Landmarks of Faith
by
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GOD—THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Pneumatology)
I. Instruction: What the Bible teaches us about the Holy Spirit
A. The Deity of the Holy Spirit
1. In that Ananias lied against the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3), to Whom did Peter say that Ananias lied as well? (Acts 5:4) ____________________________________________.
2. According to Genesis 1:2, Whom does the Bible teach participated in creation? ____________________________________________________________________.
3. The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 bears the authorization of three Persons; who are these Persons? _______________________, _________________________, and _______________________________________.
4. The Psalmist tells us that he could not escape two things pertaining to God. The second is His presence and the first is what? (Ps. 139:7) ________________________.
5. Who has meted out spiritual gifts to the church according to His will? (I Cor. 12:11) ____________________________________________________________________.
6. Believers are charged with the responsibility not to grieve Whom? (Eph. 4:30) ____________________________________________________________________.
7. The eternal existence of God is ascribed specifically to Whom, according to Hebrews 9:14? _______________________________________________________________.
B. The works of the Holy Spirit
1. Soon after the Holy Spirit created the world, we see Him contending with whom upon the earth? (Gen. 6:3) ___________________________________________________.
2. In John 16:8, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is sent forth from Heaven to reprove the world of three things. What are these three things? ___________________________, _______________________________, and _________________________________.
3. In the Old Testament, Whom do we see empowering men for specific tasks and then departing? (Jdg. 3:10; 6:34; 14:6, 19; I Sam. 16:13-14) __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________.
4. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is credited with the virgin birth of Whom? (Matt. 1:18) ________________________________________________________________.
5. Jesus Christ was filled and led by Whom, according to Luke 4:1? _________________.
6. By what means was Jesus made alive from the dead? (Rom. 8:9-11) _______________ ____________________________________________________________________.
7. The work of the Holy Spirit to the Church is extensive. List some of those ministries by writing out the names that are ascribed to Him in the following verses:
another: _____________________________________________________ (Jn. 14:16)
Spirit of: _____________________________________________________ (Jn. 14:17)
Holy Spirit of: _________________________________________________ (Eph. 1:13)
Spirit of: ______________________________________________________ (Gal. 4:6)
Spirit of: ____________________________________________________ (Rom. 8:15)
8. Briefly describe the work of the Holy Spirit, as it is suggested by the following selections of Scripture:
____________________________________________________________ (Lk. 12:12)
________________________________________________________ (Jn. 3:6-7; 6:63)
_____________________________________________________________ (Acts 1:8)
_________________________________________________________ (Jn. 16:13-14)
____________________________________________________________ (Eph. 4:30)
___________________________________________________________ (I Cor. 3:16)
___________________________________________________________ (Rom. 8:11)
___________________________________________________________ (Rom. 8:14)
___________________________________________________________ (Rom. 8:26)
_________________________________________________________ (I Cor. 12:7 ff.)
II. Impact: The application of these truths to my life
A. Because the Spirit of God indwells my body, what am I to do in my body, according to I Corinthians 6:20? _________________________________________________________.
B. When we choose to surrender our hearts to God as Christians, what is the Holy Spirit able to do within us? (Eph. 5:18) _________________________________________________.
C. Jude discusses the need for building up our most holy faith by doing what “in the Holy Spirit”? (v. 20) ____________________________________________________________.
D. List the Spirit fruit that believers are commanded to exhibit in their lives, according to Galatians 5:22-23.
1. ______________________________ 6. _______________________________
2. ______________________________ 7. _______________________________
3. ______________________________ 8. _______________________________
4. ______________________________ 9. _______________________________
5. ______________________________
E. If by faith in Christ we live in the realm of the Holy Spirit, the writer of Galatians tells us we must also do what “in the Spirit”? (Gal. 5:25) _________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________.
F. According to II Corinthians 3:17, where the spirit of the Lord reigns, there is assurance of what? __________________________________________________________________.
HELPS FOR MAINTAINING PRIVATE DEVOTIONS
Meaning: Maintaining private or personal devotions has to do with the cultivation, by the means of personal prayer and Bible study, of increased love and loyalty to God.
I. The need for personal devotion
A. Apparent from Biblical commands: Colossians 3:16; II Timothy 2:15; II Peter 3:18
B. Apparent from Biblical illustrations: Enoch in Genesis 5:22, Isaac in Genesis 24:63, Joshua in Joshua 1:8, David in Psalm 119:2, and Jesus in Mark 1:35.
II. The time of personal devotions
Scripture does not specify an exact time for personal devotions, only that both day and night are seasonable for meditation.
A. The Psalmist said, “Early will I seek Thee” (Ps. 63:1; note: “early” may express urgency).
B. Isaac “went into the fields at eventide to meditate” (Gen. 24:63).
C. Godly believers, such as Spurgeon, Edwards, Hamm, and Mueller, would not so much as begin a day’s activities without spending sufficient time with the Master.
The important thing to remember about devotions is that it must be a time of solitude, when the door of care is shut; it is a time long enough to leave His sweet fragrance upon our hearts throughout our daily activity.
III. The objectives of personal devotions
A. To increase our love for Christ: if our private devotions do not result in this, then we are going through a mere mechanical exercise!
B. To know Christ’s leading (Ps. 119:105)
C. To rise above temptation (Ps. 119:11)
D. To grow in grace through spiritual exercise (I Tim. 4:8, 15)
CONCLUSION
Practice makes perfect; likewise, the Christian’s spiritual maturity rises only to the extent that he has been exercised in God’s Word (I Tim. 4:7).
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Landmarks of Faith is an overview of the basic doctrines of biblical faith. A practical section following each chapter enables life application with study helps. Easy to follow. Scripture saturation. Fill-in-the-blank format. Great for new converts, or a fresh review of timeless truth in a discipleship venue. Additional helps for daily devotion to Christ.
About the Author
Dr. Mark L. Graham holds A. A. and B.R.E. degrees from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, as well as M.Div. and D. Min. degrees from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida. He has also pursued study in the Greek Classics at Cornell University and trained at the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation of Laverock, Pennsylvania. Author of Harnessing the Harassment of Human Fears, Westbow Press, and several other counseling helps, Pastor Graham has an intense burden for the nurturing of New Testament churches. Having now served in local churches for nearly fifty years, as well as directing the Genesis Ministries (www.genesisministry.org) for twenty-five years, Dr. Graham is equipped to share biblical insight for the resolution of conflicts that God’s people are facing today. Currently, Pastor Graham is pastor at Skyline Baptist Church of Rome, NY.