Truth Magazine

By Lynn D. Headrick

I hope that the reader will derive as much joy and profit from the reading of this article as I have received from the preparation of it. I have been preaching the gospel for forty years and must confess that I have preached much more on God and Christ than I have preached concerning the Holy Spirit. The more I study the godhead, the deeper becomes my appreciation for “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor. 13:14).

This article will identify and enumerate various aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit and provide evidence to show that each facet of the Spirit’s work is accomplished by means of his words.

One may know that there is a Supreme Intelligence – God – by observing the universe (cf. Rom. 1:20; Psa. 19:1). However, all that we know about the work of the Holy Spirit is learned from the Bible by direct statements made by and about the Spirit, by examples of what the Spirit did and by necessarily inferring some things from the facts stated.

It is not the purpose of this article to identify all that the Word of God says concerning the work of the Holy Spirit. The design of this paper is to note some selected features of the Spirit’s work in the plan of salvation and to describe the manner in which he accomplishes his mission.

1. The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Bible. “No prophecy of scripture (whether found in the Old or New Testament, ldh) is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). Men did not conjure from their own minds the prophecies. They were moved, carried, or borne along as the wind carries a sailing vessel, by the Holy Spirit. The Bible, then, is from the Holy Spirit and not from man and is, therefore, to be revered.

“Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man” (1 Cor. 2:9) have reference not to heaven, but to things which “God revealed . . . through the Spirit which things Paul said he spoke, “not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, combining spiritual things with spiritual words” (v. 13). From this we learn that the mind of God was revealed to the Apostle Paul by the Holy Spirit. Yes, the very words were selected by the Spirit. Later, Paul said that “by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit” (Eph . 3:3-5). It was the work of the Spirit to reveal the mind of God to the apostles, who both spake and wrote these things. The written word, the Bible, is authored in this manner by the Holy Spirit.

2. The Holy Spirit testified against unfaithful Israel. God testified against Israel for the purpose of bringing them again to his law (Neh. 9:29). For many years God bore with his unfaithful children and “testified against them by thy Spirit through thy prophets” (Neh. 9:30). This passage helps us to understand not only the work of the Holy Spirit, but also the manner or “the how” of his work. The Spirit achieved his purpose by means of words put in the mouths of the prophets.

3. The Holy Spirit guided the work of John, the forerunner of Christ. Before the birth of John, his father, Zacharias, was told that John would “be great in the sight of the Lord . . . and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Lk. 1:15). When John was born, Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied that John would “go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways: To give knowledge of salvation unto his people in the remission of their sin” (Lk. 1:76,77). The words of the Spirit guided John’s tongue in his pointed preaching concerning remission of sins.

4. The Holy Spirit provided Christ with unlimited power during his personal ministry. The Holy Spirit said through Isaiah (11.2) that “the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon” Jesus, In a synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1,2 which says, in part, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor” (Lk. 4:18). Jesus thus affirmed that he preached by the power of the Spirit. Peter said that God anointed Jesus “with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38).

5. The Holy Spirit along with God and Christ, made baptism a prerequisite to discipleship. Read the familiar Matthew 28:18-20. Here the Holy Spirit is shown to be divine, on par with God and Christ. Along with God and Christ, the, Holy Spirit is at work when we baptize those who have been taught the word of God. He works through the preached word to make disciples.

6. The Holy Spirit made known to the apostles what the should say. “But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you al things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you”(Jn. 14:26). When the apostle Paul said, “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), was he no taught this by words of the Holy Spirit?

7. The Holy Spirit begets spiritual life. Being “born anew’ (Jn. 3:4), is one birth composed of two aspects: (1) being born of water, and (2) being born of the spirit (Jn. 3:5) This new birth places one in the kingdom. The water is baptism, which results in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). The Spirit is the Holy Spirit who begets through the word, which is the “seed of the kingdom” (Lk. 8:11). One is “begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the Word of God, which liveth and abideth” (1 Pet. 1:23). “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures” (Jas, 1:18). The Colossians were saved or “delivered out of the power of darkness” when they were translated “into the kingdom” (Col. 1:13). They entered the kingdom by the new birth. When the begotten one is born or water, baptized, he is translated into the kingdom. He is born anew.

