FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT



Brief Outline Study:

HOLY SPIRIT.

Holy Spirit is a PERSON. 12 times masculine pronoun in Greek “HE” is used.

John: 15, 26, 16:8, 13, 14, Rom 8:16. In some versions of Rom: 8:16 “IT” is used.

That was unfortunate. Revised version has corrected that.

Holy Spirit is not a mere force or substance. Holy Spirit is the third person in the trinity.

If Holy Spirit is a mere force or substance, the usage “IT” is correct. In that case a believer can get the Holy Spirit in degrees or in quantities. Because Holy Spirit is a person, believer has His indwelling. The Filling by the Holy Spirit only means to allow the Holy Spirit in US to have the full control of us. It is not receiving Holy Spirit more in quantity like water or in degree like Electricity. “It is not receiving more of the Holy Spirit, but it is giving ourselves more to the control of the Holy Spirit who is in us”.

Holy Spirit has Personal Characteristics that prove that Holy Spirit is a person.

He has will power ( 1Cor:12:11) , Intelligence (Neh:9:20), Knowledge( Rom:8:27, 1 Cor:2:10-12), Power (Acts:1:8), Capacity to love (Rom:15:30) and grief ( Eph:4:30).

Holy Spirit can do what a person can do.

He searches ( 1 Cor:2:10), Speaks ( Rev:2:7); Cry Out ( Gal:4:6), Intercedes( Rom:8:26), Testifies ( John:15:26), Teaches ( John:14:26, 16:12-14, Neh:9:20), Directs ( Rom:8:14), Commands (Acts:16:6,7), calls and gives tasks ( Acts:13:2) and He sends people for a Mission ( (John:15:26).

Holy Spirit Has Emotion.

We can cause grief to Him ( Isai:63:10), He can be insulted ( Heb:10:29) , He can be lied to ( Acts:5:3) and sin of Blasphemy be done against Him ( Matt:12: 31,32).

Holy Spirit is Equal to Father and Son.

Baptism Formula: Matt: 28:19

Benediction: 2 Cor: 13:14.

Holy Spirit has the Divine Attributes:

He is Eternal Heb: 9:14

He is Omnipotent: Luk: 1:35, Gen: 1:2, Job: 26:13

He is Omnipresent: Psalm: 139:9, 10

He is Omniscient: 1 Cor: 2:10, 11.

Holy Spirit does things that God alone can do.

Creation, Salvation, Giving Life, Author of New Birth, Prophecy, Convicting men.

Holy Spirit is God Acts: 5:3-5.

Holy Spirit is Equal in person (Essence) with the Father and Son. But He is subordinate in assignment, administration and ministry.

Father Sends Him. Son sends Him. He is called the Spirit of God. He is called the Spirit of Jesus. He does not speak of Himself. But He speaks of Christ. He does not seek to glorify Himself. But He glorifies Jesus Christ. (Acts: 14: 26, 16:13, 14, 15:26, 16:7).

He is linked with the Father and Son in the Benediction and Baptism formula.

Names of the Holy Spirit:

The Spirit, The Holy Spirit, The Spirit of the Lord, The Spirit of Jehovah, The Spirit of the Living God, The Spirit of Christ, The Spirit of His Son, The Spirit of Jesus Christ, The Spirit of Jesus, The Spirit of Burning, The Spirit of Holiness, The holy Spirit of Promise, The Spirit of Truth, The Spirit of Life, The Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel and Knowledge; The Spirit of Grace, The Spirit of Glory, The Eternal Spirit,

The Holy Ghost, The Oil of Gladness, The Comforter etc

Works of the Holy Spirit In relation to:-

Creation: Psalm: 33:4, Job: 26:13, 14

Preservation: Isaiah: 40:7 Psalm: 104: 30

Scriptures: 2 Pet: 1:20, 21 John: 14:26

Jesus Christ: Luk: 1:35, Matt: 4:1, Acts: 10:38, Heb: 9:14, Rom: 1:4, 8:11

In relation to sinners: Acts: 16:8-11

In relation to Believers (Refer under Fullness of the Holy Spirit).

Total works of the Holy Spirit listed in the Bible is more than fifty (50).

Sins against the Holy Spirit.

