The Holy Spirit - Session 14 - The Filling of the Believer by the Holy Spirit

The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is doing a study of The Holy Spirit. The study will look at who the Holy Spirit is, His role in the Trinity, His interaction with man, His role in and after man's salvation. This is an intense study of the Holy Spirit in scripture. We are using the bible as our primary reference resource. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments below. We welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and prayers. 

This week we are going to start with a quick review of our discussion from last week about the work of the Holy Spirit in man’s salvation.

There is pre conversion work, conversion work, and post conversion work.

Pre conversion - Prior to anyone placing his or her faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is involved in setting the conditions that allow for someone’s faith response to the gospel. The Holy Spirit convicts man of sin.

John 16:8-10 (NLT)8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.

The Holy Spirit speaks to individuals through the preaching of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 3:7-8 (NKJV)7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT)5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.

Romans 10:17(NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Conversion - On conversion the believer in Jesus Christ is said to be baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are related and happen at the same time.

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the event where Jesus becomes our Lord and we are joined with other believers in the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Galatians 3:27 (NKJV)27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

When you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation you were indwelt at the same time.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT) Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

When you are indwelt you are also sealed.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV)13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Post conversion - The post conversion work of the Holy Spirit is what enables the believer to live as God directs them. We don’t always live that way but we can because the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to do it. 

The exact timing of the giving of spiritual gifts is not specifically mentioned. Most assume that spiritual gifts are given at the time of spiritual birth (the moment of salvation). However, there are some verses that may indicate God gives spiritual gifts later as well.

1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV)  Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 

A post-conversion work of the Holy Spirit is that He enables the operation of spiritual gifts in believers.   Each Christian has a spiritual gift, or "manifestation of the Spirit." The gifts differ, but have these common elements. (1) Each is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence. (2) Each is "for the common good," that is, each is intended to build up the body of Christ. (3) Each is given "as He [the Spirit] determines." There is no true Christian in whom the Holy Spirit has not worked, providing a divine capacity enabling him or her to make a significant contribution to other believers. If those gifts operate in love and in proper order the church will accomplish what God intends for it and that is to show the world he plan of salvation for all people regardless of race, position, status, poverty, or wealth.

We did an extensive study on the Holy Spirit a couple of years ago so we aren't going to talk about them in great detail during this study.  We'll will address them though in another session.  

Today we are going to continue the discussion that we started last week about the believer  being filled by the Holy Spirit.

Being filled by the Holy Spirit is also a post-conversion action. While the baptism and indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs once at conversion, the filling of the Spirit can happen multiple times after conversion. The idea of being filled by the Spirit is more about an ongoing sense of God's Spirit working in a person's life, not a one-time experience.

The first thing that we said, last week, was that the believer is commanded to be filled.

Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT)15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.20 And give thanks for everything to God

the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To be filled is to be controlled completely by the Holy Spirit.

Some Christians describe this distinction by saying believers have all of the Holy Spirit but the Holy Spirit may not have all of them. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the time of our salvation but we are filled by Him when we submit to Him.

There is never any commandment in the Bible for one to be baptized by the Spirit, or to be sealed by the Spirit, or to be indwelt by the Spirit, or to be anointed by the Spirit, but there is a command that we be filled by the Spirit

A command is something that we can choose to obey or not obey. You can choose to be not completely controlled and when you choose not to be controlled it grieves the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) Do not quench the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

We grieve or quench the Spirit by the way we live.

Ephesians 4:17-19, 25-31 (NLT)17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Sin is what hinders the filling of the Holy Spirit.  Obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained.

The Greek term that Paul used for “be filled” is plerousthe. A literal translation of the verb would read something like "be being kept filled." The idea is to keep yourself constantly filled, being led by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

"Be filled" is actually in the passive voice and indicates that you receive the action--the Holy Spirit is continuously filling you. It is simply another facet of the Spirit's indwelling ministry, which allows you to have daily, moment-by-moment effectiveness and fulfillment in your Christian life.

The best description that I've seen to describe what it means to be filled by the Spirit is something that was written by John MacArthur in an article written on the Grace to You Website. The article is titled, “What Does It Mean to be Filled with the Spirit”

Facets of Spiritual Filling

When we use the word fill in English we normally think of something being placed into a container such as milk being poured to the brim of a glass, water being run into a bath tub, or gasoline being pumped into a gas tank. But none of those examples conveys precisely the meaning of to fill or be filled as does the Greek pleroo, a form of which is used in Ephesians 5:18 .

