The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given for Instruction
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The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, plays a crucial role in the life of believers, particularly in the realm of instruction and guidance. The Scriptures reveal that the Holy Spirit is given to believers to teach, remind, and lead them into all truth, ensuring that they grow in their understanding of God's will and His Word.

Biblical Foundation

The promise of the Holy Spirit as a teacher is rooted in the words of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus assures His disciples of the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will serve as their instructor: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you" (John 14:26). This promise underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in imparting divine wisdom and understanding to believers.

Furthermore, Jesus elaborates on this teaching role in John 16:13: "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come" . The Holy Spirit's guidance into all truth is essential for believers to discern and apply the teachings of Scripture in their lives.

Role in the Early Church

The Book of Acts provides numerous examples of the Holy Spirit's instructional role in the early church. One notable instance is found in Acts 13:2, where the Holy Spirit directs the church at Antioch: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" . This directive illustrates the Spirit's active involvement in guiding the church's mission and ministry.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit's instruction is evident in the council at Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders sought divine guidance on the issue of Gentile believers. Acts 15:28 records their conclusion: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements" . Here, the Holy Spirit's role in providing wisdom and clarity is crucial for maintaining unity and doctrinal purity.

Ongoing Instruction for Believers

The Holy Spirit's instructional ministry continues in the lives of believers today. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the Spirit's role in illuminating the truths of God: "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10). This searching and revealing work enables believers to comprehend spiritual truths that are otherwise inaccessible to the natural mind.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts for the edification of the church, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12. These gifts, which include wisdom, knowledge, and discernment, are manifestations of the Spirit's instructional role, enabling believers to teach and encourage one another in the faith.

Practical Implications

The gift of the Holy Spirit for instruction has profound implications for the believer's daily walk with God. Through prayer and meditation on Scripture, believers are encouraged to seek the Spirit's guidance in understanding and applying biblical truths. The Spirit's instruction is not limited to intellectual knowledge but extends to practical wisdom for living a life that honors God.

In summary, the Holy Spirit is a divine teacher, given to instruct and guide believers into a deeper understanding of God's Word and His will. Through the Spirit's ministry, believers are equipped to grow in faith, discern truth, and live out their calling as followers of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Nehemiah 9:20
You gave also your good spirit to instruct them, and withheld not your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Principle of all Good Actions ...
... and is scarce ever idle, but the least hint being given, it turns the ... 5. Yea, in
some supereminently perfect souls this gift of God's Holy Spirit comes to ...
/.../chapter vi the gift of.htm

The Ministration of the Spirit and Prayer
... long there is none more needed than the gift of prayer ... This power is given to the
men who say: "We will ... In the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in the house of ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter ii the ministration of.htm

The School of Obedience
... Conscience is the guardian or monitor God has given you, to give warning when ... The
promises of grace are so divine, the gift of the Holy Spirit to do all in ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/vii the school of obedience.htm

Pentecost
... 16. The Holy Spirit is given only to ... The gift is too sublime and noble for God to
cast it before dogs and swine, who, when by chance they hear the preached ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/pentecost.htm

On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit.
... Let the inspired Scripture, then, be our umpire, and the vote of truth will surely
be given to those whose ... But if the gift of the Holy Spirit is principally ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the holy trinity and.htm

The New Covenant: a Ministration of the Spirit
... the throne of the heart by His Holy Spirit given to us ... To believe fully in the Holy
Spirit, as the present and abiding and all-comprehending gift of the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter vii the new covenant .htm

Peter's First Sermon
... The Apostle was eager to share the gift. ... Swift conviction followed the Spirit- given
words, as it ever will ... the speaker is filled with the Holy Spirit, and has ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters first sermon.htm

John Chapter xvi. 1-4.
... But when he really received the gift of the Holy ... to do what he knew: he had got
instruction to stand ... shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given unto us ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xciii john chapter xvi.htm

The Ministry and Prayer
... Jesus was given as a leader to the people of God, and no leader ... The one indispensable
qualification for preaching is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and it was ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/vii the ministry and prayer.htm

A Word to Workers
... want first and now, the power of the Holy Ghost working ... far mightier and more effectual
in us than any such gift. ... myself up to be filled with the Spirit, and I ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/vii a word to workers.htm

Resources
What does it mean for salvation to be a gift from God? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of faith? | GotQuestions.org

What is the spiritual gift of helps? | GotQuestions.org

Gift: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Gift

Gift Giving

Gift of Tongues

Matithiah

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by the Father

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by the Son

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Abundant

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Fruit Bearing

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Permanent

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: A Pledge of the Continued Favour of God

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: An Earnest of the Inheritance of the Saints

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: An Evidence of Union With Christ

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given for Comfort of Saints

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given for Instruction

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given in Answer to Prayer

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: According to Promise

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: Through the Intercession of Christ

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: To the Gentiles

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: To Those Who Obey God

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: To Those Who Repent and Believe

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given: Upon the Exaltation

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Received Through Faith

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: To Christ Without Measure

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The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Given for Comfort of Saints
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