A PROJECT ON HOLY SPIRIT

A PROJECT ON HOLY SPIRIT

CHAPTER ONE

HOLY SPIRIT

            In Christianity, Holy-Spirit is the third person of the trinity.

GOD HEAD

God the father

God the Son

God the Spirit

Holy-Spirit is the Spirit of God that was promise to us by Jesus Christ before ascending into heaven. Some people refer the Holy Spirit to be a real person who come to reside within Jesus Christ’s followers. After he has left. {Act 2}

“I will ask the father, and he will give you another helper, that he may be with you forever, the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold him or5 know him, but you know him because he abides with you, and will be in you . I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” {John 4:16-18}

            In the above bible verse, Holy-Spirit is refer to as the Spirit of Truth”. He leads and guide us in a truthful way. The spirit of truth the comforter - in the walls those who believe in Jesus. Remember the Bible says “… if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his”{Romans 8 verse 9}The Holy Spirit of Christ is the holy-spirit, or the HOLY GHOST.

            Looking at more place in the bible the Holy Spirit was refers to as living water. In John 4 verse 14 which says

            “But whosoever drink of the water that I shall give him never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing p into everlasting Life”.

That was Jesus speaking to the woman at the well of Samaria.

            So also in John 7verse 37-39

            In the Last day, that great day of the Feast Jesus

            Stood and Cried, Saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.

            “He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said Out of his belly shall

            Flow rivers of living water.

            “But this Spake he of the spirit, which they that believe on him should

            Receive. For the Holy Ghost was yet given, because that Jesus was not yet

            Glorified}.

These Word of God speaks about the holy-spirit in us as christens.

Kenneth E. Hagin in his book “spirit within the spirit upon” he explain more Further that the water in the well is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit.

SYMBOLS OF HOLY–SPIRIT

The bible uses a number of symbols to describe the person and work of the Holy Spirit. These symbols show the nature, Character and work of the Holy Spirit. They include:

1.      Water: The Holy Spirit is symbolized by water. This speaks of refreshing, cleansing and washing the believer of his sins, Jesus said

“If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me as the Scripture has said out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this he spoke concerning the spirit whom those believing in him would receive: For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” {John7:37-39}

2.      Wind: The wind symbolizes the invisible yet powerful work of the Holy Spirit

            “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty

            Wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting”

            {Act 2:2}

3.       Fire: Fire speaks of the holiness of God and the Judging of sin in the life of the believer

            “When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and

            Purged the blood of Jerusalem From her midst, by the spirit of Judgment and

            by the spirit of burning”{Isaiah 4:4}

4.       Oil: Oil was involved in the anointing of the prophets priests and Kings for ministry of their offices. Oil symbolizes the smoothing and healing presence of the Holy Spirit.

            “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who

            Went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for

            God was with him”(Act 10:38).

5.       Dove: The dove represent the gentleness and peace which the Holy Spirit provides the believes

            “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily From like a dove upon him, and a

            Voice came From heaven which said, “you are My beloved son, in you I am

            Well pleased”. { Luke 3:22}.

6.       First Fruits: The First Fruits were a symbol of the coming harvest. The initial work of the Holy Spirit

            “And not only they, but we also who have the first fruit of the spirit, even we

            Our selves grown within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the absorption the

            Redemption of our body {Romans 8:23}.

FRUITS & GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is like a tree which bears Fruits and reproduces; if a tree those not have a fruits then it can not reproduce nor regenerate. So also is in the Life of a believer that has the Holy Spirit.

            In Gal 5:22 -23 apostle Paul told us the nine {9} Fruits of the Holy Spirit

            “But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance: against such there is no Love

LOVE: All the Fruit of the spirit are held in place by Love. Jesus said that loving God other people is the most important commandment “You must Love the Lord your God with all yours mind.

            Love also seeks opportunities to do good to all men, and especially towards them that are of the household of the Faith Gal 6:10.

JOY: Joy is also a necessity “Be joyful always” {1 Thessalonians 5:16}.

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice”{Philippians 4:4}. We as Christians must decide to rejoice regardless of the Circumstances.

            Joy is directly related to several other aspects of the fruit of the spirit; Love {PS 31:7 },Peace {Romans 14:17}, Faith {philliappian 1:25} and Patience {Colossians 1:11 – 12}.

Peace: {John 14:27} peace I leave with you: my Peace I give you, I do not give to you as the would gives. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. God is Peace “{Philippians 4:9}.

Long-suffering : Long –suffering has the sense of perseverance, endurance.

Patience: “with all Lowliness & Meekness, with long-suffering, For bearing one another in Love”{Ephesians 4: 2}.     

