The Works Of The Holy Spirit

 

Abraham Kuyper wrote Although we honor the Father and believe on the Son, how little do we live in the Holy Spirit!” Throughout the history of the Christian tradition or church ages, the Holy Spirit has been one of the most elusive aspects of the faith.

Who is the Holy Spirit? The third person of triune God who dwells in all who believe, in the Messiah or Jesus Christ who came into this world to redeem mankind from the curse of sin.  Some Christian tend focus on Jesus Christ or the Father while forgetting about the Holy Spirit. While other Christians tend to  give a false report or account or distort the role Holy Spirits plays the Christian lives. While other churches where the pews or the pulpit has more fervent or then than the people sitting in the pews or one the instructing the congregation. We will examine what Scriptures say concerning Holy Spirit.

Watchman Nee wrote How true it is that without the guidance of the Holy Spirit intellect not only is undependable but also extremely dangerous, because it often confuses the issue of right and wrong.” 

Who is the Spirit? What is He doing today? What role does play Christian lives?

The Greek word for spirit is Pneuma; to breathe, blow, primarily denotes the wind., Like the wind, is invisible, immaterial, and powerful” The Hebrew is rûach essentially meaning same  The Holy Spirit is God’s power in action, his active force. (Micah 3:8; Luke 1: 35) God sends out his spirit by projecting his energy to anywhere to accomplish his will. –Psalm 104:30; 139:7. He is third person of the Trinity co-equal with God the Father and God the Son have known triunity the Father Son, and Holy Spirit 

In Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it had remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it had been sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’“

 

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-the-holy-spirit/

However the understood, the Holy Spirit. He a person who has a mind, with own His self-consciousness, reason, will, and memory, a distinct from the Father and Son, the Spirit is everywhere, is holy without sin, is loving, is eternal and is dynamic or powerful.

The Greek word dynamic is dynamis meaning powerful force and used 120 throughout New Testament In Luke 1:35 The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power. In Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samsara, and to the ends of the earth.” In  Second Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

God’s power exercised through the Spirit salvation applied by Spirit. In John 16:7-15  “However I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me, concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more, concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.“

John MacArthur wrote 16:8 when He has come. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was approximately 40 or more days away at this point (see Acts 2:1–13). convict. This word has two meanings: 1) the judicial act of conviction with a view toward sentencing (i.e., a courtroom term–conviction of sin) or 2) the act of convincing. Here, the second idea is best, since the Holy Spirit is not condemnation but conviction of the need for the Savior

 Matthew Henry wrote,” That the testimony of the Spirit always concurs with the word of Christ, for he does not speak of himself, has no separate interest or intention of his own, but, as in essence so in records, he is one with the Father and the Son, 1 John 5:7 but the eternal is Word

Orthdox Study Bible wrote Through the illumination brought by the Holy Spirit, the world will be convicted that is, proven wrong. It will be convicted concerning  its sin, the ultimate of which is denying Jesus Christ

Mathew  Henry wrote, “He shall teach you all truths and keep back nothing that is profitable for you, for he will show you things to come.” The Spirit was in the apostles a Spirit of prophecy; it was foretold that he should be so (Joel 2:28), and he was so. The Spirit showed them things to come, as Acts 11:28; 20:23; 21:11. The Spirit spoke of the apostasy of the latter times, 1 Tim. 4:1

 

The Holy Spirit would come upon appointed individuals for a specific task and a limited time to enable them to do that task to which God had called them. 

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit Exodus 31:1-3, “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³ I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft 35:30-35

KJV Commentary wrote Bezaleel is the first man ever spoken of as being filled … with the spirit of God. His filling was for service–not speaking, but working with his hands. He carefully constructed the tabernacle and its furniture with the help of others, according to the precise instructions of God.

Reformed Bible wrote,” 31:1–11 The tabernacle was to be constructed according to the divine design by gifted men who were supernaturally enabled by the Holy Spirit to do all the ts required. 3–6, 11). All the work was described to Moses by God and little room was left for creative variation (25:9).”

