LESSON 22 – HOLY SPIRIT MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Holy Spirit Ministry – NT
John 14:16-17
John 20:22
Luke 24:49
Acts1:1-9, 2:1-4 H S - New Testament
HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
We see a change in the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament compared with the work in the Church Age and in the transition period with the Ministry of the Holy Spirit during the period of Christ’s Ministry.
As the Cross is a focal point in the unfolding drama of redemption so Pentecost is the turning point in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
The gospels really belong in the period of history still covered by the rules of the Old Testament or the Dispensation of the Jews rather than those of the New or Dispensation of the Church.
The exception is John chapters 14-17, where Jesus speaks of the age that is coming at Pentecost. In the Gospels the Lord Jesus Christ is teaching the disciples to become apostles or sent ones not only to Israel but also to the whole world. This ministry of the Holy Spirit which we now enjoy they longed to enjoy. We have a superior spiritual position than they did, than Isaiah and Jeremiah did.
So many people fail to live up to the tremendous position they have in Christ, the Old Testament saints longed to have it but we are not using it. The thought of it should purify us, and make us keen for service as we are sealed, guided, empowered, indwelt and baptised. The three years before Pentecost, during the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was a time of transition.
The change commences in John 14:16 17. Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit assisted believers often for a limited time to have a special function in the plan of God, since Pentecost the believer is indwelt forever, He is not with us but in us. How you view this will determine how you view spirituality and the Bible.
It has to be remembered that a lot of things which are said prior to Pentecost are going to be different once Pentecost occurred. Once the Lamb of God died on the Cross; believers no longer had to bring lambs to be physical sacrificed. Nowadays we obey Scripture by confessing our sins to God.
As a Christian you do not go to Leviticus to find out what you do about sin; but this does not mean that you do not read Leviticus as a book, because it shows the need for the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. In Leviticus now we discover wonderful things about the Lord and his sacrifice, about what they mean. We do not however go there to find out what we are to do about sin today
Similarly the ministry of the Spirit as seen prior to the Cross is not relevant to us today due to the change that took place at Pentecost. If you are going to live as a Christian now you need to take into account the Cross and Pentecost.
We have a superior position than believers before in that we have a position in Christ and the Spirit is in us. We are in a position where we can really advance in our Ministry if we know what the Bible is teaching about the Holy Spirit, but we need to believe it and apply it in our lives.
This topic is vital in our day as we are living in dramatic times; so it is essential that you teach the true doctrine of the Holy Spirit to people so that they do not get confused. We should therefore understand our place in the plan of God. We are members of the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ. We must live as the body and the bride. The central point of this is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
We need to look at it in three stages:
[a] The ministry of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times,
[b] The transition ministry during the Lord's earthly ministry,
[c] The ministry of the Holy Spirit during the Church Age.
In Genesis 1:2 the Holy Spirit is said to flutter, like a hen fluttering its feathers over its nest over the face of the waters. It is clear from Scripture that the Pre-Incarnate Lord Jesus Christ (Word/Logos) is the Creator. So why is the Holy Spirit fluttering over the waters? In Deuteronomy 32:11 we see the co operative work of the Spirit in relation to the Word/Logos in Creation. The Spirit is involved in creation with the Word who later became our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is also involved in revelation 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Samuel 23:2, Micah 3:8. In each case the Holy Spirit is involved with speaking or the writing of the Word of God. Prior to Pentecost the Holy Spirit convicted men of the need to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is seen in Genesis 6:3 where before the flood the Spirit had a ministry which was being ignored. The Lord showed that there was a limit to what the Lord was willing to do.
The Lord said that the Holy Spirit would not always strive with man. This verse says that they have got 120 years but of course man has not got that time now. Progressively the life span was cut. Genesis 6:3 dealt with a time when man was living up to 900 years of age.
The Spirit strives with man that he needs to find God because once he is dead it is too late. The word "strive" means to judge or convict. Today we have at most around 70-80 years to respond to the gospel.
