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the Spirit
Denzil R. Miller
Experiencing the Spirit: A Study on the Work of the Holy Spirit in
the Life of the Believer. © 2009 Denzil R. Miller. All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical,
photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission
of the copyright owner, except brief quotations used in connection with
reviews in magazines or newspapers.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962,
1963, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman
Foundation. All rights reserved.
ISBN 9-78073610-406-7
Website: www.ActsinAfrica.org
Email: info@ActsinAfrica.org
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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– Lesson 1 –
Meet Your
Remarkable Friend
Central Truth
Since the Holy Spirit is a divine person, He can be known and
experienced.
Lesson Outline
• The Holy Spirit is God
• The Holy Spirit is a Person
• Names of the Holy Spirit
Introduction
Unless a man and his wife agree, there will be strife in the home
(see Amos 3:3). The same is true of our walk with the Spirit of God.
Before we can live in close fellowship with the Spirit, we must first
be in agreement with Him. And, before we can be in agreement with
the Spirit, we must first come to know Him personally. The Holy
Spirit wants to be more to us than just a “doctrine we believe” or a
“tool we use,” He wants to be our personal Friend and Guide. In this
lesson we will begin our wonderful journey of knowing and
experiencing the Spirit. We will do this by getting better acquainted
with our Remarkable Friend—the Holy Spirit. In doing this we will
answer the important question, “Who is the Holy Spirit?”
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Lesson 1: Meet Your Remarkable Friend
the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
So, just as the Heavenly Father is God, and Jesus the Son is
God, the Holy Spirit is also God. When we speak of the power of the
Holy Spirit, we are in reality talking about the power of God. When
we talk about the voice of the Holy Spirit, we are talking about the
voice of God. In fact, anytime we speak about the Holy Spirit we are
speaking of God.
A Divine Person
What do you think when you hear that the Holy Spirit is a
person? Some people have no problem thinking of God the Father
as a person, and they have no problem thinking of Jesus as a person,
but they struggle in thinking of the Holy Spirit as a person. This
could be because His name, the Holy Spirit, sounds more like a thing
than a person. Paul, however, referred to the Holy Spirit as “the
Spirit Himself” (Rom. 8:16, 26). Notice that Paul did not call the
Holy Spirit, “the Spirit itself” (as the KJV wrongly translates)
because He is not a thing, but a divine person. So, just as the Father
and the Son are persons, the Holy Spirit is a person. It is, therefore,
wrong to refer to Him as “it.” We should always refer to the Spirit
as “He” or “Him.”
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Lesson 1: Meet Your Remarkable Friend
Personal Attributes
When we speak of the Holy Spirit as a person we do not mean
that He is a human being with a physical body like you or me. We
do mean, however, that, as a person, He has a mind and a
personality. Here are some Scripture references which speak of the
personal attributes and activities of the Holy Spirit:
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Lesson 1: Meet Your Remarkable Friend
without sin or evil of any kind. He is the one who imparts the
holiness of God into the life of the believer (Rom. 8:13; 15:16).
4. Counselor (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7). The word translated
“Counselor”(NIV) literally means “one who walks along side
another to help.” As the Counselor, the Holy Spirit is the one who
takes the place of Jesus. He will be everything to us that Jesus would
be if He were here in person.
5. Spirit of Christ. (John 15:26; Rom. 8:9). As the Spirit of
Christ, the Holy Spirit speaks about Christ, reveals Him to the
unbeliever, and supplies the faith the repentant sinner needs to
believe in Him. He then imparts the Christ-life to all who believe.
6. Holy Spirit of Promise (Eph. 1:13). The Holy Spirit was
promised to God’s people from ancient times (Joel 2:28-29). Jesus
called the baptism in the Holy Spirit “the promise of the Father”
(Luke 24:29; Acts 1:4).
7. Spirit of Truth (John 14:16, 17; 15, 26; 16:13). One of the
Holy Spirit’s works in believers is to live in them, to testify
concerning Jesus, and to guide them into all truth.
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Why is it important that we understand that the Holy Spirit is
God?
2. Why is it important that we understand that the Holy Spirit is a
person?
3. How does knowing the various names of the Holy Spirit help us
in relating to and experiencing Him?
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– Lesson 2 –
Your Wonderful Life
in the Spirit
Central Truth
Every believer should earnestly desire and ardently pursue a life
in step with the Spirit.
