Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson 8
The Holy Spirit
(Part Three)
His Ministry in Relation to the Believer, the Baptism of the Spirit,
the Gifts and Fullness of the Spirit, and How to be Filled with the Spirit

Introduction
This is the final lesson in a three-part series on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Due to the great emphasis being placed on the Holy Spirit and His ministry all over the world today, we feel it is vitally important to devote much attention to this subject for the purpose of instruction and clarification. In Lesson 6 we presented the Holy Spirit as a real and divine person, the third member of the Trinity. We reviewed His names and His symbols. In Lesson 7 we discussed His ministry in relation to creation, the Old Testament, the scriptures, the life of Christ, and to unbelievers. In the final lesson of this series we want to acquaint you with the Spirit’s ministry to and in believers, the baptism of the Spirit, the gifts and fullness of the Spirit, and how you can be filled with the Spirit.

Importance of this Lesson

• Every believer should know exactly what he can claim, what is available and how he can obtain the full measure of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.
• It is at this point where so much confusion and misunderstanding exist. In this lesson we endeavor to clarify the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the church today.
• God commands all believers to be “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Such filling is vital to the effective presentation of the Gospel, the winning of souls, the understanding of the scriptures, and the enjoyment of Christ; it is of the greatest importance to firmly grasp and fully understand the truths presented in this lesson.

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The Lesson

I. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO AND IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS

1. He REGENERATES
   That is, He gives or imparts new life to those who were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). The believer is born again and made alive through the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8 and 6:63).
   • When the Spirit exalts Christ (John 16:13), and convicts of sin (John 16:8), the believing sinner repents toward God and puts his faith in Christ (Acts 20:21; Acts 2:38-41). The Spirit then imparts to the believer a whole new life (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:4).
2. He BAPTIZES
   (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3). This is the baptism INTO CHRIST by which the believer becomes a member of the body of Christ – “ …of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephesians 5:30).
3. He SEALS
   (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). The presence of the Spirit is the SEAL of God’s ownership (2 Timothy 2:19). A seal also fastens securely. The Holy Spirit makes us God’s children forever!!!
4. He INDWELLS
   (John 14:17; 7:38-39; 1 Corinthians 6:19). To INDWELL means “to inhabit” or “to abide within.” The Holy Spirit takes up residence in us and abides in us (John 15:4-5; 14:16-17).
5. He ASSURES
   (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6). He bears witness that we are children of God. He is the earnest, the down payment, the guarantee that we shall inherit glory (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:5).
6. He LEADS
   (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16, 25). We are to “walk in the Spirit,” living daily as He directs.
7. He SATISFIES
   (John 4:13-14). “Shall NEVER THIRST.” The Spirit is the living and satisfying water of which Christ spoke.
8. He INSTRUCTS
   (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14). He is the divine teacher and illuminator of the Truth.
9. He INFILLS
   (Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; Ephesians 5:18). He fills us with love, joy, wisdom and peace.
10. He EMPOWERS
    (Acts 1:8). Power to free us from the law of sin (Romans 8:2), power to enable us to witness (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5), power to pray as we ought (Romans 8:26-27) and power to bear fruit (Galatians 5:22).

II. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. There is considerable confusion and disagreement on the use of this term. Some have identified it with entire sanctification or sinless perfection. Others have associated it with speaking in ecstatic or strange tongues.
2. Much of this confusion results from the failure or unwillingness of some to accept the fact that there is more than one baptism in the New Testament.
   1. The Baptism of John (Acts 1:22). This baptism related entirely to Israel (Matthew 3:1-2;
      Luke 7:29). It was a baptism of repentance (Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24). John called upon Israel to forsake their sin and turn to God. Baptism signified their genuine repentance.
   2. Water Baptism – Christ Himself was baptized in water (Mark 1:9-10). He commanded and commissioned His disciples to baptize in water; therefore water baptism is an act of obedience to Christ (Matthew 28:19). This baptism symbolizes the believers identification with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). Instances of water baptism can be viewed in Acts 8:12, 36-39; 16:33.
   3. Baptism BY the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). Every believer, upon his repentance and confession of faith, is baptized or immersed into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27). He then becomes part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27; Ephesians 2:15-16; 5:30) called “the church”
      (Ephesians 1:22-23). This baptism relates to POSITION, not power, and is entirely different from the baptism of Acts 1:5.
   4. Baptism WITH the Spirit (Acts 1:5).
      1. According to John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33) and Peter
         (Acts 2:14-18,33; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:5, 8), the BAPTIZER in this case is Christ Himself!
      2. Acts 1:5-8 is simply a reiteration of Luke 24:49. Luke, the author of both says, “…I SEND the promise of my Father UPON you: but tarry…until ye be ENDUED WITH POWER,…” and “ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence…But ye shall RECEIVE POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is COME UPON YOU.…”
      3. When the promise of this baptism was fulfilled Acts 2:4 says, “And they were all FILLED with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues.…”
      4. This baptism, then, is something the Lord does to us and in us. It is the blessed UPON
         (Acts 1:8). It is an enduement of power (Luke 24:49), and it involves the filling with the
         Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).
3. Note carefully the unique differences between Acts 1:5 and 1 Corinthians 12:13.
1. As to PEOPLE (1 Corinthians 12:13) – carnal, but saved believers; In Acts 1:5-8 – Spirit indwelt disciples (John 20:22).
2. As to RESPONSIBILITY (1 Corinthians 12:13) – None. It was a fulfilled fact. In Acts 1:5-8 they were to tarry until endued with power.
3. As to BAPTIZERS (1 Corinthians 12:13) – The Holy Spirit does the baptizing. In Acts 1:5-8 – Christ does the baptizing.
4. As to PURPOSE (1 Corinthians 12:13) – relates to our POSITION IN Christ. In Acts 1:5-8 – relates to the Spirit’s Power UPON and IN us.
5. As to RESULTS (1 Corinthians 12:13) – Here, believing sinners are immersed into Christ and together form His body, the church. In Acts 1:5-8, born again, Spirit indwelt disciples are endued with power and filled with the Holy Spirit, and 3,000 souls were saved! (John 20:22;
   Acts 2:41-42). SO, when preaching or teaching the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, be certain you make clear what baptism you mean, and what the results are or should be.
4. BUT, what about Ephesians 4:5 which says that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”?
1. Yes, there is but one great universal baptism without which no one can enter heaven, and that is the baptism BY the Spirit into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). A person can go to heaven without water baptism. A person can go to heaven without ever being endued with the Spirit’s power. So, the one essential baptism to which Paul refers is the baptism of 1 Corinthians 12:13.
2. Here is food for thought. In Matthew 18:16, Jesus said, “…in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” Here are TWO great witnesses:\
   1. When I submit to water baptism, I give my witness, an EARTHLY witness, to the fact of the one great universal baptism of 1 Corinthians 12:13, declaring that I have been immersed into Christ and intend to follow Him.
   2. When Christ fills me, baptizes me WITH the Spirit and endues me with power, that is HEAVEN’S witness to the fact that I have been baptized into Christ.
5. What about the argument, that the evidence of being baptized with the Spirit is the ability to speak with other languages or tongues?
   1. The sign that was promised in Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8 was NOT tongues, but
      POWER – Power to witness and proclaim the Gospel. This is still THE sign.
   2. It is quite evident that numerous Old Testament saints like Bezaleel, Moses, Elijah, Saul, Samson, and David and many New Testament saints like Elizabeth, Zachariah, John the Baptist, Paul, Stephen, Barnabas, and the Christians in Acts 4:31, were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues. Even Christ was anointed and filled with the Spirit (Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18), yet He did not speak with tongues.
   3. The great reformers of history, like Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and Knox, and the greatest evangelists and soul-winners of history like David Brainard, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, R.A. Torrey, D.L. Moody and Billy Sunday, did not speak with tongues or other languages.
   4. The plain and simple fact is that you can have all the power of God without any language but your own!!!

III. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

Read carefully 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:8-11. There are 21 spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament. The following should be noted:

1. These things are GIFTS, which means they are FREE. No one can buy them, beg for them, pray for them, or deserve them. God simply GIVES them (1 Corinthians 12:7).
2. These gifts are given by the SOVEREIGN WILL AND GRACE OF GOD (Romans 12:6 and 1 Corinthians 12:11), “severally AS HE WILL.” YOU HAVE NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER!
3. There are many diversities of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4), and each has a practical purpose in the administration and operation of the church (1 Corinthians 12:5-6).
   • Since the gift of tongues was just one of these sovereignly bestowed gifts, having a useful or practical value, it could not have been mere gibberish or vain ecstatic utterances.
4. All such gifts were to be employed under the Lordship of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:5), and no one was to use his gift as he pleased.
5. Every Christian has some gift from the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7,11).
6. No gift was less honorable than another, any more than a member of the human body is less honorable than another (1 Corinthians 12:18-25).
7. No gift was considered more “spiritual” than another. No one was to lord it over others because of his gift. The gift of tongues, or foreign languages, never made anyone more spiritual than another.
8. It is clear that not everyone was given the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30).
9. The gift of tongues, or speaking in tongues, is clearly NOT a miracle or proof of “having the Spirit” or special power. It was simply one of many gifts. It was considered the last and the least of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28). Prophesying or proclaiming the Gospel was considered far more important, (1 Corinthians 14:1).
   • So, don’t be concerned with the gifts God has not given you. Just rejoice in the gifts you have for His glory.

IV. THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT

1. The Bible speaks of THE FULLNESS OF GOD (Ephesians 3:19), THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST (Ephesians 4:13) and THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:18).
   • One thing is certain, the TRIUNE God wants us to be full of Him.
2. The New Testament presents the Holy Spirit’s ministry as being a WITH, IN, and an UPON ministry. (Read John 14:16-17 and Acts 1:8.)
   1. The WITH ministry of the Spirit:
      1. He convicts of sin (John 16:8).
      2. He regenerates (John 3:5-8).
      3. He comforts (John 14:16).
      4. He teaches (John 14:26).
      5. He reveals Christ (John 16:13-15).
      6. He leads (Romans 8:14).
      7. He abides in us (John 14:16).
   2. The IN ministry of the Spirit:
      1. He indwells and makes our bodies His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).
      2. He bears fruit (Galatians 5:22).
      3. He helps our infirmities (Romans 8:26-27).
      4. He assures us of our salvation (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6-7).
      5. He gives victory over the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
      6. He sanctifies us (Romans 15:16).
   3. The UPON ministry of the Holy Spirit:
      1. He came UPON Christ (Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18), anointing him to preach.
      2. The promise is to believers (Isaiah 44:3).
      3. The fulfillment (Acts 1:8; 2:17; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 4:14).
      4. The Old Testament priests, prophets, and kings were anointed before they could serve. The UPON ministry of the Spirit is related to the anointing. In Acts 10:38 “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power….”
      5. The UPON ministry of the Spirit in both the Old and New testaments was always for POWER to preach (Acts 1:8), or to accomplish some great deed (Judges 14:6).
3. In SUMMARY: When any man or woman is directed through the WITH ministry of the Spirit and is being comforted, taught, and led by the Spirit; when he or she is experiencing the IN ministry of the Spirit, bearing fruit, finding strength for his/her weaknesses, being assured of His salvation, and having victory over the flesh and when he knows the Spirit is UPON him to proclaim the riches of the Gospel, that man or woman is experiencing THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT.

V. FINALLY, HOW CAN YOU BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT? (Learn these steps for your exam.)

1. By RESTING – Be assured of your salvation, and be at rest in Christ and in a finished redemption (Matthew 11:28-29).
2. By THIRSTING – We must thirst for God’s power (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39).
3. By CONFESSING – Make a full confession of sin. Deal severely with that thing that comes up whenever you try to get close to God (1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13).
4. By FORSAKING
   1. Forsake all confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).
   2. Forsake all confidence in earthly gifts (Philippians 3:7-10). Lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets you (Hebrews 12:1). Put off the old man with his deeds (Ephesians 4:22).
5. By YIELDING – Make a full surrender of body and soul and spirit to the Lord. No strings attached! Be absolutely obedient to His will (Romans 12:1; 6:13; Acts 5:32).
6. By PRAYING (Luke 11:13; Acts 4:31). When you are assured of your salvation; after thirsting, confessing, forsaking and yielding, then PRAY and ASK God to fill you, and He will.
7. By BELIEVING (Mark 11:24). After praying, don’t wait for a feeling. Just believe God has heard you, and go forth in the assurance that He has answered.

Conclusion:
Please pray much over this lesson. Ponder it in your heart. Make sure you know its truths experientially and not simply theoretically. The world is crying to see a truly Spirit-filled man or woman. Say to yourself, “By the grace of God, I’ll be that person.”

Examination

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