NKJV Study Bible wrote, “But we often neglect the work of the Spirit among the Israelites. Passages such as this one help us to see the continuity of God’s work among His people through the ages. In this case, the Spirit empowered uniquely gifted people to design and build a tabernacle befitting a holy and magnificent   The Holy Spirit would come upon appointed individuals for a specific task and a limited time to enable them to do that task which God had called them. When filled with the Holy Spirit the gifts that were given to you by God will be enhancing the Holy Spirit will uncover ability that you thought  was  not possible.

 For example, the Apostle Peter was a fisherman by trade yet became spokesman for the apostles  and preached the first gospel and 3,000 people accepted Jesus as Lord and Savour. The Apostle Paul was a  Hebrew of Hebrew and became the apostle to the Gentiles planted  a least 14 churches. David was a shepherd in Bethlehem became king and great warrior. Gideon was from weakest tribe  Manasseh, and I was youngest in my father’s house. Yet became a mighty warrior and conquering the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the Qedemites killing 120,00 warrior. As scripture declares For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

 The Holy Spirit in the New Covenant

In Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Note the order it  in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samsara, and to the ends of the earth.”

Prior Jesus death the disciples were scare off the Pharisee when Jesus was arrested. They abandoned Him. As the Old Testament prophesies foretold in Zachariah 13:7, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.”  As scripture declares the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. 

However, Jesus predicted  the Holy Spirit would descend upon them. When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father–the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father–He will testify about Me When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father–the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father–He will testify about Me Also in Acts 1; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Furthermore, He stated in Acts 1; 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samsara, and to the ends [b] of the earth.” Believe Commentary wrote,” This power is the grand indispensable of Christian witness. A man may be highly talented, intensively trained, and widely experienced, but without spiritual power he is ineffective. On the other hand, a man may be uneducated, unattractive, and unrefined, yet let him be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit and the world will turn out to see him burn for God. The fearful disciples needed power for witnessing, holy boldness for preaching the gospel. They would receive this power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. All the follower of Christ needs that power.my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samsara, and to the end of the earth.  

Note the order 

1. The witness in Jerusalem Chaps. 1–7
2. The witness in Judea and Samsara 8:1–9:31
3. The witness to the end of the earth 9:32–28:31
4. to the ends of the earth.”

1. Jerusalem and Judea Acts 2; 2-4 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. Note Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. John Macarthur wrote, Peter and many others in Acts  were filled with the Spirit again (e.g., 4:8, 31; 6:5; 7:55) and so spoke boldly the Word of God.  The fullness of the Spirit affects all areas of life, not just speaking boldly (cf. Eph. 5:19–33). With other tongues. 

The conversion of the 3,000 (Acts 2:41)? So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that days about 3,000 people were added to them. Acts 2; 37-38 , 37 When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: Apostle Peter stated “Brothers, what must we do?” 38 “Repent,” Peter said to them “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The conversion of the 5,000 (Acts 4:4)? Acts 4; 8-12 ⁸ Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders also 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”

The Apostle Peter who denied Jesus three times was now boldly proclaiming the gospel on account he was  filled with Holy Spirit As Jesus predicted,” But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. 

 

2. Samsara Acts 8:15-16  After they went down there, they prayed for them, so the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Ends of the earth

Note only they have been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. John MacArthur wrote Because of the animosity that existed between Jews and Samaritans, it was essential for the Samaritans to receive the Spirit, in the presence of the leaders of the Jerusalem church, for the purpose of maintaining a unified church. The same transitional event occurred when the Gentiles were added to the church (10:44–46; cf. 15:6–12; 19:6). 

