The Work of the Spirit in Scripture

Opening Prayer and Reflection

  • Father in heaven: Thankful for the opportunity to reflect on spiritual matters.

  • Request: Seeking guidance through the spirit to share in divine life, understand biblical teachings, and deepen love for God, all in Jesus' name.

The Work of the Spirit in Scripture

  • Focus on the Spirit's Work: Emphasizing the transition from the Old to the New Testament.

The Spirit's Role in the Old Testament and Transition to the New

  • Previous Discussion: Connection of the Spirit to specific individuals and roles.

    • The Spirit connected to prophecy, redemption, and specific missions (e.g., anointing for particular purposes).

  • Shift in Context: The New Testament, specifically the Gospel of John, further elucidates the Spirit's role and relationship with Christ.

The Spirit as Christ's Continuing Presence

  • Origin of the Spirit: Proceeds from both the Father and the Son, signifying an extension of their relationship.

    • The Spirit acts as the ongoing presence of Christ among believers.

  • Key Promises of Jesus:

    • "He dwells with you and will be in you."

    • Assurance of Christ’s presence with believers through the Spirit.

  • Connection to Calvin's Thought:

    • Refers to the word "comforter" which applies to both Christ and the Spirit, indicating their shared roles in comforting and exalting believers.

    • Protection Relationship:

    • Christ protected disciples visibly during His time on earth; now He protects through the Spirit.

The Spirit as Teacher and Reminder of Jesus' Words

  • Role of Teaching: The Spirit internally teaches and brings back to remembrance Jesus' teachings to believers.

    • This involves:

    • Ongoing teaching of Jesus' words through the Spirit.

    • Insight into hermeneutics: The necessity of the Spirit for understanding Scripture, highlighting theological hermeneutics rather than mere human interpretation.

  • Illumination: The Spirit aids in interpreting and internalizing Biblical teachings.

The Spirit as Witness and Empowering Force

  • Testimony: The Spirit bears witness to Jesus, empowering believers to testify about Christ.

    • Reference to John 15:26-27: The Spirit aids in inspiring speech about Jesus and reveals Him to the world.

The Advocate and Convictor Role of the Spirit

  • Advantage of the Spirit's Coming: Jesus states it is advantageous for Him to depart so that the Spirit can come.

  • Conviction Works of the Spirit:

    • Conviction of Sin: Highlighting unbelief in Christ.

    • Conviction of Righteousness: Demonstrating Christ's vindication through resurrection.

    • Conviction of Judgment: Signifying the defeat of God's enemies and exposing falsehood.

The Spirit as Guide and Glorifier of Christ

  • Guiding into Truth: The Spirit guides believers, speaks from Christ, and glorifies Him.

  • Relationship of Scripture and the Spirit:

    • The manifestation of the Spirit's work is accountable against the teaching of Christ in Scripture.

Summary of the Spirit's Work

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Personal and Relational: Linked in believers.

    • Didactic: Teaching role primarily within the church, extends into the world (missional).

    • Christ-Centered: Focused on glorifying and mediating Christ's presence.

Old Testament Understanding of the Spirit

  • Inquiry About the Spirit Pre-Pentecost: Discussion on how knowledge of God and His word existed in the Old Testament.

    • Role of the Prophets: The Spirit revealed God's word through prophetic figures.

    • Understanding of Regeneration: Old Testament believers experienced faith and regeneration, but the outpouring at Pentecost was a significant and qualitatively distinct event.

Human Agency & Divine Agency

  • Key Question: Exploring the interplay between divine agency and human response, particularly in calling.

    • How does grace affect the ability to respond to divine calls?

  • Council of Orange: Convened in 529 AD addressing grace and human effort.

    • Assertion: Grace operates before justification, enabling prayer, desire, faith, and salutary actions associated with salvation.

Augustine vs. Pelagius

  • Augustine's Views:

    • Stresses human incapacity to obey divine commands without grace.

    • Quote: "Give what you command, and command whatever you will" — implies God must provide the means to obey.

  • Pelagius' Stance:

    • Believed humanity has the capacity to follow divine commands based on the presence of the moral law, implying inherent ability to obey (i.e., "ought implies can").

Relationship to Contemporary Debates

  • Calvinism vs. Arminianism: Link to historical theological discussions regarding the nature of divine and human agency in salvation.

Predestination, Calling, and Justification

  • Understanding Predestination:

    • Defined contextually within scriptures, emphasizing unconditionality of election.

  • Scriptural Passages:

    • Romans 8:30: Demonstrates the sequence of predestination to calling, justification, and glorification.

Concluding Thoughts

  • Understanding the Order of Salvation: The logical order involving foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification.

    • Emphasis on Conformity to Christ: Continuous shaping of believers through these processes.

Final Questions and Clarifications

  • Discussion on Reprobation: Defined as election unto death, not imposing guilt for actions, but allowing natural human inclination.

  • The Role of Scripture in Understanding God's Actions: The balance between human decision and divine agency as articulated in scripture (e.g., Pharaoh's hardening of heart).

  • God's Sovereignty: Understanding why not all hearts are softened, encompassing themes of mystery and divine freedom in human salvation.

Homework and Future Topics

  • Next Session: Examining modernism, synergism, and justification in further detail.

  • Preparation: Familiarize with the logical ordering of salvation as discussed in Romans 8:28-30.