The Pentecostal Movement: A Modern Outpouring

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully in the world today, just as He has throughout history.

The History:

• January 1, 1901 - Agnes Ozman spoke in tongues in Topeka, Kansas after Charles Parham laid hands on her

• 1906 - William Seymour held meetings at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles—the Pentecostal movement exploded

• 1970 - Only 10% of the world's Christians were Pentecostal

• 2025 - USC sociologists estimate 1 out of every 3 Christians on planet Earth are Pentecostal

The Growth: The Pentecostal movement is the fastest-growing Christian movement in the world. Pentecostal churches are exploding in:

• Latin America

• South America

• China

• Iran

• Africa

• All over the world

Reflect:

• Why do you think the Pentecostal movement is growing so rapidly?

• What does this tell us about people's hunger for the Holy Spirit?

The Focus: This study focuses on the Holy Spirit as the third member of the Trinity—fully God, fully equal with the Father and Son.

The Deity of the Holy Spirit (He is God)

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is not a "notch down" from the Father and Son. He is equally God—the third person of the Trinity.

Scripture to Read:

• 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 - The Spirit searches the depths of God

• John 16:13-15 - The Spirit guides into all truth

• Acts 5:3-4 - Lying to the Spirit = lying to God

The Holy Spirit Possesses God's Attributes

1. OMNISCIENCE (All-Knowing)

1 Corinthians 2:10-11 "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

John 16:13-15 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

The Spirit knows everything—even the depths of God.

2. OMNIPOTENCE (All-Powerful)

Luke 1:35 (The Angel to Mary) "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."

John 16:8-11 (Convicting the World) "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer..."

The Spirit's Power:

• Brings about the virgin birth

• Convicts hearts

• Regenerates souls

• Performs miracles

• Sanctifies believers

The Spirit is all-powerful.

3. ETERNAL (No Beginning, No End)

Hebrews 9:14 "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Genesis 1:2 "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

The Spirit was present at creation—He is eternal.

The Holy Spirit Does God's Work

Scripture to Read:

• Genesis 1:2 - Creation

• 2 Peter 1:21 - Giving Scripture

• John 3:5-8 - Regeneration

The Spirit is Involved in:

• Creation - Hovering over the waters

• Judgment - Convicting of sin

• Conviction - Drawing people to repentance

• Regeneration - Giving new birth

• Inspiration - Giving us God's Word (Scripture)

The Trinitarian Formula: Equal Footing

Scripture to Read:

• Matthew 28:19 - Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of Christ, love of God, fellowship of the Spirit

• 1 Peter 1:2 - Chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, sprinkled with Christ's blood

All three persons on equal footing.

Reflect:

• Do you treat the Holy Spirit as equal to the Father and Son?

• Or do you see Him as less important?

The Personality of the Holy Spirit (He is a Person, Not a Force)

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is not some vague force or energy. He is a person—like the Father and Son.

Evidence the Spirit is a Person:

1. The Bible Uses MASCULINE PRONOUNS

The writers intentionally use personal pronouns (He, Him) for the Spirit—never "it."

2. The Term "PARACLETE" (Helper, Comforter, Advocate)

John 14:16, 26 - This Greek word (parakletos) refers to a person carrying out a function, not an abstract influence.

3. The Spirit is GROUPED WITH HUMANS

Acts 15:28 "For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements."

It's as if the apostles sat in a boardroom with the Holy Spirit and made a decision together.

The Spirit Has Personal Qualities

1. INTELLIGENCE

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Have you ever been praying with someone and a Scripture or sermon flashes in your mind? That's the Holy Spirit bringing things to your remembrance so you can minister for God's glory.

2. WILL

1 Corinthians 12:11 "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."

The Spirit distributes gifts as He desires—He has a will.

3. EMOTION

Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

The Spirit can be grieved. He has emotions.

The Spirit Engages in Personal Activities

The Spirit:

• Teaches (John 14:26)

• Regenerates (John 3:5-8)

• Searches (1 Corinthians 2:10)

• Speaks (Acts 13:2)

• Intercedes (Romans 8:26-27)

• Commands (Acts 16:6-7)

• Testifies (John 15:26)

• Guides (John 16:13)

• Illuminates (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

• Reveals (1 Corinthians 2:10)

All personal activities.

Reflect:

• Have you been treating the Holy Spirit as a force or as a person?