Believer Commentary wrote to avoid the possibility of schism, or the thought of two churches (one Jewish and one Samaritan), God sent the apostles to lay their hands on the Samaritans. This expressed full fellowship with them as believers in the Lord Jesus. They were all members of one body, all one in Christ. NIV Application Commentary wrote Animosity toward Jerusalem among the Samaritans had deep historical roots. They were refused a share in rebuilding the Jerusalem temple (see Ezra 3:7 – 4:5),  

Acts 8; 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. The Samaritan Received the Holy Spirit as predicted by Jesus. Also note John 4; 26 Jesus states to the Samaritan woman I am He,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.” Later on verse 42 they stated for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world. 

Romans 3; 22 God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believes, since there is no distinction.

Galatians 3:28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave, or free, male or female; for you is all one in Christ Jesus. 

Acts 8; 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 

 

3. Acts 10; 44-46  While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God Acts 19; 1-7 

 

Note only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. John MacArthur wrote Because of the animosity that existed between Jews and Samaritans, it was essential for the Samaritans to receive the Spirit, in the presence of the leaders of the Jerusalem church, for the purpose of maintaining a unified church. The same transitional event occurred when the Gentiles were added to the church (10:44–46; cf. 15:6–12; 19:6). 

Believer Commentary wrote o avoid the possibility of schism, or the thought of two churches (one Jewish and one Samaritan), God sent the apostles to lay their hands on the Samaritans. This expressed full fellowship with them as believers in the Lord Jesus. They were all members of one body, all one in ChrisNIVNIV Application Commentary wrote Animosity toward Jerusalem among the Samaritans had deep historical roots. They were refused a share in rebuilding the Jerusalem temple (see Ezra 3:7 – 4:5),  

Acts 8; 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Samaritan Received the Holy Spirit as predicted by Jesus.

Romans 3; 22 God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

Galatians 3:28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave, or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Acts 8; 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

3. Ends of the earth Acts 10; 44-46  While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground will pour out My Spirit on your descendants and My blessing on your offspring. 

 Case For Christ wrote Astonished … even on the Gentiles. Apparently, the early Jewish Christians failed to understand that the gospel was for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews, and that they would share alike in the benefits of redemption. Gentile converts to Judaism; however, were accepted 

Believer Bible Commentary wrote He immediately sensed that God was making no distinction between Jew and Gentile, so he proposed that the household of Cornelius should be baptized. 

Notice, too, the order of events in connection with the reception of the Holy Spirit by the Gentiles:

1. They heard the word that is; they believed (v. 44). 
2. They received the Holy Spirit (v. 44, 47).
3. They were baptized (v. 48). 

This is the order of events that prevails for Jew and Gentile alike in this dispensation, when God is calling out of the nations a people for His Name.

In Acts 10; 28 Peter said, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But, God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean. Where in the Old Testament it states in Leviticus 19:34 You must regard the foreigner who lives with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt; I am Yahweh your God.” In Deuteronomy, 10:19 you also must love the foreigner, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 23:7 Do not despise an Edomite, because he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you were a foreign resident in his land. 

Acts 19; 1-7   Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the One who would come after him that is, in Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in other languages and to prophesy. 7 Now there were about 12 men in all 

The same experience the disciples had at Pentecost (2:4, 11) and the Gentiles had in Caesarea (10:46)

 

John MacArthur wrote God’s purpose was to emphasize the unity of the church. Spoke with tongues and prophesied. This served as proof that they were part of the church (see note on 8:17). They also needed tangible evidence that the Holy Spirit now indwelt them, since they had not heard that He had come. This episode is an extension of the Pentecost experience to, yet another group of people 

Note the reception of the Holy Spirit is different in each case.

 Here in Acts 19 the order is:

• Faith.
• Re-baptism.
• Laying on of the apostle’s hands.
• Reception of the Holy Spirit.

When the disciples of John had received the Holy Spirit, they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Such supernatural powers were God’s method of working in the days before the NT was given. Today, we know that we receive the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, not by signs and wonders, or even by feelings, but by the testimony of the NT Scriptures.

