The Holy Spirit

Preface iii

The Promise of Jesus iv

‘Sons of God’ iv

The Holy Spirit - is He personal v

Why is important to study what The Holy Spirit does in the life of a follower of Jesus? 4

The Holy Spirit is our comforter 5

Overview 5

The Holy Spirit in The Gospels 5

How do you get the Holy Spirit? 5

Do you get The Holy Spirit in stages? 6

Who is He given too? 6

Why is He given to the followers of Jesus? 6

The Holy Spirit in the epistles. 7

The Character of The Holy Spirit 7

How is He received by a believer 8

The timing by Jesus of the disciples receiving The Holy Spirit 9

There are three questions this verse raises. 9

The timing of the event. 9

Why did He breathe on them. 10

What do you need to do to receive The Holy Spirit 10

He marks us as belonging to Jesus 12

Work in non-believer or backsliding Christian 13

He fellowships with us 13

He guides us 13

Witnesses to God and Jesus 14

He assists in preaching the Ministry of The Kingdom 15

John 16:8-11 He convicts people of sin 15

What is our role in evangelism? 15

Commands in respect of The Holy Spirit 16

Other activities of The Holy Spirit 16

The Holy Spirit in The Old Testament 16

The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts. 18

Love (1 Cor. 13:4-7) 20

Joy 21

Peace 21

Long-suffering (Patience in suffering 1 Cor 15:58) 21

Gentleness (kindness out of compassion and love) 22

Goodness 22

Faith 22

Meekness (Humility) 22

Temperance (self-controlled in all things) 23

Should we desire more gifts then we have? 24

How do you know what Gifts you have? 25

Should we desire Prophecy above all? 26

The Various Gifts 26

The various gifts are as follows in (alphabetical order) 26

Why have the gifts been given? 28

How does one receive a gift of The Holy Spirit? 28

Laying on of hands 29

1 Cor 12 in more detail 30

Introduction 30

Is it His Will to heal? 34

Purposes for healing 34

Problems 35

Empowerment and the leading of The Holy Ghost 37

Unity in The Body of Christ 37

Are the gifts for today? 38

Baptism of The Holy Spirit 42

What actually is it 43

Two separate events 44

In Summary 45

The example of Jesus 45

Some of the requirements to receive the Baptism of The Holy Spirit (from Acts) 46

More on Tongues 47

Problems with Baptism and the gift of Tongues. 48

Problems with the Gifts 48

Does the filling of the Holy Spirit decrease as the day grows older? 49

Can the gifts of The Holy Spirit be taken away? 49

Should we desire the gifts, especially prophesy? 50

Testing for the Gifts 50

The three baptisms 51

What does Eph 5:8 mean? 52

Pentecost - the Anointing for Ministry 54

Preliminary Comments 54

Now to the passage itself. But first a comment 55

The only criteria for women to minister are: 55

Pentecost and its aftermath (Acts Ch 2) 55

Signs and Wonders 57

Blasphemy of The Holy Spirit 58

There are two definitions of Blasphemy 58

Blaspheming God 59

Blasphemy by the church 60

What is the purpose of Prophecy 61

Guidelines for asking for prophecy for another or yourself: 61

Problems with hearing The Holy Ghost 62

Prophecy given to a non-Christian 62

Given to Christians. 62

Given to churches 63

Timing issues 64

As for lifestyle of a prophet/prophetess 64

When not to consult prophets and prophetesses 64

When to consult a prophet or prophetess: 64

Attitudes to living and prophecy 65

There are various principles these verses: 65

Remember the perspective of God in regard to Prophecy 67

Suffering 67

Handling Prophecy if it affects others adversely 69

Handling Desires resulting from Prophecy 69

In Conclusion 70

Signs and Wonders 70

The Holy Spirit speaks to us in four areas: 71

How to Hear God and His Requirements: 72

Five Ways God Speaks: 72

There are Five Other Ways God Speaks 73

How to Hear The Holy Spirit 73

The Holy Spirit and the Five Steps 75

How to be led by The Holy Spirit 75

When Tempted 76

The Work of The Holy Spirit in Eternity 78