Foundations of Faith
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (II)
In the previous issue, we discussed the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting sinners and in bringing about new birth or spiritual life in an individual. Let us now examine the benefits the Holy Spirit gives to an individual who has become a believer in Christ.
The Holy Spirit indwells the believer. The Lord Jesus told His disciples shortly before His crucifixion, “The Spirit of truth … dwells with you and shall be in you” (John 14:17; also Rom. 8:9). The Spirit dwelling with them referred to the Spirit’s activity in Old Testament times (see Nov94 for more about this). The Spirit actually dwelling in the believer began when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost. Another way of expressing the truth of the Holy Spirit dwelling or living in the believer is given in 1 Cor. 6:18,19 as an argument against sexual sin:”Flee fornication…. Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you?” Have you ever thought much about the awesome responsibility you have now that the Holy Spirit dwells in you? Everywhere you go the Holy Spirit goes with you. Everything you read or watch or listen to, the Holy Spirit has to read, watch, or listen to with you. Herein lies the great importance of understanding, as discussed in the previous issue, that the Holy Spirit is not just an impersonal force, but a real, living, Person–equal with God the Father and God the Son.
The Holy Spirit anoints the believer. “You have an unction [or anointing] from the Holy One and you know all things” (1 John 2:20; also 2 Cor. 1:21, 22). By the Holy Spirit’s anointing the believer receives the capacity to understand and enjoy the truths concerning God the Father and God the Son. Notice what the Lord Jesus told His disciples about the work of the Spirit:”He will guide you into all truth…. He shall glorify Me…. He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you” (John 16:13-15). In other words, one of the most important works of the Holy Spirit is to teach the believer about the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is so that the believer might learn to follow that perfect Example (Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Pet. 2:21-23), to “walk even as He walked” (1 John 2:6), and to manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23) which are the behaviors and attitudes of Christ.
Another aspect of the anointing of the Holy Spirit is found in Acts 10:38:”God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good” (also Matt. 3:16). Just so, the Spirit anoints the believer with power and ability to serve and worship God (Acts 1:8).
Do you remember from Sep94 the meaning of the word, “Christ“? Christ means “the anointed One.” We noted in that issue that the Lord Jesus was anointed to carry out the three offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. Believers in Christ, as anointed by the Holy Spirit, are privileged to share in this three-fold ministry. We are empowered by the Spirit to speak for God on earth as His prophet-messengers; we are made priests to worship God (1 Pet. 2:5); and we shall one day reign with Christ over the earth (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:10; 20:4-6).
The Holy Spirit seals the believer. Have you ever seen a letter sealed with sealing wax? The melted wax dripped onto the letter or the envelope seals it shut. But more importantly, the personal seal of the individual sending the letter, pressed into the hot wax, unmistakably identifies the sender. Just so, the Holy Spirit’s seal on a believer is a mark of ownership. It tells us unmistakably that we belong to God (see Rom. 8:14-16). “Having believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise…. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 1:13; 4:30; also 2 Cor. 1:22).
The Holy Spirit serves as an “earnest” for the believer. What does this mean? An earnest is a pledge, a down payment, a performance bond. The “Holy Spirit of promise … is the earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:14; also 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5). Thus, the Holy Spirit who indwells the believer is the pledge and foretaste of all of the blessings which are yet to be ours when we get to heaven.
The Holy Spirit baptizes the believer. John the Baptist contrasted the work he was doing, baptizing in water, with the work of the coming Christ who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11). The Lord Jesus, after His resurrection, reminded His disciples of this, saying, “You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). These words were fulfilled a couple of weeks later when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost and the believers, gathered together in one place, were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). All of these believers were Jews who were followers of Christ. The next time we read about baptism with the Holy Spirit is when the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and other Gentiles who believed the gospel (Acts 11:15-17). The meaning of this baptism is given to us in 1 Cor. 12:13:”For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free.” “Baptism” literally means “immersion,” or being covered completely by water or some other substance. Believers in Christ–both Jew and Gentile–have been totally immersed in the Holy Spirit so as to be united together into one body, all with the same purpose, goal, and object. This baptism of the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ occurs at the same time as the indwelling, anointing, and sealing–that is, upon trusting and receiving Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord.
Additional works of the Holy Spirit, what it means to grieve or quench or blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, and how to know that one has received the Holy Spirit will be discussed in the next issue of GROWING, if the Lord has not come yet.
Running the Race
HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT AFFECT OUR DAILY LIVES?
Scene: Teen-age Sunday school class.
Teacher: Last week we discussed a number of ways the Holy Spirit works in the life of the Christian. Now does anyone remember the homework assignment I gave to you last week? (Several hands shoot up.) Okay, Susan.
Susan: We were to write down specific ways in which we recognized the Holy Spirit working in us during the week.
Teacher: Very good, Susan. The floor is open now. What did you all learn about the Holy Spirit last week?
Jim: A friend of mine invited me over to watch an X-rated video in his home since his parents were away. At first I was thinking of going, but the Holy Spirit convicted me of the fact that I would be taking Him along with me and that my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” So I didn’t go.
Teacher: Good for you, Jim. This is an example of why He is called the Holy Spirit. Yes, Sarah.
Sarah: My older brother was teasing me pretty badly and I was getting really angry and trying to think how I could get even with him. Then a verse I had memorized just a few weeks ago came into my head, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). I believe it was the Holy Spirit who brought that verse to my attention, and it took away all my bitterness toward my brother.
Joanne: I didn’t do as well as Sarah did. My mother asked me to help her, but I was in a grumpy mood and I mouthed off at her. I was convicted at once of my sin, and this, I am sure, was the work of the Holy Spirit. I confessed to my mother and proceeded to help her and she forgave me. But after that I kept feeling so wicked and defiled and defeated in my Christian life. But once again, I believe it was the Holy Spirit who reminded me that God’s seal was on me, that my sins had all been atoned for on the cross, and that my heavenly Father still loved me, even though I failed so many times.
Robert: I learned that it isn’t very pleasant having the Holy Spirit living in me.
Teacher: Could you explain what you mean, Robert?
(Our space has disappeared for this issue. We will have to wait till next month to find out what Robert was talking about.)
Assignment 19: The following is a review quiz based on the 1994 issues of GROWING.
1. (Jan.) In your own words, tell how mercy and grace differ from each other.
2. (Feb.) Write down two features of God’s love and write out a verse that illustrates each of these features.
3. (Mar.) From what you learned in the March issue of GROWING, how would you best describe, in a couple of sentences, the Holy Trinity?
4. (Apr.) Write down three ways in which the concept of the triune God is different from the concept of three Gods. Write out a Scripture verse to back up each of the three ways.
5. (May) Write out two ways–each with a supporting verse from the Bible–in which God relates to us as Father.
6. (Jun.) Write out two verses that show that Jesus Christ was fully and truly God, and two verses that show that He was fully and truly Man.
7. (Jul.) Why was it necessary that Jesus be born of a virgin?
8. (Aug.) Give two arguments–and write out a verse for each–why Jesus could not sin.
9. (Sept.) Name three offices filled by Christ, and write out a verse to support each one.
10. (Oct.) Why was the resurrection of Jesus Christ necessary for the formation of the Christian Church?
11. (Nov.) Write out two verses that show that the Holy Spirit is God.
12. (Dec.) Write out a recent incident in your own experience that shows how the Holy Spirit has worked in your life.