The uniqueness of the Spirit (continued)

He glorifies Christ. He specifically directs people to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit glorifies Jesus rather than Himself. John 16:14

He is the agent of our spiritual birth. He regenerates us. He gives us new birth. This birth into the Body is described in the Bible as baptism in the Spirit. Titus 3:3-5, John 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 12:13

He indwells all believers. He permanently, irrevocably, and without variation indwells each and every believer from the moment of salvation. This constant and unconditional indwelling of the Spirit is different from the variable filling of the Spirit. John 14:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19

He fills believers. This is our voluntarily coming under the influence and control of the Spirit. It is our allowing the Spirit to work in and through us. His filling is conditional ...varying according to our response and availability. This filling of the Spirit is different from the indwelling of the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

He assures us that we are God's children. He is our pledge and seal that we are safe forever. He gives us the assurance of our salvation. Romans 8:16, Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, 2 Corinthians 5:5

He gives empowering gifts to the Body. The Spirit gives at least one special empowering ability to each believer. These gifts enable each part of the Body of Christ to do its part to build up the Body in love. These are different from the enabling gifts given by Jesus. The gifts given by Jesus are specialized people. The gifts given by the Spirit are special abilities. Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:11

He leads believers. The Spirit gives guidance to believers ... as He did with Jesus during His earthly life. Luke 4:1, Romans 8:14, Acts 8:29

He teaches believers. The Spirit teaches believers in their own private study ... and teaches them through their teachers. He leads them into truth ... giving them an understanding of God's Word. John 14:26, 16:13

He comforts us. He is called along side to help us. John 14:16-17

He prays for us when in our weakness we do not know how to pray. He prays for us ... prays for us when we do not know how we should pray. This does not imply that He prays through us. Romans 8:26

He bears fruit in our lives. The Spirit's characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control become visible as we live under His influence. Galatians 5:22-23

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KNOWING GOD 9    PAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10   
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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.