JanMary

3a. All of the gifts, abilities and achievements are inspired by the Holy Spirit who apportions to each person individually exactly as He chooses. This implies that no one is left "gift-less" and that we don't pick and choose which gift or gifts we'd like to be given. He determines which gift or gifts suit our individual personality and temperament and talents (which He also gives to us). Since each of us have been chosen and called, the gifts facilitate our fulfilling that calling. (For we are God's own handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus that we may do the good works which God predestined (planned beforehand, prepared ahead of time) that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 amplified.) Because He apportions the gifts and who receives them, we are not to desire or be envious of others gifts or to feel prideful or superior over which gift (s) He has chosen for us! b. Holy Spirit provides the gifts, motivates the gifts, empowers the timing and implementation of the gifts.....He gives the "unction to function" I like to say.

Q2a. In Mt. 4:23 Jesus went all about Galilee teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people. Others are when He preached to the 5,000 plus people, fed them from the multiplied loaves and fishes then healed all of their diseases. He did the same when He preached to the 4,000 plus people and fed them as well and then healed all of those who were among them. b. One example In Paul's ministry in Acts 20:9-11 Paul preached and taught all night and Eutychus, a young man fell asleep while sitting in the window, fell to the ground and died. Paul raised him from the dead while embracing him, celebrated communion with them all and departed. c. Peter at Lydda in Acts 9:32-35 healed the crippled Aeneas and shared the Gospel with him, and the inhabitants of Lydda saw what happened to him and they turned to the Lord. d. Philip the deacon in Acts 8:5-8 proclaimed the Gospel to the people and the people watched the miracles and wonders which he kept performing. Foul spirits came out of many, crippled people were restored to health.

Q1a. I believe it is. Jesus was fully man and fully God, but limited his words and actions to his man-hood in total dependence upon His Father's guidance, wisdom and knowledge and power imparted to Him by the Holy Spirit. This is the way we are to live...totally dependent upon our Father just as Jesus did. In this way He will manifest the particular gifts He's given us as we walk and talk and live for Him, to His glory and honor. b. Jesus was different in the fact that He was born of a virgin and did not have the fallen nature that we have. But He functioned in the same limitations which we have... His flesh/ humanity submitted to His Father's will at all times. He was tempted in every way that we are, but without sin, and was totally obedient to His Father every moment of His life. c. In the Old Testament, a few examples of the gift of Knowledge are: Moses telling Pharaoh what was going to happen each time he hardened his heart, refusing to let God's people go. Elijah comes to mind....telling King Ahaz that it would not rain for 3 years in I Kings 17....the spies in Joshua 2 told Rahab to bind a scarlet cord in her window and bring her father, mother, brothers, and all her father's household into her house and they would all be spared when Jericho fell... Moses was told the people had fallen into idolatry while he was on the mountain with God receiving the Commandments...Elijah told the woman in Zarephath to gather jars from neighbors and the Lord would fill them with oil, in 2 Kings 4. In 2 Kings 5 Elisha told his servant Gehazi that "by his spirit" he knew he'd gone after Naaman to manipulate getting some money, who then lied and Gehazi became leprous as Naaman had been. d. In the New Testament, again, so many examples. Joseph being told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, and again, Joseph was told that Herod would attempt to kill Jesus, so to flee to Egypt in Matthew 2 and again in Egypt, that Herod was dead and it was safe to return to Israel. Jesus was speaking words of knowledge daily to His disciples. He spoke of the destruction of Jerusalem, His own death and resurrection, where to go to find a colt tied up to use in the triumphal ride into Jerusalem....and every book in the New Testament is filled with examples. Because Jesus limited His knowledge in the same way that we are, He relied on His Father's knowledge to interpret scripture, the times in which He was living, how to answer the trick and hard questions....I think most of what He spoke was the gift of Knowledge.