We have not only the evidence that the blood of Christ covers all potentially but that the Spirit strives with all. With the exception of the eight who were saved at the time of the flood the Holy Spirit strived with multitudes of people for 120 years yet they rejected Him.
This convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit continues in a more detailed way in John 16:8 11. Another area in which the Holy Spirit has been universally involved in over man's history is regeneration. The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration.
In Psalm 51 David speaks of his experience of walking with and failing to walk with the Holy Spirit. It deals with the time of David's terrible sin of adultery with Bathsheba, followed by the arranging of the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. David was under great conviction and realised that he was under conviction by the Spirit and that it had a terrible influence on the Spirit in his life.
In this Psalm we have the Old Testament form of 1 John 1:9. Here he pleads the loving kindness and tender mercies of God having dealt with his sin. I acknowledge my sin; my transgression is forever before me. In verses 10 12 David asks the Lord to create in him a new heart. All he has now is conviction and pressure.
In verse 11 he says not to take the Holy Spirit from him. This is a bona fide for David but not for us today. After this time David went on to write Psalms and was therefore controlled by the Spirit again. If we sin after receiving the Holy Spirit and do not repent, we are in a seriously dangerous position because we cannot enter heaven for the following serious Sins:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus; and by the Spirit of our God”. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 KJV.
We cannot argue with the Bible and this is what it states and Paul was writing to the Corinth Church with these words. God will not be mocked and we cannot plead that we are saved and therefore immune from any punishment for Sins carried out after we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
So to reinforce what the Bible teaches in the above quoted verses, here is an explanation of what the Apostle Paul was referring too
According to the above verses in I Corinthians 6:9-11:
(1) Fornicators shall not inherit the kingdom of God. This term refers to those who engage in sexual activity which God has declared sinful. He has not declared all sexual activity. In fact, He condones and even encourages lawful sexual activity according to His design and purpose (I Corinthians 7:2-4; Hebrews 13:4). Fornication refers to sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship between a man and a woman. It would include premarital as well as extramarital sexual relationships of whatever duration from a one night stand to an on-going affair. Such activity was rampant in first century Corinth. It is rampant today in our own society. But it matters not how commonly it is practiced, it is still unrighteous and it will keep one from entering heaven.
(2) Idolaters shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Those who offer to others what belongs unto God are idolaters. A person's idol might be a huge, grotesque image carved out of stone before which he bows. Or it might be his own desires. It is anything that a person adores more than God. Idolatry will keep one from entering heaven.
(3) Adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Adultery seems to be more specific a term than fornication. It is usually limited to sexual unfaithfulness to a marriage partner. Adultery will keep one from entering heaven.
(4) The effeminate shall not enter the kingdom of God. When we see this word, we think of a sissy. But the word goes beyond that. It refers to one who is soft, specifically, to the passive partner in a homosexual relationship. Being effeminate will keep one from entering heaven.
(5) Homosexuals shall not enter the kingdom of God. This word is used twice in the New Testament; in the text we are examining as well as I Timothy 1:10. It denotes one who would take the leading role in a homosexual relationship. It is not fashionable today to suggest that such activity is unrighteous and will keep one out of the kingdom of God, but that is what the Covenant of Jesus Christ says. Practicing homosexuality will keep one from entering heaven.
(6) Thieves shall not enter the kingdom of God. There is no excuse for taking that which rightfully belongs to another. Whether its shoplifting, pilfering, short-changing or armed robbery, fraud and extortion, it is thievery. Whether the person doing the stealing is rich or poor it will still keep one from entering heaven.
(7).The covetous will not enter the kingdom of God. This has to do with having an uncontrollable desire to possess a certain thing. It motivates one into committing sin in order to satisfy greed. Coveting that which belongs to another will keep one from entering heaven.
(8) Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Children of God have no need to cloud their perspectives nor dull their senses. We must be able to think and reason clearly. Drunkenness causes one to lose focus and rationality. Those who give themselves over to intoxication will find that it keeps them from entering heaven.