The moment a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit; he is sealed by the Holy Spirit; he receives the earnest of the Spirit; he receives the anointing of the Spirit; and he is baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ. However, this does not deny that in a believer’s life there are subsequent crises of the Spirit. There is no denying that the Holy Spirit often comes on individuals in a sovereign manner, empowering them for special ministries, giving them great boldness in the faith, and pouring out upon them a passion for souls.

 

 

J

https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-filled.html

 

1. Creation of the universe.

“The Earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.”   Genesis 1:2-3

While creation had a beginning, God always existed. Since the Holy Spirit is God He no beginning nor end. Before God creates the heavens and the earth, it was  without foam, and chaos. The Holy Spirit was seriously involved in creation and played a vital role in it as RA Torry states, “ Here are many who think of the work of the Holy Spirit as limited to man. But, God reveals to us in His Word that the Holy Spirit’s work has a far wider scope than this.” The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit;

NIV Study Bible Notes wrote Spirit of God. He was active in creation, and his creative power continued today (see Job 33:4; Ps 104:30). 

Orthodox Study Bible wrote The Lord and Giver of Life” (Creed). Since He is Lord, He is coequal with the Father and is His Coworker in making heaven and earth. Warren Wiersbe  wrote Thirty-two times in this chapter, this creative God is called Elohim; a Hebrew word that emphasizes His majesty and power. Elohim is a plural noun that is consistently used in connection with singular verbs and adjectives. (Hebrew tenses are singular, dual, or plural.) In Scripture, creation is attributed to the Father (Acts 4:24) and to the Son (John 1:1-3) and to the Holy Spirit (Ps. 104:30

The Holy Spirit continues gives life and growth to all vegetations, plants bearing seeds, trees bearing fruit with seeds in them. Producing teem of water so that all agricultural can grow. He governs the expansion in the sky producing heat and lights during the day so agricultural in the environment can grow.

Lewis S. Johnson declares,” and so, the Spirit of God is ready to energize this mass and give it all the qualities that it has (such as gravity; for example) in part of his work of giving life to that which God has brought into existence. The Spirit of God is the force of life.

Calvin states “ for it shows not only that   the beauties which the world displays are maintained by the invigorating power of the Spirit,

Believer Commentary on Job 38; 1 further states in commentary, “ Some might proudly say that, thanks to modern science, we know the answers to many questions that God asks. In response to that, Baron Alexander Humbold acknowledged that what Job could not answer, the men of science cannot answer yet. It is overwhelming to them; because although men of science are very clever about secondary causes, they are always stopped by primary causes. They can never arrive at the great cause, and they do not want the great cause.” 

While I do not fully understand the creation account nor understand the role the Holy Spirit plays in creation and has many questions concerning matter, but, I believe in Genesis account then all the theories the Evolutionist present.  While I am not scientific nor qualify to give them proper defense; however, I do faith in God. The  creationist and Evolutionist have one thing common they need faith to believe in their teaching as scripture says, “ By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.

2) Inspiration of Scripture.

2 Peter 1:20-21 “First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.“ 

 2 Timothy 3:16  All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 

Joshua 1; 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. 

The Bible is truly an amazing book. The Bible is between 3,400 and 1,900 years old and has influenced many people and cultures all around the world. Even as it dates back to ancient history, the Bible’s message is completely true and applicable today. Only through divine inspiration could the Bible have been written so long ago, and over such a long period of time, and still be free from error and contradiction. Since the Bible was written by around 40 different author, the Bible is between 3,400 and 1,900 years old. There are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in The New Testament and inspired by Holy Spirit 

Believer Commentary wrote It teaches that the Scriptures are God-breathed. In a miraculous way, He communicated His word to men and led them to write it down for permanent preservation. What they wrote was the very word of God, inspired and infallible. While it is true that the individual literary style of the writer was not destroyed, it is also true that the very words he used were words given to him by the Holy Spirit The Bible has been breathed out by the Spirit of God 2 Pet. 1:21

The Holy Scripture is like a diamond: in the dark it is like a piece of glass, but as soon as the light strikes it the water begins to sparkle, and the scintillation of life greets us.” 

