A Study on the Holy Spirit
A Bible Study worth your time, and you might like to share with others.
This was given to me to share and use as would be beneficial by Mike Wittmeier
This is not an exhaustive study, but a summary that outlines the basic information in scripture. You would do well, after having read this and seeking and receiving this promise, to read each reference listed below within the full context. However, this will help you understand that this is not just someone’s opinion, but is rooted firmly in scripture. This is the reason I place so much emphasis on it, because it is a promise that gives each believer a tremendous and powerful fulfillment, helping them live an overcoming life and even become a more effective witness to help others experience the Gospel.
A Study on the Holy Spirit
All Scripture references taken from the King James Version
This study explores the Holy Spirit, its promises, its role in our lives, and how we can receive it. Divided into four comprehensive lessons, this guide provides a scriptural foundation for understanding the Spirit’s transformative power. Each lesson builds upon the previous one, offering clarity and insight for believers seeking a deeper relationship with God.
Lesson 1: The Foundation of the Holy Spirit
I. Promises of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit was prophesied in the Old Testament, though it was not yet poured out upon all flesh. The Prophet Joel foretold a time when God’s Spirit would be available to all:
Joel 2:28: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”
Joel 2:29: “And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”
Note: In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit was present but did not indwell individuals. It was a promise for a future outpouring.
Illustration: When Moses descended from Mount Sinai after fasting for forty days, his face shone with God’s glory (Exodus 34:29). This radiance reflected the Spirit’s presence, but it did not dwell within him as it does in believers today.II. When Did We Receive Access to the Holy Spirit?Access to the Holy Spirit became possible through Jesus’ sacrifice:
Matthew 27:50: “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.”
Matthew 27:51: “And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.”
The tearing of the temple veil symbolized the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting all believers access to the Holy Spirit.III. The Holy Spirit Will Dwell in You
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would dwell within believers, often symbolized as living water:
John 7:37: “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”
John 7:38: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:39: “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
John 4:14: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit resided in the Tabernacle. Now, believers are the temple of God:
1 Corinthians 3:16: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
IV. When and Where Was It First Poured Out?
The Holy Spirit was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem:
John 7:39: Reiterates that the Spirit was not given until Jesus was glorified.
Luke 24:49: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
Acts 1:12: “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.”
Acts 2:1: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
On Pentecost, 120 believers, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, received the Holy Spirit in an upper room (Acts 1:13-15), marking the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.
Lesson 2: Receiving the Holy Spirit
Summary of Lesson 1
The Holy Spirit was prophesied in the Old Testament.
Access was granted upon Jesus’ death.
The Spirit dwells within believers.
It was first poured out on Pentecost in Jerusalem.
I. Do We Receive It When We Believe or Repent?
Belief and repentance alone do not guarantee receiving the Holy Spirit:
Acts 19:1-6:
Paul met disciples in Ephesus.
He asked, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” They replied, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”
They were baptized unto John’s baptism.
Paul explained that John baptized with the baptism of repentance, pointing to Jesus Christ.
They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Paul laid hands on them, and the Holy Ghost came, and they spake with tongues and prophesied.
James 2:19: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Even demons believe, but they do not have the Holy Spirit.
II. Do We Receive It When We Are Baptized?
Baptism does not automatically confer the Holy Spirit:
Acts 8:15-17:
Apostles prayed for believers to receive the Holy Ghost.
The Spirit had not yet fallen on them, though they were baptized in Jesus’ name.
After laying on of hands, they received the Holy Ghost.
III. Can We Receive It Before Baptism?
Yes, the Holy Spirit can be received before baptism:
Acts 10:47: “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” Peter noted that Gentiles received the Spirit before baptism.
IV. Do We Need the Holy Spirit to Get to Heaven?
The Holy Spirit is essential for salvation:
John 3:3, 5:
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 16:18-19:
Jesus told Peter, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”
He gave Peter the keys of the kingdom, indicating multiple requirements for salvation.
