understanding the holy spirit as a person - gary...

Understanding the Holy Spirit as a Person• The Confusion Concerning

the Holy Spirit

• Denial of his personhood

– Arius – (3rd Century) denied the eternity of Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit. For him the Holy Spirit was only the “exerted energy of God” manifested in the created world.

– Socinius (16th Century) - held that the Holy Spirit was merely the eternally proceeding energy of God

• The Confusion Concerning the Holy Spirit


– Unitarians - belief that God exists in one person, not three. It is a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity and the personhood of the Holy Spirit

– Neonorthodox – Deny the distinct personality of the Holy Spirit and affirm His deity only in that He is represented as a divine manifestation of God.

• The Confusion Concerning the Holy Spirit


– Jehovah’s Witnesses deny both the deity and the personality of the Holy Spirit. To them “it” is simply an impersonal force that God uses to accomplish his will.

• What does it mean to be a person?

• Personality and visibility are not synonymous. Just because the Holy Spirit cannot be seen does not make Him less than a person.

– Matthew 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

• Personality is not Personification

• Personification

– attribution of personal qualities; especially: representation of a thing or abstraction as a person or by the human form

• Personality

– the quality or state of being a person

• Definition of Personality

• That characteristic which contains these three important elements:

– Intelligence / Intellect (also called a mind…)

– Emotion (can He feel…)

– Volition (does He have a will…)

• The Holy Spirit has the attributes of personality

• Intellect

– He is said to possess a “mind”

• Romans 8:27

– He knows and searches the things of God

• 1 Cor. 2:10-11

– He bestows spiritual gifts

• 1 Cor. 12:4-11

– He teaches men

• 1 Cor. 2:13

•


• Emotion

– He can be grieved

• Ephesians 4:30

– He can love

• Romans 15:30


• Volition or Will

– He distributes gifts accordingly

• 1 Corinthians 12:11

– He exercises His will toward others

• Acts 16:6-7

• STATEMENT:

• The Holy Spirit passes the tests of personality. He has the three major components of personality clearly demonstrated from Scripture:

– Intellect

– Emotion

– Volition


• His intelligence is manifest in all His mighty works.

– Teaching (John 16:13)

– Guidance (Rom. 8:14)

– Comforting (John 14:26)

– Prayer (Rom. 8:26)

• The Holy Spirit performs the actions of personality

• He teaches John 14:26

• He testifies John 15:26

• He guides John 16:13; Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18

• He reproves John 16:7-11

• He restrains Gen 6:3; 2 Thess 2:6-7

• He commands / directs Acts 8:29

• He performs miracles Acts 8:39

• He calls men to service Acts 13:2

• He sends men to service Acts 13:4

• He intercedes for us Rom 8:26

• STATEMENT:

• The Holy Spirit not only has the marks of personality, He also does what only a Person can do. Based on Scripture, He is a Person.

• The Holy Spirit receives actions as a personality

• He can be obeyed Acts 10:19-21

• He can be lied to Acts 5:3

• He can be resisted Acts 7:51

• He can be grieved Ephesians 4:30

• He can be reverenced Ps 51:11

• He can be blasphemed Matt 12:31

• He can be outraged Heb 10:29

• STATEMENT:

• The Spirit has the marks of personality and performs the actions that are only accomplished by a Person. Additionally, Scripture demonstrates that He can also be affected as only a Person can.

• The Holy Spirit defies the accidence of Grammar as a personality

• πνεῦμα (pneúma)

– neuter noun meaning - to breath, spirit

– John 16:13-14

• John 15:26 / Ephesians 1:14

• John 16:7-8

• The Holy Spirit has the associations of personality

• The Apostles -Acts 15:28

– Here, the Spirit is distinguished from the apostles as a separate person.

– It would not seem natural to associate Him with the apostles if He were only an influence or force.

Trinity

• Matt 28:19-20

– It would be unthinkable to read and state 2 are persons and 1 is not.

• Matt. 3:16-17

– The Baptism of Christ identifies distinctions in Godhead – 1 God, 3 Persons.

• Matt. 4:1, 4, 7, 10

– The Spirit leading the Son and the Son referencing the Father.

• 1 Peter 1:2

– Each member of the Godhead involved in our salvation. If we are saved by a “person”, then the Holy Spirit is co-equal to the Father and Son.