Abraham Kuyper,

Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections  Take away all the moral beauty and sweetness in the Word, and the Bible is left wholly a dead letter, a dry, lifeless, tasteless thing.

https://www.gotquestions.org/how-old-is-the-Bible.html 

 

3) Regeneration of believers (i.e., for the new spiritual rebirth of believers that we experience)

John 3:5-7 “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must anew be born.”

Believer Bible wrote However, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. A spiritual birth takes place when a person trusts in the Lord Jesus. When a person is born again through the Spirit, he receives a new nature and is made fit for the kingdom of God.

Though all human beings have experienced natural birth on earth, if they expect to go to heaven, they must expect to go to heaven; they must experience a supernatural spiritual birth from above. This well-educated religious leader, Nicodemus, did not understand what the Savior was talking about! Jesus was speaking about a spiritual birth, but Nicodemus thought only of a physical birth. The situation is no different today. When you talk with people about being born again, they often begin to discuss their family’s religious heritage, their church membership, their religious ceremonies, and so on.

Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study  Jesus was not teaching that the new birth comes through water baptism. In The New Testament, baptism is connected with death, not birth, and no amount of physical water can effect a spiritual change in a person. The emphasis in John 3:14-21 is on believing, because salvation comes through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). The evidence of salvation is the witness of the Spirit within (Rom. 8:9), and the Spirit enters your life when you believe (Acts 10:43-48; Eph. 1:13-14).

 John 1; 13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of God?

Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study You’re not saving because your parent our saved a person does not become a Christian through having Christian parents. Nor flesh can’t save you. A person does not have the power in his own flesh to produce a new birth. Yet, our own will is not enough to save us or of the will of man. No other man can save a person. The power to produce the new birth does not rest with anything or anyone but God. As scripture declares Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

 As Scripture declares  But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

4) Indwelling of the believer – indwelling and baptizing, too?

 Romans 8:9 “But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if; in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.“

Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study The evidence of conversion is the presence of the Holy Spirit within, witnessing that you are a child of God (Rom. 8:16). Your body becomes the very temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Although the body is destined to die because of sin (unless; of course, the Lord returns), the Spirit gives life to that body today so that we may serve God. If we should die, the body will one day be raised from the dead, because the Holy Spirit has sealed each believer (Eph. 1:13-14).

What a difference it makes in your body when the Holy Spirit lives within. You experience new life, and even your physical faculties take on a new dimension of experience. For example, the sun shined brighter and the birds sang sweeter … the old elms waved their branches for joy, and all nature was at peace.” Life in Christ is abundant life. When a person is born again, he is no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit

 

5) Produces the fruits of the Spirit, Christ-like character.

Galatians 5:22-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible wrote The Greek language more generally sometimes used “fruit” figuratively. As Jesus noted, fruit merely reflects the true character of the tree (Mt 7:17 – 18; Lk 6:43 – 44) NIV Bible Study Notes Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit, not by the mere moral discipline of trying to live by the law 

John MacArthur wrote The Spirit produces fruit that consists of 9 characteristics or attitudes that are inextricably linked with each and are commanded of believers throughout the NT. love.

King James Studies Bible Notes wrote As fruit on a tree takes time to grow and mature, so the Spirit does not cultivate these virtues in the believer’s life overnight.  As Jesus noted, fruit merely reflects the true character of the tree (Mt 7:17 – 18; Lk 6:43 – 44)

Where if operate under flash it produces sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,  idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, and  envy, drunkenness,

6) Teaches and illuminates.

John 16:7, 13-15 “Yet I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.. . When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” 

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.”                                   

7) Gives spiritual gifts – gifts for building up the body of Christ

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of Corinthians 12:4-11 the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kind of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit that apportions to each one individually as he wills.” 