Pleroo (play-ro'-o) has three shades of meaning that are helpful in illustrating the scriptural meaning of Spirit-filled. The first carries the idea of pressure. It is used to describe wind billowing the sails on a ship, providing the impetus to move the vessel across the water. In the spiritual realm, this concept depicts the Holy Spirit providing the thrust to move the believer down the pathway of obedience. A Spirit-filled Christian isn't motivated by his own desires or will to progress. Instead, he allows the Holy Spirit to carry him in the proper directions. Another helpful example of this first meaning is a small stick floating in a stream. Most of us have tossed a stick into a creek and then run downstream to see the twig come floating by, propelled only by the force of the water. To be filled with the Spirit means to be carried along by the gracious pressure of the Holy Spirit.

Pleroo can also convey the idea of permeation. The well-known pain reliever Alka Seltzer illustrates this principle quite effectively. When you drop one or two tablets into a glass of water, they instantly begin to fizzle and dissolve. Soon the tablets are transformed into clear bubbles throughout the glass, and the water is permeated with the distinct flavor of the Alka Seltzer. In a similar sense, God wants the Holy Spirit to permeate and flavor our lives so when we're around others they will know for certain we possess the pervasive savor of the Spirit.

There is a third meaning of pleroo, actually the primary one in the New Testament, which conveys the sense of domination or total control. It is used by the Gospel writers to indicate that people were dominated by a certain emotion. In Luke 5:26, after Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and healed the paralytic, the people were astonished and "filled with fear."

Luke 5:25-26 (NLT)25 And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

In Luke 6:11, when Jesus restored a man's hand on the Sabbath, the scribes and Pharisees "were filled with rage."

Luke 6:10-11 (NLT)10 He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!11 At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.

When our Lord told the disciples that He would soon be leaving them, He told of their reaction: "sorrow has filled your heart" (John 16:6).

John 16:5-6 (NLT)5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.

Each of those uses reveals an emotion so overwhelming within the people that it dominated their thoughts and excluded every other emotion.

In our spiritual lives we are commanded to yield to the total control of the Holy Spirit, so every emotion, thought, and act of the will is under His direction. That kind of complete spiritual control is for our benefit and totally in line with God's will.

In the New Testament it is clear that the entire work of God on behalf of the believer is related to the question of whether he is filled with the Spirit.

Luke 4:1 (NLT) Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,

Acts 2:4 (NLT) And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Acts 4:31 (NKJV) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

This was after Peter and John had been released after they had been arrested for talking about the resurrection of Jesus in the temple and the believers were praying for courage.

Acts 11:22-24 (NLT)22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

Acts 6:3,5 (NLT)3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).

So apparently being filled is something that others can see.

So being filled by the Holy Spirit is something that He does but we must be receptive vessels and not grieving Him because of our lifestyle and actions. When we become aware of sin we have to immediately confess. Then we will be open to complete control by the Holy Spirit and filled.

1 John 1:9 (NLT) But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Results of Being Filled With the Spirit

Now that know what it means to be filled with the Spirit how do we know if we are or not?

After Paul said that the believer is to to be filled he then gave us a clue as to how we know if we are or not.

Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Singing to the Lord

The first thing is that you will have a song in your heart. What does it mean to have a song in your heart? It means you’ve got joy!

Romans 14:17 (NKJV) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

When Paul says psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. He is describing something that the Holy Spirit gives you.

Pastor Clayton is always singing songs that are not in any songbook or something that you’ve heard before. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but quite often Cookie is humming something often when somebody is talking or praying or reading scripture. I don’t even know if she realizes it sometimes. Sometimes psalms pop into your head, at least they do mine. When I start on Sunday morning when I don’t read a psalm sometimes the ones that I say just come to me.

Have you ever been doing something and just all of a sudden say bless the Lord Oh my soul or something like that, just out of the blue? I do it a lot.

In the King James Version the Ephesians 5:19 is translated;

Ephesians 5:19 (KJV)  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

That would mean something you do in your own private time but we can speak in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs at all times. We can do it when we’re alone, we can speak these songs to another believer. Notice I said believer. You can’t just do it with anybody or you could have problems. Take a look at

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Giving Thanks to the Lord Always

Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV) giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

When a believer is truly filled with the Spirit: he will be thankful toward God. Here is a quote from a Commentary on Ephesians "The expression of gratitude is therefore a most blessed response to favors undeserved. While it lasts, worries tend to disappear, complaints vanish, courage to face the future is increased, virtuous resolutions are formed, peace is experienced, and God is glorified".

Genuine thankfulness also sees beyond the tough circumstances to God's plan and purpose for us, which is what?

Romans 8:28-29 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might

The Spirit-filled person will be thankful always and at all times because it’s God’s will.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NKJV)16 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19 Do not quench the Spirit.20 Do not despise prophecies.21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.22 Abstain from every form of evil.

This means even in times that are not so pleasant, the Holy Spirit will enable you to respond with thanksgiving no matter what.

Sometimes He blesses you unexpectedly, which makes it easy to give thanks.

At other times the Holy Spirit gives you the opportunity to be thankful in anticipation of something pleasant like a vacation or reunion with a loved one. It’s easy to be thankful then.