• The Power of the Spirit

• Substituting “power” for Spirit shows absurdity of denying personality to the Spirit.

– Luke 4:14: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.”

– Luke 4:14: “And Jesus returned in the power of the “power of God” into Galilee.”

– Acts 10:38: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power…”

• Baptismal formula

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

– In Matthew 28, we are commanded to baptize in the name (SINGULAR)…

– For the authority of baptism, only one name given: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

• Apostolic Benediction

• 2 Cor. 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

• Can we have communion [fellowship] with a force?

• Personality of the Holy Spirit Conclusion

1. The Holy Spirit has all three elements of personality

2. The Holy Spirit can be responded to as a person

3. The Holy Spirit does what only a person can do

4. The Holy Spirit was looked upon by the early church as an equal member of the Godhead

5. The Holy Spirit was heavily emphasized in the book of Acts (70x “Spirit”, “Holy Ghost”)

• Understanding the Holy Spirit as God

• We Look at His Names

• God (Acts 5:3-4)

• The Spirit of God (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:11)

• The Spirit of Jehovah (Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 61:1)

• The Eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)

• Comforter (αλλος) “another of the same kind” (John 14:16)

• Temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17, 6:19-20)

• We Look at His Attributes

• Eternal (Hebrews 9:14)

• Omnipresent (Ps. 139:7)

• Omnipotent (Luke 1:35, Job 33:4, Gen. 1:2)

• Omniscience (1 Cor. 2:11-12, John 16:13 )

• Truth (1 John 5:6)

• Holy (Isaiah 63:10-11, Luke 11:13)

• We Look at His Actions

• He creates (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4)

• He imparts life (Gen 1:2; Rom. 8:11)

• He regenerates lost men (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5-6)

• He inspired Scripture (2 Peter 1:21)

• He begot Christ (Luke 1:35)

• His Actions

• He indwells every believer

1. (Eph. 2:22; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 3:16)

• He sanctifies believers

1. (Rom. 15:16; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13)

• He prays for believers (Romans 8:26)

• We Look at His Associations

• He is equated to Jehovah of the Old Testament

1. Isaiah 6:8-10 w/ Acts 28:25-27

2. Jeremiah 31:33-34 w/ Heb 10:15-17

• He is an equal member of the Godhead

1. Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2

• Representations of the Holy Spirit

• Clothing - Luke 24:49

• Power

1. Clothing that God puts on us, not that with which we clothe ourselves.

• Protection.

1. Just as clothing is a covering, so the Holy Spirit protects those whom He covers.

• Holiness

1. Ephesians 4:24

• Picture

1. Emblem of our relationship as belonging to God and representing Him. Luke 15:22

• Dove Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32

1. The purity of the Spirit

– Matthew 10:16 “harmless as doves”

• ἀκέραιος akéraios - Without any mixture of deceit, without any defiling material

2. The heavenly origin of the Spirit

– Dove descended from the heavens

• The Earnest of the Spirit 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14

• ἀρραβών arrabṓn

– The principal idea is that of a pledge

– The presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s heart is the pledged guarantee on the part of God that the believer will receive all the promised future blessings of his salvation.

– He is likened to Fire Acts 2:3

• God’s presence Exodus 3:2

• God’s protection Exodus 13:21

• God’s approval Leviticus 9:24

• God’s cleansing Lev. 10:2; Isa 6:8-11

• Matthew 3:11

• 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

• What did He mean?

– This was completely fulfilled at Pentecost

– Baptism of the Spirit was fulfilled at Pentecost but the fire is a general reference to the entire work of sanctification throughout the age

– John, the last OT prophet, was speaking of Pentecost with reference to the baptism of the Spirit and of the judgment at the Second Coming in reference to the fire.

• Oil Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1

• Anointing oil

– We need the work of the Spirit in our lives

• Oil for light

– Christ will be glorified in the eyes of believers

• Oil for medicine

– Oil of Gladness cleanses and sanctifies us to be meet for the Master’s use

• He is likened to a Seal 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph 1:13, 4:30

• Ownership

– We belong to God as a purchased possession

• Security

– We are permanently secured

– God is the only One who can break the seal

– We are sealed unto the day of redemption

• Authority

– God’s authority over what He owns.

• Hope

– The realization of all promised blessings at the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30, Phil 3:20-21).