According to Kenneth E. Hagin in his book Spirit within & the Spirit upon he said there are another group of nine gifts found in I Corinthians 12: 7-11

7.      “but the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8.      For to one is given by the spirit the word of Wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit.

9.      To another faith by the same spirit; to another the Gifts of healing by the same spirit.

10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy: to another Discerning of Spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues to another the Interpretation of Tongues.

11. But all these worketh that one and the self Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

All these gifts of the Holy Spirit are given “…to profit withal…” {I Corinthians 12: 7}. In other word the gifts of the spirit are given so that believers can bless others.

WORKS OF HOLY SPIRIT

Here are some works of the Holy Spirit.

1.        Inspiring the word of God

            “Men and brethren, the Scripture must needs Love been Fulfilled. With the holy Ghost by the mouth of David speak before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus”.{Act 1:16}.

2.      Empowering the Gospel message

            “But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit as come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in part of the earth”.{Act 1:8}

3.       Sanctifying the believer

            “For if you Live after the flesh, you shall die but if you through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall Live” {Romans 8:13}.

4.      Guiding the believer

            “But if you be led of the spirit you are not under the law” {Galatians:18}.

5.       Regenerating the sinners

            “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ.{by grace you are saved}.

EVENDIENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1.      Holy Spirit opens our spiritual understanding of things that seem like foolishness to those without spiritual discernment {1 Cor  2: 10 -14}

2.      It enables us to transform or change our minds

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is good and acceptable and prefect will of God” {Romans 12:2}.

3.      It writes God’s law on our hearts and minds helping us internalize  God’s way of life think like he does {Heb 8:10}

4.      God’s love is pour out in our hearts.

“And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Spirit which is given to us” {Romans 5:5}.

5.      Praying for and yielding to and stirring up the spirit.

What can Quench the Spirit.

1.      Not repenting: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption”. {Ephesians 4:30}

2.      By not following the leading of the spirit and not growing in spiritual things. Eph 1:17-18.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ thy father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”.

“The eyes of your understanding being enlighten”.

3.      Not allowing the Spirit of Fear to control us “for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind” {II Timothy 1:7}.

Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth”.

CHAPTER TWO

PRAYER

Prayer according to the oxford dictionary it’s a word that is said to God giving thanks or asking for Help.

            Prayer according to Pastor E. Adeboye is “Prayer is a way of communicating to God through God the Son with the help of Holy Spirit”.

            Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk to God! The want us to communicate with him, like a person to person phone call.

            Praying is like talking to your best Friend! It’s easy to talk to someone when you know they love you unconditionally.

            Kenneth E. Hagin in his book “the Spirit within & the spirit upon” he said “prayer is waiting upon the lord” and waiting upon the lord means to be bound or entwined together with the lord to expect or to look patiently to him to receive From him. {Isaiah 40:31}

“but they that won’t upon the lord he shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Prayer binds us together with God looking at some examples Christain Heores like Elijah, Elijah was a man who turns the hearts of the people back to the lord {I Kings 18:37}. What made him effective in his day of spiritual & moral decadence was his prayer life {I Kings 18:30-46}.

The prayer of Jabez {I Chronicle 4:10}.

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel Saying “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me From harm so that it might not bring me pain! “And God granted what he asked”.

Jabez had a Strong faith in God to pray a prayer that would counter the meaning of his name which God granted his prayer. Examples of more Biblical people who prayed are Abraham {Gen 15:2-4}, Moses {Exo 32: 11-13}, Daniel {dan 6:10}, Paul {Romans 1:10}, Peter {Act 12:9} and so many more, even our Lord Jesus Christ fasted and prayed.

Why Christians Needs to Pray

1.      It is a necessity: most bible believing Christians recognize and accept at least intellectually, the need and importance of prayer. We read books on prayer, we talk of its necessity. Matthew 12: 18 & 28.

2.      To know the will of God for our Lives

“if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seed my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their Land.” {II chronicle 7: 14}

3.      Whenever we pray, we fellowship with God {II Corinthians 6: 1}

4.      For supplication with thankgiving

“Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. {Philippian 21: 6 }

Ingredient for Effective Prayer

1.      Righteousness: “the prayer if a righteous person has great power as it is working”- which is also translated as a ESV footnote spells out. “The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power. {James 5:16 }

2.      Praying with fasting.

3.      Praying with a right motive. {James 4}

4.      Praying with scriptural references.

Where can we pray? We can pray anywhere be it in our closet, amidst the people of God, and so on but, it must be done with a right motive.

Types of Prayer

There are different types or kinds of prayer some are:

1.      Prayer of Petition: I John 5: 14

“Now this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked him.”

