THEOLOGY LESSON 25

LESSON 25 – BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT


Holy Spirit - Baptism

Ephesians 4:5
1 Corinthian 12:12-13
Ephesians 5:18
Acts 1:5
Galatians 3:26-28

Baptism of Holy Spirit In Christ

INTRODUCTION

In Ephesians 4:5 we are told of One Lord, One Faith One Baptism. This is a very controversial verse and theologians do not all agree as to the meaning of ‘one baptism’.

Many believe that this verse is not talking about water baptism at all; but a totally different baptism all together. They teach that the ‘one baptism’ we all share in; is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit which marks the beginning of the believer's association with Christ. Yet other theologians claim that baptism in water is ‘that which saves us’ and go as far as to teach that unless we are baptized in water we are not saved

The verses in 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13 seems to contradict this argument, as they show all Christians are baptized by one Spirit into one body and drink the one Spirit. This event is common to all believers in the Church age. If you have not been baptized by the Holy Spirit you are not a believer. This is clearly seen in the Greek and it is therefore important to analyze it. We believe that water and Holy Spirit baptisms are important and should be a part of our Christian walk with our heavenly Father.

Baptism - What is it?

Baptizo, the Greek verb, means to baptize. It is in the aorist passive indicative, aorist means a point of time in the past or passive, we can receive it at the point of salvation, but not always. You as a believer should have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at some time in the past; you did not earn it or deserve it, as it was freely given to you. Nothing was done to receive it. It was grace all the way. There are no exceptions. Even the poorest believer should receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The meanings of "Baptizo" is to totally dip or immerse, to wash. However the primary meaning is to identify one object with another so that the first object is changed. A historical example was the baptizing of the hunting spears of the Greek soldiers.

In the day of Alexander the Great, before the army headed off towards modern Turkey, many of the Greek troops had not been in a battle. In order to enhance their performance the hunting spears which they took with them were dipped in a bucket of pig’s blood in the belief that it changed the nature of the hunting spear into a warrior's spear. By analogy once we were part of the world but the Holy Spirit so identified us with Christ that we were changed into part of His body. This shows how critical the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is.

Definition

The baptism of the Holy Spirit should enable the believer to come into union with Christ and the ‘Body of Christ’. This gives the believer their identity as a Christian. I am a member of the Christian Body; I am a member of the Body of Christ. This is done so that a love relationship may grow with Him and in Him. This opens the channel of blessing for us because it relates us to His church, His Body on earth.

Your attitude to the Holy Spirit will determine your attitude to the local church. The local church should be based on the reality of the Work of the Holy Spirit, but many are not. The Biblical teaching is that we have been Born Again once and for all by the Holy Spirit into the church. Some groups do not realise this important fact and do not even recognise the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an important event to accepting Jesus as their saviour.

We also need to recognise that this is also different from asking for the Holy Spirit to fall on the believers and fill them up with dunimas power, but many leaders get confused over this issue.

Origin of the Church

One of the main reasons for confusion in this area is because some people believe that the church began in Abraham's tent or with the ministry of John the Baptist. This makes it much more difficult to understand rather than believing that it started at Pentecost where the first Baptism of the Holy Spirit took place. Baptism is often taken as a synonym to the filling of the Holy Spirit but this is associated with the ministry of regeneration in the church age. As a result we are special. Many of the problems that occur are because Christians do not understand just how special they are.

It is important not to study Acts by itself. At Pentecost everything happens at once and is therefore unique. They are sealed, indwelt, regenerated, baptized and given spiritual gifts as mature believers. The following day Peter was preaching the Gospel with boldness, which was unusual as he had denied the Lord out of fear only a few weeks before this occurrence.

In Ephesians 5:18 we are told that Christian’s should not get drunk, but be filled with the Spirit. This is a command, present passive imperative; you are commanded not to get drunk habitually. A literal translation would be to keep on letting the Spirit fill you.

In 1 Corinthians 12:13, if you think that the Baptism and filling of the Spirit is the same, you have a problem as there is a contradiction in the passages reviewed. You only need to be baptized once and for all; but you need to be habitually filled. We need to deal with sin in our lives and let the Holy Spirit control us.

In Acts 1:5 when did it occur in the person's life? This is ten days before the time when they are going to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not baptized anyone before that and everyone was looking forward to the feast of Pentecost.

Results of the Baptism of the Spirit

Two results of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit it joins us to the body of Christ with all of our individuality (1 Corinthians 12:13) there being many varieties in the body. The unity is the baptism of the Spirit. It is only a relationship with the Lord that allows you to have a relationship with other believers. You are part of Him and therefore joined to other believers. This is our co crucifixion with Christ. It also identifies us with the death, resurrection and glorification of the Lord. We are left on earth to learn more about what it means to be in union with Christ. If you are in an intimate relationship with the Lord you also have a great responsibility along with it.

Every relationship has responsibilities, husband and wife, parent and child. The responsibility for us in Christ is to be obedient. The Lord's responsibility is to keep us safe. We should also get to know and love Him more. This is going to modify how you think about the Lord the result is that you should walk worthy according to your calling.

The filling of the Holy Spirit allows you to do the work of the Lord and is evidence of baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have wasted a lot of time trying to ‘work up’ the baptism of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Many believe they can chase after some kind of ‘special impartation or anointing by an anointed celebrity’ but this hinders them. In the Hyper Charismatic movement there is a lot of emphasis on praise and worship but it is often shallow. That is why many who have heading up ‘Praise the Lord’ Television show’s and been regarded as ‘special’ prophets or ‘healers’; have been living a life totally contrary to Bible teaching. Quite a number of them have been committing serious sins in their own personal lives. So if you are going to be involved with just ‘experiences and emotions’ you are not going to have the Holy Spirit control your life. Living with the Holy Spirit is a daily walk with him.

DOCTRINES

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is mentioned in (1 Corinthians 12:13) "By means of one spirit are we all baptised into one body". Once we obtain the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, it allows us to achieve being a part of the Body of Christ and confirms our salvation as part of the body.

2. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is different to His other ministries: Indwelling, filling, sealing, regeneration, distributing spiritual gifts.

3. The basis of unity and union of believers is achieved by Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:5) "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" - we have one faith in one Lord and receive one baptism, which unites us in the Body of Christ.

4. The implication of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is given in (Galatians 3:26-28) - all believers are united and "equal" in standing before God.

5. The Baptism of the Spirit provides identification with Christ - as the Body of Christ, we share everything that He has (his righteousness, heir-ship, priesthood, kingship, etc) (Ephesians 1:3, Colossians 2:12)

6. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus Christ. (John 14:19-20, Acts 1:5)

7. The Baptism of the Spirit did not occur in Old Testament times. It is unique to the Church Age. Only Church Age believers are "in Christ" - that is, part of the Body (and the Bride) of Christ. (Colossians 1:25-26)

8. The Baptism of the Spirit begins the Church Age. In (Acts 1:5) Jesus said "Ye shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many (10) days hence". In (Acts 2:3) no mention of the Baptism of the Spirit is made but the experiential side of these happenings are described. In (Acts 11:15-17) Peter says that they received the Baptism of the Spirit just as it was in the beginning and quotes (Acts 1:5).

9. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit has nothing to do with water baptism, nor with speaking in tongues, but tongues often come out of a person who has just been baptised by the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Spirit is not just an experience; it is not always manifest or seen, felt, or experienced. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

10. The incidence of tongues at Pentecost was because many nations were present in Jerusalem at that time. Tongues fulfilled two requirements initially evangelisation and later within the congregations, tongues could be spoken but required interpretation and there were also tongues for edification. (1 Corinthians 14:2-4)

IN CHRIST

1. At the point of salvation (being infilled by the Holy Spirit), every believer in the Church Age is entered into the Body of Christ, and is therefore united with Christ. Our position is now, "in Christ".

2. The baptism of the Spirit is how we are united with Christ. (Acts 1:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5) The Holy Spirit places the believer in union with Christ.

3. Positional truth belongs to the carnal as well as the spiritual believer, to the apostate believer as well as to the mature believer. (1 Corinthians 1:2, 30)

4. Positional truth protects the believer from divine judgment in eternity, as long as they remain in Christ. (Romans 8:1)

5. Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever:

a) Eternal life (1 John 5:11,12)
b) Imputation of God's righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

6. Positional truth is the key to both election and predestination (Ephesians 1:3-6).

7. Positional truth creates a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10) based on who and what Christ is, therefore what grace accomplishes - not what changes we make - at salvation or thereafter.

8. Positional truth guarantees the eternal security of the believer, unless he/she renounces the Lord and never repents for their actions. (Romans 8:38, 39, Hebrews 6:4).

9. Positional truth has two aspects:

a) Past - identification with Christ in His death (Romans 6; Colossians 2:12; 3:3)
b) Present (and Future) - identification with Christ in His "new resurrection life".

10. Current positional truth implies that the believer shares certain things in union with Christ:

a) Eternal life (1 John 5:11,12)
b) Righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
c) Election (Ephesians 1:4)
d) Destiny (Ephesians 1:5)
e) Son ship (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1,2)
f) Heir ship (Romans 8:16,17)
g) Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:2,30)
h) Kingdom (2 Peter 1:11)
i) Priesthood (Hebrews 10:10-14; 1 Peter 2:5, 9).

11. Our new position in Christ means we are and must be separated from the world (Ephesians 2:6).

12. As new creatures in Christ, we have a new ministry as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 1Corinthians 3:6, 6:4).

13. In Christ, we are never alone, (Colossians 3:4, John 17) we have communion with Him, and with His body (other Christians).

14. We are united with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit forever- we are in the Father, He is in us - Ephesians 4:6, we are in Christ, He is in us - John 14:20, Colossians 1:26, we are in the Spirit, He is in us - Romans 8:9.

15. We are members of His body, branches of His vine, living stones of His building, sheep of His fold, part of his Bride, priests in his kingdom, saints set apart for his glory.

16. The characteristics of positional truth are six-fold:

a) It is not an experience - neither emotional nor ecstatic.
b) It is not progressive - cannot be improved in time or eternity.
c) It is not related to human merit, ability, or human good. Here are the implications of retroactive positional truth. There is no place in the plan of God for human good.
d) It is eternal in nature; it cannot be changed by God, angels or mankind.
e) It is known only through the Word of God.
f) It can be obtained totally at the point of salvation, but often a believer gets baptised by the Holy Spirit at a later time.

THEOLOGY LESSON 24

LESSON 24 – HOLY SPIRIT – INDWELLING AND SEALING


HOLY SPIRIT

Indwelling and Sealing

Romans 8:9-11
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
2 Corinthians 5:5
Ephesians 1:13, 14
Ephesians 4:30 Indwelling of Christ
Seal

INTRODUCTION

There are a number of ministries of the Holy Spirit which occur at the point of salvation. Two are the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit. The first time this occurred was at Pentecost. John 14:16, 17, 20. At Pentecost uniquely the ministries of the Holy Spirit were set up, sealing, baptizing, the giving of gifts, indwelling and regenerating. This occurred within people who had been believers for sometime; but were now taken over by a totally new phenomena and the effect was dramatic and revolutionary.

The power in these people was so great, that they acted as if they were drunk and had no inhibitions, which is unlike most Churches in our day. In fact when most ‘religionists and church people’ see this same phenomena happening in these later days, they will often claim this cannot possibly be from God and so must be from the enemy.

When a believer seeks to be filled by the Holy Spirit, they must also be compelled to obey the Word of God, and walk in the Spirit on a daily basis.

The effects of this are recorded in Romans 8:9 11 which shows the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is the proof of the person being a believer. If you are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit you are not a believer. The Spirit allows you to deal with sin and produces the certainty of the resurrection.

Ministry of the Holy Spirit

In 2 Corinthians 5:5 the Spirit is called the earnest of our inheritance. Earnest money was a deposit on an item in the ancient world but unlike us nowadays when you put down earnest money you owned the item. It was a covenant and the item could never be lost.

1 Corinthians 6:19 20 relates to dealing with sin in your life. Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Notice it is the temple which is a permanent structure and not the temporary tabernacle that is in view here.

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

The indwelling Spirit is a gift of God to all believers, a gift that is not earned or deserved. In Christ Jesus we are all recipients of the gift. This is pure grace as in sin none of us deserve anything.

1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:9, Jude 19 show that if you do not have the Holy Spirit you are unsaved. It should be noted that sinning believers are still indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but are in a dangerous position if they do not repent. The Holy Spirit will be grieved and will keep trying to convict the Sinner to repent. However if the grieving and resisting of the Holy Spirit continues, so that the person eventually surrenders to Satan and denies Christ and the Holy Spirit, they will be lost. We can only lose our Salvation if we throw it away by sinning against the Holy Spirit to which there is no more forgiveness of sins possible.
Hebrews 6:4-6

Is it Permanent?

Reviewing the sins of the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians it is hard to imagine a sin which they did not commit especially when you think of the believer who was committing incest with his mother in chapter 5. Many Christians believe you are lost if you sin, this is not true; providing the believer repents and turns away from the sin. The two commands to believers are to neither grieve, nor quench the Holy Spirit. Therefore you cannot grieve or quench the Spirit unless you are involved in a relationship with the Spirit. The permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit also ties in with the sealing of the Holy Spirit.

Some times during your Christian walk you are going to be aware of a lack of vigor in your life. It maybe because you have walked away from the Lord or something has come between you and an active living fellowship with him. This would be quenching, and is remedied by confession of sin and obedience to the Word. But in some cases, it could also be caused by a ‘bitter root’ that has been allowed to fester in your mind and heart. Bitterness can be caused by many things from our past or our forebears past. If there is; unforgiveness, ungodly beliefs, witchcraft, or any involvement with the Occult, Freemasonry or religious cults, then these sins need confessing, renouncing and breaking off our lives; so that we can be set free. Even if you personally did not practice any of these things, but a relative did, it can affect you, by means of the ‘soul tie’ with that person. So you must deal with your sin in order to re establish yourself with the Lord. If you do not know these doctrines however you are going to be easy prey to false teachers who will tell you that Jesus loves you whatever you do.

If you are practicing sin in your life the Lord will not hear you; this is recorded for us in the book of Psalms. Lack of this knowledge will facilitate some well-meaning Christians coming along and telling you that you have not got the Spirit and convince you that you need the baptism of the Holy Spirit to move forward. Although it is very important that you get baptized into the Holy Spirit it is imperative that you display the fruits of the Spirit first. We cannot display the fruits of the Spirit if we are practicing the ‘works of the flesh’. Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 7:13-23, John 16:8 11, Ephesians 5:18. So firstly we should examine ourselves and see what has come between us and the Lord.

Acts 5:32 Note this verse and ask, isn't obedience part of indwelling? If you take the verse out of context it may seem that way. Who are being spoken to, it is the unbelievers, the Pharisees?

