Brengle Create

Holiness, the Holy Spirit and the world

Session 1:

Understanding the question

Question:

What is the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of holiness?

Romans 8:1-11

John Stott

Thus the Christian life is essentially life in the Spirit, that is to say, a life which is animated, sustained, directed and enriched by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit true Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, indeed

impossible.

The Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death (v.2)

Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (v.5)

You … are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you (v.9)

Romans 8

General Bramwell Booth

“Echoes and Memories”

At night Corbridge led the hallelujah meeting till 10 o’clock. Then we commenced an All-Night of Prayer. Two hundred and fifty people were present till 1am; two hundred or so after. A tremendous time. From the very first Jehovah was passing by, searching, softening and subduing every heart. The power of

the Holy Ghost fell on Robinson and prostrated him. He nearly fainted twice. The brother of the Blandys entered into full liberty and then he shouted, wept,

clapped his hands, danced, amid a scene of the most glorious and heavenly enthusiasm. Others

meanwhile were lying prostrate on the floor, some of them groaning for perfect deliverance …”

Bramwell Booth “Echoes and Memories” p.67

Samuel Logan Brengle

January 9th, 1985

Discussion at tables:

What is going on here?

How do you respond to these people’s experience?

Are you aware of this sort of thing happening to people in The Salvation Army today?

In examples, there is recognition of the work of the Holy Spirit. But the focus was not on the Holy Spirit himself, rather, on what the Holy

Spirit did … and that was to enable the experience of holiness to become

a reality.

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,

Apply thine own blood and

remove every stain;

To get this blest washing I all things forgo;

Now wash me, and I shall be

whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,

Now wash me, and I shall be

whiter than snow.

Song 436

Chorus

Lord, cleanse my hands,

and cleanse my heart,

All selfish aims I flee,

My faith reward, thy love impart,

And let me dwell with thee.

Song 461

Constructs

Construct #1

We can’t talk about the Holy Spirit in isolation. He is part of the Trinity and a Trinitarian perspective is essential if we are going to maintain a balanced (and a

Wesleyan) perspective on the Holy Spirit.

Construct #2

Theology:

Biblical Theology

Construct #2

Theology:

Biblical Theology

Systematic Theology

Construct #2

Theology:

Biblical Theology

Systematic Theology

Experiential Theology

Doctrine without experience is a

dry dusty thing!

Experience without biblical and systematic theology is a wild uncontrollable thing.

They need each other.

Construct #3

The differences of individual experience …

as people differ, so do their experiences of life and living, and this includes how

people experience God, and therefore the blessing of holiness

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Millard Erickson

Unlike other doctrines, there are no systematic discussions regarding the Holy

Spirit … on most of the occasions when the Holy Spirit is mentioned, it is in connection

with another issue.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is God

Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them

to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is a Person

John 14:16 -17

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you

another Counselor to be with you forever – the

Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,

because it neither sees him nor knows him. But

you know him, for he lives with you and will

be in you”.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is Spirit

We must never forget … the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) is nothing less than the beautiful ‘Spirit of Jesus’. Even as a ‘spirit’ he is always associated with the person of Jesus Christ and the person of God the Father.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit has the nature of Jesus because he is the Spirit of Jesus

John 14:16-17 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another

Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither

sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you”. I will not leave you

as orphans; I will come to you.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is God’s empowering presence

Therefore the Holy Spirit is nothing less than God’s presence in us

We can know about God with our minds, but it is not until we

allow our hearts to be involved that we actually begin to know

God

Share with the person next to you:

How have you experienced the empowering presence of the Holy

Spirit during your life?

Brengle Create