Studies On The Holy Spirit

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STUDIES ON
THE HOLY SPIRIT
A Study Outline by Ven Dr I. U. Ibeme http://priscaquila.6te.net ; or
http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo ;
Click Here For
PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre
CONTENTS:
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER
1. THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
2. THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM I
3. THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM II
4. THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM III
5. THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM IV
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

6. THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS I
7. SPIRITUAL GIFTS DEFINED
8. THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS II
9. THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS III
10. THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS IV
11. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT I
12. THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT EXPLAINED AND TABULATED
13. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT II
14. REVIEW OF STUDIES 01 TO 13
15. FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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STUDIES ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER

TOPIC: THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
SERIES: 01
INTRODUCTION:
The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). He is the third Person of the
Godhead, the blessed Trinity. The three dimensions of the Ministry of the
Godhead are essential for the complete salvation of the Disciple. For the
Disciple in this period of the Church age, the Holy Spirit’s work is of utmost
importance.
1. In what ways do the Three Persons of the One Godhead work together
to accomplish or salvation?
a) 1 Pet. 1:2__________________________________________
b) 2 Cor. 13:14________________________________________
c) 1 Cor. 12:4-6________________________________________
d) John 15:26_________________________________________
e) Matt. 28:19________________________________________
2. What qualities in the Scripture show that the Holy Spirit is a Person?
a) Acts 28:25________________________________________
b) John 14:26 _______________________________________
c) Gen. 6:3__________________________________________
d) Acts 9:31__________________________________________
e) Rom. 8:26_________________________________________
f) Eph. 4:30__________________________________________
g) Acts 7:51__________________________________________
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h) Rom. 8:14_________________________________________
I) Rom 8:16/Heb. 10:15________________________________
j) John. 16:13________________________________________
k) Rev. 2:7, 11,29_____________________________________
l) Gen. 1:2.__________________________________________
3. How do we know that he Holy Spirit is God?

a) Acts 5:3-4_______________________________________
b) Matt. 2819/2 Cor. 13:14______________________________
c) Heb. 9:14.________________________________________
d) Lk. 1:35/Rom 15:19 __________________________________
e) 2 Cor. 2:10-11_______________________________________
f) Ps. 139:7.__________________________________________
g) Gen. 1:2/Job 33:4 ___________________________________
h) 1 Cor. 12:6,11_______________________________________
i) Gen. 6:3. __________________________________________
j) Matt. 10:20_________________________________________
k) Isa. 61:1___________________________________________
l) Rom. 8:9_________________________________________
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TOPIC: THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM I
SERIES: 02
INTRODUCTION:
From the Old Testament (O.T.) times before the Pentecost, the Holy
Spirit has always come on certain servants of God to fill them for certain
duration of time. This was to enable them accomplish certain Ministry or have
some experiences. This fullness was from outside the recipients and was not
preceded by the indwelling of the Spirit through Spirit Baptism.
Since the day of Pentecost however, the Holy Spirit has been poured
out on all God’s people to indwell them permanently. This is called the
Baptism with the Holy Spirit. These N.T. Saints are also filled with the Holy
Spirit from time to time (or even the more led all the time by the Spirit) to
enable them accomplish certain ministries or have certain experiences.
Obviously, this New Testament (N.T.) fullness operates from within the
believer (John 7:38-39; 4:14).
1. What experiences did the O.T. saints have when they were filled with
the Holy Spirit?
a). 2Sam. 23:2/Lk. 1:41, 42, 67. _____________________________
b). Ezk. 11:5/2Chron. 15:1-2. _______________________________
c). 1Sam.1: 15. __________________________________________
d). 1Sam. 10:6, 10/19:23,24. ________________________________
e). Exd. 35:30, 31. ________________________________________
f). Lk. 4:1, 2, 14. _________________________________________
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2. What experiences could we N.T. saints expect when we are filled with
the Holy Spirit?
a). Eph. 5:18. ___________________________________________
b). Acts 13:32/1Pet. 1:8. __________________________________
c). Rom. 8:15/Gal. 4:6. ____________________________________
d). Rom. 8:26. ___________________________________________
e). Acts 4:8, 31. _________________________________________
f). Acts 7:55. ___________________________________________
g). Acts 11:24. _________________________________________
h). Acts 2:4, 11/10:44-46/19:6. _____________________________
3. Since the fullness of the Holy Spirit is common to the O.T. and N.T.
Saints: in what special way then did God promise to give the Holy Spirit
to the N.T. Saints?
a). Joel 2:28. ____________________________________________
b). Ezk. 36:25-27. _______________________________________
c). Jer. 31:31-34. _________________________________________
d). Lk. 3:16. ____________________________________________
e). John 14: 16-18. ______________________________________
f). Lk. 24:29/Acts 1:4-5. ____________________________________
4. From when and how was this promised special work of the Holy Spirit
fulfilled?
a). Acts 2:1-4,33. _________________________________________
b). Acts 11:15-17. _______________________________________
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TOPIC: THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM II
SERIES: 03
INTRODUCTION:
We have already seen that when the Spirit rested upon an OT saint or
indwells/baptizes an NT saint, it is then possible for either saint to be filled
with the Holy Spirit. Thus, the fullness of the Spirit operated from the outside
(without the baptism) in the OT, but operates from the inside (i.e. from the
indwelling by baptism) in the NT (see series 013).
SO THEN, ONE CAN BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHOUT
BEING BAPTISED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If not so, the OT saints could
not have worked with the Holy Spirit.
We also saw that God had planned and accomplished a special
working relationship between the Holy Spirit and every New Testament
believer. The Prophets and Christ described this as the out-pouring (Joel
2:28), the putting-in (Ezk. 36:27), the baptism (Lk. 3:16), the
indwelling/abiding (Jn.14: 16-17), and the Father’s promise (Acts 1:4-5). In
the NT Church however, following the language of John the Baptist (Jn. 1:33),
this special New Testament work of the Holy Spirit is called the “Baptism with
the Holy Spirit into Christ” (I Cor. 12:13) or simply “Spirit Baptism”.
This New Testament Baptism was fulfilled from the day of Pentecost
(Acts 2:33), but note that this was at the same time accompanied with the
fullness also (Acts 2:3-4), which has always been possible from Old
Testament times.
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1. What benefits does this “promised baptismal indwelling” of the Holy
Spirit afford those who believe in Christ?
Rom 8:9____________________________________________
1Cor. 12:13_________________________________________
Eph. 1:13-14________________________________________
1Cor. 3:6-9/6:19_____________________________________
Acts 15:8-9 _________________________________________
Rom. 8:11 __________________________________________
Luke 24:49/Acts 1:8 __________________________________
John 3:3-8/Tit 3:5 ____________________________________
2Thes. 2:13 / I Pet 1:2________________________________
2. Apart from being called the “promise” that endues with heavenly power
(Lk. 24:49), the “promise” and the “gift” (Acts 2:38-39), what other
symbolic names are given to the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures?
2 Cor. 1:21/I John 2:20, 27 _____________________________
Eph. 1:13/4:30_______________________________________
2 Cor. 1:22/Eph. 1:14_________________________________
John 4:14/7:37-39 I Cor. 12:13 _________________________
Etc _______________________________________________
3. In your own words, how could you summarize your understanding of the
meaning of “THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT” or “SPIRIT
BAPTISM”, according to what you have learned from the Word of God?
. ______________________________________________________
. ______________________________________________________
4. Since the beginning of the 20th century, some brethren especially in the
Pentecostal Denominations have developed a doctrine on the Baptism
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of the Holy Spirit, which to them is same as being filled with the Holy
Spirit. They teach that this baptism or fullness:
(i) is a second work of grace or second blessing, which follows after
new birth or conversion,
(ii) dips the Christian further from the body of Christ into the realm of the
Holy Spirit’s power, and
(iii) must be accompanied with the initial evidence of speaking in
tongues.
This new line of teaching meant to motivate towards spiritual
experiences, seems to make the Spirit Baptism confusing and
divisive rather than enlightening and unifying. In the light of the
teachings of the Scripture, how is this type of doctrine: -
a). similar to your understanding? ___________________________
b). different from your understanding? ________________________
c). clear about Baptism and Fullness? ________________________
d). consistent with the Scripture? ____________________________
e). accurate and adequate? ________________________________
f). helpful and safe? _____________________________________
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TOPIC: THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM III
SERIES: 04
INTRODUCTION:
The Holy Spirit indwells us in order to regenerate us into Christ and
adopt us as God’s children, seal and guarantee us unto eternal life, as well as
anoint and empower us as servants of God. What a great privilege! This is
why our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ said that the Holy Spirit is the
COMFORTER (John 15:26) or PARACLET. This word means: (Counsellor,
Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) according to The
Amplified Bible.
1. Do you have the Holy Spirit? When do you think He entered to dwell in
you? ________________________________________________
2. Under what conditions could one receive the indwelling or baptism of

the Holy Spirit?
(a) Acts 2:38-39 _______________________________________
(b) Eph. 1:13 _________________________________________
(c) Acts 11:17 _________________________________________
(d) Gal. 3:2, 14 _________________________________________
3. Have you taken steps to fulfil these most important conditions? How?
_______________________________________________________
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4. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are also said to be led by the
Spirit (Rom 8:14), or to be spiritually minded (Rom 8:5-6), or to walk
in/live by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25).
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? If you think so, could you be
described in the above terms? ______________________________
5. By what means could the indwelling Holy Spirit begin to fill us?
(a) Eph. 5:18-19______________________________________
(b) Col. 3:16__________________________________________
(c) Acts 4:31/Col. 1:9-10__________________________________
(d) Acts 4:8____________________________________________
(e) Acts 6:3,9_________________________________________
6. Have you taken advantage of any of these means in order to be full of

