2-Minute Theology - TRINITY BIBLE CHURCH

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 17 - Death and Resurrection of Christ

5/22/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 17 - Death And Resurrection Of Christ

Christ was led by the Holy Spirit throughout His earthly ministry.

Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. - Mark 1:12

The term impelled (ekballō), in Mark 1:12, means that the Holy Spirit guided and directed Jesus in His earthly ministry. The Father placed the Spirit upon the Son for the purpose of guiding Him. Ultimately, the Spirit guided Christ to the cross to offering Himself as a sacrifice for sins.

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? - Hebrews 9:14

Just as the Spirit sustained Christ in His life, He sustained Him in His death. Though dead, Christ had the power to raise Himself from the dead.

No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. - John 10:18

However, He was raised by the Father.

and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, - Ephesians 1:19-20

The Father raised the Son to demonstrate that He was satisfied with the Son’s sacrificial work. As well, the Holy Spirit played a role in the resurrection of Christ.

who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, - Romans 1:4
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; - 1 Peter 3:18

Just as the Spirit was the active agent in Creation and in the creation of Christ’s human body, so He was again the agent in the regeneration of Christ’s physical body. As such, it was by the Spirit that Christ’s flesh did not see corruption.

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. - Psalm 16:10

As well, He rejoined Christ’s soul and spirit to His body.

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 16 - Anointing of Christ

5/15/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 16 - Anointing Of Christ

In the Old Testament, the act of anointing conferred power or authority from one priest to another priest or one king to another king.

You shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests. - Exodus 28:14
Then the men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah. - 2 Samuel 2:4

Since Christ would serve as both priest and king it was necessary that He be anointed. Christ’s anointing was prophesied in Isaiah 61:1 and fulfilled in Luke 4:17-18, 21 by the Holy Spirit at His baptism.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me - Isaiah 61:1
And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed […] And He began to say to them, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. - Luke 4:17-18, 21
After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, - Matthew 3:16

The Holy Spirit’s anointing of Christ not only designated Him as Priest and King, but introduced Him to the public.

I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water. John testified saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. - John 1:31-32
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, - Acts 10:38

It also served as authentication of Christ’s identity as the Son of God.

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased. - Matthew 3:16-17

As well, the anointing by the Holy Spirit empowered Christ during His earthly ministry. While Jesus as God has His own power, He laid aside the outworking of His power at His incarnation. Thus, it was necessary to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 15 - Outpouring, Complete Fulfillment

5/15/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 15 - Outpouring, Complete Fulfillment

The complete fulfillment of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will result in the redemption of national Israel.

and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins. - Romans 11:26-27

This fulfillment will occur after the Tribulation.

It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; - Joel 2:28a

The phrase after this, in Joel 2:28, must be interpreted based upon the context. Contextually, the judgments of the Tribulation are in view. Specific signs will also lead to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. - Joel 2:30-31
But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. - Matthew 24:29

Specifically, this outpouring occurs in the last three days of the Tribulation.

I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth. - Hosea 5:15-6:3

Thus, after the Tribulation judgments, the Holy Spirit will be poured out, resulting in all Israel being saved. However, note that all Israel refers only to all those who call upon the name of YHWH.

And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the Lord has said, Even among the survivors whom the Lord calls. - Joel 2:32

The Divine Works of the Holy Spirit: Part 14 - Outpouring, Partial Fulfillment

5/12/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 14 - Outpouring, Partial Fulfillment

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred three times with three different groups of believers: the Jewish believers at Pentecost, the Samaritan believers, and the Gentile believers. Notably, Peter was present for all three of these outpourings of the Holy Spirit. Each time the Holy Spirit was poured out, signs accompanied it. As such, the signs were a signal to the Jews that this was the work of God.

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; - 1 Corinthians 1:22

The Pentecost outpouring was a sign to the Jews that the prophecy of Joel 2 was partially fulfilled, and they were indeed in the last days. The outpouring in Samaria and at Cornelius’ home was a sign to the Jews that the Gospel was for the Gentiles and the Jews. The Holy Spirit came upon Jews, Samaritans, and Romans, demonstrating the oneness of the church (Ephesians 4:4-6).

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. - Ephesians 4:4-6

These three outpourings were limited and temporary. They were limited to three particular groups. Outside of these three events, no other groups in the New Testament had such an experience. There is no Biblical support that the Holy Spirit is continuously being poured out again and again. It was prophesied in the Old Testament and partially fulfilled in the days following the resurrection of Christ. The Holy Spirit was poured out three specific times upon three distinct people groups. However, those ministries of the Spirit associated with His outpouring continue.

The Divine Works of the Holy Spirit: Part 13 - Outpouring, Prophesied

5/12/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 13 - Outpouring, Prophesied

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was prophesied in the Old Testament.

I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; - Isaiah 44:3
It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. - Joel 2:28-29
I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. - Zechariah 12:10

In the Old Testament era, the Holy Spirit only came upon some individuals temporarily and to empower them for a particular service. Beginning with the first Feast of Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all believers. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit resulted in His permanent indwelling, sealing, and baptizing of believers. The outpouring inaugurated the New Covenant and began a new era — the Church Age.