Q4a. I've been told that I have "a pastor's heart in the way I care about, care for and love people. I'm not a pastor! But He has used this gift in my leadership roles which makes it easy to function to flow wherever He "puts me". b. I would say to pray for him/her to receive that gift...and short of that, to pray for others in leadership and pastoral roles to come alongside him/her and who have the gift of pastor to help cover that role. c. God, the Holy Spirit gives the gifts as He sees fit, then fits us into the places He desires to work through those gifts to enrich, encourage, build up the body of believers (and to reach out to save the unbelievers around us). I

Q3a. I believe the gift of prophecy is speaking the inspired word of God for the purpose of building up and encouraging the body of Christ or a particular individual. It may or may not be in tongues but if so, the interpretation will also be given...by that individual or someone else who is present. b. I think to deny prophecy is based upon fear. For instance, one church we attended years ago, would not permit the gifts to operate because the pastor was afraid things would get out of hand and he'd lose control of the service. Others have been taught in some denominations that the gifts were only for olden Bible days, so they are discounted as unnecessary or fraudulent. c. Paul urges the gifts be tested (by the Spirit) and to use discernment. ( Does the prophecy agree with scripture? Does it correct or encourage? and so on.) I've received some wonderful prophecies over the years, especially during stressful times or times of great discouragement. One that comes to mind was about 15 years ago while under a fierce demonic attack which had lasted for weeks and I was worn out! The attack was against my mind...and was constant. One night I started to write my obituary, convinced that symptoms I was experiencing were the same as a sibling who was stricken with polio, and that I would die. My husband was in a similar frame of mind and said a number of times each day, "It's too late for us"... The following Sunday we dragged ourselves to church and I went forward for prayer and stood in front of a woman I didn't know and who had no idea who I was. I just stood there, not knowing what to even say I needed. She started to pray...then stopped and said "you've been believing lies!" Then she prayed in tongues for a minute and said "You are not going to get sick, your life is not going to be cut short, and it's not too late for you!".....then she prayed for me and said this is interesting:"I've been believing similar lies!" I went back to my seat and wrote the date and what she prayed for me. How I thank God for her and her obedience to speak what she heard! I have not been sick...even with flu, It has not "been too late for us"....and I'll be 76 on Christmas day! Gods' other promises to me are still lined up waiting for His timing for them to be fulfilled.

Q2 a. Yes, I definitely do believe there are, but I can't think of specific names at the moment.

Q1 a. The purpose is for "good and profit" of the Church. (toward spiritual growth and maturity as well as for numerical growth in the Body of Christ...His Kingdom) 1 Cor 12:7 b. This list tells us that the gifts are given so that the Church may develop unity and oneness in the faith, and in the comprehension and full accurate knowledge of the Son of God, and that we arrive at maturity and completeness of personality. Ephesians 4:11. c. V 14 tells us that we stay as "children in the faith" tossed like ships to and fro, unsettled, uncertain, and become easy prey of unscrupulous men and women who invent errors to mislead. (The gift of discernment is given to recognize spirits which are not the Holy Spirit.) Immaturity and worldliness and an emaciated body result as well as a powerless body of believers. It's also a discouraged church, as the gifts are meant to glorify the Lord and to demonstrate His power to heal, change, deliver, teach and train and build up and create intimacy and trust within the church.

4a. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes in to live in us. As during the war the marines would send troops through the waves and onto the shores....and they would radio back to the ship "The Island is secure"...when in fact they had established a mere "toehold". Though they fully intended to "take and secure" the entire island, given time and battles. Holy Spirit's "toehold" is like that....He very patiently begins the process of securing more and more of our mind and actions, as He now has given birth to our dead spirit. As He gains more territory with our cooperation in yielding to Him, the fruit of His Spirit begins to manifest in our words and actions, replacing the "works of the flesh" to which we were limited in our "dead" state. b. I would call this Transformation, or Regeneration. But It's really being raised from death to life, spiritually speaking, since prior to His entrance, we had no ability to produce any lasting, Godly, fruit and no ability to do anything other than sin. c. I know a few of these. I would say that without the benefit of and willingness to go through the pain of "recovery' from a life of cruelty and abuse, I would be like one of those....saved, but crippled emotionally to the point of just existing and waiting to die...or at best, faking it until they think they can make it, but looking like the set of the old western movies....Vogue on the outside, but Vague on the inside. d. I believe they may be saved... some give the Holy Spirit a toe hold...enough to get into Heaven, but permitting no further advance of His influence or training. It's called being stuck in inertia. Those would be immature. e. explains the "I'm a Christian" but is not: e. James is being honest.....no works to demonstrate faith is useless faith in terms of the Kingdom of God. Got their ticket to Heaven "punched". But then I know someone who faked being a Christian for years, married a Christian woman, behaved well enough to "fit in" with believers, served in the church, but confessed prior to his death that he had never accepted Christ! Just sad to waste a life in either state....faking faith, or barren faith. Must make our Lord so very sad, since He is a gentleman and will not impose His will upon anyone and loves them just the same.

