The Holy Spirit

What does it mean for God’s Spirit to be present and at work in the life of a believer and a community?

Christians speak about the Holy Spirit in many ways, and some experiences are difficult to describe. This lesson begins with Scripture and JGM’s Statement of Faith. We will study the Spirit’s identity, presence, empowerment, fruit, and gifts, while distinguishing what JGM teaches from places where Christians interpret timing or experience differently. The goal is faithful dependence, loving service, and careful discernment.

1. The Spirit is God with and among His people

John 14:15–27; Matthew 28:16–20

On the night before His death, Jesus comforts His disciples and promises another Helper who will remain with them. He speaks of the Spirit as teaching and reminding them of what He has said. The promise is given to a community facing grief and uncertainty, not to people seeking a technique for controlling spiritual power.

JGM confesses one God, eternally existent as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Spirit is fully divine and personal. Scripture depicts the Spirit speaking, teaching, guiding, giving gifts, interceding, and being grieved. These descriptions invite relationship and reverence, not manipulation.

The Spirit’s presence is not measured by one emotional response. Some people experience strong feelings; others do not. Feelings can be meaningful, but they do not by themselves prove or disprove God’s work. Return to Scripture, the character of Christ, and the community’s tested wisdom.

2. The Spirit gives life and helps believers in weakness

Romans 8:1–27

Romans 8 begins with life in Christ and the Spirit, then speaks of adoption, suffering, hope, weakness, and prayer. The Spirit gives life, dwells in believers, bears witness to their belonging to God, and helps in weakness. Read the whole chapter section so that Spirit-filled life is not reduced to a single sign or emotional state.

The chapter’s promise of adoption is accompanied by honest words about suffering and groaning. The Spirit’s presence does not mean Christians avoid illness, grief, conflict, or uncertainty. It means weakness is not outside the care of God, and believers are not left to carry every burden alone.

This foundation lesson introduces several works of the Spirit. Christians explain some details of conversion, indwelling, filling, and baptism in different ways. JGM’s own statement gives its teaching on Spirit baptism in the next section. We can represent that teaching accurately without describing other Christians as spiritually inferior.

3. Spirit baptism and empowerment for service

Acts 1:4–8; Acts 2:1–21; Acts 8:14–17; Acts 10:44–48; Acts 19:1–7

In Acts 1, Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Father’s promise and connects the Spirit’s power with witness. Acts then describes the Spirit coming upon people in several settings as the message crosses community boundaries. Read these episodes in context rather than turning one account into a universal timetable without examining the others.

JGM’s Statement of Faith teaches that baptism in the Holy Spirit is the Father’s promise for believers and a definite endowment of power for service. It states that this can occur at the point of salvation or subsequent to salvation. This lesson presents JGM’s conviction clearly and encourages learners to discuss questions with trusted leaders.

Christians differ over how to relate these Acts accounts to conversion, indwelling, filling, and ongoing empowerment; they also differ about signs. The lesson does not use those differences to award ranks or question another person’s sincerity. Seek God, study the passages, and pursue service without pressure to manufacture or report an experience.

4. The Spirit’s fruit describes a formed life

Galatians 5:13–26

Paul writes to communities debating how people belong to God and how they should live. He says freedom is expressed through serving one another in love. The contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit sits inside a call to love, resist rivalry, and live by the Spirit.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are not a checklist for earning acceptance. Paul calls them fruit: qualities that become visible as people walk by the Spirit. Growth may be gradual and takes place amid real struggles and relationships.

The passage also says to restore someone caught in wrongdoing with gentleness and to bear one another’s burdens. Fruit is therefore more than private self-improvement. Ask how the Spirit may shape the way you speak, respond to conflict, repair harm, and support another person.

5. Gifts are different and serve the common good

1 Corinthians 12:1–13; 1 Peter 4:10–11

The Corinthian church had questions about spiritual gifts and status. Paul names varieties of gifts and services while emphasizing the same Spirit and the common good. He then uses the image of one body with many members: difference is necessary, and no member can declare the others unnecessary.

A gift is entrusted for service, not self-promotion. Teaching, helping, generosity, leadership, mercy, wisdom, and other gifts should strengthen people and honor Christ. A title, platform, dramatic story, or claim of special authority does not by itself demonstrate that a gift is being used well.

Christians differ about which gifts continue today and how some should be practiced. JGM’s statement affirms a variety of gifts, says the biblical lists may not be exhaustive, and expects gifts to operate in harmony with Scripture. This lesson encourages study and accountable practice without settling every denominational debate.

