Let’s discover together how the Spirit works in your life and in the church as a whole, biblically speaking. At the very end, this post has the totals for the number of times the Spirit appears in the New Testament, in the four Gospels, Acts, epistles, and the Revelation.

Once again, I am not sure if this post reflects biblical theology or systematic theology. I’m more comfortable with the biblical, though I like them both. Either way, I hope that systematic theology is built on biblical theology.

This post is long, because I quote many verses, which raises the word count. Please be patient. To find your verse or key word, type ctrl-f (for “find”). A search box should appear at the top of the page. Type in your verse or key word.

Let’s begin

I. The Holy Spirit Was Promised.

A. The promise of the Spirit in the Old Testament.

The prophet Joel foresaw a great outpouring of the Spirit on all people.

²⁸ “And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.
²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-29)

Moses wished for all of God’s people to have the gift of prophecy. It’s a great story about answering the Israelites’ complaint about not having meat to eat. Moses felt the burden was too heavy, so he asked God for help. God gave him seventy elders who received the gift of the Spirit to prophesy on that one occasion. Joel said the gift would be permanent and offered to all humanity.

The rest of the story is so wonderful, here it is in its entirety:

²⁵ Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again.

²⁶ However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. ²⁷ A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”

²⁸ Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”

²⁹ But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” ³⁰ Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp. . (Num. 11:25-29)

B. Fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy at Pentecost.

Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost. God poured out his Spirit on all humanity, so this is a democratization of the gift of prophecy and dreams and vision. It also fulfills what Moses wished for.

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)

C. John the Baptist predicted Jesus’s ministry as Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.

To be baptized in or with water or the Spirit is to be immersed.

¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matt. 3:11)

When Peter preached to Cornelius, a non-Jew (Gentile), he  had to give a report to the Messianic leaders in Jerusalem. He remembered what Jesus had said in Acts 1:5

Here is what Jesus had said:

⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)

Peter remembered what Jesus had said some years ago.

¹⁶ Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 11:10)

D. Peter promises the gift of the Spirit to us.

All those who are “far off” means both geographically far from Jerusalem and generational far off past the day of Pentecost, two thousand years later (and counting).

³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38)

E. Jesus had already promised the gift of the Spirit.

He’s commanding the eleven apostles.

⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

He is also commanding the eleven apostles.

 ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)

Anyone who belongs to Christ has the Spirit. The (implied) logic of Romans 8:9, next, is simple.

If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, then he does not belong to Christ. But they do belong to Christ. Therefore, they have the Spirit of Christ.

In any case, here is the verse.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Rom. 8:9)

II. He Causes Conversion and Rebirth.

A.. He causes us to be born again.

This passage speaks of our initial entry into the kingdom of God. The Spirit does this.

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8)

B. He gives us rebirth and is lavished generously on us.

In the next two verses, we see salvation, not by righteous works but by God’s mercy; washing; rebirth; renewal by the Spirit, whom God generously poured out on us. These two verses (plus v. 3) may be the richest ones there is for salvation and sanctification.

⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Titus 3:5-6)

Basic Biblical Regeneration: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Does Regeneration Precede Faith?

III. How We Receive the Spirit.

A. We must repent of our sins.

Peter just finished his great Pentecost discourse or sermon. It cut the listeners in the heart. They asked a desperate question and got the best answer.

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37-38)

B. We must believe in Jesus.

Cornelius, a Gentile (non-Jew) and his Gentile household, just got saved and filled with the Spirit. But devout Messianic Jews asked him, Can a Gentile get saved? The leaders in Jerusalem asked for an accounting. Peter replies. Here is the end of his report. We get the gift of the Spirit when we believe (v. 17).

¹⁵ “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:15-17)

The next verse says that if we not have the Spirit, we do not belong to Christ. This implies that if we do belong to Christ, then we have the Spirit. The key is to surrender to his Lordship. Then the Spirit causes rebirth (see Roman Numeral II, above).

