Having your conversation [behavior] honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (I Peter 2:12)
The current understanding that Divine grace replaces righteous behavior is the worst possible interpretation of the Apostle Paul. Paul never contrasted Divine grace and righteous behavior. He contrasted Divine grace and the Law of Moses.
Notice in the following verses that Paul was speaking of the Law of Moses in the early chapters of the Book of Romans.
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, (Romans 2:17)
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (Romans 3:20,21)
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Romans 3:31)
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13)
In many of his Epistles the Apostle Paul speaks of the absolute need for righteous behavior.
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21)
Contemporary Evangelical thinking is in profound error when it presents grace as an alternative to righteous behavior. The New Testament teaches Divine grace as the means of obtaining righteous behavior, not as an alternative to righteous behavior.
Paul understood that his teaching of the transition from Moses to Christ would cause people to speculate that God's grace in Christ would enable them to sin and still be acceptable to God. And so we have Chapter Six.
Chapter Six of Romans. Chapter Six of the Book of Romans is one of the clearest expositions of the manner in which the new covenant operates.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1)
After having stated that we no longer are under the Law of Moses but under Divine grace, Paul asks the inevitable question. "Does this mean we now are free to sin?"
His answer, given in several verses in Chapter Six, is that we, having received the blood atonement, must now choose to be a slave of righteousness.
If we do not choose to be a slave of righteousness then we, although having chosen to be washed by the blood atonement, will die.
Paul does not mean we will die physically, for all people die physically whether or not they choose to be a slave of righteousness. Paul means we shall die spiritually. We had been touched with eternal life, with the Holy Spirit. But, as in the parable of the sower, the germinating life was overcome by the lusts of sin and no fruit was produced. The plant died.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Led by the Spirit, #5
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
Perhaps the most difficult lesson to be mastered by the believer as he seeks to enter the rest of God is that of looking to the Spirit of God for the wisdom and strength to respond correctly in every situation of life. Our mind is a tremendous obstacle to our progress in God. We must be transformed by the renewing of our mind if we would be able to do the will of God.
The goal of the saint regarding personal victory over his or her own personality, which we might term "internal conquest," is that he or she be brought into the image of Christ and into complete, untroubled rest in the Father through Christ. The goal is expressed further as being made a perfect man, attaining maturity as measured by the standard which is the full stature of Christ.
The Spirit of God accomplishes such perfection, such maturity, by teaching us, empowering us, and bringing to us the Virtue of the body and blood of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us into the land of promise of personal victory over every enemy that would hinder our attaining the full stature of Christ.
Let's turn now to the Book of Romans and examine the transition from direction by the Law of Moses to direction by the Spirit of God, for this is the transition we must make if we would attain the mark God has set before us.
Chapters Two through Five of Romans. Chapters Two through Five of the Book of Romans compare redemption through the Law of Moses with redemption through the blood of Christ.
The message of these chapters can be expressed simply: Now that God has given His Son as an atonement for our sins we no longer are to seek righteousness by means of the Law of Moses. God ascribes righteousness to the individual who looks up from the Torah, the Law, and puts his faith in the Lord Jesus, in His atoning blood.
Divine grace given through the Lord Jesus has replaced the Law of Moses as the means of obtaining righteousness.
This is clear and accurate. But we Gentiles have grievously misunderstood these four chapters. We have supposed that Paul was replacing righteous behavior with Divine grace. This is not at all true and has destroyed the moral character of the Christian churches.
How could Divine grace be an alternative to righteous behavior when the very purpose of Divine grace is to produce righteous behavior?
We have become free from Moses by dying with the Lord. We have died to the Law so we may be married to the Lord Jesus. We are never without law or without righteous behavior. The Law of Moses produces righteous behavior if it is obeyed. Marriage to the Lord Jesus is the highest form of the eternal Divine law and always produces righteous behavior. God's goal is to produce righteous behavior in His people so the nations of the earth will see this righteous behavior and glorify God.
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11)
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Perhaps the most difficult lesson to be mastered by the believer as he seeks to enter the rest of God is that of looking to the Spirit of God for the wisdom and strength to respond correctly in every situation of life. Our mind is a tremendous obstacle to our progress in God. We must be transformed by the renewing of our mind if we would be able to do the will of God.
