Experiencing the Holy Spirit's Assurance of Sonship
Summary
In our exploration of Romans 8:16, we delve into the profound assurance that the Holy Spirit provides to believers, affirming that we are indeed the children of God. This assurance is not merely a repetition of the Spirit's ordinary work in conviction or sanctification but is a unique and special testimony that stands above all other forms of assurance. It is a direct, personal confirmation from the Holy Spirit, often experienced through the Word or preaching, but sometimes independently, as a direct communication to the soul.
We examined the timing of this testimony, challenging the notion that it occurs automatically at regeneration. The New Testament provides numerous examples, such as the apostles at Pentecost and the believers in Samaria, where the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred after initial belief. This suggests that the sealing of the Spirit is a distinct experience that may follow conversion, sometimes immediately, but often after a period of spiritual growth and maturity.
The historical accounts of Christian figures like John Wesley, George Whitefield, and D.L. Moody further illustrate that this experience of the Spirit's testimony can occur well after one's initial conversion. These testimonies align with the scriptural evidence, emphasizing that while belief and regeneration are foundational, the Spirit's witness is an additional, confirmatory experience.
This understanding challenges us to seek a deeper relationship with God, beyond the initial assurance of salvation. It invites us to be open to the Spirit's work in our lives, to seek His presence earnestly, and to be receptive to the profound assurance that He alone can provide.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Holy Spirit's testimony that we are God's children is the highest form of assurance, distinct from the Spirit's ordinary work in our lives. This assurance is a direct, personal confirmation from the Holy Spirit, often experienced through the Word or preaching, but sometimes independently. [02:50]
2. The timing of the Spirit's testimony is not fixed at regeneration. Scriptural examples show that the baptism of the Holy Spirit can occur after initial belief, suggesting that the sealing of the Spirit is a distinct experience that may follow conversion. [13:55]
3. Historical accounts of Christian figures like John Wesley and D.L. Moody illustrate that the Spirit's testimony can occur well after one's initial conversion, aligning with scriptural evidence. This emphasizes that while belief and regeneration are foundational, the Spirit's witness is an additional, confirmatory experience. [35:49]
4. The Spirit's testimony invites us to seek a deeper relationship with God, beyond the initial assurance of salvation. It challenges us to be open to the Spirit's work in our lives, to seek His presence earnestly, and to be receptive to the profound assurance that He alone can provide. [36:17]
5. The Spirit's witness is confirmatory, testifying with our spirit that we are God's children. This implies that there must be an initial testimony in our spirit for the Holy Spirit to confirm, highlighting the necessity of belief preceding the Spirit's testimony. [37:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 8:16
- [01:06] - The Spirit's Witness with Our Spirit
- [02:00] - The Highest Form of Assurance
- [03:07] - Experiencing the Spirit's Testimony
- [04:43] - Timing of the Spirit's Testimony
- [06:32] - The Cry of Abba Father
- [08:10] - Misconceptions About the Spirit's Witness
- [09:48] - Scriptural Evidence of the Spirit's Baptism
- [13:55] - Historical Accounts of the Spirit's Witness
- [19:59] - The Role of Belief and Regeneration
- [28:48] - The Spirit's Witness in Church History
- [36:17] - Seeking a Deeper Relationship with God
- [37:55] - The Confirmatory Nature of the Spirit's Witness
- [58:26] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:16 - "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."