The Bible is full of the temporary empowerment of the Holy Spirit and that was mostly before Pentecost. However in John 14:16 the Lord promised that he would send the Counselor and Helper and that is what he did at Pentecost. Therefore we are to let the Spirit do his work in our lives. We can only do this through obedience to the Word and rejection of sin! Therefore we always call upon the Lord to send the Holy Spirit to empower us afresh, or in other words ask the Holy Spirit to fill us up with his power.

The Samaritans

An area of confusion occurs for some concerning the giving of the Spirit to the Samaritans, which appears to be both selective and subsequent to salvation. It has caused some people to go off on a tangent and seek a so called second blessing. The Samaritans were a special case where the Lord wanted to prove to them that their new Christian faith was not a rival to the church in Jerusalem, and prove to the Jewish believers that the Samaritans were in no way inferior to them. This reflected that the Jews and Samaritans were one in Christ and was thus delayed until the Jewish apostles were with them and did away with the possibility of the developing of two churches rather than one.

When one was a young believer one was not aware of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life but as you grow you become aware of the power of the Spirit. This is not however a second blessing. It is maturity and should be every believer’s experience.

You need good Bible teaching and proceed with your Christian life. As you mature you will be able to do more and more in your life. The laying on of hands was a picture of the delegation of authority. This was to show that they were to follow the apostles from Jerusalem from where the policy came.

What about the situation in Acts 19 - What does this passage show? As soon as they heard of the Lord Jesus Christ they were saved, baptized and received the Holy Spirit. The Apostles would spend hours with the new believers telling them about the Scriptures and soon after that they were baptized. In the early church there was no evidence for waiting a long time after salvation to be baptized.

The permanence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is seen in the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enters the believer into union with Christ. That person is then God's and ‘only sinning against the Holy Spirit’ can separate that person from Him. The New Covenant is Gods agreement with a Christian that he is saved by confessing Jesus and sinning no more. Romans 8:1; says that there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ…but we must remain in him.

Sealing of the Holy Spirit

All believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13, 14, 4:30 the sealing on Gods part is permanent until the day of redemption, or until the Lord brings you home to glory.

Seals were a sign of nobility in the ancient world and showed ownership with security. A father and a son would have the same signet rings which would indicate ownership of an article which was sealed. God sets His seal on you. Once the mark of ownership is on you, you are His, and no one can change it Romans 8:38 39. Your life is hid with Christ in God as you are sealed at the point of salvation Acts 2:38.

The seal is unto the day of redemption Romans 8:23, Ephesians 4:30. We are God's responsibility. Ramifications of the seal are security and purity; a seal meant you were secure in the ownership of the one who held the seal, and the purity aspect was seen in the sealing of wine. We should be stable as a believer, secure in our position, and holy. There are many unstable people who are trapped by ‘extremist’ Christian groups. You will also strive for purity; you will desire it. The world needs to see stable Christians. Pray that you remain a steady and clear witness to others and remain steadfast in the truth of Gods word.

However in the book of Revelation the Lord reveals that some who were chosen as sealed ones and written in the book of life, could have their name erased if they did not repent, here is the verse:

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” Revelation 3: 5. The parable of the Prodigal Son highlights this situation, the Father did not go running after the Son, he only run to him when he repented and turned away from his sinful ways.

DOCTRINES

INDWELLING OF CHRIST

1. The prophecy of the indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 14:18-20)

2. There is a distinction between the indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

3. The Lord Jesus Christ indwells for fellowship (Galatians 2:20), and a sign of the believer's position. (Romans 8:10)

4. In contrast the Holy Spirit indwells to teach, guide, direct, empower and correct. (John 14:26, 16:8-15, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

5. The purpose of the indwelling is that the believer may grow in fellowship with the Lord, learning to know and love him more. (Colossians 1:27, Ephesians 3:17-19)

6. We fellowship with the Lord within as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us through the Word. (John 6:63, 8:31-32, Colossians 3:16)

7. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is meant to be permanent even though He may be quenched or grieved, but the Lord Jesus Christ can be locked out of the soul by the presence of sin or a negative attitude towards the Word. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

8. When the Lord is locked out, the Holy Spirit convicts the believer, the believer is miserable, with the Lord knocking at the door for admission. (1 John 1:9, Revelation 3:19-20)

SEAL

A seal has a number of different implications:-

1. Sanctification. Exodus 28:36-38 - Example: Seals on official documents set them apart from normal documents.

2. Identification. Ezekiel 9:4 - Use of the signet ring in 1 Kings 21:8; Esther 8:8-10

3. Possession. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - Example: A "sea!" on one's book

4. Utilisation. Ephesians 1:12-14 - Example: Bank account number.

5. Glorification. Ephesians 4:30 - Example: Letters are stamped and sealed so as to arrive at their destination.

6. Preservation. Revelation 7:3 - Example: Locks on doors or the seal on the tomb of Christ.

7. Destination. Revelation 22:4

THEOLOGY LESSON 23

LESSON 23 – HOLY SPIRIT – REGENERATION

John 3:3-8
Titus 3:5
Ephesians 5:25-26
John 6:63, 3:13-36
John 6:40-48
Ephesians 4:20-24
Colossians 3:10

INTRODUCTION

This is the work of the Holy Spirit which changes us from unbelievers to believers and therefore sons of God. This creates a mockery among those who do not believe that they need a Saviour. The unbeliever has to realise that only God can provide the power and the will to come to newness of life.

Regeneration

In John 3:3 9 we see that regeneration means to be born again. The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration. We note that there are two ministries of the Holy Spirit, the convicting ministry and the enabling ministry. This is why the man who rejects the gospel is without hope at the Day of Judgment. That person has also rejected and spurned the work of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore he has three things against him, he has ignored the Word of God, he has ignored the testimony of creation, the plan of God which is clearly working out, he has also ignored the command to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. He has been actively rejecting God in all three persons.

Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Romans 1:16 32 having cast aside the ministry of Christ in their life the rejection shows that there is no hope. Another passage which reflects this ministry is 2 Corinthians 3:6. "The letter kills but the Spirit gives life."

Ensure you take the evaluation in context. He does not mean that an evaluation of the Scriptures kills and the Spirit gives life. The contrast is between the written word in ink and the word written on the heart. It is the Spirit which brings the letter to life.

The Word of God justly brings death but the Spirit gives life. No amount of preaching irrespective of how orthodox it is will regenerate unless the Holy Spirit works. It is He and He alone that convicts a man so that he becomes a new creature.

Regeneration is the giving of a new nature, the nature of God. 2 Peter 1:4. It is the Holy Spirit who imparts this to us, makes us partakers of the divine nature. It is done through the Word. To put it in a word: The human heart is the soil, the preacher or teacher is the sower, the word of God is the seed; the Spirit of God quickens the seed, and the Divine nature is the result.

Not by works done in righteousness by ourselves but by his mercy we are saved. We can do no work of righteousness ourselves; ‘nothing’ an unbeliever does can satisfy God. Their righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight.

Analogy of Washing

Both Paul and John used the same analogy of washing. The picture of cleansing and water comes through. Beware of people who try to twist this into Baptismal regeneration; that you are saved by total immersion. Baptismal regeneration is not taught here. There are no sins washed away when you are baptised. It is a sign of something that has already happened to you. It is a picture or memorial. Paul continues with this concept in Titus 3:5-7, Ephesians 5:25 27, John 6:63.