John MacArthur The varieties of gifts fall into two general types, speaking and serving.  –10; cf.  Rom. 12:6–8; 1 Pet. 4:10, 11). 

Mathew Henry wrote Christians in the first ages, for conviction of unbelievers, and propagation of the gospel. Gifts and graces, charismata and charis, greatly differ. Both indeed were freely given of God. But, where grace is given it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are bestowed for the advantage and salvation of others. And there may be great gifts where there is not a dram of grace, but persons possessed of them are utterly out of the divine favour

John MacArthur wrote The varieties of gifts fall into two general types, speaking and serving.  8–10; cf. Rom. 12:6–8; 1 Pet. 4:10, 11). 

Since the gifts came from God, and they should to be used for him bring honour and glory.

8) Gives believers confidence of their salvation.

Romans 8:14-16 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of son ship. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God .

Warren Wiersbe wrote The Spirit has you!”.  12-17). It is not enough for us to have the Spirit; the Spirit must have us! Only can then He share with us the abundant, victorious life that can be ours in Christ. We have no obligation to the flesh, because the flesh has only brought trouble into our lives. We do have an obligation to the Holy Spirit, for it is the Spirit who convicted us, revealed Christ to us, and imparted eternal life to us when we trusted Christ. Because He is “the Spirit of Life,” He can empower us to obey Christ, and He can enable us to be more like Christ. 

Reformed Bible Study wrote In addition to justification and freedom from condemnation (v. 1), believers are taken into the family of God and are inwardly persuaded by the Spirit that they belong there.

 John MacArthur wrote But to a Spirit-produced awareness of the rich reality that God has made us His children, and, therefore, that we can come before Him without fear or hesitation as our beloved Father. It includes the confidence that we are truly sons of God. 

The Holy Spirit empower us to continue believe in Christ atoning works cross

9) Intercessory prayer for believers.

 Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Matthew Henry wrote he help of the Spirit in prayer. While we are in this world, hoping and waiting for what we see not, we must be praying. Hope supposes desire, and that desire offered up to God is prayer; we groan. Our weakness in prayer: We know not what we should pray for as we ought. We are not competent judges of our own condition. Who knows what is good for a man in this life? Eccl. 6:12. We are short-sighted, and very much biassed in favour of the flesh.

Warren Wiersbe wrote Today the Holy Spirit groans with us and feels the burdens of our weaknesses and suffering. But, the Spirit does more than groan. He prays for us in His groaning so that we might be led into the will of God. We do not always know God’s will. We do not always know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes so that we might live in the will pray, but the Spirit intercedes so that we might live in the will of God in spite of suffering. The Spirit “shares the burden.”

MacArthur Study  First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, This work of the Holy Spirit parallels the high priestly work of intercession by the Lord Jesus on behalf of believers (see Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:14–16; 7:24–26)

In  1Timothy 2; 1  First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, MacArthur Study Bible wrote supplications. The Gr. Word is from a root that means “to lack,” “to be deprived,” or “to be without.” Thus, this kind of prayer occurs because of a need. The lost have a great need for salvation, and believers should always be asking God to meet that need in intercession Christ’s and the Spirit’s intercession for believers (Rom. 8:26; Heb. 7:25). 

All believer or follower of Christ should have a strong desire to pray for the lost.  

In personal testimony wrote Around a kitchen table at a Christian retreat Center called L’Abri in front of several witness. I simply asked for Jesus to forgive me & thank him. I felt a huge that burden was lifted from me & felt free as a bird. All the things that hung around & haunted me instantaneously vanish.  

God heard my prayer. God also heard another prayer that day my mother and sister Marcia prayer her foolish rebellious are now believer. As scripture says in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. 