The goal of the saint regarding personal victory over his or her own personality, which we might term "internal conquest," is that he or she be brought into the image of Christ and into complete, untroubled rest in the Father through Christ. The goal is expressed further as being made a perfect man, attaining maturity as measured by the standard which is the full stature of Christ.
The Spirit of God accomplishes such perfection, such maturity, by teaching us, empowering us, and bringing to us the Virtue of the body and blood of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us into the land of promise of personal victory over every enemy that would hinder our attaining the full stature of Christ.
Let's turn now to the Book of Romans and examine the transition from direction by the Law of Moses to direction by the Spirit of God, for this is the transition we must make if we would attain the mark God has set before us.
Chapters Two through Five of Romans. Chapters Two through Five of the Book of Romans compare redemption through the Law of Moses with redemption through the blood of Christ.
The message of these chapters can be expressed simply: Now that God has given His Son as an atonement for our sins we no longer are to seek righteousness by means of the Law of Moses. God ascribes righteousness to the individual who looks up from the Torah, the Law, and puts his faith in the Lord Jesus, in His atoning blood.
Divine grace given through the Lord Jesus has replaced the Law of Moses as the means of obtaining righteousness.
This is clear and accurate. But we Gentiles have grievously misunderstood these four chapters. We have supposed that Paul was replacing righteous behavior with Divine grace. This is not at all true and has destroyed the moral character of the Christian churches.
How could Divine grace be an alternative to righteous behavior when the very purpose of Divine grace is to produce righteous behavior?
We have become free from Moses by dying with the Lord. We have died to the Law so we may be married to the Lord Jesus. We are never without law or without righteous behavior. The Law of Moses produces righteous behavior if it is obeyed. Marriage to the Lord Jesus is the highest form of the eternal Divine law and always produces righteous behavior. God's goal is to produce righteous behavior in His people so the nations of the earth will see this righteous behavior and glorify God.
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11)
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Monday, April 26, 2010
Led by the Spirit, #4
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
The Lord directed the moral behavior of the Israelites by means of the Law of Moses.
The Lord directed the priesthood of Israel by means of the Law of Moses, speaking often to Moses and directing him. Sometimes God sent fire from Heaven and consumed the offering on the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering.
The Lord directed the invasion of Canaan.
Nothing was left to the flesh of man to invent or contrive. When the Israelites obeyed the directions of the Lord they prospered. When the Israelites turned to their own abilities and desires they soon were brought down to destruction.
Let us turn now to the new covenant and consider how the Holy Spirit of God directs us in victory over our own personality and in the operation of gifts and ministries. We shall discuss also the role of the Spirit of God in the future when the saints return with the Lord Jesus and bring the Kingdom of God to the earth.
Led by the Spirit in Personal Victory
Let me remind the reader at this point that it is God's will that people everywhere and at all times live in His Spirit rather than in the human flesh and soul. The Church is a firstfruits of what one day will be true of all of mankind.
There are only two ways in which a person can live: he can live in the flesh or he can live in the Spirit. To live in the flesh is to devote the great bulk of our time and thought to eating, sleeping, working, playing, and reproducing, and to engage in these activities by using our natural thoughts and abilities. This is the life of the animal.
To live in the Spirit is to look always to God in every aspect of our eating, sleeping, working, playing, and reproducing and to give time and attention to praying, meditating in God's Word, assembling with the saints, giving, serving, and obeying God in all matters.
To live in the flesh is to produce spiritual death and the resulting corruption in every area of our existence including our resurrection from the dead.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)
To live in the Spirit of God is to produce eternal life and the resulting righteousness, peace, and joy in every area of our existence including our resurrection from the dead.
Now let us think about the new covenant, the Christian covenant. It is not a covenant of the letter of the New Testament, although we must obey the commandments of the Apostles until we are brought fully into the rest of God.
The new covenant is a covenant of the Spirit.
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. (II Corinthians 3:6).
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The Lord directed the moral behavior of the Israelites by means of the Law of Moses.
The Lord directed the priesthood of Israel by means of the Law of Moses, speaking often to Moses and directing him. Sometimes God sent fire from Heaven and consumed the offering on the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering.
The Lord directed the invasion of Canaan.
Nothing was left to the flesh of man to invent or contrive. When the Israelites obeyed the directions of the Lord they prospered. When the Israelites turned to their own abilities and desires they soon were brought down to destruction.
