The Holy Spirit and His Work

The Comforter

What precious promise did Jesus make to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” John 14:16.    

What it necessary for Christ to go away?

“But I tell you the truth: It is good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7.

Who is the Comforter, and what was He to do?

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:6. 

What other work was the Comforter to do?

“”When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8.

The Spirit of Truth

By what other title is the Comforter designated?

“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.” John 15:26.

What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do?

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13.

Note – The Spirit speaks (1 Timothy 4:1); teaches (1 Corinthians 2:3); bears witness (Romans 8:16); makes intercession (Romans 8:26); distributes gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11); and invites the sinner  (Revelation 22:17).

Why cannot the world receive Him?

“The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:17.

What did Christ say the Holy Spirit would reveal?

“He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” John 16:14.  

Note - It is plain from the Scriptures that the Holy Spirit is the personal representative of Christ upon the earth, abiding in the church by dwelling in the hearts of the believers. It follows that any attempt to make a man the vicegerent of Christ in the place of the Third Person of the Godhead is an attempt to put man in the place of God. Thus does the fundamental principle of the Papacy set aside the person and the work of the Holy Spirit.

How has God revealed the hidden things of the kingdom?

“But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10. 

Who moved upon the prophets to give their messages?

“For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21. 

After Pentecost, how was the gospel preached to men?

“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told to you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

1 Peter 1:12.

Heaven’s Union With Believers

How intimate is His union with believers?

“The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:17.

What presence does the Holy Spirit bring to the believers?

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Verse 18.

What promise is to be fulfilled?

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20. (See also John 14:21-23.)

What threefold union is thus established as the result of belief in Christ?

“On that day you realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I also in you.” John 14:20.

Note – Romans 8:9 shows the spirit of each of the tree persons of the Godhead to be one and the same spirit. 

Warning

What warning is therefore given?

‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed fro the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30.

Is there a limit to the strivings of Gods’ Spirit?

”Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal, his days will be a hundred and twenty years.” Genesis 6:3.

Note – The limit is determined by the creature rather than the Creator. It is when there is an utter abandonment to evil, and further appeals would be without avail. God, foreknowing all things, may designate a definite period of probation for man, as in the case of the 120 years before the Flood (Genesis 6:3); but His Spirit never ceases to strive with man so long as there is hope for salvation.

What did David pray?

“Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”

 Psalm 51:11.

Heaven’s Willingness and Invitation

How willing is God to give us the Holy Spirit?

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:13.

How does Jesus, through the Spirit, seek an entrance to every heart?

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20.

O for that flame of living fire

Which shone so bright in saints of old;

Which bade their souls to heaven aspire,

Calm in distress, in danger bold!

Remember, Lord, the ancient days;

Renew Thy work, Thy grace restore;

And while to Thee our hearts we raise,

On us Thy Holy Spirit pour.