The Epistle to the Ephesians
Lesson 10
The Holy Spirit in Ephesians

Introduction
Nothing thrills my heart more than to understand and experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Some people think of the Holy Spirit as a “spirit” or “spiritual force” emanating from God throughout the world. The Holy Spirit is far greater than a mere force that influences people’s lives.

Others regard the Holy Spirit as an impersonal “it.” They do not consider Him as an equal with God the Father or God the Son. To them, He is simply a thing that influences our lives.

Put away from you any such thought. The blessed Holy Spirit who regenerates the sinner and empowers the saint is a co-equal partner of our wonderful triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each member of the Godhead possesses all the attributes of deity. Each functions in a different capacity with different responsibilities, but in perfect harmony with the others. For example, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray (Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18). We pray in the name of Jesus (John 15:16) and we address the Father (Matthew 6:9). I feel strongly that no study of Ephesians would be complete without some meditation upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Importance of this Lesson

• Remember that we are studying the book of Ephesians and our purpose is to present the person and work of the Holy Spirit as found in this epistle. Many books have been published which endeavor to present all the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit. That of course, is not our purpose.
• The importance of and our chief desire in this lesson is that you become better acquainted with the Holy Spirit as you see Him work in Ephesians.
• It is important that He become a reality in your life as you come to fully realize that He is indeed the wonderful third person of our great Triune God.

Include this form on your page

The Lesson

I. SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT – Ephesians 1:13-14
“ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

• The first mention of the Holy Spirit in Ephesians is found in Ephesians 1:13 – 14.
• In Ephesians1:13, the Apostle writes, “Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”
• We are sealed “with” the Holy Spirit, not “by” the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and He himself becomes the seal.
• You will see that He is called “that Holy Spirit of promise.” His presence in us becomes the guarantee that the promises made in Ephesians 1:9-12 will be fulfilled.

1. What is the meaning of “sealed”?
   1. Authenticity: Whenever a company produces a product it normally imprints the company seal on that product, giving it authenticity or genuineness. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives gives our Christian life and testimony reality, genuineness, and authenticity. In no way can you fake your way into heaven or into His inheritance. (No seal – no heaven)
   2. Preservation: Often when the homemaker makes preserves or jelly, she places it in a jar and seals it with wax. Why? To preserve it, not for a few hours or days, but for that indefinite time when on a special occasion it is opened and enjoyed. So it is with the Holy Spirit. He is the seal that protects us “unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). In other words, when you are saved and become a part of the family of God, you are the Lord’s property and you are His forever. The Spirit preserves and protects the property of God. Read Romans 8:14, 26, 27.
   3. Verification or Identification – Ownership: The presence of the Holy Spirit verifies who we are and to whom we belong. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal. The Lord knoweth them that are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). The apostle Paul makes it clear that “if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Romans 8:9).
      1. Remember that we are not sealed until we believe (Ephesians 1:13).
      2. There is a difference in the words “until” and “unto”:
         1. Until – implies continuation of an action until another action takes place; sustained, maintained, kept. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit UNTIL the redemption of the purchased possession (Ephesians 1:14).
         2. Unto – signifies completion, termination, destruction, arrival, fulfillment. “Ye are sealed UNTO the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
   4. Genuineness: The government seal on a silver dollar makes it genuine – the real thing. So the Holy Spirit in us makes us genuine sons of God and heirs of salvation.

II. ACCESS TO THE FATHER THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT – Ephesians 2:18
“ For through Him (that is Christ), we both (that is Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit (the Holy Spirit) unto the Father.” Note first another remarkable working together of our great triune God.

1. By Him (Christ) we both (Jew and Gentile) have access to the Father. By Christ’s death and the shedding of His blood, our sins have been judged and put away (Hebrews 9:14, 26), making it possible for us to approach God (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19).
2. “By one Spirit” means by the help of the Holy Spirit.
   Isn’t it wonderful that when we do not know how to approach God, the Holy Spirit comes to our rescue? Read Romans 8:26-27.
3. “Unto the Father” – Here is the harmony of the Trinity. We pray in the name of Jesus, aided by the Holy Spirit as we address the Father.

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS TO BUILD THE CHURCH – Ephesians 2:22
“ In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

1. You will recall that in Lesson #7, we studied the church as viewed in Ephesians. We learned that the Church was seen as a building or temple in the process of being built (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:16).
2. Our concern here is not the entire ministry of the Holy Spirit. We are limiting our thoughts here to the relationship and ministry of the Spirit to the Church.
3. Since the Church is said to be a temple (Ephesians 2:21), bear in mind that a temple, or a great building, must be designed and constructed with meticulous accuracy. Every piece of timber, every brick, and every stone must be carefully placed and fastened or sealed. So it is with the Church. The Holy Spirit first regenerates us (John 3:5) and then seals us and makes us a part of that glorious body, the Church, “unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30).
4. Notice the phrase “ye are builded together” (Ephesians 2:22). Jews and Gentiles are now included as part of all the races and nations of the world who turn to Christ. The Holy Spirit, like God the Father and God the Son, possesses the attribute of being omnipresent. He responds to anyone, anywhere that calls upon Christ to be saved.
5. Keep in mind that you, as an individual Christian, are also called a temple of the living God.
   2 Corinthians 6:16 – “For ye are the temple of the living God.”
   1 Corinthians 6:19 – “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…?” So, while the Holy Spirit plays a major part in the construction and formation of the Church Universal, He also is largely responsible for indwelling and sustaining the individual Christian.
6. What are some of the things the Spirit does to accomplish this great work?
   1. He convicts of sin
   2. He reproves the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:8). (The word “reprove” in this verse means to correct.)
   3. He regenerates the believer (John 3:5-6).
   4. He guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
   5. He leads us (Romans 8:14).
   6. He will make Christ a reality to us (John 15:26, 16:14).
   7. He enables us to conquer the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
   8. He can put a melody in our hearts (Ephesians 5:19).
   9. He assures us of our salvation (Romans 8:16).
   10. He empowers us for service (Acts 1:8).
   11. He sanctifies us (sets us apart for the glory of God) (I Peter 1:2).
       (For your exam, be able to match the reference to the statement of what the Holy Spirit does.)
7. Much more could be added here but this should be sufficient to establish the point being made.