8. According to Romans 8, the Holy Spirit does three things: a. Leads or guides God’s children. “For as many as are lead by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (v. 14). Those who are, “after the Spirit, mind the things of the Spirit” (v. 5). We mind our parents by obeying them and we mind the things of the Spirit by obeying the words of the Spirit, which are found in the Bible.

b. Bears witness that one is a child of God (v. 16). The witness or testimony of the Spirit is in his Word and his testimony is that one must hear the word, believe that God is, repent of sins, confess Christ to be God’s son, and be baptized for the remission of sins. Note that Romans 8:16 says that the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit. When our spirit gives the same testimony as that of the Holy Spirit then this is assurance that we are children of God.

c. Intercedes for the children of God (v. 26). It is significant to note that the Spirit speaks to God in this work and does not speak to us. The Spirit speaks to us through his Word, the New Testament.

9. The Holy Spirit serves as an “earnest” of future blessings and as an incentive for holiness of life. Paul said, “. . . ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession” (Eph. 1:13,14). The Spirit is the earnest or guarantee of future inheritance, contingent, of course, on our fidelity to God (Rev. 2:10). God’s children are urged to “flee fornication” and otherwise to keep the body as a living sacrifice. Sufficient motivation for this purity is found in the knowledge that the “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you” (1 Cor. 6:1). I could not know this except that the Holy Spirit has thus testified by means of the words of the New Testament.

10. The Holy Spirit convicts the world (Jn. 16:8-11). a. Concerning sin. The Holy Spirit exposes, brings to light, or proves to be wrong those who do not believe Christ to be the Son of God. Through the preaching of the gospel, sin is exposed. For example, Peter, through inspiration of the Spirit, exposed the sins of his hearers in Jerusalem (Acts 2). The Spirit uses the Word to prosecute those in sin.

b. Concerning righteousness. All of God’s commandments are righteousness (Psa. 119:17). The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel (Rom. 1:16,17). He that doeth righteousness is righteous” (1 Jn. 3:7). Peter used the words of the Holy Spirit at the house of Cornelius to say that “in every nation he that feareth him (God, ldh) and worketh righteousness, is acceptable” to God (Acts 10:35). To do righteousness is to do right. The right ways of God are revealed by the words of the Holy Spirit found in the New Testament.

c. Concerning judgment. This should strike godly fear in our hearts. To know that God “hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained” (Acts 17:31), should cause us to live as the Holy Spirit teaches us in his Word to live.

When Paul stood before Felix he “reasoned of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment” (Acts 24:25). The Spirit works through his word to reason with us on these same vital matters.

Conclusions

My subject is “How The Holy Spirit Works Through the Word.” I have shown (1) what the work of the Spirit is, (2) that this work is accomplished through the use of words, and (3) that one must hear and obey the Word in order for the Spirit to accomplish his wonderful work in one’s life. The Holy Spirit will not go against the will of man.

The Holy Spirit once spoke through inspired men. Now he speaks to us in the inspired book, the New Testament.

We “hear what the Spirit saith to the churches” (Rev. 2:7), by reading his words. The Holy Spirit works through the word, the New Testament. “Blessed is he that readeth” (Rev. 1:3).

Addendum

At the request of brother Willis, I submit below the excellent outline on the work of the Holy Spirit by brother H. Leo Boles found on p. 186 of his book on The Holy Spirit. All Christians should have this good book.

Holy Spirit and Word of God

Introduction

Holy Spirit has various relations to God, to Christ; these are important; his relation to word of God.