2. Acts 2:4 - "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
3. Ephesians 1:13 - "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:16, what role does the Holy Spirit play in affirming our identity as children of God? How is this different from the Spirit's ordinary work? [02:50]
2. In the sermon, what examples from the New Testament are given to illustrate that the baptism of the Holy Spirit can occur after initial belief? [13:55]
3. How do historical accounts of figures like John Wesley and D.L. Moody support the idea that the Spirit's testimony can occur well after one's initial conversion? [35:49]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between belief, regeneration, and the Spirit's witness? [37:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon challenge the notion that the Holy Spirit's testimony occurs automatically at regeneration? What implications does this have for our understanding of spiritual growth? [06:32]
2. The sermon mentions that the Spirit's testimony is a unique and special assurance. How might this understanding affect a believer's relationship with God? [02:00]
3. In what ways do the historical accounts of Christian figures illustrate the timing and nature of the Spirit's testimony? How do these accounts align with the scriptural evidence presented in the sermon? [36:17]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the necessity of belief preceding the Spirit's testimony? How does this shape our understanding of the Spirit's confirmatory role? [37:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced a distinct moment of the Holy Spirit's testimony in your life? If so, how did it impact your faith? If not, how might you seek this deeper assurance? [36:17]
2. The sermon encourages believers to seek a deeper relationship with God. What practical steps can you take this week to be more open to the Spirit's work in your life? [36:17]
3. Consider the historical examples of John Wesley and D.L. Moody. How can their experiences inspire you to remain patient and expectant for the Spirit's testimony in your own life? [35:49]
4. How can you cultivate an environment in your daily life that is conducive to experiencing the Holy Spirit's unique assurance? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt? [02:50]
5. The sermon suggests that the Spirit's witness is confirmatory, testifying with our spirit that we are God's children. How can you nurture the initial testimony in your spirit to be more receptive to the Holy Spirit's confirmation? [37:55]
6. In what ways can you encourage others in your community to seek and recognize the Holy Spirit's testimony in their lives? How can you support them in this journey? [36:17]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How might the understanding of the Spirit's unique testimony help you navigate similar experiences in the future? [02:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Spirit's Assurance as God's Children
The Holy Spirit provides believers with the highest form of assurance, affirming that they are indeed the children of God. This assurance is distinct from the Spirit's ordinary work in conviction or sanctification. It is a direct, personal confirmation from the Holy Spirit, often experienced through the Word or preaching, but sometimes independently, as a direct communication to the soul. This profound assurance stands above all other forms of assurance, offering believers a unique and special testimony of their identity in Christ. [02:50]
Romans 8:15-16 (ESV): "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit's assurance in your life? How can you be more open to receiving this direct confirmation from the Spirit today?
Day 2: The Timing of the Spirit's Testimony
The timing of the Holy Spirit's testimony is not fixed at regeneration. Scriptural examples show that the baptism of the Holy Spirit can occur after initial belief, suggesting that the sealing of the Spirit is a distinct experience that may follow conversion. This understanding challenges the notion that the Spirit's testimony occurs automatically at regeneration. Instead, it may happen immediately or after a period of spiritual growth and maturity, as seen in the New Testament accounts of the apostles at Pentecost and the believers in Samaria. [13:55]
Acts 8:14-17 (ESV): "Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. Have there been moments when you felt a distinct experience of the Holy Spirit after your initial belief? How can you remain open to further experiences of the Spirit's work in your life?
Day 3: Historical Testimonies of the Spirit's Witness
Historical accounts of Christian figures like John Wesley and D.L. Moody illustrate that the Spirit's testimony can occur well after one's initial conversion, aligning with scriptural evidence. These testimonies emphasize that while belief and regeneration are foundational, the Spirit's witness is an additional, confirmatory experience. This understanding invites believers to seek a deeper relationship with God, beyond the initial assurance of salvation, and to be open to the Spirit's work in their lives. [35:49]
Acts 19:1-6 (ESV): "And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' And they said, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said, 'Into what then were you baptized?' They said, 'Into John's baptism.' And Paul said, 'John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.' On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying."
Reflection: Consider the testimonies of historical Christian figures. How do their experiences of the Spirit's witness inspire you to seek a deeper relationship with God? What steps can you take to be more receptive to the Spirit's work in your life?