These passages need to be tied together in your mind. The connection of water and regeneration is given in 1 John 5:5 6. Here the water is linked to the Word of God and the spirit is the Holy Spirit. The work of regeneration involves the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The two come together in a unique way in the life of the believer if they accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Regeneration takes place when the Holy Spirit takes the Word and enlivens it in their life by grace into a relationship of son or daughter of God.

We are in error if we equate the filling with the baptism of the Spirit. It is clear from Scripture however that the baptism of the Holy Spirit often occurs at the point of salvation, but not always, as many BA Christians do not even realise that they are can be baptized by the Holy Spirit enabling them to do things beyond what is normal. The filling of the Holy Spirit can occur when we ask the Lord to send the Holy Spirit to give us extra power to enable us to carry out his will in us. In order to get filled with the Holy Spirit the following section will elaborate.

Confession

The Scripture commands you to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Whether you are filled with the Holy Spirit is up to you. If people believe that the Holy Spirit is in them He needs to be let loose in their lives. This is accomplished by confession of sins as per 1 John 1:9.

Most of the questions you will be asked in the ministry are to do with the people not knowing the meaning of the words they use such as regeneration, expiation, propitiation and the like.

We should ask them what they mean by a term to ensure that they are aware of its true doctrinal meaning. It depends whether you believe in a body soul and spirit or just body and soul and that you get a spirit at the point of salvation.

Irrespective of the concept it is clear that at the point of salvation the believer's life is changed to such an extent that they can now understand spiritual phenomena. It is also clear that relationship with God is spiritual and can only be attained through rebirth. We receive a new nature, we have been reborn, we are re created, we are resurrected; there are many implications to the act of regeneration.

We can have relationship with God; we are born again and will live eternally with the Lord. Our body however will fall apart but we have a resurrection body. We are regenerated for eternity. We should always give praise for the work of the Holy Spirit for it lasts forever.

Our New Birth

Although we are still the same nature (sinful humanity) we now have the New Spirit Birth which gives us the ability to obey Gods commands. We now have the ability to produce righteousness and true holiness. We have taken off the old and put on the new. We are new creatures in Christ. We are challenged every day to live worthy of the gift that we have been given, the gift of eternal life.

If we recognize that everything we have as a believer is something we have received from God, we can pray that the Lord will help us to live worthy of the great salvation. If a person gave us everything we ever needed but we were never in a position to repay him, we would be eternally grateful to that person. This is exactly what Christ has done for all those who willingly and truly accept him as their Lord. We have been given everything in Christ Jesus. Do we see our position in Christ in the way the Scriptures say it will be? This is the gospel played out in a daily form in the believer’s life.

DOCTRINES

REGENERATION: BORN AGAIN

1. General Scripture - (John 3:5-8) 'Ye must be born again [born from above] (v7). You are born of the Spirit. (v8) We then become new creatures in Christ.

2. Natural man cannot understand spiritual phenomenon (1 Corinthians 2:14). He lacks the ability to enter the Kingdom of God. (John 3:5). They are unable to please God. (Romans 8:7, 8)

3. New birth is a creation of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10, 4:24). Through the Holy Spirit we become aware that we are joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:16, 17)

4. The requirement for the new birth is belief on Christ, that He is crucified and risen. (John 1:12, 3:16-18, 36). New birth occurs at the instant of belief in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ and confession of our sins.

5. Through new birth (Regeneration) the believer lives in Christ and Christ in the believer. (Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:10, 4:24, 1 Peter 1:23-25, 1 John 5:10-12).

6. Once you are born you cannot be unborn. However we can throw it back in Gods face and that would entail sinning against the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 6: 4-6

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame”.

THEOLOGY LESSON 22

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)

THEOLOGY LESSON 21

LESSON 21 – TRANSITIONAL MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 16:8-11
Luke 1:12-17
Luke 2:25 -26
Luke 11:9-13
Matthew 12:22-37
Mark 3:22-30 Holy Spirit Ministry to Jesus
Holy Spirit – Sins against

INTRODUCTION

This period occurred from the ministry of John the Baptist until the Day of Pentecost. This is a change that the Lord prepared the people for during His ministry. We have a position in Christ with the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit and we are in a highly superior position compared with the Old Testament saints. Most Christians do not understand what they have

Three stages in the expanded ministry of the Holy Spirit are given in the Gospels

Stage 1 - Luke 11:9 13 where the Lord tells the disciples to ask for the Holy Spirit which was something that had not occurred in the Old Testament. This was just after the commissioning of the twelve in verse 8. As the people went out round the nation to preach, to heal, to raise the dead and cast out demons a dramatic and taxing spiritual service they came back knowing that they needed power to do the job. This gave Jesus the opportunity to teach the principle of empowerment by the Spirit.

They realise that there are major enemies to be fought and inner resources greater than man can supply is needed. He therefore says ask for the Holy Spirit. It is of interest that none of the gospels divulge whether any of the disciples took up the offer. It was so novel that they were all a bit hesitant about doing it.

Stage 2 - John 14:16 17 where He explained that the Holy Spirit would be in them rather than with them. This is about a year later than the passage in Luke. They realise that the Spirit is with them and that they need more and the Lord says that there will be more. He explains that on the day of Pentecost the Father will send the Holy Spirit and that they will not be left comfortless.

What is seen here is that the resources to face the enemy after the Cross will need to be bettered and the Lord is going to upgrade it by sending the Spirit. Rather than being with them on a temporary basis it is going to be a permanent indwelling of the Spirit.

Stage 3 - John 20:21 22 where the Lord gave them the Holy Spirit to assist them until Pentecost. It is clear that the Lord is tasking the disciples with replacing Him, as his witness in the world; a task we now have. This is shown clearly in Matthew 28:20 which is the great commission. As it is given both here and in Matthew 28 it is of great importance.

The Lord says that he is sending them out but not in their own strength but in the power of the Holy Spirit. This temporary gifting of the Spirit is going to last them for the ten days until the full giving of the Holy Spirit at the feast of Pentecost.

First He says ask, next that he will pray, and thirdly He breathes on them to give them a temporary empowerment.

Luke 24:49 this is a few days after John 20. It is clear that what was happening in John 20 was temporary until the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:4 8 Luke is the author of Acts and thus the book of Acts follows. As the Cross is the centre point of human history so Pentecost is the start of this new period of human history. The expanded ministries of the Holy Spirit since Pentecost are very important, intricately related to the angelic conflict.

INTENSIFICATION OF THE ANGELIC CONFLICT

The activity of Satan and his angels since the Cross has been greatly intensified over what it was before. The Cross is the defeat of Satan strategically (Genesis 3:15). A strategic defeat means that the enemy is beaten but he is not finished. Although Satan was defeated at the cross, he still causes havoc amongst the world of mankind. The Apostle Paul warned that Christians need to put on the complete suit of armor, so that they can stand firm against the Devils attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Satan knew from the Cross that he was finished and it was from that time that he went into top gear with his evil attacks upon the Church Of God. Therefore if a Christian does not understand the absolute necessity of living and walking in the Spirit they are in trouble, as they will not have the resources to deal with Satan. The Apostle Peter made this clear when he spoke about Satan being like a roaring Lion seeking to devour Christians (1 Peter 5: 6-8)

Many believers fail because they do not walk in close fellowship with the Spirit. The normal Christian life should be one lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. People that fail do so for one reason or another; allow sin to encroach upon them, get lead away from the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit. As a believer we must learn to live and walk in the Spirit.