Blasphemy Matt: 12:31, 32

Insult Heb: 10:29

Vex: Isai: 63: 9, 10

Resist Acts: 7:51

Tempt Acts: 5:1-9

Quench 1 Thes: 5:19, 20

Grieve Eph: 4:30

EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Water: John: 7:38, 39

Fire: Matt: 3:11

Wind John: 3:8

Oil: Psalm: 45:7

Rain and Dew: Psalm: 72:6

Dove: Matt: 3:16

Voice: Isaiah: 6:8

Seal: Rev: 7:2, Eph: 4:30.

FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Ephesians: 5: 18-21.

Work of the Holy Spirit in Sinners:

Gives Conviction of sin and repentance: John: 16:8

Gives faith to believe in Christ: Eph: 1:8

Gives assurance of salvation. Rom: 8:16, 1 John: 5: 10

Work of the Holy Spirit in a Believer:

These 4 works are done once for all at conversion and cannot be repeated.

A believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit. (1:13, 2 Cor: 1:21, 22)= The Holy Spirit comes into our lives at New Birth and ‘seals’ us until the day of our final redemption.

(Eph: 4:30). When we commit sin, Holy Spirit does not leave us. But He is grieved.

A believer is having the Earnest of the Spirit. (Guarantee) (1:14, 2 Cor: 1:21, 22)

Just like the down payment/ advance money we give in a transaction to confirm and guarantee the final completion of payment and purchase, at our Salvation God gives us the ‘down payment’ of the Holy Spirit. That assures our final redemption. (Rom: 8:11)

A believer is anointed by the Spirit. (2 Cor: 1:21. 1 Jn: 2:20, 27). This is in Past Tense.

Corinthians were already anointed, though some of them were carnal and immature; though many of them did not speak in tounges.All the born again Children of God are anointed.

In the Old Testament we read of anointing of Priests, Kings and Prophets. (Exod: 40:9-16, Lev: 8:12, 1 Kings: 19:16 Psalm: 105:15). That was once for all action, not to be repeated. By that anointing a person became Priest or King. We have become Kings and priests in the Kingdom of God at salvation. (Rev: 1:5-7.1 pet: 2:9). We do not require another anointing. It is against the Bible if we ask for another anointing. But often we pray for fresh anointing. By that what we mean is,” Lord fill me afresh with your Spirit”.

Anointing and Filling are two different works of the Spirit. Filling is to be repeated. Anointing is once for all.

In the Bible there are 127 times Anointing is mentioned and they are in 126 verses. This includes the 9 times in the New Testament. Luke: 4:18 is a quotation from Isaiah: 61:1.

Here it is clear that Jesus Christ; the Head of the Church is anointed! Where is the Anointing to be done? On the Head! (Lev: 8:12, Psalm: 133: 2 Psalm: 23:5). Christ is the Head. He is anointed. Church is the Body. Each believer is the member of the Body of Christ. (Eph: 5:23, Col: 1:18, 1Cor:6:15, Eph: 5:30, Rom: 12:5). When a sinner repents and receives Christ as Savior, he is saved and becomes the member of the Body of Christ who is anointed already. (Acts: 2:47). So a believer is anointed and he does not need another anointing.

A believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor: 12:13)

This also is in Past tense. Corinthian were already Baptized by the Holy Spirit. But some of them were carnal and immature. Some of them did not have all the gifts of the Spirit.

Some of them did not speak in tongues. But all were baptized by the Spirit. All born again people are baptized. That cannot be repeated.

There are 5 references to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in future tense. (Matt: 3:11, MK: 1:8; LK: 3:16; John: 1:33 and Acts: 1: 4, 5.) the first four references talk about John the Baptist foretelling the Baptism that Jesus would give. The fifth reference is told by Jesus about the Baptism that would take place after 10 days of his ascension. Then on the day of Pentecost they were baptized. The Church was formed/ born. From that time there is no more mention of baptism of the Spirit in Future Tense. 1 Cor: 12:13 is in past tense.

It is absurd to have tarry meetings to get the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. He is already in us. All what need is His fullness on a day to day basis? If anybody want to ‘Tarry (wait) for the Holy Spirit, he has to go to Jerusalem and wait! It is also erroneous to teach that a believer should get a second blessing called baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is contrary to the Bible to teach that a specific sign or gift like speaking in tongues should occur when a person is anointed or Baptized by the Spirit.

A DEFINITE, SPECIFIC, ASSIGNED TASK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR BELIVERS: John: 14:16. He is ‘PARACLETE’= One Who goes alongside.

One who accompanies me? One who never leaves me? This is so practical!!

