In part one we looked at the Gospel's information about the Holy Spirit. In part two we looked at Acts. Now we are going to take a look at Paul's letters. These are the letters written to particular churches/regions and the Pastoral epistles with specific admonitions and corrections for them. These letters are Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Philemon says nothing about the HS.
Romans
1:4
Jesus is declared to be the Son of God by the proof of his resurrection which was through the working of the HS. This is a proof that Jesus is divine.
2:29
It is the HS that circumcises our hearts. I think this means that we are cleansed by the HS, given a new heart by the HS, and as we will see later on in Galatians, makes us partakers of God's covenant with Abraham and thus "a Jew" inwardly.
5:5
This could be a follow-up to 2:29. The HS is the deliverer of God's love that has transformed our hearts. This allows us grace to suffer, endure, gain character, and hope (v. 3-4) as we await his return.
7:6
Paul is here juxtaposing the law and the Spirit. The Spirit is the new way, the way of freedom. The law is what held us captive and that we are no longer a slave thanks to the HS's work in our lives.
8:2-17
Paul expounds the point he started on in 7:6. The HS has set us free from the law (v. 2) and when we walk in step with the HS the law is fulfilled (v. 4). This means our mind is set on the things of the Spirit (v.5) which gives us life and peace (v. 6). If you do not have the HS, you are not of God and do not have life (v. 9-10). The HS will give us life just as he did Jesus Christ (v. 11). Finally, the HS bears witness that we are God's (v. 15-16) and this means we are adopted Sons of God.
8:23
As Paul continues, he says that the Romans have the firstfruits of the Spirit which testifies about our adoption that will be complete when Christ returns. Like the rest of creation, we groan for it to be remade.
8:26-27
The HS helps us pray by interceding according to the will of God. This is not a proof of praying in heavenly language tongues. The text clearly says that the "groanings [are] too deep for words."
9:1
Paul says that his conscience bears him witness in the HS. In other words the HS is reassuring Paul he actually is telling the truth.
14:17
A blunt statement from Paul about the uselessness of the law for the Kingdom of God. The kingdom is about the righteousness, peace, and joy in the HS. I presume that Paul is talking about the earthly evidence of the kingdom that will come in full when Christ returns.
15:13
Only through the HS can we have hope.
15:16
The HS sanctifies believers. This context is the Gentiles.
15:18-19
Paul evangelized Gentiles by word and deed, power of signs and wonders, and power of the HS. I think all of these things were empowered by the HS.
15:30
Paul appeals to the Romans by the love of the HS.
1 Corinthians
2:4
Paul tells the Corinthians that his message was by the power of the HS, not just his own worldly wisdom.
2:9-16
This is an important passage. Paul says that God reveals the hope of glory by the HS (v. 9-10). He then says that only the spirit of a person knows that person's thoughts (v. 11a), so only the HS knows the thoughts of God (v. 11b). We have received this HS (v. 12a) so we can understand godly things (v. 12b) and impart them to others (v. 13). The natural person doesn't understand these godly things because he doesn't have the HS (v. 14). We can judge all things by the HS (v. 15) because the HS knows the "mind of the Lord" (v. 16a) which is the very same "mind of Christ" that we have (v. 16b). This is what gives us the ability to read and ponder the Bible with clarity and understanding and why the Bible seems so ridiculous and foolish to those not being led by the HS.
3:16
We are the temple of God because the HS dwells in us. This correlates to the presence of God dwelling in the tabernacle/temple in the OT. We don't have to go to a certain place to worship and serve God (John 4:21-24).
6:11
When a believer is save they are washed, sanctified, and justified in Jesus Christ. Because of the finished work of the cross, it does not require any work on our part. This all happens by the power of the HS.
6:19
We are the temple of the HS. This tells us once again that the HS is God when we compare this with 3:16.
7:40
Paul comments that he too has the Spirit of God. I think he is saying that he is writing under inspiration from God on the matter of unmarried and widows (v. 25-39).
12:3
No one can say "Jesus is Lord" without the HS. Does this mean that everyone who says this combination of words is a faithful servant of Jesus Christ teaching everything correctly? No, I don't think Paul has that kind of mechanical view here. I think he is saying that those who actually profess Jesus as Lord and mean it can only do so by the HS. The mere annunciation of the words "Jesus is Lord" don't serve to prove anything about a person.
12:4
The HS gives out a variety of gifts.
12:7
The gifts or manifestations as Paul now calls them, are for the common good of the body of Christ.
12:8-11
The gifts of the HS are listed. Paul continues his line of thought that these gifts are all from the same Spirit. They are for individuals and the HS gives as he wills. While we might have one of these gifts (there are other gifts listed elsewhere in Paul's writings: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 7:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:11 also), it is the HS who has the charge of operating through us with the gifts. A person is not empowered with healing for instance, and can go around healing people at will. It is very clearly up to the HS's will (i.e. God's will), not ours. This also doesn't mean that a believer only has one gift. They may have multiple. Finally, as we will see shortly, this list is not comprehensive by any means and some of these gifts are mingled with others which leads me to the conclusion that Paul was listing gifts off the top of his head as examples of spiritual gifts, not as an exhaustive list. I will talk about his more at 1 Cor. 12:14-30 (v. 28 in particular).