Lesson Outline
• Life in the Spirit Defined
• The Blessings and Benefits of Life in the Spirit
• Prerequisites to Life in the Spirit
Introduction
When we purchase something in the market, we want to receive
the maximum return on our investment. That’s why we bargain for
the lowest price possible! It is the same with God. He wants every
person to receive the maximum return on his or her investment in
life. This is one reason why Jesus came—to give us “life to the full”
(John 10:10).
In this lesson we will learn more about the wonderful life that
God offers to every believer, a life lived “in step with the Spirit”
(Gal. 5:25). In doing this, we will answer three important questions:
(1) What is meant by the term “in the Spirit?” (2) What are the
benefits and blessings of a life lived in the Spirit? and (3) What must
we do before we can live in the Spirit?
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Lesson 2: Your Wonderful Life in the Spirit
Great blessings come into the lives of Christians who enter into
the Spirit-filled life. Blessings also come to the church as more and
more Christians learn to walk and live their lives under the Spirit’s
direction. Here are some benefits that come as a result of living
one’s life in the Spirit:
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Lesson 2: Your Wonderful Life in the Spirit
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Lesson 2: Your Wonderful Life in the Spirit
spirit will never be able to live a life in step with the Spirit of God
(Heb. 3:8; 4:7).
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Discuss why many Christians fail to live in step with the Spirit
of God.
2. Discuss several benefits that come to the church and into a
Christian’s life from living in the Spirit.
3. Why is spiritual experience so necessary before one can live in
step with the Spirit?
4. How does one’s openness to the things of God influence his or
her walk with the Spirit?
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– Lesson 3 –
The Gateway to Life
in the Spirit
Central Truth
Every believer should enter into the Spirit-filled life by being
baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Lesson Outline
• What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
• Why Is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit So Important?
Introduction
Just before Jesus returned to heaven He commanded His
disciples to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). In this lesson
we will discuss this powerful spiritual experience. We will learn that
it is the gateway into the Spirit-filled life. In doing this we will
answer two questions about this essential experience: (1) What is the
baptism in the Holy Spirit? and (2) Why is the baptism in the Holy
Spirit so important to a life in the Spirit?
A Biblical Experience
When we say that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a biblical
experience we mean two things:
1. It is in the Bible. The experience of Spirit baptism is not an
invention of any modern religious movement. It is found in the
pages of the Bible. John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter all spoke of the
experience (Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:4; 11:16). Jesus promised power to
those who received it (Acts 1:8). The disciples were first baptized in
the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4).
2. It is a command. All believers are commanded to be filled
with the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus returned to heaven He
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Lesson 3: The Gateway to Life in the Spirit
commanded His disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the
gift my Father promised” (v. 4). Paul commanded believers to “be
filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Are you a believer in Christ?
Then you, too, have been commanded to be filled with the Holy
Spirit.
A Separate Experience
The Holy Spirit is a separate experience from the new birth. On
three different occasions in Acts the new birth and the baptism in the
Holy Spirit are shown to be separate experiences:
1. The Revival in Samaria (Acts 8:4-17). The Bible says that
Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ to them (v. 5). They
believed and received the message (v. 6, 12), experienced great joy
(v. 8), and were baptized in water (v. 12). And yet, it was not until
Peter and John arrived some days later and laid hands on them that
they received the Holy Spirit (vv. 16-17).
2. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-19). Saul of Tarsus (Paul), was
converted on the Damascus road, and was later filled with the Spirit
in the city of Damascus when Ananias prayed for him. We know that
he was truly converted when he encountered Jesus on the road
because he called Jesus “Lord” (v. 5; ref. 1 Cor. 12:3), he obeyed
Jesus and submitted fully to Christ’s will (vv. 6-9), and Ananias
called him “Brother Saul” (vv. 17; Acts 22:13). Some days later,
when Ananias laid hands on him, he received the Holy Spirit (vv.
17-18). There was thus a period of time between Saul’s conversion
and his receiving the Spirit.
3. The Ephesian Disciples (Acts 19:1-7). The twelve Ephesian
disciples were likely members of the emerging church in Ephesus
(Acts 18:27). They had believed the message of John the Baptist
concerning the Lord Jesus and had put their faith in Him. Paul,
therefore, baptized them in water (vv. 4-5). It was after all of this
that “the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and
prophesied” (v 6). Like the Samaritans and Saul before them, the
Ephesians’ experience of Spirit baptism was subsequent to and
separate from their new birth.
A Normative Experience
When we say that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a normative
experience we mean that it is for all believers. Throughout the Bible
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Lesson 3: The Gateway to Life in the Spirit
the word “all” is often used in relation to receiving the Spirit (see
Num. 11:29; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:4, 17; 10:44-47). Jesus said that
the heavenly Father would give the Spirit to any of His children who
would simply ask for it (Luke 11:9-13).
A Powerful Experience
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would come upon the believer as
“power from on high” (Luke 24:49). When one is filled with the
Spirit, he or she is consumed with and overcome by God’s mighty
power and presence. The experience dramatically changed Peter and
the others who were filled with the Spirit in the book of Acts. Once
you have been truly baptized in the Holy Spirit, you will never be
the same.
A Necessary Experience
It is essential that every Christian be baptized in the Holy Spirit
(Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5). The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the
believer’s source of spiritual strength and the gateway into the
Spirit-filled life.
Greater Effectiveness
Being filled with the Spirit opens the way for greater
effectiveness in our work for the Lord. The experience will empower
the believer for effective service in three primary areas:
1. Power to witness. Jesus promised, “You will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses”
(Acts 1:8). Every believer needs to be filled with the Spirit because
every believer has been called to be Christ’s witness (Luke 24:48;
Acts 2:32; 5:32).
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Lesson 3: The Gateway to Life in the Spirit
If being filled with the Holy Spirit will bring such blessings into
the life of the Christian, who would not want to be filled? Have you
been filled with the Spirit? If not, you can be today. A wonderful life
in the Spirit is yours for the asking!
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Why do we say that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a biblical
experience?
2. Why is it necessary for every believer to be baptized in the Holy
Spirit soon after conversion?
3. Discuss several benefits of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
4. How is the baptism in the Holy Spirit the “gateway into the
Spirit-filled life”?
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– Lesson 4 –
How You Can Be Filled with
the Holy Spirit Today
Central Truth
We can each receive the Holy Spirit today by acting in bold
faith.
Lesson Outline
• Elements Involved in Receiving the Spirit
• When You Come To Be Filled with the Spirit
• Be Filled with the Spirit Today!
Introduction
The experience of the 120 on the Day of Pentecost set the
pattern for all of God’s people until Jesus comes again (Acts 2:1-4;
39). In this lesson we will talk about how you, and the ones to whom
you minister, can receive this gift of the Holy Spirit believers. As
you study this lesson, open your heart to God. Allow the Holy Spirit
to fill and empower you, just as He did those first disciples on the
Day of Pentecost.
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Lesson 4: How You Can Be Filled with the Holy Spirit Today
Exercising Faith
Jesus said that the experience is for the one “who believes”
(John 7:38). Paul taught that the promise of the Spirit is received by
“believing the message” (Gal. 3:2, 5, 14).
Receiving
Receiving the Holy Spirit is an act of bold faith. Jesus taught,
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,
and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). God’s hand is outstretched. He
is waiting for you to take the gift from Him. Claim the fullness of the
Spirit right now by the bold act of receiving.
Speaking
On the day of Pentecost “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak…” (Acts 2:4). As they spoke, the Holy Spirit
performed a miracle in their mouths. They “began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Once you have, by an act of
faith, received the Holy Spirit, you will sense His presence deep
inside. At that moment you should begin to boldly speak out,
allowing the Spirit to take control and pray through you. You will
begin speaking in a beautiful new language. The language will not
come from your mind, but from deep inside your inner man (John
7:38; 1 Cor. 14:14).
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Lesson 4: How You Can Be Filled with the Holy Spirit Today
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Lesson 4: How You Can Be Filled with the Holy Spirit Today
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the gateway into the Spirit-
filled life. It should thus be the aim of every Christian to be filled
with the Spirit. And it should be the goal of every Christian leader
to see that every believer has been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Discuss the five elements involved in being filled with the
Spirit. Why is each element important?
2. How do you respond to the author’s statement that “being filled
with the Holy Spirit is easy”?
3. Why is it important to know that empowerment for witness is
the primary purpose of Spirit baptism?
4. What should we do about Christ’s command to be baptized in
the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4-5)?
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– Lesson 5 –
Maintaining the
Spirit-filled Life
Central Truth
It is the believer’s responsibility to maintain his or her own life
in the Spirit.
Lesson Outline
• The Importance of Maintaining the Spirit-filled Life
• Guidelines for Maintaining the Spirit-filled Life
Introduction
Things fall apart. That’s a saying that is often heard in Africa.
