Notes + Questions: The Holy Spirit + Spiritual Gifts

**I. Who is the Holy Spirit?**

• 3rd Person of the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit - Matthew 3:16-17)
• One God - Three Persons: All three are fully and equally God!

*“In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.”* – Westminster Confession of Faith 1647

The Holy Spirit is called God in Scripture - Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

The Holy Spirit has acts of divinity -
• Creator - Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30
• Eternal - Hebrews 9:14
• Omnipotent - Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13
• Omniscient - Isaiah 40:13-14
• Omnipresent - Psalm 139:7

The Holy Spirit has attributes of Personhood. In addition to having a will and desires, the Holy Spirit thinks, acts, feels, speaks and relates. The Holy Spirit can also be
• grieved - Ephesians 4:30
• resisted - Acts 7:51
• insulted - Hebrews 10:29

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a personal He (John 14:17, 26; John 16:7-14), not a she or an impersonal it!


**II. The Holy Spirit is a good gift from our Heavenly Father!**

• Matthew 7:11 & Luke 11:13
• John 16:7


**III. What does the Holy Spirit do?**

• Helper / Comforter / Advocate - Paraklete - John 14:16
• Teacher - John 14:26
• Reminder - John 14:26
• Convicts - John 16:8-12
• Guides - John 16:13

The Holy Spirit gives gifts (Charismata)
• 1 Corinthians 12-14
• Romans 12:3-8
• Ephesians 4:11-16
• 1 Peter 4:8-11

*“Spiritual Gifts are divinely empowered/energized potential to minister to the body of Christ by communicating the power, the knowledge, and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.”* – Sam Storms


**IV. What are some False Beliefs about the Holy Spirit?**

Only Super-Christians get Spiritual Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:7, 13

All Christians get all gifts - 1 Corinthians 14:1, 13

The only purpose of the gifts was to authenticate the ministry of the Apostles - 1 Corinthians 12:7

If you have a gift you can always use it as you wish…
• Permanent Gifts - mercy, helps, teaching
• Occasional / Circumstantial Gifts - healing, word of knowledge, etc.

Spiritual Gifts don’t need my effort…

Spectacular Gifts are a sign of greater spirituality.

Since there is abuse of the spiritual gifts we should not use them.


**V. What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?**

View 1: It happens at Conversion
View 2: It is a subsequent event some time after conversion

My View: It is both!
• Mark 1:7-8
• 1 Corinthians 12:13

Old Testament Promise of the Holy Spirit:
• Isaiah 32:15
• Isaiah 44:3
• Joel 2:28-32

View 1: 1 Corinthians 12:13 - “ALL” - implies that everyone receives the gift of the Holy Spirit at Conversion.
View 2: The New Testament seems to indicate an ongoing “filling” with the Holy Spirit:
• Galatians 3:5
• Ephesians 1:17
• Ephesians 3:16
• Ephesians 5:18
• 1 Thessalonians 4:8

The New Testament seems to affirm two realities we must contend with:

The Holy Spirit indwells believers at conversion, I would call this the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
• instantaneous
• permanent
• universal

The Scriptures command us to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit:
• ongoing
• continuous
• progressive appropriation of and yielding to the fullness of the Spirit



**What should our Response be?**

1. Humility - Romans 12:3
2. Gratitude - 2 Corinthians 9:12
3. Joy - 2 Corinthians 9:7
4. Appropriation - 1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:6
5. Eager Desire - 1 Corinthians 14:1

#CG Questions
1. Where do you see a difference between what you believe about the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts and how you practically see that lived out in your own life? Why is there is gap?
2. How have your views on gifts and the Holy Spirit changed over time? Are there particular experiences that have shaped and challenged your views?
3. How would you describe the relationship between the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts and a healthy church?
4. In what ways do you find yourself trusting and depending on the Holy Spirit in your daily life?