The Presence of the Holy Spirit
![The Presence of the Holy Spirit in our Daily Life
Part 2 - The Holy Spirit
By Pastor Dan Kennedy
© February 16, 2013b
www.pastorkennedy.com
Why is the work of the Holy Spirit extremely important in our lives?
If we are believers in Christ’s Redemption and discount the Holy Spirit’s Presence in our lives, it can be extremely detrimental to us – especially to our spiritual growth.
We make hundreds of decisions every day.
• Do we go here or there?
• Do we do this or that?
• Do we say something, or do we keep quiet?
• How should we govern our energies, our work, our pleasure, our pastime and our Spiritual lives?
• We cannot be paranoid about every decision we make, but on whom do we rely to give us valuable and constant input into our lives?
o Our own opinion?
o The opinions of those around us?
o The popular opinions expressed on the media?
o The politically correct opinion?
o The opinion from a variety of religious thought?
o The wisdom from God’s Word?
o The promptings of the Holy Spirit within us (in agreement with God’s Word, the Bible)?
It is obvious that some of the many daily decisions we make may seem small, but they still could become critical and life changing.
Remember the old poem:
For want of a horseshoe nail, the shoe was lost,
For want of the shoe, the horse was lost,
For want of the horse, the rider was lost,
For want of the rider, the battle was lost,
For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a nail! *
*The origination of the poem is sometimes attributed to the story where King Richard III lost to Henry Tudor, crying "My horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse!"
Does the Presence of the Holy Spirit in our life affect the decisions we make in our life every day, or do we just make our own decisions based on our own or other’s opinions?
Small decisions or events may not always affect us, but at times they can be life changing! For people who find themselves in very awkward or life-threatening situations it is sometimes said (after the fact),
“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time!”
How important is it that these “wrong places at the wrong time” be avoided? Maybe there was an occasion that we knew was wrong (from God’s Word) or we had discounted or brushed aside a “prompting” of the Holy Spirit, which may have kept us from being snared by a dangerous situation? Or, maybe God had allowed the dangerous situation as a trial. We do not know, but to be sensitive to the Presence of the Holy Spirit in our life is very critical, no matter what our circumstance.
How we make decisions affects what our future will become. The foundation of how we make decisions and who influences our decisions will affect our life and the lives of those around us…potentially for generations to come.
If we consider ourselves to be Christians, should we consciously seek the wisdom from God’s Word and Presence of the Holy Spirit in the process of our daily decision making?
What does our Physical Body become, when we become true Christians?
Do we want God’s Power in our life? The most fundamental level of God’s Power in our life should be from the Holy Spirit. The physical body of those who believe in Jesus Christ is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Is His Presence in our body of no value? If the Holy Spirit lives in us shouldn’t we seek His guidance in the decisions we make?
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
The following is a brief review of our previous message on God, The Holy Spirit:
How Did the Holy Spirit work in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon and empowered individuals for specific service for God, not on all of the Israelites, as referenced in examples of a random selection of Old Testament individuals listed below:
• Various Individuals in the Old Testament were indwelt by the Holy Spirit, for God’s Purposes, such as:
o Joseph, to save his family from famine, Genesis 41:38;
o Joshua, to lead the Israelites after Moses’ death, Numbers 27:18
o Bezalel, a gifted craftsman to build the Tabernacle, Exodus 31:2–3
• Judges of Israel were empowered by the Holy Spirit to Lead Israel:
o Othniel, Judges 3:10
o Gideon, Judges 6:34
o Jephthah, Judges 11:29
o Sampson, Judges 14:6, 19
• Prophets of Israel were inspired to give God’s Word to His People:
o Ezekiel, Ezekiel 11:24
o Daniel, Daniel 4:8
o Micah, Micah 3:8
• Those who wrote the Scripture were Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God:
2 Peter 1:19–21
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
• Kings of Israel (the Holy Spirit came and was removed depending on the king’s obedience):
Judges 16:20; 1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 18:12; Psalm 51:11; etc.