Let us turn now to the new covenant and consider how the Holy Spirit of God directs us in victory over our own personality and in the operation of gifts and ministries. We shall discuss also the role of the Spirit of God in the future when the saints return with the Lord Jesus and bring the Kingdom of God to the earth.
Led by the Spirit in Personal Victory
Let me remind the reader at this point that it is God's will that people everywhere and at all times live in His Spirit rather than in the human flesh and soul. The Church is a firstfruits of what one day will be true of all of mankind.
There are only two ways in which a person can live: he can live in the flesh or he can live in the Spirit. To live in the flesh is to devote the great bulk of our time and thought to eating, sleeping, working, playing, and reproducing, and to engage in these activities by using our natural thoughts and abilities. This is the life of the animal.
To live in the Spirit is to look always to God in every aspect of our eating, sleeping, working, playing, and reproducing and to give time and attention to praying, meditating in God's Word, assembling with the saints, giving, serving, and obeying God in all matters.
To live in the flesh is to produce spiritual death and the resulting corruption in every area of our existence including our resurrection from the dead.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)
To live in the Spirit of God is to produce eternal life and the resulting righteousness, peace, and joy in every area of our existence including our resurrection from the dead.
Now let us think about the new covenant, the Christian covenant. It is not a covenant of the letter of the New Testament, although we must obey the commandments of the Apostles until we are brought fully into the rest of God.
The new covenant is a covenant of the Spirit.
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. (II Corinthians 3:6).
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Led by the Spirit, #3
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. (Hebrews 8:5)
The large, powerful Israelite army successfully attacked Jericho (under the precise directions of the Lord) but the sin of one man caused the wrath of God to fall on the whole camp. Personal righteousness and holiness come first in the Kingdom of God.
Directed in ministry. No element of the service of Aaron, his sons, or the Levites was conducted according to the ideas of Moses or anyone else. God very carefully gave explicit directions for the construction of the Tabernacle. He called by name those who were to construct the furnishings of the Tabernacle.
The ordination of the priests and the manner in which each sacrifice was to be made was described in detail. All was performed according to the pattern given to Moses on the holy mountain.
God did not leave it to people to decide what was sin and what was righteousness. God did not leave it to people to decide how to establish the priesthood or the sacrifices for sin. All was commanded detail by detail, and Moses carefully obeyed the directions given by the Lord.
What can we say about the Christian ministry? Is it God's will that we follow the Holy Spirit in every aspect of ministry?
Directed in the conquest of Canaan. God did not leave it up to people to decide what behavior was sinful and what behavior was righteous and holy. All was set forth in the Law of Moses.
God did not leave it up to people to decide how to build the Tabernacle, who to ordain as priests, how the priests should dress and minister, or how the sacrifices should be made. All was set forth in the Law of Moses.
God did not leave it up to people to decide what land to invade or how to invade it. Each part of the operation was directed by the Lord from Heaven. The Lord was directing the army of Israelites under Joshua, and the army of angels who probably were commanded by Michael the archangel.
After Moses had died, Israel being assembled on the plains of Moab east of Jordan, God began to personally direct the invasion. It was not left to the Jews to decide what land to conquer or how to go about conquering it.
From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. (Joshua 1:4)
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. (Joshua 3:8)
At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. (Joshua 5:2)
And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. (Joshua 6:2,3)
And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it. (Joshua 8:1,2)
And so on and on and on.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The large, powerful Israelite army successfully attacked Jericho (under the precise directions of the Lord) but the sin of one man caused the wrath of God to fall on the whole camp. Personal righteousness and holiness come first in the Kingdom of God.
Directed in ministry. No element of the service of Aaron, his sons, or the Levites was conducted according to the ideas of Moses or anyone else. God very carefully gave explicit directions for the construction of the Tabernacle. He called by name those who were to construct the furnishings of the Tabernacle.
The ordination of the priests and the manner in which each sacrifice was to be made was described in detail. All was performed according to the pattern given to Moses on the holy mountain.
God did not leave it to people to decide what was sin and what was righteousness. God did not leave it to people to decide how to establish the priesthood or the sacrifices for sin. All was commanded detail by detail, and Moses carefully obeyed the directions given by the Lord.
What can we say about the Christian ministry? Is it God's will that we follow the Holy Spirit in every aspect of ministry?