And it’s true. Anything in this life left unattended falls apart—it
deteriorates. The same is true of our spiritual lives. Unless they are
constantly maintained, they deteriorate (see 2 Tim. 1:6). In this
lesson we will discuss how the Spirit-baptized believer can maintain
his or her walk in the Spirit.
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Lesson 5: Maintaining the Spirit-filled Life
What specific steps can one take to ensure that that he or she
continues to walk in the Spirit? Let’s look at eight:
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Lesson 5: Maintaining the Spirit-filled Life
tongues more than all of you” (v. 18). Through prayer in the Spirit
we maintain a powerful spirit-to-Spirit communion with God.
Be Fervent in Worship
Heartfelt worship is a third way a Christian can maintain his or
her life in the Spirit. It is through Spirit-directed worship that we are
“raised…up with Christ and seated…with Him in the heavenly
realms” (Eph. 2:6). Such worship results in “times of refreshing…
from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). When opportunities present themselves,
we must enter into spiritual worship with our whole heart (Ps.
100:4). As we worship in the Spirit, our spirits are renewed, our faith
is built up, our soul is refreshed, and we are readied for spiritual
battle (Eph. 5:18-20).
Walk by Faith
Another strategy for maintaining our lives in the Spirit is to walk
by faith. To walk by faith and to walk by the Spirit are parallel
concepts. Paul connected the walk of faith and the walk of the Spirit:
“For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of
righteousness” (Gal. 5:5 NASB).
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Lesson 5: Maintaining the Spirit-filled Life
Walk in Obedience
Obedient, holy living is another requirement for maintaining the
Spirit-filled life. The Holy Spirit can be grieved and our spiritual
lives can be blighted by impure living. Paul listed certain sins that
grieve the Spirit of God, including unwholesome talk, bitterness,
rage, anger, brawling, slander, and malice (Eph. 4:29-31). Such
unholy attitudes and actions will quench the Spirit’s moving in our
lives, grieving Him and causing Him to depart. On the other hand,
as we obey the voice of the Spirit, His presence grows stronger and
we learn to better follow Him (Heb. 5:14).
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. List and discuss reasons why is it important that the Spirit-filled
Christian strive to maintain the Spirit’s touch on his or her life?
2. Who is to blame if a believer loses the Spirit’s touch on his or
her life? Give reasons for your answer.
3. The author suggested eight strategies for maintaining one’s life
in the Spirit. Can you think of others?
4. Discuss three strategies for maintaining the Spirit-filled life that
you feel are especially important in your own walk in the Spirit
at this time.
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– Lesson 6 –
The Fellowship of
the Holy Spirit
Central Truth
Every believer should walk in daily fellowship with the Holy
Spirit.
Lesson Outline
• What Is Meant by the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
• Why We Need the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
• How We Can Live in Daily Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
Introduction
We can know God the Father, and we can know Jesus the Son,
but can we really know the Holy Spirit? The answer is a resounding
“Yes!” We can know the Spirit, and we can know Him intimately.
Paul concluded 2 Corinthians with a benediction: “May the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all” (13:14). Notice the phrase fellowship of
the Holy Spirit. This fellowship of the Spirit is a wonderful privilege
of every Spirit-filled Christian. In this lesson we will discuss how
one may live in daily fellowship with the Spirit of God.
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Lesson 6: The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
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Lesson 6: The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
increased persuasive power and divine insight into the Scriptures and
into the needs of the people. Further, the Spirit will assist us by
giving us power over the enemy (Matt. 12:28; Luke 10:19). Gospel
ministry involves challenging and defeating evil spirits (Mark
16:17). Here again, the Spirit will be with us to help us to defeat
Satan (1 John 4:4; Matt. 12:28-29).
The Prerequisites
It stands to reason that, before one can continue in fellowship
with the Spirit, he or she must first begin his or her life in the Spirit
(Gal. 3:3). Life in the Spirit begins with two essential spiritual
experiences:
1. Being born of the Spirit (John 3:3-7; 2 Cor. 5:17). The
unsaved person cannot know or understand the Spirit of God (John
14:17; 1 Cor. 2:14). However, as a result of being born again, one
can “see” and experience the things of the Spirit (John 3:3).
2. Being filled with the Spirit. (Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4). Spirit baptism
increases one’s capacity for spiritual things. As a result of being
filled with the Spirit, the believer is more keenly aware of the
Spirit’s indwelling presence. His or her life is more fully energized
by the Spirit’s abiding presence.
