Three Agree As One

'There is in the first Epistle of John an interpolation which John did not write, but which those who hold to papal trinitarianism grasp as evidence of the Trinity. In I John 5:7-8, the words beginning with "in heaven" in verse 7, and ending with "in earth" in verse 8 appear in NO GREEK MANUSCRIPT the New Testament prior to the 11th Century. These words were first found in a Latin treatise of the 4th Century, and inserted into the Sacred Scriptures during the noonday of the Papacy.

The verses should read:       "For there are three that bare record, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."'

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Why is this important? Because it is TRUTH.

Let's look at how it was changed-

1Jn 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

1Jn 5:8  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

The 11th century the 1000's, a thousand years after Christ came to earth and brought His TRUTH.  A thousand years after the words were spoken they were twisted. When we can find truth we are accountable to that truth.

Three that bare record.

The Spirit.

The Water.

The Blood.

These three AGREE in one.

Why would more be added? Why would they say these three are one when it is never said?

Is there a difference in believing there are three that are one and three that agree as one?

Three are one- leave you to believe that somehow the three are not separate. People claim monotheism- believing in one God, and they do this because they refuse to believe there are truly THREE GODS. Three separate GODS. These THREE SEPARATE GODS  AGREE AS ONE.  This is Tritheism, and so many have convinced the masses that this is wrong, but it's TRUTH!

We are talking of the HOLY SPIRIT as being one of three GODS. This is TRUTH. The Holy Spirit is REAL, the Holy Spirit is a GOD. The Holy Spirit is not a lesser deity, He is not lower on the totem pole, He is not an underling, a lower God. The Holy Spirit is EQUAL with God.

Let's continue on with the study-

'The book of Revelation while using symbolic language adds much to our understanding of the Holy Spirit.

When the door was opened in heaven, and John was asked to enter, he saw a throne on which sat the Eternal One - He "which is, and which was, and which is to come."

Before the throne were seven lamps of fire which are stated to be "the seven Spirits of God." (4:5)

Then John beheld "a Lamb as it had been slain" with seven horns and seven eyes.

These horns and eyes are declared to be the same "seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." (5:6)

With the fulness of omnipotence, and the completeness of omnipresence, the Holy Spirit is sent forth into "all the earth."

But the symbolism indicates that when the "Lamb" as the sacrifice appeared, the Spirit of God was so closely identified with the "Lamb" so as to be even as the horns and eyes are to an animal.

(((Imagine it… The horns and the eyes of an animal.  You take away the horns, you take away the eyes and the animal still lives, yet without the horns and the eyes a special part of the animal is missing.  Just like the analogy of a body making up the church, not all being the hands, not all being the feet, but all parts are necessary for a full-ness, a closeness.))))

This Spirit speaks to the seven churches. (Rev. 2:7, 17) Yet the messages are declared to be coming from Christ to the same seven churches. (Rev. 2:1, 8, etc.)

There is one voice.

The voice of the Spirit is also heard speaking of those who have heeded the Three Angels' Messages. (Rev. 14:13)

First John hears "a voice from heaven" pronouncing a blessing; then comes the voice of the Spirit which was sent forth into all the earth - the same area to be covered by the angel messages. (Rev. 14:6)

The same Person who directed the Church in its beginning as revealed in the Book of Acts also directs the giving of the final messages of God to earth's inhabitants.

In fact, the New Testament presents the Holy Spirit as the new commander of the "ministering spirits" in the warfare between good and evil till earth's last hour, when Jesus himself shall return as Lord of lords and King of kings.

There is one final picture in the book of Revelation: - "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."

 (Rev. 22:17)

Even as Revelation pictures Jesus and the Spirit speaking as one voice so also does the bride of Christ and the Spirit speak ultimately as one voice.

A question:  Is this symbolism suggesting that even as the Holy Spirit consummated the Incarnation so that He might be one flesh with us, so also the same Spirit effects the "bride" of Christ so that she might be one spirit with Him?

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You have to wonder. The roles are there, the declared roles and all in those roles agree as one.

