Sanctification and Pneumatology Flashcards
The work of the HS
to manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in the church (Acts 1:8)
(1) the Holy Spirit empowers
(2) the Holy Spirit purifies
(3) the Holy Spirit reveals
(4) the Holy Spirit unifies
(5) the Holy Spirit gives stronger or weaker evidence of the presence and blessing of God, according to our response to him.
the HS empowers
• He gives life (Job 34:14 “[if God] should take back his spirit to himself… all flesh would perish together”)
• He gives power for service
-“The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David” 1 Sam 16:13
-Spirit descending on Jesus at baptism, therefore he entered temptation “full of the HS” Lk 4:1
HS purifies
- cleanses us from sin (at conversion), sanctifies us (throughout our lives)
- 1 Cor 6:11 “You were washed, you were sanctified you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God”
HS reveals
- Revelation to prophets and apostles (2 Pet 1:21)
- Evidence of God’s presence (wind/tongues of fire Acts 2:2, dove Jn 1:32)
- Guides and directs God’s people (Jesus into wilderness Mk 1:12, “walk by the Spirit” Gal 2:16)
- Provides a Godlike atmosphere when he manifests his presence (Gal 5:22)
- Gives us assurance (Rom 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”)
- Teaches and illumines (Jn 14:26 “the HS… will teach you all things”)
HS unifies
- Acts 2:44-47
- Phil :1-2 “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit … make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose”
The Holy Spirit Gives Stronger or Weaker Evidence of the Presence and Blessing of God According to Our Response to Him
Many examples in both the Old and New Testament indicate that the Holy Spirit will bestow or withdraw blessing according to whether or not he is pleased by the situation he sees
• Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul when he continued in disobedience (1 Sam 16:14)
• Spirit poured out a Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18)
• Many activities are said to be done “in” the HS: rejoice, pray, love, have our conscience bear witness, etc
Sanctification
A progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.
Three Stages of Sanctification
- At regeneration: a definite break from the ruling power and love of sin, so that the believer is no longer ruled or dominated by sin and no longer loves to sin (1 Cor 6:11, dead to sin and alive in Christ Rom 6:11)
- Increases throughout life: Phil 3:13-14
- Complete at death for our souls and when Christ returns for our bodies (Heb 12:23 “to the spirits of just men made perfect”)
(4. Sanctification is never made perfect in this life. Matt 5:48 “be perfect”)
God and man cooperate in sanctification
God works in our sanctification and we work as well, and we work for the same purpose. We are not saying that we have equal roles in sanctification or that we both work in the same way, but simply that we cooperate with God in ways that are appropriate to our status as God’s creatures.
God’s role in sanctification
- Primarily a work of God
- God does it by causing us to want his will and giving us the power to do it (Phil 2:13 “God is at work in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure”)
Our role in sanctification
- both passive in that we depend on God to sanctify us, and active in that we strive to obey God
- passive: Rom 12:1 “present your bodies”
- active: Heb 12:14 “strive… for holiness” (Bible reading, prayer, worship, witnessing, fellowship, etc)
- corporate: Heb 10:24-25
Sanctification affects the whole person
- intellect and knowledge (Col 1:10 “increasing in the knowledge of God”)
- emotions (Gal 5:22 love, joy, peace)
- decision-making faculty
- spirit
- physical bodies
Motivation for sanctification
- “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15)
- Matt 6:20 “store up for yourselves treasure in heaven”
Spiritual gift
A spiritual gift is any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church (natural and “miraculous”)
• all are empowered “by one and the same Spirit”, given “for the common good”, and used for edification of the church
• I Cor 1:7 “You are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ”
• foretaste of what is to come
Examples of gifts
I Cor 12: word of wisdom word of knowledge faith gifts of healing miracles prophecy distinguishing between spirits tongues interpretation of tongues (Eph 4, Rom 12)