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Rom. 8:9)

Next, Paul asks a rhetorical question. Did the Galatians receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what they had heard? Answer: By what they had heard. What had they heard? The gospel about Christ (see Eph. 1:13, below). When they believed, they were redeemed. So by faith they received the promise of the Spirit. This “promise” in v. 14 is the key term for the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2:38.

² I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? ³ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? […] ¹⁴ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Gal. 3:2-3, 14)

When we heard and believed the gospel of our salvation, we were marked with the Holy spirit. Here is the word “promise” again:

¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  (Eph. 1:13)

C. We must be baptized in the name of Jesus.

We saw this important verse, above. Being baptized “in the name of Jesus” merely means that Jesus is being introduced to the travelers and Jerusalemites. It was important to know that he is now the way of salvation. For us, it is best to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

The next passage is long, but worth it. About twelve disciples were traveling through Ephesus. But whose disciples were they? They explained they were water baptized by John the Baptist. (It’s amazing to think they traveled all the way from Israel to Asia Minor.) However, Paul had to tell them that John’s baptism served a limited purpose with an expiration date, but the way of full salvation was now through the Messiah.

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples ² and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

³ So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

⁴ Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6)

D. We must pray to receive him.

We should never be afraid that when we ask our loving heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name we will receive an evil spirit. Step put in faith and ask.

¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ 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 11:11-13)

This next passage is Philip’s missionary efforts in Samaria. John and Peter went there to check out the new revival. Water baptism is insufficient for salvation. The Samaritans had to filled with the Spirit. It looks like the Samaritans did not even have to ask; they just received!

Peter and John just arrived in Samaria.

¹⁵ When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:15-17)

E. We are commanded to receive the Spirit.

Ananias, resident of Damascus and a Messianic Jew devoted to the law, whom all the Jews respected (Acts 22:12), said that Saul, who was in Damascus, had to be filled with the Spirit.

¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

This next verse is in the present continuous tense, in the command or imperative. Keep on being filled with the Spirit.

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (Eph. 5:18)

IV. The Spirit is Truth and Teaches Truth.

A. He reveals God’s secrets to us.

This is a long excerpt, but as usual with Paul, it is very rich in its theology and practical application to our lives. We have the Spirit, who teaches us about spiritual realities through Spirit-taught words.

¹⁰ […] these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶ for,

But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:10-16)

B. He teaches us about Christ.

The Advocate is the Holy Spirit. The advocate is the Paraklete, a Greek term which literally means someone who is “called alongside” (para = alongside and klete = called). It could be translated as the Encourager, the Strengthener, the Comforter, The Exhorter, the Defender / the Attorney (related to advocate), the Counselor, or the Helper. All of these meanings can be bundled up together in one Greek word!

²⁶ But the Advocate, 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 14:26)

²⁶ “When the Advocate 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)

C. He reveals truth.

I like how the Spirit will glorify Jesus. Too often, in the Renewal Movements, the platform speaker / performer get the glory. In any case the Spirit makes know what he receives from Jesus.

⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:14-15)

D. He reminds believers of what Jesus said.

We already saw this verse.

²⁶ But the Advocate, 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 14:26)

E. He enables us to discern the truth and test spirits.

False prophets have gone out into the world, and we are to test every spirit. How do we recognize the Spirit and the fake spirits or bad spirits or teachers? The incarnation–Jesus has come in the flesh.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

He teaches bad things to watch out for, particularly doctrine of demons.

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Tim. 4:1)

F. He teaches us what to say in times of trial.

Some religious people will believe that they are doing God a favor if they kill God’s disciples who proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12)

G. He gives wisdom and understanding to believers.

Colossians 1:10 says that we receive wisdom and understanding so that we may live lives worthy of the Lord and please him every way, bearing fruit in every way and growing in the knowledge of God. So God’s wisdom and understanding produces practical living.  They are not irrelevant abstractions. Here is verse 9.