12:13
This verse is interpreted differently in various translations, but sometimes (NIV) it is translated as "For we were all baptized in one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." This is a similar phrase to the baptism in the HS from the Gospels and Acts that we have already discussed. Is this another example of the Pentecostal baptism in the HS? Pentecostals would say no, because the context is clearly talking about when the Corinthians were saved, not a subsequent experience of empowerment by the HS. I don't think this interpretation holds up however. The prima facie reading of this statement seems the same to me as John the Baptists' "baptism with the HS." Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology (pg. 766-773), makes a compelling case from the Greek text that it is essentially the same phrase. This makes baptism in the HS a salvation experience. But, as I said when writing about Acts, I think that there are several things that happen as a person is converted and walks with Christ that could happen in any order God chooses. Figuring out exactly what order isn't important, it is being aware of all that God has to offer when he decides to give it to us.
12:14-30
Paul finishes this section (12:1-30) by explaining that there are different gifts so the whole Church can be built up and operate as God intended. He compares this to a body and its parts, which must work together or they will fail. No one has all the gifts and all the answers for guiding the Church, except God, who is giving out all these gifts to be used in harmony. In verse 28 we find another list of gifts, the second of this chapter. What is interesting is that miracles, healing, and tongues are mixed in with other gifts that were not mentioned in v. 8-11. This makes me think that none of Paul's lists are exhaustive as I said above. We will look at another list in Eph. 4.
13
This whole chapter says that without love, these gifts mean nothing. What does this have to do with the HS? The first fruit listed in Gal. 5:22 is love, which is manifested in us when we walk by the Spirit. Of note here as well is verse 10: "...when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away." Cessationists will say that the gifts were for the apostles (or the apostolic age) only. They then died away after the church was built up and off the ground so to speak. The "perfect" is the canon of scripture that is our guide. We don't need the gifts anymore. Paul goes on to say that "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known" (v. 12). What is the now and then? It seems to me that Paul is talking about when Christ comes. Mirrors don't show images perfectly, just like the gifts don't show God perfectly. Earthly knowledge, even if led by the HS in discovery, isn't perfect, but when Christ comes we will see him perfectly and know him perfectly just as he knows us now.
14:2
Speaking in tongues is to God because no one understands the "mysteries in the Spirit." Paul is saying that there should be an interpretation if a tongue is given or else it is not useful to the body.
14:12
The Corinthians, who were eager for the HS to operate openly, need to operate in the gifts that build up the church. That means interpreted tongues and singing in the Spirit per verse13. This whole chapter is concerned with the appropriate use of the gifts which Paul says should be in order (v. 26-33).
2 Corinthians
1:22
The HS is a believers' guarantee or down payment of salvation that will be paid in full when we are glorified with Christ at his second coming.
3:3
Here Paul is using a metaphor. The Corinthians are a letter written with the HS on tablets of human hearts. This relates directly to the previous verse about the HS living with us. Paul also says "Spirit of the living God" indicating for us, once again, that the HS is God.
3:6
Paul says he is a minister of the new covenant that is of the Spirit, not the letter. The HS gives life while the letter kills. This hearkens back to Jesus saying that one must be born again to enter the kingdom (John 3:3-8) and to creation when the HS was instrumental in the universe's "birth" (Gen. 1:2) and mankind's "birth" (Gen. 2:7).
3:8
Paul again constrats the ministry of the Spirit and the letter. If the law (letters) had glory, how much more does the Spirit have?
3:17-18
Here we have an explicit statement of the HS being God. Paul uses the word Lord (kyrios) and says that "the Lord who is the Spirit." This Spirit, who is God, gives freedom. Freedom to behold God in his glory which then transforms us into his image.
6:6
Paul says that his ministry is marked by the HS in commendation.
Galatians
3:2-6
Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions of the Galatians as they struggle with a false gospel from the Judaizers who want to add works of the law to the finished work of Christ. In order, the answers are:
1. We received the HS by hearing with faith
2. Yes, we can all be that foolish.
3. We are not ever perfected by the flesh.
4. We don't have to suffer in vain.
5. By hearing with faith, just like Abraham.
This passage makes it very clear that we are saved by the work of Christ through the HS and not by works of any law (Paul just happens to be dealing with Mosaic law, but all laws are useless to earn eternal life).
4:6
This is an interesting verse. Note the order. We are sons, therefore the HS is in our hearts. This could go two ways (at least). This could be seen as adoption first, then the HS. Or it could be that adoption follows conversion as two separate events in which the HS is performing different actions at different times. It seems more natural to me to read this passage and related ones (Gal. 3:26; Rom. 8:15-16) as a single event that encompass several things at once: justification, conversion, adoption, regeneration. All of this is accompanied by the HS doing all sorts of things.