• He is likened to a Servant

• The Holy Spirit does not speak “on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak” (John 16:13).

• The Holy Spirit gives Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11).

• He is likened to Water John 4:14; 7:38-39

• Eternal life

– Life springing up from that which was entirely barren before

• Abundant Life

– The abundance of life which Christ gives (John 10:10)

• Service life

– For out of the believer shall flow rivers of living water to others

• He is likened to Wind (Breath) John 3:8; Job 33:4

• The Spirit’s work cannot be seen

– But we know when He is working

• The Spirit’s work is sovereign

– “wherever it listeth…”

• The Spirit’s work is supernatural

– The new birth is “from above…” (John 3:21)

• The Spirit’s work is strong

– Not to destruction (as in powerful wind tornadoes), but to construction (as in new life!)

• Conclusion:

At the very least, you should remember the following truths:

1. The Holy Spirit is a person.

2. The Holy Spirit is God.

3. The sealing of the Spirit is related to our security.

4. The earnest of our heavenly inheritance is the Holy Spirit.

• Lecture #3 Understanding the Ministry of the Holy Spirit

• His ministry in Revelation

• He is described as the Author of Scripture

– This can be seen by the word – θεόπνευστος “God Breathed”, “Inspired”

• 2 Timothy 3:16

– This is illustrated by a wind filling the sails of a ship

• 2 Peter 1:21

– φέρω - to be borne along, as in a ship before the wind

– Acts 27:15-17

• His work is not Mechanical Dictation

– Peter’s use of the word φέρω phero

• The analogy is that of a wind filling the sails of a ship

• The inference is that the Spirit takes the initiative with Scripture

• We may say that He superintended the process of “inspiration”

• He did not suppress personalities , experiences, emotional or intellectual abilities

• What we have is an intimate involvement with the Spirit and each writer.

• He speaks to people

• He spoke to and through Ezekiel

– Ezekiel 2:2

• He spoke to and through Balaam

– Numbers 24:2

• He spoke to and through David

– 2 Sam 23:2; Matt 22:43-44

• The Holy Spirit’s ministry in the Old Testament

• Creation

• He creates

– Genesis 1:2 “moved upon the face of the Earth”

• Deut. 32:11 “, fluttereth over her young”

• “The Spirit hovered over and cared for the original but as yet unfashioned earth.” Ryrie

– Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God hath made me”

• He sustains and renews creation

– Psalm 104:30

– Isa 32:15

• Empowerment

• Imparts wisdom, skill, strength, and ability

– Construction of Tabernacle, Ark, and Mercy Seat

• Ex. 31:1-11

– Selectively indwelling some for service

• Selective indwelling

• He was in certain ones

– Joseph Gen 41:38

– Joshua Num 27:18

– Daniel Dan 4:8; 5:11-14

• He came upon certain ones

– Othniel Judges 3:10

– Gideon Judges 6:34

– Saul 1 Samuel 10:10

• He filled certain ones

– Bezaleel Ex. 31:3

• Understand the difference between the Old and New Testament saint:

• The indwelling Spirit of the Old Testament saint was not permanent. Hence, David prays, “Take not thy holy Spirit from me…” (Ps 51:11)

• Jesus gives insight from His words in John 14:17, Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

– The Old Testament work of the Spirit was not erratic, indicated by the use of the word “dwell” or “abide.”

– His ministry at Pentecost was different for now He would not just be “with” us, He would be “in” us.

• His ministry in the Old Testament

• He restrained sin.

– Evidenced in the days before the flood Gen 6:3

– Evidenced by His names

• Good Neh. 9:20

• Holy Ps 51:11

• His ministry in the Old Testament

• Regeneration

– The Jews’ salvation Ezekiel 36:26-28

– The Jew’s instruction Neh. 9:20

– Bringing future righteousness Isa. 11:2-5

• His Ministry in Relationship to Christ

I. He is the Agent of the Virgin Birth

– Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:35

– The Virgin Birth insures Jesus is fully man while never ceasing to be fully God


• II. The Anointing of Christ

– It empowered Him for preaching.

• Luke 4:18

– It marked Him off as Messiah.

• Acts 4:27

– It was connected with His work of healing and doing good.

