If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit, and sets out His work on earth. He takes us to a new level of life, the presence of God in us and the dynamic of a relationship with the living God. This dynamic from God, is by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit has a number of titles - Comforter, Advocate, Helper ....
The presence of the Spirit of God takes us away from ‘Religion’, trying to reach God through rituals and living to a set of rules. The Spirit lives in us to empower a new life. The Holy Spirit is a person and we are sensitive to who He is - Who is the Spirit?
Bible Zone
The Bible zone looks at two passages, both from Jesus’ discourse to His disciples after the last supper on the night He was arrested.
- Jesus introduces the Spirit through whom He lives in us.
- The Spirit’s message - .The Spirit convicts the world and teaches disciples.
- The Spirit Arrives - The Spirit made His entrance 40 days after Jesus death.
Before Jesus’ death, the Holy Spirit’s work on earth among people was much more limited. Jesus raised the subject of the Holy Spirit coming on His last night on earth before He was executed. The passage is John 14 v 16-21
- What are the links between Ourselves, the Father, Jesus and the Spirit?
- What are the characteristics of the person who can or cannot receive the Spirit?
- What distinction does Jesus make between where the Holy Spirit is and where He will be? Where He is where He has been till that time. Where He will be is true now. The time of change was at Pentecost.
- Love is the key dynamic of the relationships. How does God’s love for us, and ours for Him change the tone of the relationship?
John 14 v 16-21 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.*18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."
The Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus for a purpose, so He comes with a mission. What can you discover of this from the following text, given a little later but on the same night as above. John 16:7-15
- What is the difference between Jesus being with us and the Helper being in us?
- What does the Helper do with the people who are against God?
- What does the Helper tell God’s people?
John 16:7-15 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate* won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'
The Holy Spirit had been promised by Jesus. He arrived at the day of Pentecost - 50 days after Passover, the day following Jesus’ death. His arrival resulted in a huge shift in our relationship with God. Instead of the Sprit being with us, now He is in us.
- How did the Holy Spirit make His appearance?
- What effect did His appearance have on the people He came to?
- What did the bystanders make of it?
1 On the day of Pentecost* all the believers were meeting together in one place.2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,* as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. "How can this be?" they exclaimed. "These people are all from Galilee,8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites ... And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!"12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other.
13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, "They're just drunk, that's all!"
HOLY SPIRIT INTRODUCED