IV. THE SPIRIT REVEALS THE GREAT MYSTERY – Ephesians 3:5
“ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”
What a remarkable thing we see here. A great mystery, completely unknown in ages past, not even by the Old Testament prophets, is about to be revealed. And who is the great revealer? The blessed Holy Spirit.

1. To whom was this great mystery revealed?
   1. First, to the apostle Paul.
      “ How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery” (Ephesians 3:3)
   2. Then to “His holy apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:5).
2. What was the great mystery?
   “ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6).
3. And the question important to our lesson is “Who did the revealing?”
   “ It is now revealed by the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:5).
4. It is of great importance that you always keep before you the realization that the Holy Spirit is involved with all the plans and purposes of God.

V. THE SPIRIT AND THE INNER MAN – Ephesians 3:16
“ That he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”

1. We must bear in mind that the statement was a part of Paul’s first prayer in Ephesians that we have already studied. Remember that this prayer emphasized our need to be “rooted and grounded in love so as to be able to comprehend the extent of Christ’s love and that we might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).
2. It is in the “inner man” where we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, where Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, where we comprehend the extent of Christ’s love and where we are filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19).
3. Therefore, the important thing is to know just what the “Inner Man” is.
   1. The “inner man” is that “new creation” we possess when we are “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
   2. The “inner man” is the “new man” created in righteousness and true holiness.” We are to put off or lay aside the “old man” – our old sinful nature – our old manner of life – and put on Christ, the new creature, the New Man (Ephesians 4:21-24; Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:9-10).
4. And who provides the strength and might the inner man needs?
   1. Notice, Paul writes “BY HIS SPIRIT” (Ephesians 3:16).
   2. Never treat the Holy Spirit as simply an influence, a ghostly something, rather than a glorious someone. Seek His blessing in all that you do.

VI. FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT – Ephesians 5:18
“ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

1. Being filled with the Holy Spirit should be a normal Christian experience.
   “ They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
2. Every Christian possesses the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). However, many Christians have never fully recognized Him for who He is and therefore have never yielded to His control.
   1. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans 8:2, “For the law (controlling influence) of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law (controlling influence) of sin and death.”
   2. Remember that Christians are to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). If you do, you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. You can not be filled with the Spirit as long as you are filled with self and selfishness.
3. If you want to be instructed in the truth (John 16:13), empowered to win souls (Acts 1:8), and live a triumphant Christian life, this is what you must do: (Memorize these.)
   1. Realize and confess to God the emptiness and fruitlessness of your life.
   2. Recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in your body. If you are a Christian, He is there (Romans 8:9).
   3. Resign to or completely surrender your will and your life to the control of the Holy Spirit. Read Romans 8:13-14 and Romans 12:1-2. Begin to treat Him like the wonderful and powerful person He is.

VII. PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT – Ephesians 6:18
“ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

1. Praying in the Spirit is simply a matter of yielding to the control of the Holy Spirit and letting Him guide you as to how you pray and what you pray for. Read carefully Romans 8:26-27.
2. The Holy Spirit knows exactly where the greatest need is and He will instruct you and guide you as you pray.
3. To pray in the Spirit, one must be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). A full surrender to Him will enable you to pray “in the Spirit.”
4. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are instructed to “pray without ceasing.” Remember that praying need not always be audible. We can, with our hearts, be in constant communication with God.
5. As we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) we walk in constant fellowship and communion with God. Our praying then will always be “in the Spirit.”
6. Praying “in the Spirit” requires constant watchfulness and perseverance. Notice the primary text, Ephesians 6:18.

Examination

This is the end of this lesson. In order to proceed with the examination, you must be preregistered* as a student with Rogma International. If you are ready to proceed with the examination, click one of the buttons below:

This version is recommended if you have a reliable internet connection. The exam must be completed during your open session, otherwise you risk losing any answers that you may have already completed.		If you are unable to complete the exam online, we suggest that you download this Adobe Acrobat PDF version of the exam and write your answers in the body of an e-mail message to your assigned grader.

* Although registration is not required, registered students can earn a Certificate of Accomplishment, Certificate of Achievement, or a Diploma. In addition, registered students are assigned a personal grader who will monitor their ongoing progress. If you would like to register first, click below. A student identification number and access codes will be e-mailed to you within a few business days. Click to register.