In particular, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred three times with three different groups of believers: the Jewish believers at Pentecost, the Samaritan believers, and the Gentile believers.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. [...] in the last days, God says, That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; - Acts 2:4, 17-18
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. - Acts 8:14-17
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way? - Acts 11:15-17

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 12 - Baptism

5/12/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 12 - Baptism

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is referred to in Scripture as being baptized of the Holy Spirit, baptized in the Holy Spirit, baptized with the Holy Spirit, and baptized by the Spirit. The different prepositions convey the idea that the Holy Spirit is the agent and sphere of this baptism. Seven times some variation of this phrase is used in the New Testament. If was first coined by John the Baptizer.

As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. - Matthew 3:11

Before His ascension into Heaven, Jesus said that the disciples would shortly be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. - Acts 1:5

Being baptized with the Spirit is an event in which all believer’s partake.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:13

Water baptism is a symbol of repentance and faith, which involves immersion into water. As well, water baptism is also an initiation into the local church. Being baptized in the Spirit is also an immersion and initiation. Baptized in the Spirit immerses (i.e., place into) believers into the Body of Christ. As an initiation, it initiates believers into the Universal Church. As such, the Holy Spirit places believers into union with Christ and other believers (Romans 6:3, 5).

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? [...] For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, - Romans 6:3, 5

Baptized with the Spirit refers to the moment that the Holy Spirit begins operating in the believer’s life. That moment is the moment of salvation. There is no Biblical justification for a second-blessing or two-stage salvation experience.

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 11 - Sealing of the Holy Spirit

5/7/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 11 - Sealing

In the Ancient Near East, a seal (ḥôṯām / ḥāṯam) served several purposes. First, a seal was given as a pledge or promise to do something. As such, it offered security. Second, a seal authenticated legal documents, such as deeds establishing property ownership. Third, a seal authorized appointed power.

At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells believers and seals them.

having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, - Ephesians 1:13

That God sealed us with the Holy Spirit demonstrates that the sealing was done to believers. There is no command to believers to be sealed. Because believers are sealed, they are eternally secured.

Being sealed with the Holy Spirit indicates that believers belong to God.

you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit… with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, - Ephesians 1:13-14
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His, - 2 Timothy 2:19

By sealing believers with the Holy Spirit, God lays a claim of ownership upon them. Because believers belong to Him, He is their God and they are His people. That believers are sealed until the day redemption guarantees that no believers will be lost.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30

Because believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, they are deputized as ambassadors of Christ.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ… - Ephesians 5:20

Believers have been granted the authority to speak on behalf of God, preaching, teaching, and defending His Word.

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 10 - Indwelling in the New Testament

5/5/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 10 - Indwelling In The New Testament

This indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a gift given to all believers at salvation.

Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. - John 7:37-39

As well, His indwelling ministry is given only to believers.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. - Romans 8:9

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit accomplishes five things. First, it guarantees that the believer belongs to God.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, Abba! Father! The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. - Romans 8:15-17

Second, the indwelling seals believers until the day of redemption.

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possessio. - Ephesians 1:13-14

Third, it enables the believer to understand and apply the Scriptures.

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, - 1 Corinthians 2:10-12

Fourth, the indwelling enables believers to do God’s will and fight against the flesh.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16-17

Fifth, it produces fruit in the life of the believer.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; - Galatians 5:22-23

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 9 - Indwelling in the Old Testament

5/5/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 9 - Indwelling In The Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given to a person to perform a specific task.

The Spirit of the Lord came upon [Othniel], and he judged Israel. - Judges 3:10
So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him. - Judges 3:34Now the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; - Judges 11:29
The Spirit of the Lord came upon [Samson] mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand; - Judges 14:6

Charles Ryrie stated the phrase the Spirit of the Lord came upon, “seems to imply the temporary and transitory character of the Spirit’s relationship to the Old Testament saint.” (1) The temporary nature of the Holy Spirit’s Old Testament ministry is underscored by the departure of the Spirit from Saul after his rebellion.

Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. - 1 Samuel 16:14

As well, following his sin, David pleaded that God would not remove the Holy Spirit from Him

Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. - Psalm 51:11

Furthermore, according to Leon Wood, “An evaluation of these texts shows that all involved empowerment for a physical activity. None of them had to do with salvation from sin in any sense.” (2)

While the Holy Spirit was given to specific people in the Old Testament it was more of an anointing instead of an indwelling. In John 14:16-17, Christ stated that following Pentecost, the Holy Spirit would permanently indwell all believers.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. - John 14:16-17

ENDNOTES:

Charles Caldwell Ryrie, The Holy Spirit, Rev. and expanded. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1997), 54.
Leon Wood, The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976), 122–23.

The Divine Work of the Holy Spirit: Part 8 - Sanctification, Positional and Progressive

5/1/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Divine Work Of The Holy Spirit: Part 8 - Sanctification, Positional & Progressive

The Holy Spirit’s sanctifying of believers is both positional and progressive. Positional sanctification is the act whereby the Holy Spirit separates believers, ethically and morally, from the world.

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. - 1 Corinthians 6:11

Because the Holy Spirit separated believers morally from the world underscores the commands to live in holiness and true righteousness.

and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. - Ephesians 4:24
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. - Colossians 3:1-4

Being sanctified means being holy and righteous in this present evil world.

While the Spirit has set believers apart positionally, there is the practical aspect of that sanctification, which plays out in the believer’s daily life. Progressive sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit by which the believer progressively becomes holier.

because it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. - 1 Peter 1:16

The Holy Spirit’s work of sanctifying began with salvation and is ongoing in the life of a believer.