To those likely my cousin Dan, my sister and brother Marcia, and Bob, and my mother Martha, to Pastor John who cares enough visit me while in the hospital, and I turn my back and did not welcome him, those countless unknown people who tried to witness to me.  They all care enough to tell me about Christ, and  his atoning work on the cross. Thank you sharing and caring and I am deeply graceful even thou I was ungraceful at the time. Remember these words written by King David in Psalm 25; 7 “Do not remembers the sins of my youth or my acts of rebellion.” To me, the prayer warriors are true hero there are not seen but work is much appreciated has an impact on society 

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit while the follower of Christ vary on their  views concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for example there is Non-Pentecostal View or the Baptism of the Spirit

• Non-Pentecostal View  

Pentecostal second-experience view has caused confusion

Pentecostal view “completely wrong”

• Baptism of the Spirit a single event of regeneration, joining body of Christ, and becoming indwelt

Both view takes cues from scripture for example in speaking in tongues is recorded three times in the book of Acts In Acts 10; 45-46  The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and declaring the greatness of God. While the Pentecostals misuse term ‘baptism of the Spirit’ but still their underlying theology is correct. 

While I work for Crossroads and work along side with the  Pentecostal for 12 years I can tell you first hand that they love the Lord Jesus Christ and God words and put us shame. The founder the late Rev David Mainse preached the gospel from the airwave 50 years declaring Jesus Lord and Savoured. While may not always agree with them; however, I enjoyed working beside them. 

While I hold to the view  Non-Pentecostal where all believer baptized by Spirit at conversion and sealed by Holy Spirit Ephesians 1; 13 and are empowered for life and ministry. 

Associated Gospel Churches) statement of faith states “At the moment of salvation. He regenerates, baptizes, indwells, gifts and empowers for Christ-like living and service.”

“[The Holy Spirit] baptizes – Jesus informed his disciples in Acts 1:5 that they would ‘be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ This first occurred on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and subsequently occurs whenever a person comes to faith. The Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 12:13 what this really means when he writes ‘For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.’ The baptizing ministry of the Holy Spirit is what unites all believers into the Body of Christ.

However, I been around people who spoke in tongues and I felt like I was in heaven and experience was wonderful. Even thou I has clue what they were saying that been said many of them are follower of Christ and believe His atoning work on  cross I’ve no desire to speak tongues it is gift of the Holy Spirit.

MacArthur wrote The church, the spiritual body of Christ, is formed as believers are immersed by Christ with the Holy Spirit. Christ is the baptizer (see note on Matt. 3:11) who immerses each believer with the Spirit into unity with all other believers? 

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is that divine operation that places believers in the Body of Christ. 

 The baptism of the Holy Spirit is that divine operation that places believers in the Body of Christ. Itthe baptism of the Holy Spirit is that divine operation that places believers in the Body of Christ. It

As Scripture declares I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Furthermore, it states I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances.

 

1 Corinthians 12:13  “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 

Lastly, in 1John 3; 1-4  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 3 But every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist; you have heard that he is coming, and he is already in the world now.

 

 Without the Holy Spirit, we not understand the redemptive story or mankind is cursed with sins a natures. Without the Holy Spirit, we not understand Jesus committed no sin and live a perfect life.     

And sacrifice Himself on a cross and mankind sins and His Father wrath. Without the Holy Spirit, we would lack the courage tell the world that Jesus is our Savour Without Holy Spirit we would be without hope and little to life for  Whether hold to Non-Pentecostal Views or the Pentecostal View the simply Bible teaches all believers are  indwelt by Spirit 

 

Our Father in heaven, we thank you that though we are sinful and fallen creatures that you love us so much and that Christ died for those sins to free us from guilt and punishment and to impute to us his righteousness. Thank you that as we are clothed in his blood we stand righteous and forgiven before you. And now Lord, in the best way that we know how, we want to yield our lives to you as living sacrifices. Our bodies pure and dedicated to you. Our souls given over to renewal through the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, we pray that you would live out your life through us. Help us to abide in you as the branches abide in the vine and so to bear much fruit. Holy Spirit of God, we pray that you would take control of our lives, direct us and empower us to live lives that are full of your fruit and that are pleasing to our God and Father. 

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.