Project Description
Getting to truth on the Holy Spirit is difficult but not impossible. God has shared His word and things about His Holy Spirit for us to know. There are also things we can’t know (because He hasn’t revealed it).
Let’s study some of the basics and see what Scripture reveals for us.
God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
Acts 5:31-32
sound doctrine: Holy Spirit
Can I be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
The baptism with the Holy Spirit was foretold of by both John the Baptist and Jesus1,2. Jesus further qualified it as something that would happen to the apostles, giving them power2.
The baptism with the Holy Spirit for the apostles happened just as Jesus said it would2 “not many days” later on the day of Pentecost. This was also the first day the gospel was preached to the Jews in Jerusalem3. That day three thousand were added to Christ.
The second time we read of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was at the conversion of the first gentiles4. It was a miraculous (“power”) spectacle just like on the day of Pentecost. In fact, it was a necessary display to convince Peter, his traveling companions and the Christian Jews back in Jerusalem of God’s acceptance of gentiles into the kingdom4. Other passages5 are sometimes promoted as speaking about this special Holy Spirit baptism but they are forced interpretations often taken out of context.
Both of these occurrences marked “firsts” – the first conversion of Jews and Gentiles (each). Evidently, the baptism with the Holy Spirit was for a specific and special purpose. It was the miraculous ushering in to the kingdom of God for “the Jew first and also the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Do miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit continue today?
The miraculous power of the Holy Spirit was first promised by Jesus to the apostles just before He ascended1. They first received the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit not many days later on the day of Pentecost2. From then on, the apostles alone could bestow the miraculous gifts to baptized believers4 by the laying on of their hands3,4. There is no other mention or example of this ability of non-apostles with the power to pass it on.
Where is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is dwelling in every baptized believer2,3,4,7,9,10,11,13,14. It is rather “matter-of-factly” stated in many places3,6,9,10,11,14. It is also a critical fulfillment to an ever-present Bible theme of God’s desire and promise11.
God literally dwelt among His people during the wanderings (tabernacle) and Solomon (temple) years. During the captivity (no temple) and remnant years He was absent but promised a day when He would return5,8. In the first century, Jesus alludes to this7,11 and we see the fulfillment of that promise on the Day of Pentecost4. From that point on we see these matter-of-fact statements by New Testament writers about the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers2,3,6,9,10,11,13,14 – and by extension, His church1,12.
What is the Holy Spirit doing for the Christian today?
The Holy Spirit is dwelling in the born again Christian4,6,7 and was given as a down payment and seal4,5,8 for their salvation4,8 and inheritance5 in heaven. Throughout a Christian’s walk, they are being renewed6 and helped in their prayers to God1 by the Holy Spirit which should be source of comfort and rejoicing7.
How specifically does the Holy Spirit do these things? We are not told, only that He does these things. We are also not told how or what it means when He is grieved due to our sin8, only that He is.
Finally, the Holy Spirit is testifying and bearing witness to the Christian through the Word of God2 — it is through God’s word that He speaks to us.
getting to truth about the Holy Spirit is more than a little important, agreed?
get all of the questions about the Holy Spirit
answered by scripture with the Bible Study Framework
Where is the Holy Spirit dwelling today?
The idea of the Holy Spirit having a dwelling is well established in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shekhinah" means dwelling or settling and culminates into this Jewish idea of "Divine Presence". We can read of God's (e.g. Holy Spirit's) dwelling among the people of Israel first [more]
Is there an inward call of God?
The inward call versus the outward call. Many today distinguish these as two different types of Godly or heavenly 'callings'. Dividing the spiritual callings found in scripture between an 'inward call' and an 'outward call' is perpetuated at least in part by teachings credited to John Calvin. "Calvinism", or [more]
What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Jesus teaches that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a sin that is unforgivable. The “unforgivable” aspect to this can be alarming and troubling. Undoubtedly, there's no Christian that would want to be guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! Matthew 12:31: Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy [more]
How were miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit given?
Much is debated today about if miraculous gifts (aka "power of the Holy Spirit" in Scripture and charismatic gifts today) of the Holy Spirit still exist. Miraculous gifts as a topic is sometimes condensed into two camps - cessationists and continuationists. It is a debate closely associated with and [more]
Do miracles still happen today?
"It's a miracle!" That's an exclamation we hear often and have probably uttered ourselves. It might be used to describe passing a test you didn't study for or to sum up a great, come-from-behind victory. For example, the great Olympic victory by the U.S. Men's Hockey team is known [more]
Is the Bible the complete revelation of God?
Whether or not the Bible is the complete revelation of God has profound implications on Christianity today. If the Bible isn't the complete revelation of God, then the door remains open to "other" revelation. "Other" could be other scriptural authority such as the Quran or the Book of Mormon. [more]
What does the Holy Spirit do for the Christian today?
Much is said about activity of the Holy Spirit today. In fact, in some Christian religious groups the primary emphasis of their message is the Holy Spirit - it is the "lure" and attraction for converts in their faith. Indeed, the combination ofpower andmystery can be intoxicating. On [more]
Does it matter where we worship God?
Where we worship God has often been debated through the years. Some hold to the idea that worship must occur in a cathedral -- an often ornate structure dedicated to the worship of God. Others don't take much stock in the structure at all, whether an official worship [more]
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
Being baptized with the Holy Spirit (aka Holy Spirit baptism) is a remarkably hot topic - often disputed among Christians today. And yet, there is little direct Scriptural reference to the explicit act of being "baptized with the Holy Spirit." As a subject, there is much the Bible [more]
