Study Notes - The Holy Spirit

A. PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. What does John 14:17 teach concerning the Spirit? (1) That the world can neither receive nor know him “Weil sie kein Auge fur ihn hat.” Lit., “because she has no eye for him,” (Muhlheimer), i. e., she has no interest in him (2) That the Spirit may be known and that his indwelling is an essential requisite to a true knowledge of him 2. Wherein does John 16:13 show that the Holy Spirit is a person? (1) In the use of personal pronouns (2) In that he acts like a person 3. What constituent elements of personality are attributed to the Spirit in: (1) 1 Cor. 2:10-11? Intellect (2) Rom. 8:26-27? Sensibility (3) 1 Cor. 12:11? Volition 4. Point out various personal activities of the Holy Spirit from: (1) Rom. 8:14 – He leads (guides) (2) Rom. 8:16 – He bears witness (confirms) (3) 2 Cor. 13:14 – He communes (fellowships) (4) Rom. 8:26 – He intercedes (mediates) (5) John 14:26 – He teaches (imparts) (6) Luke 2:26 – He reveals (unveils) (7) 2 Pet. 1:21 – He moves (impels) (8) Acts 16:6 – He forbids (prohibits) (9) Acts 16:6-7 – He restrains (holds back) (10) Acts 8:29 – He speaks (utters words) (11) Isa. 59:19 – He lifts up a standard (defends) 5. Show how the Holy Spirit can be treated like a person as seen from: (1) Acts 7:51 – He can be resisted (2) Acts 5:9 – He can be tempted (provoked) (3) Heb. 10:29 – We can act “despite” him (4) Mat. 12:31-32 – He can be blasphemed (5) Eph. 4:30 – He can be grieved (6) 1 Thess. 5:19 – He can be quenched B. DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. Point out the divine attributes from: (1) Heb. 9:14 – Eternity (2) Psa. 139:7-10 – Omnipresence (3) Job 26:13 – Omnipotence (4) 1 Cor. 2:10-11 – Omniscience 2. With what divine works is the Spirit associated in: (1) Gen. 1:2? Creation (2) John 3:5-8? Regeneration (3) Rom. 15:16? Sanctification (4) Rom. 8:11? Resurrection C. NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. Use the following scriptures to cite the names of the Holy Spirit and suggest a reason for each name: (1) Luke 11:13 – Holy Spirit a. He is holy, Luke 11:13 b. He makes holy, Rom. 15:16 c. He shuns sin, 1 Sam. 16:14 (2) Rom. 8:9 – Spirit of Christ a. Sent in Christ’s name, John 14:26 b. Testifies of Christ, John 15:26 c. Glorifies Christ, John 16:14 (3) John 14:16 – Comforter, “Helper” a. Helps in prayer, Rom. 8:26-27 b. Helps in the truth, John 14:26 c. Helps in ministry, John 16:7-11 (4) Eph. 1:13 – Spirit of Promise a. Fulfilled in Acts 2:1-18 b. Reaffirmed in Acts 2:37-39 c. Repeated in Acts 10:44-47; 19:1-7 (5) John 14:17 – Spirit of Truth a. Gave the truth, 2 Pet. 1:21 b. Guides into the truth, John 16:13 c. Keeps us in the truth, 1 John 2:27 (6) Heb. 10:29 – Spirit of Grace a. Gives grace to repent, Zech. 12:10 b. Gives grace to overcome, Heb. 10:29 c. Gives grace to endure, Heb. 9:14 (7) Rom. 8:2 – Spirit of Life a. Frees from the law of sin, Rom. 8:2, 13 b. Gives spiritual life, John 3:8 c. Produces fruit, Gal. 5:22-23 (8) Rom. 8:15 – Spirit of Adoption a. Brings into sonship, John 3:5 b. Witnesses to sonship, Rom. 8:16 c. Gives conscious sonship, Rom. 8:15 ACTIVITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A. EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. Cite the emblems of the Holy Spirit and give a reason for each from: (1) John 3:8 – Wind a. Its mysterious working, John 3:8 b. Is life-giving, Gen. 2:7 c. Regenerates, Ezek. 37:1-10 (2) 2 Cor. 1:22 – Earnest a. Is a firstfruit, Rom. 8:23 b. Is an installment, Eph. 1:14 c. Is a pledge, 2 Cor. 