The Holy Spirit in the Epistles
Day 45 — The Epistles Speak: More Functions of the Holy Spirit
Hebrews—Jude
Hebrews
26. The Gospel first spoken of by the Lord was confirmed by witnesses, God 1:3,4
testifying along with them with miracles, signs and wonders and 2:2-4
gifts of the Holy Spirit by His will.
27. The Holy Spirit reminds us to listen to God’s voice and not harden our hearts. 3:7,8
28. [Difficult passage] The Holy Spirit enlightens and allows us to taste the 6:4-6
good Word of God and the powers of the age to come. [The following portion
seems to say that this taste is so clear, that to fall away would be impossible or
perhaps denouncing the truth is so significant, that it’s a denial that any of the
Gospel is true and a rejection of the Holy Spirit’s place of helping us understand
the truth.]
29. The new covenant promised to Israel “after those days” will be one in which He 8:8-11
will put His laws into their minds, write them into their hearts. They won’t
have to teach each other to know the Lord. This sounds much like the
functioning Holy Spirit.
30. The Holy Spirit reveals the idea that the while the old tabernacle is standing, 9:8-18
the way into the holy place is not clear which is symbolic of the need for Christ
to die and pave the way into the presence of God by cleansing the conscience,
not by a tabernacle made by human hands, but by God, not relying on the blood
of goats and bulls, but the precious blood of Christ.
James
31. The Wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy 3:17
and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. [How could the wisdom
from above not be the Holy Spirit manifesting fruits in us.]
32. God jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us. 4:5
[As opposed to the world competing for our affection. (4:4,5)
I Peter
33. The Spirit sanctifies us to obey Jesus 1:2
34. We can be grateful for the prophets who listened to the Holy Spirit and 1:10-12
to those who introduced us to the Gospel revealed by the Holy Spirit.
35. The angels marvel at what the Holy Spirit has sent to us. 1:12
36. Each is to exercise the gifts given by God [Holy Spirit—see 1 Cor 12 4:10
Each has received gifts]
37. If you are reviled for Christ’s name, the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 4:14
2 Peter
38. Scripture is not for one’s own interpretation, but because the Holy Spirit 1:20,21
moved men and they spoke from God, listen accordingly.
1 John
39. The believers have an anointing from the Holy One and so they know the 2:20
truth.
40. Confidence that we belong to God comes from keeping His commands, 3:20-24
abiding in Him and the Spirit whom He has given us.
41. The Spirit of God is in those who confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. 4:2
42. We know we abide in God and God abides in us when we love one another 4:12-14
and because God has given us His Spirit
43. The Spirit, along with the testimony of the blood and water are in agreement 5:5-9
in declaring Jesus is the Son of God.
44. Contrast between those devoid of the Spirit causing divisions, being worldly Jude 1:19-21
minded vs. those building themselves up in their faith, praying in the Holy
Spirit.
45. Holy Spirit in Revelation is covered in Appendix 12
Questions:
1. When Hebrews 6:4-5 says we have:
a. “been enlightened and
b. have tasted of the heavenly gift and
c. have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and
d. have tasted the good word of God and
e. tasted the powers of the age to come.”
What does each of these mean to you?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2. Are there any passages that you are seeing freshly for the first time? Circle them for future
reference.
3. If God jealously desires the Spirit He has made to dwell in us, it must be precious. How can we
make sure there is no distraction from the Spirit and allow it to have comfortable residency in
our hearts?
4. If you are cursed for the name of Jesus, what does that mean about the Spirit?
Are you good with that?
5. When Jude talks about praying in the Holy Spirit, what does that look like?
Reflection, Notes and Prayer
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the midst of his brothers;
and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward…
Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord
terrorized him.
1 Samuel 16:13,14
From the outset, the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters in Creation.
Adam had walks in the presence of God, but by the time of Genesis 6, the Spirit is done
striving with man and God gives Noah the plan to cleanse the earth. In the ages following,
The Spirit of the Lord came upon dozens of men for a season and a purpose, but was not
accessible as He is now. David received the anointing long term and still had moments of
failure as we do now. Saul had brief encounters, including prophesying with the prophets,
but disobedience distanced him from the Spirit of God who was removed. Various prophets
proclaimed, “thus says the Lord…” and then proclaimed the revelation of God, but it was
transient for the most part.
And then…
Joel, Ezekiel and Isaiah proclaimed the wonderful day ahead when
God would pour out His Spirit on all mankind.
Paul called this the mystery hidden from ages past, but now we have
the hope of glory in Christ with His presence in us by the Holy Spirit.
Days 46-49 — 4 Old Testament men encountering the Holy Spirit.
Appendix 2 –Outlines all of the Old Testament mentions of the Holy Spirit.
Day 46 The Holy Spirit Upon Bezalel, et al, to Build a Place of Worship Exodus 25-36
Reflection, Notes and Prayer