(9) Revilers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many to speak boldly about things that they know little about. Many men and women of God have had to endure reproach for their faith. Not even the Son of God escaped verbal abuse. But they will not have to endure it forever because there will be no revilers in heaven.
(10) Swindlers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Seducers and smooth talkers of all kinds are included here. The religious con-man belongs to this group as well as the secular. Those who prey on others by trying to take advantage of their misfortune would also be included. Swindlers cannot take their ill-gotten goods with them when they leave this world, nor will they enter heaven.
AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU
"And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11). The Christians at Corinth had been involved in these things before their conversions. During that time they had no hope at all of heaven. Also, any Christians returning to such practices would forfeit their eternal home with God, unless they repent and turn away from the Sin.
But these things were now a part of the past. The disciples at Corinth had been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This happened when they obeyed the gospel from the heart. This obedience involves those who have come to believe in Jesus repenting of their former conduct and being baptized in the name of The Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus they had been washed (baptized), sanctified (set apart from their old manner of life and dedicated to a new purpose) and justified (declared forgiven and made righteous by God's grace). God took people who were heading toward eternal destruction, and by His power and grace had changed their direction. He continues to do this amazing thing today. Those who live according to His purpose shall inherit the kingdom of God.
The Apostle John also recorded Jesus own words for us in Revelation:
"And nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it (the holy city, New Jerusalem), but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:27). As we have seen above Paul listed all of things which, he termed "unrighteous" and said that those who practice such things "shall not inherit the kingdom of God." However if one is engaged in such activity, all is not lost as these ones can take the steps of repentance in order to remedy the situation
THE EXTENT OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
Three important areas:
He was in certain believers: Joseph: Genesis 41:38, Joshua: Numbers 27:18, Daniel in Daniel 4:8, 5:11-14,
He came upon some: Numbers 24:2, Judges 3:10, 11:29, 1 Samuel 10:10, 2 Chronicles 15:1
He filled Bezaleel Exodus 31:3, 35:31
Not all the believers in the Old Testament experienced the ministries of the Holy Spirit beyond that of regeneration.
After regeneration the normal Old Testament believer understood the Word of God and applied it to their lives. In addition they tried to keep the Mosaic Law and of course failed many times. When sin occurred they brought animal sacrifices, and then through each year they kept the feasts and festivals as a testimony that they actually believed in the plan of God for their history. In the New Testament believers are saved by the same means, but we do not bring an offering but rather accept the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross as the Lamb of God; and grow by walking in the Spirit. The Old Testament believers were not asked to walk in the Spirit.
As shown above some people were given a special unction or anointing of the Holy Spirit which came upon them to function in a special way. When that job was over the Spirit was taken from them and they waited for Messiah to come.
Many say that they would like to go back to the simplicity of the Mosaic Law but we are in so much a superior position as to make such a thought quite inappropriate. From this it is clear why the apostles said that the Old Testament prophets longed to see this day.
If you feel that way or the people you fellowship with do, then you are not walking in the Holy Spirit and will not be aware of the amazing ministry he has for you on a daily basis.
A thorough study of these doctrines gives us good information for those who are involved in Spirit Filled Churches. If we are busy being led, taught, encouraged, corrected, convicted, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, tongues and other manifestations will occur by means of the Holy Spirit and not the flesh. In the Old Testament there was no Fruit of the Spirit, Baptism, Indwelling or Sealing ministries of the Spirit.
The only person we know who was assisted by the Holy Spirit for his whole life was John the Baptist who the Scriptures tell us was assisted from out of "ek" his mother's womb.
It is reasonable to assume that from Pentecost onwards there would be a greater working of the Holy Spirit than in previous ages. Two examples of people at the time of Christ who were assisted by the Holy Spirit - Zacharias - Luke 1:11, Simeon the priest Luke 2:25 who waited his whole life to see the Messiah and to give a single prophecy which is recorded in Scripture and which was a source of great blessing as Mary remembered it. Simeon's whole life culminated in this event for which he had the assistance of the Spirit.
