The Holy Spirit

Martin Luther:“proper understanding of the scriptures comes only through the Holy spirit”.

John Wesley:“without the spirit of God we can do nothing but add sin to sin.”

Table Talk

• On a scale of 1-100 how would you rate your understanding of ‘the holy spirit’?

• Do you have any image or concept of the Holy Spirit?

• If you would like one question answering about the Holy Spirit what would it be?

John 14:16-17 p.764

Jesus said:“and I will ask the father, and he will give you

another counsellor to be with you for ever- the spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

Who is the spirit?

1.Counsellor v16 - ‘one called alongside to help’+ he is a person – not a force+ ‘another’ – of the same kind+ he is here to help – how?

- Knowing we are God’s children – Rom.8:15 p.800

- Guidance – Rom.8:14 p.800

- Help in proclaiming – 1cor.2:4 p.807

- Insight into the mind of god – 1cor2:9-12 p.807

- Spiritual gifts – 1cor.12:4-11 p.813

- Developing Christian character – Gal.5:22 p.826

- Freedom – 2cor.3:17 p.818

- Unity with Christians - eph.4:3 p.828

- Help in prayer - rom.8:26 p.800

2. Spirit of truth – v17

- correct truth

- right living

Where is the spirit from?

1. From God the father – v16not man-made

2. At the son’s request - v16close connection to Jesus

Who receives the spirit?

The world cannot – v17+ it “neither sees nor knows” him+ fundamental difference

Followers of Christ can – v17+ he ‘was ‘with’ them and would

soon be ‘in’ them

Person

Presence

power

Table talkDiscuss!Which of these would you find most useful? - Knowing we are God’s children – Rom.8:15 p.800

- Guidance – Rom.8:14 p.800

- Help in proclaiming – 1cor.2:4 p.807

- Insight into the mind of god – 1cor2:9-12 p.807

- Spiritual gifts – 1cor.12:4-11 p.813

- Developing Christian character – Gal.5:22 p.826

- Freedom – 2cor.3:17 p.818

- Unity with Christians - eph.4:3 p.828

- Help in prayer - rom.8:26 p.800