A Summary
This series on the Holy Spirit highlights the close connection between living by the Holy Spirit and adopting the mindset displayed by Christ on the cross. Although there is certainly much more that can be said about the Holy Spirit, we cannot say any less. This aspect of the Holy Spirit that is central to the teachings of the New Testament, yet it often goes unnoticed or receives minimal attention.
The study began by exploring the meaning of the word “spirit.” The Hebrew word “Ruakh” and the Greek word “Pnuma” both conveyed the basic meaning of “wind” or “breath.” Spirit refers to the air that enters and exits our lungs, sustaining life. It is the stuff that gives thoughts and ideas. A person’s spirit is expressed through spoken words as they are breathed out. If you want to describe a person’s mindset or way of thinking, you could use the word “spirit.”
Not only do humans have a spirit, but God also has a Spirit. God’s Spirit is the source of all life. Just as a person’s spirit is closely connected to their spoken words, God’s Spirit is closely connected to His words. The first mention of God’s Spirit is found in Genesis 1:2, which states that “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”. In the very next verse, we read that “God said.” God’s Spirit has always been closely connected to His words.
Part 2: The Holy Spirit in Creation
Throughout the Old Testament, there were special occasions when God’s Spirit filled certain individuals, such as judges, kings, or prophets. When God’s Spirit filled someone, it meant that that their words and actions could be attributed to God Himself. In other words, their words reflected the mind of God and were not solely a product of their own thinking.
Part 3: When God’s Spirit Fills People
Part 4: The Holy Spirit Gave Us The Old Testament
The prophets anticipated a day when God’s Spirit would no longer be poured out on a select few, but on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32). They anticipated a time when God would give His people new life, a new heart, and a new Spirit. Putting His Spirit in His people would enable them to walk according to His statutes and obey His rules (Ezek. 36:26-27). The prophets foresaw that God’s people would be changed from within, where they would obey Him from their hearts. Their spirit would be made new, so that their thinking would look like God’s as they walked in harmony with His laws.
Part 5: Prophesies Concerning the Spirit
This anticipation is further developed in the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist foretold that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Himself promised to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples after his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit was described as “The Spirit of Truth” and a “Helper” who would teach them and bring to remembrance all of Jesus’s words (John 14:19-26). As in the Old Testament, the “Spirit” remained closely linked to the ideas, commands, teachings, and mindset demonstrated and taught by Jesus Himself. Although Jesus would return to the Father, His “Spirit” would be sent in his place.
Part 6: The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus
Part 7: The Holy Spirit in John
Part 8: The Holy Spirit Raised Jesus From the Dead
Part 9: Baptism With The Holy Spirit
After Jesus’s ascension, the promised coming of the Holy Spirit became a reality. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8), the Gentiles (Acts 10), and the disciples of John (Acts 19). This outpouring of the Spirit was accompanied by astonishing signs and wonders, including the ability to speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues served as observable proof that their words originated from God’s Spirit.
Part 10: The Fulfillment of the Promise of the Spirit
Part 11: Speaking in Tongues as a Sign of the Spirit
Throughout the book of Acts, the miraculous outpouring of the Spirit consistently connected with baptism. When God’s Spirit was poured out, those who believed the gospel responded with baptism. The connection between the Holy Spirit and baptism is explained throughout Paul’s writings, where he states that all Christians are baptized in the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).
Part 12: All Christians are Baptized in the Spirit
Part 13: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Baptism
Through baptism, the Spirit is “given,” “sent”, or “poured out” into their hearts (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Rom. 5:5). The Spirit solves the heart problem highlighted in the Old Testament, as a person’s mind is transformed to live according to the Spirit. Through this transformation, the Spirit offers hope for new life (Rom. 8:1-9).
Part 14: The Holy Spirit and the Heart
Living according to God’s Spirit means aligning with God’s way of thinking. It requires focusing our minds on the things of the Spirit and submitting to God’s law (Rom. 8:5-7). It means adopting mind of God, particularly the mind of Christ on the cross, being crucified and suffering with Him (Phil. 2:1-8).
