1. Systematic Theology II The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit and Christ
and
The Holy Spirit and the World

2. The Holy Spirit and the Birth of Christ
Jesus Christ was conceived in Mary by the work of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35; Matt 1:18).
This maintained the sinlessness of Christ as He became a human being.

3. The Holy Spirit and the Life and Ministry of Christ
The Self-Emptying or Kenosis of Christ: Philippians 2:7
This involved Christ giving up the independent use of His divine attributes, as well as His complete submission to the will of the Father and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.
Christ Was Filled with the Holy Spirit
John 3:34 “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”
Christ Was Led by the Holy Spirit
“This is closely related to the previous point. To be led by the Spirit is to manifest the control or filling of the Spirit” (McCune, p. 293). See Luke 4:1-2a.

4. The Holy Spirit and the Life and Ministry of Christ
Christ Was Anointed by the Holy Spirit
This came at His baptism. McCune argues that this was the same anointing for mediatorial service experienced by OT kings, citing Isaiah 11:2 in support.
Christ Preached by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Christ was the prophet par excellence and spoke all He spoke by the Spirit of God.
Christ Performed Miracles by the Holy Spirit
“Miracles were His credentials as the messianic king and were also a sample of what kingdom life would be like” (McCune, p. 294).

5. The Holy Spirit and the World
World here is in the sense of humanity and not so much the physical universe.

6. Definition of Common Grace
“Common grace is an operation of the Holy Spirit, based on the atonement of Christ and God’s merciful and benevolent attitude toward all, by which He immediately or through secondary causation restrains the effects of sin and enables the positive accomplishment and performance of civic righteousness and good among people” (McCune, p. 297).

7. Common Grace The Delineation of Common Grace The Atonement of Christ
While it is difficult to find a particular verse that speaks explicitly to this issue, any mitigation of sin’s effects is ultimately due to the cross work of Christ.
God’s Mercy and Benevolence toward all Mankind
Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.
Ezek 33:11 “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.”
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Acts 14:17 “and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
Ask: can you think of some places in Scripture where this is illustrated?

8. Common Grace The Delineation of Common Grace
The Restraint of the Effects of Sin
This is an ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
The Enablement of Civic or Cultural Good
Contrary to the teaching of Arminianism, common grace does not enter into the process of salvation. It is not an enablement to do spiritual good.
However, such things as advances in science, medicine, and technology, benevolence toward those in need, and meaningful art – even through unredeemed men – are all products of common grace.
Luke 6:33 “And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.”
Identify those who stand behind the pronouns in 2 Thess 2. When will He be taken out of the way?

9. Common Grace The Explanation of Common Grace
Total Depravity is not static; sinful humanity grows worse through time. Common grace serves as a restraining influence on evil.
The Nature of Grace – Common grace is God’s unmerited favor towards all men.
God was under no obligation to exercise such grace and would have been perfectly just in leaving men to the full effects of their sin.
The Means of Common Grace Include:
Human conscience and the image of God in man
Influence of the Gospel through the Church
Government

10. Common Grace The Purposes of Common Grace To Direct People to the Lord
Acts 14:17 “and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
Acts 17:26-27 and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Again, however, common grace is not the same as saving grace. What men ought to do and what they actually do are two different things.
To Effect a Decent and Orderly Society
“Common grace restrains the inherent anarchy, rebellion, disorder, chaos and uncleanness of unregenerate hearts. If the depravity of men were [sic] left to run rampant and unchecked, the earth would not be a fit place to live” (McCune, p. 301).
Both the sermons in Acts are to pagan audiences. The time of the Flood and the rapture imply the withdrawing of God’s common grace and giving men over to their sin.

11. Common Grace The Purposes of Common Grace
To Promote a General Fear of God
“Where the common grace of God is more deeply felt, there is at least an externally religious effect. This may be no more than a reformation of outward conduct, but even that is worthwhile and infinitely to be preferred above anarchy and widespread depravity” (McCune, p. 302).
Many Natural Blessings
Genesis 30:27 But Laban said to him, "If now it pleases you, stay with me; I have divined that the LORD has blessed me on your account."
Genesis 39:5 And it came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD's blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.
Both the sermons in Acts are to pagan audiences.

12. Conviction of Sin The Definition of Conviction of Sin
“Conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit, using the Word of God as the means, which convinces the sinner and proves to him the truth of his sin, Christ’s righteousness and God’s judgement” (McCune, p. 303).
Biblical Terms for Conviction
Old Testament
The main OT word for conviction is yacach, meaning to repove, convince, convict, prove. The Holy Spirit’s convicting work is not seen as clearly in the OT.
New Testament
Elencho
John 16:8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment”
Diakatalenchomai
Acts 18:28 [only NT occurrence] for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Exelencho
Jude 1:15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way,
The latter two are intensified forms of the former.

13. Conviction of Sin The Extent of Conviction: John 16:8-11
This is speaking of sin as a principle, not just individual acts of sin. The rejection of Christ is the capital sin.
Conviction of Righteousness
This is the only righteousness which is acceptable to God. Christ’s resurrection and return to the Father demonstrated that He accepted Christ’s sacrifice…the only one He will accept for guilty sinners.
Conviction of Judgment
God’s judgment on sin is demonstrated at the cross, where Satan was defeated. Anyone who follows Satan will be judged accordingly.

14. Conviction of Sin The Means of Conviction
The Word of God. Only in Scripture are sin and righteousness properly defined.
The Relation of Conviction to the Emotions
Emotion may follow from conviction or result from conviction, but it is not itself technically an aspect of conviction.

15. Conviction of Sin The Relation of Conviction to General Revelation
“Conviction of sin is not based on general revelation and is not an aspect of general revelation. Conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit that articulates with the human conscience using the Word of God as the means (special revelation)” (McCune, p. 308). It includes the negative aspect of being a sinner, as well as the positive aspect of what it takes to be saved.
The Relation of Conviction to Common Grace
Salvific conviction is not an aspect of common grace, since it is not common to all.
There is no gospel in the stars, in nature, or in conscience.

16. Next Time: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit and the Church – Spirit Baptism