The Problem
And yet there is a problem with many whose lives have been
touched by the Spirit of God. Non-Pentecostals often assume that
once they have been born again, they have “gotten it all” and, as a
result, never progress in their spiritual experience. Many
Pentecostals make a similar mistake. They think that once they have
been baptized in the Holy Spirit they have “arrived” and that there
is nothing more for them to do. They wrongly view the experience
of Spirit baptism as a finish line, when, in reality, it is a starting line
in the Christian life. Spirit baptism should not be viewed as simply
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Lesson 6: The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
The Plan
Once a person has been born again and filled with the Spirit, he
or she must aim to live in daily fellowship with the Spirit. To do this
they must have a plan for building a strong relationship with the
Spirit of God. This plan should involve two essential elements:
1. Prayer in the Spirit. Prayer in tongues is a major form of
prayer in the Spirit (compare Rom. 8:26 with 1 Cor. 14:2-4). When
Spirit-filled believers thus pray, the Spirit of God comes upon them,
prays through them, and their relationship with God is strengthened
(1 Cor. 14:14). At such a times an intimate communion takes place
between the believer and the Holy Spirit.
2. Prayer to the Spirit. Not only should we pray in the Spirit, we
should also pray to the Spirit. As we spend time in communion with
the Spirit we build a more intimate relationship with Him. By doing
this we can know Him better and better each day.
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. In what ways is fellowship with the Spirit different from being
born again or even filled with the Spirit?
2. How does the Holy Spirit bring us into a loving relationship
with the Father? With the Son? With Himself?
3. Why does every believer need to live in constant fellowship
with the Holy Spirit?
4. What are the prerequisites to one’s living in fellowship with the
Spirit?
5. How can a believer live in fellowship with the Holy Spirit?
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– Lesson 7 –
Walking in the Spirit
Central Truth
It is every believer’s privilege and responsibility to walk in step
with the Holy Spirit.
Lesson Outline
• The Importance of Walking in the Spirit
• What It Means to Walk in the Spirit
• Requirements for Walking in the Spirit
Introduction
Paul encouraged the Christians in Galatia to live their lives in
step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Not only were they to begin
their Christian lives in the Spirit, they were to continue to live each
day of their lives in the Spirit. In this lesson we will discuss the
importance, meaning, and means of walking in the Spirit.
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Lesson 7: Walking in the Spirit
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Lesson 7: Walking in the Spirit
Romans reveals that walking by the Spirit means at least four things:
To Walk in Holiness
Paul instructed the Galatians, “Live by the Spirit, and you will
not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Gal. 5:16; see also 5:24).
As they were guided by the Holy Spirit, they would be lead into a
life of Christlike holiness. It is the same today, as we live our lives
under the rule of the Spirit, we will be compelled (John 16:8-11) and
empowered to live holy lives (Rom. 8:1-4, 13; Gal. 5:22-23).
To Walk in Love
To walk in the Spirit is to walk in love (compare Gal. 5:22 with
5:25). It is through the Holy Spirit that we experience God’s love
(Rom. 5:5), and it is by the same Spirit that we are kept in His love
(Jude 20-21).
To Walk in Faith
A life in the Spirit is a life of faith. Jesus said that the living
waters of the Spirit would flow out of “whoever believes” (John
7:38). The Galatians began their life in the Spirit by “believing what
[they] heard.” They had, by faith, received the “promise of the
Spirit” (Gal 3:14). In addition, God had given them His Spirit and
worked miracles among them because they had “believ[ed] what
they had heard” (v. 5). Our lives in the Spirit are from start to finish
lives of faith.
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Lesson 7: Walking in the Spirit
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Why is it important that every Spirit-filled Christian learn how
to walk in the Spirit?
2. How is Jesus our great example of one who truly lived and
walked in the Spirit?
3. How can a believer know if he or she is truly living a life in step
with the Spirit?
4. Describe how a Christian can sow to the Spirit?
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– Lesson 8 –
Speaking in Tongues,
What Good Is It?
Central Truth
Every believer should daily practice prayer in tongues.
Lesson Outline
• What is Speaking in Tongues?
• What Good is Speaking in Tongues?
Introduction
A distinctive characteristic of the Pentecostal church is the belief
that speaking in tongues is a valid and necessary practice for
Christians today. This lesson will address this important issue. In
doing this, it will answer two questions: (1) What is speaking in
tongues? and (2) What good is it?
