pilgrim people

The reading this month is chapter six of J.I. Packer's Knowing God, which is titled, "He Shall Testify."

Read chapter six of J.I. Packer’s Knowing God. Answer the following questions to the best of your ability. (Don’t worry, if you do not want to speak up in the meeting you don’t have to!)

1. Packer says, “It is often assumed that the doctrine of the Trinity, just because it is mysterious, is a piece of theological lumber that we can get on very happily without.” Why do you suppose that is the case? Is the doctrine of the Trinity something inapplicable to and impractical for our lives?

2. What do the following Old Testament passages reveal about the work of the Holy Spirit?

1. Genesis 1.2-3; Psalm 33.6
2. Isaiah 61.1
3. Ezekiel 36.25-28

3. What do the following New Testament passages reveal about the work of the Spirit?

1. John 3.5-8
2. John 14.16-18, 26
3. John 15.26
4. John 16.5-15
5. Acts 1.16; 8.29; 10.19; 13.2
6. Romans 8.15-17, 26, 27
7. Ephesians 1.13-14
8. Galatians 5.16-18, 22, 23
9. 2 Peter 1.20-21 (cf. 2 Tim 3.16)

4. Packer says, “Without the Holy Spirit there would be no gospel and no New Testament.” Is this true? Why or why not?

5. Packer says, “Without the Holy Spirit there would be no faith and no new birth – in short, no Christians.” Is this true? Why or why not?

6. According to Packer, how can we honor the Holy Spirit in our 1) faith, 2) life, and 3) witness?