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

d. [The Apostle Paul] prays, “that the God of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph. 1.17). . . . David had the law, comprehending in it all the wisdom that could be desired, and yet not contented with this, he prays, “Open mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Ps. 119.18). . . because whatever is not illuminated by his Spirit is wholly darkness. . . If we confess that what we ask of God is lacking to us. . . no man can hesitate to acknowledge that he is able to understand the mysteries of God, only in so far as illuminated by his grace (John Calvin, Institutes , II.2.21).

Conclusion

» Prophecy is a way of knowing truth that comes by direct revelation from God.

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» A prophet is one who speaks for God to the people.

» All prophecy is “forthtelling” a divine message. Sometimes this divine message involves a “foretelling” of future events.

» Prophets may be women as well as men.

» All true prophecy is given through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

» The Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures. Inspiration is the work of the Holy Spirit that reveals a divine message and causes God’s truth to be accurately portrayed in human words. » Illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit which enables the readers of Scripture to grasp its meaning for their own life and times. God’s revelation can only be understood and believed through the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit.

Please take as much time as you have available to answer these and other questions that the video brought out. Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matt. 4.4. Those who lead the people of God must be absolutely convinced that the Scriptures are the foundation and the measuring rod for everything we know about God and his will.

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Student Questions and Response

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