INTRODUCTION

During one of his missionary trips the Apostle Paul questioned a group of believers about the Holy Spirit. He asked if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed. Their answer was,

"We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost" (Acts 19:2).

Paul shared the message of the ministry of the Holy Spirit with these Christians (Acts 19). Today it is equally important that believers understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God promised:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh... (Acts 2:17)

The fact that God is willing at this time to pour out His Spirit upon us makes this study important.

We must understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit in order to be part of this special revelation of the power of God. The study of the Holy Spirit is one of the major doctrines of the Bible. A doctrine is all the teachings which relate to a particular subject. Paul said:

...give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (I Timothy 4:13)

It is not through the natural powers of man that God moves in our world. It is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit:

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6)

This course examines the nature and personality of the Holy Spirit. It discusses the titles given the Holy Spirit and emblems which represent Him. Both reveal much about His ministry. The purposes, gifts, and fruit of the Holy Spirit are examined in detail. Practical guidelines are given for experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit, identifying spiritual gifts, and developing the fruit of the Holy Spirit.