1345. The Holy Spirit in Ephesians

The Holy Spirit in Ephesians

The Naming of the Spirit (Eph_1:13, Eph_1:17).

The Sealing of the Spirit (Eph_1:13).

Access through the Spirit (Eph_2:18).

The Indwelling Spirit (Eph_2:22).

The Strengthening Spirit (Eph_3:16).

The Unity of the Spirit (Eph_4:3).

Grieving the Spirit (Eph_4:30).

Filled with the Spirit (Eph_5:18).

The Sword of the Spirit (Eph_6:17).

The Book of Ephesians lifts us up above the miasma of swamp experiences, into the pure ozone of the life that is in the risen, ascended and seated Lord.

In such a Book we expect to find much about the Holy Spirit of God, because it is He Who makes possible the Higher Christian Life and enables us to scale the altitudes of victory.

With the exception of the seventh statement in the outline above (Grieving the Spirit), there is a steady progression in thought: we are climbing round upon round the ladder of the operations of the Spirit as He meets every need of our Christian experience.

The expression "Grieve not the Holy Spirit" in Eph_4:30, is a much needed warning, and, until victory is found in that realm we are helpless to enter into the blessings of the Spirit-filled life of Eph_5:22.

The Book of Ephesians is divided in the middle. Chapters 1, 2 and 3 are doctrinal; they tell us what we have "in" and "with" Christ Jesus. Chapters 4, 5 and 6 are duty, they tell us how we should walk. By noticing the outline it will be seen that of the eight statements concerning the Spirit in Ephesians, five occur in the first half of the Book and three in the last half.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR