Spiritual Formation
Contents
TWO ROLES OF THE HOLLY SPIRIT IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION 2 INTRODUCTION 2 DEFINITION OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 3 THE ROLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION 3 EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION 5 REFERENCES 7
TWO ROLES OF THE HOLLY SPIRIT IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION
I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. – John 14:18
INTRODUCTION
In chapter 14 to 16 of the gospel of John, Jesus talks to his disciples about the promise of the Holy Spirit, who would come after Jesus died on the cross and was ascended. He describes some of the works and roles of the Holy Spirit, in order that his disciples will know what to expect. The words of Jesus about the Holy Spirit are just as relevant to us today. It is vital for us to understand that the Holy Spirit is God, and that He is always present with us, to help us draw closer to God. Drawing closer to God is the goal of the Christian’s life. “Christ is the very source of the church’s life, and so to be in the church is to experience Christ’s life in a unique way. By his Spirit he directs the church, gives spiritual gifts to its members and creates unity and love.” (Bewes, The Pocket Handbook of Christian Truth, Section 8). God has a unique way to relate to every believer. Spiritual formation, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is how believers maintain and increase their fire and passion for God, while becoming more like Jesus. “Sanctification is an immediate work of the Spirit of God on the souls of believers, purifying and cleansing their natures from the pollution and uncleanness of sin, renewing in them the image of God, and thereby enabling them, from a spiritual and habitual principle of grace, to yield obedience unto God, according unto the tenor and terms of the new covenant, by virtue of the life and death of Jesus Christ. Or, more briefly, it is the universal renovation of our natures by the Holy Spirit into the image of God through Jesus Christ….” (John Owen, quoted by
TWO ROLES OF THE HOLLY SPIRIT IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION 2 INTRODUCTION 2 DEFINITION OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 3 THE ROLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION 3 EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION 5 REFERENCES 7
TWO ROLES OF THE HOLLY SPIRIT IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION
I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. – John 14:18
INTRODUCTION
In chapter 14 to 16 of the gospel of John, Jesus talks to his disciples about the promise of the Holy Spirit, who would come after Jesus died on the cross and was ascended. He describes some of the works and roles of the Holy Spirit, in order that his disciples will know what to expect. The words of Jesus about the Holy Spirit are just as relevant to us today. It is vital for us to understand that the Holy Spirit is God, and that He is always present with us, to help us draw closer to God. Drawing closer to God is the goal of the Christian’s life. “Christ is the very source of the church’s life, and so to be in the church is to experience Christ’s life in a unique way. By his Spirit he directs the church, gives spiritual gifts to its members and creates unity and love.” (Bewes, The Pocket Handbook of Christian Truth, Section 8). God has a unique way to relate to every believer. Spiritual formation, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is how believers maintain and increase their fire and passion for God, while becoming more like Jesus. “Sanctification is an immediate work of the Spirit of God on the souls of believers, purifying and cleansing their natures from the pollution and uncleanness of sin, renewing in them the image of God, and thereby enabling them, from a spiritual and habitual principle of grace, to yield obedience unto God, according unto the tenor and terms of the new covenant, by virtue of the life and death of Jesus Christ. Or, more briefly, it is the universal renovation of our natures by the Holy Spirit into the image of God through Jesus Christ….” (John Owen, quoted by
References: Anderson, N and Saucy, R 2001, God’s Power at Work in You, Monarch Books. Bewes, R and Hicks, R 1981, The Pocket Handbook of Christian Truth, Creative Publishing. Bickersteth, EH 1959, The Holy Spirit: His Person and Work, Kregel Publications. Calvin, J, (translated by Henry Beveridge), 2008, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Hendrickson Publishers. Graham, B 1978, The Holy Spirit: Activating God’s Power in Your Life, Word Books, Mulheran, B 2002, Jesus: Author and Finisher, Synergy Publishers. Thompson, FP 1978, The Holy Spirit: Comforter, Teacher, Guide, Victor Books. White, JR 1998, The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief, Bethany House Publishers.