3 a. His promise is that "If we walk and live (habitually )in the Spirit, responsive to, controlled and guided by the Spirit, then we will not gratify the flesh (godless human nature). He empowers us to walk in love more than we desire to walk in our old ways of the flesh as we walk and grow in Him. (He heals us from the inside out...so that our "want to" conforms with His, and then our actions bring Him Glory.) b. Holy Spirit has a "voice" able to be heard in our spirit, and also able to be heard, if needs be, with our ears. He restrains us and retrains us as we yield to His promptings to soak and absorb the word of God (so we'll become acquainted with and knowledgeable about both sin and righteousness). He leads us into relationship with our Father/ Savior/ Spirit, Triune God, so that we learn, then recognize and experience how much we are loved, then to desire to please Him. He promises that with temptation (from our enemy) He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear....and with that will provide a way of escape, so that we may become capable and strong, powerful to bear up under it patiently. c. For me, it has been His love for me and gently replacing the fear of all authority figures (which included Him), with His gentle tending and renewing my soul/mind. I was told as a child when I asked about God, that "You'd better be afraid of Him if you know what's good for you!".....so I was even afraid to say His Name! He has been enabling me over a number of years to break the chains, by first of all, showing me that in Christ I am complete, beloved, approved of, forgiven and am His daughter forever. My "chains" were emotional from years of abuse, violent beatings, death threats, and neglect. (those wounds harbored sins of deep resentment, critical spirit, unforgiveness, etc) and hindered me from truly loving anyone since my parents were unable to bond with me or my 6 brothers. (Two of whom committed suicide) It has been a long journey with my loving Father/Savior/Spirit....demonstrating trustworthiness, faithfulness, reassurance, the perfect love which casts out fear, unconditional acceptance, and calling me into an honest, vulnerable, safe love relationship with Him. He has healed my heart, soul, mind and even ailments which began all those years ago, which doctors called chronic...therefore no cure. But as He has led me through emotional healing through 12 step Bible study, and other Bible studies, including these online.(Thank You, Pastor Wilson for years of wonderful Bible studies!) my body is healing! He is truly an AWESOME GOD and FATHER. He is faithful to work all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, that we may be conformed into the image of Christ. Rom. 8:28,29.

2a. I think it means, "I'll do what I want, when I want, and how or how often I want. b. I think it means to decide to desire to live a live pleasing to God, and to subjugate my will to His desires and purposes for my life, then to pursue Him in a love relationship...His for me, and me for Him above my selfish desires. (I was amazed to learn that He wants an intimate, honest, vulnerable relationship with me.) c. I think it means to wake up in the morning asking Him to order my thoughts and my steps, then to spend time with Him talking over the day and how He would like me to spend my time, then soaking in His Word for inspiration and guidance. When I do this and my mind wanders to places and spaces, I ask Him to help me focus on Him, and to look for the treasures He placed along my day before I awoke to remind me of His love and care. d. I gave up on will power years ago....it doesn't serve me (or HIM) well. As I've fallen in love with my Father, and have learned and experienced how much He loves me, I just ask for a "reboot to my thoughts" so that I'm aware of Him again, and go on through the day in freedom. e. Holy Spirit gets all the credit, since I've asked Him to control my thoughts and my actions, and submitted my plans and dreams to Him. It was a happy day when I moved beyond "I should" or "I need to" , to the delight of relaxing and knowing He's holding my hand as we move through the day together. He's my Shepherd rather than the harsh task master I first thought, as my parents were. Zeph 3:17 is true! He sings and dances over me/us! "The Lord your God is in the midst of you! A Mighty One, Who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy! He will rest in silent satisfaction and in His love He will be silent and make no mention of past sins or even recall them. He will exult over you with singing." f. I think it's a process as we learn to walk with Him and to bask in His love. Perhaps it begins as a habit. Spending time with Him when I wake up every morning and focusing on Him and His Word, started out as a habit for me...like an appointment I needed to keep....but has become my joy and my purpose for waking up in the morning......more like "going on a date with my beloved" and knowing He's waiting for me...loves to listen to me...makes time for me...approves of me...delights in me as loving Fathers do....I don't want to ever miss that time with Him.