Directed in the conquest of Canaan. God did not leave it up to people to decide what behavior was sinful and what behavior was righteous and holy. All was set forth in the Law of Moses.
God did not leave it up to people to decide how to build the Tabernacle, who to ordain as priests, how the priests should dress and minister, or how the sacrifices should be made. All was set forth in the Law of Moses.
God did not leave it up to people to decide what land to invade or how to invade it. Each part of the operation was directed by the Lord from Heaven. The Lord was directing the army of Israelites under Joshua, and the army of angels who probably were commanded by Michael the archangel.
After Moses had died, Israel being assembled on the plains of Moab east of Jordan, God began to personally direct the invasion. It was not left to the Jews to decide what land to conquer or how to go about conquering it.
From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. (Joshua 1:4)
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. (Joshua 3:8)
At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. (Joshua 5:2)
And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. (Joshua 6:2,3)
And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it. (Joshua 8:1,2)
And so on and on and on.
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Led by the Spirit, #2
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. (John 3:34)
The Lord Jesus was the first Person on the earth to live totally in the Spirit of God.
After Him will march the firstfruits of the Bride, and then the fullness of the Bride.
Finally every saved person on the earth will be taught of God until all residents of the new world have learned to live, move, and have their being in the Spirit of God.
It is God's will that every human being be directed by the Spirit of God in every area and action of living. There is to be no more "sea" of people who are driven here and there by the passions and ideas of the flesh and soul.
In this brief paper we will be speaking of how we are to follow the Spirit of God in three areas of endeavor:
In personal victory over sin.
In ministry and the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit.
In governing the creation when the Lord returns.
Let us think for a moment about how the Lord God directed the Israelites in victory over the sin of their own personality, in ministry, and in subduing the land of Canaan.
In victory over the sin of their own personality.
In ministry.
In subduing the land of Canaan.
How the Lord Directed the Israelites
When we begin to consider how the Lord directed the descendants of Jacob we see that no area of life was left untouched. No aspect of moral behavior, of the priestly service (ministry), or of the conquest of the Canaanites was left to the ability, ingenuity, creativity, or other ideas or impulses of the human mind and soul. All was prescribed in statute or by the direct revelation of the Lord.
What does this reveal to us about the license taken by the would-be ministers of the Christian Church of the two thousand years of the Christian Era as they are driven by every conceivable motive to use their ingenuity in constructing what they believe to be God's Kingdom?
Directed in victory over the sin of their own personality. The Israelites did not have the Holy Spirit, as we do, to help them with their moral behavior. But they did have the Law of Moses. Every aspect of their life was covered in the Ten Commandments and in the laws governing leprosy, crime, diet, the treatment of a slave, lending money and so forth. All was set forth in writing.
The Israelite was to carefully observe every point of the Levitical Law. There were several kinds of sacrifices designed to enable the worshiper to be reconciled to God when he or she had sinned in some manner.
The personal conduct of the Hebrew was more important to God than was true of any priestly ordinance, sacrifice, or the conquest of Canaan.
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The Lord Jesus was the first Person on the earth to live totally in the Spirit of God.
After Him will march the firstfruits of the Bride, and then the fullness of the Bride.
Finally every saved person on the earth will be taught of God until all residents of the new world have learned to live, move, and have their being in the Spirit of God.
It is God's will that every human being be directed by the Spirit of God in every area and action of living. There is to be no more "sea" of people who are driven here and there by the passions and ideas of the flesh and soul.
In this brief paper we will be speaking of how we are to follow the Spirit of God in three areas of endeavor:
In personal victory over sin.
In ministry and the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit.
In governing the creation when the Lord returns.
Let us think for a moment about how the Lord God directed the Israelites in victory over the sin of their own personality, in ministry, and in subduing the land of Canaan.
In victory over the sin of their own personality.
In ministry.
In subduing the land of Canaan.
How the Lord Directed the Israelites
When we begin to consider how the Lord directed the descendants of Jacob we see that no area of life was left untouched. No aspect of moral behavior, of the priestly service (ministry), or of the conquest of the Canaanites was left to the ability, ingenuity, creativity, or other ideas or impulses of the human mind and soul. All was prescribed in statute or by the direct revelation of the Lord.
What does this reveal to us about the license taken by the would-be ministers of the Christian Church of the two thousand years of the Christian Era as they are driven by every conceivable motive to use their ingenuity in constructing what they believe to be God's Kingdom?