2.      Prayer of commitment: {I Peter 5: 9}

“Whom resist stedfast, in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

3.      Prayer of Intercession: {Job 42:10}

“Intercessory prayer is praying for someone else with the real hope and real intent that God would step in and act for the positive advancement of some specific Matthew.

            The bible has many Cases of People Standing up for others before God. Some Example are Abraham, Job, Moses, Habakkuk{Isaiahiah: 36-39} e.t.c.

HINDRANCES TO EFFEECTIVE PRAYER

1.      Unconfessed Sin : it is the most common prayer killer psalm 66:18 says “ if I regard wickedness in my heart, the lord will not hear me”

2.      Lack of Faith :- it has an incredibly negative impact on a Christian’s life. “Without faith prayer has no power”. Even Jesus was powerless to perform any miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith. James 1:6-8 says “but let him ask in faith nothing weaving for he that waveth its like a wave of the see driven with the wind and tossed.

3.      Disobedience :- if we are to grow in our relationship with God and become strong people of prayer, we must learn to obey . keeping free From sin is not enough. Neither is faith, if our mouth say that we believe but our action don’t back up the belief with a strong display of obedience it shows the weakness of our belief.  

4.      Idols in our life’s- Ezekiel 14:13 says “son of man, these man have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?” these passage clearly shows the negative effect of anything that comes between a person & God. God those not even want an idols worshipper to talk to him. On the other hand, when we remove idols From our lives we become ripe for a personal revival. One way to know that something in your life is an idol is to ask yourself, “would I be willing to give this thing up if God asked me to” look honestly at your career, possessions and family. If there are things you wont release to God, then they are blocking access to him.

5.      Disregard for others :- biblical scripture is full of verses supporting God’s desire for unity among all believers between Christian brother & sisters , husband & wives, laypeople & pastors for example in john 13:34 Jesus said  “ A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love another”

One of the added benefits of prayer is that it helps you learn to love others, it is impossible to pray for a person one ate or criticize. Prayer breeds compassion, not competition.

6.      Unsurrendered Will

A person whose will is surrendered to God has a relationship with him similar to the one described in the parable of  the vine and the branches. I n John 15:17 it says “If you abide in me, and my words abide un you, you shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you”

There are great benefits of surrounding your will to God.

i.        One is that God promises to answer your prayer and grant your requests.

ii.     Another is that we got to receive the power of Christ through the Holy spirit.

iii.   Just as with the vine and the branches, Hw flows through us give us power and produces Fruit.

7.       Disregard for God’s Sovereignty

            When Jesus showed the disciples how to pray the First thing He did was teach them to honor God for Who he is, ”Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come you will be done on earth as it is in heaven”{Matthew6:9-10, Luke 11:27}. That is a clear acknowledgement God is in charge, that he is sovereign. And it established our relationship to him. Anytime we disregard the divine order of things, we’re out of bounds, and we hinder our relationship with our heavenly Father.

8) Unforgiveness: Matthew 6:14 – 15

            “For if you forgive men they sin against you, you heavenly father will forgive you. But if you do not Forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins”.

            Forgiving and being forgiven are inseparable twins, when a person refuses to forgive another, he is hurting himself, because his lack for forgiveness an take hold of him bitter. And a person cannot enter prayer with bitterness and come out with blessing. Forgiveness allows your heart to be made not only right, but light.

9) Lack of transparency with God and with others:-

            “Therefore confess your sins to one another And pray for one another, so that you may be healed”{James 5 vs16} James is adhering a tooth about God. When we confess our sins to one another, which requires his to be absolutely transparent. God is able to heal & cleanse us. We experience a spiritual physical and emotional restoration.

            Our transparency helps others, because it shows them that they are not alone in their difficulties.

CHAPTER THREE

IMPACT OF HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER

            The Gospel without the holy-spirit would be vain nugatory. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were vital to the work of Jesus Christ in the atonement.

As Jesus did not begin his work on earth till he was anointed by the holy-spirit{Act 10:38}.

            Act 10:38 says “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth, with the Holy Ghost with power. Who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. For God was with him”.

            So the same Holy-spirit is necessary to carry forward and make effective the hastening work of the san of God. As his anointing by the holy spirit at his Baptism was an era in his Life, so also is the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost a Great era in the work of redemption in making effective the work of Christ’s church.

            The Holy Spirit is the enabling agent in God’s new dispensation of doing, well his stand at the wheel to guide the vessel so the Holy Spirit executes the whole gospel through man by his presence and control of the spirit of the man.

            The coming of the Holy Spirit is dependent upon prayer, for prayer only can compass with its authority and demand the realm where this person of the God head has his abode. Even Christ was subject to this law of prayer {Luke 11vs 1}.