He is our cure for Fear. Any fears- shadows, darkness, uncertain future etc

He is cure for Insomnia (Sleeplessness).

He is the cure for loneliness, broken heartedness, helplessness, and directionlesness.

He is our strength in preaching and in teaching.

He is our strength to overcome.

So, let us study together the life of Fullness in the Holy Spirit- The filling of the Spirit, the overflowing life, the abundant life, the victorious life the life of Joy.

Filling By the Holy Spirit. (Fullness) Eph: 5:18-21)

There is a command to be filled: “Be ye filled…”

All believers require this filling. The world expects us to be filled.

World wants us to be living in fullness, overflowing life.

It is a continuous process. “Be ye continually be filled up to the brim”.

This is a challenge to overflowing life. “My cup runs over”.

It is a sin not to be filled. “Be not drunk with wine…Be ye filled with the Spirit…”

(Filled with wine is sin= Not being filled with Spirit is sin.)

This work of the Holy Spirit is a continuous ministry and will have to be repeated in the life of a believer. This is the only work that will have to be repeated.

When we may fall in sin and grieve the Spirit. (Eph: 4:30). Then we lose the joy of salvation. Therefore the believer has to be filled by the Holy Spirit on a moment by moment experience. This is inevitable for victorious life and ministry. This is possible when we confess our known sins and fully surrender to God. It is not that the Holy Spirit is given by added measure. Holy Spirit is a person. He is in the believer. So it is absurd to say that we have to get more of the Holy Spirit. “It is not more of the Holy Spirit coming into us, but it is more of us given to the control of the Holy Spirit who is already dwelling in us”. Holy Spirit takes the steering wheel of our Lives. Holy Spirit takes control of our lives. Holy Spirit should be the HOST. Not a GUEST in our life.

Proofs of Fullness - (Eph: 5:18-21)

1: We become Joyful Christians (v: 19). We become singing Christians. Cup runs over.

2: We become Thankful Christians. (V: 20). We become grateful Christians.

3: We become Humble Christians (v: 21) we submit to one another.

4: We become powerful Christians. (Acts: 1:8) Witnessing Christians.

This is the wonderful and happy Spirit Filled life.

5: We glorify Christ: John: 16:14. It is immaturity and Ego that cause people to boast of their experiences of fullness and gifts with the Holy Spirit. Do not follow them.

6: We become fruitful Christians. (Gal: 5:22).

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

‘FRUIT’ is used in singular, but with a total of NINE Graces. This shows the oneness of fruit “LOVE” with nine manifestations of Grace. They are: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance.

Source of Fruit: Hos: 14:8, John: 15:4.

Fruit is the Evidence of Death: John: 12:24. Death to self. Full surrender to His will.

Fruit Necessary: John: 15:2, Luk: 13:19. If no fruit, the tree is to be cut off.

Purpose of Fruit: Matt: 21: 34. “Glorify God”.

For Propagation: Gen: 1:11

For identification: Matt: 12:33. ‘Tree shall be known by its fruit”.

Gifts are like branches and leaves. Tree is useful when it produces fruit.

But fruit is more valuable. By leaves and branches we cannot identify the tree always.

By the exercise of gifts we cannot evaluate and determine the maturity and spirituality of a person. But we know the tree from its fruit.

Boasting of GIFTS with out FRUIT is because of Pride, Ego and arrogance.

That is spiritual pride. Spiritual person produces fruit and not aware of his greatness with gifts. Trumpeting with gifts of Prophecy, Tongues, Miracles and healing is pride and

Unspiritual. Glorifying the gifts is sin. Glorify Christ, if anyone is in the fullness of Spirit.

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.

There are 24 of them listed. They are for equipping people for ministry.

1 Cor: 12: 8-10 = 9 gifts.

1 Cor: 12: 18 = 8 Gifts

Eph: 4:11-16 = 3 Gifts

Romans: 12:6-8 = 4 Gifts. Total = 24.

Gifts are sovereignly given

1 Cor: 12:11. Not according to our will. But according to God’s will.

Gifts are for profit: 1 Cor: 12:7

Gifts are to be Desired: 1 Cor: 12:31

Gifts are suited to each person: 1 Cor: 7:7 (God knows and decides what we need).