I. Holy Spirit Used Words.

1. Prophets spoke by Holy Spirit (2 Sam. 23; 1,2; Isa. 1:1,2).

2. Holy men spoke by Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21).

3. Holy Spirit speaks through New Testament (1 Tim. 4:1).

4. Holy Spirit spoke through apostles (Matt. 10:20; Acts 2:4).

5. Holy Spirit took words of Christ (Jn. 16:13-15).

II. Dispensation of Holy Spirit.

1. Law spiritual (Rom. 7:14).

2. Teaching spiritual (1 Cor. 9:11).

3. Our service spiritual (Rom. 12:1).

4. Christians a spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:5).

5. Spiritual food (1 Cor. 10:3).

6. Spiritual milk (1 Pet. 2:3).

III. Spirit and Word Inseparable.

1. Words, spirit, and life (Jn. 6:63),

2. Word living and active (Heb. 4:12).

IV. Identical in Action.

Holy Spirit Word

1. In creation Gen. 1:2; Heb. 1:3;

Job 33:4 2 Pet. 3:5

2. Gives life 2 Cor. 3:6 Jas. 1: 18

3. Born of Jn. 3:8 1 Pet. 1:23-25

4. Salvation Tit. 3:5 Jas. 1:21

5. Sanctification 1 Cor. 6:11; Jn. 17:17

2 Thess. 2:13

6. Dwells in Rom. 8:11 Col. 3:16

7. Spirit is truth 1 Jn. 5:7 Jn. 17:17

8. Power of Rom, 5:13 Heb. 1:3

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 8, pp. 227-229
April 18, 1991

By Sammy Bynum

Simply stated, “No.” Paul wrote, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33). We see in the immediate context that God (inclusive of the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:3-4) was not responsible for the disorder, confusion, and tumult that would arise through the improper exercise of spiritual gifts. Neither is he the author of the confusion that exists in the religious world today. Rather, as the same inspired writer shows from Ephesians 4:1-16, the Holy Spirit is the author of unity, there revealing the attitudes, effort, and teaching necessary to “keep the unity of the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit Desires Unity

The religious world in general does not view diversity as such a bad thing. A Methodist preacher once stated to this writer that diversity is not a bad thing in that it allows each one to find teachings and practices which suit him. Like countless others, he overlooked the fact that what is important is not pleasing men, but pleasing God. In stark contrast to that prevailing, idea, the Psalmist wrote, “Below, how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee” (Jn. 17:20). Obviously the unity for which Jesus prayed is not a unity-in-diversity, but a unity characterized by oneness such as exists between the Father and the Son. Paul exhorted, “. . . that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” No loose denominational kind of union do we find here, but unity of teaching and practice. This is the kind of unity we find in the first century church and read of in the New Testament. Disciples were simply called Christians (Acts 11:26); and local churches, churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16). Each local church had the same kind of oversight (1 Pet. 5:1-3; Acts 14:23) and engaged in the same worship and work. This unity was achieved because the same gospel was preached to all. Paul taught the same thing in every church (1 Cor. 4:17), and what he taught was the same message that other gospel preachers proclaimed (Gal. 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:11). Not only that, but those who presented a perverted or corrupted gospel stood condemned (Gal. 1:6-8).

The Foundation For Unity

The foundation for unity is truth and the work of the Holy Spirit in producing this unity is the revelation of truth. The Holy Spirit revealed all truth. Jesus, to the apostles, promised concerning the Holy Spirit, “he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (Jn. 14:26). “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 16:13). The Holy Spirit fully accomplished that work and today we have in written form that complete, perfect, and all sufficient body of unifying truth (Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3).

The Nature of Truth

The Holy Spirit revealed truth, and the very nature of truth shows that the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion. Truth is absolute, not relative. What the Holy Spirit revealed yesterday, is just as true today and will be tomorrow, regardless of how times and men may change. Truth is objective, not subjective. Its origin is external to man, and does not find its source in his speculations, desires, and feelings – the things for which so many exchange it. Truth is consistent and harmonious. One passage of Scripture will not contradict another. If it appears to do so, we can rest assured that it is the fault of our interpretation, and not the word of God. Truth is understandable. It is not uncommon to encounter people in the religious world who, in effect, blame division on the Holy Spirit by referring to the “vagaries and deep, dark mysteries” of the word. Such thinking not only indicts the goodness and power of God, but stands in direct contradiction to the Bible’s teaching. “Whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4). “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).

