Person of the Holy Spirit

Question 1

What qualities and ministries, possibles only for a person, are attributed to the Holy Spirit?

Answer 1

The Spirit possesses the attributes of personhood:

INTELLECT
He knows (I Corinthians 2:11) and his knowledge is equal to the Father's.

EMOTION
He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30)

WILL
He distributes gifts (I Corinthians 12:11)

He is also at work in creation and salvation:

INVOLVED IN SALVATION
John 3:5-8

INVOLVED IN CREATION
Genesis 1:2, Psalm 104:30

Question 2

What are the essential differences between the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and in the New Testament?

Answer 2

In the OT the “Spirit of God” came upon people (but could depart):

Joshua: Numbers 27:18
Gideon: Judges 6:34
Samson: Judges 12:35
David: I Samuel 16:13

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit indwells in us. Refer to the Holy Spirit as He or Him, not It.

The Farewell Discourse: John 14-16
A. He is helper (14:16,26)
B. He is Spirit of truth (14:17)
C. He abides in the believer (14:17)
D. He teaches the believer (14:26)
E. He is sent by the Father and Son (15:26)
F. He testifies about the Son (15:26)
G. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgement (16:8)
H. He guides the believer in truth (16:13)
I. He glorifies Jesus (16:14)

Question 3

Give a brief explanation of the Scriptural teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 3

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are DIVINE ENABLEMENTS distributed by the Spirit as He wills to believers, for the purpose of ministry in the Church for the common good.

They are listed in:

I Corinthians 12
Romans 12
Ephesians 4
I Peter 4

Listed gifts include: 
tongues
interpretation of tongues
administration
leadership
service
discernment
prophecy
words of wisdom
helps

Question 4

How would you differentiate between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit?

Answer 4

GIFTS
Given to all believers at the moment of salvation. Not all gifts given to one AND no one gift is given to all.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT- Galatians 5:22-23
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Fruit is evidence of the filling/control of the Holy Spirit. All fruit should be evident in every believer’s life.

Question 5

Do you hold to a cessation theology on the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Answer 5

NO!

Cessation-ist: some of the gifts nave ceased.

Continuation-ist: God can use whatever gifts whenever He wants.