As Born Again ‘Spirit Filled’ Christians we need to understand the power that we have within us. Jesus sent his followers out to teach people all the things he had commanded. He also provided them with the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to be able to achieve this work. (Matthew 28:19, 20) (Acts 1: 8; Acts 2).

Therefore a Christian can be certain that he/she can call upon the Holy Spirit at any time to give them ‘super natural power beyond what is normal’

THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MINISTRY IN THE LIFE OF OUR LORD

The Lord said that the believers would produce greater works than He did (John14:14-16). What do these unusual verses mean? This is based on the fact that whilst the Lord had a ministry of just over three years to perform supernatural signs and wonders. He told us that his followers would be able to do ‘greater works’ in his name than even he did.

Any work done in the power of the Holy Spirit is doing the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told his followers to ask for ‘anything’ in his name and he would do it. That is a great honour and privilege to be able to do the same type of works that even our Lord Jesus did. But these works in themselves are secondary to the greatest work of all and that is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.

Therefore the greatest mission as a minister is to get your people out of the pews and into the communities declaring the Gospel by means of the Holy Spirit within them. But sadly Many; ‘churchgoers’ will find this work uncomfortable and will not want to be obedient to God's Word.

The sustaining work of the Holy Spirit was deliberately misconstrued by the Pharisees who said that Jesus was demon possessed and using the powers of Satan. This according to the Lord was the unpardonable sin.

THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

Many denominations will accuse others of blaspheming the Holy Ghost when they criticize their own view of the ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’ in our day. Jesus said; preach the Gospel and obey my commandments and I will send a helper to you. As we know from Acts 2, the Holy Spirit fell in an amazing way and he is still with his people today. So accusing others of blasphemy over differences of interpretation of the ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’ is really a misuse of Scripture. You often find that those who cry loudest about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit are quenching the Spirit in some way themselves. Differences over this issue do not constitute the committing of the unpardonable sin.

The unpardonable sin in Jesus day was to accuse him of being satanic and reject him as saviour. He is not present today to do such a thing personally, but the unpardonable sin remains as total rejection of him as saviour. No believer can commit that sin as long as they remain in Christ and continually accept him as saviour. The most serious sin in the believer’s life today is the quenching, grieving and resisting of the Holy Spirit. A believer cannot commit the unforgivable sin unless he totally rejects the blood of Jesus and repudiates the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 6:4-6) So we need to be resisting sin in any form and cling to the Word of God.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

In Acts 1:8 14 they were to be baptised in the Spirit not many days hence. They were promised power after the Holy Spirit came upon them. They were waiting for the Spirit to come upon them from John 14 via Luke 24:49 to empower them for the rest of the ministry on the earth.

In Acts chapter 2 we have a record of the event. The Spirit came upon them and they were totally baptized by the Holy Spirit for the first time as a group of Christian believers. Acts 2:1-4.

These people as a result went out and preached the gospel in many languages which were understood. Many people were converted as a result of hearing the gospel on that day. In verse 4 they are filled with the Holy Spirit and from verse 5 onwards it shows what happened.

The disciples who were gathered in the upper room on that occasion were already Born Again and in Christ, but at this event, something totally different happened. It is obvious to us that they got baptised by the Holy Spirit and at once were made alive in him. The outward signs were staggering as they reacted as if they were drunk and spoke in various tongues. Therefore baptism in the Holy Spirit has a profound affect on a believer and makes them do something that is unusual and often dramatic. This is the favour of God on a Christian’s life and is an outward demonstration that they are truly Spirit filled Christians.

However a Christian must always remember that they are still imperfect humans who will continually make mistakes. So you still need to be alert to the enemies tactics, when he tries to tempt you to sin and ‘quench or grieve’ the Holy Spirit. Even though you are ‘indwelt’ by the Holy Spirit the ‘carnal/fleshly’ can still control your life if you allow it too. You may even be ‘working’ for the Lord; but success is dependant on you being in fellowship with the Holy Spirit at all times.

If you are going to live for Christ you have to do it in the power of the Holy Spirit, if you are not filled with the Holy Spirit you will fail. So keep asking for the Holy Spirit to fill you up and try to get a trusted prayer partner who is also baptized by the Holy Spirit to pray with you and ‘keep on asking’ and ‘keep on knocking’ for the Holy Spirit to fill you up.

DOCTRINES

HOLY SPIRIT: MINISTRY TO JESUS CHRIST

1. The ministry of the Spirit in sustaining Jesus Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament. (Isaiah 11:1-3, 42:1, 61:1-3)

2. The virgin birth was only possible by the work of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1: 18, 20, Psalm 40:6, Hebrews 10:5.

3. The Holy Spirit was given without measure (constant unhindered filling) to the humanity of Christ. (John 3:34)

4. The Holy Spirit was related to the baptism of Jesus. (Matthew 3:16)

5. The Holy Spirit sustained Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. (Matthew 12:18, 28, Luke 4:14, 15, 18)

6. The Lord acknowledged the work of the Spirit in his works and miracles. (Matthew 12: 8. Quoting Isaiah 44:1, 18, 28, Luke 4:14-21).

7. The sustaining ministry of the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the Lord when he bore our sins on the cross. Matthew 27:46, Psalms 22.

8. The Holy Spirit had a part in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:11, 1 Peter 3:18)

9. The present ministry of the Holy Spirit relates to the risen Jesus Christ. (John 7:39, 16:14)

10. The same sustaining ministry of the Holy Spirit is passed on to us at salvation, and we are commanded to make use of this ministry

11. To grow thereby. (Galatians 4:19, 5: 16, Ephesians 3:16, 17, 5:18, Romans 13:14)

HOLY SPIRIT: SINS AGAINST THE SPIRIT

1. RESISTING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Unbelievers only) (Acts 7:51, John 16:8-11). This is hardening to the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit.

2. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (Unbelievers only) (Matthew 12:31) the purpose of the Holy Spirit was to reveal the person of Jesus Christ. The Pharisees rejected this by claiming He was demon possessed.

3. LYING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (Believers only) (Acts 5:1-3) A sin of false motivation. - Ananias and Sapphira.

4. GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Believers only) (Ephesians 4:30). Any fleshly sin which the believer commits

5. QUENCHING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Believers only) (1 Thessalonians 5:19) A believer who is not allowing the Holy Spirit to exert His full influence.

6. UNPARDONABLE SIN (Matthew 12:22-32)

a) Rejection of Jesus Christ as God and Saviour is the only sin which cannot be forgiven. This unbelief is shown in Matthew 12:24, denying the person and power of Jesus.

b) It is impossible for a believer to commit the unpardonable sin providing he remains in Christ. (Romans 8:1, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 44:22, 1 John 1:7) However if a believer rejects Jesus Christ and does not repent, then he can no longer depend on Gods mercy (Hebrews 6:4-6)

Bless you

David

THEOLOGY LESSON 20

LESSON 20 – THE HOLY SPIRIT – PNEUMATOLOGY

Holy Spirit Ministry.

John 14:15-17
Genesis 1:2
Genesis 6:3
2 Samuel 23:1-5
Psalm 51:1-12 Holy Spirit - Deity
Holy Spirit - Old Testament
Symbols of Holy Spirit

John 14:15 17 – In this passage the Lord Jesus Christ calls the Holy Spirit “another comforter”. Here John uses the Greek word "allos" meaning another of the same kind, in contrast to "heteros", which means another of a different kind. The Lord is saying that the Spirit will be the same presence as He has been.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD

The deity of the Spirit is the same as the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and that of the Father. The word comforter is the Greek word "parakletos", which means the one who comes alongside. It means more than comfort, it means the person who communicates, helps, counsels, the one who lifts, the glory and the lifter of my head, as the Song of Songs says, "he is the glory and the lifter of my head".

MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ever since the day of Pentecost; the Holy Spirit has been sent to abide in every Born Again Christian on a permanent basis. Abide means to stay with you until the end. This is unique to this age as it is only within the believers in the church age that the Holy Spirit indwells forever. This was a big change that was not understood until after Pentecost when it became a reality. Prior to this the Holy Spirit was with believers and could be removed. The Holy Spirit dwells within you when you are saved, but this is not the same thing as being baptized into the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was no longer alongside but inside the believer. He came permanently to live within the believer. This should not be confused with Christians asking for the Holy Spirit to fall on them anew, or fill them up; because they are really asking for more dunamis power to do his will more fully. Jesus said ‘keep on knocking’ ‘keep on asking’ and I will give it. Jesus himself felt the dunamis power go out from him when he was touched by the Woman who had the issue of blood. So we should be praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit as much as possible.

Asking to be filled with the dunamis power of the Holy Spirit is totally different to being indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation. Romans 8:9-11. The dunamis power of the Holy Spirit allows us to do things beyond what is normal and possible in our own strength.

In John 14 the Lord Jesus Christ introduces the disciples to this world changing event in verse 17 where He says that the Spirit is with you and shall be [future tense] in you. David could pray; “Lord take not thy Holy Spirit from me”, Psalm 51:11 but we should not pray these words, as the Holy Spirit lives within us.

Rather we should be asking to be filled with dunamis power from the Holy Spirit every day. The fruitage of the Holy Spirit will then be manifest in our lives.

In John 16:7 17 He expands on it. After the Ascension we have the Session of Christ after which He sends the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has a ministry for unbelievers just as he has a ministry amongst us. He is going to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. The sin that the Holy Spirit convicts people of is unbelief.

EVANGLISM

When you are evangelizing remember that ‘the sin’ that is going to put the unbeliever in to Gehenna the Lake of Fire is unbelief and refusing to accept Jesus Christ. Jesus explains in John 16:8-11, that as he will no longer be on the earth, the Holy Spirit will convict the unbeliever of unrighteousness and the need of a Saviour.

The Holy Spirit also convicts of Judgment and giving them the fear of judgment that if they stood before almighty God they would be condemned. When you witness to others claim these verses that they will be convicted of sin, righteousness and judgment. This is the Holy Spirit's job and such a prayer will be honoured.

The Holy Spirit is called the spirit of truth. He is the teacher and revealer of truth. He is the teacher of things that the Lord has said. The Lord said that there were many things that He wanted to tell them that the Holy Spirit would reveal to them. His job is to draw the attention of man to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and not to Himself. He does this through then Word of which He is the author as well as illuminating the Word.

In Church history it will be seen that it was not until the 4th century at the Council of Nicaea that the character of the Holy Spirit was discussed fully and explained. In the early Church they did not stress the Holy Spirit at all. It is important however that you understand His person and His work. The Spirit is what we would call humble and is standing back and ministering to and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

HOLY SPIRIT AND PRAYER

In the ancient world the prayers always started, "Heavenly Father I have sinned"; but since Jesus Christ came and paid the price of sin so we now have him as our only Mediator; therefore we can now ask for anything in HIS name John 14:14. To have a fully functioning relationship with anyone we need to talk to them on a regular basis. Therefore we can talk to the Holy Spirit as we would any ‘comforter’ or ‘helper’ and ask him to support us for that day. We also need to petition and supplicate the Lord Jesus Christ and ask him to send the Holy Spirit to minister to us.

There is equality in the Godhead, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 13:14. He is the one who puts His arm around you and carries you through. He is the ever present contact with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit which draws us near. Matthew 28:18 gives us the great commission and is again a Tri-unity text.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON

This shows He is therefore a person and not a force. Even believers talk about God the Holy Spirit as an influence and do not recognize Him as a person. Rejection of the Holy Spirit as a person often is replaced with the concept that He is the personification of the power for good whilst Satan is the personification of evil. This denial has occurred throughout Church History. It is false and a dangerous error which Satan is using today with the rebirth of paganism in many places

It is important to realise that He is a person and worthy to receive love and honour and that you are not robbing the Holy Spirit of your love and adoration. He is a person who is infinitely divine, holy, loving and wishes to get hold of us so that He can use us.

Empowering to Minister Life

Jesus said in John 7:38-39, "He who believes in ME, as the Scripture has said, "out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

God wants to give us an inner power that flows out of us and impacts those around us. This power is described as a river of living water. Those that we witness to do not need religious rituals; but release from bondage and darkness. They need the refreshing power and cleansing from the ‘river of life’. The falling upon us of the Holy Spirit fills us with his power. By being filled with the Holy Spirit we allow the ‘river of life’ to flow out of us and bless others.

When we understand Him as a person we will treat Him as a person? We will get to know the communion and fellowship of the Holy Spirit just as the disciples knew the fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ whilst on earth?

We should have a minute by minute walk with the Holy Spirit just as the disciples had a minute by minute walk with the Lord. He came that we might have fellowship with Him. This is the answer to the many problems believers have with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The issue is not seeking after dramatic signs and wonders; the issue is whether you are experiencing a moment by moment communion with the Holy Spirit.

Many extreme Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches focus totally on the ‘outpouring’ and very little else. They have moments of grandeur in which they may be spiritual but the Bible tells us that we are called to be light and therefore have a moment by moment fellowship with the Lord through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The doctrine of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ is of great importance in the Church. It is going to set the tone of our daily worship of Him. It is a very important doctrine. Many conservative churches have suffered because of a lack of teaching in this area and many have then gone to Pentecostal/Charismatic churches where they all too often focus totally on the Holy Spirit.

Thus many people in these churches feel empty, because they have spoken in tongues, seen miracles and healing and yet are hungry for the Word of God to be spoken into their lives. They are seeking bible teaching churches where the truth of walking in the Spirit is fully taught along with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The prophet Hosea said that Gods people perish, because of a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6)

In the Greek the spirit is in the neuter but by being in the neuter it does not mean that the object is an "it". Whenever the Holy Spirit is talked about there is a personal pronoun used. It is of interest that the word for child brephos is also in the neuter but is obviously not a thing. The other words for a young child, teknon and paidion are also in the neuter.

DOCTRINES

HOLY SPIRIT: DEITY

1. The Holy Spirit is directly from God, the third member of the Tri-unity.

2. The Holy Spirit is the expression of intellect and power from the Father and the Son. (Isaiah 6:8, 9, Acts 28:25, Jeremiah 31:31-35, Hebrews 10:15).