Gifts must be used. (1 Tim: 4:14)

Gifts are to be improved (1 Tim: 1:6)

Do not mistake possession of Gifts for Christian Maturity and Spirituality. (1 Cor: 12)

Do not force others to obtain and possess the gift you have. ,,

Do not look down upon anyone who does not have your gift. ,,

Do not envy the gift of another. ‘’

SPEAKING IN TONGUES:

In 21 Epistles only Corinthian letter writes about speaking in other tongues.

(Three times in Chapter 12, one time in Chapter 13 (v: 8) and 15 times in Chapter 14.

Corinthian Church was not a model, exemplary Church. While boasting of all the gifts of the Spirit, they were carnal, babies and living in strife, division, pride, immorality and immaturity. In their ego, they wanted to outshine others in the exercise of gifts.

So, Paul writes this epistle to admonish them and correct them from their chaotic condition. Unfortunately, the advocates of tongue speaking mistakenly take this church as a model church. But we are asked to be careful and exhorted by Paul to follow

Some specific principles in the exercise of gifts especially tongue speaking.

1 Cor: 1-11: Paul is rebuking and correcting the Carnal Christians of Corinth for their

‘Sins’, ‘immorality’, strife and division and toleration. Compromise with members of the church living in sin.

1 Cor: 12-14 Talks about the confusion and chaos in the exercise of ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’ which they have done in competition, especially in the area of speaking in tongues. Paul is correcting them on this matter and he gives some principles in the exercise of gifts, especially ‘tongue speaking’.

Chapter 12 speaks of the giving of gifts and its distribution by God. Paul speaks about

The value / profit of these gifts. In Chapter 14 he talks about the principles to be obeyed in the exercise of these gifts. Chapter 13 talks about the duration of these gifts (Especially tongues) comparing to Faith, Hope and Love, among which ‘Love is the greatest. Look at the principles. Least importance is given to tongue speaking.

Corinthian church was a ‘baby church’. They were not mature. Just like children look for ‘glamorous/ shining/ glittering cheap things’ Corinthians were craving for spectacular,

Glamorous gifts, leaving more valuable gifts. Therefore Paul gives the following principles:-

1. All believers are Baptized by the Holy Spirit ( 12:12,13)

2. But all do not speak in tongues. ( vv:29-31)

3. One should not envy the gift of another (12:14-27)

4. One should not seek to force his gift on another ( 12:14-27)

5. You should not belittle your brother who does not have your gift (12:14-27)

6. Each gift is for the profit of the Body, the Church. (12:14-27)

7: Faith, Hope and Love will last. Love the greatest. Gifts will stop. (Chapter 13)

9: Tongue speaking as a regular gift will cease when the perfect revelation has come

(The word of God fully compiled). (1 Cor: 13:8). When? V: 10. When that which

is Perfect comes. (Not He who is perfect comes!). =The final and full revelation

And recording of the Infallible Word of God, the Bible.

10: If no interpreter the tongue speaker must be silent. (14:1-19)

11: The ladies should be silent in Churches. They should not demand tongue speaking.

(14:34). in the competition of tongue speaking, women were not behind. They

Also competed, bringing confusion and chaos.

12: All things should be done in order, not in confusion or chaos. (14:32, 33)

13: Spirit of Prophets subject to the prophets. (14:32)

14: Tongues as a sign to non-believers. (14:20-25) Tongues are given to witness to

The non-Christians.

15: Two people should not speak in tongues at the same time. Do it one after the other. God is God of order and not of confusion. (V: 40, 30-33)

16: Spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. He can control. That is not grieving the Spirit. (14:32)

It is unfortunate that many Christians take Corinthian Church as a model Church and imitate their emotional expressions in their ecstasy. They think exercising gifts is the

Proof of spirituality and maturity. No, Spirituality and maturity are manifested in

Producing ‘fruit’.

In fact ‘speaking in tongues’ should not be taken as a proof of new birth. In churches, including among Roman Catholics, I have seen unsaved people speaking in tongues.

It is reported that many people who are in the slavery of ‘CULT’ also speak in tongues,

When they are in the ecstasy of their worship- heathenish, satanic, worship!

Plato the philosopher wrote that in BC 1100 there were heathens who spoke in tongues when they were indwelt by their heathen gods in the worship.

In the extreme emotionalism and ecstasy of worship, Muslims in Africa speak in tongues.

DID THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS SPEAK IN TOUNGES?

Advocates of ‘tongue speaking’ quote the following O.T verses and excite ignorant Christians to speak in tongues. (Isai: 28:11, 33:19, Psalm: 114: 1 cf: 1 Cor: 14:21).

