Theology K (Other Questions) Flashcards
What does the Bible teach about the Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament?
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament as he is in the New Testament was an agent in creation, giving life, revealing God’s Word, and enabling his people.
1) shaping creation
2) revealing God’s message
3) eliciting faith, repentance, obedience and righteousness
What is the Holy Spirit’s function today? Is it different than the past?
The Holy Spirit includes the generation of life, preparing men for office, the inspiration of Scripture, the formation and increase of the church, and teaching and guiding the church. He also grants blessings which are ours in Christ: regeneration, conviction of sin, adoption, the fruit of the Spirit, etc
What happened at Pentecost? How does this relate to the church today?
At Pentecost the Spirit began to indwell the church empowering the apostles with courage and memory of all that Jesus taught. Not only did this allow for the infallible Scriptures of the New Testament, but also provided the bold proclamation of the gospel to people of all tribes tongues and nations
A. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit as fulfillment of OT/Baptist/Jesus (Acts 2:1-41).
- The salvation-historical place of Pentecost
a. God’s outpouring of the Spirit is not divorced from the rest of God’s work
b. It is foreseen in the OT (Jeremiah 31:31-37 [I have taken you out of slavery and given you instructions how to live, I have given you everything you need, yet something is amiss. So I will put my Spirit in your heart and let you know my purposes and my heart] – it is not God’s purpose to have charismatic people but to have people who have the heart of God and that love Him) - intimate closeness with the person of God, not miraculous displays
c. What does Pentecost mean to Jews?
1) First-fruits of the harvest (like Thanksgiving)—first-fruits of the work of Christ
2) Connection between the giving of the Law and the Pentecost (Intertestamental material) – signifies that God is writing His law on the hearts of the people – for the purpose of godliness
a. The giving of the Law came 50 days after the passover
b. Pentecost came 50 days after the death of Christ
Distinguish between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is developed in believers’ character as they mature in their relationship with the Lord.
Spiritual gifts are given to believers for “the equipping of the saints for the works of service, the building up of the body of Christ. They are not character qualities as much as abilities given for the planting and sustaining of the church.
Galatians 5.22- But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Does the Holy Spirit give gifts today? Explain.
The gifts of the spirit can be defined as abilities given to God’s people which are essential to the planting and sustaining of the church. As such, the Spirit continues to give gifts for the sustaining of the church (Preaching, evangelism, teaching, prayer, helps, administration, etc) though extra-ordinary gifts have ceased. Especially with regard to new revelation.
Are there gifts mentioned in Scripture that are not given today? Explain and defend.
There are gifts of the Spirit which seem to have been designed to provide for the foundation upon which the church would be built. This foundation is given to us in the form of Scripture-the apostolic witness of the New Testament. Such gifts include prophecy, signs and wonders, and miracles- those gifts associated with the affirmation of the message and witness of the Apostolic office which has now ceased.
What do New Testament passages teach us concerning the following work of the Holy Spirit: How he comes?
He comes like a dove; in tongues of fire at Pentecost, through the hearing of the Word
What do New Testament passages teach us concerning the following work of the Holy Spirit: How he works?
In our hearts by and with the word.
What do New Testament passages teach us concerning the following work of the Holy Spirit: What he does?
Generation of life, preparing men for office, formation and increase of the church, teaching and guiding the church, with the word, grants blessings which are ours in Christ: regeneration, conviction of sin, adoption, the fruit of the Spirit.
What do New Testament passages teach us concerning the following work of the Holy Spirit: What his ministry is today?
Sealing us in our union with Christ.
How would you answer charismatic claims from Scripture?
See outline (Pg. 73-74 of study guide)
Answer from the Scriptures: A Mormon.
There is one God who is the creator of the world
Christ did not become God- he was God from all eternity
Finality of Scripture
Trinity
Works of righteousness
Answer from the Scriptures: A Jehovah’s Witness.
Deity of Christ
Eternal Son of God
Works of Salvation
Hermeneutics of John 1
Colossians 1
Hebrews 1