But what about when the anticipation is for something that is not pleasant going to court with a child, or a meeting at work when there’s a downsizing, or a church meeting when the church is having financial difficulties, or a doctor’s appointment after a series of tests. Then it’s a test of your faith and the Holy Spirit will enable you, if you are Spirit filled to give thanks. There is an example of Jehoshaphat king of Israel being encouraged in the face of anticipated trouble in 2 Chronicles chapter 20.

When it was reported to him that a large army was coming against Judah , Jehoshaphat immediately asked the Lord for help.

2 Chronicles 20:1-4 (NKJV)1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar" (which is En Gedi).3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

The Spirit of the Lord then revealed His encouragement through the prophet Jahaziel.

2 Chronicles 20:14-15 (NKJV)14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.15 And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.

They worshiped and thanked God prior to their success against the enemy.

2 Chronicles 20:18-22 (NKJV)18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high.20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever."22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

God may choose to bring a trial or test into your life unexpectedly. Then you'll be challenged to give thanks.Jonah, in spite of all his sinful shortcomings, is an excellent example of how to have the right response.

After he was swallowed by the giant fish, Jonah prayed this to the Lord:

Jonah 2:7-9 (NKJV)7 "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple.8 "Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

God honored Jonah's prayer and delivered him from the fish, right to the location he was supposed to be. You may never be as severely tried as Jonah was, but God in His providence may allow unexpected hardships.

If you respond with true thanks in the midst of such times, that will prove you are a mature Christian filled with the Spirit.

For or in All Things

If the Spirit-filled believer is thankful at all times, it reasonably follows that he will also be thankful for or in all things. We just looked at thanksgiving in difficult times.

The bible tells us we must give thanks at those difficult times.

James 1:2-5 (NKJV)2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

1 Peter 2:20-21 (NKJV)20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

We'll talk more about the results of being filled by the Holy Spirit next week and we may get an opportunity to review spiritual gifts.

Bible Study Audio

<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>

The Holy Spirit - Session 13 - The Work of the Holy Spirit in Man’s Salvation

The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is doing a study of The Holy Spirit. The study will look at who the Holy Spirit is, His role in the Trinity, His interaction with man, His role in and after man's salvation. This is an intense study of the Holy Spirit in scripture. We are using the bible as our primary reference resource. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments below. We welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and prayers. 

"Ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit." Romans 8:23

Present possession is declared. At this present moment we have the first fruits of the Spirit. We have repentance, that gem of the first water; faith, that priceless pearl; hope, the heavenly emerald; and love, the glorious ruby. We are already made "new creatures in Christ Jesus," by the effectual working of God the Holy Ghost. This is called the firstfruit because it comes first. As the wave-sheaf was the first of the harvest, so the spiritual life, and all the graces which adorn that life, are the first operations of the Spirit of God in our souls. The firstfruits were the pledge of the harvest. As soon as the Israelite had plucked the first handful of ripe ears, he looked forward with glad anticipation to the time when the wain should creak beneath the sheaves. So, brethren, when God gives us things which are pure, lovely, and of good report, as the work of the Holy Spirit, these are to us the prognostics of the coming glory. The firstfruits were always holy to the Lord, and our new nature, with all its powers, is a consecrated thing. The new life is not ours that we should ascribe its excellence to our own merit; it is Christ's image and creation, and is ordained for His glory. But the firstfruits were not the harvest, and the works of the Spirit in us at this moment are not the consummation—the perfection is yet to come. We must not boast that we have attained, and so reckon the wave-sheaf to be all the produce of the year: we must hunger and thirst after righteousness, and pant for the day of full redemption. Dear reader, this evening open your mouth wide, and God will fill it. Let the boon in present possession excite in you a sacred avarice for more grace. Groan within yourself for higher degrees of consecration, and your Lord will grant them to you, for He is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or even think. - Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon

Review

Last week we spent most of the time on the prophecies in the Old Testament about the Holy Spirit’s empowering of the Messiah.

Isaiah 11:1-5 (NLT)1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.3 He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

That scripture said that the Messiah would be supernaturally endowed by the Holy Spirit.

Some people interpret this passage as that the Messiah will be supernaturally endowed by the sevenfold Holy Spirit of God .

  What are the seven?

1) Spirit of the LORD  2)  wisdom 3)understanding, 4)counsel 5) might 6)  knowledge 7) fear of the LORD ). 

The place in the bible where the seven is mentioned in this context is in Revelations.

Revelation 1:4 (NLT) This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne;

Revelation 3:1 (NLT) “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.

Revelation 4:5 (NLT) From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.

Revelation 5:6 (NLT) Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.

Jesus Himself announced fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah;

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NLT)1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

He did this when He went the synagogue in Nazareth at the beginning of His ministry.