the Holy Spirit continuously and increasingly? __________________
7. From our studies so far, it is clear that the Scripture teaches that the
Baptism of the Spirit is only once for all and same for all who believe (1
Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:5); but the Fullness of the Holy Spirit is continuously
repeated and diversely experienced by different believers at different
times (Eph. 5:18-19; Acts 4:8, 31). In short: “By the BAPTISM the
Spirit INDWELLS us and BRINGS us INTO Christ, but through the
FULLNESS the Spirit MOVES us and USES us for Christ”.
What other comparisons could you make of Spirit Baptism and Spirit
Fullness? _______________________________________________
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TOPIC: THE FULLNESS AND THE BAPTISM IV
SERIES: 05
INTRODUCTION:
In Study 03 we looked at some experiences, we expect when we are
filed with the Holy Spirit. In Study 04, we saw the benefits we drive from the
baptism with the Holy Spirit. In this study, we shall do a summary review by
comparing and contrasting the meaning and effect of Spirit Baptism versus
Spirit Fullness. It is hoped that such comparison would widen our
understanding and enable us take fuller advantage of the grace of God and
the Holy Sprit’s work.
BAPTISM (I Cor. 12:13) FULLNESS (Eph. 5:18)
1. Become ONE WITH CHRIST 1. Become MORE LIKE CHRIST
(Rom 8:9) (Eph. 3:16-19)
2. JOINED IN UNION with Christ 2. ENJOY COMMUNION in
(Eph. 1:13-14) Christ (Eph. 1:15-21).
3. Initiation INTO Christ (Gal. 3:27) 3. Invigoration IN Christ (Phil. 1:9-
11)
4. Once for all at Conversion or 4. Repeated on and on after
Newbirth Eph. 4:5) conversion (Acts 4:8,13)
5. Associated with Regeneration or 5. Associated with Sanctification or
Newbirth (John 3:3-6) New life (Rom 8:12-14)
6. Commencement of Relationship 6. Continuation of experience of
with God (Acts 2:2-3) God’s Power (Acts 2:4)
7. New spiritual STATUS (Col. 1:13) 7. Growing spiritual STATURE
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(Eph. 4:13)
8. Requires faith in Christ as Saviour 8. Requires surrender to the Spirit
(Gal. 3:2) as Helper (Rom. 12:1)
9. Equal and same for all Believers 9. Different and variable in person
at all times (I Cor. 12:13) and situation (Acts 4:8; 7:55)
10. INDWELLED by the Spirit (Rom. 10. PROPELLED by the Spirit (2
8:9; I Cor. 3:16) Pet. 1:21)
11. Sealed unto Eternal life (Eph. 11. Controlled to lead the New life
4:30) (Gal. 5:22ff).
12. Cleansing from sin (Acts 15:8- 12. Strengthening above/against
9) sin (Col. 1:9-14)
DISCUSSION
1. In what ways could this study on Baptism and Fullness of the Holy
Spirit make you be a better Christian than ever before?
2. How complementary are those two aspects of the work of the Holy
Spirit in the life of a believing disciple?
3. Are the Holy Spirit Baptism and Fullness true in your life?
4. Now that you know that when you believed, you were baptised with the
Spirit into Christ, how should you ensure that henceforth, you walk in
the fullness of the Spirit?
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THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

TOPIC: THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS I
SERIES: 06
INTRODUCTION:
In the Scripture, Spiritual Gifts are described with many Greek
words. For example in I Cor. 12 alone, the following words were used by St.
Paul:
Verse 1 Pneumatika = Spirituals (i.e. supernatural abilities)
Verse 4 & 9 Charismata = Grace-gifts (given by the Spirit)
Verse 5 Diakoniai = Services (rendered to the Lord)
Verse 6 Energemata = Operations or Workings (activated by God)
Verse 7 Phanerosis = Manifestations (that show the Spirit)
Rom 12:6 and Eph 4:7-8 describe the Gifts (Charisma, from Greek
charis=grace and –ma=an object) as “grace gift” (charis doma) given to us
in accordance with the Christian Faith. Jesus called them signs of our faith in
Him (Mk 16:17).
Of all these words CHARISMATA is most commonly used to refer to
Spiritual Gifts. “CHARISMA(TA)” also means GRACE-GRATUITI(ES) or
LOVE-BONUS(ES) or FREE-ENDOWMENT(S). (Literally CHARIS means
GRACE, and CHARISMA means ENDOWMENT, BONUS or GRACIOUS
GRATUITY).
In summary Spiritual Gifts should be understood to mean:
“DIVERSITIES OF SPECIAL GRACES DISTRIBUTED BY GOD TO EVERY
BELIEVER, ENABLING EACH TO VARIOUSLY MANIFEST THE
POWER/WORKINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE SERVICE OF THE
LORD, FOR THE EDIFICATION OF CHRIST’S BODY, THE CHURCH”.
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1. Read 1Cor. 12:4-9 and Eph. 4:11-12 and Rom. 12:3-6 and answer the
following:
(i) Who gives or distributes Spiritual Gifts and makes them work in
believers? __________________________________________
(ii) Why are Spiritual Gifts given? __________________________
(iii) To whom are Spiritual Gifts given? ______________________
(iv) Do the Gifts believers have depend on their Spiritual
achievements and merits?
________________________________________
__________________________________________________
(v) What other lessons do you learn about Spiritual Gifts from these
verses? _______________________________________
2. Name and list the Spiritual Gifts mentioned in the following portions of
the Scripture:
(i) I Cor. 12:7-13 (Nine) _________________________________
(ii) I Cor. 12:28-31 (Nine) ________________________________
(iii) I Cor. 13:1-3 (Seven) _________________________________
(iv) Rom. 12:6-8 (Seven) _________________________________
(v) I Cor. 14:6,26 (Seven) ________________________________
(vi) Eph. 4:11 (Five) _____________________________________
(vii) Mark 16:17-18 (Four) _________________________________
__________________________________________________
3. Realising now that in different portions of the Scripture some Gifts are
called different names while some are omitted or included, how many
Gifts then, on the whole, could you identify? ____________________
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4. Table of Spiritual Gifts in the New Testament (KJV). Use this table to
cross-check your findings in questions 2 and 3 above. (See Study 07 for
detailed definition of the Gifts).
S/N ICor. 12:7-13 ICor. 12:28-31 ICor. 13:1-3 ICor. 14:6, 26 Rom. 12:6-8 Eph. 4:11 Mark 16:17-18
1 Word of
Wisdom
2 Word of Understand all Speak by
Knowledge Knowledge Knowledge
3 Faith Have all Faith
4 Gifts of Gifts of Lay hands to
Healings Healings recover the sick
(Healing)
5 Working of (Workers of)
Miracles Miracles
6 Prophecy Prophets Prophecy Speak by Prophecy, Prophets
Prophesying Prophesy
7 Discerning of
spirits
8 Kinds of (Speak with) Speak with Speaking with Speak with new
Tongues Diversities of Tongues Tongues (Speak Tongues
Tongues Mysteries to God v.
2), Have a Tongue
9 Interpretation Interpret Have an
of Tongues Interpretation
10 Apostles Apostles
11 Teachers Speak by Doctrine, Teacher, Teaching Teachers
Have a Doctrine
12 Helps
13 Governments Ruler (Leadership)
14 Bestow all Giver
(Giving)
15 Give my body
(Martyrdom)
16 Understand all Speak by
Mysteries Revelation, Have a
Revelation
17 Have a Psalm
18 Ministry (Service),
Ministering
(Serving) Server
1Pet 4:11
19 Exhorter,
Exhortation (Word
of Exhortation Act
13:15; Heb 13:22)
20 Mercy shewer
21 Evangelists
22 Pastors
23 Cast out
(Exorcize)
devils
24 Not hurt by
deadly things
(Immunity)
25 Continency,
Power over will
(Celibacy) 1Co
7:5-7, 37
NOTE: The most listed gift is Prophecy, followed by Tongues, then Teaching.
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TOPIC: THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS DEFINED
SERIES: 07
INTRODUCTION
THE AIM HERE IS TO BE AS BIBLICAL AS POSSIBLE IN DEFINING AND

UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
ALL SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE SPIRITUAL ABILITIES GRATUITOUSLY

GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO MEMBERS OF CHRIST’S BODY (THE
CHURCH), TO MANIFEST THE WORKINGS OF GOD’S GRACE IN
VARIOUS SPECIAL FORMS FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS AND THE
GROWTH OF THE CHURCH. (See Rom 12:3-6; 1Cor 12:1-7; Eph 4:12-13;
1Pet 4:10).
Every Christian believer should constantly be conscious of and

confident about the source, the power and the purpose of these abilities
which have been variously given to them for life. The whole purpose of
every spiritual gift is to empower the Church:
To understand God’s will and ways,
To please God through obedience and true worship,
To benefit and serve one another and
To make Christ known as His witnesses.
As believers are stirred up, called upon or led to exercise and attempt
these gifts in the church, they should go ahead and do so through their
church’s activities, sub-groups and ministries. Experience confirmed by
witness of the church will help you discover your gifts.
DEFINITIONS
1. WISDOM
The gift of word (discourse) of Wisdom (eloquence in biblical wisdom and
prudence) is the special grace to discover and develop practical principles from
God’s Word in order to give relevant counsel for tackling particular common or
personal problems, in the way most beneficial to God’s people and most pleasing to
God. (St Paul claimed to preach by this gift in 1Cor 2:4-7, 13-16). This is the gift
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of preaching wise counsels that convincingly apply God’s mind to real life situations
as Christ promised in Lk 21:15. (Stephen preached by this gift in Act 6:8-10).
Spiritual Wisdom is about godly discretion to make the choice on WHAT IS

RIGHT TO DO (in order to cooperate with and please God). The second half of
most of St Paul’s epistles are wisdom discourses on Christian living (Eph 4:1-3; 5:1-
5). The book of Proverbs was written through the gifts of word of Knowledge (Pro
19:27; 23:12) and word of Wisdom (Prov 22:17) Also see Pro 1:1-7; 2:2-7; 5:1-2.
2. KNOWLEDGE
The gift of word (discourse) of Knowledge (eloquence in the knowledgeable
understanding of the Gospel mystery Eph 3:3) is the special grace for rational
study and analytical scrutiny of the Scriptures for revelatory insight in order to
clearly apprehend and comprehend the whole and true meaning of God’s Word
and Christ’s Redemption, well enough to give informative discourse or
interpretation from the abundance of such spiritual comprehension (1Cor 1:5). (St
Paul claimed to speak by this gift in 1Cor 2:8-12; Eph 3:1-9). This is the gift of
speaking knowledgeable discourses that extensively expound the eternal purpose
of God as Christ promised in Lk 8:10. (Apollos, with HELP from Priscilla and
Aquila, preached by this gift in Act 18:24-28).
Knowledge here is “ginosko” (intellectual comprehension) NOT “eido” (intuitional

