Chapter 1
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
by Pastor Ron Crisp
INTRODUCTION
As we begin our studies on the person and work of the Holy Spirit it is important that we maintain proper attitudes. If we would truly profit from God's Word let us remember to:
1. Pray that the Holy Spirit will teach us. John 14:26, Corinthians 2:11-13.
2. Submit to the Scriptures as our only rule of faith and practice. Especially in the study of the Holy Spirit's work many have endeavored to make their experience the final
authority. Still others claim to receive extra-Biblical revelations in the name of the Spirit of God. II Timothy 3:16-17, Isaiah 8:19-20, Matthew 15:9.
3. Believe that God intended for us to understand the doctrines of His Word. The existence of contradictory teachings in religious circles should never be interpreted to mean that the Bible is too obscure to be accurately interpreted. Our Saviour promised that the Spirit would guide us into all truth. II Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11-12, John 16:13.
4. Remember to begin the study of God's Word with humility. The Bible does not contain everything we want to know, but everything we need to know. Some truths revealed (such as the interrelationships of the Trinity) are intended to be believed yet incapable of being fully understood by mortal man. Deuteronomy 29:29, Job 11:7, II Peter 3:15-16.
5. Desire to grow spiritually as you learn. Knowledge alone will only produce pride. How sad the thought that some can study about the Holy Spirit who fail to be Spirit-filled or yield the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. I Peter 2:2, I Corinthians 8:1, James 1:22.
I. THE OBJECT OF OUR STUDY
The object of our study is the third person of the Triune God. It may help us to begin by looking at some of the titles of this Divine Person.
A. The Spirit - Romans 8:23.
The word "spirit" is a translation in the Old Testament of the Hebrew word ruach and in the New Testament of the Greek word pneuma. The same words are also translated "wind" (Psalms 1:4, John 3:8). These words can also refer to the human spirit (I Thessalonians 5:23), angels (Hebrews 1:7), or the nature of God (John 4:24). The general idea is that of unseen power. The Holy Spirit, however, is a Divine Person and must never be viewed as a created spirit (which is to deny His deity), or as the mere presence or power of God (which is to deny His personality).
B. The Holy Spirit - Luke 11:13.
He is called the Holy Spirit because:
1. His nature is eternally and essentially holy.
2. He is the author of all holiness in man.
C. The Holy Ghost - Matthew 1:20.
The word "ghost" is a translation of pneuma and has the same meaning as "spirit." The word "spirit" is of Latin origin, while the word "ghost" is of Saxon origin.
Illustration - Some of the old English writers spoke of God as our "Ghostly" (Spiritual) Father.
D. The Comforter - John 14:16.
E. Titles which reveal His relationship to the Father: Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16), Spirit of the Lord (Luke 4:18), Spirit of Jehovah (Judges 3:10), and Spirit of your Father (Matthew 10:20).
F. Titles which reveal His relationship to His Son: Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19), and Spirit of His Son (Galatians 4:6).
G. Titles which reveal His attributes: Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14), Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4), The Seven Spirits (Revelation 3:1), [This implies His perfection].
H. Titles which reveal His work: Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2), Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29), and Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:15).
There are about fifty titles given to the Holy Spirit in the Bible and each one reveals to us an aspect of His person or work.
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR STUDY
The study of God's Spirit is important because of Who He is, what He has done and will do.
A. His person - the Holy Spirit is God, and a true knowledge of God is the foundation of religion.
B. His work - While the world seems only to associate the Holy Spirit with religious fanaticism, yet He is active in all areas of life. He is the Creator, as well as working in providence, nature, politics, human endowment, salvation, and spiritual growth. He inspired the Bible and now illuminates our minds to grasp it.
His coming into the world was as necessary for our salvation as the coming of Christ. Without the Spirit, our religion is an empty shell, and we have no proof of our salvation (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit gives us physical, spiritual, and resurrection life (Job 33:4, John 3:5, Romans 8:11). He is the author of everything good and pleasant in our existence (Galatians 5:19-23).
Conclusion - How precious the Spirit of God is to the Christian.
May we with the authors of the Nicene Creed say "And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeded from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and Son together, is worshipped and glorified."