IMPACT OF HOLY–SPIRIT IN PRAYER AS INDIVIDUAL

            As Christ intercedes for us in heaven. So also the Holy Spirit intercedes in us on earth in Romans8:26 “For know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the spirit itself maketh intercession for the saint according to the will of God”.

            The Holy Spirit is the spirit of all grace and of each grace as well purity, power holiness faith perfected by him. We must seek the Holy Spirit by prayer.

            As an individual we need the holy-spirit to stir ourselves up to seek God. The measure we receive of him will be gauged by the forever of Faith and Prayer with which we seek him. Our Lives for God and effect Others for God, will be dependent on the measurement of the holy spirit received by us, dwelling in us, and working.

It is by the help of the Holy Spirit that we are able to pray {Gal 4:6}

            “ And because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his son into or hearts. Crying out “Abba Father”.

            There is a prayer wrought in men by virtue of the holy spirit, Zech 12:10, “And I will pour on the house of David on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and Supplication”.

The Spirit helps us to pray in two ways

1.      As a teaching and instructing Spirit, Furnishing proper Matthew of prayers, causing us to know what we pray for, Romans 8:26, enlightening the mind in the knowledge of our needs and those of others, the Spirit brings into our remembrance these things suggesting them to us according to the word, together with the promise of God on which prayer is grounded John 14:26 says “But the helper the holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name he will teach you all thing s and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you”.

2.      As a quickening, exciting Spirit Romans:26; the Spirit qualifying the soul with praying graces and affections, working in the praying person sense of needs, faith, Frevency, humility e.t.c. psalm 10:17

“lord you have heard the desire of the humble: you will cause your ear to hear”.

IMPACT OF HOLY-SPIRIT PRAYER AS A COPERATE BODY

James 5:16 say “confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Praying together to the lord make our prayer effective by love among the brethren.

1.      It aids the moving of holy Spirit Matthew 18: 20 says “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”

2.      Promote love among brethrens II Corinthians 1:24 “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your Joy: by Faith ye stand”. Also Hebrew 10: 24-25.

3.      For fruitful Ministry and mission Romans 15: 30-32, Paul told the brethren to pray for his ministry.

4.      Receive God given opportunities to develop patience. {Eph 4: 1-2}

5.      To demonstrate reverence to Christ. Eph5: 21

6.      To grow humility. I peter 5:5

7.      To make the Gospel more visible to dark world {John 13: 35; Titus 3:3, I John 3:11}

CONCLUSION

Holy-Spirit is acquired through prayer and without the Holy Spirit interceding for us here on Earth in our mind, then we don’t know how to pray {Romans 8:26}

REFERENCES

·        Holy Bible (NKJV)

·        The Spirit within and Spirit upon

·        Online materials

TABLE OF CONTENT

v Dedication

v Acknowledgement

v Chapter One – Holy Spirit

v Chapter Two – Prayer

v Chapter three – Impact of Holy Spirit in Prayer

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to sincerely express my appreciations  first and for most to God almighty, Omninpotent, and Omniscient for his infinity and his immeasurable grace and mercies upon my life for sparing my life through this project to him alone be all the Glory and adoration. Amen.

            I also sincerely want to appreciate my supervisor in person of Mr. Awobusoye Jerry, who God has been using to Supervise me in the cause of writing this project. I say a big thank you to you Sir and I sincerity pray that God will see you through all your challenges. My appreciation also to my Mentors in persons of  Mr. and Mrs. Adedoyin. It is my sincere prayer that God will increase you in every area of lifes. My appreciation also goes to my best friend in person of Adekunle Taiwo, thank a lot for everything, not forget by big brothers in the lord, Bro. Avinu Sunday, Bro Oluroye Lekan, I say a big thank you for your contribution to this project. And to my younger one God bless you for your prayers and support. May God increase and enlarge your coast thank you all.

            I want to use this timed to appreciate my S.B.T principal in person of sis mofesiolami and the Present/outgoing leaders for your patience & love through us. May God bless and increase you in every areas of your life. Thank you all may God reward you all for your good deeds. Amen.

SCHOOL OF BASIC TRUTH

GOSPEL STUDENT FELLOWSHIP

OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY

AGO-IWOYE, OGUN STATE. NIGERIA.

PROJECT TOPIC:

IMPACT OF HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER

TO BE SUBMITTED BY:

ADEDOYIN MERCY ADENIKE

PROJECT SUPERVISOR:                                                    SBT. PRINCIPAL

BRO. AWOBUSUYI JERRY             SIS. AKINYOSIOYE MOFESIOLAMI