apprehension), though comprehension is enhanced by apprehension (Eph 1:17).
Spiritual Knowledge is about godly comprehension on the meaning of WHAT
THE TRUTH IS (about God’s person, power and purpose Eph 1:17-23). The first
half of most of St Paul’s epistles are knowledge discourses on the Person and
purpose of Christ (Eph 3:1-9).
What some think “Word of Knowledge” to mean these days is not derived from
Scripture but from modern conjecture and modern Church culture. Such modern
definitions do not fit biblical ginosko=“intelligent awareness”, but rather
eido=“intuitive awareness” which properly belongs to the gifts of
DISCERNMENT, REVELATION and PROPHECY if we go by the Scripture. The
gifts of word of Knowledge and word of Wisdom involve intelligent word-
comprehension gifts (Pro 23:10) with intelligible word-communication ability that
also enhance effectiveness for word of Exhortation (Preaching) and word of
Instruction (Teaching).
NOTE:
The mystical Jewish Cabbalists and Gentile Gnostics who engaged in non-
contextual allegorical confabulations about the meaning of the Scripture and
the Gospel, as well as Greek superstitious Philosophers who engaged in
unfounded metaphysical speculations about the Rudiments and the Pleroma,
all claimed to have these special mystical gifts of Wisdom and Knowledge.
But the Apostles constantly denounced them (Act 17:17-22; Rom 1:22; 1Cor
1:19-23; 2:6; 3:19; Gal 4:3, 8-10; Col 2:8; 18-20; 1Tim 6:20).
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3. FAITH
The gift of Faith is the special grace to gain certainty about God’s intensions for
particular expectations of God’s people, and hold unshakably unto God with
fervent prayer and extraordinary confidence till such unimaginable expectations,
impossible tasks, difficult projects and programmes are accomplished; despite
insurmountable hindrances. Mk 11:22-24; Heb 11:1, 13, 30-39.
From Hebrews Chapter 11, we learn that Faith is confidence on (or certainty
about) the TRUTH of divine testimony/report about the INVISIBLE and the
FUTURE (Heb 11:1, 6). God is always pleased to testify a good report of justifying
approval for anyone who accepts that the report of God’s testimony is true (Heb
11:2, 5, 7). All justified believers already have their own basic saving Faith on divine
TRUTH about the reality of the INVISIBLE God and the certainty of His FUTURE
reward for believers (Heb 11:6), yet some special measure/proportion of gift of
extraordinary or miraculous Faith is not given equally to all (Rom 12:6). True Faith
is that which believes only the testimony of God’s Word (Rom 10:17), believing
reports, ideas and mundane desires other than divine testimony is either
presumption or conjuration but not true Faith.
4. HEALINGS
The gifts of Healings are the special graces to lay hands on (or speak to) people
with varieties of sicknesses to make them recover without natural means, in a way
that gives God the glory. Act 9:34; 28:8-9.
5. MIRACLES
The gift of working of Miracles is the special grace to operate in the power of God
to make things happen contrary to normal processes of nature, for the good of
God’s people and to the glory of God. Acts 8:39-40; 20:9-12.
Miracles by sorcery/magic or satanic powers are called false/lying wonders

because they are either illusions or used to deceive people into believing a lie or
false doctrine (Exo 8:7; 2Thes 2:8-12; Rev 13:11-15).
6. PROPHECY
The gift of Prophecy is the special complex oracular grace to prayerfully search
(inquest) so as to gain conceptual, pictorial and/or verbal insight into the counsel
and purpose of God concerning the past, present or future (revelation), and
speak-forth or tell-forth (proclaim) or foretell (predict) revealed divine counsel
which the whole Church or some members need to be aware of, in FAITHFUL
WORDS as moved by the Holy Spirit (inspired) at a given time. Joh 4:16-19; Act
21:9; 1Pe 1:10-12; 2Pe 1:19-21.
Prophets usually have the gifts of Revelation and Discernment combined with the
gift of word of Exhortation for effective delivery of their prophetic messages Act
15:32; 1Co 14:3. They may also have the gift of Miracles to support their prophetic
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testimony or draw attention to their ministry. Effective Gospel Prophets are vast in
Scriptures and prayerfully eager to discover God’s PURPOSE AND TRUTH Dan
9:1-3; Dan 9:22-23; Dan 10:11-12; Dan 12:8-9. Christian Prophets must eschew
inclination to divination and avoid dabbling into occultist mysticism or cabbalistic
numerology and ritualism.
Prophets should not use their gifts for soothsaying, divination, augury or
prognostication about every inquisitive frivolous secrets and every mundane future
curiosities people may wish to know, Prophecy should rather serve for timely
proclamation of the counsel of God (what God intends to do and intends us to
know and do about His intensions) for the hour, which is according to His pleasure
and predetermined purpose (Isa 47:12-14; Jer 23:16-18). Divination for soothsaying
consults spirits/omens on behalf of men but Inspiration for Prophecy speaks to men
on behalf of God (Jer 14:14-16; 1Cor 14:1-5).
The Prophets in the Scriptures were devout REFORMERS who were proven to
have been inspired in their:
➢ declaration of God’s precepts, power, purpose and pleasure;
➢ invitation of people to repent and please God in purity and piety;
➢ assurance of all about God’s readiness for merciful pardon and mighty
salvation.
Holy Prophecy speaks the mind of God by inspiration in order to bring
revelation, discernment, exhortation and conviction to God’s people (1Co
14:3, 24 and 25). In general sense, (though not all believers are “predictive”
Prophets) all spirit-filled believers in Christ could prophesy at least “proclamatively”
because the Holy Spirit of Christ which indwells all believers and persistently
testifies to Christ’s Lordship is the Prophetic Spirit (Ezek 13:6-10; Act 2:17-18; 1Cor
12:3; Rev 19:10).
CANONICAL AND NON-CANONICAL PROPHECIES: Apart from the endowed
ABILITY of the charismatic Prophetic GIFT for all Prophets, there is the assigned
RESPONSIBILITY or AUTHORITY of the instituted or administrative Prophetic
OFFICE for some out of the many who are prophetically gifted.
Prophets are of two categories – NORMATIVE or canonical office for the Church’s
foundational purpose which cannot be repeated (1Cor 3:9-11; Eph 2:20) and NON-
NORMATIVE or non-canonical gift for the saints’ perfecting purpose which is yet to
cease till Christ returns (Eph 4:11-13; 1Cor 13:9-10).
Prophetic messages are of two categories – those that are of TRANSIENT value
not usually written in the Scriptures but subject to judgment by the saints (1Cor
14:29; 1John 4:1-3) and those that are of ETERNAL value which are written in the
Scripture to which the Saints are subject to in judgment. So, there is normative
TESTED inspiration for CANONICAL scripturation and transient TESTABLE
inspiration not for scripturation. That is why the Prophets that wrote the Scriptures
did not write all their prophecies except those meant for Scripture.
NORMATIVE PROPHECY IS ALREADY WRITTEN IN THE SCRIPTURES AS THE
SETTLED CANON, BUT NON-NORMATIVE PROPHECIES OF TRANSIENT
VALUE ARE STILL OPERATIONAL IN THE CHURCH AS SPIRITUAL GIFT. Such
transient messages by non-normative Prophets or Teachers MUST BE
20
TESTED/JUDGED WITH THE NORMATIVE CANON BEFORE BEING HEEDED
(1Cor 14:29; 1John 4:1).
Scripture-worthy prophets and witnesses (such as Moses and Mosaic prophets of
the O.T. or Apostles and Apostolic prophets of the N.T.) were not merely gifted with
the oracular or prophetic gift for spontaneous extemporaneous utterances but
HAVE BEEN PROVEN (Act 17:11; Gal 1:11-2:9) to be reliably authorized and
authenticated, peculiarly consecrated and inspired as well as specially prepared to
diligently inquire their oracles (1Pet 1:10-12; 2Pet 1:19-21) to know what to write
and what not to write in the Scripture (Exo 34:27; Rev 2:1, 8, 12, 18). The inspired
writings of these canonical or normative prophets are to be believed as authoritative
tradition without question and obeyed as divine commandment without option (Rom
16:17; 2Tim 3:15-17; Gal 1:6-9; 2Thes 2:15; 3:6; 2John 9-12).
THE CANONICAL PROPHETS MAINTAINED THAT OTHER NON-CANONICAL
PROPHETS AND THEIR PROPHECIES ARE NOT TO CEASE OR BE
FORBIDDEN, but must be subjected to TESTING and judgment (Num 11:26-29;
Deut 18:15-22; 1Cor 14:29-32; 36-39; 1Thes 5:19-22) because their insights are
partial and blurred (1Cor 13:12) as well as liable to error. Like all spiritually gifted
persons, Prophets prophesy “in proportion” (Rom 12:6), and “in part” (1Cor 13:9),
and “in fragments” (Heb 1:1) so every non-normative prophecy or revelation (as
well as teaching or doctrine as though derived from divine Truth) is false or invalid
except they are proved to agree wholly and wholesomely with the normative
oracles and tradition of the canonical Scripture (Deut 13:1-3; 1Cor 13:9-12; Gal 1:6-
9; 2Thes 2:2-3; 1John 4:1).
FALSE PROPHETS are mostly prophets in their own rights who are able to do
mighty deeds (Matt 7:21-23), but they do not prophesy according to scriptural
principles. All False Prophets use their prophetic powers or pretence for their
private business and selfish purpose. They are manipulated MANIPULATORS
who are either POWERFUL DECEIVERS (Deut 13:1-5; Mat 7:15-23) or
POWERLESS PRETENDERS (Deut 18:18-22) as follows:
A FALSE PROPHET is one who uses deception to prophesy or one who uses
prophecy to deceive; the Prophetic Gift is degraded and defiled by use of
divination or by delusion or by by use of divination or by delusion or by
dissimulation.
1. Occultist (False) prophets who prophesy by divination and demonic powers
LIKE SIMON MAGUS OF SAMARIA AND THE SOOTHSAYER MAID OF
PHILIPPI (Act 8:9-22; 16:16-20). This is where the final Antichrist false
prophet belongs (2Thes 2:7-12; Rev 13:11-17; 16:13-14).
2. Pretentious (Fake) prophets who have no prophetic powers but pretend to
prophesy by clever tricks LIKE THE SEVEN SONS OF SCEVA (Act 19:13-
17).
3. Insincere (Falsified) prophets who turn their true prophetic ministry into
soothsaying venture through:
a) syncretism and sinful contamination, LIKE HANANIAH SON OF
AZZUR AND ELIMAS BARJESUS (Jer 28; Act 13:6-12; Rev 2:20), or
b) profiteering and selfish commercialisation LIKE BALAAM SON OF
BEOR (Num 22-24; 31:16; Josh 13:22; 2Pet 2:15-16; Rev 2:14), or
21
c) inclusion of guesswork and deluded presumption LIKE ZEDEKIAH
SON OF KANAANAH (Deut 18:20-22; 1Kin 22; Ezek 13:6-10).
May we never disappoint God in our time! God is looking for Prophets who
will be true Prophets for Him and His Church today. If you are gifted as a
Prophet, please remain true and refuse to falsify your gift and ministry.
Moses said a false prophet may be right in prediction and signs and yet be wrong
in proclamation of God’s counsel (Deu 13:1-5; Deu 18:20-22). So the true test of
prophecy is compliance with the Scriptures not confirmation of predictions and
signs. True and False prophets are persons who cogently (unlike lunatics) “SEE
and SPEAK by another SPIRIT (Holy/Divine Spirit or evil/demonic spirits)”.
➢ Amongst those called Prophets, there are True Prophets/SEERS who
PROBE/search by divine revelation usually given by the Holy Spirit, but
there are also False Prophets/MEDIUMS who PROBE/search by
occultist divination often claimed to be from the Holy Spirit.
➢ Both True and False Prophets could PROBE (or search) to
PROGNOSTICATE or PREDICT (fore-tell) DATA-messages on things
that happen about us, but only true Prophets give DIVINE-messages on
what God is saying to us about His mind for the hour.
When a prophet tells you data-messages about yourself or some other signs, never
get distracted by the unimportant fears and fads in such data-messages and signs,
but insist on finding out what is the divine-message from the mind of God for the
hour, because only the mind of God (not the inquisitive data, stunt signs and
frivolous stories) is important.
FALSE TEACHERS are not always the same as False Prophets but heretics (who
preach another or erroneous Gospel (Gal 1:6-9; 1John 4:1-6) and libertine
motivational preachers who turn the grace of God into licentiousness (2Pet 2:1-3;
Jude 3-4).
FALSE CHRISTS are those who even dare to deceitfully claim that they are
another Christ (Mat 24:5, 11, 24).
All spiritually false and morally false “Christian” ministries and convictions which are
propagated by False Prophets, False Teachers and False Christs are under the
spirit of error and lawlessness: all of which belong to the Antichrist and Satan
(2Thes 2:8-10). God has put all moral falsehood and spiritual error inside the
Church under His wrath and curse (Gal 1:6-9; Heb 10:26-31; Jude 4) even worse
than those outside the Church (Jer 13:13-15; 23:9-32; Rom 1:18; Eph 2:2-3).
TRUE PROPHETS are those consecrated brethren whose oracles are true
declaration of God’s mind for His people. True prophets forth-tell to persuade
people to please God and fore-tell to prepare people to be ready for God. True
Prophets prophesy with all sincerity and diligence, and not with divination, delusion,
dissimulations, derivations, deceptions or distortions (Deut 18:18-22; 2Cor 2:17;
4:1-2).
7. DISCERNMENT
The gift of Discerning of spirits is the special grace to perceive and clearly
distinguish between attitudes, activities and events that are divine and true from
22
those that are human, false and satanic, so that God’s people will not be deceived.
Act 5:1-5; 8:18-23.
Today some refer to the gift of Discernment as “WORD OF KNOWLEDGE” though