1a. The sin nature or the flesh is who we are when we are born and who we are chained to until we are born again and our spirit is brought from death to life in Christ. What I believe Paul is referring to is the part of our mind which is in process of regeneration by His Spirit, and will be until we are with Him in Heaven. It's the "will" which has not yet yielded to or surrendered to Holy Spirit's control or influence. (the unrenewed mind). 1b. No, I don't believe the flesh will ever be totally eradicated until our flesh is replaced with new Heavenly bodies in eternity. My experience has been that it dies a slow death....kind of like when I was sent out to pull the dandelions out of the lawn. I never could quite get the entire root, and many just kept coming up again. There IS hope for us.....and in many cases I did get the entire root out, and those didn't come up again. As we surrender more and more to His control, and as we allow Him to uproot and heal the broken places in us that seek out sin in order to "sedate" the emotional pain we've endured, and as we "soak" in and meditate on His Word, gradually our minds are renewed and sin is less attractive or addictive or compulsive and we/He is more victorious. 1c. There can be victory if we truly repent and seek His help and deliverance. (Rather than "excusing" sin as "not that bad" or not like others do, or I'm a lot better than I used to be). But our enemy is wily, and like the Coyote with that name, is ALWAYS lurking and lying in wait to temp us, and to set us up to fail. This may sound weird, but in early days he could even make me feel guilty when I was tempted but didn't sin, until I realized Jesus was tempted to the Nth degree yet without sin and that is the victory! I'm glad Paul was honest and transparent, to let us know that sin will always be an enemy with which we must contend. After 75 years, I've learned when tempted, to yield to Holy Spirit's power rather than relying on my own will power to defeat temptation. He has given us His power and His Word to pull down strongholds and to take captive those thoughts and imaginations which enslave us, and which promote sin. Also, as I've aged, Holy Spirit has fine tuned what is sin....the big and obvious ones from youth are no longer an issue...but the niggly ones in the mind need looking after....self pity, letting anger fester to become resentment if ignored and not considering it sin, not preferring others over my own wants, judgmental thoughts, a critical spirit....the things no one sees but our loving Father Who is always seeking after righteousness and His reflection in us and in our thought life.

3 a. I believe He comes into us according to our ability to yield ourselves to Him or perhaps to the degree of hunger we have for Him. Some have had teaching about the Holy Spirit before they receive Jesus and some have not. Paul asked some believers in Corinth "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed on Jesus the Christ? And they said "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Act 19:2. I believe Paul is saying the Holy Spirit is in you....but have you been baptized into Him? b. Tongues and Speaking in various unknown tongues is listed as a gift. Acts 12) The same Holy Spirit fills each of us. The gifts are distributed to us as He chooses. It's unclear to me whether Acts 12:10 and 12:28 are speaking of tongues in general, or the ability to speak in various kinds of tongues. My prayer language changes from time to time and I don't know the significance of that. Some believers have one sentence they repeat over and over again. Whatever it means doesn't matter to me...I just know that once I read that tongues are for our "edification: improvement, instruction, enlightenment, spiritual uplifting", I desperately wanted that gift. I'm also grateful that when I don't know what to pray or how to pray, tongues take my prayer right into the Lord's ear, bypassing my understanding, perfected in His own language. Sometimes I weep and had no idea I was sad, and realize I'm praying for something close to His heart, but without a clue!. Paul said in Romans 8: Holy Spirit interprets our prayers and intercedes for us to the Father...so either tongues or in our own language He knows what we are trying to say and says it perfectly for us. Sadly, the evil one uses the subject of tongues to divide many in the Body of Christ and that should not be so. When I received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues I was told "Do not come to Bible Study and mention tongues in the group!" I could not imagine why but did ask and was told it can be divisive, in that some become dogmatic about the gift, and a few demean those who don't have the gift of tongues. How very sad is that!