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, (Col. 1:9)

Ephesians 2:17 expresses the same truth. We must be filled with wisdom and revelation.

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Eph. 2:17)

H. He teaches truths in the Old Testament are illustrations of New Testament truths.

The context is that the Spirit used the old tabernacle as an illustration of a better tabernacle, a heavenly one.

⁸ The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. (Heb. 9:8)

V. He Sanctifies Us.

A. He empowers us to live the Christian life in the Spirit, not the flesh.

Another long passage, but it is rich and boils down Christian living, which is Spirit-filled living. There is a sharp division between the mind set on the flesh or dinful thoughts and our sin nature (one the one hand), and those who live according to the Spirit because he lives in our (on the other). Life in the Spirit produces peace and life, not degradation or strife and chaos.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.  (Rom. 8:5-9)

B. He sanctifies us.

I really like how Gentiles (non-Jews) are seen, metaphorically, as offerings at the temple In the Old Testament, the offerings were sanctified by the presence of the temple, by being in or near its precincts. Now we have the Spirit living in us and he causes us to be uncommon and holy.

[…] He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.(Rom. 15:16b)

Before this next verse, Paul listed the vices and sinful practices that that Gentiles (non-Jews) did before their conversion. But their conversion and salvation was a game-changer.

¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:11).

Paul writes to the Thessalonians to be thankful that God chose them to be saved through the sanctification process.

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. (2 Thess. 2:13)

C. He washes sinners.

I got to quote it one more time, since it is so rich and wonderful.

¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:11).

D. He justifies the repentant.

There are (at least) two different justifications in Paul’s theology: judicial (forensic) and ethical (or moral). Here Paul has in mind ethical or moral justification, a change in the heart.

Here’s the verse one last time!

¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:11).

E. He makes our bodies temples.

People are involved in all sorts of sexual immoralities. Without realizing it, they are sinning against their own bodies. But those who have surrendered their spirit, soul, and body to the Lordship of Jesus are no longer their own masters or lords. Their bodies have been bought with a price–the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, who surrendered his own body to God and for us.

¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Cor. 6:18-20).

F. He circumcises the heart of its sin nature or cuts it away.

²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. (Rom. 2:29)

VI. He Provides God’s Daily Presence.

A. Brief intro.

Our sanctification–process of holiness–depends on the Spirit living in us.

1. He lives in us.

In John 14:17, the advocate is the Paraklete. (See Roman Numeral V and Letter B, above, for more comments on this interesting word.)

¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ 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 14:16-17)

This next verse is talking about the end of days, but some Bible interpreters say it can also include the Spirit strengthening our bodies right now (see 8:10, below, Letter B).

¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Rom. 8:11)

These next verses appear in the context of fleeing sexually immorality. Our bodies are not our own. God owns them because he bought them with a price–the sacrifice of Jesus. Our bodies are temples, where God’s presence dwells.

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

2. He gives us new life.

We have been set free from the law (principle) of sin and death, and now our mind is governed by the Spirit, not the flesh (sin nature). The Spirit, therefore, works change in us and our feeble bodies, which pull us down to sin.

 ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death […] ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. […] ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Rom. 8:2, 6, 10, 11)

3. God’s love is poured out in our hearts through the Spirit.

This is a wonderful promise. It says God wants us to experience him. Christianity is not just an intellectual pursuit or religion. It goes right into the heart, by the Spirit living in us:

⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Rom. 5:5)

4. He brings Christ’s presence to us.

We already saw John 14:16-18, above, but now let’s add v. 19. Jesus will come to us through the Spirit.

¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  (John 14:16-18)

5. He keeps us in touch with God.

The Spirit lives in us and prays through us. He knows what the mind and will of God is. Let’s pray through him.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Rom. 8:26)

This next verse is probably referring to praying with prayer languages (commonly called “tongues”).