this is difficult to be maintained both grammatically and with the Scriptures: Job
15:2; 33:3; 34:35; 35:16; 38:2; 42:3; Prov 19:27; 22:17; 23:12; 1Cor 1:5; 2Cor 8:7.
8. TONGUES
The gift of speaking in diversities of Tongues is the special grace to speak
mysteries, prayers, praises and thanks to God in languages strange to and
unknown to the speaker for personal spiritual edification. Act 2:11; 10:46; 1Cor
14:2-4, 13-18.
It is important to note that Jesus (Act 1:4-8), and John (Mat 3:11), and Joel (Joel
2:26-32) or even Peter (Act 2:14-21) and Paul (1Cor 14:1; Eph 5:18-20) never
mentioned Tongues (either of fire or of utterance) as the key evidence of Baptism
with, Fullness of, or Coming of the Holy Spirit; they rather mentioned that God gives
the Holy Spirit to fulfil his promise of INDWELLING PURITY AND POWER to the
Church for PROPHETIC WITNESS to the world.
All the Apostles and the 120 disciples received the Tongues of Fire and the Gift of
Speaking in Tongues and agreed with the truth that the Gift of Tongues, Prophecy
and any other Spiritual Gift are good for all (1Cor 14:1, 5), yet they explained that
Spiritual Gifts are not uniformly given to all but are diversely distributed (1Cor
12:10, 30). Emphasis on a particular Gift especially Tongues is denominational
preference or personal choice which God may freely grant or people may falsely
and forcibly mimic.
Praying in the (Holy) Spirit (Jude 1:20) could be done by GROANINGS that cannot
be uttered (John 11:33; Rom 8:26-27) or by uttered TONGUES that need
interpretation (1Cor 14:14-18) or by INSPIRED WORDS that is well understood
(Luk 10:21).
9. INTERPRETATION
The gift of Interpretation of Tongues is the special grace to explain or translate what
is spoken in Tongues strange to the interpreter for the general spiritual edification of
the whole Church. 1Cor 14:13-14.
10. APOSTLE (MISSIONARY)

The gift of Apostle (not the Apostolic OFFICE but Missionary GIFT) is the special
grace to work as Christ’s ambassadorial witness sent to the uttermost parts of the
earth to bring the Gospel to and plant Churches amongst un-churched peoples. Mk
3:14-15; Lk 9:1-2; 10:1-12. (Note: APOSTOLOS=Apostle; APOSTELLO=sent on
mission).
11. TEACHING
The gift of Teaching (word or discourse of Instruction) is the special grace to
organise the whole counsel of God found in the Scripture (i.e. the Word of Truth)
23
on issues concerning the doctrine (i.e. meaning of the message, person, power and
purpose) of Christ and instruct the Church in a way they could understand, learn
and practice. 2Tim 2:15; 3:16-17.
The Teacher of the Word, in addition to being a word-communicator, apt to teach

(2Tim 2:24f), needs the incisive word-comprehension gifts of both Wisdom and
Knowledge to fully impact the doctrine of Christ.
FALSE TEACHERS are innovators who revise and contaminate God’s Word or
lopsidedly contradict God’s Word in order to deceive or exploit their hearers with
their pernicious heresies (2Pet 2:1-3).
TRUE TEACHERS teach wholesome and sound doctrine and thorough instructions
that meet every standard of every portion of the whole Scripture (2Tim 2:14-19;
3:13-17).
12. HELPS (ASSISTANCE)

The gift of Helps is the special grace to offer various forms of assistance and
support to members of the Church so as to potentiate their spiritual effectiveness in
fulfilling their ministries. Act 18:2-3, 26; Rom 16:2; 2Tim 4:11; Phm 24.
13. LEADERSHIP (RULING and ADMINISTRATION)

The gift of Leadership is the special grace to diligently set goals in accordance with
God’s will and purpose, for the various parts of the Church and mobilise God’s
people in such a way that they willingly work together through effective
administrative or management plan to accomplish those goals to God’s glory. Act
6:1-7; Tit 1:5; Heb 13:7, 17.
Gift of Leadership is essentially ability to influence people towards a good purpose

in Church and Society, Gift of Administration is ability to manage formal
processes for effective leadership and Gift of Ruling is ability to utilise authority
properly for leadership. Leadership is not about oppressing people or bossing
them around as the Gentiles do but about serving people in Church and Society to
please God according to the rule and goal of God’s Kingdom (Mat 20:25-28).
14. GIVING
The gift of Giving is the special grace to willingly contribute and distribute one’s
substance generously (even up to voluntary poverty) so as to meet the material
needs of the Church and the needy. Act 4:36-37; 2Cor 8:1-5.
15. MARTYRDOM
The gift of Martyrdom is the special grace to boldly bear witness to Christ in
defiance to severe persecution, even unto death, in such a way that the Gospel is
preached to God’s glory. Act 7:54-60; 2Tim 4:6-8; 2Pet 1:14.
16. REVELATION (MYSTERIES)

The gift of Revelation is the special grace to gain direct conceptual, pictorial (vision
or dream), and/or verbal insight into the mysteries of Christ and/or into the hidden
24
realities concerning the past, present and future of the Church or some of her
members so as to enable God’s people understand the existing state of affairs. Act
10:9-20; 16:9; 2Cor 12:1-4; Eph 3:3-8.
In this special sense Revelations is an aspect of the Prophetic gift (1Pet 1:10-12),
but in a general sense Revelation is available to all Spirit-filled believers to
understand the mystery of Christ’s Gospel and experience the witness of the Holy
Spirit (Rom 8:15-16; 1Cor 2:14; Eph 1:15-23).
Today some refer to the gift of Revelation as “WORD OF KNOWLEDGE”,
mistaking GINOSKO/GNOSIS=intelligent knowledge for awareness to be same
as EIDO/OIDA=intuitive knowing for assurance.
17. PSALMS (SONGS)

The gift of Psalms is the special grace to arrange and sing inspired melodies and
lyrics for edification and doxological purposes amongst God’s people. Eph 5:18-
19; 2Sam 23:1-2.
18. SERVICE
The gift of Service is the special grace to work and labour to meet the various
needs of the Church, so that the Church will work the works of God and accomplish
desired goals. Act 6:1-4; 9:36-39.
19. EXHORTATION (PREACHING)

The gift of word (discourse) of Exhortation is the special grace to expound God’s
Word and Will for persuading and admonishing God’s people in a way that stirs
up conviction, correction, consolation and commitment unto seeking to please
God for their own good and God’s glory. Act 2:40; 11:23; 14:22; 1Thes 2:11.
The Exhorter (i.e. Preacher or Homilist) as with the Teacher also needs both the
incisive word-comprehension gifts of Wisdom and Knowledge to stir God’s
people through scriptural exposition, unto godliness with assurance of divine
grace. Mere rhetoric and motivational oratory may exhort unto vanity rather than
sanctity.
20. MERCY (BENEVOLENCE)

The gift of showing Mercy is the special grace to be greatly moved by
compassionate concern for the miserable and work charitably to alleviate their
distress and bring comfort. Act 9:36, 39;
21. EVANGELIST
The gift of Evangelist is the special grace to preach the Gospel message with
convincing power to unbelievers in such a way that they believe and become
followers of Christ. Act 8:5, 12, 35, 40; 21:8.
22. PASTOR
25
The gift of Pastor is the special grace to shepherd and nourish the flock of Christ
(the Church), spiritually and emotionally, so that they may grow safe and sound
unto maturity and unity of faith in Christ. John 21:15-17; Act 20:27-28.
23. EXORCISM
The gift of Exorcism is the special grace to cast out evil spirits by the power of the
spoken Word of God, so as to deliver people and things from demonic influences.
Acts 16:18.
24. IMMUNITY
The gift of Immunity is the special grace to be unhurt by deadly or injurious things in
the course of serving God, such that the Church is comforted and God is glorified.
Act 28:3-6.
25. CELIBACY
The gift of Celibacy is the special grace to stay unmarried without losing
continency over sexual passion, so that God’s work would be done maximally
without the encumbrances of marriage and family or the scandal of sexual
misdemeanour. Matt 19:10-12.
26. CRAFTSMANSHIP/Technology (OT)

A key gift found specifically in the Old Testament is the Gift of Craftsmanship or
Technology (Exo 35:30-36:2) which is the special grace to use creative mind and
skills to build structures and fabricate gadgets that enhance the worship of God.
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26

