God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

This lesson focuses upon the work of the Holy Spirit in empowering God people through gifts, through guidance (indwelling), through power over sin and the creation of Christlike character (sanctification), and through assuring the believer that they are included in God’s ultimate victory over evil (sealing).

Summary of Key Concepts

Spiritual Gifts are given to empower the Church for mission.

“Whatever thing, event, or individual serves as an instrument of the Spirit, or manifests the Spirit, or embodies the Spirit is a spiritual gift” ( Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible ). The key passages for studying spiritual gifts are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. Every believer is given spiritual gifts which the Church needs to fulfill Christ’s mission. The Holy Spirit alone decides which gifts each person will have: They are free gifts of “grace” and therefore those who receive them do not get special status or possess special spiritual maturity. Christian disagree about the definitions of some gifts, the relationship between spiritual gifts and natural talents, and whether all the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament are available today. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers was prefigured by the Old Testament Tabernacle. The Spirit indwells his Church (corporately) and each believer (individually). The indwelling Spirit is the paraclete , the one called alongside as an advocate to guide, teach, encourage, and pray for us. Sanctification is the doctrine that describes being set apart for God’s use. The goal of sanctification is complete Christlikeness. We are set apart for God’s use through justification, sanctification, and glorification. Therefore, “sanctification” is past, present, and future.

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The Holy Spirit is always at war with evil.

The fruit of the Spirit’s sanctifying work in the life of the believer is holy living: conforming to Christ’s teaching, example, and attitudes.