Reviewing the study on the Holy Spirit - Another Comforter.
(WWN) A Biblical Scholar's Work (Not mine)
ANOTHER COMFORTER
(Part One)
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.
In reviewing the Seminar studies presented on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit at the Adventist Laymen's Annual Fellowship, the reader needs to clearly understand the preparation behind the presentation. We adopted the approach of William Miller as he began his study of the Bible. Sylvester Bliss in his Memoirs of William Miller quotes Miller's own explanation of how he began his investigation of the Scriptures. Miller stated:
'I determined to LAY ASIDE ALL MY PRESUPPOSITIONS, to thoroughly compare Scripture with Scripture, and to pursue its study in a regular and methodical manner. I commenced with Genesis, and read verse by verse, proceeding no faster than the meaning of the several passages should be so unfolded as to leave me free from embarrassment respecting any mysticisms or contradictions. Whenever I found anything obscure, my practice was to compare it with all collateral passages; and, by the help of Cruden, I examined all the texts of Scripture in which were found any of the prominent words contained in any obscure portion. Then, by letting every word have its proper bearing on the subject of the text, if my view of it harmonized with every collateral passage in the Bible, it ceased to be a difficulty. In this way I pursued the study of the Bible, in my first perusal of it, for about two years, and was fully satisfied that it is its own interpreter. (p. 69)'
((This is truly how we need to study God's word, with such amazing sincerity and a desire to know truth.))
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) This SPIRIT exceeds that of angels for they are only "ministering spirits." (Heb. 1:14) This SPIRIT is immortal, eternal, and indestructible.
((I want to interject (obviously)- Jesus EXISTED not as flesh and blood prior to Bethlehem, but in Spirit form. Do you think everyone comprehends this truth? Let's do a tiny study on it right now-
Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. ((Jesus in spirit form was with God before the world existed))
Col 1:12 -17 'Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear SON: In whom we have redemption through HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
WHO is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of every creature:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:
all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist'
Yes, we CAN presuppose that Jesus existed in SPIRIT form before He took on flesh and dwelt among us down here on earth. The Spirit that was, is and always will be is IMMORTAL, ETERNAL and INDESTRUCTIBLE. It's an indisputable fact. If this is a new concept to you then you may need to stop here and do some more study, or continue on and go back later to study and clarify it in your heart with the Holy Spirit's guidance.))
In noting each reference in the New Testament which referred to the Holy Spirit, we arranged the books of the New Testament in the chronological order in which they were written. [This review will not necessarily follow that format] This was done for two reasons: 1) The revelation which God gives is progressive; and 2) God in giving revelation limits Himself and the fullness of that revelation to the perceptive capacity of the human instrument who is willing to be the medium of revelation.
We asked ourselves why so little is known of the "nature" of the Holy Spirit?
Then we asked ourselves why so little was perceived as to whom Jesus was until after the coming of the Holy Spirit?
The answer to the second question helped us to perceive the answer to the first. Jesus came not to do His own will, but the will of God. (John 6:38) He came to glorify the Father. (John 17:4) He did not even come in His own name. (John 5:43) His was a life of selfless projection of the Father's glory - grace and truth. (John 1:14) Likewise the ministry of the Holy Spirit - He would not speak of Himself. He would glorify Jesus and the work which Jesus accomplished. (John 16:13-14)
((Jesus came to glorify the Father- the Holy Spirit came to glorify Jesus- please open your Bible and read the above passages.))
For one to better understand the problem faced in the study of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, one needs to realize the two extreme views held within the Adventist community. ((Yes, this is an Adventist perspective and if you are at odds with Adventist Beliefs and such, you don't have to go further, though I'd like it if you did.))
The mainline Adventist follows and usually without question - the Trinitarian Statement of Beliefs voted at Dallas, Texas, in 1980. It reads - "There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons." (Church Manual p. 32, 1981 edition) The first part of this statement is a direct quote from the Constitution of the World Council of Churches and reflects Papal doctrine.
The other position is the confused Gotha Statement which is the basis of the Reformed Movements which formed in Europe following World War I. This statement reads:
'We believe that the Holy Spirit is the representative of Christ upon the earth. (John 14:16) Without Him it is impossible to comprehend and live according to the will of God. Also, it is impossible to rightly interpret the divine Word without the aid of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:11). He is a power from the Father and the Son, and is active also through human beings (2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:11). (Principles of Faith, p. 3, Emphasis supplied)'
The very first New Testament reference written in regard to the Holy Spirit clearly declares the Holy Spirit as distinct from a "power," per se. It reads:
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit. (I Thess. 1:5)
This same distinction is also seen in I Cor. 2:4.
[We shall use the word "Spirit" in place of "Ghost" in all quotes from the Bible.]
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power
(( SPIRIT and POWER -- two distinct things, two separate things))
Many references in the New Testament which mention the Holy Spirit speak of His work in making effective for the believer the salvation provided alone in Jesus Christ. Examples of this can be found in II Thess. 2:13; I Cor. 6:11 and Titus 3:5.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost
Further the Holy Spirit is set forth as a Teacher who searches the deep things of God. (I Cor. 2:10, 13)
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual
He bestows "gifts" as "He wills." (I Cor. 12:4, 11)
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
He is 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.
He speaks. (I Tim. 4:1)
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils
He can be grieved. (Eph. 4:30)
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
He can be insulted. (Heb. 10:29)
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
He can be lied to. (Acts 5:3)
Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
All of these statements in regard to the Holy Spirit indicate not a power, nor a mere influence, but rather a Person.
The fourth book written of the New Testament canon (Chronologically) closes with a three-fold benediction - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." (II Cor. 13:14) Language cannot be clearer that the Holy Spirit is as much a Person as are either God or the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet in this same letter, Paul emphatically declares - "The Lord is that Spirit." (II Cor. 3:17)
((GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS,
LOVE OF GOD,
COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- 3 SEPARATE GODS))
In this third chapter, Paul is contrasting the ministration of the letter under Moses, and the ministration of the Spirit under Christ. While declaring that the Lord is that Spirit, Paul differentiates between Lords in verse 18. Note it carefully using the margin which gives the literal Greek rendering.
It thus reads-
'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord [Jesus] , are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Lord the Spirit. (3:18)
The close identification between "the Lord Jesus Christ" and "the Lord the Spirit" is seen elsewhere in the New Testament. Paul declares that Isaac was born "after the Spirit." (Gal. 4:29)
Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Yet in noting the Old Testament account, the "Lord" who appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre said - "I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son." (Gen. 18:10) It was repeated a second time by the same "Lord." (18:14)
In Hebrews, it reads - "The Holy Spirit saith" (3:7) - "the Holy Spirit...said before." ((Heb 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:)) (10:15) ((Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, ))- yet both quotes are from the Old Testament.
Gabriel told Daniel that the only One who held with him in "the scripture of truth" was "Michael your prince." (10:21) ((Go here if you'd like an in-depth study on Michael being another name of Christ… https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/85/t/who-is-michael-the-archangel-))
This is further illuminated in the Epistles of Peter. There we are told that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:21)
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
But in his first letter, Peter indicates that these holy men - prophets - "searched diligently...what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify." (I Peter 1:10-11)
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
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.
Thus the New Testament closely identifies the Holy Spirit - the Lord the Spirit - with Michael the "Lord" of the Old Testament.
Dan_10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Dan_10:21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
Dan_12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Jud_1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Rev_12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels
To be continued….
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