TOPIC: THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS II
SERIES: 08
INTRODUCTION:
In the last study we were able to identify in the New Testament
Scriptures NOT ONLY NINE Spiritual Gifts as commonly taught among some
Pentecostals today but MORE THAN NINETEEN Spiritual Gifts.
Charismatic Spiritual Gifts given by God for ABILITIES or ROLES
are not Ordained Church Offices appointed or delegated by Man for
AUTHORITY or DUTY. Ordination and Charismata should never be mixed up
but the modern Church has revised Scripture and mixed everything up!
Church Offices in the Apostolic Church, (which are not Charismatic Gifts)
were only THREE:
a. Bishops,
b. Presbyters and
c. Deacons/Deaconesses.
Below is an attempt to group these Gifts (24 of them) into five for better
understanding (see I Cor 12:7-12:28-31; 14:6-26; Rom 12:6-8; Eph. 4:11;
Mark 16:17-18) and I Cor 13:1-3).
1. UTTERANCE OR INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS:
a. Tongues (of men and Angels), b. Psalms (Songs),
c. Interpretation (of Tongues), d. Wisdom (Counselling),
e. Exhortation (Encouragement), f. Knowledge,
g. Evangelists (Preaching), and h. Prophecy.
i. Teaching
27
2. DECIPHERING OR PERCEPTIONAL GIFTS:
j. Revelation/Mysteries, k. Discernment (of Spirits).
Some Utterance Gifts like Interpretation and Prophecy also operate in
combination with the Perceptional Gifts.
NOTE: When St. Paul talked about “Knowledge” in I Cor. 12:8, he used the
Greek word “GINOSKO” which means OBJECTIVE LEARNING and
has to do with studying and reasoning intellectually. But for “Know”
(“Understand” in KJV) in I Cor. 13:2 he used the Greek work “OIDA”
which means SUBJECTIVE INTUITION and has to do with
instinctively deciphering and fathoming hidden mysteries, meanings,
matters, and minds.
Again WORD OF EXHORTATION in Acts 13:15 and Heb. 13:22 simply mean
the same thing as Exhortation talk/word/discourse (i.e. Motivating
speech). In the same way, WORD OF KNOWLEDGE and WORD OF
WISDOM simply mean Knowledge talk/word/discourse (i.e. Informative
speech) and Wisdom talk/word/discourse (i.e. Advisory speech)
respectively.
Knowledge is about comprehension of WHAT THE TRUTH IS, while
Wisdom is about discretion on WHAT IS RIGHT TO DO. Spiritual
KNOWLEDGE is learned and taught from the Scripture and forms the
basis for Spiritual WISDOM unto salvation and good works (2Tim 3:14-
17).
Q Considering above information, would you liken “word of Knowledge” to

“Learning” and “Teaching”, or to “Revelation”, and “Discernment”?
______________________________________________________
3. POWER OR DEMONSTRATIONAL GIFTS:
28
l. Faith (that moves mountains) m. Miracles,
n. Exorcism (Casting out/’Deliverance’), o. Healings, and
p. Immunity (to serpents, scorpions and poisons).
4. PASTORAL OR ORGANISATIONAL GIFTS:

q. Apostle (Missionary/Messenger), r. Pastor (Shepherd),
s. Leadership (Ruling/Administration), t. Service (Ministry).
5. SACRIFICIAL OR DEPRIVATIONAL GIFTS:

u. Giving (even till poverty), v. Helps,
w. Martyrdom (even by burning), x. Mercy, and
y. Continence (or Celibacy) see I Cor. 7:7.
NOTE: This fifth group is the most costly to the gifted and least
appreciated by the Church so they are not very popularly taught
or sought after in the Church today.
Question: What does the Church lose by being selective in emphasis on

Spiritual Gifts? ______________________________________
DISCUSSIONS:
1. Despite this abundant number of charismatic Gifts why is it that only the
spectacular few like: Tongues, Prophecy, Miracles, Healings, Exorcism
(Deliverance) and Revelation/Mysteries (mistakenly called Word of
Knowledge) are the ones popularly sought and taught nowadays?
2. Today some of the Gifts are not regarded as supernatural and fantastic
enough to be called Spiritual Gifts. State the reason why, with
examples: __________________________________________
29
3. Which Spiritual Gifts are at work in our Church?
_______________________________________________________
4. Why are many of the Gifts absent in the Churches today? (1Thes. 5:19-
21, Eph. 4:30-32)____________________________________
_______________________________________________________
CONCLUSION.
Apart from Spiritual Gifts mentioned in the Scripture, there are acquired
SKILLS (e.g. Education, Technical skills, Music instrumentation) and innate
TALENTS (e.g. intelligence, eloquence, artistry, hospitality, stamina), which
are needed in the Church today.
When a believer, filled with the Holy Spirit uses these skills and talents in
accordance with God’s will to edify the Church, such skills and talents serve
similar purpose as the Spiritual Gifts? (Exd. 35:29-35; Judges 14:6; I Chron.
15:22; Acts 26:24-25; Matt. 13:52).
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30

TOPIC: THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS III
SERIES: 09
INTRODUCTION:
Christians are SAVED TO SERVE (2 Cor. 5:18-19). Having been made
a living part of Christ’s Body, every truly regenerate member of the Church
should be committed to one form of special work or service (Ministry) within
the Body of Christ for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.
Since EVERY believer has his/her function and gift (I Cor. 7:7; I Pet
4:10; I Cor. 12:12-14), Christians should be concerned more with discovering,
and excelling in the Gifts they already have, rather than asking for other
particular Gifts as is commonly taught today.
SEVEN STEPS TO DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS

1. EXAMINE yourself to be sure you have been regenerated into Christ’s
body. This guarantees that you have a gift allocated to you in order to
carry out your function as a part of Christ’s Body.
Question: Regeneration into Christ is the renewing work of the Holy

Spirit (or the Spirit of Christ - Rom. 8:9-11), whereby the Holy Spirit
quickens us to believe in Christ and seals us to become sons and
co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:15-17). How could one obtain this
regeneration into Christ? (Eph. 1:13; 14; Acts 2:36-39)
____________________________________
_______________________________________________________
31
2. STUDY to know, about the varieties of Spiritual Gifts, which one could
use in the Church for profit unto edification.
Question In what ways could knowledge of the varieties of Spiritual Gifts

help one in discovering his/her Gift(s)?
__________________________________________________
3 PRAY and depend on God for guidance and leading of the Spirit. This
leading depends on necessity, disposition, satisfaction, demand and
one’s consecration.
Question I: How important is this step in discovering our Spiritual Gifts and
Ministry? (Rom. 12:1-2)____________________________________
Question II: How did Paul and Barnabas benefit from this step?
(Acts 13:1-2)_____________________________________________
4. EXERCISE yourself and experiment to gain experience in God’s work

by getting involved with: -
Church Programmes (e.g. Worship services, Bible studies, Prayer
meetings. Evangelism/Witnessing outreaches, Fellowship meetings,
Seminars, Retreats, Workshops, Conventions);
Church Ministries (E.g. Groups or Teams for Missions, Visitation,
Counselling, Welfare, Charity, Deliverance, Healing, Intercession,
Leadership, Discipleship); and
Church Roles (such as Fund Raising, Publicity, Publishing,
Broadcasting, Research, Training, Debate, Apologetics, Projects,
Planning and Organisation).
32
Question: What benefits and opportunities would Christians get by belonging
to Churches that have and encourage these varieties of areas of
functions? _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________
5. OBSERVE your experiences and note areas of ministry, programmes

or roles
(1)where your gifts, talents or skills are extra-ordinarily effective or
appreciated/demanded and
(2)where your participation gives you peace, joy and fulfilment,
(3)as well as where you feel a sense of burden and zeal.
Question: Could your natural abilities (Talents) and acquired skills be

preparatory or enhancing to your Spiritual Gifts? Matt. 13:52 How?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
6. ANALYSE feedbacks from brethren about what gifts or ministry they

commend you for, appreciate or respect in you, or demand your
services, contribution, involvement or ministration for.
Question: How was this helpful to Timothy? (I Tim 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:5 and 1:6)
___________________________________________________
7. SUBMIT readily to the Holy Spirit by operating fervently and diligently in

whatever gift or gifts to which He has led you and convinced you to be
your area of occupying and function, in accordance with God’s perfect
will (Col.4: 17; Acts 20:24; 2 Tim 4:2-4).
33
Question Why must we not be found wanting in the exercise of our Gifts?
(Acts 20:28-29; Luke 19:12; 13, 16,17, 20-26). _________________
_______________________________________________________
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34

TOPIC: THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS IV
SERIES: 10
INTRODUCTION:
While reminding Timothy about the discovery of the Spiritual Gifts in
him, St. Paul also went ahead to urge Timothy (1) not to neglect his Spiritual
Gift, (ii) but to fan it into flame (I Tim 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; and 4:5). Following the
wisdom of the Apostle, let us discuss some steps to develop our gifts and
maximize their use till we fulfill our ministry
1. BE READY always to make your Gifts available for meeting the needs
of the CHURCH (not your own needs).
Q.a How do Rom. 12:1-2 and I Cor. 12:7 relate to this?

____________________________________________________
Q.b Does this readiness depend on convenience? (2 Tim 4:1-2)

____________________________________________________
2. REMEMBER always that your Gifts and Ministry belong to God and that
He has given them to you IN TRUST for the benefit of the Church and
for His own glory.
Q.a Is this true in the light of 1 Cor. 4:1 and 2 Cor. 4:1?
_______________________________________________________
35
Q.b What dangers are there if we lose sight of this truth? (2 Pet. 3:1-3)
______________________________________________________
3. CHALLENGE and help others to labour more for the Lord by your use of
your Gifts or ministry, rather than ridicule or discourage others who
have different Gifts from yours
Q.a How does Rom 11:13-14 explain this more? _________________

______________________________________________________
Q.b Which is better to say, (1) “You can’t do what I do” and (ii) “You don’t
want to do as I do” or (iii) “You can do better than I do with the help of
God”? _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
4. DO NOT DOMINATE others with your Gifts, rather EDIFY AND SERVE
them.
Q. Relate Rom 12:3-6a to this. Why is this step necessary?