Religious Confusion

Almost without exception, the religious groups and denominations in our land lay claim to being guided by the Holy Spirit. Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lutherans, Catholics, Episcopalians, etc. would claim the guidance of the Spirit, and many would allow that others differing from them are also guided by the Spirit. Each group not only holds to many doctrines and practices which conflict with the word revealed by the Spirit, but also with one another as well.

Consider one of many possible illustrations. With respect to the nature of the Godhead, the Mormons teach that God has a body of flesh and bones; the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal activating force; and Oneness Pentecostals state that there is only one person in the Godhead. Each group claims the guidance of the Holy Spirit. On the surface, obviously, all three could not possibly be led by the Spirit, for their teachings are contradictory, whereas the Spirit is the revealer of truth. Also obvious is that none of these is led by the Spirit for each is in confict of the truth.

Some observations on the preceding:

1. Those who claim that the Holy Spirit leads diverse groups, in effect, place the blame for religious confusion on the Spirit.

2. When two groups teach and practice differing doctrines, at least one (perhaps both) is not being led by the Spirit.

3. Only those whose teaching and practice are contained in the word revealed by the Spirit are led by the Spirit (1 Jn. 4:1-6; Acts 17:11).

4. The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion.

Some Causes of Confusion

In view of the fact that the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion, we will in this last section note some things that do produce confusion.

1. A failure to understand that the Holy Spirit leads men today only through the written word (Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Many individuals believe that the Spirit instructs them directly and personally apart from the word. They speak of being moved by supernatural impulse or spoken to by a still small voice. Such erroneous beliefs only give occasion for feelings to be elevated to the level of Scripture (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12).

2. A failure to respect the authority of the word revealed by the Spirit. Many will speak of following the Bible’s teaching, but do not hesitate in the least to augment it, diminish it, or supplant it with their own feelings, human traditions, or creeds of men (2 Jn. 9; Matt. 15:9; Rev. 22:18-19).

3. A failure to appreciate the truth. The claims of many who would say that they desire and love the truth, are contradicted by their own actions. Those who press for unity at the expense of truth, those who shy away from open and honest investigation of differences, and those who simply fail to grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s word manifest a lack of appreciation for truth.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 8, pp. 246-247
April 18, 1991

By Mike Willis

We are delighted to publish this of special issue of Guardian of Truth on this important subject. In recent years, radio and television evangelists have spread their false teachings about the work of the Holy Spirit all over this country. They teach that the Holy Spirit continues to work miracles in the lives of men today. Tied to their “health and wealth gospel,” this doctrine states that God will heal the body of the sick saint, lead him to a better paying job, correct every family problem he had, and otherwise promises to make the Christian’s life a “heaven on earth.” In their desperation, many suffering Americans plant their “seed faith” by sending a contribution to the radio and TV evangelists, being deluded and deceived by their false doctrines.

Another tenet of the radio and TV evangelists is the doctrine that the Holy Spirit leads them separate and apart from the revealed word of God. The strong inclinations and feelings of the preacher are equated with the word of God. This teaching leads one away from God, causing one to identify as the voice of God his own subjective feelings. Whatever an individual thinks or feels about any subject becomes the voice of God. Every man becomes a law unto himself.

The spread of these false doctrines on the work of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the need to teach on the subject of the Holy Spirit. Another generation has reached physical maturity since I have been preaching. They need to be grounded in the same basic doctrines as every other generation. Consequently, this special issue has been prepared with the hope that it can serve to remind us of these fundamental truths about the work of the Holy Spirit.

