no harm-- Acts 28: 3 - 5; Mark 16:18

(5) They had power over DEATH

1. Peter -- Acts 9:40 -- Tabitha

2. Paul -- Acts 20;10 -- Eutychus

(6) They had power to pronounce a curse upon those who stood in their way -- Elymas--Acts 13: 10 -11

V. THE PURPOSE OF THE MIRACLES WORKED BY THE APOSTLES

1. To witness that they were of God -- Heb. 2:4; John 3:2

2. To confirm their preached word -- Mark 16: 19 - 20; Heb. 2:3

3. So people would not place their faith in the wisdom of men -- I Cor. 2: 4 - 5

4. Signs of their office and authority in the kingdom -- II Cor. 12: 11 - 12

VI. WHEN DID MIRACULOUS POWER CEASE?

1. Zechariah prophesied that God would cause the prophets to pass out of the land -- Zech. 13: 1 - 3

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2. Paul said prophets would cease "when that which is perfect is come" -- I Cor. 13: 8 - 13

(1) That which is perfect is the New Testament -- James 1: 25; II Tim. 3: 16 - 17

CONCLUSION

1. The New Testament is complete and now confirmed -- Heb. 2: 3 - 4; Mark 16:20

(1) It is forever confirmed.

1. A thing once proved is forever proved. (If a court proves a man innocent of a charge it does not have to go back and prove it every year).

2. A truth once confirmed is forever confirmed.

(2) We now have the evidence in writing -- John 20: 29 - 30