DOCTRINES
HOLY SPIRIT: MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. TO THE UNBELIEVER
a) RESTRAINING (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
If unbelievers were unrestrained in the Church Age the one world system which Satan is trying to establish would come. So after the rapture of the Church it will come.
b) CONVICTING (John 16:7-11)
i) Sin - the barrier which remains in unbelief.
ii) Righteousness - God is totally righteous, man is only relatively righteous and needs God's righteousness for salvation.
iii) Judgment - Satan and all unbelievers are judged.
c) REGENERATION (John 3:5)
Man without the spirit cannot understand spiritual things. The Gospel is Spiritual; the Holy Spirit makes the gospel a reality to the unbeliever when one believes and is "born again" or regenerated. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
2. TO THE BELIEVER AT SALVATION
a) Regeneration (John 3:1-16, Titus 3:5)
b) Baptism (Acts 1:5, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5). We are baptized into union with Jesus Christ and become part of the body of Christ. This is not to be confused with the Filling of the Holy Spirit.
c) Indwelling (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). From receiving salvation onwards the believer is indwelt by the Spirit.
d) Sealing (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). This ministry relates to your future with God, the guarantee of eternal security.
e) Distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11) All true believers receive a spiritual gift at the point of salvation in order to function in the body of Christ.
3. TO THE BELIEVER AFTER SALVATION (Spirituality)
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit after salvation is the means by which we live the Christian life ordained by God (Ephesians 2:10, 5:18)
a) The Filling of the Holy Spirit (spirituality through confession of sin and surrender of the life). (1 John 1:9 Ephesians 5:18)
b) The character of Jesus Christ is produced by the believer when he is filled with the Spirit. (Galatians 4:19, 5:22, 23)
c) Glorification of Christ (John 7:39, 16:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)
d) Fulfilment of the Law. (Romans 8:2-4)
Holy Spirit Ministry – NT
John 14:16-17
John 20:22
Luke 24:49
Acts1:1-9, 2:1-4 H S - New Testament
HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
We see a change in the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament compared with the work in the Church Age and in the transition period with the Ministry of the Holy Spirit during the period of Christ’s Ministry.
As the Cross is a focal point in the unfolding drama of redemption so Pentecost is the turning point in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
The gospels really belong in the period of history still covered by the rules of the Old Testament or the Dispensation of the Jews rather than those of the New or Dispensation of the Church.
The exception is John chapters 14-17, where Jesus speaks of the age that is coming at Pentecost. In the Gospels the Lord Jesus Christ is teaching the disciples to become apostles or sent ones not only to Israel but also to the whole world. This ministry of the Holy Spirit which we now enjoy they longed to enjoy. We have a superior spiritual position than they did, than Isaiah and Jeremiah did.
So many people fail to live up to the tremendous position they have in Christ, the Old Testament saints longed to have it but we are not using it. The thought of it should purify us, and make us keen for service as we are sealed, guided, empowered, indwelt and baptised. The three years before Pentecost, during the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was a time of transition.
The change commences in John 14:16 17. Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit assisted believers often for a limited time to have a special function in the plan of God, since Pentecost the believer is indwelt forever, He is not with us but in us. How you view this will determine how you view spirituality and the Bible.
It has to be remembered that a lot of things which are said prior to Pentecost are going to be different once Pentecost occurred. Once the Lamb of God died on the Cross; believers no longer had to bring lambs to be physical sacrificed. Nowadays we obey Scripture by confessing our sins to God.
As a Christian you do not go to Leviticus to find out what you do about sin; but this does not mean that you do not read Leviticus as a book, because it shows the need for the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. In Leviticus now we discover wonderful things about the Lord and his sacrifice, about what they mean. We do not however go there to find out what we are to do about sin today
Similarly the ministry of the Spirit as seen prior to the Cross is not relevant to us today due to the change that took place at Pentecost. If you are going to live as a Christian now you need to take into account the Cross and Pentecost.