• Acts 10:38


III. He was involved with His death and resurrection

A. His death – Hebrews 9:14

B. His resurrection – Romans 1:4; 8:11

IV. He points men to Christ – John 15:26


• His Ministry in Relationship to the Church

I. He is involved with Administration of the Church

a. While Christ is the “Head,” the Spirit is the Administrator; one who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs.

b. He gives gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:7

c. He gives instruction – Acts 8:29; 10:19; 13:2-4; 16:6-7

• His Ministry in Relationship to the Church

II. He is involved with the Worship of the Church

A. Preaching – 1 Peter 1:12; 1 Thess. 1:5

B. Prayer – Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20

C. Singing – Ephesians 5:18-19

• The Holy Spirit’s Ministry to the Christian

• I. He regenerates - Titus 3:5

A. It is the Spirit that regenerates (Born Again)

– “…washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”

– This regeneration is the imparting of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) so that we are now “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ) and hence a “new creature”.

– John 3:3 refers to regeneration as a “new birth.”

• The Greek word translated “again” ἄνωθεν ánōthen may be translated “from above.”

• “Except a man be born from above”

• Regeneration should be distinguished from conversion

• Conversion

– Is the response of man to God’s offer of salvation.

– The soul is active

• Regeneration

– Is the act whereby God imparts new life to the one who believes.

– The soul is passive

• II. He Baptizes

• Promised By Christ

– Matthew 3:11 …he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

– Acts 1:5 … ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

– Christ is the Baptizer, the Spirit is the means, the Agent by whom we are baptized

• The Baptism of the Spirit

• Confirmed by Paul

– 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

– All Christians are Baptized by the Holy Spirit

• The Confusion Concerning Spirit Baptism

• Pentecostalism

– Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second work of grace for enduement with power

– Acts 8:17 “…Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost”.

– Acts 10:44 “… the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word”.

– Acts 19:6 “…when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied”.

• What is “Spirit Baptism”?

• The word βαπτίζω (baptizo) can mean to immerse, to place under (into), identify with.

– 1 Cor. 12:13 “…For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”

• The Spirit Baptism places us into one body.

• Primarily, this gives the Christian a position (we are “in Christ”).

• Secondarily, it gives us power.

• Baptism with the Spirit is not to be confused with Filling of the Spirit

• Baptism is for all believers without exception at the moment of salvation

– “…by one Spirit are we all baptized…”

– In this context, the most carnal Christians at Corinth are declared to be baptized and in the one body

• Baptism (by the Spirit) is never commanded but filling is commanded.

– Eph 5:18 “…be filled with the Spirit;”

• Baptism with the Spirit is not to be confused with Filling of the Spirit

• Spirit Baptism takes place only once

– 1 Cor. 12:13 “Baptized” - βαπτίζω baptízō – Aorist tense Passive voice (Simple Action)

– Eph 5:18 “Filled” - πληρόω pleróō – Present Passive Imperative – (Continuous action - Command)

– Compared with Ephesians 4:4-5 – “…One Baptism”

• III. He Indwells Permanently

Key passages: 1 Cor. 3:16; Rom. 8:9; John 14:17

A. Recognition of His permanent presence is part of the secret to the realization of His power.

B. If the Holy Spirit dwells in us forever, then eternal security must be related to this doctrine.

C. This permanent indwelling is the marked difference between OT and NT believers.

D. This permanent indwelling causes our bodies to now become living, moving temples of God – a truth that has ramifications on holy living.

• IV. He seals

A. Key passage: Eph. 1:12-14; Eph. 4:30

B. A seal is a mark of ownership, authority, and responsibility

C. The certainty of possession by God.

– The certainty of the promise of salvation, for there is no power greater than God who could break the seal, and God Himself has promised never to break it.

– The certainty of His purpose to keep us until the day of redemption.

• V. He Fills Eph. 5:18

• In contrast with “baptism,” “filling” is commanded

– πληροῦσθε -Present Passive Imperative

• πληρόω pleróō –to fill, supply abundantly with something, impart richly

• The Present tense carries the force of being continually filled

• The Imperative mood tells us we are commanded to be filled.

– There is only “one baptism” (Eph. 4:4-5) but many fillings

• V. He Fills Eph. 5:18

• If the idea of filling is control, then the secret to being filled is being yielded.

– Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

• VI. He directs – Romans 8:14

• He directs in the “who” of service

– Acts 13:2-4 – “Separate me Barnabas and Saul”

• He directs in the “where” of service

– Acts 8:27-29

– Acts 10:19

– Acts 11:12

– VII. He equips

A. He illuminates – 1 Cor. 2:12-14

– Man is in darkness.

