Lesson 6 – Why We Need the Experience
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Key Verse – Acts 2:38,39
By now it is quite evident that we need to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Jesus died so we could have it. The mother and brothers of Jesus, along with the Apostles, needed the Holy Ghost. Therefore, there must be a reason for it.
WE NEED THE HOLY GHOST FOR POWER
Acts 1: 8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
The question might be asked, “Power for what?” First, we do not need the power of God to work miracles or see people healed. When we exercise faith in God’s word, He is bound to perform it. Neither are miracles a sign that a person walks in the fullness of truth or is saved.
The Old Testament people saw miracles, as did the Apostles in the New Testament, before they received the Holy Ghost. We cannot assume a person is born again, or is a true preacher of the Gospel based on their ability to see healings and miracles.
Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Jesus did not deny their claim to miracles, but he did deny that He even knew them.
John 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” The New Birth is what puts us into God’s family.
WE NEED POWER OVER OUR FALLEN NATURE
We are born in sin and shapen in iniquity (Psalms 51:5). We all come into the world with a fallen, sinful nature.
Romans 8:4-9, “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
It is evident that the “fleshly” or “carnal” man cannot even please God, much less be saved. We have to become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17Galatians 6:15) in Christ.
Take another look at verse 9. We are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit (capital S) ifso be, that the Spirit dwelleth in you. We need the Spirit of God in us to be a new creature. Without the Spirit of God in us, none of us could ever please God.
We need the Holy Ghost to belong to Christ
Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ”
Galatians 4:4-7, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
WE NEED THE HOLY GHOST FOR RESURRECTION POWER.
Romans 8:10-11, “Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ”
Please note that God’s Spirit must be in us when we die. It is God’s presence in us, that will bring us out of the grave. That is why Paul says that “Christ in us” is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)! (Read I Corinthians 15:35-58).
THE HOLY GHOST IS CHRIST DWELLING IN US
John 14:17-18, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
I John 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ”
Ephesians 2:20-22, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief comer stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. ”
I Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
I Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR LEADER AND TEACHER.
Romans 8:6-7, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmityagainst God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
It is God’s Spirit in us that lets us know the voice of God regarding right and wrong. The natural mind cannot understand the things of the Spirit. It is the Spirit that gives us this understanding.
I Corinthians 2:13-16, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT COMES WITH THE HOLY GHOST
Galatians 5:22-25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Romans 5:5, And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ”
Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost ”
THE HOLY GHOST IS THE SEAL OF OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE.
When we believe and obey the Word of God and are saved, we enter a covenant relationship with God. The Covenant includes certain terms and conditions which we agree to. It is like entering a contract together.
A “seal” is a signature which makes the contract binding, or something given as a means of security.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us,and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
Ephesians 1:9-14, “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth – even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, “which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Please, note the phrase “earnest of our inheritance.” The word “earnest” is a word of Hebrew origin (728 arrhabon (ar-hrab-ohn’, [61621); which means “a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest:”
In other words, God gives us His Spirit which is like a down payment, with a promise to give the rest at a later date.
We say, God and I will stay true to each other, keeping the terms of the covenant, until the day He comes for us. At that time, we will enter into the full inheritance God has reserved for us as His children.
I Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
I Peter 1: 18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
The word “sealed” is from a Greek word (4972 sphragizo (sfrag-id’-zo; from 4973), which means “to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation.”
We should remember also that when we are “Born Again”, we become a child of God. As a child of God, we are in line for an inheritance.
Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ- if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
THE HOLY GHOST MAKES US NEW CREATURES
WITH NEW HEARTS I MIND
We know that when we are born into this world, we are born sinners. We come into the world with evil hearts and sinful natures. Our “natures” are inclined to sin and evil. In order to become a child of God, we have to be made new creatures.
The heart and mind must be transformed (metamorphosed) to think and act like Jesus. When we are born again of water and Spirit, we take on new natures.
Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing (regeneration) of your mind,that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Galatians 6:15, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature- ”
Ezekiel II: 19-20, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
2 Corinthians 3:3, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
The Holy Ghost gives us the power to overcome the flesh and live Godly in this present world. It allows us to live and walk in the Spirit. The indwelling Spirit of God renews our hearts and minds, so we can think and act in a way that would be pleasing to God (Romans 8:1-9, Galatians 5:16-26). We are led by His Spirit.
The Holy Ghost allows us to stand in the righteousness of God (Romans 3:21-26). Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). In our flesh, there is no good thing (Romans 7:16-2 1). We are saved by His righteousness, not ours.
It is also the Spirit of God living in us, that will bring us out of the grave to meet the Lord in the air, so shall we ever be with the Lord!
Through the Spirit, we become the Habitation of God!
Ephesians 2:19-22, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundationof the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief comer stone; In whom all the building fitly framed togethergroweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
I Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
God does not live in houses made of wood or stone, nor does he live in houses made with hands (Acts 17:24). But He lives in us! (2 Corinthians 3:3). We are His workmanship (Ephesians 2: 10) and it is he that has made us (Psalms 100:3).
Our Body, Heart, and Soul are Receptacles of God’s Spirit..
In the Bible, oil and new wine is a type of the Spirit of God. Oil and wine are not self contained. They must be put within something. That is why God needs us.
It would be appropriate to view our body, heart, and soul, as a container or a receptacle, capable of holding something. When we are born, we come into the world as a dirty (sinful) vessel. Naturally, the Spirit of God will not come into a sinful heart.
2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
We become clean through repentance and baptism, and are then ready to be filled with God’s Spirit. In fact, we are instructed to be filled with the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit;”
New Wine is a Type of the Spirit of God..
Following this analogy of the body as a container, Jesus had this to say: “Neither do men put new wine into old bottles:else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles,and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:17).
This is a reference to the Spirit of God making us New Creatures (bottles), and not just some patched, flawed, leaky vessel (2 Corinthians 5:17).
After the 120 received the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, some accused them of being drunk. But the Apostle Peter had this to say: “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh … ( Acts 2:15-17)” Peter said they were not “drunken as ye suppose”. He did not deny they were drunk, but instead inferred they were acting strange because they had been filled with the Spirit of God.
Oil is a Type of the Spirit of God.
Matthew 25:1-12, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oilwith them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”
Please note that all of these virgins were the same except they had no oil in their vessel. It is safe to assume that all of them were believers, looking and waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. Here again we see the importance of being filled with the Spirit after we have believed. It is also important we stay full of the Holy Ghost and not let it leak out.
Why did Jesus deny that he knew them? Because they did not have His Spirit in them. We must remember that we do not belong to Christ except through the in-filling of His Spirit.
Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ”
So we can see that through the Spiritwe actually become “an holy templein the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. ” 1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”