The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit: An Introduction
Copyright © 2013 by John P. Bevere, Jr.
PUBLISHED BY: MESSENGER INTERNATIONAL
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the AMPLIFIED® Bible. Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION®. Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition). Copyright © 1992 American Bible Society. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked GW are taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) Scripture quotations marked NIV84 are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society. Note: Most New International Version Scripture quotations are taken from the 1984 edition and marked NIV84. A few are taken from the 2011 edition: THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Note: Some New Living Translation (NLT) Scripture quotations are taken from the first Edition. Scripture quotations marked PHILLIPS are from J.B. Phillips, “The New Testament in Modern English,” 1962 edition, published by HarperCollins. Scripture quotations marked The Message are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from THE LIVING BIBLE. Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked NET are from THE NET BIBLE®. Copyright © 2001-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted, italics and bold treatment used in Scripture and leader quotes indicate the author’s added emphasis. Brackets in Scripture versions except those marked (AMP) are the author’s parenthetical insertions.
ISBN: 978-1-933185-83-5
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS & DEVOTIONS WRITTEN & EDITED BY:
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Acknowledgments
To my wife, children, and grandchildren. You are each gifts from God and have brought such richness to my life. I will love you forever and ever.
To my son, Addison, your faith and hard work have enriched this message of the Holy Spirit. It simply would not have been what it is without your help.
To Jaylynn, thank you for your diligence to polish up this message through your excellent editing skills. Your efforts helped to provide both clarity and structure.
To Vincent, thank you for all your hard work in helping us create the devotions. Your work is truly one of a kind.
To the team members and partners of Messenger International, thank you for standing with Lisa and me. We couldn’t have asked God for more loyal and true friends to journey with us in reaching out to the nations of the world with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Most of all, thank You, Father God, for Your unfailing love; and Jesus my King, for giving Your precious life; and You, Holy Spirit, for Your amazing power, comfort, teaching, and intimate fellowship. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking us.
Table of Contents
Cover
Copyright
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
About the Book
Messenger Series
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Who is the Holy Spirit?
Chapter 1 - Day 1 Reading
Chapter 1 - Day 1 Devo
Chapter 1 - Day 2 Reading
Chapter 1 - Day 2 Devo
Chapter 1 - Day 3 Reading
Chapter 1 - Day 3 Devo
Chapter 1 - Day 4 Reading
Chapter 1 - Day 4 Devo
Chapter 1 - Day 5 Reading
Chapter 1 - Day 5 Devo
Chapter 1 - Discussion Questions
Chapter 1 - Chapter Summary
Chapter 2 - The Person of the Holy Spirit
Chapter 2 - Day 1 Reading
Chapter 2 - Day 1 Devo
Chapter 2 - Day 2 Reading
Chapter 2 - Day 2 Devo
Chapter 2 - Day 3 Reading
Chapter 2 - Day 3 Devo
Chapter 2 - Day 4 Reading
Chapter 2 - Day 4 Devo
Chapter 2 - Day 5 Reading
Chapter 2 - Day 5 Devo
Chapter 2 - Discussion Questions
Chapter 2 - Summary
Chapter 3 - Three Levels of Relationship
Chapter 3 - Day 1 Reading
Chapter 3 - Day 1 Devo
Chapter 3 - Day 2 Reading
Chapter 3 - Day 2 Devo
Chapter 3 - Day 3 Reading
Chapter 3 - Day 3 Devo
Chapter 3 - Day 4 Reading
Chapter 3 - Day 4 Devo
Chapter 3 - Day 5 Reading
Chapter 3 - Day 5 Devo
Chapter 3 - Discussion Questions
Chapter 3 - Chapter Summary
Chapter 4 - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Chapter 4 - Day 1 Reading
Chapter 4 - Day 1 Devo
Chapter 4 - Day 2 Reading
Chapter 4 - Day 2 Devo
Chapter 4 - Day 3 Reading
Chapter 4 - Day 3 Devo
Chapter 4 - Day 4 Reading
Chapter 4 - Day 4 Devo
Chapter 4 - Day 5 Reading
Chapter 4 - Day 5 Devo
Chapter 4 - Discussion Questions
Chapter 4 - Chapter Summary
Chapter 5 - The Spirit's Language
Chapter 5 - Day 1 Reading
Chapter 5 - Day 1 Devo
Chapter 5 - Day 2 Reading
Chapter 5 - Day 2 Devo
Chapter 5 - Day 3 Reading
Chapter 5 - Day 3 Devo
Chapter 5 - Day 4 Reading
Chapter 5 - Day 4 Devo
Chapter 5 - Day 5 Reading
Chapter 5 - Day 5 Devo
Chapter 5 - Discussion Questions
Chapter 5 - Chapter Summary
Chapter 6 - Q & A
Chapter 6 - Discussion Questions
Appendix A
Notes
Messenger Mission Statement
Curriculum by John
About This Interactive Book
This book may be read cover to cover, just like any other book. However, we encourage you to explore the optional interactive elements for a more personalized experience:
Each chapter of this book is divided into five suggested daily readings with corresponding devotions at the end of the chapter. You can choose to complete one reading and one devotion per day, or you can adapt these elements to your preference. We suggest that those participating in a group study complete the reading and devotions for one chapter per week.