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Lesson 8: Speaking in Tongues—What Good Is It?
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Lesson 8: Speaking in Tongues—What Good Is It?
3. Helps one learn to more fully trust God. As the believer puts
his complete trust in God, and yields himself to the Spirit, he learns
to more fully trust in God and His grace.
4. A perfect outlet for praise and worship. Paul taught that the
person who speaks in an unknown tongue is “praising God with [his
or her] spirit” and giving thanks to Him (1 Cor. 14:16).
5. A scriptural sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The truly
Spirit-baptized believer need never doubt whether he or she has been
filled with the Holy Spirit. They will speak in tongues as the Spirit
enables (Acts 2:4; 10:46).
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Lesson 8: Speaking in Tongues—What Good Is It?
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Why is it important for believers to know the true nature and
purpose of speaking in tongues?
2. Discuss the blessings that come to a believer who prays in
tongues during his or her personal devotional times.
3. Discuss the blessing that come to a congregation when the gifts
of tongues and the interpretation of tongues are properly
administered.
4. Discuss how the gifts of tongues and the interpretation of
tongues can function as prophetic prayer in a congregation. Why
do you think that this use of these gifts has been neglected in
Pentecostal churches? What has been the result?
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– Lesson 9 –
Overcoming Temptation through
the Power of the Spirit
Central Truth
We can each triumph over temptation through the power of the
Spirit.
Lesson Outline
• What the Bible Says about Temptation
• Triumphing over Temptation
Introduction
In this lesson we will discuss an issue with which we are all
familiar—the issue of temptation. We will first talk about temptation
in general. Then, we will discuss how the Holy Spirit can give us
victory over temptation and sin.
Victory is Possible
We are not helpless puppets to Satan, nor or we slaves to our
own fleshly lusts, but we can win the battle against temptation. God
has promised to provide a way out of every temptation (1 Cor.
10:13). Further, through the power of the Spirit we can triumph over
temptation (Gal. 5:16).
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Lesson 9: Overcoming Temptation Through the Power of the Spirit
Sources of Temptation
To triumph over temptation it is helpful to understand the three
sources of temptation:
1. Our own carnal nature. James wrote that “each one is
tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and
enticed” (1:14; ref. Rom. 7:7-9).
2. The world. Temptation also comes from the world, that is,
from the systems and values of unregenerate society, which are
under the control of Satan (1 John 5:19).
3. Evil spirits. A third source of temptation is the devil and
demons. The Bible calls Satan “the tempter” (Matt. 4:3; 1Thess. 3:5,
compare Gen. 3:1-7; Rev. 20:2). Believers are enticed by evil spirits
to turn from God and His mission (1 Thess. 3:5; 1 Pet. 5:8).
The Battleground
Believers need to understand two things about their battle with
temptation:
1. It is a mental battle. The vast majority of spiritual warfare
occurs in people’s hearts and minds, rather than in some distant,
cosmic realm, as is often taught (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
2. It is a spiritual battle. Paul taught that our struggle “is not
against flesh and blood, but against…spiritual forces of evil” (Eph.
6:4). The battle must, therefore, be fought with spiritual weapons (2
Cor. 10:4).
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Lesson 9: Overcoming Temptation Through the Power of the Spirit
Avoid Temptation
Next, we must avoid those things which tempt us to sin. Jesus
taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation…” (Matt. 6:13). Paul
instructed believers to “make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its
lusts” (Rom. 13:13-14, NKJV).
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Lesson 9: Overcoming Temptation Through the Power of the Spirit
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Why is it important that every believer know that he or she can
win the battle over temptation and sin?
2. How does being filled with the Spirit help to prepare the
Christian to face temptation?
3. Why is it important that a believer employ both parts of the
spiritual strategy of resisting and yielding when faced with
temptation? Which is the most important part? Give reasons for
your answers.
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– Lesson 10 –
Intercessory Prayer
in the Spirit
Central Truth
Intercessory prayer in the Spirit is the wonderful privilege of
every Spirit-filled believer.
Lesson Outline
• What is Meant by the Term “Prayer in the Spirit”
• How Intercessory Prayer in the Spirit Blesses the Intercessor
• How Intercessory Prayer in the Spirit Blesses Others
Introduction
In this lesson we will discuss several benefits of praying in the
Spirit. In doing this we will discuss three related issues: (1) What is
meant by the term “prayer in the Spirit,” (2) How prayer in the Spirit
blesses the intercessor, and (3) How such intercessory prayer in the
Spirit blesses others.
When the Bible speaks of prayer in the Spirit, it uses the term in
one of two ways:
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Lesson 10: Intercessory Prayer in the Spirit
and direct his prayers. At such times the intercessor prays in the
Spirit. Sometimes he may pray in his own language, and sometimes
he may pray in tongues. Either way, he is praying in the Spirit.
Prayer in Tongues
When the Bible speaks of prayer in the Spirit, it is, more
specifically, speaking of prayer in tongues. Paul defined prayer in
tongues as prayer in the Spirit: “For one who speaks in a tongue
speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he
utters mysteries in the Spirit” (1 Cor. 14:2, RSV). He wrote further,
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray
with my mind…” (vv. 14-15). In Romans 8:26 Paul describes prayer
that is beyond human ability, that is, Spirit-prompted utterance. He
is likely referring to the same prayer he described in 1 Corinthians
14:2, 14.
When praying in the Spirit the intercessor receives help from the
Holy Spirit, and thus prays with great power and effectiveness. As
a result, the intercessor’s own spiritual life is strengthened in at least
three ways:
Built Up Spiritually
Paul wrote, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1 Cor.
14:4). Great spiritual strength and blessing come into the life of the
Christian who prays in the Spirit. We, therefore, like Paul, must
boldly affirm, “I will pray with my spirit” (1 Cor. 14:14). Jude
encouraged believers, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on
your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in
the love of God…” (vv. 20-21, NKJV). Here Jude cites two specific
ways one is edified by praying in the Spirit:
Faith Increased
When we pray in the Spirit, we “build [ourselves] up on [our]
most holy faith.” As the Spirit-filled Christian prays in the Spirit,
something wonderful happens: God supernaturally imparts faith into
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Lesson 10: Intercessory Prayer in the Spirit
We Struggle in Prayer
Paul confessed, “We do not know what we ought to pray for”
(Rom. 8:26). How many urgent needs do we fail to pray for simply
because we are unaware of them? Even when we do know what to
pray for, we often do not know how to pray because we do not know
God’s will in the matter. And all too often, as discussed in Lesson 8,
we pray with the wrong motives, or, even worse, we simply lack any
motivation to pray at all for others. We truly need the Spirit’s help
in our prayer lives.
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Lesson 10: Intercessory Prayer in the Spirit
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Can you remember a time when God used you in intercessory
prayer in the Spirit? Share your testimony with the class.
2. Discuss reasons why many Spirit-filled Christians do not
practice intercessory prayer in the Spirit. What can be done to
remedy this situation?
3. What benefits can come into the life of the Christian and the
church which regularly practices intercessory prayer in the
Spirit?
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– Lesson 11 –
Worship in the Spirit
Central Truth
The Holy Spirit is the One who inspires and guides true worship.
Lesson Outline
• The Essence of True Worship
• The Spirit Inspires Our Worship
• The Spirit Directs Our Worship
Introduction
The Westminister Catechism reads, “Man’s chief end is to
glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” If this is true, then it must
also be true that worship must be done properly. This lesson will
discuss how the Holy Spirit helps us to properly worship God.
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Lesson 11: Worship in the Spirit
phrase can mean either worship flowing from the human spirit or
worship directed by the Holy Spirit. A careful examination of
Scripture indicates that both concepts are true, as follows:
1. Worship from our human spirits. To worship in spirit (with a
lowercase “s”) means that we worship God out of our hearts, in total
sincerity and honesty. True worship involves our human spirits
reaching out in love and faith to God, who is Himself spirit. True
worship is not based on dead ritual but on a living relationship
between a person and God.
2. Worship by His Holy Spirit. Worship in Spirit (with an
uppercase “S”) indicates that true worship is prompted and energized
by the Spirit of God. Paul reminded the Philippian believers that we
“worship by the Spirit of God” (Phil. 3:3), that is, the Spirit of God
initiates, inspires, and directs our worship. Mary and Zacharias were
prompted by the Holy Spirit to praise God (Luke 1:46-55; 67-79).
Jesus Himself was filled with joy and “through the Holy Spirit”
began to praise His Heavenly Father (Luke 10:21). God cannot be
truly worshiped without help from the Holy Spirit.
