James Series: Patiently Enduring Trials and Injustice (5:7-12)
Patiently Enduring Trials and Injustice So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! As an example of suffering and patien
Pneumatology Series: The Filling of the Spirit
The Filling of the Spirit What does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit?” In Ephesians 5:18-21, Paul says: And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. This is a commonly mis
Pneumatology Series: Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Gifts Another one of the Spirit’s ministries is giving spiritual gifts. What is a spiritual gift? Tony Evans succinctly described spiritual gifts this way: “A spiritual gift is a divinely bestowed ability given to every true believer in Jesus Christ in order to serve the church.”[1] Charles Ryrie defined it as a “God-given ability for service.”[2] The apostle Peter said spiritual gifts are channels by which God’s “grace” comes to the church.[3] In 1 Peter 4:10, he s
Pneumatology Series: Baptism in the Spirit
Baptism in the Spirit Another ministry of the Holy Spirit is the baptism “in” or “with” the Spirit. The baptism in the Spirit is a very important and controversial doctrine in the church. Traditionally, Spirit baptism refers to when Christ, through the agency of God’s Spirit, places believers into the body of Christ. In it, we become part of the body of believers, and Christ becomes our head. Tony Evans described the baptism this way: Jesus is the One doing the baptizing. He
Pneumatology Series: The Holy Spirit's Sealing, Deposit, and Restraining Ministries
Sealing Another ministry of the Holy Spirit is his being the seal of our salvation. In Ephesians 1:13, it says, “And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit.” Likewise, 2 Corinthians 1:22 (NIV) says God “set his seal of ownership on us.” What does the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit refer to? 1. As a seal, the Holy Spirit represents authenticity—he proves that a b
Pneumatology Series: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Indwelling For believers, the Holy Spirit indwells us at conversion. It is from this ministry that many of his other ministries flow. Jesus mentioned the Spirit’s indwelling to his disciples before his death and resurrection. In John 14:17, Christ said this, “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.” From Christ’s words, it is clear the Spirit was already with
Pneumatology Series: Inspiration, Illumination, Conviction, Intercession
Inspiration of Scripture Though Scripture has human authors, they were all inspired by the Holy Spirit—guided by him in the exact words they used and kept from error. Consider what Peter said in Acts 1:16 about the Spirit speaking through David’s writing of a Psalm: “Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judas—who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus.” In addition, in 2 Peter 1:20-21, Peter said this about
Pneumatology Series: The Holy Spirit's Deity
The Holy Spirit’s Deity The Bible also teaches that the Holy Spirit is God. He is the third person of the Trinity and, therefore, equal in every way to the Son and the Father. What are scriptural evidences for the Holy Spirit’s deity? The Holy Spirit Is Called God The Bible calls the Holy Spirit, “God,” in many passages. For example, in Acts 5:3-4, when Peter confronted Ananias about lying to God, he called the Holy Spirit, “God.” The text says: But Peter said, “Ananias, why
Pneumatology Series: The Holy Spirit's Personhood
Introduction to Pneumatology There is great confusion and controversy over the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Who is he and what does he do? Is he some type of force? Is he an energy or a thing? Likewise, topics like spiritual gifts, the baptism in the Spirit, and being filled with the Spirit tend to incite differing views and discord, even amongst the sincerest and most devoted Christians. Because of all this, some have hesitated to study or teach on the Holy Spirit. This is u