__________
_______________________________________________________
5. GIVE PRIORITY attention with all diligence to your Gifts or Ministry to

excel in exercising it, because the Church needs your Gifts in its best
form.
Q For what other reasons must we aim to excel in serving with our Gifts?
(i) I Cor. 4:2 __________________________________________
(ii) Rom. 14:12 ________________________________________
36
6. COOPERATE with others (not SEPARATE from them) by the use of
your Gifts and Ministry in the Church.
Q.a How is this shown in Gal. 2:7-10? ___________________________

______________________________________________________
Q.b From I Cor. 3:3-9, how proper is it for us to criticize others, cause
division, struggle for position and recognition, and break away from our
Church because we are gifted, as is commonly done these days?
______________________________________________________
Q.c How could we balance this step with the following scriptural injunctions
to:
(i) Fan our gift to flame (2 Tim 1:6)? __________________
Not neglect our Gift (1 Tim 4:14)? ___________________
Magnify our ministry (Rom 11:13-14? ________________
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37

TOPIC: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT I
TEXT: GALATIANS 5:16-18, 22-25
SERIES: 11
INTRODUCTION
As we have seen, the Gifts of the Spirit are very important for building
up the Church to spiritual maturity (Eph/ 4:11-13). However, there can be no
spiritual maturity if the Church does not bear the fruit of the Spirit, of which
LOVE is the most excellent and the greatest (Eph. 4:15-16; I Cor. 12:31;
13:1-3; 13:13)
Notice that St. Paul thought of the Gifts of the Spirit as Temporary
Manifestations/Blossoms which are like the flowers of a fruit plant (I Cor.
12:7), and which may be barren (13:1-3) or fade (13:8-9). On the other hand,
lively faith, hope and love are collectively called the Fruit of the Spirit,
because they are Permanent Produce/Harvest that never fail and ever remain
(I Cor. 13:18a and 13a; John 15:16).
Flowers are admirable and attractive manifestations while Fruit is the
ultimate harvest benefit from a tree (John 15:2; Lk. 13:6). The Fruit also gives
a tree its real identity (Matt. 7:20) and survival.
The Fruit of the Spirit is the quality of Character, which God harvests
from us when we walk in, live by and are led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18, 25). It
is the Harvest Benefit we yield to God from the indwelling seed of the Spirit
(Rom 6:22; 1John 3:9).
1. What St. Paul described as the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23
refers what Christ called “much, more FRUIT that remain” (John 15:2,
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5, 9, and 16; Matt 13:8, 23), which is also described in many other
alternative ways in the Scripture.
What do you understand by the following alternative descriptions of the
Fruit of the Spirit which we should bear?
a) Divine nature (2Pet. 1:4-7)_____________________________
b) Harvest of righteousness (Jas 3:17-18)___________________
c) Qualification for Kingdom bliss (Matt. 5:2-12)_______________
d) Nature of Love (1Cor. 13:4-8)___________________________
e) Weapons of righteousness (2Cor. 6:3-7)__________________
f) Worthy virtues of life (Eph. 4:1-2) ________________________
g) Fruit of the light (Eph. 5:9) _______________________________
h) Clothes for the Holy (Col. 3:12-15) _______________________
2. In the Scripture the word FRUIT is used to convey several meanings.

What do you understand by the following meanings of fruits/fullness?
a) Outcome/Result (Isa. 32:17)____________________________
b) Benefit/Profit (Luke 13:7)______________________________
c) HARVEST/Produce/Yield (Gen. 1:11; Jas 5:7; Matt. 21:34) ___
__________________________________________________
d) Evidence/Identity-mark (Matt. 12:33) _____________________
e) CHARACTER/Habit (Matt. 7:15-20; Col. 1:10)______________
__________________________________________________
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS THE HARVEST OF DIVINE CHARACTER,

WHICH WE YIELD TO GOD THROUGH LIVING BY THE SPIRIT.
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TOPIC: THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT EXPLAINED AND TABULATED
SERIES: 12
EXPLANATION:
While Spiritual Gifts are various ABILITIES GIVEN to believers
through the Holy Spirit, Spiritual Fruit (either as good-works or as
spiritual-walk Eph 2:10) is that wholesome QUALITY PRODUCED by us
through the Holy Spirit. Without quality (FRUIT), brash abilities (GIFTS)
are nuisance and valueless (1Cor 13:1-3), but quality brings excellence
to every ability (1Cor 12:31). Love must be the motive behind our
desire for and exercise of Spiritual Gifts (1Cor 14:1).
The reason for saving us from sin and grafting us into His body at
CONVERSION (Joh 15:1-3), and for our abiding in Him as His disciples
in CONSECRATION (Joh 15:4-5), is to bear lasting fruit (both as moral
walk and as missionary work) to the glory of God (Joh 15:8, 16; Eph
2:10); otherwise we lose our full joy and relevance (Joh 15:6-7, 11).
Likened to flowers and foliages the Gifts are temporary,
admirable and attractive manifestations (1Co 12:7) but may be barren
(1Co 13:1-3), fade and vanish away (1Co 13:8), whereas the Fruit is the
edible harvest benefit from a tree (Mat 21:18-19; Joh 15:2; Luk 13:6). It
is the fruit that gives a plant its real identity (Mat 7:20) and ensures its
enduring survival (1Co 13:8a; 1Co 13:13a).
In both Old and New Testaments, FRUIT is usually singular: it
refers to the yield or harvest obtained from the vineyard, etc; output or
profit from any endeavour; dividend or outcome of any involvement Ps
1:3; 92:12-14; 104:13; Mat 21:34; Mk 4:7-8, 20, 28-29; Rom 1:13; e.g.:
► the produce of the ground (the wild, field, vineyard, or orchard); Gen
4:3; Exo 10:15; Lev 19:23-25; 25:19; 26:4; Num 13:27; Deut 22:9; 26:2;
Jas 5:7, 18; Neh 10:35-37;
► the produce of animals (pastoral or wild) Deut 28:4, 11, 51; 30:9;
► the offspring of the body (the loin or the womb) Gen 30:2; Deut
28:53; Ps 27:3;
► the effect/impact of the spiritual (or even the carnal) mind (e.g.
good-works of moral walk or missionary works) Pro 1:31; Pro 10:16;
Pro 11:30; Rom 6:21; Eph 2:10;
1. Walk-Fruit of the indwelling Spirit (MORAL EXAMPLE of sanctity
and character which shows/shines the divine nature to others) Gal
5:22-25; Eph 5:9; Heb 12:11; Jas 3:18.
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2. Work-Fruit of our labour in the Lord (MISSIONARY EXPLOITS of
soul-winning and sacrificial service which sows/serves divine truth and
power to others) Joh 4:36; Rom 1:13; 1Cor 15:58; Php 1:22.
► the value of praise and thanksgiving Php 4:17; Heb 13:15.
In the Scriptures, FRUITFULNESS means productivity or
prosperity of persons, ventures or the nation. Spiritual
Fruitfulness/Productivity comes by diligent, continuous and abounding
Spiritual Fertility/Effectiveness (2Pet 1:5, 8), through excellent-minded
meditation on God's Word to exercise ourselves unto godliness (Jos
1:8; Psa 1:1-3; Jn 15:3-4; Php 4:8). The Fruit (i.e. Vineyard or Orchard
Produce Lev 25:3; Deut 22:9; Mat 7:16-20) of the Spirit is that quality of
Spiritual Character (Rom 8:14), Divine Nature (2Pet 1:4) or Christ's
Stature (Eph 4:13) which God harvests from believers (Rom 7:4c) who
walk in, live by and are led by the Spirit (Gal 5:16-18, Gal 5:25). (This
Fruit of the Spirit is our moral walk of goodworks Eph 2:10 & Col 1:10,
holiness Rom 6:22, goodness Eph 5:9, and righteousness Php 1:11).
The Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) is the Vineyard Harvest
Produce which believers yield to God (the True Vine Husbandman Jn
15:1-2) from the Good Seed of the indwelling Spirit, which God planted
in them (1Pet 1:23; 1Jn 3:9). Believers owe God the True Vine Fruit (Jn
15:5-8) of the Spirit as God’s inheritance in the saints (Eph 1:18). God’s
response to fruitlessness is destruction (Mat 21:18-19; Lk 3:9; Lk 13:6-
9; Jn 15:1-8). The fruit produced verifies the tree bearing it (Mat 7:15-
20; 12:33; Lk 6:43-45).
COMPONENTS OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

As found in the KJV
Text Gal 5:22-23 2Pet 1:4-8 Col 3:12-15 1Cor 13:4-8, 13 Eph 4:1-5
Title Fruit of the Divine Clothes of the Excellent Way of Worthy Walk
Spirit Nature Holy Charity
1 Love Charity Charity: Charity Love
Bond of
perfectness
2 Joy Rejoiceth not in
iniquity,
Rejoiceth in the
Truth
3 Peace Peace (Jas 3:17-18): Peace:
Peaceable, Bond of unity
In Peace,
Make Peace
4 Longsuffering Patience Longsuffering: Suffereth long: Longsuffering:
Forbearing, Beareth all things, Forbearing
Forgiving Endureth all
things,
Never fails
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5 Gentleness Brotherly Kindness Kind Gk=chrestotes:
(Kindness) Kindness FONDNESS
6 Goodness Virtue Thinketh no evil
(Excellence)
7 Faith Faith God-pleasing Faith, Faith
faith (Heb Believeth all things NOT Mountain-
10:22-23; 11:6) moving faith
(1Cor 13:2b)
8 Meekness Meekness Gk=praotes: MILDNESS Meekness
(Gentleness) (Gentleness) (Gentleness)
9 Temperance Temperance Not easily
(Self-control) (Self-control) provoked,
Not behave
unseemly
10 Godliness Eph 5:9-10:
(Ap)Prove
what is
acceptable
unto the Lord
11 Knowledge,
Knowledge
of our God
12 Humbleness Envieth not, Lowliness
Vaunteth not,
Not puffed up
13 Mercies
(Compassion)
14 Seeketh not her
own (Unselfish)
15 Hope, Hope
Hopeth all things
NOTE: As there are more than 9 Spiritual Gifts, so also are there more than 9 components of the Spiritual Fruit.
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42

TOPIC: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT II
TEXT: GALATIANS 5:16-18, 22-25
SERIES: 13
INTRODUCTION:
In the last study we understood the Fruit of the Spirit as the HARVEST
OF DIVINE CHARACTER, which we yield to God through living by the Spirit.
These virtues are severally found in the following passages of the Scripture
Gal. 5:22-25; 2 Pet. 1:4-7; Jas/ 3:17-18; Matt. 5:2-12; I Cor. 13:4-8; 2 Cor.
6:3-7; Eph. 4:1-2; 5:9; and Col. 3:12-15 as we have already seen.
1. From these passages, what are the virtues we produce through the
Holy Spirit? Moreover, what do these mean practically?
(a) Virtues for relating to self:
i) Joy: _______________________________________________
ii) Patience: __________________________________________
iii) Temperance: _______________________________________
(b) Virtues for relating to others:
i) Love: ____________________________________________
ii) Peace:____________________________________________
iii) Kindness: __________________________________________
iv) Goodness:__________________________________________
v) Faithfulness: ________________________________________
vi) Gentleness: ________________________________________
vii) Humility: ___________________________________________
Viii) Impartiality: _________________________________________
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C) Virtues for relating to God:
i) Love: _____________________________________________
ii) Faithfulness: ________________________________________
iii) Humility: ___________________________________________
iv) Purity: _____________________________________________
v) Patience: __________________________________________
2. Explain the following MEANS (or ways) through which we LIVE BY the
Spirit in order to bear Fruit of the Spirit.
a) John 12:24/Col. 3:3-8. Death/Mortification:_________________
b) John 15:4. Abiding: __________________________________
c) John 15:2, Pruning: __________________________________
d) Matt. 13:8. God soil: __________________________________
e) Exd. 1:7. Fertility: ___________________________________
f) Rom. 15:13. Spirit-fullness: ____________________________
g) Rom. 8:13,14. Spirit leading: ___________________________
i) Gal 5:16,18. Walking as led: ___________________________
j) Gal 5:25. Living the Walk: _____________________________
k) Eph 2:10. Walking in the works: _______________________
3. What do quenching and grieving the Spirit means and lead to?
a) Eph. 4:30-32 ________________________________________
b) 1Thes. 5:19-20 ______________________________________
c) John 15:5-6 ________________________________________
d) Matt 13:19-22 ______________________________________
GOD HAS SOWN HIS SPIRIT AS SEED IN US, HE MUST FIND