1. Amplified: 4:8: "Then Peter, because he was controlled by the Holy Spirit, said to them".... I believe these verses tell us that they were Baptized in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but just as we can quench the Holy Spirit and grieve the Holy Spirit, we can also yield our wills over to His power and control ….I call it "the Unction to Function" as we give control to Him. b. Peter tells believers to" be filled with the Spirit". At Pentecost Holy Spirit filled "all of them to the brim".....now Peter is saying "Yield to Holy Spirit" and once again allow Him to have all of you or in other words, allow Him to control you. I don't think we could function continually at that level because we are flesh. We are exhorted to "walk in the spirit", which requires mindfulness and yielding in order to function as His blessed children in our ordinary day to day activities, and instant obedience to yield when He desires to empower us at special times. c. I think that is up for interpretation according to definitions. He never leaves us or forsakes us, so we don't need to be re-filled, from "scratch", if I can use that term. My experience has been that He indwelt me at Salvation, never to abandon me. However there was a time when I learned about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and spent time in prayer asking for this gift, because I wanted all of Him that was available to me and I received the gift of a prayer language I hadn't learned and other gifts of the Spirit I had not possessed (or at least had not functioned in them, such as Words of Knowledge, Prophecy and others). I have experienced what I would call "special anointing" at times when He has empowered me to say and do things out of the ordinary ("Unction to Function") as the situation necessitated. But however we look at this subject, it's clear to me that He is available in the same measure to each of His children, and will function at whatever level we will allow Him to function in and through us. At Salvation Holy Spirit comes INTO us. At Pentecost we are baptized INTO Him.

1. a: For the first time the Holy Spirit baptized those assembled and they spoke in languages unknown to them but which were understood by those from other nations who heard them. This was preceded by the sound of a violent tempest or wind which filled the whole house. The people had visible "tongues of fire" resting above their heads. They were all filled, diffused throughout their souls with the Holy Spirit. This sound was heard by the multitude , and they were beside themselves with amazement thinking the people were drunk, though it was only 9:00 in the morning. b. Baptized in the Holy Spirit. Pour out. Come upon them, Fill them. Receive. c. Yes, they are. d. They heard the Gospel in their own individual languages. They saw the tongues of fire resting on those baptized. They heard the sound like that of the rushing violent wind or tempest. They saw normally stoic well behaved men behaving as if they were overwhelmed, looking drunk at 9:00 a.m. (the usual prayer time in the temple) d. Peter explained that this was Joel 2:28-32 being fulfilled in their seeing and hearing....and preached the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus, alone. That no longer was it necessary to have a priest or intermediary in order to be in relationship with God because He would be living in them.

Q4 a: I think it is due to the constant barrage of enemy attacks which try to dissuade us into believing we have been overcome! That he is more powerful than the Holy Spirit who fills us. b. No, the same Holy Spirit who indwelt the Apostle Paul, lives in each of us. (Paul never doubted God's love and security even though he was constantly facing death, persecution, ship wrecks, scourging "40 stripes less one", left for dead after being stoned, public humiliation and questions about his validity as an Apostle, legal trials without support, going hungry, 3 days and nights adrift in the sea.....The same Holy Spirit Who sustained and empowered Paul will do so for us....no matter what! He is faithful and has no favorites! c. I think limiting factors might be unbelief, fear, apathy, the flesh (preferring to try to "do it on our own" , presuming one is truly born again. Also teaching that is in error...that "those gifts" were for then and are no longer needed today." Ignorance of scripture is another. In the Gospels some new believers were asked if they had been baptized in the Holy Spirit...and they answered, we didn't know there is a Holy Spirit." Also, "refusal to surrender" to the Lord.

Q3 a: I love this verse....I attended church for a short time which taught that we could lose our salvation....it troubled me as a new believer, until I discovered their teaching was in error! The "seal of ownership" teaches us that He claims each of us as His own child! Salvation is a gift received in faith, and cannot be "undone" or "taken back". The seal establishes us as united with all believers in joint fellowship. His seal makes us steadfast in this life and secure in His love and protection. b. and c. The "down payment" assures us that His promises are "Yes and Amen!" here on earth, and that we are securely His: "sealed" with His Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. A down payment is just the beginning of the "full purchase price or until "paid in full"....He Who has begun a good work in us will complete it at "that day"...or as Paul said " For me to live is Christ (His life in me) and to die is gain. (the gain of the glory of eternity. Phil.1:21) This is when we will see Him Face to face and we are "wearing" our new eternal bodies. We have an unbelievably wonderful future in Heaven with Him forever! d: The anointing tells us that we are consecrated to His purposes and are endued with His gifts for service. (The down payment tells us that like a "lay-a-way", what was purchased and paid in full, will be waiting for us when it's time to receive all that is awaiting us!)