Acts 2:37-38:
Sinners asked Peter, “What shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Romans 8:9, 11:
“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
The Spirit that raised Jesus will “quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Illustration: Imagine six balloons—three filled with air (non-Spirit-filled people) and three with helium (Spirit-filled people). When released, only the helium-filled balloons rise to the heavens, symbolizing the necessity of the Holy Spirit for salvation.
Keys to the Kingdom:
Repentance
Baptism
Receiving the Holy Spirit
Lesson 3: The Nature of the Holy Spirit
Summary of Lesson 2
Belief, repentance, or baptism alone does not guarantee the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit can be received before baptism.
The three keys to heaven are repentance, baptism, and the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is essential for salvation.
I. Jesus Is the Holy Spirit
Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one:
John 14:16, 18, 26:
“I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.”
Romans 8:9: “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” The Holy Spirit is Jesus in Spirit form.
Luke 3:16: John the Baptist said, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire,” referring to Jesus.
Jesus ascended in bodily form and returned as the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers.
II. What Happens When People Receive It?
Receiving the Holy Spirit is accompanied by outward signs, primarily speaking in tongues:
Isaiah 28:11: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”
Mark 16:17-18:
“They shall speak with new tongues.”
Other signs include casting out devils, protection, and healing the sick.
Acts 2:4: On Pentecost, “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues.”
Acts 10:45-46: Gentiles received the Spirit and spoke with tongues, magnifying God.
Acts 19:6: Believers spoke with tongues and prophesied after receiving the Spirit.
Acts 8:17-19: Though tongues are not mentioned, Simon the sorcerer saw a powerful sign when the Spirit was given, prompting him to offer money for the ability to impart it.
III. What Exactly Are Tongues?
Tongues are supernatural utterances in languages unknown to the speaker, often praising God:
Acts 2:7-8, 11-12:
Bystanders marveled, “Are not all these which speak Galilaeans?”
“How hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”
“Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”
They were amazed and questioned, “What meaneth this?”
Illustration: In Peru, a Spanish-speaking man received the Holy Spirit and began praising God in English, saying, “I praise you Jesus, I love you Jesus!”—a language he did not know.
Acts 2:16-18: Peter explained that this fulfilled Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-29), confirming the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh.
Lesson 4: The Power and Reception of the Holy Spirit
Summary of Lesson 3
Jesus is the Holy Spirit in Spirit form.
Receiving the Spirit is marked by speaking in tongues.
Tongues are praises to God in another language.
I. What Does the Holy Spirit Do for Us?
The Holy Spirit transforms and empowers believers:
A. Gives Us Power to Overcome Sin
Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”
1 John 4:4: “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
The Spirit provides strength to resist temptation, overcome sin, and face trials, guiding us through inner conviction.B. Enables Us to Be Used by God
The Spirit equips believers with gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:1-11), allowing God to speak through us.C. Helps Us Get to HeavenAs established in Lesson 2, the Holy Spirit is a key to salvation.Illustration: In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), only the five with oil (the Holy Spirit) in their lamps entered the kingdom. We must be filled with the Spirit to be ready for Christ’s return.
II. How Do We Receive the Holy Spirit?
Receiving the Holy Spirit requires repentance, openness, and prayer:
Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
John 4:14: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.”
Revelation 22:17: “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Revelation 3:20: “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.”
Acts 1:14: The 120 in the upper room prayed and sought God’s promise.
Steps to Receive the Holy Spirit:
Repent: Empty yourself of sin to make room for God.
Surrender: Raise your hands as a sign of openness to God.
Pray: Seek the Spirit through prayer and praise, accepting it as a gift.
Illustration: An empty bottle floating in the ocean is surrounded by water but remains empty until the lid is removed. Similarly, we must open ourselves (through surrender and praise) to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Illustration: A waitress offers water at a restaurant. You can accept and drink it or leave it untouched. God offers the Holy Spirit freely—reach out and receive it!
Conclusion
The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to empower, guide, and save us. It is not enough to have the Spirit around us; it must dwell within us. Repent, be baptized, and seek the Spirit with all your heart. Be ready for Christ’s return by ensuring your vessel is filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit!
Go after it and get it!