²⁰ But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit […]  (Jude 20)

To support my claim that Paul may be referring to “tongues,” here is this verse:

¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.  (1 Cor. 14:5)

However, this next verse says to pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests, so it may not be limited to “tongues.”

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Eph. 6:18)

6. He prays for us in times of crisis.

This verse does seem to have a background of urgency:

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Rom. 8:26)

7. He calls out “Abba Father!” in our hearts.

Abba is an Aramaic intimate term for Father.

⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Gal. 4:6)

And now we too cry out: “Abba Father!”

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:15d)

8. He bears witness in our spirits that we are God’s children.

Tell your testimony of what the Spirit works in your heart. You can have his reassurance that you are his.

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Rom. 8:16)

9. He grants us access to the Father.

In this verse, “through him” is Christ. The Spirit gives us access to the Father through his Son. It is lovely Trinitarian verse.

¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Eph. 2:18)

10. He rests on believers.

On the verse in this section, the Greek verb translated as “rest” can also be translated as “give relief,” “refresh,” “relax.” In this verse the Spirit rests or remains on us, but I like to imagine that he will also give us spiritual and moral and emotional rest or relief or relaxation when we are insulted because we belong to Jesus.

¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (1 Peter 4:14)

11. He draws us into fellowship or communion with him (2 Cor. 13:14).

¹⁴ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14)

These two verses (Phil. 2:1-2) speak of God’s Spirit and human spirits and one mind with other brothers and sisters. This is communion between the Spirit and humans of the highest level because it involves our spirits interacting with each other and the Spirit himself.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Phil. 2:1-2)

12. He enables us to say “Jesus is Lord.”

Whether our initial salvation or continuous walk with God (or both), the next verse teaches us that the Spirit leads us to speak of Jesus’ Lordship. This verse introduces the gifts of the Spirit, so it could be put in that category (below). In any case, we need to surrender all to him because he is Lord.

³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:3).

I connect1 Corinthians 12:3 with this verse:

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:10).

B. Summary

God’s gracious gift of the Spirit is amazing. The third person of the Trinity lives in us.  He empowers us to live a righteous life and manifests the gifts of the Spirit, to help people. He also grows good character in us, as seen next.

VII. He Produces Fruit and Distributes Gifts

A. Brief intro

These two areas enable us to shine out in public. We can have love, joy and peace , for example, when we meet people. And we can expect god to give us a gift when we need them, to help people in their needs.

1.. He gives us righteousness, peace and joy.

In the context of table fellowship, whether some Christians have the liberty to eat anything (Gentiles or non-Jews) or choose a restricted diet (Messianic Jews), Paul writes for liberty because the kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but spiritual qualities.

¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,(Rom. 14:17)

2. He distributes gifts as he determines.

These nine gifts are manifestations of the Spirit, who distributes them as he wills for the common good, the edification of the church. They are not manifestations of the platform speaker / performer who distributes them as he or she determines for his own good to raise money from their displays.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor. 12:7-11)

Begin a series on the gifts here:

Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 12:28

Gifts of the Spirit in Romans 12:6-8

The author of Hebrews also repeats that the Spirit distributes gifts.

⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Heb. 2:4)

4. He inspired prophecy in the Old Testament.

New Testament prophecies have been democratized to include everyone. NT prophets should be part of a church and submit to leaders and Bible-teaching pastors. But back in the OT days, there were offices of prophets, who were much freer to follow God in their ministries. Some of them were inspired to write Scriptures, while NT prophets in the local assembly were not.

²⁰ Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

New Testament Restricts Authority of Modern Prophets

5. He produces fruit in us.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Begin a series on the fruit of the Spirit here:

1 Fruit of the Spirit: Love

The Fruit of Righteousness

6. He enables us to be pure.

Paul writes that the Thessalonians must live in purity (1 Thess. 4:8). If they do not, then they reject God who instructed them to do this.

⁸ Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thess. 4:9)

7. He gives psalms, hymns, and songs.

The word “message” can just as easily be translated as “word.” You have to know the Word (Christ) and the word (the gospel about Christ, Scripture) before songs will come to you.

