The Holy Spirit

I am taking a distance class called: "The Spirit, Church, and Last Things" in which I write a short paper on several books that are part of the required reading list. Enjoy!!


Ferguson Paperette
Describe how having read Ferguson will help you be a better servant for Christ in your various contexts

The Holy Spirit affects all aspects of a Christians life. That would be my executive summary of Sinclair B. Ferguson's book “The Holy Spirt”. But, that is really just the big idea. There were several topics and explanations that provided clarity into some dimly lit / darker rooms in my thoughts on several subjects.

I am currently reading the bible, chronologically in one year, and am in the midst of the Old Testament. The historical books have a way of drawing you into the story-line, but there always seems to be a dark shroud over the people and leaders. As I studied this book I was reminded that the story of the Spirit is an incomplete one when limited to the pages of the Old Testament. It was with the coming of Jesus that the day of the Spirit finally arrived!

In the many context's that I find myself in from being a disciple of Christ, a husband, father, church leader, coach, I am increasingly aware of the Holy Spirit, his power and the many effects it has in those areas. I am reminded that “If Christ is in me, my body is dead because of sin, yet my spirit is alive because of Christ's righteousness.” Not to have the spirit of Christ is to lack Christ.

I was reminded that the central function of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian believer as stated in 2 Cor 3:17-18, is to be transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. And also of the role of the Spirit coming in John 16:7-11, that he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement.

In the context of my leadership role with-in my local church community. I am renewed in this recent study of the Spirit's role to reveal Christ and to unite us to him and to all those who participate in his body. Without a solid foundation of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit people can easily fall on their own strength and will to unite themselves to Christ. I find that this is the struggle that I see God revealing more and more to me each day. I continue to repent to of my performance based faith and my need to rely on him for my righteousness.

I found great encouragement in hearing Ferguson explain that believers are chosen in Christ before the creation of the world in order that we are blessed in covenant union with him, that we might be for the praise of his glory Eph 1:3-4, 11-12. And to be in Christ is to enter a new creation 2 Cor 5:17. I have had many opportunities to discuss what conversion is, and to counsel people in being able to articulate what this 'new creation' looks like to them. So this study has given me a greater foundation as I continue to engage in those discussions.

Being a husband and father, I get the front row seat in witnessing the on-going regeneration that is enabled through the power of the Holy Spirt. The outward expression is different, yet the inward change is similar and powerful. We are all born as sinners, so we all start from the same place, we are in bondage dominated by sin. By God's grace I can see regeneration happening all around me; in myself, my wife, kids, friends, small group. That is not to say that I see it everywhere within the church or outside of my gospel centered community. But I do witness the liberation of the will in many people from their bondage to sin.

About a year ago I heard a sermon on faith and the small group I lead had an opportunity to dive into this subject. Ferguson nailed it on the head when he wrote “The saving power of faith does not lie in itself but in the object of its trust.” I am reminded of the number of people that I come in contact with that understand faith, but have faith in all the wrong things of the world.

At my local church 'Coram Deo' we believe and preach that the Christian life is a continuos cycle of faith and repentance. These are words that even non-christians are familiar with but I have found that most people do not really understand their meaning. For Christians in the midst of regeneration they are not just the beginning aspects of the Christian life, but fuller characteristics and fruits of the spirits continual ministry. Ferguson puts it well when he says: “Indeed, the entire progress of sanctification is but regeneration coming into its own, and faith and repentance becoming more and more the dominant notes of life in the Spirit.”

I have had many conversions with different people on Spiritual Gifts. How to assess you have them, what you are supposed to do with them, etc. Ferguson explains: “the gifts of the Spirit are given essentially to the individual for the edification of others rather than for himself or herself.” Essentially Spiritual Gifts are given to enable the recipients to minister to others. He goes on to indicate: “Spiritual gifts reflect more about the grace of the Giver than they reveal about the gracious condition of the recipient.” I found this to be a healthy reminder of what the focus spiritual gifts are for. They are not for us, they are to edify (build up) others. And it says little about our standing or ability but magnifies God's grace even more!

In summary – Ferguson's book will be a solid resource in my growing theological library. I am thankful for his work in explaining the Holy Spirit and giving me a broader stroke on the subject increasing the size of my theological understanding and the importance of a solid foundational understanding of the Holy Spirit in the life of a disciple of Christ.