The Holy Spirit: His Work in the Past and Present

By Alan Nalley

There are differing views concerning the Holy Spirit's work.  There are at least five questions:  

1.    Is there a "direct operation" of the Holy Spirit in conversion?  

2.    Is it possible to be baptized with the Holy Spirit today?  

3.    Are there modern-day revelations from God through the Holy Spirit or is all the truth already revealed in the Bible?  

4.    Are miraculous gifts available today? 

5.    Does the Holy Spirit indwell modern day Christian's bodies and help them or work only through the written Word of God?  

     This thesis develops three major points to answer these five questions.  First, the Holy Spirit's identity according to the Bible is revealed.  Second, the Holy Spirit's work according to the Bible is revealed.  Third, erroneous and questionable views of the Holy Spirit's work today are revealed and answered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alan Nalley
• Release date: Dec 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386108092

Alan Nalley

    Alan Clay Nalley, married for more than thirty-five years, has one adult son, and two adult daughters, who are faithful to Jesus Christ.  He and his wife Ree have lived in Brazil for thirty-two years.  He has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, Colorado.  Alan and Ree worked on an evangelistic team for twenty-seven years in Curitiba that established a large, faithful and missionary congregation.  He taught for five years in the Bible Institute of Southern Brazil in Curitiba and at the present teaches classes in the EBNESR Bible Institute in Campinas and SERCRIS Bible Institute in Campo Grande.  For the past five years he and his wife have focused on planting new congregations in Guarapuava, Sao Mateus do Sul and Cantagalo, Brazil.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT: HIS WORK IN THE PAST AND PRESENT

Copyright © 2018 Alan C. Nalley

Rua Saldanha Marinho, 40, apto 26, Trianon, Guarapuava, Paraná 85012-280, Brazil, S.A.

First edition.  December 12, 2018

Written by Alan C. Nalley

All rights reserved.  No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE.  Reference Edition.  California: © Copyright The Lockman Foundation, 1977.  Used by permission of Moody Press, Chicago.

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

HIS WORK

IN THE PAST AND

PRESENT

ALAN C. NALLEY

Acknowledgments

I dedicate this work to God, For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever.  Amen (Romans 11:36).

I thank Denny Petrillo, director of the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, Colorado, who motivated me to finish a master’s degree in Biblical Studies that resulted in this thesis.

I thank the Church of Christ in Curitiba, Brazil, who loves me, prays for me and always encourages me.

I thank my wife, Ronelda Ree, who supports and encourages me every day.  She walked many miles around the neighborhood, talking with me about this subject.  She read this manuscript many times, offering wonderful suggestions. She is a beautiful and tireless servant of God, my best friend who is always by my side.

I thank my wonderful kids: Nathanael James, Natalie Renee, and Naiane Nichole, who listened to me share these lessons as we walked on the street and drove down the highway.  My life is so blessed to have them as my kids.

I thank Allen Dutton Jr., who motivated me to teach a part of this material to preachers and their wives from all over Brazil during the Intensive Studies Week in Campinas, Brazil in 2012.  Allen encouraged me, again, to teach half of the material to the students in the Guanabara congregation in Campinas in 2013, who are studying in the EBNESR school of preacher training.  The students motivated me to make all the material available to them in Portuguese.

I thank my daughter, Natalie Renee Nalley Cleverdon, who spent many hours translating this material from English to Portuguese.  Since she is Brazilian, she makes my Portuguese accent sound Brazilian.  Her translation and suggestions helped me perfect the English manuscript.  I would not have finished without her help.

I thank my mother Jean Elaine Nalley, who taught me the way of the Lord since childhood.  She lived full of the Holy Spirit as an example to me.  After twenty years of marriage, she won without a word my dad James Edwin Nalley to Christ when he observed her respectful and pure conduct.  Since then, my dad has supported me in each step of the work I have done for King Jesus in Brazil.  Thank you Dad!

I thank my brother, friend and editor, Joao Cruz, for his motivation, cover design and help to publish this material initially in Portuguese.

I also thank my niece and her husband, Matt and Melissa Insko, for their excellent eagle-eye proofreading skills.  It is a blessing to have so many in my family who are very talented and help me in so many ways.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part One: The Holy Spirit’s Identity

The Holy Spirit is a Person

The Holy Spirit is God

Part Two: The Holy Spirit’s Work

The Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament Dispensation

Creation

Inspiration of the prophets and revelation of the Scriptures

Power demonstrated in people’s lives

Prophecies concerning the Messiah and His Kingdom

The Holy Spirit’s Work in the New Testament Dispensation–First Century

Definition of measures of the Holy Spirit’s work

The measure of the Holy Spirit’s work in conversion

The measure of the baptism with the Holy Spirit

The measure of the gifts of the Holy Spirit

The measure of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all Christians past and present

The Holy Spirit’s work in the New Testament Dispensation–Present Day

How does one have the mind of the Holy Spirit?