In the New Testament, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all people, as prophesied by Joel in Joel 2:28-29 – all who came to Christ (Acts 2:38), not just ones, as in the Old Testament, who were empowered for God’s service.
Joel 2:28, 29
28 `And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.’
This prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost – when the Coming of the Holy Spirit was for “all” as declared by Peter in his message at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-21):
Acts 2:16–21
16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood, ...
(These events happened in a foreshadowing, at Christ’s crucifixion – darkness, a serious earthquake [fire/smoke] and a “blood moon” lunar eclipse [April 3, A.D. 33?]. See Matt. 27:45 [Darkness]; Matt 27:51-54 [Earthquake/fire/smoke]; and the sun blotted out, Luke 16:44-45. These events will also happen in profound fullness at the “end of days” before the 2nd Coming of Christ in Power and Glory –
Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 6:12-17)
...before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Peter then qualified whom the Holy Spirit’s coming on “all” meant, in the message at Pentecost…on “all” who believed in Christ, regardless of ethnic background.
Acts 2:38
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
• “New Birth” was Absent in the Old Testament. “New Birth” is not found in the Old Testament, because Jesus Christ, God’s Son the Messiah, had not provided the necessary redemptive sacrifice, followed by the Holy Spirit’s coming in His fullness. The people of faith, in the Old Testament, looked forward to the Messiah’s coming and thus their faith was counted as Righteousness.
Romans 4:22–25
22 That is why his [Abraham’s] faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
• This was the “Mystery” from the beginning of time, in the fullness of time – that Salvation through Christ would be offered to all who believe...including the Gentiles…and the whole world (John 3:16)!
Ephesians 1:9–10
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Colossians 1:26–27
26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
What had to precede the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?
• Jesus Christ’s redemptive Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension to His Father – Christ’s Glorification!
John 7:38–39
38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Why did the Holy Spirit Come?
The Holy Spirit came to Convict us of sin, righteousness, judgment and things to come, so we will turn to Christ, and turn away from sin (John 16:7-11, 13)
The Holy Spirit came to Transform those who put their faith in Christ (John 3:3, 5-8, 16; Titus 3:5-6)
The Holy Spirit came to Teach us about Christ and the meaning of His Word (John 16:13-14)
The Holy Spirit came to Comfort us in our daily life (Acts 9:8; John 14:16)
The Holy Spirit came to Guide us in life’s direction (Romans 8:14)
The Holy Spirit came to Empower us for Spiritual Service (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit Came to Transform a sinful person, who comes to believe in Jesus Christ for his or her salvation, to become a Child of the Most High God, and to live with God, forever! (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22)
Controversial Views on the Holy Spirit
The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost has been the subject of many divergent views. Some of the most controversial in the modern day church has been the teaching that:
All believers need a “second blessing” of the Holy Spirit, and
2. To reveal that we have had this “second blessing” and “fullness of the Spirit” we should evidence a “sign gift” such as speaking in tongues.
These teachings declare that if we do not experience the same signs that those in Acts experienced, that we do not have the fullness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Is this teaching Biblically sound? We will be looking at Acts and 1 Corinthians to find out.
These messages are seeking to give the Believer in Jesus Christ a clear understanding about the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our life.
Of course, our enemy, the Devil, wants there to be great confusion and dissension about the work of the Holy Spirit so God’s people will be powerless to do the work of God, if in fact, the Holy Spirit is the primary source of Spiritual power in the life of the Believer in Christ – the Christian! The truth is: the Holy Spirit is the believer’s only power! No wonder why the confusion and doctrinal distractions!
