INTRODUCTION
Of the many religions in this world only Christianity requires a supernatural teacher. No earthly qualification can enable one to grasp the truth of God. May this lesson be used of God to remind us of our great need of a Divine teacher, and of the privilege we have in having the Holy Spirit as such a teacher. He truly is the "Spirit of Truth" (John 15:26). I. THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE.
The Bible as our infallible textbook of faith and practice was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Certainly the inspiration of the New Testament was a great part of Christ's promise concerning the corning of the Spirit as our teacher (John 14:26). II. REGENERATION.
Unsaved men are in a state of total spiritual ignorance (II Corinthians 4:3-4, John 3:3, Ephesians 4:18). The Bible describes them as blind, asleep, foolish, and full of darkness. This condition is not to be viewed merely as an absence of knowledge, but rather as a natural inability to appreciate, comprehend, and receive spiritual truth. Sinners may be well versed in the Bible and yet they can never truly discern the things of God (I Corinthians 1:18-21, 2:9-16).
A large part of the Spirit's work in regeneration consists in bringing to the elect a true knowledge of spiritual matters (Colossians 3:10, I Corinthians 1:23-24). The new birth is compared by Paul to the creation of light (Genesis 1:3, II Corinthians 4:6). Saints have been called "out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9). Every Christian has been personally taught of God (John 6:45). Many will testify that they sat in churches (or even preached in pulpits) for years, and yet were spiritually blind until God saved them.
NOTE: Perhaps the saddest thought connected with this topic is that the unregenerate are unaware of their own blindness. The blind will even attempt to lead the blind (Matthew 15:14). III. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
Christians have an unction or an anointing that teaches them what cannot be learned from man. (I John 2:20 & 27, II Corinthians l:21 -- Please note that "unction" and "anointing" have the same meaning). This unction is the communication of the Spirit to them (Compare Isaiah 61:1 with Hebrews 1:9). Only by the Spirit's teaching can anyone live the Christian life. A. He opens the Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit illuminates the mind of believers that they might understand the Scriptures. Christ promised the apostles that even though He was leaving, the Spirit would come and teach them (John 14:26). The fulfillment of this promise is seen in several ways:
1. In the book of Acts, we see that the apostles came to understand many of the teachings of Christ which they were blind to during His earthly ministry.
2. In the writing of the New Testament, and the manifestation of the gift of prophecy in apostolic times.
In the illumination given to saints today as they study God's Word. B. He leads the believer.
The Holy Spirit guides the believer and enables him to know God's will (Romans 8:14, Proverbs 3:5-6). C. He glorifies Christ.
The Holy Spirit in His teaching has the purpose of bringing glory to Christ. The Spirit teaches us of Christ, and makes Him precious to us (John 15:26, 16:14-15).
Note: It is very important that we understand that God's Spirit has not come to call attention or bring glory to Himself. The Spirit does not call upon us to worship Himself (although He is an object of worship), but rather He directs us to worship Christ. In His teaching he opens the truths formerly taught by Christ (John 14:26, 16:13-14) and brings glory to Christ as the great teacher. The seeds of all truth in the New Testament may be found in Christ's teachings.
Let not the reader understand any of this to mean that the Holy Spirit is inferior to the Son of God. We are rather to understand that in the covenant of grace each Person of the Trinity has a different work to do in salvation. The Spirit has come to point men to Christ. D. He protects the saint from error.
The saint is secure in Christ because the Spirit enlightens him to danger. Rather than be seduced by the spirit of antichrist, saints abide in the Saviour because they are taught by the Spirit (I John 2:18-20 & 26-27). E. He teaches the saint concerning his blessedness in Christ.
The Holy Spirit reveals to believers the greatness of their inheritance and the wonders of God's love and power manifested in their salvation (I Corinthians 2:9-16, Ephesians 1:15-19; 3:14-19). CONCLUSION
As Christians it is our duty to study God's Word and listen to it preached. Let us not however forget to look to God's Spirit for real understanding. "We have listened to the preacher Truth by him has now been shown; But we want a Greater Teacher From the everlasting throne: Application Is the work of God alone."
================= Go to Chapter Seventeen of Holy Spirit Study
Return to Holy Spirit Index Page