We have a superior position than believers before in that we have a position in Christ and the Spirit is in us. We are in a position where we can really advance in our Ministry if we know what the Bible is teaching about the Holy Spirit, but we need to believe it and apply it in our lives.
This topic is vital in our day as we are living in dramatic times; so it is essential that you teach the true doctrine of the Holy Spirit to people so that they do not get confused. We should therefore understand our place in the plan of God. We are members of the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ. We must live as the body and the bride. The central point of this is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
We need to look at it in three stages:
[a] The ministry of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times,
[b] The transition ministry during the Lord's earthly ministry,
[c] The ministry of the Holy Spirit during the Church Age.
In Genesis 1:2 the Holy Spirit is said to flutter, like a hen fluttering its feathers over its nest over the face of the waters. It is clear from Scripture that the Pre-Incarnate Lord Jesus Christ (Word/Logos) is the Creator. So why is the Holy Spirit fluttering over the waters? In Deuteronomy 32:11 we see the co operative work of the Spirit in relation to the Word/Logos in Creation. The Spirit is involved in creation with the Word who later became our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is also involved in revelation 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Samuel 23:2, Micah 3:8. In each case the Holy Spirit is involved with speaking or the writing of the Word of God. Prior to Pentecost the Holy Spirit convicted men of the need to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is seen in Genesis 6:3 where before the flood the Spirit had a ministry which was being ignored. The Lord showed that there was a limit to what the Lord was willing to do.
The Lord said that the Holy Spirit would not always strive with man. This verse says that they have got 120 years but of course man has not got that time now. Progressively the life span was cut. Genesis 6:3 dealt with a time when man was living up to 900 years of age.
The Spirit strives with man that he needs to find God because once he is dead it is too late. The word "strive" means to judge or convict. Today we have at most around 70-80 years to respond to the gospel.
We have not only the evidence that the blood of Christ covers all potentially but that the Spirit strives with all. With the exception of the eight who were saved at the time of the flood the Holy Spirit strived with multitudes of people for 120 years yet they rejected Him.
This convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit continues in a more detailed way in John 16:8 11. Another area in which the Holy Spirit has been universally involved in over man's history is regeneration. The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration.
In Psalm 51 David speaks of his experience of walking with and failing to walk with the Holy Spirit. It deals with the time of David's terrible sin of adultery with Bathsheba, followed by the arranging of the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. David was under great conviction and realised that he was under conviction by the Spirit and that it had a terrible influence on the Spirit in his life.
In this Psalm we have the Old Testament form of 1 John 1:9. Here he pleads the loving kindness and tender mercies of God having dealt with his sin. I acknowledge my sin; my transgression is forever before me. In verses 10 12 David asks the Lord to create in him a new heart. All he has now is conviction and pressure.
In verse 11 he says not to take the Holy Spirit from him. This is a bona fide for David but not for us today. After this time David went on to write Psalms and was therefore controlled by the Spirit again. If we sin after receiving the Holy Spirit and do not repent, we are in a seriously dangerous position because we cannot enter heaven for the following serious Sins:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus; and by the Spirit of our God”. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 KJV.
We cannot argue with the Bible and this is what it states and Paul was writing to the Corinth Church with these words. God will not be mocked and we cannot plead that we are saved and therefore immune from any punishment for Sins carried out after we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
So to reinforce what the Bible teaches in the above quoted verses, here is an explanation of what the Apostle Paul was referring too
According to the above verses in I Corinthians 6:9-11:
(1) Fornicators shall not inherit the kingdom of God. This term refers to those who engage in sexual activity which God has declared sinful. He has not declared all sexual activity. In fact, He condones and even encourages lawful sexual activity according to His design and purpose (I Corinthians 7:2-4; Hebrews 13:4). Fornication refers to sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship between a man and a woman. It would include premarital as well as extramarital sexual relationships of whatever duration from a one night stand to an on-going affair. Such activity was rampant in first century Corinth. It is rampant today in our own society. But it matters not how commonly it is practiced, it is still unrighteous and it will keep one from entering heaven.