5:5 (3) Eph. 1:13 – Seal a. For attestation, 1 Cor. 9:2 b. Evidence of ownership, 2 Tim. 2:19 c. For authority, Esther 8:8 (4) Matt. 3:11 – Fire a. Sanctifies, Isa. 4:4 b. Consumes, Matt. 3:11-12 c. Inspires, Jer. 20:9 (5) John 7:37-39 – Water a. Satisfies thirst, John 7:37 b. Flows in manifestation, John 7:38 c. Is life-giving, Ezek. 47:1-12 (6) Mark 1:10 – Dove a. Denotes hovering motion, Mark 1:10 b. Sign of reconciliation, Gen. 8:8-12 c. Symbol of mourning, Isa. 38:14 (7) Zech. 4:1-14 – Oil a. Gives light, Ex. 25:6 b. Symbol of joy, Isa. 61:3 c. Authorized service, Acts 10:38 (8) Eph. 5:18-19 – Wine a. Symbol of gladness, Psa. 104:15 b. Ingredient of worship, Joel 1:10 c. Complement to bread, Judges 19:19 B. BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. What is the “baptism with the Holy Spirit?” The infilling of the believer with the Holy Spirit 2. Show from the following passages that this baptism is not regeneration: (1) Acts 8:12-17 – They believed and were baptized prior to receiving the Spirit (2) Acts 19:1-7 – These had not even heard of the Spirit yet had believed and were baptized 3. Show that the baptism with the Spirit is for all believers as seen in: (1) Joel 2:28-29 – He was promised to be poured upon “all flesh” (2) John 7:37-39 – He was promised to “any man” who thirsts, comes, and believes (3) Acts 2:37-39 – He was promised to all future generations 4. Give the initial evidence of the baptism with the Spirit, Acts 2:4-12; 10:44-46 – The speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance C. MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT 1. Give the general subject matter of 1 Cor. 12:1-14:40: Spiritual gifts, lit. “spirituals,” i. e., spiritual matters 2. Specifically, what is the subject of: (1) 1 Cor. 12:1-31? The fact and diversity of spiritual gifts ordained by God (2) 1 Cor. 13:1-13? The motivation of the believer in the exercise of spiritual gifts (3) 1 Cor. 14:1-40? The proper exercise of spiritual gifts for their proper purpose 3. Note some salient points from: (1) 1 Cor. 12:1 – We are to be informed about spiritual gifts (2) 1 Cor. 12:7 – All are included in their exercise (3) 1 Cor. 12:8-10 – There are nine gifts, or manifestations, of the Spirit (4) 1 Cor. 12:11 – They are distributed in the body according to the sovereign will of the Spirit (5) 1 Cor. 12:12-22 – The diversity of the gifts of the Spirit is as essential as the diversity of the members of our body (6) 1 Cor. 13:8-10 – The manifestations of the Spirit are needed until the completion of the church 4. Classify and define the nine gifts according to man’s triune need, 1 Thess. 5:23: (1) Gifts of inspiration (realm of spirit) a. Prophecy – supernatural utterance in the language of the speaker, e. g., For announcing future events, Acts 11:27-30 For imparting a ministry, 1 Tim. 4:14 For edification, 1 Cor. 14:3 b. Diverse kinds of tongues – supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue, e. g., As a sign to unbelievers, 1 Cor. 14:21-22 For speaking to God, 1 Cor. 14:2 For devotion, 1 Cor. 14:15-17 c. Interpretation of tongues – the supernatural giving forth of the meaning of utterances in other tongues, e. g., For edification, 1 Cor. 14:6-13 For understanding, 1 Cor. 14:14-16 For participation of hearers, 1 Cor. 14:16 (2) Gifts of revelation (realm of soul) a. The word of wisdom – supernatural utterance of divine wisdom, e. g., For divine aid in persecution, Luke 21:12-15 To minister the Word, Acts 6:8-10 To escape a snare, Matt. 22:15-22 b. The word of knowledge – supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, e. g., to: Reveal a person’s need, John 4:6-39 Expose a hypocrite, Acts 5:1-11 Reveal a person’s identity, 1 Kings 14:1-6 c. Discerning of spirits – supernatural insight into the realm of spirits, e. g., for discerning the source of: An utterance, Acts 16:16-18 Sickness, Mark 9:14-29 Insanity, violence and immodesty, Luke 8:26-36 (3) Gifts of power (realm of material) a. Faith (“special faith,” Weymouth) – supernatural impartation of divine faith, e. g., for: Protection against enemies, 2 Kings 6:13-17 Divine intervention, 1 Kings 18:17-39 Preservation from beasts, Heb. 11:33 b. The working of miracles – supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature, e. g., for: Recovering a lost item, 2 Kings 6:1-7 Providing in need, 1 Kings 17:1-16 Mastery over the elements, Matt. 14:22-33 c. Gifts of healing – supernatural healing of diseases, e.g., to heal: Progressively, John 4:46-52 Unconditionally, Matt. 20:29-34 Conditionally, 2 Kings 5:1-14 D. EXERCISE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS 1. What important principle is set forth in 1 Cor. 14:27-33? That the exercise of spiritual gifts is subject to control by the individual in accordance with the principles of their scriptural exercise 2. What does 1 Cor. 13:11 and 14:20 suggest? That there is such a thing as the immature exercise of spiritual gifts 3. How do the following passages illustrate 1 Cor. 13:11? (1) 1 Cor. 12:15-16, 21 – “They spake as a child,” in that they spoke discontentedly and egotistically, coveting the gifts of others and neglecting their own (2) 1 Cor. 12:14, 21 – They “understood as a child,” in that they felt independent and so despised the ministries of other members of the body (3) 1 Cor. 14:6-17 – They “thought as a child,” in that they regarded gifts as an end instead of a means to an end, as a toy instead of a tool 4. Point out specific characteristics of spiritual immaturity from: (1) 1 Cor. 12:28; 13:1-3, 8-11 – They had a distorted and therefore incorrect sense of relative values (2) 1 Cor. 14:4-5 – They had wrong standards of evaluation (3) 1 Cor. 14:4, 9, 12, 17 – They were only interested in their own blessings (4) 1 Cor. 14:23 – They were inconsiderate of visitors (5) 1 Cor. 14:30-32 – They lacked self-control in the exercise of their gifts (6) 1 Cor. 14:33, 40 – They were disorderly in their conduct (7) 1 Cor. 14:29 – They did not use discrimination when others exercised gifts (8) 1 Cor. 14:36-38 – They were resentful of correction and spiritually conceited 5. What principle is contained in 1 Cor. 14:20? That we should mature in the exercise of spiritual gifts 6. What principle should be our guide in all such matters, 1 Cor. 14:26? The principle of the edification of others 7. According to the following scriptures we should: (1) 1 Cor. 12:1 – Desire to be informed (2) 1 Cor. 12:7 – Desire to be used (3) 1 Cor. 14:1 – Have a desire (“set your heart on,” Phillips) for spiritual gifts (4) 1 Cor. 14:12 – Be “zealous” of gifts (5) 1 Cor. 12:31 – Covet the gifts (6) 1 Cor. 14:39a – Covet (lit. “to be white hot”) prophecy 8. Note Paul’s prohibitions from: (1) 1 Cor. 14:39 – “Forbid not.” It is the wrong method for abuse (See note 1) (2) 1 Thess. 5:19 – “Quench not.” It is the wrong cure for the erroneous (See note 2) (3) 1 Thess. 5:20 – “Despise not.” It is the wrong attitude because of the spurious (See note 3) (4) 1 Tim. 4:14 – “Neglect not.” It is the wrong motive to avoid persecution (See note 4) 9. What was the difficulty in Thessalonica, 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Thess. 