CORE DISCIPLESHIP
from JOSHUA NATIONS
Core Foundations - Lesson 4
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Spirit of God was active in creation. Genesis 1:2; 2:7
Specifically earth and man.
The Spirit of God and Old Testament men:
The Spirit gave the men supernatural gifts for the control, function and direction of Israel — their great leaders, prophets, priests and kings were all anointed of God and empowered by the Spirit of God. He also gave supernatural gifts of power to men like Samson, Gideon and David.1 Samuel 16:12-13, 2 Chronicles 24:20, Numbers 11:25, Exodus 31:3
• There are about 100 direct references to the Spirit of God in the Old Testament.
75 references to the Spirit influencing externally and just 25 references to influencing internally.
In the Old Testament, the Spirit comes primarily for visitation — not habitation.
The Spirit of God was sometimes transferred to others.
From Elijah to Elisha. 2 Kings 2:15
Departing Saul and coming upon David. 1 Samuel 16:13-14
Moses and the men. Numbers 11:17, 25-29
The Spirit of God was present and working in the prophets—men who spoke and acted under His divine direction. These men were chosen to represent God to the world with His message for their time and age. Under the Spirit of God, they elevated religion to its highest level ever (up until the birth of Christ.)
Through these prophets, the Spirit of God foretold of a future age in which He would be poured out on all mankind without
limitation and discrimination.
This was 800 years before the
Holy Spirit was sent at Pentecost
Isaiah 32:13-17; 44:1-4, 61:1; Ezekiel 39:27-29; Joel 2:28-32
The main narrative of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament:
The Spirit's presence among Israel was to oversee the religious and moral life.
The Spirit would guide the affairs of men, history, and Israel to the coming Redeemer.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Holy Spirit at work in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
The birth of John the Baptist Luke 1:15
The birth of Jesus Luke 1:26-38
The baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22
The temptation Luke 4:1-14, Matthew 4:1-11
In the ministry of Christ Luke 4:14-21
In relation to Jesus's instructions to the disciples
Acts 1:2-3
Casting out demons Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20
The Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John
The new birth John 3:1-25, 4:14.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit John 7:37-39
• The departure and ascension of Jesus John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7-15
It would be 25 years before Jesus' teachings would be written, so they had to rely on the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit (the comforter) is a helper who comes alongside us, who transacts the life of Jesus in and through us.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth John 16:13-15
The Holy Spirit convicts and reproves John 16:8-11
The Holy Spirit in the book of Acts
In Acts the Holy Spirit is mentioned over 50 times, but there are 11 chapters He is not mentioned at all.
The Corinthian letters
1 Corinthians 2, 1 Corinthians 12-14, 2 Corinthians 3
The Galatian letter Galatians 5
The Book of Revelation
The Holy Spirit speaking to the church Revelation 2, 3
Salvation's last call Revelation 22:17
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER
At salvation we are baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13.
After salvation, we are filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit.
John 7:37-39, Ephesians 5:18, Acts 2:4.
The Biblical basis for the baptism in the Holy Spirit:
The Prophet Joel Joel 2:28-32
The Prophet John the Baptist Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16, Mark 1:8, John 1:33
Jesus Luke 4:16-27, John 7:37-39, Acts 1:4,5,8
The Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 9:17; 10:44-48; 19:1-6
• The Apostle Peter Acts 2:16-21,33
The Apostle Paul Ephesians 5:18
In each of these accounts there is a common experience evidenced or implied: they spoke in tongues or received a spiritual prayer language. This is often an initial evidence when one is baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit.
Speaking in tongues is not the only evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Benefits and blessings of Holy Spirit baptism or filling:
It is a distinct and definite work after salvation
John 3:5-8, John 7:37-39
It is a purifying work Matthew 3:11-12
It is a filling of the life of Jesus John 14:16
It is an empowering work Acts 1:8
It is usually accompanied by the gift of tongues Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, 19
It is the poured-out Spirit of God Joel 2:28-32
It is the promise of the Father Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8
It is for witnessing unto Jesus Acts 1:8
It is a controlling experience Acts 2:1-4, Ephesians 5:18
It gives revelation of God’s Word to believers John 16:14
Receiving the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit:
A person must be born again
You must believe it is a Biblical experience
One must be hungry and thirsty to receive Matthew 5:6, John 7:37-39
Pray, ask, desire, and believe by faith Luke 11:9-13
Common hindrances to receiving the baptism and filling with the Holy Spirit include lack of proper instruction as how to receive, unbelief, fear, pride, unforgiveness, sin, occult, or demonic activity.
The Holy Spirit working in the believer:
We are to walk, live and be led in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-25
We are to worship and pray in the Spirit. Ephesians 5:19,1 Corinthians 14:15, Romans 8:26, Jude 20.
We are to love in the Spirit. Romans 5:5, Colossians 1:8
We are to speak in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3, Matthew 10:20
We are to hear in the Spirit. Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22
We are born of the Spirit. John 3:3,5,7
We bear witness in the Spirit. 1 John 5:6
We are to sow in the Spirit. Galatians 6:8
We are indwelt by the Spirit. Romans 8:9,14,16
We are sealed by the Spirit. Ephesians 4:30
We have the fellowship of the Spirit. Philippians 2:1
We are not to quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19
We have the sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17
We are to minister in and by the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:18-21
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THE HOLY SPIRIT RELEASES THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER. The two Greek words that describe the gifts of the Spirit are pneumatica, which means “spiritual things” and the word, charismata, which means “grace gifts.” 1 Corinthians 12:1-4
Definition of Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:1-4
Supernatural endowments and competencies that are imparted by the Holy Spirit. Supernatural powers to overcome the enemy, edify the church, and equip believers for ministry. Lastly, they help believers relate to and work with one another.
The gifts help believers understand where and how to
function within the body of Christ.
The Division of Spiritual Gifts:
The ministry gifts are given by God the Father. Romans 12:6-8
The maturity gifts are given by Jesus. Ephesians 4:11
The manifestation gifts are given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:6-11
The Dynamics of the Spiritual Gifts:
Everybody has at least one spiritual gift. 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12
The gifts are for the good of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:7
The gift of God the Father is Jesus.
The gift of Jesus is the Holy Spirit.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are spiritual gifts:
The gifts of Revelation 1 Corinthians 12:8
Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, discerning of spirits.
The gifts of Power 1 Corinthians 12:9
Faith, working of miracles, gifts of healing
The gifts of Inspiration 1 Corinthians 12:10
Prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
No one should feel superior, inferior, proud, or intimidated about their spiritual gift. 1 Corinthians 12:14-27
We are to desire spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 14:1
Believers should not be ignorant of spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:1
The Holy Spirit distributes the spiritual gifts as He wills.
1 Corinthians 12:11
Spiritual gifts in the body of Christ in general. 1 Corinthians 12
Spiritual gifts and corporate worship. 1 Corinthians 14
Spiritual gifts are used privately, personally, and publicly.
Spiritual gifts should be used in order and honoring Biblical authority and leadership.