We must also understand that the Holy Spirit never contradicts Jesus’ Word – the Word of God – the Bible. The Holy Spirit came to teach us Jesus’ Word (John 14:26; 16:13-15). It is through our understanding of the Scripture, as interpreted by the Holy Spirit that we can have stability. If we do not have a primary source for Truth, we then are like a wave of the sea, driven by any prevailing wind of thought – unstably tossed back and forth.
Events in Acts revealing that the Holy Spirit’s coming was for ALL – everyone on earth who would receive Christ. It was not for just the “Firstborn” Jewish Race. (God’s Chosen People were intended by God to be a Light for the whole world. Isaiah 49:6; 45:22.)
On whom was the Holy Spirit specifically poured out in Acts?
1. Believing Jews: the Holy Spirit is poured out upon those in God’s “Firstborn” heritage – the believers in Christ who were Jewish people, Acts 2.
2. Believing Samaritans: the “unacceptable outcast” Samaritans (a mixed Jewish race) were also given the sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-22). These were believing Samaritans who were baptized in Jesus’ Name by Philip (Acts 8:12), and there were also those in Samaria who were baptized in Jesus’ name before the death and resurrection of Jesus - and before Pentecost, most likely baptized by Jesus’ disciples after Jesus had spoken to the woman at the well (John 3:22; 4:1-2).
3. Believing Gentiles: Cornelius and those with him, the “unclean” Gentiles in Acts 10, represent the astounding outpouring of God’s Spirit on those not in the “chosen people” – the most profound revelation of the “All” prophesied by Joel in Joel 2:28-30. This amazing event revealed God’s mysterious plan of salvation to the gentiles (Col. 1:25-28) – after thousands of years when faith in God was focused through the Jewish Nation – from the faith of Abraham. Now, in Cornelius, Peter revealed to the other Apostles and church leaders in Jerusalem (Acts 11) that the gentiles could now experience forgiveness of sins, redemptive faith and New Birth through Jesus Christ, outside of the Jewish traditions. This was God’s great Mystery for millennia, now revealed. Salvation was now opened to ALL, who by faith trusted in the redemption that was in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul eventually became known as the “Apostle to the Gentiles”, because he took the Gospel to the Gentiles. If one today were to offer Paul the explanation that tongues revealed the “second blessing” (a term not mentioned, in that context, in the Scripture), Paul would have incredulously replied that this sign revealed something far, far more profound…Salvation was now incredibly available to the hated and despised nations (consistently and derogatorily called “the uncircumcised”, “heathen”, “unclean”, and “dogs” by those in the Jewish nation – for centuries, because of their corrupt, perverted and idolatrous practices). All could now come to Christ – “For whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved!” Romans 10:13 (Gal. 3:26-29)
4. Believing Disciples of John the Baptist: Disciples baptized by John the Baptist in the Greek city of Ephesus who were unaware that there was even a Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2-6).
The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost in Jerusalem…upon those who believed in Jesus, who were Jews. This was a dramatic and earth shaking event to those who experienced the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and heard the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their various diverse languages (tongues). But this was an event that happened to those who were Jews – the Chosen Firstborn – the Elect Nation, through which the Messiah would come. Up until this time all non-Jews, who were called gentiles (and a list of other not so complimentary names), did not have a chance to be part of God’s Chosen People, unless they converted to Judaism, rife with its traditions and regulations.
When Jesus Christ came, was crucified, buried and rose again…after which there was poured out the promised Holy Spirit at Pentecost, there was a dynamic change. Salvation was now for “ALL” who by faith accepted Jesus as their Messiah – remember the prophecy of the Spirit on all, in Joel 2:28-30, repeated at the fulfillment of the prophecy on Pentecost by Peter in his message in Acts 2:16-21?