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  (Col. 3:16)

8. He gives us joy during suffering.

Paul and Silas suffered persecution at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9). Paul writes here that Thessalonian believers also suffered persecution. But the joy of the Spirit sustained them.

⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. (1 Thess. 1:6)

9. He gives believers power, love, and self-discipline.

Paul writes to his mentee Timothy to fan into flames the gift he got when Paul laid hands on him (v. 6). He was not to be afraid. “self-discipline” can be translated as “sound mind,” as the older translations have it.

⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Tim. 1:7)

Epaphras informed Paul of the Philippians love in the Spirit:

[…]  ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. (Col. 1:8)

10. He gives liberty.

The glory of Christ and his gospel exceeds the glory of the law of Moses. Christ frees us from our own law keeping to prove our righteousness. “The Lord is the Spirit” means either that the Spirit is Lord (“the Spirit of the Lord”) or the Lord Jesus is so in tune with the Spirit that they share the same essence or have the same ministry (though they are not the same person). See Acts 16:7, which says the “Spirit of Jesus.” Close connection.

¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Cor. 3:17)

The Trinity: Three Persons Together in the New Testament

11. He gives tongues and prophecy and praise.

All oof these persons in Acts had their own personal Pentecost.

a.. Pentecost

The Spirit came on the 120 disciples who spoke with prayer languages (commonly called “tongues”).

⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4)

b. Cornelius and his household

He and his household got saved and filled with the Spirit, and they spoke in tongues and praised God.

⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. […] They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” (Acts 10:46-47b)

c.. Twelve disciples of John the Baptist

They were baptized by John for the forgiveness of sins, but Paul told them this is inadequate. They needed to believe in the person John pointed to, namely, Jesus. They did.

⁶ When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. ⁷ There were about twelve men in all.

d.. The Samaritans

Here the gift of tongues or prophecy is implied. Simon the magician saw the Spirit on the new believers in Jesus. What did he see? Something visible on the Samaritans. But what? Probably tongues or prophecy or praise to God.

¹⁷ Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money […] (Acts 8:18-20)

e. Saul / Paul

It is also implied that Saul spoke in tongues. He received the Holy Spirit, though tongues are not specified. But we know he had this gift (1 Cor. 14:18).

¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. (1 Cor. 14:18)

Baptized, Filled, and Full of the Spirit: What Does It All Mean?

B. Summary

The gifts and fruit of the Spirit are available to us. Let’s rejoice and expect God to distribute the gifts and grow the fruit.

VIII. He Guides and Directs.

A. He governs us.

 ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom. 8:6)

B. He prevents wrong direction and redirects Christians.

Paul and his team wanted to go farther into Asia Minor, but evidently, the Spirit lead them to go into Europe. It is interesting that Luke writes “the Spirit of Jesus. This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 3:15, which uses the phrase “The Lord is the Spirit.” Close connection between Jesus and the Spirit.

⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10)

C. He compels.

Paul felt compelled or strongly urged to go to Jerusalem. “Compelled” can also be translated as “bound” or “obligated.” The Spirit was leading him powerfully (see Mark 1:12 and Jesus, different Greek word but the same idea).

²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. (Acts 20:22)

D. He warns.

He warns and forewarns. The Spirit told Paul to expect trouble ahead in Jerusalem.

²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (Acts 20:23)

E. He leads.

The next verse refers to our relationship with God; he leads us away from sin and from practicing our sinful impulse and nature. But why does his leading have to stop there? He can lead for other purposes too in our daily relationship with him as his children.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Rom. 8:14)

F. He helps us follow sound teachings and good examples.

In this context, Paul tells Timothy to follow sound teaching and Paul’s example, the “deposit.”

¹⁴ Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (2 Tim. 1:14)

IX. He Empowers Our Service to God.

A. He gives us power and wisdom to witness.

Jesus is talking to the eleven and commissions them to go the the end of their (known) world.