Directed in victory over the sin of their own personality. The Israelites did not have the Holy Spirit, as we do, to help them with their moral behavior. But they did have the Law of Moses. Every aspect of their life was covered in the Ten Commandments and in the laws governing leprosy, crime, diet, the treatment of a slave, lending money and so forth. All was set forth in writing.
The Israelite was to carefully observe every point of the Levitical Law. There were several kinds of sacrifices designed to enable the worshiper to be reconciled to God when he or she had sinned in some manner.
The personal conduct of the Hebrew was more important to God than was true of any priestly ordinance, sacrifice, or the conquest of Canaan.
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Led by the Spirit
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
At one time Jesus Christ lived on the earth as a Man. He taught us concerning the Kingdom of God. Now He has returned to the Father. The Lord Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to enable us to become His Body, His Bride, and to enter the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit is with us and in us and performs all the will of God in the Church.
The Holy Spirit is God. Often we associate the Holy Spirit with a good feeling, with gifts, with revelations, with wisdom, with speaking in tongues and so forth. The Holy Spirit gives all these things but He Himself is above them. He is God.
We are baptized in water into the Holy Spirit because He is a Member of the Godhead.
On numerous occasions Christians confuse the Holy Spirit with other spirits and voices that are active in the assemblies of Christians.
The gift of the prophet and all other gifts are subject to the prophet or to whoever possesses the gift. The Holy Spirit, being God, is never subject to the prophet.
The Holy Spirit acts sovereignly in the Church.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2)
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (I Corinthians 12:11)
"I have called them." "He will."
The Holy Spirit gives the gifts. The Holy Spirit directs the ministry.
The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to obtain a pure, holy Bride for the Lamb. The Holy Spirit never draws attention to Himself, only to the Lamb, Christ.
We are never to pray to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit assists us as we pray to the Father in Jesus' name or to the Lord Jesus Himself.
Whoever receives the Lord Jesus receives the right to be a child of God. But as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
It is God's will that all saved people on the earth learn to live by and in God's Spirit.
There are only two ways in which a person can think, speak, and act. He or she can think, speak, and act according to the fleshly mind and desires of the flesh and soul, or he or she can think, speak, and act according to the Spirit of God.
To live according to the flesh is to bring corruption and death.
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. (Romans 8:13)
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)
To live according to the Spirit of God is to gain eternal life and peace.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
At one time Jesus Christ lived on the earth as a Man. He taught us concerning the Kingdom of God. Now He has returned to the Father. The Lord Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to enable us to become His Body, His Bride, and to enter the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit is with us and in us and performs all the will of God in the Church.
The Holy Spirit is God. Often we associate the Holy Spirit with a good feeling, with gifts, with revelations, with wisdom, with speaking in tongues and so forth. The Holy Spirit gives all these things but He Himself is above them. He is God.
We are baptized in water into the Holy Spirit because He is a Member of the Godhead.
On numerous occasions Christians confuse the Holy Spirit with other spirits and voices that are active in the assemblies of Christians.
The gift of the prophet and all other gifts are subject to the prophet or to whoever possesses the gift. The Holy Spirit, being God, is never subject to the prophet.
The Holy Spirit acts sovereignly in the Church.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2)
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (I Corinthians 12:11)
"I have called them." "He will."
The Holy Spirit gives the gifts. The Holy Spirit directs the ministry.
The Holy Spirit was sent by the Father to obtain a pure, holy Bride for the Lamb. The Holy Spirit never draws attention to Himself, only to the Lamb, Christ.
We are never to pray to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit assists us as we pray to the Father in Jesus' name or to the Lord Jesus Himself.
Whoever receives the Lord Jesus receives the right to be a child of God. But as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
It is God's will that all saved people on the earth learn to live by and in God's Spirit.
There are only two ways in which a person can think, speak, and act. He or she can think, speak, and act according to the fleshly mind and desires of the flesh and soul, or he or she can think, speak, and act according to the Spirit of God.
To live according to the flesh is to bring corruption and death.
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. (Romans 8:13)
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)
To live according to the Spirit of God is to gain eternal life and peace.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
To be continued.
We extend permission to make as many copies of this essay as you need, in both paper and electronic formats. Please include the following statement of copyright:
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Trumpet Ministries Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
