“The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Peter 1:14-16. Why is the ultimate motivation for holiness just the reality of God Himself? What motivates you to live a holy life? What does it mean that God is holy? It’s popular to emphasize God’s love while ignoring His holiness. While God is love, the idea of holiness is more often connected … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Pet. 1:14-16; Isa. 6:3; Heb. 12:14; 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Tim. 1:8; Ps. 15:1-2. Memory Text: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians … Continue reading –>
It is only natural for any person to seek control of one’s life. We normally depend on our own efforts to achieve all that we can. While many people spend their lives in a quest for control, others have an unhealthy fear of losing control. This human dilemma finds an answer only in God. He … Continue reading –>
Read Galatians 5:16-26 and compare it with Ephesians 5:1-9, Ephesians 5:17-20. List the differences between a self-centered life and a life that is filled with the Spirit. The life of a person who does not live in the Spirit is radically different from the life and values of a person who is filled with the … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 5:32. Why is obedience to God’s Word an important condition for receiving the Holy Spirit? Then, as now, the Holy Spirit is granted to all who obey God. In the Bible, love and obedience go hand in hand, and true faith is expressed in obedience. If we trust God with all our hearts, … Continue reading –>
God’s Word points to certain conditions needed for the Spirit to abide in us. We will look at some important ones during the next two days. Read Acts 2:37-38. What is the first condition for receiving the Holy Spirit? One condition for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit is repentance. Hearing the Word of … Continue reading –>
Read Ephesians 5:18, Acts 13:52, and Romans 8:9. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? How does being filled with the Spirit happen in our lives? Once we are baptized and belong to Christ, we should live in the power of the Spirit. For this to happen we have to be … Continue reading –>
Read Mark 1:8 (compare with Matt. 3:11, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33), Acts 1:5, and Acts 11:16. What other rite of initiation goes together with the baptism of the Spirit? In the New Testament there are only seven passages that speak about being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Four of those passages go back to … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 1:8; Eph. 5:18; Acts 13:52; Luke 11:8-10; Acts 5:32; Gal. 5:16-26. Memory Text: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10, NIV). As Christians, we must be filled with the Holy … Continue reading –>