This brings back to my mind the idea of evening and morning being one day, and a man and woman being one in marriage yet two.  We can comprehend this, but Satan would rather we not trouble ourselves with having to think about any of this at all.  How many people will never read this, never bother looking into all this but take what they are being spoon fed and believe it rather than searching for themselves and wrestling with the truths before them. We cannot allow ourselves too be fed by anyone else, we must feed ourselves and pray that the Holy Spirit guide all our spiritual feasting so we get truth and only the truth.

Remember Paul? He was Saul of Tarsus, he was a Jew of the highest order, he thought it truth and righteous, he thought He was obeying God as he persecuted the new, strange sect of believers in a Son of God- a Son who died and the rose again, a Son who claimed to know God, to have been with God, to have existed before Abraham. Saul of Tarsus loved God and God knew this, but God also knew the TRUTH. God needed Saul to see this truth and live the truth and so He showed Him the truth.  Before you start saying you need the same experience as Saul called Paul, the chances are that will never happen. All those Paul encountered along his journey of evangelism were called to believe just as we are called to believe. They weren't given experiences such as Paul had any more than we are given those experiences.  Yet we are all called to believe the TRUTH, to seek the TRUTH.

As we study of the Holy Spirit we NEED the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, to help us, to open our eyes, our hearts to all truth and only truth.

Please FATHER, please bless us. Please HOLY SPIRIT, please bless us. Please SAVIOR, please bless us.  We need YOU THREE who AGREE AS ONE to bless us so we can be in agreement as one with all of YOU!

All by YOUR love, YOUR grace!

Amen!

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.

Holy Spirit- Uncreated God

'The book of Acts could well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. In this book, the Holy Spirit is presented as One in full command of the Church, and its spokesmen, and as One functioning as the Vicegerent of the Lord Jesus Christ. The very introduction sets forth the role of the Spirit as the Vicegerent. After Jesus was taken up into heaven, "He through the Spirit" continued to give "commandments unto the apostles." (Acts 1:2) These apostles and others as "spokesmen" were "full of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 7:55; 11:24; 13:9)

Act 1:2  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 4:8  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel

Act 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Act 7:55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God

Act 11:24  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Act 13:9  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him

The Book of Acts presents the Spirit as in full command of the Church and its spokesmen.

He speaks to Philip - "Go near and join thyself to this chariot." (Acts 8:29) Philip obeys, and another witness is born into the kingdom of God, the Ethiopian eunuch.

Then the Spirit transports Philip to another place. (8:39)

To Peter, as he meditated on the unusual vision he had received, the Spirit said, "Behold three men seek thee . . . I have sent them." (10:19-20)

To the leaders of the church in Antioch, the same Holy Spirit said - "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." (13:2)

And Paul on his second missionary tour desired to go to certain areas to preach the gospel, but was "forbidden of the Holy Spirit." (16:6-7)

Thus, the Spirit is pictured as functioning in His own right, as a Person directing the Church of the Living God.

The Book of Acts also reveals an experience which sets forth the Holy Spirit as God.

When two members sought to deceive the Apostles, Peter said they lied "to the Holy Spirit. " Then he explains the extent of that deception - "Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." (5:3-4)

The Holy Spirit is not of the order of the created - men nor angels - but of the Uncreated - God.'

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

Spirit in Flesh

'In the synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke - the Holy Spirit is pictured in direct relationship to Jesus Christ in two experiences - His birth and baptism.

The conception is spoken of as "out of the Spirit." (Matt. 1:18, 20b: "of" is the translation of the Greek preposition, ek, literally, "out of.") Luke records the announcement to Mary by Gabriel of God in "flesh appearing." Gabriel stated:      The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy [spirit] which shall be born of thee shall be called the God. (Luke 1:35)

The word, "thing" is supplied in the KJV because the adjective "holy" is in the neuter gender. But this adjective is the same as the adjective describing "Spirit" in the same verse, and thus the missing word to be modified could likewise be the word, "spirit. "

This concept is well stated in the Writings: "He (Christ) united humanity with divinity: a divine spirit dwelt in a temple of flesh." (4BC:1147) That "divine spirit" dwelling in a temple of flesh was called "the Son of God."

In Mark, there is a key reference to the Holy Spirit in relationship to the final witness.

In Jesus' prophetic discourse, He stated:      When they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit. (Mark 13:11)

So fully will God's witnesses be in-filled with the Holy Spirit at that hour, that when they speak, the voice which comes forth will be the Holy Spirit. It will be the "manifestation of the sons of God" as foretold in Romans 8:19.