How does one live full of the Holy Spirit?

How does one discover one’s gift from the Holy Spirit?

How does one live with the Holy Spirit in the church?

Part Three: Questionable and erroneous views of the Holy Spirit’s work today

Direct operation" of the Holy Spirit in conversion

How did this view begin?

Who developed it into a doctrine?

What biblical bases were used?

What are the problems with this view?

The Holy Spirit works through the Word only in a Christian’s life

What is this belief?

What is this belief’s biblical basis?

What are problems with this view?

Present day baptism with (in) the Holy Spirit

Modern Pentecostal beliefs and answers

Modern beliefs held by some church of Christ preachers and answers

The existence of present day miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit

Affirmations by Christians in the church today

Luke and Acts – similarity in phrases and the Joel 2 prophecy

Mark 16 – belief in signs

1 Corinthians 13 – the perfect

1 Corinthians 14 – tongues

Conclusion

Appendix:  What does the whole Bible teach about tongues?

Works Referenced

Introduction

The Holy Spirit and His work are exceedingly above and abundantly beyond anything a man can write about (Ephesians 3:16, 20).  This thesis is intended to help Christians understand the Holy Spirit’s identity and His work in the past and present, according to the Bible.  A correct understanding of this subject helps Christians experience life with the Holy Spirit today.  They can experience a more intimate relationship with God, be more fruitful in their service to Him in the church, and evangelize the lost.  This thesis also helps Christians understand and answer other Christians—or their denominational friends—who are caught up in erroneous or questionable views about the present-day work of the Holy Spirit.

There are differing views concerning the Holy Spirit’s work.  There are at least five questions: 

Is there a direct operation of the Holy Spirit in conversion? 

Is it possible to be baptized with the Holy Spirit today? 

Are there modern-day revelations from God through the Holy Spirit or is all the truth already revealed in the Bible? 

Are miraculous gifts available today? 

Does the Holy Spirit indwell modern day Christian’s bodies and help them or work only through the written Word of God? 

This thesis develops three major points to answer these five questions.  First, the Holy Spirit’s identity according to the Bible is revealed.  Second, the Holy Spirit’s work according to the Bible is revealed.  Third, erroneous and questionable views of the Holy Spirit’s work today are revealed and answered.

Part One: The Holy Spirit’s Identity

In this first part, the Holy Spirit’s identity according to the Bible is revealed.  His identity is obvious.  He is a person and He is God.

The Holy Spirit is a Person

The Holy Spirit is a person.  He speaks (1 Timothy 4:1; Acts 8:29; John 16:13); teaches (14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13); guides (John 16:13; Romans 8:14); adopts sons (8:15); bears witness (8:16); intercedes (8:26-27); forbids (Acts 16:6-7); loves (Romans 15:30); and is grieved (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30).  He can be blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32) and insulted (Hebrews 10:29).  He offers fellowship (Philippians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

The Holy Spirit is God

The Holy Spirit is God since He has the same attributes of God: eternal (Hebrews 9:14; Psalm 90:2); creator (Genesis 1:1-2, 26; 2:7; Job 33:4; Psalm 33:6; 104:24-25, 30; 139:1, 7, 13; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 44:24); omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Isaiah 40:13-14); omnipresent (Psalm 139:7); omnipotent (Luke 1:34-35; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; Micah 3:8); spirit (John 4:24; Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:9); Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17-18); and sovereign (1 Corinthians 12:11). 

The one who is born of the Spirit is born of God (John 1:13; 3:8).  The one who lies to the Spirit lies to God (Acts 5:3-4).  The gifts come from the Holy Spirit, from the Lord Jesus and from the Father (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11, 18, 24, 28; Romans 12:3; Ephesians 4:7-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Matthew 12:28). 

There is only one God, but three persons (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-13; 44:6, 8; 45:5-6; 46:9; Genesis 1:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19).  Eugene Goudeau gave an illustration: As a tree is composed of roots, trunk and branches, God is also composed of three equal parts: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (O Mundo Espiritual).

The Holy Spirit is God, but is not the Father, nor the Son (John 14:8-9, 16-18; Matthew 3:16-17).  In 2 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 28, it would be strange if Paul wrote, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of Peter, be with you all or if Matthew wrote, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and James.  Peter and James are not Divine, but the Holy Spirit is.  Paul did not allow anyone to be baptized in his name (1 Corinthians 1:13).  In the presence of the three Divine Persons is holy ground (Exodus 3:5).  Notice that the word name in Matthew 28:19 is singular.  It is the name of the three Persons of the Deity (Isaiah 42:8; Exodus 3:14-15).  He is called, the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:1-2; Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 2:11); the Spirit of the Lord (YHVH) (1 Samuel 16:13); or the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30).