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Lesson 11: Worship in the Spirit
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Lesson 11: Worship in the Spirit
take place before and during the worship service. Before the service
we should spend time in prayer, preparing our hearts for the coming
worship experience. As the service begins it is appropriate to lead
the congregation in a prayer of invocation inviting the Holy Spirit to
come and have His way. We can, as a result, legitimately expect the
Spirit to come and manifest His presence in our midst (see Matt.
18:19-20).
Second, we can appropriate the Spirit’s presence through praise
and adoration (see Ps. 22:2, KJV). As Paul and Silas prayed and
sang hymns to God in the Roman jail, the Holy Spirit powerfully
manifested His presence (Acts 16: 26). We too, as we sing and shout
our praises to God, can expect the Holy Spirit to come and manifest
His presence in our midst.
2. We must respond to the Spirit’s presence. Once the Spirit
comes, we must properly respond to Him. We can do this in three
practical ways: First, we can acknowledge the Spirit’s presence. Just
as we would never be guilty of ignoring a guest who came into our
home, we should never be guilty of ignoring our Remarkable Friend
when He comes into our worship services. Next, we should
remember that He is sovereign, that He has a will for every church
service, and that He comes to fulfill that will. Finally, we must be
prepared to release spiritual gifts as the Spirit directs and prompts.
We must know that it is only with the help of the Spirit of God
that we can truly worship God. We must, therefore, be ever desirous
of His presence and open to His leadership in our worship.
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Why is it important that we understand the two meanings of
worship in the Spirit as presented in the lesson?
2. With what attitudes must we come to church if we are going to
really worship God in Spirit and in truth. What actions must we
take?
3. What kind of person will make the best worship leader?
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– Lesson 12 –
Lesson Outline
• The Holy Spirit Equips Us for Ministry
• The Holy Spirit Enables Us in Ministry
• How to Ensure the Spirit’s Help in Ministry
Introduction
Someone has rightly observed that we can do the work of God
in one of two ways: we can do it in our own strength, or we can do
it in the Spirit’s strength. In this lesson we will learn how we can
appropriate the Spirit’s strength in ministry.
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Lesson 12: Ministry in the Spirit
He set the pattern of ministry for those of us who would follow Him
(John 14:12).
The example of the New Testament church. Like Jesus, the early
church ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit. The church was
first empowered on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4). They then went
out and ministered with great power and effectiveness. They were
simply following the pattern set by Jesus—first be empowered, then
minister. We, too, have been called to minister in the power of the
Holy Spirit, just as did Jesus and the early believers.
Not only does the Holy Spirit give us the power we need to
minister, He also enables us in the performance of our ministries. He
does this in at least five ways:
He Inspires Us to Do Ministry
The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to go in faith to Caesarea and
preach to the Gentiles there (Acts 11:12). Today, the Spirit will
inspire us to do ministry. He does this by giving to us a burden for
the lost, a love for the church, and a vision for the world.
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Lesson 12: Ministry in the Spirit
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Lesson 12: Ministry in the Spirit
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. In what ways does the Spirit enable us to do spiritual ministry
today?
2. Why have many Spirit-filled Christians failed to become
powerful witnesses for Jesus as promised in Acts 1:8? Explain
your answer.
3. What are the roles of obedience and faith in ministering in the
power and anointing of the Holy Spirit?
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– Lesson 13 –
Gifts and Fruit of
the Spirit
Central Truth
Every believer should manifest spiritual gifts and display
spiritual fruit in his or her life.
Lesson Outline
• Gifts and Fruit Defined
• Manifesting Gifts and Cultivating Fruit
Introduction
As the gifts and fruit of the Spirit are manifested in the lives of
believers, the church is blessed and its witness to the world is
enhanced. In this lesson we will discuss two issues concerning the
gifts and fruit of the Spirit: how spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit
relate to one another and how they operate in the Christian life.
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Lesson 13: Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
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Lesson 13: Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
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Lesson 13: Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
Class Discussion
Discuss the following in class:
1. Compare and contrast spiritual gifts and spiritual gifts as to their
origin and purpose in the believer’s life.
2. Why is it important that both spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit be
manifested in the lives of Christians?
3. What is the role of the Spirit in manifesting spiritual gifts? The
role of the Spirit-filled believer? The role of obedience? The
role of faith?
4. What must a believer do to cultivate spiritual fruit in his or her
life?
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– Other Books by the Author –
_________________________________
E-mail: ActsinAfrica@agmd.org
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