Pneumatology: What Does the Holy

Spirit Do?

A Study of the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

“The Christian life begins and continues by the power of the Holy Spirit, whom God has

graciously sent first to awaken us to our need for salvation, then to give us a new birth, and finally

to dwell within us to eventually present us flawless when Christ returns.”

John MacArthur, The Silent Shepherd.

THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• Divine titles of the Holy Spirit• Attributes of the Holy Spirit

Omniscience Omnipresence Omnipotence Truth Wisdom

• Work of the Holy Spirit Creation Inspiration Virgin birth of Christ Regeneration of man Comfort of man Sanctification of man Intercessor for man in prayer

THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• He is a person because of His intellect, emotions, and will

• He is a person because of His functions• He is a person because of His

relationships

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

• was limited in number• was limited in duration• was for special service

REGENERATING WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• In the Old TestamentConviction of sinTransformation of heart

• In the New TestamentThe Holy Spirit is the producer of new lifeThe instrument the Holy Spirit uses to

regenerate men is the Word of God

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• To believe in Christ is to receive baptism of the Spirit Receiving the baptism of Spirit means being placed in

the body of Christ Every believer receives the same Spirit at point of

salvation The Holy Spirit is God’s agent in bringing believers into

body of Christ. It is the Spirit’s initiation and work that produces His baptism.

• Salvation and baptism are not two separate phases of regeneration.

THE SEALING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• The dominant truths about the Spirit’s work to seal believers are the ideas of ownership, authority, responsibility, and security:

1. The certainty of possession by God.2. The certainty of the promise of His salvation.3. The certainty of His purpose to keep us until the day of

redemption.

• “…only God can break the seal of our redemption, and He has promised not to do so; and the guarantee of that promise is the presence of the Holy Spirit who is the one in whom we have been sealed by God.” [Ryrie, The Holy Spirit.]

THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• Jn. 14:6 — He is given as a promise of Christ • Eph. 1:13 — He is given at the time of salvation• 1 Cor. 6:19 — He is given to all believers (even

the not so godly ones) • Eph. 4:30 — He is given as a promise of the

future • Psalm 51:11 — He is given, never to be taken

away

THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation,

but be filled with the Spirit…” (Eph. 5:18)

THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• Filling, unlike indwelling and sealing, is a command• Filling is conditional• Filling is repeated

THE SIN AGAINSTTHE HOLY SPIRIT

•The sin was against Christ•The sin was against the Holy Spirit•The sin against the Spirit was eternal

THE GIFTS OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT

• These gifts are gifts of grace• The gifts are various, but the source and purpose is the

same• The gifts are exercised by the individual, but God is still

the One who does the work• These gifts are supernatural, not natural• These gifts are to each individual believer to be used in

serving others• These gifts are to be used in proportion to the grace

that gave them to us• These gifts are given according to the Spirit’s will, not

worthiness or unworthiness• These gifts are for the benefit of the entire church

THE FRUIT OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT

Distinctions Between Spiritual Fruit and Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Fruit

Spiritual Gifts

Corporal

Individual

Common Command

Particular Equipping

Singular

Plural

THE FRUIT OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT

SINS OF THE FLESH

Physical Spiritual RelationalLack of Discipline

hatreddiscordjealousyangerselfish ambitiondissensionsfactionsenvying