The Jewish nation…and the Apostles were not expecting this huge ALL change, until Peter was called to share the Gospel message with Cornelius. Let’s look at what happened from the Scriptural perspective. If we do not comprehend how much of a “bomb shell” this was on the Apostles and Jewry in general, then we will not be able to put this event in proper perspective – simply looking at the “sign gift” or “second blessing” aspect and not at its actual ground shattering religious dimension will reveal a fundamental need to change the meaning of the passage to meet an alternate personal interpretation, which is not Scripturally sound. This event was ground shaking! Each of the similar events spoken of in Acts let the Jewish believers understand that “God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth!” (1 Tim. 2:4-7)
It was a huge thing for Jewish Peter to go to and fellowship with a gentile (Cornelius)…and to give him the Gospel and baptize him! Unthinkable!
Crossing the Great Divide!! ALL can come to Christ – from any ethnic people group…because of who Christ is, not because of their heritage or upbringing.
Acts 10–11 (from The Message – Please read in your translation of choice.)
Peter’s Vision
1–3 There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer. One day about three o’clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbor, came in and said, “Cornelius.”
4–6 Cornelius stared hard, wondering if he was seeing things. Then he said, “What do you want, sir?”
The angel said, “Your prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. Here’s what you are to do. Send men to Joppa to get Simon, the one everyone calls Peter. He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is down by the sea.”
7–8 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two servants and one particularly devout soldier from the guard. He went over with them in great detail everything that had just happened, and then sent them off to Joppa.
9–13 The next day as the three travelers were approaching the town, Peter went out on the balcony to pray. It was about noon. Peter got hungry and started thinking about lunch. While lunch was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the skies open up. Something that looked like a huge blanket lowered by ropes at its four corners settled on the ground. Every kind of animal and reptile and bird you could think of was on it. Then a voice came: “Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.”
14 Peter said, “Oh, no, Lord. I’ve never so much as tasted food that was not kosher.”
15 The voice came a second time: “If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.”
16 This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the skies.
17–20 As Peter, puzzled, sat there trying to figure out what it all meant, the men sent by Cornelius showed up at Simon’s front door. They called in, asking if there was a Simon, also called Peter, staying there. Peter, lost in thought, didn’t hear them, so the Spirit whispered to him, “Three men are knocking at the door looking for you. Get down there and go with them. Don’t ask any questions. I sent them to get you.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I think I’m the man you’re looking for. What’s up?”
22–23 They said, “Captain Cornelius, a God-fearing man well-known for his fair play—ask any Jew in this part of the country—was commanded by a holy angel to get you and bring you to his house so he could hear what you had to say.” Peter invited them in and made them feel at home.
God Plays No Favorites
23–26 The next morning he got up and went with them. Some of his friends from Joppa went along. A day later they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had his relatives and close friends waiting with him. The minute Peter came through the door, Cornelius was up on his feet greeting him—and then down on his face worshiping him! Peter pulled him up and said, “None of that—I’m a man and only a man, no different from you.”
27–29 Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, “You know, I’m sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don’t do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked. But now I’d like to know why you sent for me.”
30–32 Cornelius said, “Four days ago at about this time, mid-afternoon, I was home praying. Suddenly there was a man right in front of me, flooding the room with light. He said, ‘Cornelius, your daily prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. I want you to send to Joppa to get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’s staying with Simon the Tanner down by the sea.’
33 “So I did it—I sent for you. And you’ve been good enough to come. And now we’re all here in God’s presence, ready to listen to whatever the Master put in your heart to tell us.”
34–36 Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
37–38 “You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.
39–43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully hand-picked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
44–46 No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.
46–48 Then Peter said, “Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They’ve received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.” Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.
Then Peter reported his breach of normal Jewish religious etiquette to the
Jewish Church leaders!
Acts 11
God Has Broken Through
1–3 The news traveled fast and in no time the leaders and friends back in Jerusalem heard about it—heard that the non-Jewish “outsiders” were now “in.” When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet: “What do you think you’re doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?”
4–6 So Peter, starting from the beginning, laid it out for them step-by-step: “Recently I was in the town of Joppa praying. I fell into a trance and saw a vision: Something like a huge blanket, lowered by ropes at its four corners, came down out of heaven and settled on the ground in front of me. Milling around on the blanket were farm animals, wild animals, reptiles, birds—you name it, it was there. Fascinated, I took it all in.