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Opposition of the Synagogue of Freedmen in Jerusalem was made up of men from Cyrene and Aliexandria (N. Africa) and in Asia Minor, so they were a diverse group. They began to argue with Stephen.

¹⁰ But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. (Acts 6:9-10)

B. He gives us a sword, the word of God, to fight Satan.

The word of God was the Old Testament back then and it was the gospel of Christ. But I say we can now include the New Testament as the word of God. With the Spirit’s wisdom, we can wield the word to great effect, to see unbelievers saved and believers built up.

¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17)

C. He enables believers to serve God.

“We who are of the circumcision” = Jews, particularly Messianic Jews in Paul’s case and the twelve apostles and ordinary followers of Jesus. All of us serve God by the Spirit.

³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—  (Phil. 3:3)

D. He empowered the following people for service:

1.. Peter before the Sanhedrin

Annas the high priest was there, and so were other rulers and teaches of the law. Peter was filled with the Spirit, who empowered him to deliver his sermon to these august men.

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! […] (Acts 4:8)

2.. The first deacons

They were selected to care for the widows, both Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic ones.

³ Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them  (Acts 6:3)

3.. Stephen

He will soon be the first martyr (Acts 7:1-8:2). The apostles told the people to select seven men, and here they are. Also, note that the other six men were full of faith and the Holy Spirit, because of 6:3.

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. (Acts 6:5)

4.. Barnabas

News of revival up in Syrian Antioch came to the ears of the Jerusalem leaders, and they sent Barnabas to investigate it. Barnabas is the person behind the pronoun “he.”

²⁴ He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. (Acts 11:24)

5.. Paul was filled, just before pronouncing judgment.

He was about to rebuke a magician named Bar-Jesus Elymas, who had been interfering with Paul’s gospel message to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul. The Apostle needed to be filled with Spirit to speak firm judgment on the false prophet.

⁹ Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit […] (Acts 13:9a)

E. He empowers us to stand firm and strive together as one.

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. (Phil. 1:27)

F. He confirms the gospel of salvation with signs and wonders and power

In this verse the Spirit empowered Paul and his team) to preach the gospel with great power.

[…] ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. (1 Thess. 1:5)

The author of Hebrews says those who heard Jesus announce salvation confirmed it with sings and wonders and various miracles and gifts.

[…] This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Heb. 2:3b-4)

Paul preached, and the Spirit backed him up with power, sings and wonders.

¹⁸ I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— ¹⁹ by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.  […] (Rom. 15:18-19)

X. He Dwells in the Christian Community.

A. Brief intro.

Now we see the Spirit living in the community. What happens when this happens? Let’s find out.

1.. He came at Pentecost and filled a large gathering.

There were about 120 souls at this life-changing, game-changing moment in world history, which is still being felt today. The word “tongues” can just as easily be translated as “languages.”

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

Did 12 or 120 Speak in ‘Spirit-Inspired Languages’ (‘Tongues’) at Pentecost?

2. He fills the entire community with power to witness.

Peter and John were called before the Sanhedrin for being too bold about Jesus. They came back to the larger gathering to report what the rulers had said. The entire church prayed, and look what happened.

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)

3. The whole church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was encouraged by the Spirit.

³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (Acts 9:31)

4. He lives in the church.

“You yourselves are God’s temple” refers to the church, Anyone who destroys God’s temple refers to bad teachers and leaders, but I believe this can be expanded to include all destructive ideas taught by false prophets and teachers.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. (1 Cor. 3:16-17)

This next verse also refers to us, the whole church, as the new temple of God, where he dwells with his Spirit.

²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph. 2:22)

The Church Fulfills and Replaces Old Testament Temple

5. He appoints leaders in the church.

Overseers and shepherds (pastors) have the same function. The Spirit made them to be leaders.

