This week we turn to the third person in the Trinity. Read and reflect on the following Scriptures (which are not at all exhaustive!) considering the nature of the Holy Spirit and his work:

Genesis 1:6, 1 Samuel 16:14, Isaiah 11:1-3, Ezekiel 36:27, Matt 28:19-20, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 12:8-12, John 14:16-18, 16:5-15, Acts 2:1-21, 5:3-5, Romans 8:1-27, 1 Cor 3:16, 12:4-13, 2 Cor 13:14, Galatians 5:13-26, Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, 5:18-21, Heb 3:7.

Questions: Please answer each of the following questions, writing a paragraph or more on each. Use the Scriptures you have read to defend your answer.

• Is the Holy Spirit personal?

• Is the Holy Spirit distinct from the power of Jesus working in you?

• Make a list of the ways that the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer, and try to give a brief definition of each. In which areas are you confused?

Readings: Read the following assignments, in the order given. We will focus our discussion on the first three readings. The fourth addresses the specific question of spiritual gifts. The last is an excellent exposition of the necessity of walking in the Spirit daily, and how this relates to unusual manifestations of the Spirit in our lives.

• Norman Dodman, Treasures of the Truth, Chapters 8 and 9, "The Holy Spirit: His Nature," and The Holy Spirit: His Work." (I am seeking permission to post this to the web).

• DeLashmutt, McCallum, Gordon, Patch, & McCormac: Xenos Christian Fellowship Course on Dynamics of Spiritual Growth: Notes for The Holy Spirit and Walking by the Spirit

• Charles Hodge, "The Holy Spirit."

• Community Bible Church Teaching on Spiritual Gifts.
• Gary Delashmutt, Crisis and Process: Balance in Spiritual Experience.

• Reconsider what you wrote in answer to the questions above. If you want to revise what you have written, do so now, explaining what Scriptures you are interpreting differently and why. Don't erase or scratch out your first answer!

• Imagine you are discussing this course with a friend. You mention you are now studying the Holy Spirit. Your friend says, "Holy Spirit! That subject is too eerie for me! I believed in Jesus without the help of any Spirit, I am justified by that faith in Jesus, and God guarantees that He will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. What need do I have of that Holy Spirit?" Write a response to your friend, based on the Scriptures and readings.

This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Thomas C. Pinckney, tpinckney@williams.edu, c/o Community Bible Church, Harrison Ave, Williamstown, MA 01267.