The Most Misunderstood Member of the Triune God

The Holy Spirit

1. The Spirit is a person, not a mere personification.

A. Personal titles are given to Him in the Scriptures.

B. The Holy Spirit is said to have the personal characteristics of persons attached to Him.

C. The Holy Spirit can be treated as a Person.

2. The Holy Spirit is God.

A. The Holy Spirit is shown to be God by the divine attributes ascribed to Him.

B. The Spirit is shown to be God by the divine works which are ascribed to God only.

C. The Spirit is shown to be God by what the Bible writers said.

Acts 5:3-4

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Isaiah 6 & Acts 28

• Acts 28: 25-26 - “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people and say, ’You will be ever hearing but never understanding . . .’”

• Isaiah 6:8-9 - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, . . . “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding. . .”

The Holy Spirit . . .

1. . . . convicts unbelievers of their sin and convinces them of their need of the Savior.

2. . . . regenerates those who believe.

3. . . . sanctifies those who believe.

4. . . . comforts those who believe.

John 16:8

When the Holy Spirit comes, (which He now has) he will convict (convince) the world regarding sin and righteousness and judgment …

The Holy Spirit . . .

1. . . . convicts unbelievers of their sin and convinces them of their need of the Savior.

2. . . . regenerates those who believe.

3. . . . sanctifies those who believe.

4. . . . comforts those who believe.

• generate = to give life

• Regenerate = to bring back to life

• Regeneration is the work of God whereby a spiritually dead person becomes a spiritually alive person.

Ephesians 2:1-5 As for you, you were dead in your

transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.

What about EBC? • Some pastors,

churches, and Christians would say, “Regeneration comes first and that leads to us having the ability to believe.”

• Other pastors, churches, and Christians would say, “Believing comes first and leads to a person having the ability to be regenerated.”

The Holy Spirit . . .

1. . . . convicts unbelievers of their sin and convinces them of their need of the Savior.

2. . . . regenerates those who believe.

3. . . . sanctifies those who believe.

4. . . . comforts those who believe.

“setting us apart for God and His purposes”

Colossians 1:16

Ephesians 2:10

Philippians 1:6

Philippians 2:13

2 Corinthians 3:18

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

metamorpheo

Past Performance is Not Necessarily Indicative of Future Results

Romans 12:1-2

The Holy Spirit . . .

1. . . . convicts unbelievers of their sin and convinces them of their need of the Savior.

2. . . . regenerates those who believe.

3. . . . sanctifies those who believe.

4. . . . comforts those who believe.

• I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you in another form. (John 14:18)

• I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)

John 14:16I will ask the Father, and he will give you

another Counselor to be with you forever.

• Counselor - paralketos /para = beside + kaleoo + call / one who comes along side to assist

• Another - allos - another of the same kind (not heteros)

Article of Faith

“We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and comfort those who believe in Jesus Christ.”