²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

6. He oversees councils.

How should saved and redeemed non-Jews (Gentiles) act in front  of saved and redeemed Jews. Also, should the Gentile Christian men be compelled to be circumcised? This is an excerpt from the letter written by the council. The key phrase” It seems good to the Spirit.” I also include v. 29 just to fill out the context:

²⁸ It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: ²⁹ You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. (Acts 15:28)

7. He chooses missionaries / apostles.

The Spirit is selecting Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to be sent out on their first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). I like how they were worshipping and fasting.

² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)

8. He sends out missionaries / apostles.

Now the Spirit actually leads them to go.

⁴ The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4)

9. He directs the missionary enterprise.

This is one of the most endearing stories in Acts. Philip just finished his evangelistic campaign in Samaria, and now an angel of the Lord told him to go on a certain road. Philip observed a man riding in a chariot (or wagon). Philip witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch and he believed in the Lord. It was time to be baptized. Then the Spirit whisks Philip away.

²⁹ The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” […] ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:29, 39)

10. The Spirit enables the church to live in unity.

³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; (Eph. 4:3-4)

B. Summary

This summary is about remaining in the church, the Christian community. Our growth as individual Christians depend on the Spirit, yes, but also on each other.

XI. He Gives Believers a Future and a Hope.

A. He will raise us from the dead.

This verse speaks of our future resurrection and transformation of our earthly bodies. Some Bible interpreters say this resurrection power happens today.

¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Rom. 8:11)

Here is v. 10, in support of the idea that God works his resurrection power in us right now:

¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. (Rom. 8:10)

B. He seals us.

The Spirit is our seal, which marks us that we belong to Christ. The Spirit is also our deposit or down payment which guarantees our inheritance right now until we are fully and finally redeemed in the future, at the Second Coming.

¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:13-14)

And this verse in Ephesians says that our hearts should be enlightened to know the hope he has called us to.

¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (Eph. 1:18)

The context of the next verse says that our bodies groan and wear out. However, one day we will be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. The Holy Spirit guarantees what is to come.

⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Cor. 5:5)

God set his seal of ownership on us, pit his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, to guarantee what is to come. We need to be ready for our eternal future.

²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Cor. 1:21-22)

XII. Application

A.. Brief intro.

This was a long post. I can only summarize it with a few words.

B. Surrender to the Spirit

We must allow the Spirit to fill us, guide us, empower us, overcome our sin natures, and surrender every fiber of our being. Only then can we powerfully serve him with a clear conscience and clean heart.

C. No outlandish displays

I cannot find where there is all sorts of outlandish displays of charismata and human reaction and, yes, silly behavior among the early church, guided as it was by the apostolic community. There is no roaring like a lion, barking like a dog, howling like a wolf, or meowing like a cat. There were no platform show-offs or performers. None of it. Let’s return to the Scriptures, and watch what the Spirit can do, when we honor biblical practices!

D. Totals

Total Number of Times “Spirit” Appears in NT

I added them up the best I could, using a concordance and distinguishing between a human spirit or an evil spirit or the Holy Spirit. I did not sort out the parallel passages in the synoptic Gospels. I counted “advocate” in John’s gospel. It’s a sure thing I may have omitted a verse or two or added one or two, but I believe the totals reflect a reasonably accurate number. I did not keep track of when a pronoun (he) referred to the Spirit.

Four Gospels

Matthew: 12

Mark: 6

Luke: 17

John: 19

Gospels Total: 54

Acts: 53

Narrative Total: 107

Paul’s Epistles

Romans: 29

1 Corinthians: 22

2 Corinthians: 11

Galatians: 18

Ephesians: 11

Philippians: 3

Colossians: 1

1 Thessalonians: 3

2 Thessalonians: 1

Titus: 1

Pauline Total: 100

General Epistles

Hebrews: 7

1 Peter: 4

2 Peter: 1

1 John: 7

Jude: 2

General Total: 21

Revelation (excluding “seven spirits” 7x): 12

Grand Total: 240