Becoming a Systematic Theologian of the Holy Spirit

Introduction

No doctrine functions in isolation from others, as has been evident in this semester's earlier treatments of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. In order to briefly recognize this systematic interconnection. I set out the below short summaries of the doctrines of salvation, the church, and last things. I indicate the place of the person and work of the Holy Spirit in connection with each.

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There is proper correlation between the Holy Spirit and the act of winning souls to Christ (salvation). Salvation ensures that the preacher or the person receiving Christ into their lives ceases to depend on homiletically skill or the power self, and begins depending on the power of the Holy Spirit. It is worth noting that the define call that result into salvation is known as the efficacious grace. "But, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct" (1 Peter says1:15), meaning that God uses the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to the people chosen to lead the life of holiness. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is God' ultimate revelation to the people He chooses to follow him or to preach the gospel. In this particular sense, Christ, through the Holy Spirit, who is the helper He sends to redeem humankind, came deliver sinners form their transgression and the subsequent damnation. "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mathew 9:13). Additionally, the Bible acknowledges the fact that the Holy Spirit makes the difference between the called and the chosen. "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Mathew 22:14). The chosen ones have the power of the Holy Spirit.

The role of the Holy Spirit in the church or the ecclesiology is quite alive and dynamic even in the contemporary setting. All it takes is absolute faith in Christ to experience both the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the church. "The way I experience the Holy Spirit is the same way I experience almost all things of God - by faith" (Ephesians 3:17). Additionally, the Holy Spirit gives the followers the power and the faith to believe and to do God' work in the church. "I have assurance and conviction about Him, though I don't experience Him with any of my five senses" (Hebrews 11:1). The church or the members of the church will know the work of the Holy Spirit by its fruits. "A living orange tree produces a fruit which is round, orange, juicy, covered with a peel, and contains seeds. A person, in whom the Spirit of God dwells, will produce a fruit that has the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). It means that the Holy Spirit guides a church or a group of believers that displays the mentioned traits.

On eschatological matters, the Holy Spirit leads the believers to understanding. Notably, the Bible is the infallible word of God, but a bit of difficulty arises at times in apprehending and internalizing its teachings. The existence of many schools of interpretation further complicates the matter. Therefore, one should seek the insightful understanding and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Such is consistent with what Jesus said, "When the Spirit of truth [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). The absence of the Holy Spirit thus reduces everything to nothing. Moreover, the Holy Spirit intensifies the desire for the return of the Lord. "Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). The strengthening of faith as the believers await the coming of the Lord is evidently the duty of the Holy Spirit. Finally, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the surest sign of the return of the Son of Man. As the Bible says, "In the last days...I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh" (Acts 2:17).