Luke 4:16-21 (NLT)16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

That was a perfect place for us to start our discussion of the Holy Spirit's activity with man after Jesus went back to His Father and He asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to all those who believe in Him.

We started with the fact that the Holy Spirit only indwells believers but that He is also interacting with unbelievers. In fact, the Spirit is indispensable for anyone to be saved. His work can be divided into three general categories of activity: his pre-conversion work, conversion work and post-conversion work.

The Pre-Conversion Work of the Holy Spirit

Prior to anyone placing his or her faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is involved in setting the conditions that allow for someone’s faith response to the gospel. One of these roles is the convicting of sin and truth.

John 16:8-10 (NLT)8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.

The Holy Spirit speaks to individuals through the preaching of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NKJV)1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

2 Corinthians 3:7-8 (NKJV)7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT) For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.

Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

And when Jesus announced that He was the Messiah.  Luke 4:18-21 (NKJV) Which we read last week and earlier today.

The Conversion Work of the Holy Spirit

On conversion the believer in Jesus Christ is said to be baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are related and happen at the same time.

When does that happen?

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the event where Jesus becomes our Lord and we are joined with other believers in the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV)13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Galatians 3:27 (NKJV) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Water baptism brings a person into the fellowship of the Church, but behind this rite lies the more significant aspect of baptism—being set apart by the Spirit for living union with Christ and his body. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

When you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation you were indwelt at the same time.

We can go back to the scriptures we looked at last week;

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT) Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Romans 8:9 (NKJV) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

When you are indwelt you are also sealed.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV)13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Sealing communicates God’s mark of permanent ownership on us. 

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee that God will complete His work of salvation in us which is what?

Romans 8:28-29 (NKJV)28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The whole plan of salvation is to make us like Him inwardly and outwardly in our redeemed and righteous and holy spirit and our glorious, perfect, supernatural, resurrection body we're going to be like Christ. We won't be Christ but we'll be as much like Christ as it is possible for glorified humanity to be like incarnate deity. And, beloved, that is the goal of our salvation. That’s what God had in mind before the foundation of the world. That's what God had in mind when He saved us and that is exactly what is going to happen. Listen to Hebrews 2:10. Here it is again. "It is Christ through whom are all things” I love this phrase in the middle of verse 10 “in bringing many sons to glory." You see, that again is the point. The point is He brings His sons to glory, "to perfect the author of their salvation." If Christ doesn't bring many sons to glory, if He doesn't bring us all the way to glory, then He is not the perfect author of our salvation. The ultimate purpose then for us is to be glorified. - John MacArthur

The conversion work of the Holy Spirit results in making us new. 

 He imparts a new life.

Titus 3:5 (NKJV) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

And as new creatures we should put off some old stuff and put on some new stuff.

Colossians 3:1-14 (NKJV)1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.


The indwelling of believers is permanent not like the temporary presence of the Holy Spirit before the first Advent of Jesus, His coming as a man.

John 14:16 (NKJV) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--

The Holy Spirit indwells all believers without exception. The only condition is faith in Jesus.

John 7:37-39 (NKJV)37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The Holy Spirit is given at the moment of salvation

Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Galatians 3:2 (NKJV) This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

The Holy Spirit indwells believers permanently.

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NKJV) who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

We really don’t understand what an awesome thing it is to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. It means that we are never alone, cut off from God’s presence. When we need mercy because we have fallen short and failed Him, of when we need grace to help us when we are challenged beyond our abilities we have all the fullness of God Himself in us.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Post-Conversion Work of the Holy Spirit

The post conversion work of the Holy Spirit is what enables them to live as God directs them. We don’t always live that way but we can because the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to do it. The post conversion also to gives us the the spiritual gifts. While the baptism and indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs once at conversion, the filling of the Spirit can happen multiple times after conversion and is a command.

Ephesians 5:15-21 (NKJV)15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

This is something that I am learning as a result of this study. I thought that once you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and He came to dwell inside you that you were at that same time filled. I guess I was thinking like the indwelling was like water being poured into a class and filling it, but just filling the glass doesn’t empower it you must excite the water somehow like putting electrodes in a class of water excites the water and splits the molecules and separates them into its elements of hydrogen and oxygen and if you do it right exciting it can create the energy necessary to operate a vehicle. That’s what being filled by the Spirit is like.

We should be so completely yielded to the Holy Spirit that He can possess us fully and, in that sense, fill us.

Although the Holy Spirit dwells in us we can stop or quench His activity in us.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) Do not quench the Spirit.

And we can grieve Him which limits the work He can do through us.

Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

When we allow this to happen, we do not experience the fullness of the Spirit's working and His power in and through us. To be filled with the Spirit implies freedom for Him to occupy every part of our lives, guiding and controlling us. Then His power can be exerted through us so that what we do is fruitful to God. The filling of the Spirit does not apply to outward acts alone; it also applies to the innermost thoughts and motives of our actions.

