Lesson 4 - God's Spirit and the Angels

Navigation - Part II

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1. The Bible
2. God
3. The Creation
4. God's Spirit and the Angels
5. Jesus Christ (i)
6. The Fall of Man
7. The Devil and Satan

• Revision Questions (i)

8. The Development of Mankind
9. Abraham
10. The History of Israel (i)
11. The History of Israel (ii)
12. The History of Israel (iii)
13. God and the Nations
14. Jesus Christ (ii)
15. Jesus Christ (iii)

• Revision Questions (ii)

16. The First Century A.D.
17. Baptism
18. Responsibility
19. Personal Standards (i)
20. Personal Standards (ii)
21. Departure from the Truth
22. Fellowship
23. The Kingdom of God

Frequently Asked Questions

God's Spirit and the Angels

GOD'S SPIRIT AND THE ANGELS

Lesson 2 showed us that God is the almighty spirit being, the Creator of everything we see around us. Though dwelling in heaven in unapproachable light yet he fills and controls the universe by His spirit. We now have to find out more about the spirit of God and also why it is sometimes described as Holy Spirit.

In addition to God the Creator, there are other spirit beings known as angels, and this lesson will show who they are, what nature they have and what their mission is. We shall come to appreciate even more the greatness of God and His condescension in making it possible for men to become equal unto the angels to die no more.

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1. GOD'S SPIRIT

God's Spirit is His 'power' or 'energy'. God's spirit or energy was used to create the world. God's energy keeps us and all living creatures alive. God's spirit is present everywhere. It is sometimes referred to as God's breath (the original Hebrew word" ruach" actually means "breath" or "wind").

READ

Psalm 104

Genesis 1 v 1-3

Jeremiah 51 v 15

Acts 17 v 28

Psalm 51 v 12

Psalm 139 v 7-10

Job 33 v 4

Summary

GOD'S SPIRIT IS THE SAME AS HIS POWER OR STRENGTH

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2. HOLY SPIRIT

The word "Holy" means "separate" or "set apart". (A holiday or Holy Day is a special day set apart from other days). God's power is sometimes used for special or supernatural purposes. Such occasions are called miracles. When God's power is used in this way it may be referred to as "Spirit" but more usually "Holy Spirit". (The term "Holy Ghost" which appears in the Authorised Version should correctly be translated "Holy Spirit" as it is in recent versions).

READ

Isaiah 63 v 10-14

Judges 15 v 14-15

Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit operating on the virgin Mary. (Note: The Holy Spirit is referred to as "the power of the Highest").

READ

Luke 1 v 34-35

Matthew 1 v 18-20

God's power has been used in Old and New Testament times to work miracles. These miracles have been used to do good. The children of Israel were miraculously fed.

READ

Exodus 16 v 11-21

Other miracles have been used to punish the wicked such as with plagues that came upon the Egyptians.

READ

Exodus 8

NOTE: AS WE HAVE ALREADY LEARNT IN LESSON 1, THE BIBLE WAS PRODUCED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVING CERTAIN MEN TO WRITE. ("Inspiration" = "breathing in" by the Holy Spirit).

READ

II Peter 1 v 20-21

II Timothy 3 v 15-17

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3. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS POSSESSED BY SELECTED PEOPLE

A few people, chosen by God, have been given the Holy Spirit to enable them to perform certain miracles to demonstrate His power.

READ

Numbers 27 v 18-20

Judges 13 v 24-25

Judges 14 v 6

Several men in the Old Testament possessed this power.

READ

11 Kings 2 v 9

John the Baptist possessed the Holy Spirit from his birth.

READ

Luke 1 v 15

Jesus Christ received the Holy Spirit at his baptism.

READ

Mark 1 v 6-10

Luke 3 v 21-22

The disciples first received it to a limited degree, but Jesus promised them that they would receive greater power after he went up to heaven.

READ

Matthew 10 v 1

Luke 24 v 49

John 14 v 26

Acts 1 v 8-9

This additional gift of the Holy Spirit was given to them at the Feast of Pentecost.

READ

Acts 2 v 1-4

The Apostle Paul also possessed the Holy Spirit.

READ

Acts 9 v 17.

Those who first had the Spirit were able to pass it on to others.

READ

Acts 19 v 1-6

But it was not passed on to all who were baptized.

READ

Acts 8 v 13-21

It was used for a number of different purposes.

READ

1 Cor. 12 v 4-11

For example:

1. Healing and curing diseases
2. Raising the dead
3. Speaking in other languages
4. Prophesying and teaching



READ

Matthew 4 v 23

Acts 3 v 1-12

John 11

Acts 20 v 8-12

Acts 2 v 1-13

I Cor. 14 v 1-5

NOTE: IT WAS GIVEN TO THE APOSTLES TO GUIDE THEM TO A COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF DIVINE TRUTH WHICH HAS BEEN PRESERVED FOR US IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

READ

John 14 v 16-17 & 26

John 15 v 26-27

John 16 v 12-15

With the establishment of Christianity and the completion of the Bible, the gifts of the Spirit were withdrawn and there is no evidence that the Holy Spirit is possessed today. Instead we have the whole Bible or the word of Spirit and Truth on which to base our beliefs. God seeks to develop faith in men and women; our faith must be centred in the Word of God.

READ

Hebrews 11 v 1 & 6

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4. THE ANGELS

Angels are spirit beings who always obey God and act as His messengers.

READ

Psalm 103 v 20-21

I Chronicles 21 v 27

Judges 13 v 19-20

Luke 1 v 26-30

Hebrews 1 v 13-14

In appearance they are just like men (they are wrongly represented in pictures as having wings and halos).

READ

Genesis 19 v 1-5

Hebrews 13 v 2

In acting for God there were times when they actually took on the name of God.

READ

Exodus 3 v 2-6

Exodus 23 v 20-21

They watch over the lives of those who serve God.

READ

Psalm 34 v 7

Psalm 91 v 11-12

Jesus could have called on them for help. An angel appeared to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsamane.

READ

Matthew 26 v 53

Luke 22 v 43

They live for ever and it has been promised that the righteous will be made like them.

READ

Luke 20 v 35-36

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WE HAVE NOW LEARNED:

1. God's spirit is His power.
2. God's power is used to create and sustain life.
3. God s spirit or Holy Spirit has been used to perform miracles.
4. The Holy Spirit was possessed by a few in Old Testament times, also by Jesus, the disciples.and certain first century Christians, but there is no evidence that it is possessed today.
5. The Bible was produced by the power of the Holy Spirit.
6. Much of God's work is carried out by obedient angels.
7. In God's kingdom the righteous will be made like the angels.

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CONCLUSION

The teaching concerning the angels and God's Spirit is important to our way of life. David said, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" He understood that God knew all things: "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off". All is known to God and under his control. This control operates especially in the lives of those who understand God's purpose, know what He requires and are trying to obey His commands. "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose". If we are among these, then God works in our lives through His angels and if we continue to respond to God's word and His control of our lives then we can look forward with confidence to the day when the work of the angels will have been completed. Then a completely new order of things will be established on the earth, an order in which we can be "equal unto the angels" and in which God will be "all in all".

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QUESTIONS

Using references where possible to support your reply, answer the following:

1. Name FIVE people who possessed the Holy Spirit.
2. Give FOUR uses of the Holy Spirit.
3. What is the "Holy Spirit"?
4. How was the Bible produced?
5. "Bless the Lord, ye his angels ... " (Psalm 103 v 20).
   Explain what you understand by this verse.
6. " ... for they are equal unto the angels". (Luke 20 v 36).
   Explain what you understand by this statement.

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