• How does knowing He's a person change your relationship with Him?

Why the Spirit's Deity and Personality Matter

1. The Spirit is Someone We Can Relate To

He's not an impersonal force. He's someone we can pray with and to.

2. The Spirit Deserves the Same Honor as the Father and Son

It's wholly appropriate to worship Him as we do the Father and Son.

3. The Spirit is One with the Father and Son

His work is an expression of what all three have planned together. When the Spirit moves, God and Jesus are moving through us too.

4. God is Not Far Off

The Spirit comes close to us. He actually enters into our lives. He's even more intimately involved with us now than in the incarnation.

He is truly God within us.

John 14:16-17 - Jesus is going to the Father, but He'll send the Spirit to abide with us, dwell with us, teach us, and sanctify us.

The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Big Idea: The Spirit was active in the Old Testament, but His work was different—He came upon people temporarily for specific tasks.

The Spirit in the Old Testament:

1. Brought PROPHECY

Ezekiel 2:2 "And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me."

Numbers 24:2 (Balaam) "And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Spirit of God came upon him."

1 Samuel 10:6, 10 (Saul) "Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man...And when they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them."

2 Peter 1:21 "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

2. Gave SKILLS for Specific Tasks

Exodus 31:3-5 (Bezalel - Building the Tabernacle) "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft."

Zechariah 4:6 (Rebuilding the Temple) "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."

3. Gave the Gift of ADMINISTRATION

Genesis 41:38 (Joseph) "And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?'"

Numbers 11:25 (The 70 Elders) "Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it."

4. Empowered JUDGES and WARRIORS

The Spirit empowered:

• Samson (Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14)

• Gideon (Judges 6:34)

• Other judges for military victories

The Key Difference: Old Testament vs. New Testament

Old Testament: The Spirit came upon people temporarily for a specific task, then left. Think of it like a garment settling on someone for a moment, then being taken away.

Numbers 11:25 - "They prophesied. But they did not continue doing it."

New Testament: The Spirit resides in the believer permanently. He doesn't leave.

This is the New Covenant promise.

Reflect:

• How is the Spirit's work different today than in the Old Testament?

• What does it mean that the Spirit lives IN you permanently?

The Work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament

Big Idea: The Spirit's work is essential in the life of the Christian. He abides with us permanently and does specific works in us.

1. CONVERSION and REGENERATION (The Beginning)

Conversion: Turning Back to God

What It Is: The human turning back toward God through repentance.

Two Elements:

• Negative: Rejecting the things of the past (sin)

• Positive: Turning toward God (embracing Christ and His righteousness)

John 16:8 "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."

The Spirit convicts us of sin, shows us Christ's righteousness, and draws us to repentance.

Regeneration: The New Birth

What It Is: The miraculous transformation of the individual and the implantation of spiritual energy.

John 3:3-8 (Jesus to Nicodemus) "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Regeneration is a miraculous, dynamic act that happens at the point of conversion. We become new.

But this is just the beginning.

2. EMPOWERMENT (Power to Live the Christian Life)

Big Idea: Jesus tells us that when the Spirit comes, we will do greater works.

John 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."

The Spirit Empowers Us To:

• Preach the gospel

• Make disciples

• Live the Christian life

• Resist temptation

• Serve others

We need the Spirit's help—we can't do it on our own.

3. ILLUMINATION (Guiding Into Truth)

Big Idea: Jesus told us the Spirit will guide us into all truth.

John 16:13 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth."

Think of it like someone shining a flashlight on a dark path.

That's what the Spirit does for you—He illuminates the way.

4. INTERCESSION (Praying for Us)

Romans 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

The Spirit helps us pray.

There are times when you don't know what to pray—you're frustrated in your prayer closet. The Spirit intercedes for you. He puts words in your mouth. He prays for you before the Father.

Reflect:

• Have you ever felt like you didn't know how to pray?

• How does knowing the Spirit intercedes for you change your prayer life?

5. SANCTIFICATION (Transformation Over Time)

Big Idea: Sanctification is the continued transformation of your moral and spiritual character so that your life begins to line up with God's holiness.

What It Means:

• We're saved by grace

• Christ put His righteousness on us

• Sanctification gets us closer to that image day by day

Romans 8 - The Spirit is constantly working in us to put the works of the flesh to death.

Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruits of the Spirit) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

As the Spirit works in you, these fruits are displayed because of the transformation happening in your life.

Sanctification happens over time as the Spirit consistently works in us.

The Truth: A year from now, you should look different because the Holy Spirit is working in you daily. Sometimes it's baby steps, sometimes it's leaps. But there's always transformation happening in the believer's life.

Reflect:

• Can you see evidence of the Spirit's sanctifying work in your life over the past year?

• What area of your life needs more transformation?

Action: Ask the Spirit to continue His sanctifying work in you. Identify one area where you need growth and invite the Spirit to work.

The Gifts of the Spirit

Big Idea: The Spirit gives believers gifts to build up the church.

Lists of Gifts in the New Testament:

Romans 12:

• Prophecy

• Service

• Teaching

• Exhortation

• Generosity

• Leading

• Acts of mercy

1 Corinthians 12:

• Wisdom

• Knowledge

• Faith

• Healing

• Working of miracles

• Prophecy

• Distinguishing spirits

• Tongues

• Interpretation of tongues

Ephesians 4 (Office Gifts):

• Apostles

• Prophets

• Evangelists

• Pastors

• Teachers

1 Peter 4:

• Speaking

• Service

Four Key Truths About the Gifts:

TRUTH 1: The Gifts Are for the CHURCH

1 Corinthians 12:7 "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

1 Corinthians 14:5 "Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up."

1 Corinthians 14:12 "So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church."

All the gifts are for building up the church—not just for personal enjoyment or enrichment.

TRUTH 2: NO ONE Has ALL the Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:14-21 (The Body Analogy) "For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body...If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing?...The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'"

1 Corinthians 12:29-30 (Rhetorical Questions) "Are all apostles? [No.] Are all prophets? [No.] Are all teachers? [No.] Do all work miracles? [No.] Do all possess gifts of healing? [No.] Do all speak with tongues? [No.] Do all interpret? [No.]"

We need each other. No one has every gift.

TRUTH 3: ALL Gifts Are IMPORTANT

Some gifts get more attention:

• Prophecy

• Preaching

• Teaching

But ALL gifts are equally important:

• Service

• Hospitality

• Administration

• Prayer

• Leadership

The Truth: I'm a person with a gift serving with a group of people with gifts. Just because I'm on a platform with a microphone doesn't make me more important—or less important. We're all equally important in the body of Christ.

We don't own the gift. The Spirit is the gift-giver.

1 Corinthians 12:11 "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."

TRUTH 4: LOVE is More Important Than Gifts

Why 1 Corinthians 13 is in the Middle: Paul writes about gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. Right in the middle, he writes 1 Corinthians 13—the famous "Love Chapter."

Why? The Corinthian church had all the gifts, but they weren't using love. They were judging each other, competing, being impatient and unkind.

Paul's Message: "You can have all the gifts in the world, but if you don't have love, you're a noisy gong—nobody will listen."

Before you pursue gifts, pursue love.

The Implications of the Holy Spirit's Work

Big Idea: Understanding the Spirit's work changes everything about how you live.

1. The Gifts Are BESTOWED, Not Earned

You don't earn gifts like merit badges. You don't "level up" and get a new gift. The Spirit freely gives them by His grace.

2. The Spirit EMPOWERS Believers

This is primary.

We often focus on gifts because they're flashy. But primarily, the Spirit empowers us to live the Christian life.

Your personal inadequacies should never discourage you because every single day, the Spirit is empowering you to walk with Jesus.

3. The Spirit Dispenses Gifts WISELY and SOVEREIGNLY

There's no hierarchy. There's no A-team and B-team. You don't "qualify" for gifts.

We are all the body of Christ, and we serve Him and glorify Him.

Final Encouragement

The Holy Spirit is essential to:

• Your growth

• Your development

• Your sanctification

• Your service

Embrace this doctrine. Understand this doctrine. Walk in the power of the Spirit.

Action Steps:

Today:

• Thank the Spirit for living in you

• Ask Him to empower you to live for Christ

This Week:

• Pray for the Spirit to reveal your gifts

• Ask: "How can I use my gifts to build up the church?"

This Month:

• Study Romans 8 and Galatians 5 slowly

• Identify one fruit of the Spirit you need to grow in

• Serve in your church using your gifts

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses."
— Acts 1:8

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
— Galatians 5:22-23