Psalm 19:14 (NKJV) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Galatians 5:16-23 (NKJV)16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Sin is what hinders the filling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained.

You have been in churches and we have done it here before where we pray that you be filled by the Holy Spirit. That’s okay, but it’s not praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the filling.

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) ¹  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ²  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Unfortunately, in human experience it is difficult to be holy and to continue at all times in situations entirely surrendered to the Lord. When sin enters the life of a Christian, the Holy Spirit is hindered in His ministry and He is “grieved.”

Only our obedience to God's commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. Because we are still infected with sin, it is impossible to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. When we sin, we should immediately confess it to God and renew our commitment to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Being filled then empowers you

Next week we are going to talk more about the filling of the Holy Spirit. I think that will end this study if the Holy Spirit agrees.

Bible Study Audio

<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>

The Holy Spirit - Session 12 - The Holy Spirit Will Empower the Messiah

The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is doing a study of The Holy Spirit. The study will look at who the Holy Spirit is, His role in the Trinity, His interaction with man, His role in and after man's salvation. This is an intense study of the Holy Spirit in scripture. We are using the bible as our primary reference resource. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments below. We welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and prayers. 

Last week we ended our discussion of the prophets and others who were empowered by or who the
Holy Spirit came upon or fell upon in the Old Testament.

We ended our discussion of those people with Zachariah who Jesus talked about when He told the people they would be held responsible for the murder of all God's prophets from Abel to Zechariah.

Luke 11:50-51 (NLT)50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world—51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.

What He was saying is that although they built monuments to to the prophets their forefathers built they, like them, rejected God's messengers, including Him who even though He was their Messiah, they rejected Him.

We then moved to a discussion of the Holy Spirit in Prophecies Concerning Israel’s Future. We looked at

Isaiah 59:20-21 (NLT)20 “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the LORD.21 “And this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Ezekiel 37:1-14, which was the vision of the valley of dry bones.

Ezekiel 37:9 (NLT) Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”


The breath of life was breathed into the nation of Israel restoring them after their captivity was ensed. The four winds of heaven is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.


Speaking of symbols of the Holy Spirit what are they?

• Dove
• Fire, 
• Wind 
• Water.
• Oil
• Cloud

What are the names for the Holy Spirit?

• Author of Scripture
• Comforter / Counselor / Advocate
• Convictor of Sin
• Deposit / Seal / Earnest/Guarantee
• Guide
• Indweller of Believers
• Intercessor
• Spirit of Truth
• Spirit of God
• Spirit of the Lord
• Spirit of Christ
• Spirit of Life
• Teacher
• Witness

The attributes of the Holy Spirit being a person are what?

He has;

•  intelligence
• feelings
• a will
• He prays
• He does miracles (humans can’t 
• do this)
• He can be lied to
• He can be insulted
• He teaches
• He directs. 

The attributes that He is also God are what?

• Omnipotent - All powerful
• Omnipresent - Present everywhere
• Omniscient - All knowing

Even with all this the Holy Spirit is not apart from God. He’s not separate but He is a member of the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Now back to our review of last week and the Holy Spirit in Prophecies Concerning Israel’s Future. We looked at the scripture in Joel 2:28-32, where Joel prophesied that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all people no matter their age, or station in life.

Then we looked at passages in Haggai and Zechariah where God was telling the people who had come back to the land from captivity that His Spirit would be with them so they shouldn’t be afraid to rebuild the temple, the city of Jerusalem and the nation.

The Holy Spirit will Empower the Messiah

The Old Testament prophets also tell us that the Holy Spirit will empower Israel's Messiah, who just happens to be our Savior Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 11:1-5 (NLT)1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.2 And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.3 He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

Isaiah is talking about the Messiah here. He is telling the people what the Holy Spirit has revealed to Him.

The Messiah will be a descendant of David. Some people interpret this passage as that the Messiah will be supernaturally endowed by the sevenfold Holy Spirit of God (verse 1) Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the 2) Spirit of wisdom and 3)understanding, the 4)Spirit of counsel and 5) might, the 6) Spirit of knowledge and of the 7) fear of the LORD ).

The 7 spirits are mentioned in Revelations but not specifically identified.

Revelation 1:4 (NLT) This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne;

Revelation 3:1 (NLT) “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.

Revelation 4:5 (NLT) From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.

Revelation 5:6 (NLT) Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.

The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically who/what the seven spirits are, but that they are the Holy Spirit, seems the most likely.

The Bible, and especially the book of Revelation, uses the number 7 to refer to perfection and completion. If that is the meaning of the “seven” in the "seven spirits," then it is not referring to seven different spirits of God, but rather the perfect and complete Holy Spirit.

