Systematic Theology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Part 3: The Holy Spirit in the Believer's Life

Pastor Terrie Beede delivered session 20 of the "Studies in Theology" series at Calvary Chapel Milwaukee, titled "The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Part 3: The Holy Spirit in the Believer's Life". The series' anchor text, 1 Timothy 4:16, continues to guide the study, emphasizing a minister's responsibility to "take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine" and "continue in them," which saves both the minister and the hearers by nourishing the congregation in truth. The session aligns with the Calvary Chapel Milwaukee statement of faith, affirming belief "in the person of the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Christ for ministry".The session began with a review of the previous two parts of the "Doctrine of the Holy Spirit".• Part 1: The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament described His often obscure appearance, inferring His personality and demonstrating divine attributes such as omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and sovereignty. His work included being the executive of God, a witness striving with humanity (Genesis 6:3), the spirit of wisdom and instruction (Numbers 11:17, Exodus 31), and a spirit of empowerment for tasks and prophecy. The Old Testament also foretold a future outpouring of the Holy Spirit.• Part 2: The Holy Spirit in the New Testament explicitly identified Him as an individual person (using masculine pronouns for "pneuma," a grammatically neuter word) and affirmed His full deity with all divine attributes. His work expanded to include being an intercessor/advocate for believers (Romans 8:26), a witness convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-15), guiding believers into truth, and bearing witness of Jesus. He remained the executive of God, the spirit of wisdom, instruction, and prophecy, and a spirit of empowerment for service, explicitly manifesting at Pentecost.The central focus of Part 3 shifted to the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, specifically His indwelling and the concept of the baptism or filling of the Spirit. The speaker emphasized that this topic can be emotionally charged and divisive, necessitating reliance solely on the Word of God, rather than feelings, experiences, or traditions. Doctrine, it was stressed, should not be built on ambiguous evidence or to fit preconceived ideas.Jesus' Promises Regarding the Holy Spirit provided foundational understanding:• In Luke 11:9-13, Jesus taught that believers can ask for the Holy Spirit with assurance that they will receive Him.• In John 14:16-17, Jesus promised "another Comforter" who "dwelleth with you, and shall be in you," and will abide forever.• Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8 instructed disciples to "tarry... until ye be endued with power from on high" and that they would "receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" to be witnesses. These promises highlight three aspects: the Spirit is "with you" (as He was with Jesus), "in you" (the indwelling), and "upon you" (for power and service).The Indwelling of the Spirit is a core aspect of the believer's life, signifying the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15) by which believers are assured of being God's children. It is also the seal of the Spirit, God's mark of ownership, and the earnest of our purchased possession, a down payment guaranteeing future glory. This contrasts with the Old Testament, where the Spirit came "upon" specific individuals for temporary service, due to humanity's separation from God symbolized by the temple veil, which Christ's atonement tore.The session then analyzed four major passages in Acts commonly referenced concerning the reception of the Spirit or "baptism in the Holy Spirit":Continuedhttps://ccmilwaukee.com/podcasts/media/2009-07-08-the-doctrine-of-the-holy-spirit