Part 16: The Fruit of the Spirit
Part 17: The Spirit Links Christians to the Cross
The Spirit did empower individuals for a time to work miracles, but the enduring work of the Spirit is seen when Christians live with Christ-like love. It is only through the Spirit, by embracing the wisdom of the sufferings seen on the cross, that Christians can confesses Jesus as Lord. All other teachings or ideas should be tested in light of the Spirit of God as seen on the cross.
Part 19: The Spirit and Miraculous Gifts
Part 20: The Holy Spirit and Confession
The Holy Spirit is the source of life, and the basis of the Christian’s hope of resurrection. However, this hope is contingent on our commitment to live by the Spirit in the present. It requires us to think with the mind of Christ and live not by our own wisdom but by the Spirit of God as demonstrated by Christ on the cross.
Part 22: The Holy Spirit, Suffering, and Hope
In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is not merely an emotion or a feeling. Being led by the Spirit is not simply following our own hearts. To be led by the Spirit is to be guided by God’s thinking, words, and wisdom. It is a particular way of living that submits to God’s commands, even to the point of suffering and death. It involves loving others, even at the cost of our own lives.
The Spirit of God is clearly seen in the Spirit of Christ on the cross. As we set our minds on the things of the Spirit, we seek to imitate Him. As we live by the Spirit of His Son, who was sent into our hearts, the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit first created life, the Holy Spirit is the foundation of our hope for new life in the resurrection. But this hope is contingent on living by the Spirit now, in the present, by sharing in Christ’s suffering.
Implications
- To live by the Holy Spirit is more than simply following the Bible. But it is not less than that.
Old Testament Israel had inspired Scripture, yet the heart still needed to be changed (Deut. 10:16). The New Testament distinguishes serving in the new way of the Spirit from the old way of simply following a written letter (Rom. 7:6). Serving by the Spirit necessitates a new heart and mind (Ezek. 36:26). However, living by the Spirit does not mean we can cast off God’s words; to the contrary, it requires submission to them. Living contrary to God’s inspired word is characteristic of living by the flesh (Rom. 8:7-8).
- To live by the Holy Spirit means to live in purity and holiness, denying our flesh.
As we live by the Spirit, our bodies become a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Our bodies must be treated as sacred space. Whoever disregards purity and holiness disregards the Holy Spirit.
For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
- The Holy Spirit is the key to unity.
No matter their background, Christians are one in Christ because they are baptized in one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Unity and peace are experienced in the Spirit. (Eph. 4:3-4). In Philippians Paul emphasizes that fellowship in the Spirit is found only as we live with them mind of Christ, as seen in his humility on the cross (Phil. 2:1-8).
- The Holy Spirit is the source of love.
God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). Love is listed as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). God abides in us as we mimic His love on the cross.
In this is love, not that we have loved God that but he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:10-12
- The Holy Spirit is God’s Power in Weakness
He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.
2 Corinthians 13:3b-4:a
The power of the Holy Spirit was seen in the creation of the world and in the resurrection of Jesus, and He will be the power of resurrection for all of those who are in Christ (Rom. 1:20; 8:9). The question is not whether the Holy Spirit is powerful, but how His power is experienced now. The power of the Holy Spirit is found not in human wisdom, influence, political power, or strength. It was human strength that nailed Jesus to the cross. But it was in this moment, when Jesus subjected himself to a place of supreme weakness, that the power of the Holy Spirit was seen most powerfully. We access His power as we share in His sufferings.
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11
Conclusion
Although is much more that can and should be said about the Holy Spirit, it is crucial for the church to grasp this key point. Living by the Spirit requires adopting God’s way of thinking, exemplified by the Spirit of Christ on the cross. Trying to obey Scripture is necessary, but it is insufficient in and of itself. Our hearts must be transformed by suffering and dying with Christ. Living by the Spirit by following the crucified Savior leads to unity, love, and hope for resurrected life in Him.
The Christian Exile 