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

And Jesus gives the time when this shall occur - "the gospel must first be published among all nations." (Mark 13:10) He also tells us where this witness will be given - in councils, in churches, and before rulers and kings. (13:9)'

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

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Jesus became (DIVINE) spirit dwelling in flesh- He became Human. We are spirit in flesh as well. Only with us, we allow our flesh nature to rule us, to overcome the spirit. We do NOT have the divine spirit in us, we were NOT born with the divine spirit. We are born with the ability to be born again in spirit. We are born spirit beings with the need inside of us to be with God, our Creator, our Redeemer. This is truth!

Our Savior came and lived as a human being and when He left us He did not leave us without help, He left us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit with a very active desire to unite us all with our Creator, our God, our Savior, with life eternal, with a life of LOVE as LOVE is truly- NO PAIN!  Sin has warped our sense of love and we tell ourselves that the struggles, the pain only make the love stronger, we say things like without the hardship we wouldn't know the good and we make ourselves believe this stuff, these lies.  

We imagine that sin HAD to exist, but it's not true!

How long were Adam and Eve in the garden without sin? We don't know the length of time, we aren't told. Yet I can't believe they were tempted away early on. There was so much in that garden and Eve wasn't created unintelligent, she wasn't created to be impulsive, she wasn't created with any imperfect traits.  Knowing this we can't begin to believe that Satan could have tempted her away the day after her creation.  What we must realize is a lot more time passed, many more days, enough for Eve to wander away from Adam and enough for her to entertain the conversation of a beautiful serpent and speculate upon what was said.

Until sin entered the world Adam and Eve lived in perfection. It wasn't out of anything evil that Eve sinned. She was SUBJECT to temptation like all. The angels themselves had the capability of choosing to disobey. God did NOT want to create intelligent beings that would believe in His love and obey Him by force.

Created to live with God, even after sin we were still created to live in harmony with our Creator.  God made a way for us to be able to live with him even after we sinned. God made it possible for us to be BORN AGAIN IN THE SPIRIT!  The Holy Spirit would have access to our hearts once more.

More tomorrow by the GRACE of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!

All through HIS LOVE!

Live in the SPIRIT

Continuing with our study on the Holy Spirit...

'In the book of Romans, the setting forth of the Holy Spirit is concentrated in Chapter 8.

The message there has been largely ignored. We have contrasted this chapter with Romans 7, and ended the contrast with 8:16, as if an entirely different subject began.

(Inserting Romans 7 & 8 here for us to read through)

Rom 7:1  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Rom 7:2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

Rom 7:3  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Rom 7:4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Rom 7:5  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Rom 7:6  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Rom 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Rom 7:8  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Rom 7:9  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Rom 7:10  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

Rom 7:11  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Rom 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Rom 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Rom 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Rom 7:15  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Rom 7:16  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Rom 7:17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Rom 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Rom 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

While the first part of Romans 8 speaks of "the sons of God" resultant from the leading of "the Spirit of God" (8:14), there is yet another "manifestation of the sons of God." (8: 19)

 In this the Spirit has an important part to play.

Though we have "the first fruits of the Spirit" (8:23), we still have the fallen sinful nature.

This, the Spirit helps - our "infirmities." This is the same word as found in Matthew 8:17, designating what Christ took in taking upon Himself our humanity.

Mat 8:17  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

It is also the same word as found in Hebrews 4:15 which tells the why of the compassion of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit that is to make intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

 Until "the redemption of the body" at the second coming of Jesus Christ, the saints can know they will have an intercessor at the Throne of God - the Lord the Spirit. While the Man Christ Jesus steps aside (Compare I Tim. 2:5 & Rev. 15:8), the Holy Spirit continues His ministry until the living saints are translated.

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

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This is all truth. Of our own selves we truly can do nothing. Our flesh is very weak. It is through the SPIRIT we can live.

Read this again…

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

THROUGH the SPIRIT we MORTIFY the DEEDS of the BODY.

Christ Jesus SUFFERED through His humanity, we will do NO less.

This will be a DAILY battle, a DAILY struggle to submit to God so that the SPIRIT can work and live in US.

Only by living through the SPIRIT do we have hope. Truly it is the SPIRIT who will keep us in Christ until the end.