Part Two: The Holy Spirit’s Work

In this first part, the Holy Spirit’s work according to the Bible is revealed.  His work is seen in the Old Testament dispensation, the New Testament dispensation–first century, and in the New Testament dispensation–present day.

The Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament Dispensation

In the Old Testament dispensation, the Holy Spirit’s work is seen in the creation, inspiration of the prophets, and revelation of the Scriptures, powers demonstrated in men’s lives, and prophesy of the future Messiah and His Kingdom.

Creation

His work is seen in the creation of the world, man, animals, and the physical body of the Son of God.  The Spirit of God, ruach elohim in Hebrew and pneuma tou theou in Greek, is also known as the breath of God. 

In the beginning ,when the heavens and the earth were created, the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters (Genesis 1:1-2).  By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host (Psalm 33:6).  The Breath of God worked with the Word of God in creation (Job 26:13; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16). 

The first man and woman were creations of the Spirit in conjunction with the other two members of the Godhead.  Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’ (Genesis 1:26).  I will make him a helper . . . and the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man (Genesis 2:18, 22).  The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4).  Where can I go from thy Spirit . . . For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb.  I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:7, 13-14).  God’s Spirit is the breath of life that made man a living being (Genesis 2:7; Job 27:3; 34:14-15). 

The animals are creations of the Spirit.  Thou dost send forth Thy Spirit, they are created (Psalm 104:24-30). 

When it was time for the Word of God to become flesh (John 1:14) and be the Son of God (Luke 1:32) the Holy Spirit worked in the creation of His body.  The angel told Mary, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).  That which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20).  After creation, the Spirit of God communicated to His creation.

Inspiration of the prophets and revelation of the Scriptures

His work is seen in the inspiration of the prophets and revelation of the Scriptures.  And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him . . . and said . . . (Numbers 24:2-3).  King David said, The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue (2 Samuel 23:2).  How did the Spirit of the Lord pass from me to speak to you (1 Kings 22:24)?  Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he said . . . (1 Chronicles 12:18).  Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah . . . and said . . . (2 Chronicles 15:1-2).  Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah . . . Thus, God has said . . . (2 Chronicles 24:20).  And admonished them by Thy Spirit through Thy prophets (Nehemiah 9:30).  The Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me (Ezekiel 2:2).  I am filled with power – with the Spirit of the Lord . . . to make known to Jacob his rebellious act, even to Israel his sin (Micah 3:8).  Some did not want to hear the words which the Lord of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets (Zechariah 7:12). 

Pagans did not know what to call Him, and referred to Daniel as the one with a spirit of the holy gods (Daniel 4:8-9, 18; 5:11-14; 6:3).  By God’s Spirit, Daniel was able to reveal and interpret dreams and visions of the future.  The Spirit even spoke through a woman prophetess named Deborah (Judges 4:4-6).  But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20-21).  And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God . . . (2 Timothy 3:15-16). 

The word inspired is a conjunction of two Greek words: theos (God) and pneo (breath).  The Scriptures are the breath of God.  The revelations to the prophets were confirmed to be from God with signs, wonders and miracles (Exodus 7:3, 9).  After receiving the Spirit of God’s revelation, men then chose to obey it or not.  Those obeying received the Spirit’s power in their lives.

Power demonstrated in people’s lives

His work is seen in the power demonstrated in people’s lives.  This power was manifested in a variety of unpredictable ways such as the giving of special skills to a person, speaking God’s Word through a person, providing miraculous strength, or even success when the odds were against a person. 

Pharaoh said to his servants concerning Joseph, Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit (Genesis 41:38).  God’s Spirit made Joseph a successful man (39:2, 21).  During the building of the tabernacle, God said concerning Bezalel, the son of Uri, I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship (Exodus 31:2-5). 

The Spirit was in Joshua (Numbers 27:18), giving him wisdom to lead God’s people (Deuteronomy 34:9).  God spoke to him and promised him success in all that he would do if Joshua would obey Him (Joshua 1:1, 7-8), and God gave him extraordinary success in conquering the Promised Land in battles such as Jericho (6:20). 

During the time of the Judges the Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel (3:9-11), Gideon (6:34), Jephthah (11:29) giving them victories in battle against superior enemies.  The Spirit of the Lord also came upon Samson, giving him miraculous strength (13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14-15) to kill wild animals and become a one-man army. 