Q2 a. This is an amazing Gift! My mind is limited to what I've been taught and what I've learned by experience....Totally deficient in terms of living a holy life. He has spelled out His Mind in His Word which we are able to access at any time we read the Bible. He is able to speak into our lives at any moment with direction, warning, guidance, His love, prophetic guidance and implication, whatever He wills and we need or He wishes us to enact or for which to pray. We are no longer limited by "school learning". Likewise, when we are being attacked by the enemy, and since the battlefield is in the mind, we can take captive those thoughts which attempt to undermine, corrupt, plant doubt, and lead us astray, limited by our mere human "weapons." "For the weapons of our warfare are not physical (Human wisdom) but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds (in our thoughts). We refute each proud and lofty thing which sets itself up against the true knowledge of God and we lead every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." I'm so very grateful for this verse! b. Each of those gifts are supernatural and require His mind...His wisdom and knowledge, in order to function. We can teach what we know but for even that limited knowledge to impact the hearer, it has to be imparted by His Spirit. We have access to His foreknowledge when He chooses to reveal that to us. (He spoke to me one day while in an isolated place in my car miles away from any homes or people in a wilderness area, praying and writing in my journal. Oblivious to my surroundings, I heard a warning voice in my spirit say "GO NOW". I put down my pen and journal, started the car and circled the parking area leading to the only way in or out...a narrow driveway. As I exited, I passed a car coming in, driven by a man. We were less than 2 feet apart and our eyes met. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I looked into the eyes of pure evil! With chills I said "Thank you Lord! I don't know what you just saved me from, but no one would have heard my cries for help! He could have blocked that narrow entrance with his car and I'd have been "toast". God's foreknowledge and warning to me was a miracle of His love!

Q 1a. Unbelievers are still "dead" in that their spirit has not been reborn or regenerated through saving faith in Jesus Christ. So "no" they do not have the Holy Spirit living within them. b. The Holy Spirit is the Person who comes to dwell in us after we have placed our trust in Jesus, God's Son. c. We welcome those we love with affection and love. We welcome Holy spirit in the same way and with honor, respect and gratitude. We listen to those we love, and is another way we welcome Holy Spirit....ears tuned to His voice for whatever He wants to say to us and to then obey or act upon His words. The way we choose to live is a welcoming to Him, in that we don't expose His "eyes" to unseemly movies, books, conversation, habits, addictions, conversation or behavior...those things which grieve Him. "We are to walk and conduct ourselves as Jesus walked and conducted Himself." I John 1:6. (impossible to do on our own....He is our conscience and helper) d. When the Israelites were living in the wilderness, our God came down and dwelt with them in a "mobile home" or tabernacle covered with animal skins to conceal the beauty and holiness within. (How like Him to long to be with us, and now to be at home in us!) The tabernacle was a picture or "type and shadow" of Jesus so that they would recognize Him when He came....clothed in human skin looking weak and fallible like everyone else, and which concealed His" God-ness" and Holy beauty within. Likewise the temple...finally in a permanent place built of stone and covered in gold to distinguish it from all other man made structures. To them it was God's "permanent" home among them and the place where they went to be taught and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. "God's Home" on earth, which they no longer had to carry on their shoulders. The Temple differed from a home in that they could not just walk in unannounced as one would with family or at any time they felt like "a visit". They had to be represented by the High Priest and could not come empty handed, but with an appropriate sacrifice of an animal without blemish, or a bird, or grain depending upon the need. They were not allowed into the Holy of Holies where the Ark resided, containing the elements which symbolized man's rebellion against God, (The tablet of the 10 Commandments (Law), a golden pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded), but covered with the mercy seat of gold on which sat the two cherubim, and upon which blood was sprinkled. (Sacrificial rituals had to be observed without exception.) It was a fearful place rather than a true home to them. It was a place of fire and blood being spilled. God's wrath was poured out upon Jesus for our sins, when Jesus' sinless blood was poured out for us, and He is no longer to be feared, but rather to be in Awe and amazed at His grace and mercy toward us. (I John 4:18) e.: Because Jesus is my Savior, Holy Spirit lives in me permanently until I'm called to my eternal and REAL HOME! His blood cleanses me daily from all sin and unrighteousness. His Word says: "As Jesus is in Heaven, so am I on earth" ( I John 4:17), seated with Him at the right hand of the Father, in a permanent place of His love, acceptance, and conferred Holiness. For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world" I John 5:4 "Anyone who confesses and "owns" that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides and makes His home in him and he abides, makes his home in God" I John 4:15. f: Holy Spirit leads me to those who don't yet know Him, inspires my words and empowers them to the hearer, pours His love through me so that the hearer desires to know and become one of God's sons or daughters. He is a gentleman and gives me wisdom in sharing without defensiveness if one disagrees. g.: He has given me gifts (as He does according to His will to each of His children) which He "operates" through me to impact the lives of others. I'm never alone or on my own...He is always "awake" and on "duty". He gives me the "Unction to function" I John 2:20

Q4. Those who have been born of the Spirit are no longer a 2 part being....at Salvation, the dead spirit has been reborn or regenerated and is now home to the Holy Spirit who is our constant companion, to guide, motivate, comfort, encourage, empower, correct, teach.....Invisible, but Who now produces visible change and activity in each believer's life.