(2) Idolaters shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Those who offer to others what belongs unto God are idolaters. A person's idol might be a huge, grotesque image carved out of stone before which he bows. Or it might be his own desires. It is anything that a person adores more than God. Idolatry will keep one from entering heaven.
(3) Adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Adultery seems to be more specific a term than fornication. It is usually limited to sexual unfaithfulness to a marriage partner. Adultery will keep one from entering heaven.
(4) The effeminate shall not enter the kingdom of God. When we see this word, we think of a sissy. But the word goes beyond that. It refers to one who is soft, specifically, to the passive partner in a homosexual relationship. Being effeminate will keep one from entering heaven.
(5) Homosexuals shall not enter the kingdom of God. This word is used twice in the New Testament; in the text we are examining as well as I Timothy 1:10. It denotes one who would take the leading role in a homosexual relationship. It is not fashionable today to suggest that such activity is unrighteous and will keep one out of the kingdom of God, but that is what the Covenant of Jesus Christ says. Practicing homosexuality will keep one from entering heaven.
(6) Thieves shall not enter the kingdom of God. There is no excuse for taking that which rightfully belongs to another. Whether its shoplifting, pilfering, short-changing or armed robbery, fraud and extortion, it is thievery. Whether the person doing the stealing is rich or poor it will still keep one from entering heaven.
(7).The covetous will not enter the kingdom of God. This has to do with having an uncontrollable desire to possess a certain thing. It motivates one into committing sin in order to satisfy greed. Coveting that which belongs to another will keep one from entering heaven.
(8) Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Children of God have no need to cloud their perspectives nor dull their senses. We must be able to think and reason clearly. Drunkenness causes one to lose focus and rationality. Those who give themselves over to intoxication will find that it keeps them from entering heaven.
(9) Revilers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many to speak boldly about things that they know little about. Many men and women of God have had to endure reproach for their faith. Not even the Son of God escaped verbal abuse. But they will not have to endure it forever because there will be no revilers in heaven.
(10) Swindlers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Seducers and smooth talkers of all kinds are included here. The religious con-man belongs to this group as well as the secular. Those who prey on others by trying to take advantage of their misfortune would also be included. Swindlers cannot take their ill-gotten goods with them when they leave this world, nor will they enter heaven.
AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU
"And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11). The Christians at Corinth had been involved in these things before their conversions. During that time they had no hope at all of heaven. Also, any Christians returning to such practices would forfeit their eternal home with God, unless they repent and turn away from the Sin.
But these things were now a part of the past. The disciples at Corinth had been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This happened when they obeyed the gospel from the heart. This obedience involves those who have come to believe in Jesus repenting of their former conduct and being baptized in the name of The Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thus they had been washed (baptized), sanctified (set apart from their old manner of life and dedicated to a new purpose) and justified (declared forgiven and made righteous by God's grace). God took people who were heading toward eternal destruction, and by His power and grace had changed their direction. He continues to do this amazing thing today. Those who live according to His purpose shall inherit the kingdom of God.
The Apostle John also recorded Jesus own words for us in Revelation:
"And nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it (the holy city, New Jerusalem), but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:27). As we have seen above Paul listed all of things which, he termed "unrighteous" and said that those who practice such things "shall not inherit the kingdom of God." However if one is engaged in such activity, all is not lost as these ones can take the steps of repentance in order to remedy the situation
THE EXTENT OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
Three important areas:
He was in certain believers: Joseph: Genesis 41:38, Joshua: Numbers 27:18, Daniel in Daniel 4:8, 5:11-14,
He came upon some: Numbers 24:2, Judges 3:10, 11:29, 1 Samuel 10:10, 2 Chronicles 15:1
He filled Bezaleel Exodus 31:3, 35:31
Not all the believers in the Old Testament experienced the ministries of the Holy Spirit beyond that of regeneration.