FRUIT FROM US, OR ELSE WE SHOULD BE CAST INTO THE FIRE!
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45

TOPIC: REVIEW OF STUDIES 01 TO 13
SERIES: 14
REVIEW
Under our theme above, we have gone through eleven study outlines
dealing with the workings of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Disciples as
follows: -
The Person of the Holy Spirit
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit
The Fullness of the Holy Spirit
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Living by the Holy Spirit
These studies were meant to enlighten you on the workings of the Holy
Spirit so that you would:
(i) Be assured of the transforming fellowship of the Holy Spirit as a
believer (BAPTISM) 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom 6:5.
(ii) Experience the Spirit’s empowering influence (FULLNESS) Eph. 5:18.
(iii) Serve by the Spirit’s power to build up the Church (GIFTS) 1Cor. 12:4-
7; Eph. 4:11-13.
(iv) Live according to the Sprit’s character (FRUIT) Gal. 5:16-18, 22-25.
In this way, you would please God in every way as a true Disciple of
Jesus Christ.
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DISCUSSIONS:
1. What have you learned about each of the above aspects of the
workings of the Holy Spirit?
a. __________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________
2. What changes have come into your life as a Disciple of Christ through
these studies?
a. __________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________
3. What further benefits do you think or expect that these studies would
bring to the Church?
a. __________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________
4. What questions do you have on all the above studies on the Holy
Spirit?
a. __________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________
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FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
SPIRIT BAPTISM AND FULLNESS
by Venerable Dr. I. U. Ibeme
http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo ; http://priscaquila.6te.net
Click Here For PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre
The Church has always agreed that the believer at conversion is

regenerated and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. However at various ages of the
Church the further walk of the believer with the Holy Spirit has been
understood in different terms and to varying extents by different groups of
Christians. Some had thought the further work of the Holy Spirit should be
called perfection, others say it should be sanctification, others Spirit baptism,
others Spirit fullness, others still Spirit infilling or Spirit release. Some think
it is only for moral purity, others say it is only for manifestation of power.
While some think this further work of the Spirit is a continuous work of grace
initiated at conversion, others insist it is a second work of grace distinct from
conversion grace. Some of these views could be quite difficult to maintain if
we are to follow the plain teachings of the Scriptures. Controversy hardly
allows for proper study of the Truth.
The Holy Spirit has come not only to BORN US ANEW FROM ABOVE
(John 3:3-5) but also to ENDUE US WITH POWER FROM ABOVE (Luk
24:49). The COMING of the Holy Spirit for New Testament Spirit Baptism and
Fullness of all believers:
➢ was desired by Moses (Num 11:29),
➢ was promised by God through the Prophets (Ezek 36:26; Joel 2:28-29;
Mat 3:11),
➢ was confirmed by Christ (John 3:3-5; Luk 24:49; Act 1:5),
➢ was experienced by the Church on the Pentecost (Act 2:1-4), and
➢ was expounded by the Apostles (Act 2:16-18; 1Cor 12:13; Eph 1:13-
14).
This coming of the Holy Spirit is the grace of INDWELLING divine
PRESENCE (John 14:23-26) that brings us both divine PURITY of sonship
(Rom 8:14-15) and divine POWER for witness (Act 1:8) so we could
participate in the Divine Nature (2Pet 1:2-4) and possess the Divine Heritage
(Rom 8:16-17; Eph 1:13-14; 1Pet 1:2-6).
Apart from the INITIAL WORK of our NEWBIRTH or ADOPTION or

INDWELLING by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-5; Rom 8:9-11), the FURTHER
WORK of the Holy Spirit or Spirit’s FULLNESS is to repeatedly and
progressively FILL and ENDUE every believer with the grace of ENABLING
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POWER (Luk 24:49; Act 1:8; Eph 5:18) and ASSURANCE OF SONSHIP
(Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:6), for bold witness and spiritual walk at any and all
times (Rom 8:26-27; Act 11:24; Gal 5:22-25).
From 1Cor 12:13 and Eph 1:13-14, it seems that the Apostolic Church
understood our INCLUSION INTO CHRIST as Spirit Baptism and Spirit
Sealing. They also referred to the ENDUEMENT WITH POWER (Luk 24:49)
first as fulfilment of the promised Spirit baptism/outpouring (Act 1:5; 2:17)
but subsequently described as being full-of or being filled-with the Holy
Spirit (Act 2:4; 4:8, 31; 6:3-5; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9, 52; Eph 3:19; 5:18).
According to the Apostles, the Holy Spirit baptizes all believers INTO
Christ’s Body irrespective of their spiritual gifts (1Cor 12:13). The Church
today is not agreed on what the SPIRIT BAPTISM really is or exactly meant
to do: whether Spirit Baptism into Christ’s Body is the initial NEWBIRTH or
whether Spirit Baptism into Christ’s Body is the further ENDUEMENT.
1. SPIRIT BAPTISM AS NEWBIRTH: The INITIAL WORK of the Holy
Spirit at the time of conversion or newbirth is to REGENERATE and
INDWELL every believer and serve as the believer’s Seal of Guarantee
(John 3:3-5; 1Cor 12:13; Eph 1:13-14; Tit 3:5).
2. SPIRIT BAPTISM AS ENDUEMENT: For some Churches today, Spirit
Baptism is the FIRST TIME a believer is Spirit-filled with evidence of
PHENOMENAL MANIFESTATIONS of the Spirit –
➢ for classical Pentecostals, this manifestation must be strictly the
gift of speaking in TONGUES (based on three instances in Acts
2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6),
➢ whereas for others (Evangelicals and Charismatics), this
manifestation could be TONGUES or ANY OTHER POWER
EXPERIENCES and the enablement to witness (based on other
instances in Acts 2:11; 4:8,31; 8:15-18; 19:6).
It is better to study the Scriptures rather than study the views. Does our
fellowship with the Holy Spirit have an INITIATION (Beginning) and a
MATURATION (Completing). If so, to which does each of these belong: New
birth, Regeneration, Perfection, Spirit Indwelling, Spirit Baptism, Spirit
Sealing, and Spirit fullness/infilling/filling? The Scriptures teach that
• having been saved believers are still being saved (2Cor. 1:10);
• having been translated (Col. 1:13) believers still need to be
transformed (Rom. 12:2);
• having been born anew believers still need to be mature Eph
4:12-13;
• having died to sin (Col. 3:3) they still need to mortify sin or make
sin in us to die (Col. 3:5).
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Note that the initiation experience is past, once, permanent and of
same STATUS for all believers (1Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:9; Eph 4:4-7; 1John
2:27a) but must lead to the maturation experience which is refreshingly
continuous, progressive and of variable STATURE, depending on our
walk with God (Acts 2:4; 4:8,31; Eph 4:11-16). Baptism means covenant-
bond initiation into union with Christ by the Spirit’s ABIDING presence (1Cor
12:13). To Be Filled means to be replete to overflowing with the Spirit’s
ABOUNDING power (Act 4:31).
In the Scriptures, Spirit Fullness is common to both the Old and New
Covenants.
O.T. SPECIAL BESTOWAL OF THE SPIRIT: Saints were convicted
through the Word, committed to the Law Covenant, believed in God, but
were NOT indwelled by the Holy Spirit, yet they were filled for Spiritual
Gifts, though the Holy Spirit operated from outside their spirits) Exd.
28:3; 31:3; 35:31, 35; Deut. 34:9; Micah 3:8; Luke 1:15,41,67; 2:40; 4:1;
1Sam. 10:6,10; 19:23; 2Sam. 23:2; 2Chron. 15:1; Ezek. 11:5; Notice Num.
11:26-29; also Samson in Jdg. 14:6; and Saul in 1Sam 19:20-24.
N.T. GENERAL BAPTISM WITH THE SPIRIT: Saints are convicted
through the Word, commit to the Gospel Covenant, believe in Christ, and are
indwelled by the Holy Spirit, so we are filled for Spiritual Gifts and Fruit,
with the Holy Spirit operating from within our spirits) Acts 2:4; 4:8,31;
6:3,5,8; 7:55; 9:17; 10:44-46; 11:24; 13:9,52; 15:14; 2Cor. 7:4; Eph. 3:19;
5:18-20; Phil. 1:11; Col. 1:9.
On the other hand, Spirit Baptism is a promise peculiar to the New

Covenant alone. (BAPTISM IMPLIES SPIRIT’S PERMANENT INDWELLING
AND GUARANTEE SEAL) Joel 2:28; Ezek. 36:25-27; Jer. 31:31-34; Matt.
3:11,12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; John 14:16-18; Acts 1:4,5; 2:1-3,
17-18, 33, 37-39; 11:15-17; 1Cor. 12:13; Eph 1:13-14; 1John 3:9.
In the OT without Christ, there was then the BESTOWAL OF (by

specifically PUTTING Hb=‫ נתן‬nâthan, Num 11:25-29) the Holy Spirit to
REST ON specific believers for the outward ANOINTING of only
SOME special Ministers (Priests, Judges-Kings, Prophets) for official
BURDEN-BEARING (Num 4:19; 11:17; Mal 1:1).
Thereafter the Holy Spirit FILLED/MOVED the OT believers (i.e.
"came-upon" from outside by rushing-on them) with divine power as
God’s ANOINTED SERVANTS of the OT.
But in the NT with Christ, there is now the BAPTISM WITH (by
generally POURING Hb=‫ ׁשפך‬shâphak Joel 2:28-29; Grk=ἐκχέω ekcheō
Act 2:16-18) the Holy Spirit to DWELL IN every believer (Ezek. 36:25-
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27; Jer. 31:31-34; 1Cor 12:13) for the inward SEALING and
ANOINTING (2Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:13; 4:31; 1John 2:20, 27) of ALL
Believers (Christians or the Church) for personal BIRTHRIGHT/NEW-
BIRTH (Rom 8:9-11,14-17).
Thereafter the Holy Spirit FILLS/MOVES the NT believers (i.e. "come-
upon" from inside by springing-up within us John 4:14; 7:37-39) with
divine power/refreshing (Act 1:8; 3:20; 4:31; Rom 8:26) not only as
God’s ANOINTED SERVANTS like in the OT, but especially as God’s
ADOPTED SONS of the NT.
What shall we say then?