6. Discern spiritual claims with humility and care

1 Corinthians 14:1–19, 26–33; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24

Paul’s guidance about gathered worship in 1 Corinthians 14 repeatedly considers whether others can understand and be built up. He calls for order and evaluation rather than unaccountable display. First Thessalonians tells the community not to despise prophetic speech, but to test everything and hold fast to what is good.

Testing a claim is not the same as mocking the person who makes it. Consider whether the claim agrees with Scripture, reflects the character of Jesus, can be weighed by a mature community, and produces truthful and loving fruit. A claimed revelation cannot override Scripture, safeguarding, consent, or another person’s conscience.

No one should be pressured to disclose an experience, speak in a particular way, give money, accept touch, or make a major life decision because another person says “the Spirit told me.” When a spiritual claim is used to threaten or control, seek support from accountable leaders and appropriate safeguarding channels.

7. Walk by the Spirit in ordinary life

Galatians 5:16–26; Romans 8:12–17

Walking by the Spirit is an ongoing picture of dependence and direction. In Galatians it is connected to refusing destructive desires, serving in love, and growing in the Spirit’s fruit. In Romans it belongs to life as God’s adopted children. Neither passage reduces it to one past event or a claim that a person is now incapable of failing.

Ordinary choices matter: pausing before a harsh reply, asking forgiveness, speaking truth without contempt, seeking help, or serving someone whose need you can meet. These actions do not force God to bless us. They are responses to grace and practices of life together.

When you are unsure what a prompting means, slow down. Pray, read Scripture, consider the consequences, listen to wise counsel, and make room for correction. Dependence on the Spirit can include waiting and admitting, “I may be mistaken.”

Study the passage

• Observe: read Romans 8:1–27. List the actions and roles Paul attributes to the Spirit.
• Interpret: read Acts 1:4–8 and one later Acts account. Compare the setting and purpose before drawing a conclusion about timing or signs.
• Apply: read Galatians 5:13–26. Choose one fruit to practice in a specific relationship, and name how another person or community can help.

Practice this week

• Day 1 — Read John 14:15–27. Record what Jesus says the Helper will do.
• Day 2 — Read Romans 8:1–17. Note what the passage says about the Spirit, adoption, and belonging.
• Day 3 — Read Acts 1:4–8 and Acts 2:1–21. Write how the Spirit’s power is connected with witness.
• Day 4 — Read Galatians 5:13–26. Choose one fruit and identify one small way to practice it today.
• Day 5 — Read 1 Corinthians 12:1–13. Notice how Paul connects diverse gifts, one body, and the common good.
• Day 6 — Read 1 Corinthians 14:26–33 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24. Write one principle for discerning spiritual speech in community.
• Day 7 — Review the week. Record one question, one way you received or offered help, and one next step for service.

Teaching points

• The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity—not an impersonal force or a tool for human control.
• The Spirit gives new life, dwells in believers, assures them of adoption, and helps them in weakness. Christian life depends on His presence and work.
• JGM teaches that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the Father’s promise and an endowment of power for service. JGM’s statement allows it to occur at conversion or afterward; Christians differ about timing and signs.
• The Spirit produces fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control as believers live by the Spirit. Growth is not instant perfection or a way to earn God’s acceptance.
• The Spirit gives varied gifts for the common good and the building up of the Church. Gifts do not establish a person’s rank, worth, or authority over others.
• Walking in the Spirit involves ongoing dependence, discernment, obedience, and community. Impressions should be tested; spiritual language never excuses manipulation or harm.

Read in Scripture

• John 14:15–27; 16:5–15
• Romans 8:1–27
• Acts 1:4–8; 2:1–21; 8:14–17; 10:44–48; 19:1–7
• 1 Corinthians 12:1–13; 13:1–13; 14:1–19, 26–33
• Galatians 5:13–26
• 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24

Reflect

• What have I been taught about the Holy Spirit, and which claims do I want to examine in Scripture?
• Which fruit of the Spirit is becoming visible in a relationship or ordinary decision?
• How does JGM’s teaching about Spirit baptism compare with what I have heard elsewhere? What remains a question?
• When have I seen a gift used to serve others? What helped keep it accountable and loving?
• What might it mean for me to depend on the Spirit in a specific situation this week?

Put it into practice

• Read John 14:15–27. Write what Jesus says the Spirit will do, then offer a simple prayer for help in one real situation.
• Choose one fruit named in Galatians 5:22–23. Identify one relationship where you can practice it and one support that would help.
• Use a gift or ability this week to serve another person or strengthen your church community. Ask whether the person was helped.
• If you have a question about Spirit baptism or a spiritual impression, discuss the passage with a trusted, accountable leader without pressure to claim an experience.