7–10 “Then I heard a voice: ‘Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.’ I said, ‘Oh, no, Master. I’ve never so much as tasted food that wasn’t kosher.’ The voice spoke again: ‘If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.’ This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the sky.
11–14 “Just then three men showed up at the house where I was staying, sent from Caesarea to get me. The Spirit told me to go with them, no questions asked. So I went with them, I and six friends, to the man who had sent for me. He told us how he had seen an angel right in his own house, real as his next-door neighbor, saying, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’ll tell you something that will save your life—in fact, you and everyone you care for.’
15–17 “So I started in, talking. Before I’d spoken half a dozen sentences, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us the first time. I remembered Jesus’ words: ‘John baptized with water; you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So I ask you: If God gave the same exact gift to them as to us when we believed in the Master Jesus Christ, how could I object to God?”
18 Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down. And then, as it sank in, they started praising God. “It’s really happened! God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!”
- The Message
In every case, Sign Gifts were a declaration to the Jewish Believers and Jewish Nation (and to Everyone), that God had truly opened the door of faith and Salvation to ALL people who believed on Jesus Christ, not just those who were obedient to the Jewish Traditions. Sign gifts in Acts were not a sign of a second blessing.
The following passage is an interesting glimpse into the jealousy of the religious Jews, which erupted from Paul and Barnabas’ presenting the Gospel in Antioch and Pisidia.
God’s Plan for the Jewish Nation was that it should be a Light to the Gentiles for Salvation to the ends of the earth… (see Isaiah 49:6; 45:22)
Acts 13:44–49
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
The Sign Gifts at Pentecost and following were to confirm that God’s Plan of Salvation was offered to ALL who would receive the Gift of Eternal Life!
Acts 15:3–11
3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Now let’s look at the other passages which have brought confusion into the church regarding the Holy Spirit.
The Conflict in the Corinthian Church in Greece over Sign Gifts
Let’s quickly review 1 Corinthians in context of a book written by the Apostle Paul to deal with problems in the Church…but, let’s especially review chapters 12 &14 which is the only passage in the Bible addressing “Sign Gifts”.
A Book from the Apostle Paul Dealing with Problems in the Church at Corinth
An Overview Outline of 1 Corinthians
1:1-9 Introduction and Thanksgiving
1:10-17 Divisions in the Church – “I follow Paul…Apollos…Cephas…Christ”
1:18-2:16 Christ the Wisdom and Power of God…Wisdom From the Spirit
Chapter 3 On Divisions in the Church (again)
Chapter 4 Who are the true Apostles of Christ?
Chapter 5 Expel the Immoral Brother!
Chapter 6 Lawsuits Among Believers and Sexual Immorality
Chapter 7 Various Issues of the day regarding Marriage
Chapter 8 Issues regarding Food Sacrificed to Idols
Chapter 9 The Rights of an Apostle – and Paul’s claim to be one
Chapter 10 Warnings From Israel’s History – on Idolatry and Temptation
Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper, and The Believer’s Freedom
Chapter 11 Leadership in the Home and Propriety in Worship
Instructions on properly following the Lord’s Supper
Chapter 12 Proper Use of Spiritual Gifts – One Body, Many Parts
1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
Remember that the Corinthian Church did not have the instruction of the New Testament to guide them, as we have it.
Chapter 13 – “the most excellent way” - Love – the most famous chapter in the Bible on LOVE, is sandwiched in between the instruction to the Church at Corinth on Sign Gifts.
Many of us can quote parts of 1 Corinthians 13, the “love chapter”.
1Cor. 13:13 So now abides faith, hope, and love (charity), these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Chapter 14 Issues surrounding Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues in the Church at Corinth, Greece (remember at that time they did not have the New Testament, the written word of God for the Church.)