Samuel told Saul that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man (1 Samuel 10:6-13). 

The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David (1 Samuel 16:13) giving him non-miraculous victories such as the defeat of Goliath.  And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead.  And the stone stank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground (17:49). 

When men sinned or rebelled against God, His Spirit was removed from them, their success came to an end, and God began to act against them (Psalm 106:32-33; Judges 16:20; 1 Samuel 16:14; Isaiah 63:10-14; Zechariah 7:12).  For this reason, David, with a repentant heart prayed, Do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me (Psalm 51:11).  When Israel came back from captivity they were encouraged to rebuild the temple.  Zechariah preached, Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord (4:6).  There were not any miraculous demonstrations of power, but God’s Spirit was with them to bring them success once again (Haggai 2:4-5). 

God’s Spirit worked among His obedient people to accomplish His purposes.  These people were chosen by God’s Spirit for specific tasks.  If there is any predictable way to know why the Lord sent His Holy Spirit to work in people’s lives, it is revealed in 2 Chronicles 16:9. For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.  Throughout the Old Testament it was known that people would disobey and need a Savior.  Man’s sin brings conflict with God’s Spirit (Genesis 6:3).

Prophecies concerning the Messiah and His Kingdom

His work is seen in the prophecies concerning the Messiah and His Kingdom. He revealed the future about the eternal King and His Kingdom citizens with the Holy Spirit upon them.  Concerning the King, it was written, Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.  And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him (Isaiah 11:1; Matthew 3:16).  Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights.  I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 3:16-17).  The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:17-21). 

Concerning the Kingdom citizens, it was written, I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants (Isaiah 44:3).  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances (Ezekiel 36:27).  I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life (37:14).  And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  And even on your male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18).  These prophecies were fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and the establishment of His Kingdom in Acts.

The Holy Spirit’s Work in the New Testament Dispensation–First Century

In the New Testament dispensation, the Holy Spirit’s work is seen in four specific areas: conversion, baptism with the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all Christians past and present.  These four areas are called measures of the Holy Spirit.  A definition of measure is provided, followed by a biblical explanation of the four areas of the Holy Spirit’s work.

Definition of measures of the Holy Spirit’s work

The Greek term metron, translated measure, refers to a determined portion, a part of the whole.  My wife makes a marvelous apple pie, but normally I only get a part of the whole.  The dessert is divided among guests for Sunday lunch. 

The Greek term meros, translated part or portion; kleros, translated portion or lot; and merismos, translated distribution or gifts, are closely associated.  The Greek term merizo, translated allotted or distributed, is the verb used to divide or assign the measures among the believers.  The Greek term phanerosis, translated manifestation, could be classified as a measure of the Spirit’s work. 

Concerning the Holy Spirit’s work metron is used in John 3:34; Ephesians 4:7, 16; and Romans 12:3.  Meros is used in 1 Corinthians 12:27; 13:9-10, 12; Acts 8:21; Ephesians 4:16 and Hebrews 1:1.  Kleros is used in Acts 1:17, 26; 8:21.  Merismos is used in Hebrews 2:4.  Merizo is used in Romans 12:3.  Phanerosis is used in 1 Corinthians 12:7. 

These references do not say that the Holy Spirit is divided into portions, but that His power or work happens according to a determined measure, according to the need at a specific moment.  When a person receives the Holy Spirit, that person receives Him personally, but that person does not have access to all His power.  An Olympic weight lifter does not use all his strength when holding a baby, only the strength necessary.  When his wife wants to move the refrigerator, so she can clean behind it, he must use more strength in that specific situation.  When he goes for the gold, all his strength is needed.  The Spirit of God works this way.  He manifests His power according to specific purposes. 

Concerning Jesus, it is written, For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure (John 3:34).  Jesus was sent by God (3:17) and received the Spirit without measure.  When Jesus came to earth, He emptied Himself of His divine power (Philippians 2:5-8) when He was born to Mary.  As an adult, thirty years later, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the Spirit of God descended upon Him (Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:21-23).  From that moment in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9).  Jesus was constantly filled with the Spirit of God.  In every moment He could speak God’s Words, read a person’s mind, control nature, heal diseases, raise the dead, and walk on water, among other works, because the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand (John 3:35). 

In contrast, God’s Spirit spoke to the Old Testament prophets in many portions - polumeros (Hebrews 1:1).  The prophets only spoke on specific occasions when God’s Spirit had a message to reveal.  This message was only a measure, or part, of the whole.  If God gave the Spirit without measure to the prophets, they would be God, but that was not His plan. 

God’s plan is to share portions of the Spirit’s power with His followers to accomplish specific tasks, for specific purposes at specific moments.  These specific purposes are seen in