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THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

2 days ago
3 min

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS

There is little doubt that the work of the Holy Spirit is often confusing, unless one rightly divides the word of God (II Timothy 2:15). Of the most interesting (and difficult) topics to understand is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible clearly teaches that one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit is/was to give spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8, I Corinthians 1:5 -7, 12-13, I Peter 4:8-11, Ephesians 4:7-12, Hebrews 10:4). We have already noted in this series that the Holy Spir

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The Holy Spirit Seals A Christian

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Mar 13
3 min

The Holy Spirit Seals A Christian

There are many benefits to the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest benefits would have to include the seal of salvation. When we are baptized into Christ, and become a new creature in Christ, God performs a special service of adoption. No documentation is needed to verify our salvation, because God seals us with the blood of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit. When this procedure takes place, between the Holy Spirit and a child of God, it is pro

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The Holy Spirit From Pentecost to Present

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Mar 6
3 min

The Holy Spirit From Pentecost to Present

There are hundreds of Scriptures that tell us about the work of the Holy Spirit in Bible times. On the day of Pentecost, around 33 AD (Acts 2:1-4), the Holy Spirit had a significant role in the birth to the Church as a body of living members where the risen Christ serves as Head (Romans 12:4-5, I Corinthians 12:12, 27, Ephesians 1:22, 4:4, 5:23, Colossians 1:18, 24). The foundation of the Church is the death and resurrection of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 1:20

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The Holy Spirit Re-Creates Us

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 27
3 min

The Holy Spirit Re-Creates Us

As I mentioned previously, the Bible has much to say about the Holy Spirit and His work. It is amazing how the Bible reveals that He loves us so much, and is so intimately involved with our personal lives. It is astounding that the God of the universe is interested in you and me. He is aware of what we are doing, what we are capable of doing, and what we’ve neglected to do in our lives. When you look at the stars in the sky, or the sand on the beach, or the nations on the

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The Holy Spirit IS God

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 20
2 min

The Holy Spirit IS God

ecent discussions with religious people have led me to believe that some strange doctrines concerning the Holy Spirit of God are out there. Some people believe that the Holy Spirit was a created thing. The Bible clearly reveals the Holy Spirit was NOT created by the Father or the Son, but has always existed and is eternal (Hebrews 9:14, Genesis 1:1-2). The Holy Spirit is clearly a person. Therefore, the Spirit isn't a "force" and it is correct to refer the Spirit as "He" a

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The Holy Spirit & The Apostles

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 13
2 min

The Holy Spirit & The Apostles

For the past few weeks we have noticed Paul’s teachings on the Holy Spirit. He takes time out in every book to emphasize something about the Holy Spirit and His work in the church. However, He is not the only New Testament writer to talk about the Holy Spirit. Who would be more qualified to talk about the Holy Spirit more than the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ? The 12 were witnesses to the ministry of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, and the establishment of the church. They w

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The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 5)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Feb 6
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 5)

One reason for the great hope mentioned in Romans 8:18-25 is that Jesus is our Mediator (I Timothy 2:5) and the Holy Spirit is our Intercessor (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit is called a “Helper,” because of His nature (John 15:26). He helps with the prayers of a Christian and, therefore, makes them more effective. So His name fits His work. Other translations call Him a Comforter, and this is obviously true as well. He is indeed the great Comforter and Helper. The Holy Sp

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The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 4)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 31
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 4)

One of the things I notice in Romans is that Paul says Christians can call God our “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). “Abba” is, of course, the Aramaic word for Father. It should be noted that the Aramaic and Hebrew languages were very similar and these are the languages in which the Old Testament was written. To address God by this name shows the most intimate relationship with Him because it is like calling Him “daddy.” If a person does not have the Spirit of God then they are

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The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 3)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 23
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 3)

The Holy Spirit produces righteousness (Romans 8:10). If Christ is in the body of a Christian they are dead. They have died with Christ through the process of baptism (Romans 6:1-4). This burial is also the process that allows Christians to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Therefore, Christians are made righteous in Christ. This can only take place with baptism and the continual cleansing. The Holy Spirit quickens our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). Our mortal body, now ful

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The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 2)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 17
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 2)

God’s Holy Spirit helps to alter our thinking. To be “spiritually minded” brings life eternal and peace. The carnal mind opposes the will of God and refuses to obey him. Because those attitudes can never be reconciled with following Christ, they must be cleansed from all who seek to “please God” (Romans 8:8). So those who have the Holy Spirit, will be spiritually minded, and therefore, this will produce life. The opposite, being carnal minded, will lead to death. The Holy S

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The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 1)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 9
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 1)

Romans has much to say about the Holy Spirit of God. Romans 5:5 tells us that the Holy Spirit dispenses God’s love into our hearts. The Holy Spirit also bears witness to the truth in our conscience (Romans 9:1). But the most revealing part of the Holy Spirit’s work is found in chapter eight. That is a text that summarizes how the Holy Spirit worked both in the New Testament times and today. The Holy Spirit delivers Christians from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2). In the first few

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The Holy Spirit in Paul's Letters

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 2
2 min

The Holy Spirit in Paul's Letters

Several weeks ago we started a series of lessons on the Holy Spirit. Our goal was to shine light on this topic. We have already noted that due to some false teaching within Christendom, and even in our fellowship of the churches of Christ, people have misunderstood the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. One who knew this subject much more than we could imagine is the apostle Paul. He wrote about the Holy Spirit often in his letters. Paul is the one who tells us that the Ho

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The Unity of the Spirit (Part 3)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 19, 2022
3 min

The Unity of the Spirit (Part 3)

As we have moved through these thoughts, the past few weeks, you may have noticed a pattern. Each of these characteristics, commanded of us in Scripture, appear together in a familiar passage of Scripture. After Paul encouraged the churches of Galatia to abandon the works of the flesh he said, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Remember the words of Jesus in John 1

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The Unity of the Spirit (Part 2)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 12, 2022
3 min

The Unity of the Spirit (Part 2)

God wants us to have the spirit of kindness, because He is kind (Ephesians 2:4-7). The word “kind” should draw your mind back to the book of Genesis as God made everything after its own “kind” (Genesis 1). As humans we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Man was created from the dust of the ground and woman was formed from man. There is no other creation like us. We are made in the likeness of God. To be “kind” is to be like God in every sense of the word.

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Hidden or Lost Books of the Bible?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 7, 2022
7 min

Hidden or Lost Books of the Bible?

It seems like every few years there is a resurgence of biblical critics, unhinged doubters and zealous accusers that seek to challenge the authority of God's Word. Many of these individuals are bent on destroying the credibility and challenging the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. A simple Google search will reveal that there are several books written on the subject of "lost" or "hidden" books of the Bible. If you have doubts just browse Amazon. Hundreds of blogs, thousan

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The Unity of the Spirit (Part 1)

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 5, 2022
3 min

The Unity of the Spirit (Part 1)

In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul expresses the need for Christian unity. Notice the emphasis on the word “one” throughout this book. Unity and “one-ness” seem to be a consistent theme in many of his other writings. However, in the book of Ephesians the topic of unity takes center stage. One of the ways Paul directs us to be unified is to have “one spirit” (Ephesians 4:4). What does that mean to have one spirit? Is it possible to have “one spirit” as we work toge

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Revive Your Spiritual Life

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 28, 2022
2 min

Revive Your Spiritual Life

Several weeks ago I was working on a bulletin article about personal revival and we noticed a passage in Ezekiel 37. In that passage we find a story about Ezekiel and how he is shown a valley of dry bones. He preached to the valley of bones and they stood up like a great army. By the Word of God they were given the spirit they needed to live. We need God’s word to make us live again and revive!!! Is your own spiritual life a valley of dry bones? I want you to know that l

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The Work of the Holy Spirit

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 21, 2022
2 min

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Take a glance through the book of Acts. Just as we saw in the gospels, you will see that the Holy Spirit is alive and at work on every page. One of the questions frequently asked is, “How does the Holy Spirit work?” If we look through the book of Acts will find that He worked through miracles, signs, wonders, and works. In some of those events He worked in a miraculous way (temporary) and in others it was more natural (eternal). They can be divided into seven categories: 1)

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Criticism Is A Cry For Help

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 8, 2022
6 min

Criticism Is A Cry For Help

Why are we compelled to get into Facebook debates? We know that sparring on social media is never profitable. Yet we often defend our honor, (or the honor of those with whom we agree) in order to win the argument. It usually ends up with us suffering from high blood pressure and low self-esteem. Emotions are high. Lines are drawn. Friends are lost. Can you relate? Have you ever thought that doing the right thing was going to be the "right thing" to do? It's funny how saying t

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Is the Holy Spirit Working, Retired or Unemployed?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 7, 2022
3 min

Is the Holy Spirit Working, Retired or Unemployed?

Take a trip to the unemployment office and you will see people out of work. Take a trip to the beach and you’ll see people taking some time off for vacation. Is that what happened to the Holy Spirit? Did He retire after the first century? Did the Father recall Him back to Heaven like a puppy? Does the Son have no further need for Him in His church? There is significant evidence to prove that this thinking is preposterous! Pure foolishness. And even dangerous! One might

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