After regeneration the normal Old Testament believer understood the Word of God and applied it to their lives. In addition they tried to keep the Mosaic Law and of course failed many times. When sin occurred they brought animal sacrifices, and then through each year they kept the feasts and festivals as a testimony that they actually believed in the plan of God for their history. In the New Testament believers are saved by the same means, but we do not bring an offering but rather accept the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross as the Lamb of God; and grow by walking in the Spirit. The Old Testament believers were not asked to walk in the Spirit.
As shown above some people were given a special unction or anointing of the Holy Spirit which came upon them to function in a special way. When that job was over the Spirit was taken from them and they waited for Messiah to come.
Many say that they would like to go back to the simplicity of the Mosaic Law but we are in so much a superior position as to make such a thought quite inappropriate. From this it is clear why the apostles said that the Old Testament prophets longed to see this day.
If you feel that way or the people you fellowship with do, then you are not walking in the Holy Spirit and will not be aware of the amazing ministry he has for you on a daily basis.
A thorough study of these doctrines gives us good information for those who are involved in Spirit Filled Churches. If we are busy being led, taught, encouraged, corrected, convicted, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, tongues and other manifestations will occur by means of the Holy Spirit and not the flesh. In the Old Testament there was no Fruit of the Spirit, Baptism, Indwelling or Sealing ministries of the Spirit.
The only person we know who was assisted by the Holy Spirit for his whole life was John the Baptist who the Scriptures tell us was assisted from out of "ek" his mother's womb.
It is reasonable to assume that from Pentecost onwards there would be a greater working of the Holy Spirit than in previous ages. Two examples of people at the time of Christ who were assisted by the Holy Spirit - Zacharias - Luke 1:11, Simeon the priest Luke 2:25 who waited his whole life to see the Messiah and to give a single prophecy which is recorded in Scripture and which was a source of great blessing as Mary remembered it. Simeon's whole life culminated in this event for which he had the assistance of the Spirit.
DOCTRINES
HOLY SPIRIT: MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. TO THE UNBELIEVER
a) RESTRAINING (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
If unbelievers were unrestrained in the Church Age the one world system which Satan is trying to establish would come. So after the rapture of the Church it will come.
b) CONVICTING (John 16:7-11)
i) Sin - the barrier which remains in unbelief.
ii) Righteousness - God is totally righteous, man is only relatively righteous and needs God's righteousness for salvation.
iii) Judgment - Satan and all unbelievers are judged.
c) REGENERATION (John 3:5)
Man without the spirit cannot understand spiritual things. The Gospel is Spiritual; the Holy Spirit makes the gospel a reality to the unbeliever when one believes and is "born again" or regenerated. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
2. TO THE BELIEVER AT SALVATION
a) Regeneration (John 3:1-16, Titus 3:5)
b) Baptism (Acts 1:5, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5). We are baptized into union with Jesus Christ and become part of the body of Christ. This is not to be confused with the Filling of the Holy Spirit.
c) Indwelling (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). From receiving salvation onwards the believer is indwelt by the Spirit.
d) Sealing (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). This ministry relates to your future with God, the guarantee of eternal security.
e) Distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11) All true believers receive a spiritual gift at the point of salvation in order to function in the body of Christ.
3. TO THE BELIEVER AFTER SALVATION (Spirituality)
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit after salvation is the means by which we live the Christian life ordained by God (Ephesians 2:10, 5:18)
a) The Filling of the Holy Spirit (spirituality through confession of sin and surrender of the life). (1 John 1:9 Ephesians 5:18)
b) The character of Jesus Christ is produced by the believer when he is filled with the Spirit. (Galatians 4:19, 5:22, 23)
c) Glorification of Christ (John 7:39, 16:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)
d) Fulfilment of the Law. (Romans 8:2-4)
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