– He loves darkness rather than light.

– Scripture brings light.

– Our mind needs illumination to understand it.

B. He instructs – John 16:13-14

– He instructs us in the principles of Christ.

– He instructs us in the signs of the future.

C. He empowers – Acts 1:8

– VIII. He produces fruit

• Different types of fruit in the Christian life

– Fruit of Service – John 15:1-2, 8

– Fruit of Sanctified Living – Romans 6:22

– Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5

• Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

• The Fruit of the Spirit deals with Christian Character

– “Fruit does not consist of some strenuous exercise. It is not a laborious performance to bring forth some excellence. It is a natural normal result of a healthy condition. If the soul is in health, and the Spirit fills it, there will be fruit.” – O’Rear

• Definition

– A Portrayal of the character of Jesus Christ in me.

– Gal. 2:20 - “…Christ liveth in me…”

• IX. He makes communion with God possible

• Prayer - Jude 20

– Praying in the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues

– It is praying in the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:18)

– “praying out of hearts and souls that are indwelt, illuminated, and filled with the Holy Spirit” (George Lawrence Lawlor)

– Thanksgiving – Ephesians 5:18-20

– He will quicken us Romans 8:11, John 6:63

• Romans 8:11

– “Shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you”

– ζωοποιέω zōopoiéō - To make alive

– 2 Corinthians 3:6 “The spirit giveth life”

• God promises spiritual resurrection life now (Rom. 6:4, 8, 11) for each believer’s mortal body and physical resurrection in the future for that mortal body (Rom. 6:5; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:42, 53; 2 Cor. 4:14)

• Spiritual Gifts

• Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

The Greek word for Spiritual Gift χάρισμα (chárisma) is related to the word grace χάρις (cháris).

– Spiritual Gifts are graciously given by God

– Spiritual Gifts are to be used in serving the Church

– Spiritual Gifts

• Romans 12 – Serving gifts

• prophesying

• ministering

• teaching

• exhorting

• giving

• ruling

• showing of mercy

• 1 Corinthians 12 Sign gifts

• word of wisdom

• word of knowledge

• faith

• gifts of healing

• working of miracles

• prophecy

• discerning of spirits

• divers kinds of tongues

• interpretation of tongues

• X. He gives Spiritual gifts

• Romans 12; 1 Cor. 12

– These two lists are different

• One focuses on ministries of service (Romans 12)

• The other focuses on revelatory gifts (1 Corinthians 12)

– The difference between these lists form the basis for the debate between cessationists (those who believe the revelatory gifts have ceased) and Charismatics (Those who still see these gifts as relevant)

• Spiritual Gifts

• Not talents or learned skills

– Many are born with talents, natural abilities,

– Other acquire skills through learning and practicing,

– Spiritual Gifts are not given at birth or learned, but are supernaturally bestowed to believers as needed for service.

– As we utilize our gifts, God increases the effectiveness of the gift.

• Motives of Spiritual Gifts

• 1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

The Spirit gives gifts according to His sovereignty

– He divides these gifts to every man

– He gives them to each believer as he wills

• The Spirit gives gifts so that the body can be edified

• Every Christian has at least on gift (1 Cor. 12:7)

• No Christian has all the gifts (1 Cor. 12:30)

• The Christian who uses this gift in a local church setting is performing a vital task (1 Cor. 12:18)

• The gifts are intended to be used in the local church rather than independently (1 Cor. 12:7)

– Christians are edified

– God is glorified

• Carnal Christians Can Abuse Spiritual Gifts

• Abused by one’s action

– Refusing to use it

– Using it in a wrong manner

– Abused by one’s attitude

– Envy

– Pride

• The Gifts in Romans 12

• Prophecy

– One who speaks with divine authority

• Ministry

– A person who has the heart of a servant

• Teaching

– One who influences the understanding of another

• Exhortation

– Someone who can comfort, exhort, encourage, cheer

• Giving

– One who gives to others to meet needs

• Ruling | Administration

– An individual who leads others

• Mercy

– One who shows compassion on the lost

• Oral questions on Pneumatology

1. Is the Holy Spirit a person or a thing?

2. What is the baptism of the Holy Ghost?

3. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

4. Is the Holy Spirit God? Where in the Bible?

5. Does the Holy Spirit indwell all Christians?

6. What ministries does the Holy Spirit have in the life of the believer?

7. Are there spiritual gifts in the Bible? Where?

8. Are Jesus and the Holy Spirit the same person?

9. Why don’t we speak in tongues today?

10. Do you believe in an open or closed revelation?

• Lecture 4

• Understanding Spiritual Gifts in relationship to Tongues

• Background of Modern Charismatic movement

• Rooted in the Pentecostal Church (1900)

