Chapter 8 | What Has God Done? (Part 2) Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
Key Verses: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you” John 14:26 “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. John 15:26
For Further Study*
Book:
Holier Than Thou, by Jackie Hill Perry
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene Peterson
Article:
“The Gift of the Holy Spirit,” by Sam Storms, The Gospel Coalition
Podcast:
“What is the Holy Spirit?” by Jen Wilkins, JT English, and Kyle Worley, Training the Church
Video:
“Is the Holy Spirit God?” by Robby Lashua, Stand to Reason
Theology with Old Friends:
Kids’ Content:
“What do we Believe about the Holy Spirit?” The New City Catechism
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, by Kevin DeYoung
Summary:
Brief Definition: The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son to apply the saving accomplishments of Christ to believers. The Spirit applies salvation by granting faith, uniting us to Christ, while sanctifying, persevering, and glorifying all followers of Christ.
For the believer, salvation is ongoing in the sense that those delivered from sin’s penalty (justification) now experience deliverance from sin’s power (sanctification), and will one day be delivered from sin’s presence (glorification). The Spirit is active in each of these aspects of salvation.
Five Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit
● The Holy Spirit is a Force (false).
● The Holy Spirit comes and goes (false).
● The Holy Spirit is an emotion or feeling (false).
● The Holy Spirit is dramatic (false).
● The Holy Spirit is nice, but not necessary (false).
Jesus comforts His disciples by telling them the Holy Spirit’s presence with them is better than His own presence with them. But how can this be? Because the Holy Spirit is not just God with us but God in us.
Our dead hearts need revival, and the Spirit brings it. The work of the Spirit is not created or manipulated; it can only be received in faith.
The Bible asserts that the presence of the Spirit in the believer makes us forever inseparable from Christ and His benefits. We are in Him, and He is in us.
The Spirit seals us with Christ with a seal that cannot be broken. When the Spirit unites you to Christ, your life becomes completely and utterly inseparable from Christ. He is yours and you are His.
All true faith in Christ, because of the Spirit’s work in believers, results in good works for the glory of God. Those to whom the Spirit applies justification, He also empowers for sanctification.
There is great comfort in the Christian life. We have assurance of salvation not because of our works, not because of our spiritual performance, but because we are sealed forever and kept forever by the Spirit. We will persevere because He will preserve us.
What sign is more potent, what wonder is greater than a life marked by persevering submission to God by the power of our Comforter, the Spirit.
Discussion/Reflection Questions:
1. Look back at the five common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit. Which of them have you held personally? Which does your church hold? How has this chapter challenged your perspective on the identity of the Holy Spirit?
2.How does the concept of union with Christ offer you personal and specific assurance? What past or present sin do you doubt He can forgive? What past, present, or future circumstance do you fear could tear you from His grip?
3.How have you seen the Spirit at work in your sanctification? How has the Spirit functioned as Helper and Counselor?
4.How have you known the Spirit as the preserver of your salvation? What doubts can you lay to rest knowing you are sealed in Him and that He stands as the guarantee that you will be glorified?
*Disclaimer: Our ultimate authority and resource will always be the Bible, and any other resource should be used as a supplement. While we believe the authors represented here have done excellent work to provide insight and clarity in these topics, we may not endorse every statement, or position they hold (past, present, future).
