The Holy Spirit and Miracles
Promise of the Holy Spirit’s Indwelling:
1) Romans 8:9 – If we don’t have the Spirit, then we are not Christ’s
2) Eph. 5:18 – We are to be filled with the Spirit
3) Eph. 1:13-14 – In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
How does the Spirit indwell us today?*
3 Major Views:
1. The Holy Spirit indwells us in a miraculous manner.
Is this view correct?
- In the 1st-century, many Christians had *the ability to perform miracles, which was a gift given them by the Holy Spirit.
OT Prophecy – Joel 2:28-32
NT Fulfillment – Acts 2:16-21
- How did the people receive it?
1) Not just by becoming a Christian*
a. Rom. 1:11 – Christians in Rome
b. Acts 8:12 – Christians in Samaria
2) An apostle had to lay his hands upon a person for that person to receive it*
a. Acts 8:14-19 – Took Peter & John
b. Acts 19:6 – Paul placed hands
- What was the purpose of miracles?*
1) To confirm the Word of God*
a. John 20:30-31
b. Eph. 2 – Paul & Epaphroditus
2) Therefore, not to last forever*
a. 1 Cor. 13:8-13 – Will cease
b. Eph. 4:8-15 – Unity of the faith
(1) Jude 3 – Now delivered
(2) No more revelation going on today
(3) Stories about miracles faded out shortly after the 1st-century
2. The Holy Spirit indwells us literally in a non-miraculous way.
3. The Holy Spirit indwells us representatively.
Both views teach:*
A. Miracles have ceased
B. The Word of God is All-Sufficient
2 Tim. 3:17
2 Pet. 1:3
C. Neither is a matter of fellowship
Differences between the views:*
A. Representative view has validity in that other “indwellings” have been found to be representative.
1. Eph. 3:17 – Jesus indwells us by faith
2. 1 John 4:15-16 – God indwells us and we indwell Him
B. Literal view has validity in that much, much more is said about the Holy Spirit’s indwelling than any other indwelling.
Apart from indwelling us, the Holy Spirit:*
1) Is involved in providence
2) Is involved in prayers (Rom. 8.26-27)