(1.) Holy Spirit Baptism (i.e. RESIDENT PRESENCE by His ABIDING
Person for INCORPORATION into Christ) concerns the NEWBIRTH John
3:3, 5; Regenerational cleansing Tit 3:5; Separation 1Cor. 6:11; Indwelling
Rom 8:9; Conversion Acts 2:38-39; Union with Christ 1Cor. 12:13; Adoption
authority John 1:12; Anointing within 1John 2:20, 27; and Sealing for
guarantee Eph. 1:13. These are works of the Spirit peculiar to the New
Covenant.
(2.) Holy Spirit Fullness (i.e. REPLETE PRESIDENCY by His ABOUNDING

Power for INVIGORATION) concerns the NEWLIFE Gal 2:20; Perfection Eph.
4:13; Sanctification 1Thes. 4:7, 8; Life-surge John 4:14; 7:38; Consecration
Gal 5:24, 25; Communion with Christ Rom 8:16; Leading Rom. 8:14 and
Manifestation of power (which applied in OT and NT) Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; (Note
Jdg. 14:6: 1Sam. 19:20-24 where the Spirit came upon backsliders and
yet His power was manifested).
TO BE SURE, WHAT IS COMMONLY CALLED ‘Baptism Of The

Spirit’ TODAY, WHEN BELIEVERS MANIFEST THE SPIRIT’S POWER,
FITS BETTER WITH WHAT THE SCRIPTURES CALL ‘Fullness Of The
Spirit’ BOTH IN OT AND NT.
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At Spirit baptism, Christ used the INDWELLING of the ABIDING
PERSON of Holy Spirit to reborn/INCORPORATE us into His own Body
(1Cor 12:13) and SEAL us for guaranteed redemption (Eph 1:13-14). In the
subsequent fullness of the Spirit, He moves us by the surging OVERFLOW
of the ABOUNDING POWER of Holy Spirit to INVIGORATE us to serve God
and demonstrate our living union with Christ (1Thes 1:5). The seed (1John
2:20, 27) is planted at Spirit baptism, but the fruit (Eph 5:9; Col 1:10) is born
through being filled with the Spirit. At Spirit Baptism the believer gets all of
the Holy Spirit; but during the Spirit Fullness the Holy Spirit gets all of the
believer. Spirit Baptism binds us to Christ; Spirit Fullness builds us up in
Christ. Today when the Spirit comes/falls on us (i.e. grips us suddenly), we
receive His Person for Baptism and/or His Power for Fullness.
The Scriptures remind all true believers that they have been
baptised/sealed/indwelled with the Spirit into Christ (Rom 8:9-11; 1Cor. 3:16;
12:13; Eph. 1:13). On the basis of this, believers are warned not to grieve the
Spirit (Eph. 4:30) but are expected to be LED by the Spirit (Rom 8:14; Gal
5:16-18) and urged to BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (Eph. 5:18-20).
So every believer must always be led and necessarily be filled.
How could those indwelled by the PERSON of the Holy Spirit be

continually filled with the POWER of the Holy Spirit?
(1) By thirsting earnestly for the fire and fullness of the Holy Spirit, 1Cor
12:31. Eph 5:18; Php 3:10-14; 2Tim 1:6.
(2) Through imbibing the Word of God, Acts 10:44-46; Col 3:16.
(3) Through praying for one’s self, Acts 4:29-31; Luke 11:13.
(4) Through being prayed for, Act 8:14-19; 19:6; Col. 1:9-12; Eph. 3:14-19;
1Tim 4:14.
(5) By yielding to the move of the Holy Spirit within us, Acts 2:4; 4:8; Mark
13:11; 2Pet 1:21.
How does one know he/she is filled with the POWER of the Holy Spirit?
(1) Manifestation of the Gifts, Acts 2:4; 7:55; 10:44-46; 13:9-11; 19:6; Col.
1:9.
(2) Demonstration of the Fruit, Acts 13:52; Rom 15:13; Col. 1:10.
(3) Experience of Power moving within us, Acts 4:31; 13:9; 16:18; Rom 8:13-
16; Eph 3:16; Col. 1:11.
(4) Conformity to the Word, 1John 2:27; 3:24; Eph 3:19.
COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF SPIRIT BAPTISM AND FULLNESS

In this tabular study, we shall compare and contrast the meaning and effect of
Spirit Baptism versus Spirit Fullness. It is hoped that such comparison would
52
widen our understanding and enable us take fuller advantage of the grace of
God through the work of the Holy Spirit.
What we sometimes call ‘HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM’ today is what the

Scripture always calls ‘HOLY SPIRIT FULLNESS’. This should not be
contentious because people inadvertently mix these up and use both
interchangeably. But carefully following the Scripture, which used these
phrases distinctly, unlocks greater mysteries and power.
SPIRIT BAPTISM (1 Cor. 12:13) SPIRIT FULLNESS (Eph. 5:18)
DRINKING-IN THE PERSON of the SPRINGING-UP THE EVIDENCE of
Holy Spirit for the indwelling of the presence of the Holy Spirit by
His presence, power and Gift(s) letting Him manifest and operate His
by receiving Him into our hearts power, Gift(s) and Fruit through our
at Newbirth. (John 4:14a; 7:37, lives after Newbirth. (John 4:14b;
39; 1Cor 12:3, 13) 7:38-39; 1Cor 12:4-7)
1. Become ONE WITH CHRIST 1. Become MORE LIKE CHRIST (Eph.
(Rom 8:9) 3:16-19)
2. JOINED IN UNION with Christ 2. ENJOY COMMUNION in Christ
(1Cor 6:17; Eph. 1:13-14) (Eph. 1:15-21)
3. Inclusion/Anointing INTO Christ 3. Invigoration/Operation IN Christ
(Gal. 3:27; 1John 2:27) ABIDING (Phil. 1:9-11) ABOUNDING
4. Once for all at Conversion or 4. Repeated on and on after
Newbirth (Act 2:3; Eph. 1:13; 4:5) conversion (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; Acts
9:17-18; 13:9-11; 17:16-17; Eph 5:18)
5. Associated with Regeneration or 5. Associated with Sanctification or
NEW BIRTH (John 3:3-6) NEW LIFE (Rom 8:12-14)
6. Receive/Commencement of 6. Release/Continuation of experience
Relationship with God (Acts 2:2-3) of God’s Power (Acts 2:4)
7. Receive new spiritual STATUS as 7. Being Led to growing spiritual
gift from God (Rom 8:15; Col. 1:13) STATURE by working/walking with
God (Rom 8:14; Eph. 4:13)
8. Requires faith in Christ as 8. Requires submission to the Spirit as
Saviour (Acts 2:38-39; Gal. 3:2) Guide and Helper (John 16:13; Rom.
8:26; 12:1)
9. Equal and same for all Believers 9. Different and variable in persons
at all times (1Cor. 12:13) and situations (Acts 4:8; 7:55)
10. INDWELLED by the Spirit 10. PROPELLED by the Spirit (2Pet.
(Rom. 8:9; 1Cor. 3:16; 1John 4:15) 1:21; Act 2:4)
11. Includes, Sealed and 11. Inspired, Moved and Controlled
Established (ABIDING) unto (ABOUNDING) to lead the New life
Eternal life (2Cor 1:21-22; Eph. (Gal. 5:22ff; 2Pet 1:8 & above)
1:13; 4:30)
53
12. Cleansing from sin and demons 12. Strengthening above/against sin
(Acts 15:8-9) and demons (Col. 1:9-14)
BACK TO TOP
Always, BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Afresh, More and
More. (Eph 5:18)
Last Updated March 11, 2017

By Venerable Dr I. U. Ibeme
Copyright © PriscAquila Publishing, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Click Here For
PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre
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Studies On The Holy Spirit

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1

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

15. FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER

3. How do we know that he Holy Spirit is God?

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER

2. Under what conditions could one receive the indwelling or baptism of

6. Have you taken advantage of any of these means in order to be full of

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

THE AIM HERE IS TO BE AS BIBLICAL AS POSSIBLE IN DEFINING AND

ALL SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE SPIRITUAL ABILITIES GRATUITOUSLY

Every Christian believer should constantly be conscious of and

Spiritual Wisdom is about godly discretion to make the choice on WHAT IS

Knowledge here is “ginosko” (intellectual comprehension) NOT “eido” (intuitional

Miracles by sorcery/magic or satanic powers are called false/lying wonders

Today some refer to the gift of Discernment as “WORD OF KNOWLEDGE” though

10. APOSTLE (MISSIONARY)

The Teacher of the Word, in addition to being a word-communicator, apt to teach

12. HELPS (ASSISTANCE)

13. LEADERSHIP (RULING and ADMINISTRATION)

Gift of Leadership is essentially ability to influence people towards a good purpose

16. REVELATION (MYSTERIES)

17. PSALMS (SONGS)

19. EXHORTATION (PREACHING)

20. MERCY (BENEVOLENCE)

26. CRAFTSMANSHIP/Technology (OT)

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

Q Considering above information, would you liken “word of Knowledge” to

3. POWER OR DEMONSTRATIONAL GIFTS:

4. PASTORAL OR ORGANISATIONAL GIFTS:

5. SACRIFICIAL OR DEPRIVATIONAL GIFTS:

Question: What does the Church lose by being selective in emphasis on

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

SEVEN STEPS TO DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS

Question: Regeneration into Christ is the renewing work of the Holy

Question In what ways could knowledge of the varieties of Spiritual Gifts

4. EXERCISE yourself and experiment to gain experience in God’s work

5. OBSERVE your experiences and note areas of ministry, programmes

Question: Could your natural abilities (Talents) and acquired skills be

6. ANALYSE feedbacks from brethren about what gifts or ministry they

7. SUBMIT readily to the Holy Spirit by operating fervently and diligently in

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

Q.a How do Rom. 12:1-2 and I Cor. 12:7 relate to this?

Q.b Does this readiness depend on convenience? (2 Tim 4:1-2)

Q.a How does Rom 11:13-14 explain this more? _________________

Q. Relate Rom 12:3-6a to this. Why is this step necessary?

5. GIVE PRIORITY attention with all diligence to your Gifts or Ministry to

Q.a How is this shown in Gal. 2:7-10? ___________________________

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

2. In the Scripture the word FRUIT is used to convey several meanings.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS THE HARVEST OF DIVINE CHARACTER,

COMPONENTS OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

GOD HAS SOWN HIS SPIRIT AS SEED IN US, HE MUST FIND

THEME: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE DISCIPLE

The Church has always agreed that the believer at conversion is

Apart from the INITIAL WORK of our NEWBIRTH or ADOPTION or

On the other hand, Spirit Baptism is a promise peculiar to the New

In the OT without Christ, there was then the BESTOWAL OF (by