'Another Comforter -- A study on the Holy Spirit -- by W. H.
Grotheer
The designation of the Spirit of truth as "Another
Comforter" reveals as no other name could, His relationship with Deity,
and His work and ministry in the Plan of Redemption. But much study must
precede the significance of this name since this designation was not given the
Holy Spirit till one of the last books of the New Testament was written.
After having read every text in the New Testament where the word,
"spirit" or "Holy Spirit" is found, we determined that
"spirit" is applied to different beings and forces at work in the
world, and within man. Angels are designated as "ministering
spirits." (Heb. 1:14) Demons are noted as "unclean spirits."
(Rev. 16:13-14) A deep human emotion is based in what is termed,
"spirit." (Mark 8:12)
The perception of one's presence, though the person is not
present, is noted as being present in "spirit." (I Cor. 5:4)
This study was approached with one vital
presupposition: The "form of God" in which
Jesus existed PRIOR to Bethlehem was SPIRIT for God is Spirit. (John 4:24)
*******
Let's think about that for a moment. The study we are
reading has ONE VITAL PRESUPPOSITION - So let's be clear about this
presupposition. They state- the "FORM OF GOD" in which Jesus
EXISTED…. PRIOR…. To Bethlehem, prior to when He took on flesh, the flesh of a
baby. The form he existed in before he took on that flesh was the form of
SPIRIT. He wasn't flesh in heaven, he wasn't human in heaven. We picture flesh
because we are flesh and only flesh. We imagine what we call 'ghosts' as beings
that are minus their flesh. Humans minus their flesh and bones, a floating
misty thing able to disappear and reappear at will. The truth is, throughout
the Bible we read about Angels who help mankind, or perform acts for God, we
read about many things that make it a reality that a spirit can be invisible
and it can also appear as a solid form. We know spirits can enter a man's body,
spirits can enter an animal's body (remember the donkey that spoke?) We know a
lot about spirit beings and we know that this is TRUTH-
Joh 4:24 God a Spirit: and they that worship him must
worship in spirit and in truth.
God a spirit.
Jesus was with God, God with God in the beginning. And Jesus
wasn't in human form when He was with God in the beginning. Do we believe
this truth? Do we believe this one vital presupposition that the form of God in
which Jesus existed prior to Bethlehem was SPIRIT?
We do believe it if we believe truth. He could not have been
anything but spirit, not before Bethlehem. Spirit able to do all that
spirits can do. After Bethlehem He was forever and ever no longer JUST spirit.
Let's continue with this study tomorrow, by the grace of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
In HIS LOVE.
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