3. He has the characteristics of God:
a) Sovereignty 1 Corinthians 12:11
b) All knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10, 11)
c) All powerful (Genesis 1:2)
d) Everywhere, Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7)

HOLY SPIRIT: MINISTRY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not indwell all believers, since Christ was not yet glorified (John 7:39). Instead, He only came upon some Old Testament saints to perform special functions.
a) JOSEPH, a believer who was a prime minister. (Genesis 41:38)
b) Believers who were artisans occupied in the construction of the Tabernacle. (Exodus 28:3, 31:3)

c) Believers involved in administration. (Numbers 11:17, 25)
d) A believer who was both a political and military leader - JOSHUA (Numbers 27:18)
e) Certain Judges: OTHNIEL (Judges 3:9, 10) GIDEON (Judges 6:34) JEPHTHAH (Judges 11:29) SAMSON (Judges 13:24, 25, 14:5-6, 15:14)
f) Kings of Israel (1 Samuel 10:9, 10, 16:13)

g) DANIEL (Daniel 4:8, 5:11, 6:3)
h) Post exilic rulers (Zechariah 4:3, 12-14)

2. Believers in Israel could be disciplined by the removal of the Spirit:
a) SAUL (1 Samuel 16:14)
b) DAVID (Psalm 51:11)
3. A believer could obtain the Holy Spirit by request, but not as an indwelling presence. (2 Kings 2:9, 10, Luke 11:13)

4. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit without request to the disciples just before the ascension. Purpose: To sustain them for the ten day interim before the Church Age would begin. (John 20:22)

HOLY SPIRIT: SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

There are a number of symbols for the Holy Spirit in the Bible.

1. Dove. (Matthew 3:16)

2. Oil. (Exodus 35:28)

3. Water. (John 7:38-39)

4. Wind. (Acts 2:2)

5. Fire. (Acts 2:3)

6. Seal. (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30)

7. Pledge. (Ephesians 1:14)

THEOLOGY LESSON 19

LESSON 19 – JESUS RETURNS WITH HIS SAINTS

Zechariah 14:1-5
Revelation 19:11-21
Revelation 20:1-15 Christ 1st and 2ndAdvents
Judgment Seat of Christ
Great White Throne

INTRODUCTION

The Second Advent is a term used for the coming for His saints and coming with His saints. In the Old Testament we have a lot of references to the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord commences with the Tribulation period, the coming with His saints and to judge the world. It is important that one gets the vocabulary correct, the Day of the Lord is not a day and it is at least seven years long.

INTERPRETATION

The Lord's coming brings into focus the importance of interpretation. The way you interpret the Bible is going to determine the way that you view prophecy. If you have a literal approach to the Word of God you will have a different approach to that of a person who does not have a literal approach. A statement that is obviously meant to be figurative you take it in the normal grammatical sense, you are not to be silly about it. “When the plain sense, makes common sense, then seek no other sense, lest you create nonsense”. Dr David L Cooper.

If you have a literal view you will end up with a pre Tribulation, pre Millennium view of prophecy. By taking a literal approach you are allowing the Bible to interpret itself, rather than superimposing your own concepts on it. Before you teach any prophetic book you should tell the people that you are taking a literalist view. Many ministers avoid the prophetic area because it causes too many problems. However if a minister teaches the Word of God thoroughly as it should be taught then he will not have any problems that the Holy Spirit cannot resolve.

USE OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE SECOND ADVENT

Every day; every form of media highlights the ‘signs of the times’ that we are living in and it all proves exactly the prophetic words of our Lord. So much so that even unbelievers can see them. So what should you do when you see what is happening? If you are aware of what the Scriptures say about the end times then you are not going to get upset when everything seems to fall apart all around us.

When economically things go astray, if you know what God's program is in advance, you can relax in the middle of the pressure, simply seeking his will for your life. You are not going to be shaken as to what is going to happen. As it gets nearer to the return of the Lord it may be possible that the Nations will use Nuclear weapons on each other. However in the case of a nuclear war you will know that there is not going to be a nuclear winter, or that the whole population of the world is going to be destroyed by this means, for the Bible teaches that the Lord will return and it will not be to a radioactive world.

Whilst there will be massive depopulation at the end of the Tribulation there will still be a third of the population living. This will give you a lot more comfort than the liberals will receive. If you teach it thoroughly in your church you will have a relaxed group of believers who know his Word and policy. When we see the sign of the times ‘we should lift our heads up’ and keep going into the world and preach the gospel. (Luke 21)

The teaching of the Tribulation will be of great importance for those who are in it as it will give them a timetable of events. The correct understanding of prophecy will make you a more active evangelist. If it does not do this, then you do not have it right. Many people will dissuade you from prophecy on the basis that people who become interested in that become unbalanced. About four percent of the New Testament contains verses about Jesus Christ coming with His saints. It is therefore very important. It is also important in regard to the communion service which was instituted, “until he comes”.

When will he come, how will he come? There are a number of questions that can be asked. A lot of Christians go through the rituals but do not think about it. When the Lord laid out the communion service He made it quite clear that He was coming again. When we take communion we are celebrating the death of the Lord, but also the future coming of the King. The liberals remember a dead martyr.

The Great Tribulation is a subject covered in the Old Testament, for it involves the remnant of now believing Israel. The teaching on this time period in the Old Testament is so specific that the people of that time will be able to know the very day that the Lord will return. Matthew 24 lays out a timetable as well. They will have tremendous assurance and will know when things are going to happen. This is essential because of their situation. This is their survival manual and is also something to encourage us. Some people say that the Great Tribulation is not so bad, but they betray by such a comment that they have not studied the Old Testament. It is the day of wrath, the day of Jacob's trouble and the day of the Lord.

THE DAY OF THE LORD

This is a doctrine which has been progressively revealed down the ages particularly through the Minor Prophets, Daniel through to Malachi. The key for these things is the book of Revelation which is basically the chronological account as it is detailed there in sequence.

In the majority of cases this period designated as the “Day of the Lord” covers the period from the Rapture to the Second Advent of Christ. In Zechariah 14 there is mentioned the final battles of the Armageddon Campaign which is quite a long campaign. It begins with an invasion down through Armenia, sweeps down through Israel with one branch going south the other moving towards the west to Libya. They hear of problems from the north and turn round and head back towards Israel where this major conflict takes place.

The Revived Roman Empire has an amphibious landing on the coast at Megiddo, which combines with the vast Eastern Army. The result is absolute devastation and a horrific campaign. In Zechariah 14 we have a sequence of events, but your system of interpretation is going to colour how you look at things.

Here it states that the Lord is going to return on the Mount of Olives which can be tied in with Acts 1 where the angels tell of the Lord's return. Prior to this there is going to be a horrific time in Jerusalem with half the city falling with many people being killed, raped and devastation on a massive scale.

The book of Revelation provides the binocular viewpoint on what is happening. Revelation 19:11 shows the Lord Jesus Christ arriving on a white horse as the Word of God. The language here will tie you back to the day of the Lord. We have here the end of the tribulation period. It is the Lord who is referring to it ending then.

Daniel 2 shows the "rock" destroying the man made empires. It is extremely important to tie the whole thing together. Here we have it in chronological sequence as it is going to happen in the future. It is clear that this ties in with the Zechariah passage. If you do not have a literal view and you are not expecting it to happen then A-millennialist’s will show you that it has happened historically and that Satan is bound now.

People can only believe this falsehood because their interpretation of prophecy is different from their interpretation of the rest of the Word of God. If you adopt a literal view you will find a literal Millennium in Revelation 20. The Great White Throne judgment is followed by an eternal future.

The sequence of events is the Rapture followed by the Tribulation, Second Advent, and Resurrection of the Old Testament Saints and Tribulation martyrs, the Millennium, the Release of Satan, the Last Rebellion, Last Judgment and Eternity Future.

It is important to realise that God's plan is not limited to the earth; it is not the end but the new beginning. This world is not the last of God's creations. If you think about that, the thought will overwhelm you. Peter talks about it as elements melting with overwhelming heat. It is not possible that Satan will win. The plan is given in the Word of God. We should be excited that we are with the Creator and that we are on the wining side. We are going somewhere not because of what we have done but because of what God has revealed to us. The Plan started in eternity past and goes through to eternity future. This phase of the plan began with this heaven and earth, and will restart with a new heavens and a new earth.