Day 4: Seeking a Deeper Relationship with God
The Spirit's testimony invites believers to seek a deeper relationship with God, beyond the initial assurance of salvation. It challenges them to be open to the Spirit's work in their lives, to seek His presence earnestly, and to be receptive to the profound assurance that He alone can provide. This understanding encourages believers to move beyond complacency and to actively pursue a more intimate connection with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and affirm their identity as His children. [36:17]
Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to seek a deeper relationship with God? How can you create space in your life to be more open to the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance?
Day 5: The Confirmatory Nature of the Spirit's Witness
The Spirit's witness is confirmatory, testifying with our spirit that we are God's children. This implies that there must be an initial testimony in our spirit for the Holy Spirit to confirm, highlighting the necessity of belief preceding the Spirit's testimony. This understanding emphasizes the importance of a foundational belief in Christ, upon which the Holy Spirit builds and confirms our identity as children of God. It encourages believers to nurture their faith and remain open to the Spirit's ongoing work in their lives. [37:55]
1 John 3:24 (ESV): "Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us."
Reflection: Reflect on your foundational belief in Christ. How does the Holy Spirit confirm your identity as a child of God? In what ways can you nurture your faith to remain open to the Spirit's ongoing work in your life?
Quotes
The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. We are still looking at this great and glorious statement than which in many ways there is nothing higher, more glorious, and more wonderful in the whole of the scriptures. [00:00:22]
The Holy Spirit himself is telling us that we are the children of God. Now it isn’t his ordinary work, you see. This is a peculiar and special thing in which he gives us this certain specific knowledge with this absolute certainty that we are the children of God. [00:02:54]
This witness is most frequently given through the word. You’re reading the word of God. You may be reading a passage you’ve read a thousand times, but on this occasion, suddenly it comes out as it were to meet you. It’s illuminated. It speaks to you with a strange exceptional authority. [00:03:00]
The Apostle is reminding these Romans of this fact that they can have this absolute certainty that they are the children of God over and above the testimony of their own Spirits. Now, in dealing with that, you remember we saw that to be able to say rarely from the depth of your being, Abba Father, is an astounding thing. [00:06:36]
You can be a Christian without ever knowing this Spirit bearing witness with your spirit. You can be a Christian without ever knowing the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father. If you can’t, I ask again, how many Christians do you think there are in the Christian church, leave alone anywhere else? [00:08:21]
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not something that inevitably and always happens when a man believes or at the moment of his regeneration. There is sometimes quite a great gap. Now, I could keep you not only the rest of our time but many hours in reading you extracts to prove this particular point. [00:29:22]
The Spirit’s testimony invites us to seek a deeper relationship with God, beyond the initial assurance of salvation. It challenges us to be open to the Spirit’s work in our lives, to seek His presence earnestly, and to be receptive to the profound assurance that He alone can provide. [00:36:17]
The principle is then that the two things are always separable, and surely the moment you come to think of it, this is quite inevitable. For if the spirit confirms our own spirit, well then, there must have been something that has happened in our spirit first for the Holy Spirit to confirm. [00:37:10]
The spirit does is to testify with our spirit. If there was no testimony in our spirit, the spirit couldn’t confirm it. So it follows of necessity from every standpoint, from the words and plain teaching of scripture, from the testimonies of men, and from an obvious deduction from the very nature of what is happening. [00:37:55]
The blessings which we receive through Christ are innumerable. Many are mentioned in the preceding part of the chapter. One of the last and greatest blessings which we receive in this life is the sealing of the spirit. This was vouched safe to many of the Saints at Ephesus. [00:49:00]
The experience of individuals may vary with respect to it, but there shall always be some in the church who possess and enjoy it. Nor are persons usually sealed at their first believing in Christ. This higher state of sanctification and assurance is reserved for those who, after having believed, have maintained a close walk with God. [00:50:30]
The Lord sends the spirit into his heart, and that spirit gives witness to him. When he hath put to his seal that God is true, then the Lord puts to his seal and assures him that he hath received him to mercy. Could anything be plainer than that? [00:40:45]
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