4:29
During Paul's analogy concerning Ishmael (the flesh) and Isaac (the Spirit) he says that the former's persecution of the latter is happening now. The flesh torments the Spirit.
5:5-23
We wait in hope only by the HS, through faith. Paul then continues contrasting the flesh and the Spirit urging the Galatians to forsake the false gospel hindering them and live according to the Spirit. He tells them that the Spirit is against the flesh and vice-versa. In verse 22 he recounts the fruit of the HS: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Unlike the various HS gift lists, there is only one fruit list. Since Paul says that all the gifts are worthless without love and love is one of the fruits of the HS; it follows that the fruit is more important than the gifts. Something that many in the Christian world seem to get backwards.
6:8
As Paul concludes the flesh/Spirit comparison he says that the flesh reaps corruption and the Spirit reaps eternal life.
Ephesians
1:17
Paul is praying that the Ephesians receive the HS, which he describes as being of wisdom and revelation. This wisdom and revelation is related to Christ's finished work and the hope of glory that awaits us (v. 18-21).
2:18
In the HS we have access to the Father through Jesus.
2:22
Paul again says that we are a dwelling place for God like 1 Cor. 3:16 does (as individuals). The HS is building us. This is in the context of the whole Church this time.
3:5
The mystery of the Gospel is revealed to apostles and prophets of this age by the HS. If you know anything about Mormon doctrine, you know that they believe that the "fullness of the Gospel" was preached in every generation and lost. That includes Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc. But, Paul nixes that idea in this verse. The Gospel, he says "was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed."
3:16-17
The power of the HS gives us faith so that Christ can dwell in us.
4:3-4
Paul urges the Ephesians to be unified which can only take place by the one HS.
4:30
The HS should not be grieved. The HS seals us for the day of redemption. This again shows that it is God's work to save and persevere us, not ours.
5:18
An oft-quoted verse. We should always be filled with the HS. The verb tense makes this something like "be being filled with the HS". It is a continuing action that we should always be doing. The HS will fill us if we don't grieve him (4:30).
6:17-18
The sword of the HS is the word of God. It is our offensive weapon against the enemy. We should also pray in the HS. This could mean tongues, like a heavenly prayer language (1 Cor. 14), or with the HS intercessing (Rom 8:26-27).
Philippians
1:19
The HS helps Paul's ministry. The HS is called the "Spirit of Jesus Christ" in this passage. This rounds out the names for the HS in the NT. He has been called the HS, comforter, teacher, Spirit of the Father, Spirit of God, and now Spirit of Christ. It should be clear now that there is some realtionship between the Father, Son, and HS that goes beyond master and servant. They are being equated by the use of these names.
2:1
Paul encourages the Philippians to have unity. If they have any participation in the HS, they will be unified.
3:3
Worship is by the HS. This hearkens back to John 4:24. It is only through the HS (and truth!) that we can properly worship God.
Colossians
1:8
Love is in the HS, per 1 Cor. 13.
1 Thessalonians
1:5-6
The Gospel came to the Thessalonians in the HS (Rom 15:18-19; 1 Cor 2:4) and they received it in the joy of the HS (Gal 5:22).
4:8
God gives the HS to you. The physics of this means that the Father, the Son, and the HS give the HS to you. This makes the HS a person because he is willingly giving himself to you. He can't have a will without being a person.
5:19
"Do not quench the Spirit." Enough said
2 Thessalonians
2:13
The HS sanctifies believers, which means he cleanses us in preparation for our final redemption.
1 Timothy
3:16
Speaking of Christ, Paul says that he was "vindicated [or justified] by the Spirit." I think this is talking about his resurrection which happened through the HS. The order would make sense as well with that interpretation.
4:1
The HS prophesied about the end times.
2 Timothy
1:14
Paul tells Timothy to guard the deposit (the Gosepl v. 8-13) by the HS. Presumably, he is telling him not to wander from the actual Gospel as that is the thrust of this whole section.
Titus
3:5
Another instance of the sanctifying work of the HS.
Paul's letters carry a few themes that recur.
1. We are both individually and collectively a temple(s) of the HS. This is God's presence inside of us just like he descended on the tabernacle and the temple in the OT.
2. The Gospel message is delivered in the power of the HS, not in fancy arguments.
3. The HS is God. We can deduce this from the various names the HS is called throughout Paul's letters as well as the Gospels and Acts.
4. The HS is preparing us for the 2nd coming of Christ. He circumcises our hearts, seals us, sanctifies us, washes us, and testifies to us that we are sons of God.
5. The HS's work is ongoing in both the gifts (less important) and the fruit (more important). Remember, without love nothing is worthwhile including the HS's gifts.
Next time we will finish this series by covering the general epistles including Revelation.
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