The book of Revelation is the key; because if we have a chronological vision, it will help us set the norm for the interpretation of everything else.

DOCTRINES

CHRIST: FIRST AND SECOND ADVENTS

1. Old Testament saints had difficulty in distinguishing between the two advents of Christ. (1 Peter 1:10, 11)

2. Old Testament prophecy has Christ coming as a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. (Isaiah 53:7)

3. Old Testament prophecy has Christ coming as the conquering King and Lion of the tribe of Judah. (Isaiah 11:1-12)

4. Jesus commenced his ministry announcing the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17) This connects the first and second advents.

5. Old Testament Prophecy showed that the Messiah would:-
a) Be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)
b) Be of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:10)
c) Be of the house of David. (Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 33:21)
d) Die as a sacrifice. (Isaiah 53:1-12)
e) Be crucified. (Psalm 22:1-21)
f) Be resurrected from the dead. (Psalm 16:8-11)
g) Return to earth at his second advent. (Zechariah 8:3)
h) Be seated at the right hand of God. (Psalm 110:1)

6. It should be noted that the return of Christ for the Church (the Rapture) as given in (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18) was not revealed in the Old Testament - it is a mystery doctrine of the Church (Colossians 3:4-6)

7. The day of the Second Advent is characterised by supernatural darkness
a) When Christ returns every eye shall see him (Matthew 24:29-30) Christ is the light of the world and he will return to a world covered in darkness (symbolic of sin).
b) The darkness is similar to the darkness of the day of our Lord's crucifixion which hid the Lord Jesus Christ from man's sight whilst he was bearing our sins. (Mark 15:33)
c) The Second Advent delivers the Jewish believers besieged in Jerusalem by the King of the North. (Daniel 11, Zechariah 12:1-3, 14:1-4)
d) Other passages indicating that the day of the Second Advent is a day of total darkness on the earth. (Isaiah 13:9-10, Ezekiel 32:7-8, Joel 2:10-11, Joel 3:14-15, Amos 5:18, Zechariah 14:6, Matthew 24:29-30, Luke 21:25-27, Revelation 6:12-17)

8. Heralds of the Two Advents of Christ
A herald is a person who proceeded' a King in ancient times to announce his arrival. The King that we study is the Lord Jesus Christ.
a) First Advent
i) Human herald - John the Baptist (Matthew 3)
ii) Angelic heralds - Angels (Luke 2:1-15)
b) Second Advent
i) Human heralds - Moses, Elijah (Revelation 11)
ii) Angelic herald - The mighty angel (Revelation 10)

JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

1. There are three types of judgment for believers in the Church Age.

a) Judgment of Sins: - The Lord Jesus Christ on the cross substituted the payment of all man's sins. The penalty of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) There is therefore no judgment for those in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1). The substitutionary death is given in 2 Corinthians 5:19-2 1, Galatians 3:13.

b) Judgment of Self: - We are told that if we judge ourselves we shall not be judged. Failure to do so brings discipline. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 11:31, 32, 2 Corinthians 2:5-7, Hebrews 12:7, 1 John 1:9)

c) Judgment Seat of Christ: - This is the evaluation of the production of believers for the purpose of reward (2 Corinthians 5:10)

2. The Judgment Seat of Christ is a time of reward. Our human works (wood, hay, stubble) will be burned; our works in the power of the Spirit (gold, silver, precious stones) will be rewarded. (1 Corinthians 3:11-16).

3. At the Judgment Seat of Christ the believer can be denied reward but can never lose his salvation. (2 Timothy 2:12-13)
4. Backslidden believers have no reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (Hebrews 6:7-12)

5. The Judgment Seat of Christ is illustrated by the famous athletic games in the ancient world. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

6. Rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ are based on grace. (James 2:12, 13)

7. Since we will be judged by Christ, we are not to judge each other (Matthew 7:1-2)

JUDGEMENT: GREAT WHITE THRONE

1. The judgment of the Great White Throne is the last judgment. (Revelation 20:11, 15)

2. Only the unsaved are judged at the last judgment as there is no judgment for Christians. (Romans 8:1)

3. The last judgment occurs at the end of the Millennium. (Revelation 20:7-15)

4. The unsaved are judged according to their works from the Books of Works (Revelation 20:12)

5. The judgment is to show that the Human works of man cannot satisfy the justice of God. Many people believe that their ‘Good Works" will please God and earn them salvation. But the Bible tells us that all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore salvation can only be through the death of Christ on the Cross and nothing more.

6. Having shown the unsaved they have failed to satisfy the holiness of God, the condemned are cast into the Lake of Fire (Gehenna). (Revelation 20:15)

THE TRIBULATION OR TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

General Scripture (Revelation Chapters 4-1 9)

1. Limits
(a) Start - Rapture
(b) Finish - 2nd Advent.

2. Length of Age - 7 years. (Daniel 9:27) This is the final section of the Jewish Age.
3. Means of Salvation - faith in Christ.
4. Scripture - completed Canon.
5. Evangelists - a special race - the Jews who have been scattered throughout the earth and speak almost every tongue - 144,000 evangelists (Revelation 7). It is noted that the tribe of Dan does not appear in this list - it was the tribe that lead in idolatry.
6. Major judgments - the Tribulation is a succession of judgments culminating in the 2nd Advent.
7. At death believers - Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8)
8. At death unbelievers - Torments, Hades.
9. Priesthood - specialised priesthood.
10. The Law - no Law (Matthew 5:17)
11. Holy Spirit - assists believers but does not indwell.
12. Environment - sinful
13. Satan – Was hurled from heaven to the earth and is busy polluting the earth and people with his evil (Revelation 12:9)
14. Rebellion - Armageddon, ‘one world order’ politically and religiously.
15. Spirituality- resting in the promises of God.

16. Three sets of Judgments
(a) Seal Judgments (Revelation 6 and 8)
(b) Trumpet Judgments (Revelation 8)
(c) Bowl Judgments (Revelation 15, 16)
17. The last 7 years of the Post Flood Civilisation.
18. Anti Semitism at its maximum.

THE SECOND ADVENT

1. Israel under dispersion no longer represents Christ on this earth.

2. Israel is replaced by the Church, the Body of Christ. (Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians 1:22, 23, 2:16, 4:4, 5, 5:23, 24, 30-32, Colossians 1:18, 24, 2:19)

3. The Body of Christ is being completed by entering every believer of the Church Age into union with Christ. (Colossians 2:10, Hebrews 2:10)

4. When the Body is completed, the Rapture of the Church occurs. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

5. Then the Body becomes the Bride, and is prepared for the Second Advent.
(a) The Bride receives a resurrection body like Christ's (1 Corinthians 15:51-57, Philippians 3:21, 1 John 3:1, 2)
(b) The Bride's old sin nature is removed. (Philippians 3:21)
(c) The Bride is cleansed from human good. (1 Corinthians 3:12-16)

6. The Bride returns in triumph with Christ at the Second Advent. (1 Thessalonians 3:13, Revelation 19:6-8)

7. Then follows the conquest-
(a) Satan imprisoned (Revelation 20:1-3)
(b) Demons removed from the earth. (Zechariah 13:2, 1 Corinthians 15:24, 25, Colossians 2:15)

8. The removal of the demons changes the environment of the earth and causes perfect conditions during the Millennium.
(a) Religion removed.
(b) False doctrine removed.
(c) Perfect environment restored.