Q3 a. and b. The Jews did ritual bathing, ritual foot washing, ritual hand washing (up to the elbows before eating a meal), and as in all cultures water is used for sustaining life. John the Baptist baptized fully immersing in water as a sign of repentance for past sins and was preparation for salvation which Jesus would bring with His cleansing blood for past, present and future sins and new birth into eternal life. John 19:34: When the soldier pierced Jesus side to prove that He was dead, both blood and water flowed from His side. (Apparently, the spear pierced His heart) c. To be born of water (representing the blood of Jesus) and the Holy Spirit Who was to come at Pentecost, invites one to repent and receive forgiveness and new life in Jesus where Holy Spirit then resides, and Who becomes a well spring of life to be poured out for others.

Q2. a and b. No, I don't. Jesus tells us we are not truly born again unless we are born of the Spirit. Nicodemus was a seeker...attracted to Jesus because of His powerful words and the miracles he witnessed. He was being "drawn" by the Father Who had chosen and called him before the foundation of the world was formed. (This is so wonderful and thrills me: He showed me how the Holy Trinity is involved in our salvation: The Father chose us and called us then gave us to Jesus as His love gift, before the foundation of the world was formed (Ephesians 1:4,5; John 17:24). In the fullness of time we were born (first birth) into the exact time and place of His choosing (Acts:17:26) Then Holy Spirit stirs our spirits and softens our hearts, (Acts 17:27) as He did with Nicodemus...He then introduces us to Jesus (John 3:16-18). When we choose Him and say "Yes" to His free gift of salvation, grace, and eternal life, Jesus redeems us with His precious shed blood (buys us back from Satan to whom we belonged since our birth into a sinful fallen world) Holy Spirit now indwells us, (We were the "walking dead"...until our dead spirit was reborn.) Next, Jesus gives us back to His (and our Father), as His love gift. (John 17:6) This tickles me: We have been re-gifted!...totally filled, surrounded, accepted and loved by our Holy, Mighty, Powerful and Tender Triune God....before we were even conceived in our mother's womb!

Q1a. Anyone who is thirsty (for HIM) may come. All who will come. (no exclusions as to gender, race or other differences) 1b. His promise to believers (those who believe in, trust in and rely on Him) is that out of our innermost being shall flow continuous springs and rivers of LIVING water. (Water that brings life to the dead, dry, discouraged or hopeless). 1c. I love that it's HIM Who flows out to others through me/ us....I don't have to sweat or work in my flesh....I just have to trust and open my mouth and His Spirit empowers the words which come out of my mouth...or smiles or hugs. There are times that the response is "you're so beautiful", which tells me they have seen Him in my countenance and the words He has empowered and directed to them personally in their need and they just don't know what else to say. When I encouraged a discouraged friend the other day, she said "You always say just the right words"....How wonderful that He can flow so effortlessly thorough us, one to another. It removes fear and timidity in sharing, knowing that our Lord is really at the helm in that deep place where He resides when we yield to Him. To Him be all the glory for any good thing, any "just right" words, any encouragement, any "yes" to His offer of salvation and for the great joy and privilege of being His clay vessel!

Q5a. When we first come into relationship with Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus, our minds are darkened with humanistic thinking, having belonged to "our father the devil", as Jesus Himself declared of unbelievers. We know no truth and do not understand truth when we hear it! Holy Spirit enters at salvation and our dead spirit is reborn and able to grasp truth as He teaches and trains us. First He reveals the truth that we are sinners, saved by Grace, are forgiven and that we are new creatures in Christ as well as having inherited eternal life and we are now joint heirs with Jesus. Further, He leads us to acquire and to read Scripture and to have fellowship and access to sound teaching and preaching. He disciples and pours life and light into every darkened corner of our minds, renewing and replacing our unregenerate thinking to "have the mind of Christ, and to hold His feelings, thoughts and purposes of His heart" (I Cor 2:16 b) Gradually as our minds are renewed, our actions begin to follow, and we desire to share our new life saving truth with others still in darkness. b. This promise began to be fulfilled with the very first believers and will continue until the last individual has said "Yes!" to Jesus' gift of salvation! Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He remains available to all who desire to know the truth and to be set free! (And is at work softening the hearts of those whom God has chosen and called before the foundation of the earth was formed....as He worked in my heart!) c. For all who are born again, He will continue to lead into all truth, until we depart this earth for our home in Heaven! We are to be ever learning and growing in knowledge of Him and in relationship with Him and to be equipped and willing to share His truth with those He brings into our lives.

