The Holy Spirit-Ministry

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Course:



INTRODUCTION
During one of his missionary trips the Apostle Paul questioned a group of believers about the
Holy Spirit. He asked if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. Their answer
was, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost" (Acts 19:2).* Paul
shared the message of the ministry of the Holy Spirit with these Christians (Acts 19). Today it
is equally important that believers understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God promised:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My
Spirit upon all flesh... (Acts 2:17)

The fact that God is willing at this time to pour out His Spirit upon us makes this study
important. We must understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit in order to be part of this special
revelation of the power of God. The study of the Holy Spirit is one of the major doctrines of the
Bible. A doctrine is all the teachings which relate to a particular subject. Paul said:

...give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (I Timothy 4:13)

It is not through the natural powers of man that God moves in our world. It is through the
ministry of the Holy Spirit:

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.
(Zechariah 4:6)

This course examines the nature and personality of the Holy Spirit. It discusses the titles given
the Holy Spirit and emblems which represent Him. Both reveal much about His ministry. The
purposes, gifts, and fruit of the Holy Spirit are examined in detail. Practical guidelines are given
for experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit, identifying spiritual gifts, and developing the
fruit of the Holy Spirit.




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* The term "Holy Ghost" used in the Bible refers to the Holy Spirit. He is called either the Holy Spirit or the Holy
Ghost.




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, COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

 Describe the personality of the Holy Spirit.

 List various names and titles of the Holy Spirit.

 Identify emblems representing the Holy Spirit.

 Describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

 Explain how to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 List and define the gifts of the Spirit.

 Identify your spiritual gift(s).

 Identify the fruit of the Spirit.

 Identify the works of the flesh.

 Develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.




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, CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCING THE HOLY SPIRIT

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

 Identify the Holy Spirit as part of the Trinity of God.
 List personality traits of the Holy Spirit.
 Explain the nature of the Holy Spirit.

KEY VERSES:

And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water;
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him;

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17)

INTRODUCTION

This chapter introduces the Holy Spirit. It explains His position in the Trinity of God, discusses
His personality traits, and warns about His sensitive nature. As previously noted, the title "Holy
Ghost" is used to identify the Holy Spirit. The personal pronoun "He" is also used, as the Holy
Spirit is one of three persons of the Trinity of God.

Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as "He.” Jesus said:

-He shall speak of me. John 15:26
-I will send Him unto you. John 16:7
-He shall glorify me. John 16:14
-He shall not speak of Himself. John 16:13




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, THE TRIUNE NATURE OF GOD

There are many gods worshiped throughout the world, but there is only one true God. The Holy
Bible contains the story of this true God. The Bible is the Word of God which reveals His
special plan for all mankind.

One of the things the Bible reveals is that God has a triune nature. This means His personality is
revealed in three different forms. He is three persons, yet one God. The Holy Spirit is part of
the triune nature of God which consists of the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
The three personalities are united as one in the Godhead.

Each part of the Trinity...the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit...have special
functions on behalf of mankind. This course concerns the ministry and purpose of the Holy
Spirit.*

GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is called God:

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy
Ghost...thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. (Acts 5:3-4)

Since He is called God, the Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son.
The Key Verses for this chapter reveal clearly the triune nature of God. Jesus is being baptized,
the Holy Spirit descends on Him, and God speaks:

And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:

And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased. (Matthew 3:16-17)

Prior to returning to Heaven after His ministry on earth, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit:

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,
even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of
me. (John 15:26)

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* The study of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son is given in a separate Harvestime International Institute
course entitled "Spiritual Strategies.” An outline for study of God and Jesus is also provided in the "For Further
Study" section of this chapter.

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