I believe in the Holy Spirit.
In this Session, we will discuss the next line of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Spirit.”
We will discuss:
The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
His Role in Our Lives
His Role in the Church
Part 1
The Holy Spirit Is God
Key Points from Part 1
The Holy Spirit is God
Both Scripture, as well as Christian tradition, acknowledge the full Godhood of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit begins to dwell within us at the moment we are saved.
The Holy Spirit unites Himself to you.
Review Questions
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It means that we worship one God in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
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He takes up residence within your soul and It means inseparably unites Himself to you.
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God the Father draws you to receive the new life that God the Son purchased for you on the cross, and God the Spirit applies that new life to you as He takes up residence within you.
Key Points from Part 2
The Holy Spirit Convicts Us of Sin
Without the Holy Spirit, we would have never known we were sinners in the first place.
Conviction brings awareness of sin but isn’t the same as shame. The Holy Spirit uses conviction of sin in order to bring us to restoration, not condemnation.
The Holy Spirit Helps Us Kill Sin and Bear Fruit of Holiness
When the Holy Spirit dwells within someone, that person will both be convicted of their sin and will desire to kill that sin.
Struggling with sin is a sign that the Holy Spirit truly dwells in you - because without the Holy Spirit there would be no struggle.
Union with the Spirit means that as we fight, we will see victory. We will see sanctification happen in our lives (meaning, we will see ourselves gradually becoming more like Jesus).
Review Questions
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You and the Holy Spirit together.
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Struggling with sin is a sign that the Holy Spirit truly dwells in you - because without the Holy Spirit there would be no struggle.
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Yes. As we live in fellowship and union with the Spirit, we will eventually see more fruit of righteousness in our lives.
Key Points from Part 3:
The Holy Spirit Produces Unity in the Church
Christian love is a unique and amazing kind of love that is produced by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit wants to cause us to love Christ more and more. The Church is the body of Christ.
The Holy Spirit Gives Us Assurance of Salvation
The Holy Spirit gives assurance to us that we are “children of God.”
He does this by pointing your mind toward Christ - His life, death, and resurrection - as the basis for your assurance.
The Holy Spirit is The Seal of our Salvation
The Holy Spirit will protect you from falling away from the faith and turning back to your sin.
He will preserve you as a child of God until you are taken home to Heaven to be with Him.
Review Questions
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Because love for the Church is something the Holy Spirit produces in us.
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The Accuser
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Never. The Holy Spirit will protect you from falling away from the faith and turning back to your sin. He will preserve you as a child of God until you are taken home to Heaven to be with Him.
Questions for Further Discussion
Why do you think we tend to spend more time thinking about God the Father and God the Son than we do about God the Spirit?
Read Romans 8:13-14. What does Paul mean by "desires of the flesh?" How is this contrasted by the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 6:22-23?
What are some of the ways you've seen the work of the Holy Spirit in your own life?
What are some common misconceptions people have about the Holy Spirit? How can you respond to these misconceptions?
The Spirit gives us assurance of salvation, the knowledge of being a true Christian. Have you ever struggled with this? What causes Christians to struggle with assurance?