We must live to the SPIRIT, not to the FLESH and we must learn the difference. We must learn what is of the flesh and what is of the SPIRIT. May the SPIRIT by the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, by the WILL of the FATHER, teach us ALL we need to know to live in the SPIRIT, to be God's and not be owned by the flesh.

All through the LOVE of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Amen!

Lord the Spirit

'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)

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 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

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) '

Gen 18:1  And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre

Gen 18:10  And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Gen 18:11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

Gen 18:12  Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Gen 18:13  And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Gen 18:14  Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

'It was repeated a second time by the same "Lord." (18:14)

In Hebrews, it reads - "The Holy Spirit saith" (3:7)

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

- "the Holy Spirit . . . said before." (10:15)

Heb 10:15  Whereof the Holy Ghost 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)

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)

But in his first letter, Peter indicates that these holy men - prophets - "searched dilligently ... what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify." (I Peter 1: 10-11)

Thus the New Testament closely identifies the Holy Spirit - the Lord the Spirit - with Michael the "Lord" of the Old Testament.

Paul tells us that God sent forth TWO into the world. "God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law." "God [also] hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son" that we might understand Him as "Father." (Gal. 4:4, 6)

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

This same duality and relationship appears in the symbolism of the book of Revelation.

When the door was opened in heaven, John beheld the Throne of God, and before the Throne were "seven lamps of fire" which are declared to be "the seven Spirits of God." (4:5)

Yet when the Lamb "as it had been slain" is introduced from "the midst of the Throne" with "seven horns (fullness of power) and seven eyes (complete omnipresence)", - these are declared to be "the Seven Spirits sent forth into all the earth."(5:6)'

*******

Let's recap a bit here…

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, AND the love of God, AND the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."

Clearly THREE BEINGS. 

Lord Jesus Christ

God

Holy Spirit

We know from our previous study a few days ago that beyond any doubt Jesus Christ was SPIRIT before He took on flesh. In Genesis we read above that the LORD visited Abraham.  We also read this…

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

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.

Gen 21:1  And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

Isaac was a child of promise, the SPIRIT had to intervene in order for Sarah to conceive. The LORD was SPIRIT prior to His taking on flesh as a babe in Bethlehem.

Now in Revelation we read of the Seven (Perfect) Spirits before the throne of God. Then we read of the LAMB as it had been slain and that LAMB had Seven (Perfect power) Horns and Seven (Perfect omnipresence) Eyes WITH the LAMB and those seven eyes and seven horns are declared to be the seven (Perfect) Spirits sent to the earth. And this Slain Lamb was worthy to take the book from the One upon the throne.

God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit.

And interesting to note the Lamb as it had been slain HAD the perfect Spirit to send forth.

More on the Holy Spirit tomorrow by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

The Holy Spirit- An Entity All His Own

Yesterday we agreed that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth prior to His birth into flesh in Bethlehem, was SPIRIT.  God with God in the beginning, God declared to be the Son, God begotten uniquely into flesh becoming Son.

We continue with the study...

'This SPIRIT exceeds that of angels for they are only "ministering spirits." (Heb. 1:14) This SPIRIT is immortal, eternal, and indestructible.'

This Spirit, the Spirit that is God with God, the Spirit which became Flesh- exceeds that of angels-  the Spirit that is God is IMMORTAL, ETERNAL, and INDESTRUCTIBLE. Angels are NOT immortal, eternal, and indestructible.

Heb 1:13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

'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)

Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

 He came to glorify the Father. (John 17:4)

Joh 17:4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

He did not even come in His own name. (John 5:43)

Joh 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

His was a life of selfless projection of the Father's glory - grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

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)

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

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.

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

[We shall use the word "Spirit" in place of "Ghost" in all quotes from the Bible.]

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. (Act, 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.

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

This is TRUTH!

Realizing the truth of the Holy Spirit as a REAL Person, not a mere figment, not a shadowy being, but a REAL BEING.  You can't lie, insult, grieve someone that doesn't really exist.

This is TRUTH, let us REALIZE this as TRUTH!

Please, Lord, please Father, please Holy Spirit let us have open eyes to all of the truth You All have to give to us. Bless us in YOU, Through YOU, all from YOUR LOVE!