Tuesday, August 26, 2014

We Confess that Jesus Christ Came in the Flesh and is of God

'The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance— Joh_14:26'

 'As we continue our study of the revelation of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, we turn first to the prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.

The primary references are found in the letter to the church at Ephesus. There Paul sets forth the Holy Spirit as the builder of the Church. (Eph. 2:22)

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Then he specifically warned the church - "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (4:30)

In Hebrews, the Holy Spirit is portrayed as One who speaks. "The Holy Spirit saith" (3:7); and "The Holy Spirit . . . had said before" (10:15).

Heb 3:7  Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice

Heb 10:15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before
Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them

The first quote is from the 95th Psalm, while the second is taken from Jeremiah. (31:33)

The early church recognized that the Holy Spirit spake "by the mouth of David." (Acts 1:16)

Act 1:16  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Psa 41:9  Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

However, Jeremiah clearly says that what he wrote was a "Thus saith the Lord." (31:31)

Jer 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

There is a relationship between the "Lord" of the Old Testament, and the Holy Spirit of the New.

As noted in Part I, Paul declared - "Now the Lord is that Spirit." (II Cor. 3:17)

We also noted the same picture in the epistles of Peter. Peter wrote that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:21)

Yet these men - prophets - searched "what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify." (I Peter 1:10-11)

Peter also adds that this "Spirit" was "sent down from heaven" as a co-laborer with the Apostles as they preached the gospel. (I Peter 1:12)

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

The final writings of the New Testament - those of the beloved John - give a full revelation of the Holy Spirit which completes the picture and solves for us the problems intimated in the rest of the New Testament, occasioned by the Incarnation.

In fact, the test by which we can know we are confronted by the true Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit is indeed guiding a professed messenger of the gospel involves the doctrine of the Incarnation. John wrote - "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God." And how do we know? "Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." (I John 4:2)

('Another Comforter -- A study on the Holy Spirit' -- by W. H. Grotheer)

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The Holy Spirit.

We know the Spirit of God because we CONFESS that Jesus Christ came in the flesh  and is OF God. God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, God the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a reality. 

The Holy Spirit can be grieved. 
The Holy Spirit can teach.
The Holy Spirit will put God's law into our hearts.

The Holy Spirit- a REALITY.

More tomorrow by God's mercy and GRACE,  in HIS LOVE!

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Please LORD Jesus, come soon, please.


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