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The Holy Spirit


"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for your mercy, [and] for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] now their God? But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols {worship} [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

"They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them." (Psalms 115:1-8)

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given  to every man  to profit withal." (1 Corinthians 12:7) The word manifestation (5321) in Greek: Phanerosis comes up  only two times in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 12:7 and 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."(2 Corinthians 4:1,2)

In the flesh God himself taught us by giving us the Holy Spirit upon receiving His teachings as the truth. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

"All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was  the  light of men. And the light shineth  in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:1-5) To truly understand this Scripture one has to realize these verses refer to Jesus Christ. In Revelation is states that the name of Jesus is "The Word of God".

"[That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that  cometh into  the world." (John 1:9) The word `lighteth' (5461) in  Greek `Photizo';  related  to phos (5457), light.  To enlighten,  give light  to, in a spiritual sense to instruct, to bring  to  light. When Jesus began his ministry, John the Baptist was the only  one who  knew  the truth. The Holy Ghost came upon Elisabeth, John's mother,  during her pregnancy which anointed John the Baptist with the Holy  Ghost. This anointing clothed him with power to perform his ministry  and it also enabled John the Baptist to identify Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

The anointing was an outward anointing and temporary, which is not the same as receiving the Holy Spirit in one's heart. John the Baptist was an Aaronic Priest by birth into the Aaronic priesthood. To become acceptable to the Jews, Jesus also received the outward anointing of the Holy Spirit after he was baptized at the beginning of His ministry (see Matthew 3:16).

Jesus knew  who He was. When He was twelve, He told His mother that  He must be about His Father's business. John the Baptist in  Matthew 11:3  shows that he wasn't sure anymore if Jesus was  really  the Christ. The anointing had somewhat diminished.

John  6:63 we are taught: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I {Jesus} speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life." After the crucifixion Jesus returned to the disciples. The Holy Spirit was to continue His ministry after He ascended back to His Father and to prepare the disciples for the contiuation He breathed on the disciples in John 20.

"And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saithunto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Key: "This was one of the many that God "breathed," gave, or filled His people with the Holy Spirit. This giving or filling of the Holy Spirit should not be confused with the baptism in the Holy Spirit [see note on Acts 1:5 referring to the twelve disciples: "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall lbe baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence"

Note: "Many times this is interpreted to mean that the Holy Spirit did the baptizing.The correct understanding of this, however, is that the Holy Spirit is the element of the baptism just as water was the element of the baptism of John. This is the fifth time that the phrase, "baptized withthe Holy Ghost," occurs in the NT (see Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33).

In each of the previous four instances Jesus Christ is said to the One performing the baptism."] and the special advetn of the Holy Spirit at Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Ephesus (Acts 2:1-13; 11:15-18; 19:1-7). See also note on 1 Corinthians 12:13.

1 Corinthians 12:13: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." Note: "This is the final time that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is used in the NT."


Scripture states we cannot hear the spoken (preached) Word without the Holy Spirit.
"He came unto his own (Jews), and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name." (John 1:11,12)

Had the Jews studied the OT and believed it they would have recognized the Messiah The prophet Isaiah in his Book in the Old Testament  ministered to the Jews what he knew from 740 - 697  B.C.  Isaiah  7:14 contains the famous prophecy of Christ's Virgin birth. The events of chapter seven occurred about 734 B.C.. There is no  appearance of the Hebrew word `almah' in the Old Testament where the meaning `virgin'  cannot  be used. In 1 Peter 1:10-12,  

Peter  explicitly stated that the prophets were ignorant regarding when  the  Messianic prophecies would be fulfilled. It was indeed this prophecy of  Isaiah 7:14 itself which was to be a sign. (see Hebrew  Greek Key Study Bible pp 861,2) John the Baptist reminded  the  Jews that the prophet Isaiah had spoken  of the  Lord's coming,  and  that the prophecy was about  to  be  fulfilled.(see Matthew 3:1-3).

 

Back to John 1:12 God gave the power to receive Him to those that believed on His name: and they were consequently: "which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Power to receive: the Greek is: (1849) Exousia; from exesti (1832), it is permissible, allowed. Permission, authority, right, liberty, power to  do something (Acts 26:12). As the Greek word `exesti'  denies  the presence  of a hindrance.  

