- We believe in the heart

- We confess(speak) with the mouth

Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”

2 Corinthians 4:13, “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.”

Psalm 116:8-10, “For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted…”

The Spirit-Filled Life.

The desire of the Lord for every one of His children is to fill them with His Spirit. Why? Because it is only through the power of His Spirit that we can overcome the world and live victoriously for His glory. Before Jesus ascended He promised to send the Holy Spirit.

The Christian life is impossible without the supernatural help the Holy Spirit provides. In fact, He is called the Paraklete, from a Greek word which literally means the one called alongside to help. That is His purpose- to help you do what you cannot do in your own strength.

Biblical Basis

Ephesians 5:18, “And do not be drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always.”

Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”

Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…”

2 Corinthians 4:13, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak…’

Key Points

It is God’s desire that every child of God be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit enables believers to live victoriously. Without the help of the Spirit, the Christian life is impossible.

There is believing faith and there is speaking faith or Faith is not something which we have, as much as it is something which we do.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

The Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 requested prayers from evil men, taking note that ‘not all men have faith’. If all men don’t have faith, discuss how one acquires authentic or real faith.

How does real faith work?

The Holy Spirit has always been active on earth

The Spirit was present when the earth was created in Genesis 1. He was active in the Old Testament when He anointed kings and prophets to do special works for God. But His ministry was limited because the issue of sin had not yet been fully dealt with and until that issue was resolved, He could not indwell human beings.

The good news is that in the New Testament, the promise of the Spirit is made to every believer. Unlike the days before Jesus died, when the Holy Spirit was only made available temporarily to a few people, like the prophets and kings, to enable them to carry out special assignments, the Holy Spirit is now the birthright of every person who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Romans 8:15-17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Joel 2:28, “And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”

John 7:37-38, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink and he that believes on me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water..”

Key Points

In the Old Testament the Spirit anointed kings and prophets temporarily for special works.

In the New Testament, the promise of the Spirit is for every believer.

The Holy Spirit is available to ordinary people to help them successfully live their lives for the glory of God.

Jesus accomplished our salvation, but it is the job of the Holy Spirit to apply it to our lives.

The Holy Spirit now indwells believers permanently.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What is the difference between the work of the Spirit in the Old Testament and the New Testament?

The Holy Spirit has five key ministries:

1. Conviction: He causes us to see our sins and to desire God’s gift of forgiveness and righteousness.(Jn. 16:8)

2. Regeneration: He quickens our spirits and causes them to be born-again.

3. Baptism: He places us into the body of Christ spiritually and seals us as belonging to Christ eternally.

4. Empowerment: He strengthens and gives spiritual gifts for service.

Faith is Based on the Word of God

Key Points

God's Word is infallible. His Word is true. God cannot lie.