O.C. Birdwell, Jr. and I worked together to plan this special issue of the paper. We intentionally planned to use those near Athens, Alabama, the home of the CEI Bookstore, to participate in producing this special issue. We appreciate the good work that is done by the faithful brethren in that area and wish to use this special issue to introduce many of them to Guardian of Truth.

It is our prayer that the Lord may use this special issue to ground us in the fundamentals of the faith, that Christians might be reminded that the Holy Spirit works through the revealed word of God in the conversion of the sinner and sanctification of the saint.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 8, p. 226
April 18, 1991

By Michael Baggett

That there are cowards in the church is no new discovery. Paul, the apostle had many friends among the brethren until “the sun was up, and when they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away” (Matt. 13:6). Such were Phygellus and Hermogenes: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Tim. 1: 15); and Demas: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia” (2 Tim. 4:10). And at Paul’s first answer before Caesar, he said, “No man stood with me, but all men forsook me” (2 Tim. 4:16). “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Tim. 4:17). Men with frail back-bones are certainly not new discoveries in the Church. It is a shame, however, that a preacher often learns who his “spineless” brethren are when he has already come “under fire” for standing up for the truth!

When I was in the “liberal” church, “out on a limb sawing off my support for my family” by proclaiming the truth concerning the work of the church and the invasion of human organizations into the treasury of the church, some of my good brethren said, “We will stand with you,” but backed down in the heat of the fire! One couple whom I had recently helped restore to the Lord said, “What you are teaching is the truth; there is no Bible authority for local churches to support human organizations to do the work the Lord has assigned to them.” They said I was teaching the truth! Yet, they let no one know they were on my side! Another family said, “We will go with you if the church fires you. ” They too, ducked down and hid themselves from the heat of battle! One of my best friends, who had helped me secure this work in the first place, agreed with what I taught “privately,” but denied me in the heat of combat! He simply sat by while the brethren in the meeting decided what my fate would be! The sad point of it all is that these brethren knew I had taught the truth on the issues but were too “spineless” to stand with me in support of the whole truth of God! However, two fine sisters did leave with my family. They are now worshiping with us at Laws Hill. These two women have more true backbone than any of the “men” left behind!

Recently, a good preaching friend of mine, and brother in the Lord, fought the “continual cleansing” error, which had erupted in the congregation where he preached, almost single-handedly! Instead of the so called ‘!faithful” brethren backing him up, most of them left the congregation! What a bunch of “men “! It is easy just to leave! But it takes real “backbone” to stay and face false teachers face to face! This congregation which was a year ago “60” strong, fell off to around “25” people in less than a year. In fact, some of the members fled to the large “institutional church” across town! Why all of this cowardice? Because there are some among us that can’t stand a little discomfort, and a little heat! Learn this: when you become a Christian, there is going to be a little fire from time to time! Note: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Those who will not endure “the rising of the sun” will not “endure unto the end”! “And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mk. 13:13). These, therefore, will not be saved. God’s promises of eternal life are only to those who will stand up under the “pressure cooking” sometimes associated with living the Christian life. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

God demands soldiers who are able to “endure hardships.” “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3). God requires his soldier to take up the “spiritual sword,” and the whole “armor of God,” and do battle against Satan, darkness, and all forms of error (Eph. 6:10-18)! “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is in the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Are you a soldier for Christ? Do you have the “backbone” to fight a spiritual warfare?

Paul, the apostle, wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” This language describes a courage soldier. A soldier whose eyes are open and alert to all signs of danger; a soldier who has his feet firmly planted in the faith, who doesn’t move from the front lines of the battle. He is a soldier who “acts like a man” (Young’s – “quit”), and is “strong.” He has backbone!

We need servants of God today, who, like Joshua and Caleb will declare: “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it”, and: “Only rebel not ye against the Lord neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not” (Num. 13:30; 14:9)! We need men like Paul, who declared at death’s door: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Are you a soldier with this kind of backbone? Then always stand up and be counted when the truth comes under fire!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 7, pp. 213-214
April 4, 1991