For me it was not until I made a total commitment to the Holy Spirit's ministry that the truth about my life began to surface to me. False teachings were laid open and a deep sense of sin came over me for a  three  year period. Sin and guilt was almost terrifying.

The Holy Spirit drug my  whole past out before me to make me realize my  unworthiness, my  total helplessness as a human being to save  myself.  I  saw myself for the first time as God sees me with every fault,  every meanness,  every  deviation from the truth, every act of  self-interest,  of  betrayal,  of hypocrisy, confronted  me.

 
I  began loathing  myself  and cried out in despair many, many  times  for God's  mercy on my soul. Holy Communion became difficult  because of  an  awful sense of unworthiness. Sometimes, I could  not  get through  a church service because of this terrible conviction  by the  Holy Spirit.

Some call it `terror of the Lord' which is  inspired by a deep sense of love for Christ and a horrendous  discovery  of having failed Him completely, of having actually participated in  the lashes our Lord received on the cross. To free  us He had to endure the penalty.

Under the pressure of this agony my first public confession was like a throw up. I could not believe what was coming out of me. An intense desire to be reconciled came over me. I became at  odds  with everyone around me because I felt so  unworthy  of being loved. I  began  realizing my uncleanness compared  to  God's  holiness, rather  than drawing me closer, I felt more separated  than  ever before.  It was such a shock when everything I thought  was  good turned into an appalling lie. I was naked  and ashamed
and needed His mercy.

My survival was daily Scripture  study although it  was threatening dealing with God's wrath in the Old  Testament . God's anger and disappointment over the  Israel helped me understand history made while I was alive. But there  was  not much consolation. Over time I became aware of my comforter the  Holy Spirit. In periods of intense loneliness and despair, I would get a call from a Christian to comfort me.

At other times He would guide me to books that helped understand what was happening to me. Praise and worship melodies would rise up in heart upon waking up in the morning, telling me all was well, encourgaing me to praise and worship. Peace with God gradually settled in. Scripture has become part of every day like brushing teeth and breakfast. The struggle is over.


To awaken to the truth and  nothing  but the  truth is a totally different life. There is no one to  hang unto but Jesus because humanity is in sin. Looking at  everything from  a biblical perspective is difficult. To  help in this relationship with God the Holy Spirit brings an awareness  and realization of His gifts.

"Now there are  diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences  of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities  of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."  (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) The word `worketh' (1754) in Greek:  Energeo: `to  be active, to effect, prove oneself strong.'

It is  not  us, but God in us, who is active, effecting, proving ourselves to  be strong. Results are energized by God's grace. A  believer  soars like  an eagle with energy, the more he engages in  this  energy, the greater the supply.

That is where health come in. It is  pure love  energy  coming from within, not from without. Practicing love without expecting return keeps us from getting hurt feelings and we can't loose.

God wants us to build treasures in heaven and everytime we don't get a thank you on earth, we get one from God. God blesses us here already and we can't begin to compete with Him. I for one can't even thank him enough for all the blessings which have come along since I made Jesus the only Lord of my Life.

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:8) Note: `Word' (3056) in Greek is Logos; from `lego', to speak, intelligence, a word that is expression of that intelligence.

`Wisdom' (4678) Sophia, the knowledge of how to regulate one's relationship with God, wisdom is related to goodness. Given by the same Spirit: the word {Logos, Gospel} of knowledge (1108) in Greek: gnosis: to know experientially.

The third gift given by the Holy Spirit is faith (4102) in Greek `pistis': being persuaded, having faith, believing. In general it implies assent to and confidence in the Gospel that teaches the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and our opportunity to live forever with Him.

The fourth gift, given by the Holy Spirit: gifts of healing. Gifts (5486) charisma: result of grace, an undeserving benefit. Not only is the believer healed but the believer can transfer the healing to others by magnifying `God is love'.

Fifth the gift of working of miracles given by the Holy Spirit: miracles (1411) dunamis which is inherent power, capable to will i.e. Jesus willed the stormy sea to calm. The sixth gift by the Holy Spirit is the gift of prophecy. Prophecy (4394) is a rank, a prophetic rank or work. Prophets are put side by side with apostles as the foundation of the New Testament Church. Evangelists are successors of prophets.