1 Cor. 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:
“Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,”
says the Lord.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
Orderly Worship
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (See also 1 John 4:1-3 – test the spirits.)
Chapter 15 Instruction regarding the Resurrection of Christ and the Resurrection of the Dead, including The Resurrection Body
Chapter 16 The Collection for God’s People; Paul’s Personal Requests and Final Greetings
Is there any mention of a “second blessing” or additional filling of the Holy Spirit in these Scriptural passages?
Remember, that we now have the written Word of the New Testament; the church at Corinth did not. At that time all of Greece was imbedded with the cult of the Oracle of Delphi.
If you go through the rest of the Epistles and books of the New Testament, you will not find any mention of “Sign Gifts” or “Second Blessings”. If these were of ultimate importance, all these letters of instruction would be filled with their imperatives.
What then, is the extreme importance of Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit came for the transformation of those who are Believers in Jesus Christ to be Children of the Living God and the Empowerment by Him to accomplish His purposes in our daily life.
Let’s look how this works in our life.
Question: Is God’s Word consistent and important with the Work of His Holy Spirit?
If it is, should we not be spending time in God’s Word – every day, if possible?
Renewing our Minds: Romans 12:1–2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
If we want God’s Spirit to guide us, should we not be listening for His Voice in our heart when we are meditating on God’s Word?
God’s Word, the Foundation of our Study Groups
When various groups meet together in Bible Studies throughout the week, the stable source for each meeting is not centered on the interaction we have regarding our daily lives – which can be beautiful times of fellowship in themselves, but our central stability is based on our understanding and fellowship around the Truth of God’s Word.
Without God’s Word being our stability, we will simply express loyalty or disloyalty, acceptance or lack of acceptance, to other group member’s opinions, dogmatisms, or personal philosophies.
Why is it important that we seek the fullness of the spirit in our daily life?
Why is it important that we make decisions seeking the mind of the Holy Spirit, in tune with the Truths of the Word of God?
The Centrality of God’s Word in Scriptural Churches:

Each of our discussions should have God’s Word and Spiritual Understanding from the Holy Spirit as the foundation and support basis of our wisdom and interaction, individually or in a group setting.
The World’s Decision Making Methods:

Group Think - what we conclude in a group consensus, as being a “right” action in any particular circumstance, does not automatically mean it is the best or even the “right” answer. A dominant or persuasive opinion may capture our mind, but it may not be the accurate conclusion, in fact, it may be spiritually deceptive.
1 Timothy 4:1
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
What does God’s Word and God’s Holy Spirit have to say? Have we sought Biblical wisdom and Spiritual wisdom before making our decision? Our decision may have wide and continuing outcomes even for generations to come.
Decision Making in Seeking the Mind of the Holy Spirit:

We need the best answers, especially when we go through trials…
James 1:2–8
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
May we seek Godly wisdom in our daily life, from God’s Word and His Holy Spirit!
Conclusion
Why Did the Holy Spirit Come?
• The Holy Spirit came to Convict us of sin, so we will turn to Christ, and turn away from sin (John 16:7-11)
• The Holy Spirit came to Transform those who put their faith in Christ
(John 3:3, 5-8, 16; Titus 3:5-6)
• The Holy Spirit came to Teach us about Christ and the meaning of His Word (John 16:13-14)
• The Holy Spirit came to Comfort us in our daily life
(Acts 9:8; John 14:16)
• The Holy Spirit came to Guide us in life’s direction (Romans 8:14)
• The Holy Spirit came to Empower us for Spiritual Service (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit Came to Transform a sinful person, who comes to believe in Jesus Christ for his or her salvation, to become a Child of the Most High God and to live with God, forever! (Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Cor. 1:22)
Will you and I consciously seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our Daily Life?](The_Presence_of_the_Holy_Spirit_files/shapeimage_2.png)
