Questions Concerning the Holy Spirit

[Way195]

Hello everyone, I'm currently going through a study book about the doctrines of the Bible and I came across a few questions that are a bit tough to answer so I thought I'd see if you'all have a some insights on these.

#1 what is the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament verses today?

#2 How is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit evidenced in the lives of Christians?

#3 What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? (John 3:5)

#4 Why will we bear fruit if we possess the gifts of the Spirit?

#5 When does a person receive the baptism of the Spirit?

I'll appreciate any thoughts you have to share to get my mind spinning...

Thanks

Edited February 13, 2013 by Way195

[nebula]

Hello Way -

#1 what is the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament verses today?

As I understand it, the only difference is that before the Pentecost outpouring, the Holy Spirit only "came up" certain individuals. But now He comes upon all of us who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior.

#2 How is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit evidenced in the lives of Christians?

There should be evidence of a changed heart - love for God and love for others , a different perspective on things that are more in-line with holiness, etc. At least the beginnings of such things should be manifested.

#3 What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? (John 3:5)

Your spirit that once was dead apart from God now becomes alive.

#4 Why will we bear fruit if we possess the gifts of the Spirit?

The fruit and the gifts are not related like this. "Fruit" refers to deeds and attitudes as expressed from the heart. Bearing fruit comes from being grafted into the Vine (Jesus). The gifts are supernatural abilities the Spirit imparts to us who believe in Jesus.

#5 When does a person receive the baptism of the Spirit?

That depends on what you mean by "baptism of the Spirit." People have been using it as a catch phrase for a second outpouring on their lives apart from when they first believed, that a few decades ago began to be considered manifested by the gift of speaking in tongues.

I personally had that experience when I was 8 years old, and my father prayed over me to receive the Spirit that way..

[Jayyycuuup]

Way195

#1 what is the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament verses today?

I think Neb gave a great answer to this, and I 100% agree with her on this

Like Neb said the Holy Spirit was manifested amongst God’s people under the Old Covenant – but was only given to a few individuals, not to all. Because, "“He will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Before they had to pray for this, but compared to now, when we accept Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior we are given the Holy Spirit, to guide us and comfort us.

[He giveth more grace]

Way, you are asking all the right questions, they are good questions, I will leave it to other to answer those questions, I may check back later. Welcome to the board, we're so happy that you're here.

[Mcgyver]

These are great answers...and I'd only like to add one thing...

The term "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is sometimes used interchangeably with the "filling of the Holy Spirit", yet I believe that they are two different things.

The "filling" of the Holy Spirit is something in which we have a part to play. That is to say, that the filling comes when we surrender ourselves completely and yield to Him.

Ephesians 5:17-19 says this: Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; 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 (emphasis mine).

This passage leads me to believe that the filling of the Spirit is something that we should seek in our lives.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit however, I believe is something that happens at the moment of conversion...that instant when we are born-again alive unto God.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 says: For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. (emphasis mine)

Galatians 3:26-28 also says: For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

When we tie this into John 1:10-13:

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

I think that it is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that causes us (full circle) to be born again by the will of God.

[Willa]

In the OT the Holy Spirit did not dwell in people as now when we are born again. He just came upon people to enable them to do something specific and then left them. When we are saved God comes to dwell in us, to live in us añd to be our constant companiòn. We ño longer have to pray as David did--take not yòur Holy Spirit from me. He promises us now that He will never leave us or forsake us.

[Littlelambseativy]

Hello everyone, I'm currently going through a study book about the doctrines of the Bible and I came across a few questions that are a bit tough to answer so I thought I'd see if you'all have a some insights on these.

#1 what is the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament verses today?

In the Old Testament times the Holy Spirit was devoted to Israel after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus the Holy

Spirit was devoted to the Church.

#2 How is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit evidenced in the lives of Christians?

By their actions - by their fruits you shall know them.

#3 What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? (John 3:5)

To show and act as Jesus would have you do - shine the light of Jesus to all who see you.

#4 Why will we bear fruit if we possess the gifts of the Spirit?

Because we want to please God and show His love through our actions.

#5 When does a person receive the baptism of the Spirit?

After one is born again the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you.

I'll appreciate any thoughts you have to share to get my mind spinning...

Thanks

[Jie]

#1 what is the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament verses today? He spoke through the prophets of the old testament, and did many supernatural works through the righteous. Today he works through every born-again Christian speaking and doing the works of Christ.

#2 How is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit evidenced in the lives of Christians? A holy Christ-like life and speaking glossolalia.

#3 What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? (John 3:5) It is being born from Christ, he takes out the stony heart and gives you his new heart.

#4 Why will we bear fruit if we possess the gifts of the Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God's life.

#5 When does a person receive the baptism of the Spirit? After they ask for it in prayer.

I'll appreciate any thoughts you have to share to get my mind spinning...

[Guest HisG]

.

[His_disciple3]

In the OT the Holy Spirit did not dwell in people as now when we are born again. He just came upon people to enable them to do something specific and then left them. When we are saved God comes to dwell in us, to live in us añd to be our constant companiòn. We ño longer have to pray as David did--take not yòur Holy Spirit from me. He promises us now that He will never leave us or forsake us.

your doctrine is a very popular doctrine, but a man made doctrine, which is wrong. we must pay attention to details in the Word of God, as when God told Moses to speak to the Rock, and Moses did as before he tapped the Rock, this small detail kept Moses out of Canaan.

the verse you use about the HOLY SPIRIT of God leaving David, should be looked upon very carefully, for you and anyone else that preaches/teaches your doctrine has overlooked the Capitalization of the "S" in Spirit the spirit in psalms 51 is not Spirit but rather spirit

Psa 51:10-12 KJV

(10)

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

(11)

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

(12)

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

there are many types of spirits , we can be of a contrite spirit or as even in these verses of a free spirit.

in Rev. there are seven spirits of God before the throne. this verse Psalms 51:11 is not teaching man can lose salvation, but rather, be ye holy for I am Holy . that our spirit of holiness can come and go as well as with David the man after God's own Heart, til he saw Bathsheba that is. then that holy spirit/spirit of holiness left him, But God did not leave him, for David got chastened for his acts. and remember those that are without chastisement are bastards and have no Father. But David got chastened so he still had his Heavenly Father.

Edited February 27, 2013 by His_disciple3