• The Movement began in 1960, in Van Nuys

• The Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, announced to the congregation that he had received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

• This brought about a renewed interest in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit.

• The Meaning of Speaking in Tongues

• I. What is “tongues” in the Bible?

1. Pentecost, there were at least two miracles:

a. Everyone heard in their own language

• (Acts 2:6, 8, 11)

b. Three thousand were saved. (Acts 2:37-41)

• They were saved because the Gospel was proclaimed.

• Those who want to attempt to “recreate the miracle of Pentecost” mostly look at the visible manifestation of tongues – the harvest of souls is minimized in favor of the experience.

• Charismatics want to elevate experience over scriptures

• I. What is “tongues” in the Bible?

1. In 1 Corinthians, the tongues experience is different.

• In Acts 2, no interpreter is needed.

• In 1 Corinthians 14:27-28, the church is told to not exercise the gift unless an interpreter is present.

2. In Romans 12, the gift is not even mentioned.

• Tongues γλῶσσα glṓssa

• Literally – The tongue - an organ of speech.

1. Luke 1:64, James 1:26

• Metaphorically – ecstatic speech or language

1. The term refers to human languages when used in Scripture. (Acts 2:4, 6, 11)

2. Many Charismatics deny tongues refer to human languages. They will take 1 Corinthians 13:1 as proof that tongues are more of an angelic language or a “private prayer language”.

3. Tongues in Acts 2

• In verse 4 (γλῶσσα glṓssa) is translated tongues

• In verse six and eight, Luke uses a different word for languages (διάλεκτος diálektos).

1. This word means a language spoken by a people or province, ethnic language.

2. In other words, the disciples spoke in the foreigner’s own dialect.

3. This was truly a demonstration of the power of God. They spoke not an angelic language, but rather each spoke in distinct human languages that they have never previously known.

• Tongues and the Baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts

• First occurrence – Acts 2:1-4

1. Book of Acts is a transitional book.

• From Dispensation of Law to Grace

2. No believer had been Baptized with the Holy Spirit prior to this time.

3. The evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues.

4. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit happened after Salvation.

• The Baptism work of the Holy Spirit was just given

• After this time, it was universal for all believer at the time of Salvation. (1 Cor. 12:13)


• Second Occurrence – Acts 10:44-48

1. Setting: Cornelius, an unsaved Gentile and his family, heard the gospel and believed.

2. This was a pivot point in the book of Acts.

• Repeated in Acts 11:15-18 and 15:6-9

• Prior to this time it was believed Gentiles would need to become Jews to be saved.

3. As a result of their belief, the Holy Spirit fell on them all and they began to speak in tongues.

4. They were Baptized at the moment they were saved.

• They did not pray for this work of the Holy Spirit

• They did not need to become Jews to be saved.

5. Tongues were a sign that Gentiles could accept the gospel on the same basis as the Jews: equal privilege.


• Third occurrence Acts 19:1-6

1. Setting: Ephesian Jews who knew only of John’s baptism, and most likely they were not saved.

2. When they heard the words of Paul, they were rebaptized with water

3. Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and Prophesied.

4. This was the last time the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the New Testament in conjunction with speaking in tongues.

• SPEAKING IN TONGUES IN ACTS

PASSAGE TONGUES SPEAKERS

AUDIENCE RELATED TO SALVATION

PURPOSE

2:1–4The 12 Apostles and others

Unsaved Jews After salvationTo validate (for Jews) the partial fulfillment of Joel 2:28

10:44–47Gentiles (Cornelius and his household)

Saved Jews (Peter and other) who doubted God’s plan

The same time as salvation

To validate (for Jews) God’s acceptance of Gentiles

19:1–7About 12 Old Testament believers

Jews who needed confirmation of the message

The same time as salvation

To validate (for Jews) Paul’s message

•

• II. Will tongues last forever?