Another view is that the seven spirits of God refer to seven angelic beings, possibly the seraphim or the cherubim. This would fit with the numerous others angelic beings that are described in the book of Revelation (Revelation 4:6-9; 5:6-14; 19:4-5).

Isaiah 42:1-4 (NLT)1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or raise his voice in public.3 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.4 He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

The ministry of the Holy Spirit in relation to Messiah would accomplish the atonement for the sin of the world and thus inaugurate the new covenant, on which the kingdom of God was based.

Hebrews 9:14 (NLT) Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

The Messiah as the Chosen One, will be the Head of God's elect people. He would be especially empowered by the Holy Spirit. He would carry on a quiet and unassuming ministry (even though multitudes, as we now know, would flock to him out in the fields and hills). He would have a ministry to all nations, bringing to them judgment. The implication is that He will bring standards or principles of divine holiness and truth—the true faith of the Gospel). And this message and standard would happen throughout the world. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NLT)1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

Christ, or the Messiah is here represented as empowered by the Spirit to preach the liberating and life-transforming Gospel. The Gospel is especially intended for the meek (i.e., the humble, who recognize their own sin and need of a Saviour) and the brokenhearted (who repent of their sins). It is a message of deliverance from bondage, of consolation for sorrow, and of power from God for a new holiness of life—trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah (v. 3, asv). This Gospel also promises God's righteous judgment upon all the forces of unrepentant evil—the day of vengeance of our God (v. 2). - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

This is the text which our Jesus Himself cited at the outset of His public ministry and which He said was fulfilled in the hearing of His audience

Luke 4:16-21 (NLT)16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.17 The scroll of Isaiah the
prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.”20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Regard to Man's Salvation

This is a good place for us to start talking about the Holy Spirit and our relationship and interaction with Him today in the lives of the believer. Remember this is the same Holy Spirit that gave, power and ability to all those people we have talked about the last two months, who now dwells in us.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT) Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

The Holy Spirit only indwells believers but He is active and interacting with nonbelievers. In fact, the Spirit is indispensable for anyone to be saved. His work can be divided into three general categories of activity: his pre-conversion work, conversion work and post-conversion work.

The Pre-Conversion Work of the Holy Spirit

Prior to anyone placing his or her faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is involved in setting the conditions that allow for someone’s faith response to the gospel. One of these roles is the convicting of sin and truth.

John 16:8-10 (NLT)8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.

Bible Study Audio

<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>

The Holy Spirit - Session 11 - The Holy Spirit and Prophecies about Israel

The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study group is doing a study of The Holy Spirit. The study will look at who the Holy Spirit is, His role in the Trinity, His interaction with man, His role in and after man's salvation. This is an intense study of the Holy Spirit in scripture. We are using the bible as our primary reference resource. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments below. We welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and prayers. 

We’re going to continue talking about prophets and others who were empowered by or who the Holy Spirit came upon or fell upon in the Old Testament. I think we will be able to complete this study in two to three weeks but we’ll see. We are going to have to talk about how the Holy Spirit interacts with those of us under the new covenant when after Jesus ascended back to God the Father and the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell believers. We’ll do that in the next couple of weeks I hope.

Zechariah

2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (NLT)20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the LORD, and now he has abandoned you!”21 Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the LORD’s Temple.22 That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty—by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were, “May the LORD see what they are doing and avenge my death!”

Zechariah was a prophet and he told king Joash what was going to happen because of the his and the nation’s disobedience. Some background is necessary and interesting here since after giving the king this message Joash ordered Zechariah killed.

The background story is this there was a king of Judah named Ahaziah. He did the same kinds of things that the kings of Israel did worshiping idols, he did evil in the Lord’s sight and he was killed, after reigning only one year. You can read about him in 2 Chronicles chapter 22 and 2 Kings chapter 8. . His mother Athaliah, when she found out that he had been killed started killing the rest of the royal family killed. Ahaziah’s sister however took his infant son, Joash, and hid him. Jehoiada (yeh-ho-yaw-daw'), who was the high priest and his wife along with Ahaziah’s sister hid him in the temple for six years. In the seventh year Jehoiada the priest led a revolt and Athaliah was killed and Joash was crowned the king of Judah. He became king at seven and he reigned for 40 years. He did he right thing for many years until his counselor Jehoiada died. His new advisors caused him to turn away from worshiping God. That’s when the Holy Spirit came upon Zechariah the son of his long time adviser, Jehoiada, the one who was instrumental in saving his life and leading the revolt to make him king. After hearing what Zechariah said he had him killed because of his speaking speaking what the Lord had to him to tell Joash. So he repaid the kindness shown to him but Jehoiada by killing his son.

Jesus talked about Zechariah

Luke 11:50-51 (NLT)50 “As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world—51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.