Seventh the Holy Spirit gives discernment. Discernment (1253) in Greek diakrisis, to separate one from another, to divide, to doubt, to be divided in one's mind. Notice the Holy Spirit gives this gift, lay that next to the spirit being the spoken Word {Gospel}. This gift is a byproduct of Scripture study if we understand it, we would become a discerning spirit.

Gift number eight given by the Holy Spirit is diverse kinds of tongues. Tongues (1100) glossa, the tongue of a man. A foreign strange language that one has not learned but yet is enabled to speak as a result of the supernatural intervention of the Holy Spirit. When utilizing unknown tongues, one must make sure he is understood by those who hear him  otherwise he will be taken as a manial, be beside oneself, or mad (see 1  Corinthians  14:23).  

The  final ninth  gift  is  interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts are effected by the Holy Spirit and distributed as He will. By one Spirit are all baptized into one body. A spiritual body. Jews and Gentiles, bond or free, male or female, all drink into one Spirit (see Gal 3:28). The hierarchy in the Body is 1. Apostles, 2. Prophets, 3. Teachers, 4. Miracles, 5.

Gifts of Healing, 6. Helps {receiving renumeration for service}, 7. governments (2941) piloting, directorship in the church, 8. Diversity of Tongues (in this case different nations). This hierarchy is in the bosom of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit binds it together by all drinking into Him, the Holy Spirit. The members of the church are the hands, the feet, the eyes, the nose, the ears and mouth of the Holy Spirit.

God tempers the Body together, meaning that he modifies, frees from excess,  by  mingling with something else, the Holy  Spirit  (the Gospel).  Thesaurus gives another word for tempered:  qualified, modified, conditioned, limited and straightened. This is what God does with  us through our daily  experiences  (see  1Corinthians 12:24).

A separation of the physical from the spiritual is possible only at death. The body may be regarded as a covering, the dwelling place (2Corinthians.5:1-4,6,8). From Lexical Aid Explanation, the Greek word: psuchikon (5591),  the soulish body, means that body which is driven and directed by the natural sinful instincts of man while the soma pneumatikon (4152) is  our new resurrection body which will be governed only by  our God-given  spirit  which  enables  us  to  communicate  with  God (1Corinthians 15:35 -44) Sussomos (4494) united in one Body.

The soul described in Greek (5591) is the part of immaterial life held in common with the animals, as contrasted with Spirit, pneuma (4151), only in man, enabling him to communicate with God where an animal can't. Pertaining to the natural, animal, as distinguished from spiritual or glorified nature of man, an animalistic or physical body governed by the soul or animal or fallen instinct of man, and a body pneumatikon (4152), spiritual, governed by divine quality in man, the spirit.

Rendered  as  `natural'  in 1  Corinthians.  2:14,  15:44,46  and `sensual'  in James 3:15, Jude 1:19, the term psuchikos is not  a word  of honor, even as sarkikos (4559) is carnal. Psucho  (5594) derived  from  a word meaning to  compress,  condense, concrete, property  of  coldness. The word psuche (5590) has come  to  mean `soul'.  It is the breath of a living creature, animal life,  and the  word  psucho .. means to grow cold in a spiritual sense  in Christian  love  (see Math. 24:12).

The test is: do we  run  from what is placed in front of us by God since He is the designer  of our  lives  or do we move into the challenge in  full  confidence that He is in the furnace of life with us, protecting us, helping us, moving us through regardless of the boredom, the  discomfort, the  rebellion that we experience. He, the Holy Spirit, the  Lord Jesus  Christ is teaching us here to overcome this world  by  developing the skills that are essential for Christians to  survive the  onslaught (intense attacks) of our enemy.  

The  conditioning (tempering)  is brought about by applying attributes  (qualities, characteristics)  which  the Holy Spirit provides in us.  We are equipped  with the power we need  to move through our experiences as overcomers. We are being conditioned (trained, if you will) to bring forth fruit of the Spirit into a visible expression. This expression is the result of power flowing from the Holy Spirit to us to strengthen us to stand under any circumstance. It cannot come from other individuals or we would be sunk.

Jesus in his last hour prayer to God, His Father: "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]." (Matthew 26:39) Jesus put His own will on hold and allowed God total control..

"Thou {you} therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please Him who hath chosen Him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." (2 Timothy 2:3-5)


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