But we know that these verses speak about people of Israel listening to the languages of

The heathen tribes whom they met and among whom they had to live at times in their journeys. These verses do not speak about Israelites speaking in ‘other tongues’ that did not exist in the world. They were communicating in the languages of the heathens with much difficulty (like stammering) because they were not trained in those languages.

IN THE GOSPELS there is only one reference for speaking ‘in new tongues’

(Mark: 16: 17, 18). The usage here is ‘new tongues’ and that means the existing languages that were new to the apostles. They are not ‘unknown languages’ as some people claim.

The word ‘unknown’ is added in some bible translations. But that is printed in ‘italics’-

‘Unknown’ to show the word was not in the original, but added for clarification- that the languages were unknown to the Apostles/ Disciples, but spoken by others.

IN ACTS OF THE APOSTLES there is three references for speaking in other tongues.

Acts: 2: 4. That was the day of Pentecost, the day when Baptism of the Holy Spirit took place. The Church was born that day. As a sign, God gave the ability for speaking in other tongues. Disciples spoke in other languages, though they had not learnt those languages.

(Some people interpret that Apostles spoke in their own Aramaic language and the people from 15 or 16 languages understood in their own language. That cannot be. If the Apostle spoke in one language and the heathens understood in their own language, the gift was given by God to the heathens, to the hearers. That is absurd argument. )

Acts: 10:44-48: This took place in the home of Cornelius, the gentile. This incident confirmed that gentiles also are part of the body of Christ, the Church, just as the believers from Jewish community in Acts: 2.

Acts: 19:1-7. These were the 12 disciples of John the Baptist. They had taken the baptism of John. John had told them of Jesus Christ who will baptize them in the Holy Spirit. When they heard the Word from Paul, they believed and were baptized in water.

Then he laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit, with the sign of speaking in other tongues, just as the believers from Jewish Community and Samaritan community. It was confirmed that these people also (disciples of John the Baptist) have become the members of the body of Christ, the Church.

So, these are the three incidents for speaking in tongues in Acts of the Apostles. All these three incidents put together, we conclude that the speaking of tongues during that ‘transition period’ of formation of the Church was confirmed by speaking in other tongues. Now, as it is written in Gal: 3:26-28 & 1 Cor: 12:13) there is only one body and that consists of Jews and Gentiles, male and female.

Acts: 8: 1-17: In this portion of scripture, it is recorded that people of Samaria believed the preaching of Evangelist Philip. Peter was along with him. Then they laid hands on the new converts from Samaria. “And they received the Holy Ghost” (v: 17). Though there is no mention of them speaking in tongues, there is that possibility because this incident also took place in the transition period of the formation of the Church. Samaritans were looked upon like ‘dogs’ (untouchables, low caste) by Jews. But these people also became members of the Church, the body of Christ. So there is no difference between Jewish believers Gentile believers and Samaritan Believers.

Conclusion:

The world famous Theologian, Bible Expositor Dr. Oswald Sanders who wrote Spiritual maturity and Spiritual Clinic writes, “Most of the tongue speaking today is not from God, not from Satan but from the emotional ecstasy of the speaker”. It is possible to excite people to a high level of emotional extreme and persuade them to utter words they do not understand and then make them believe that is ‘speaking in tongues’.

If it is not from God, the tongue speaking will be from one of these motivations:-

1: Emotional Ecstasy.

2: Satanic.

3: Imitation- Imitating the advocates of Tongue speaking.

I have seen extreme Pentecostal and Charismatic leaders training believers how to speak in tongues!

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION:

1: Is tongue speaking necessary for all who are filled with the Spirit?

2: Is there a difference between Tongue as a SIGN and tongue as a ‘GIFT’?

3: Was there a difference between Tongue speaking in Acts 2 and in Corinthian letter?

4: Can God give ability to speak in tongues these days?

5: Is there a Tongue (language) that does not exist / language of angel that people can speak when they are filled/ baptized/anointed? (13:1, 14:1, 2)

6: Should a person speak in tongue claiming that it gives him some spiritual blessing?

7: Is Tongue speaking the sign / proof of Anointing/ Baptism / Fullness of Spirit?

8: Is it possible to educate and train people to speak in tongues?

9: If anybody utter meaningless words and declare that is “tongues” what would be your conclusion?

JOHN C.VARGHESE . joncvargis@ +919449045949

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