Abel was the first martyr of OT history. Zechariah, was the last, according to the order of books in the Hebrew Bible, which, unlike the English Bible, ends with Chronicles. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

The Holy Spirit in Prophecies Concerning Israel’s Future

Isaiah

Isaiah 59:20-21 (NLT)20 “The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the LORD.21 “And this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the LORD, have spoken!

While the prophecy is addressed to Israel by Isaiah who is being talked about here?

Redeemer here is gôʾēl, "kinsman-redeemer," (The Messiah) which involves a blood relationship (into which God could not enter except through the incarnation of Christ).The true people of God will ever be a witnessing people, faithfully proclaiming the truth of the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

Remember the story of Ruth and Boaz. You will need to study the law of land ownership in Israel completely understand this but the short explanation is that when the Israelites entered and displaced the inhabitants of Canaan each family was given land. That land was to always remain the in hands of that family. If for some reason the family had to sell the land the nearest of kin could redeem, or buy it back and there was a formula of what the sale price could be. Naomi and her husband left Israel during a famine, he died, and when Naomi and Ruth came back she no longer owned the land but, Boaz was able to redeem Naomi’s land and in doing so, married Ruth, because he was relative. He wasn’t the nearest relative who had the first right of refusal in redeeming the land but when that relative declined then Boaz redeemed it.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NLT)1 The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones.2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign LORD,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD!5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.8 Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.9 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’12 Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel.13 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the LORD.14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!’”

In verse 9 The breath of life is breathed from the four winds of heaven, a symbol of the universal life-giving Spirit of God. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Explanation of the Vision.

These bones are the whole house of Israel (both Israel and Judah,), whose survivors say, Our hope is lost. 12. The figure is altered from those slain on the battlefield to those dead in the grave. I will... raise you from your graves... and bring you back, out of the dark places of captivity, home into the land of Israel (rsv). And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live. The Spirit of the Lord gives life. He is the regenerating Spirit. The prophet is not here speaking of the bodily resurrection. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

Ezekiel 39:25-29 (NLT)25 “So now, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard my holy reputation!26 They will accept responsibility for their past shame and unfaithfulness after they come home to live in peace in their own land, with no one to bother them.27 When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display my holiness among them for all the nations to see.28 Then my people will know that I am the LORD their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind.29 And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”

God speaking through Ezekiel is telling the people that when He brings them back from captivity He will pour out his Spirit on them.

Joel

Joel 2:28-32 (NLT)28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— blood and fire and columns of smoke.31 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the LORD arrives.32 But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the LORD has said. These will be among the survivors whom the LORD has called.

Remember Peter says that what started on the day of Pentecost when those in the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit was fulfillment of this prophecy from Joel.

In this coming manifestation of the Spirit, no distinction will be made on grounds of sex, age, or position; but a distinction will be made in the different methods by which the revelation is received and the prophetic gift exercised. That is, their sons, daughters, old persons, and youths will receive the Spirit of the Lord with all his various gifts. They will become "organs of Divine revelation" to all nations!

In the Messianic Age no distinction will be made between the bond and the free. It doesn’t matter what you social or economic status is.

Haggai

Haggai 2:3-9 (NLT)3 ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all!4 But now the LORD says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’6 “For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land.7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

When Cyrus the Persian destroyed the Babylonian power, he favored and promoted the Jews' return to the land of promise to rebuild the sanctuary in Jerusalem. The foundation of the new Temple was laid and the work was begun with high hopes. Soon hostile neighbors employed their devices to stop the work. The work was brought to a halt, but outward opposition to tine task was only part of the problem. A state of indifference had seized upon the fifty thousand exiles who had returned with resolve to rebuild the house of God. When Darius Hystaspes came to the Persian throne, the Temple had been untouched for some sixteen years. Haggai (and later Zechariah) was sent by God to awaken the people and bestir them from their lethargy to undertake the work of restoration. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

God was telling the people, through Haggai, to get on with rebuilding the temple and to not be afraid because His Spirit was with them.

God had not forsaken them, though he had been highly displeased with their indifference to his love and his commands. They had nothing to fear. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

Zechariah

Zechariah 4:6-9 (NLT)6 Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.7 Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’”8 Then another message came to me from the LORD: 9 “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.

The revelation from God to Zerubbabel was that all his work for God depended not on human strength, power, or prowess, but upon God's Spirit for fruition. By this passage it is known that oil in Scripture is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

Next week 

Next week we will look at indications in the Old Testament that the Holy Spirit will empower the Messiah and the Holy Spirit's ministry and the salvation of the Gentiles.

Bible Study Audio

<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>

Do As Thou Hast Said - CDG Tuesday Night Bible Study 8-4-15

These are the notes from Tuesday Night Bible Study at The Church of Divine Guidance.