• The Biblical answer is “NO.”

1. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:8 they will cease.

2. Tongues are not meant to last forever.

• Speaking In Tongues was a Temporary Gift

• Tongues began at Pentecost (Acts 2)

1. No record of Jesus or disciples speaking in tongues prior to this time.

• Tongues were a sign to Israel (1 Cor. 14:22, Mark 16:17, Heb. 2:4)

1. Inauguration of the Age of Grace

2. The fulfillment being fully established, there is no further need of the sign.

• Other gifts were also temporary

1. Miracles, Healing

• It is predicted that tongues would cease (1 Cor. 13:8).

1. II. Will tongues last forever?

• If the question is changed to, “Has tongues already ceased?” the answer will vary based upon your final authority.

1. Experience

2. Emotion

3. Scriptures

• III. When will tongues cease?

• When “that which is perfect” is come (1 Cor. 13:10)

• What does this mean?

2. The answer to the whole misunderstanding rests on this question.

• Fail/Vanish away : καταργέω (katargéō) which means to “render inoperative” – these verbs are in passive voice (prophecies, knowledge).

• Cease : παύω (paúō) which is in the middle voice (tongues).

• That which is perfect : to τέλειος (téleios) which is a neuter phrase.

• Points of observation:

3. The verbs associated with prophesy and knowledge are passive voice, meaning that they are acted upon.

• When “that which is perfect” comes, the action that this will have upon the gifts of prophecy and knowledge is that it will be rendered inoperative.

4. The verb associated with tongues is middle voice. The idea here is that it will stop by itself, it will run out.

• Meaning of “Perfect”

• 1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

τέλειος téleios – Finished, Perfect, Complete

• To what does perfect (το τέλειον) refer?

1. What are the options?

a. The Second Coming of Christ

b. The Rapture of the Church

c. The Maturity of the 1st Century Church

d. The Completion of the New Testament Canon

• What is the context of 1 Cor. 13?

• The over-arching theme deals with love’s superiority.

• Juxtaposed against love are some of the miraculous sign gifts.

– Prophecies

– Knowledge

– Tongues

• In comparing love to these sign gifts, the gifts are shown to be inferior to love because they are only temporary in nature.

• These temporary, partial gifts would be stopped when something complete came.

• What is the context of 1 Cor. 13?

• Since partial revelatory gifts are contrasted against that which is complete, the analogy is a comparison of partial vs. complete revelation.

• From this, we state that the complete revelation is the completed Scriptures.

• This same word is used to describe Scripture by James (in an adverbial form) in James 1:25 (…perfect law of liberty…)

• I. Why did God use this gift at all?

To confirm the Gospel message

1. When an Apostle spoke in tongues, it was a confirming sign. (Acts 2:15-19, Joel 2:28-32)

2. When portions of the Bible were being written, God confirmed the messengers with signs and wonders:

a. Moses – Law

b. Elijah – Prophets

c. Apostles – New Testament

• To confirm the Gospel message

3. The Jews require a sign. (1 Cor. 1:22)

3. Matthew 12:38

4. Matthew 16:1

5. John 2:18

6. John 6:30

4. Through the book of Acts (Chapter 2, 10, 19) Tongues was a sign to confirm the Gospel message was given to all people. (Heb. 2:3-4)

• 1 Corinthians 13:8

• Regardless of how one interprets “to τέλειον,” (perfect) tongues will have stopped on its own prior to the arrival of the complete “thing.”

• While the completed “thing” will cause prophecies and knowledge to be rendered inoperative, it will not have any effect upon tongues because it would have already ceased on its own accord after accomplishing its purpose.

• Perhaps this is why in 1 Corinthians 13:9 the writer only deals with prophecy and knowledge…

• The Holy Spirit, Ryrie, C. C,

• In Old Testament times, He did not perform miracles in every generation, but He did call the people to remember His mighty acts in previous generations. The knowledge of these, though not necessarily repeated in and experienced by each generation, was sufficient to encourage the people and to validate God’s truth. (See, for example, Deuteronomy 5:15; 7:18; 24:9; 32:7; Psalm 77:11; 78.) Remembering God’s marvelous and miraculous works should be sufficient encouragement and verification for those generations in which He did not do those works.

understanding the holy spirit as a person - gary...

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