2:2? Error had come into the church because they were indiscriminate and gullible 10. Paul’s exhortation in 2 Tim. 1:6 (See note 5) points out what danger? The danger of allowing a gift to fall into disuse because of the fear of persecution 11. Give the principal teaching of Matt. 7:15-23: (1) That the final test is fruit, not gifts (2) That gifts are not a basis of acceptance with God 12.What does the position of 1 Cor. 13 relative to chapters 12 and 14 show? That love links power with mind to effect an intelligent use of power 13. How does 1 Cor. 14:37-38 relate to spiritual gifts? That the really spiritual person will readily concur with the validity and divine origin of the principles set forth “concerning spiritual gifts” (See Note 6) E. TRANSLATIONS IN OTHER VERSIONS 1. Note 1 – 1 Cor. 14:39 (1) “Speak not against the gift of tongues” (Centenary) (2) “Do not hinder the speaking with tongues” (Berkeley) (3) “Do not check speaking with tongues” (Weymouth) (4) “Do not interfere with it” (Knox) (5) “Do not prohibit speaking in unknown tongues” (Aramaic) (6) “Stop preventing others from speaking in ecstasy” (Williams) 2. Note 2 – 1 Thess. 5:19 (1) “Do not extinguish the Spirit’s fire” (Berkeley) (2) “Do not put out the fire of the Spirit” (New World Translation) (3) “Never quench the fire of the Spirit” (Moffat) (4) “Stop stifling the Spirit,” “Figure of putting out fire by smothering” (Williams) (5) “Do not stifle the utterance of the Spirit” (Knox) (6) “Do not dampen the Spirit” (Muhlheimer) 3. Note 3-1 Thess. 5:20 (1) “Do not hold prophecy in low esteem” (Knox) (2) “Do not depreciate prophetic revelations” (Weymouth) (3) “Do not reject prophecyings” (Aramaic) (4) “Do not treat prophecvings with contempt” (New World Translation) (5) “Never disdain prophetic revelations” (Moffatt) (6) “Do not disregard the utterances it (the Spirit) inspires” (Goodspeed) 4. Note 4 – 1 Tim. 4:14 (1) “Cultivate the divine gift that is in you” (Weymouth) (2) “Be not careless of the gift of favour that is in thee” (Rotherham) (3) “Stop neglecting the gift you received” (Williams) (4) “Do not let it suffer neglect” (Knox) (5) “Do not let your gift be unused” (Muhlheimer) (6) “Do not cease to cultivate the divine gift” (Way) 5. Note 5 – 2 Tim. 1:6 (1) “Keep alive the flame of God’s gracious gift” (Berkeley) (2) “Stir up like a fire the gift of God” (New World Translation) (3) “Kindle into a brighter flame the gracious gift of God” (Weymouth) (4) “Rekindle and keep burning the fire of the divine gift” (Williams) (5) “Fan the flame of that special grace which God kindled in thee” (Knox) (6) “Blow upon the embers of that inner fire.” “The metaphor is taken from kindling slumbering ashes into a flame by the bellows and the force of “stir” is to show that the embers had gone down from a previous state candescence or flame” (Pulpit Commentary) 6. Note 6 – 1 Cor. 14:37-38 (1) “Do I see you questioning my instructions? Are you beginning to imagine that the Word of God originated in your Church, or that you have a monopoly of God’s truth? If any of your number think himself a true preacher and a spiritually minded man, let him recognize that what I have written is by divine command! As for those who don’t know it, well, we must just leave them in their ignorance!” (Phillips) And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord.—Isa. 11:2-3.

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Study Notes - The Holy Spirit

Walter Beuttler

Walter Beuttler (1904 - 1974)

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