After David had united all of the tribes of Israel under him as king and he had moved to Jerusalem from Hebron, and after he built his palace and there was peace in the land. He moved the ark of the covenant, after some difficulty, which is the subject of another bible study, to Jerusalem. The ark was however still in a tent as it had been from the time that the nation of Israel was freed from Egypt. David now that there was peace wanted to build a permanent place for the ark which, during those days, represented the presence of the Lord with the nation. That's also another study. Anyway lets go to;

Nathan and David

2 Samuel 7:1-17 (NLT)1  When King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies,2  the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”3  Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.”4  But that same night the LORD said to Nathan,5  “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?6  I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling.7  Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’8  “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel.9  I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth!10  And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past,11  starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. “‘Furthermore, the LORD declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings!12  For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong.13  He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever.14  I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do.15  But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight.16  Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”17  So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the LORD had said in this vision.  

After Nathan told David what God had told him to tell him, David went and prayed.  

2 Samuel 7:18-29 (NKJV) 18  Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: "Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 19  And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; and You have also spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come. Is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20  Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord GOD, know Your servant. 21  For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them. 22  Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23  And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name--and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land--before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? 24  For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God. 25  Now, O LORD God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said. 26  So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel.' And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27  For You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You. 28  And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. 29  Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever."

Do as Thou Hast Said

This is essentially what we are saying when we make requests of God in prayer and we quote scripture.  We believe that the bible is the word of God and so when we quote those verses where it says that God is speaking either directly, or through an angel, or other intermediary, and every time that Jesus speaks, God is speaking or saying something to and for us.  So it is very important that we know what God has really said, meaning in what context did He say it.

David knew what God had said so he could then ask God to do exactly as He had said.  When we ask God to do what He has said do we really know what He has said?  The only way to be sure of that is go to the place that God said what He hast said ….. the bible.   

The Bible is God’s Word

Here are some of the things that the bible itself says about God’s word.   One of the things I love about God’s word is that it defines and explains itself.  If you want to know what something that Jesus, or one of his apostles meant by a particular statement you’ll find it in the Old Testament.  

Here are some of the things the Bible, which is God's word says about itself:

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."

Isaiah 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is trustworthy.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

2 Timothy 3:16  Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:16  Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

Here’s whnt the word says happens when we ask, or quote the word incorrectly, often because we haven’t read it or studied it to really know what it means.  

James 4:3  You make your request but you do not get it, because your request has been wrongly made, desiring the thing only so that you may make use of it for your pleasure.

When we Pray We Can Remind God of “What Thou Hast Said”

God didn’t say things just to be saying them.  He meant that we should use His promises. That’s why He made them.   If we don’t use the promise then it is of no effect.  You have all heard the comment about having a luxury car in your garage and never driving or riding in it.  What good is it?  If you don’t use the promise that God gives then you could say that we are frustrating God’s intentions.

What Hast God Said to You

Only you can answer that question.  To find out what He’s said to you all you have to do is open your bible.  Here are a few things that He just might be saying or has said to you:

Isaiah 40:29-31 29  He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31  But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Matthew 5:3-12 3  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4  Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5  Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7  Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8  Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9  Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

Matthew 6:25-32 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!  If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith? So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

1 John 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

There are hundreds of things that God is saying to you.  If you have a concordance, your bible has a concordance, or if you have a book of promises of the bible, find the specific promise or promises that speak to your situation and then remind God of what He hast said.  He doesn’t need to be reminded of them but we do.

A Final Word

As those of you know, who follow my blogs and Facebook pages, one of my favorite Christian personalities is Charles Spurgeon.  He was a British preacher who died in 1892.  He was a prolific author of many types of works including sermons, an autobiography, commentaries, books on prayer, devotionals, magazines, poetry, hymns and more.  This is from one of his devotionals and is what inspired this study.

"Do as thou hast said."-2 Samuel 7:25

God's promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; He intended that they should be used. God's gold is not miser's money, but is minted to be traded with. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation; He loves to see His children bring them up to Him, and say, "Lord, do as Thou hast said." We glorify God when we plead His promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for giving you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be any the less holy for giving holiness to you? Do you imagine He will be any the less pure for washing you from your sins? He has said "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Faith lays hold upon the promise of pardon, and it does not delay, saying, "This is a precious promise, I wonder if it be true?" but it goes straight to the throne with it, and pleads, "Lord, here is the promise, 'Do as Thou hast said.'" Our Lord replies, "Be it unto thee even as thou wilt." When a Christian grasps a promise, if he do not take it to God, he dishonours Him; but when he hastens to the throne of grace, and cries, "Lord, I have nothing to recommend me but this, 'Thou hast said it;'" then his desire shall be granted. Our heavenly Banker delights to cash His own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the word of promise out of its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Think not that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is His delight to bestow favours. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask. The sun is not weary of shining, nor the fountain of flowing. It is God's nature to keep His promises; therefore go at once to the throne with "Do as Thou hast said.

Bible Study Audio

<====IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BIBLE OR WANT ANOTHER ONE CLICK HERE====>