Q4a: The handful of disciples had access to Jesus just about constantly, as they ate and drank and walked and worked with Him. During the time after He was crucified and before His Resurrection, they were suddenly alone, bereft, and terrified, already forgetting that He told them this was going to happen, and much more. Suddenly they were comforted and restored as first He appeared to them and then powerfully at Pentecost when Holy Spirit indwelt them.... now they had constant access and fellowship with Him as well as His power and was available to live within each new disciple. b. Jesus promises that anyone who steadfastly believes in Him will himself be empowered to do the things that He did, and even greater things....more far reaching. (Millions are now able to hear the Gospel preached through television, radio and other media, at one time! Jesus lived and traveled in a relatively small geographic area, as did the disciples, but now the entire world is being reached! (a new unknown tribe was just discovered several weeks ago in the Amazon Jungles as a drone circled and relayed pictures of this unknown people group! (Oct. 2018) How amazing and wonderful is that!

Q 3a. I believe He is a Person because the Bible declares this truth and because I have a personal relationship with Him (interactive). We can't have a relationship with a "force"...like the wind or a hurricane or gravity. Those affect us and we see or feel results, but with which we can have no relationship. 3b. A wonderful complete list is given in the notes, but some of the ones which are so personal and practical to me are: Holy Spirit changes and renews my mind, He loves me in fellowship/friendship with His special "hugs" when He makes His Presence known but always draws my attention to Jesus. He delivers and protects me, helps and assists me (He's shown me how to do things which I've never learned but need to be able to do or to know) He guides with "nudges" "set ups" "checks in my spirit", and teaches me giving me understanding of the Scriptures and hunger to read them. He trains me and convicts me of sin without shaming me, He gives me wisdom and understanding in my interaction with others. He has a sense of humor... I've heard Him chuckle! He has given me a special prayer language and ministry gifts for equipping in ministry. He draws my eyes to things which delight me, which I'd have missed otherwise. His still small voice, and His "emergency" voice which I've heard and obeyed, but which didn't frighten me and saved my life! He gives peace in the storms of life, and has the ability to make me feel special in that He's never too busy for me. He remembers and reminds me when I've forgotten something and cares about the silly things I care about...like leading me to a library book which I've never heard of but which is exactly what I've been wanting to read and puts something in my path I've prayed for then forgotten, and never expected to find....then suddenly it's free or on sale and one time was on the sidewalk! He initiates inner healing when I am ready to face the past, and comforts me as He walks me through the process. He makes life interesting....I'm never bored because He is so creative and intelligent yet never overwhelming with His power and might...He is always Gentle and a Gentleman. When I remember to ask Him to "order my steps" I'm amazed at what happens when I just thought I was running an errand and am given the privilege of sharing Christ with another customer or neighbor or who needs prayer during a phone call. (He once led me to not hang up on an obscene phone caller, then led me through a conversation with the young man, who was bored and Kicked out of school, and who accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior before we ended the conversation!) He reassures me when I'm frightened and reminds me that I'm not all alone with no resources and with no one to help me, as I was growing up and whispers: "I AM with you, I AM in you, I AM for you!" He is dedicated to setting me free from the fears which were shackles preventing me from enjoying life! He has been described as a Fatherly Nursemaid to the Hebrews in the wilderness....and since I've been in the wilderness waiting for promises yet to be fulfilled for just about as long as they wandered, that's Who He is to this broken, often lost, needy "patient", His child. 3c. I thought before I met Him that He was an "It" because He was described as "the" like an object and because of ignorance that we are meant to have a personal relationship with Him just as we do with our Father and our Jesus. Oh How I love Him back for His constant Presence with and in me and for being my every minute, on call, every day Helper to live this difficult and often painful and lonely life.