If you are reading this book as part of the Messenger Series study on The Holy Spirit: An Introduction, we recommend that you watch or listen to each week’s teaching session and answer the discussion questions as a group. Then, read the chapter in the book and complete the devotions. There is one teaching session for each chapter in this book. Discussion questions for each chapter are located after the daily devotions.
Enjoy!
Introduction
When my dad first asked me to help him with this book, I was immediately struck by a sense of disbelief. I thought, He probably hasn’t prayed about this yet. Frankly I did not see myself as a worthy candidate. In fact, thinking about his request caused my stomach to flare like it was in the middle of a breakdancing competition.
I respectfully asked my dad to consider a few alternatives and to spend some serious time praying over the matter (maybe a year or two). Yet after a day of prayer, he was confident that I was the one for the task. It is important to him that the Holy Spirit does not become taboo amongst the younger generations, and he values my input as someone in his mid-twenties. My father and I know that many people—both young and old—will avoid this topic if they don’t understand who the Spirit is and how He functions.
So, despite my apprehensions, how could I refuse my father’s request? I was compelled to agree. What then transpired can only be described as a life-transforming journey. I began to see the Scriptures in a new light as God opened my eyes to many wonders of His Spirit. I soon discovered that the Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood Person in the Church. Countless labels and stereotypes have been assigned to Him, but too few of us know Him as He really is.
The purpose of this book is to facilitate an introduction to the Person of the Holy Spirit by taking you on a journey through the Scriptures. Aspects of this book may be challenging, but I promise you that the journey is worth your time and energy.
As you read the words on these pages, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth. He will remove any beliefs that are not grounded in His Word. You will discover that He does not “belong” to a denomination or a movement—and that He cannot be confined to a generation or an age. He has been sent to reveal Jesus and empower the entire Body of Christ. He has made our hearts His home, and He has promised to make good out of our lives. All we have to do is give Him control.
A better friend and companion cannot be found. The Holy Spirit will faithfully accompany you through all of life’s struggles and joys. He has promised to never leave or forsake you because you are His passion and delight. Get ready to discover the One who is the definition of awesome!
—Addison Bevere, COO, Messenger International
Now all of us can come to the Father through the same
Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
(Ephesians 2:18 NLT)
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.
—John 14:26 AMP
Day 1
It was the eve of a new year. An urge to fast and pray stirred within. I asked the Lord, “What book of the Bible should I read?” To my surprise I heard, “The book of Acts.”
Why was I surprised? Because my previous time of extended fasting and prayer had also been met with this exact directive: “Read the book of Acts.” During my previous fast, what stood out in Acts was a conflict of purpose and direction in the life of the apostle Paul, and its resulting consequences of hardship. Allow me to explain.
Paul was chosen by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He said, “I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles” (2 Timothy 1:11). This is a specific and focused directive. He repeated this mandate several times throughout the course of his life. Early in his first apostolic journey he stated to the Jews, “We turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles’” (Acts 13:46-47). During his second journey, he boldly stated, “From now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6). To the Romans he wrote, “I am an apostle to the Gentiles” (11:13). These statements continue throughout his writings.
However, out of his love and desire to see his Jewish countrymen saved, he repeatedly sought out the synagogues in almost every city he visited. He habitually approached the Jews before attempting to reach the Gentiles; in fact, it was often the Jewish rejection of his message that drove him to the Gentiles. As it turned out, the Jews were the source of Paul’s greatest persecution and trouble. They stirred up the populace and created animosity between the apostle and the Gentile leaders. Their divisive schemes were behind most of the riots, arrests, beatings, and trials Paul faced. An important note: God cares deeply for the Jews. This is why James, Peter, and John were sent to them: “James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church…encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews” (Galatians 2:9 NLT).
The message revealed to me during my previous fast was abundantly clear: “Son, stay within the sphere of grace that I’ve called you to walk in. Don’t allow your natural affections or love to pull you away from the divine assignment on your life.” Remembering this encounter with such clarity, it was surprising that God asked me to read through Acts again. After all, there were sixty-five other books to choose from!
I’m so glad I obeyed, for this time as I journeyed through Acts, something completely different stood out to me (demonstrating that the Word of God is truly alive). This time, what jumped off the pages was how much the leaders and members of the early Church looked to, interacted with, depended on, and spoke of the Holy Spirit. He was a vital part of their lives and involved in everything they did. He was preeminent in their ministry outreaches, team gatherings, and strategy meetings, and He was always involved in their activities. Here’s a sampling of the statements that stood out:
• “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 5:3)
• “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” (Acts 5:9)
• “We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 5:32)
• “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 7:51)
• “The Spirit told me to go with them.” (Acts 11:12)
• “One of them…showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine…” (Acts 11:28)
• “Being sent out by the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 13:4)
• “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us...” (Acts 15:28)
• “They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.” (Acts 16:6)
• “They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” (Acts 16:7)
• “Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified…” (Acts 18:5)
• “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2)
• “Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia.” (Acts 19:21 NLT)