"For You Are All One In Christ Jesus"

 

By Kola Ajibola

The Holy Spirit, speaking the mind of God, through the mouth of Paul said "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put en Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:26-28). Some today have allowed the doctrine of Satan to enter their heads by taking 'all' to be 'one' just like that. They think that once a person becomes a member of the church, he is now at par with all in the church, even with elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, parents and older brethren. I think this is wrong because this view runs contrary to other passages of the scripture. Please, let us consider the following points.

1. WHEN ARE ALL NOT ONE IN CHRIST JESUS?
   

1. We are all one in the common salvation: In all
   matters of religion, Jesus Christ commands that "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven" (Matthew 23:8-9). Jesus here condemns all sorts of religious titles hence, it will be wrong for a Christian to be addressed as 'Elder So and So' or 'Deacon, Dr. X or Y' or as 'Evangelist or Teacher or Preacher Goat or Ram' but hear Jesus, "you are brethren."
   In all matters of faith and our stand before God, we are all one. We are all saved through same process. In this regard we are all the same because by the blood of Jesus we are all drawn nigh unto God. (Gal. 3:28-29; Jude 3; Eph. 2:13). Search the New Testament for cases of conversion, it may interest you to discover that all who ever became Christians took the simple steps to salvation; and this is hearing of the gospel (Rom. 10:17); believing the gospel (Rom. 10:8-9); confessing Christ as the Son of God and Lord (Acts 8:36, Rom. 10: 8-10); repentance of one's sins (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38); and the last step is baptism into the body of Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 Cor. 12:13). So in this regard we are all one.
   
2. We are all one in the coming judgment: In the coming judgement we are all one, we are going to receive judgment same way because with God there is no partiality, He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35). As an elder will stand before the judgment seat of Christ so also a new convert. An old preacher will stand to receive judgment, so will a young preacher. The Holy Spirit declares this verdict when He said in 2 Corinthians 5:10 that "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad". God will not exempt you from the coming judgment because you believed yesterday and today is judgment day! Brother we are going to be judged same way; hence we are all one in this respect.
   
3. We are all one in our stand before God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit: During the Old Testament era, the stands of Jews are quite different from that of the Gentiles. A distinction is made between a man and a woman. A slave was not at par with the free born, but under the New Testament period, the Holy Spirit declared "whether free or bond, male or female, Jews or Greek, are all one" (Gal. 3:28-29; Rom. 10:12).
   

   
    

   1. WHEN ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS?
      

But are we all one in all ramifications? Let the bible answer this question.

1. In the Church at Jerusalem: Reading from Acts 5, we notice that there is a group of apostles unto which the other brethren referred to whenever a decision was to be taken. I want to suggest to you that if they are all one, in all ramifications, there wouldn't be any reason for any to sell their property and bring the proceeds to the feet of the apostles. Why not to the feet of the individuals? The reason is that all are not apostles. The apostles were to lead while others were to follow their footstep as they (apostles) followed Christ (1 Cor. 15:1; Eph.2:20; ICor. 12:29,30).
   
2. In Acts 15: We read of the meeting that was held at Jerusalem where the apostles, elders, and brethren were present. You only need to ask a question: Who were those that contributed to the decision of the church in that gathering? You want to think on this? Yes, you will discover that it was only the apostles that spoke not even the elders except James. What were the others doing in the meeting? They only played a silent role. Learning at apostles' feet and waiting for their own time. It is needful to state here that it is a wrong altitude for the brethren to be slighting others while contributing to an issue in any meeting of the saints not minding whom they are speaking to. When some are expected to play a silent role all because we are all Christians, they also wish to be heard and they thereby fall into the trap of Satan by becoming insolent, rude, disrespectful, and unguarded in their speeches and utterances. Brethren, won't we learn from this principle? Definitely, the brethren that gathered in Acts 15 were not all the same, in all ramifications. In 1 Tim. 5:1-3, Paul instructed Timothy, a young preacher on how to treat different kinds of people in the Church. How is this Preacher to relate with older brethren? The Bible says "as Fathers". In our culture, a young man is to treat his father with all respect, so this preacher is expected to treat older brethren with a deserving respect. In the same vein, he is to treat older women "as mothers", younger men "as brethren" and younger women "as sisters with all purity". Brethren, this is the word of God. We are not, in all ramifications, the same as some will want us to believe and thereby giving chances for Satan to overtake them.
   

 

CONCLUSION

Brethren, it is high time we sensitised ourselves with this salient fact. A preacher is to be treated as a preacher. They are to be respected, they are not to be spoken to just any how all because we are Christians. In the same way, older men and women are expected to be respected. It will amount to sin on anyone's part to disrespect an older man or woman in the church, even when they are caught in an offence, God still gives them certain "immunity". The Bible says we should not rebuke them but to exhort them as fathers in the spirit of humility (1 Tim.5:1, 19; Gal. 6:1). Not to talk of the appointed elders, they are to be treated with all respect due to them (Heb. l3:17; l Tim.5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12-14).

We should not be guilty of what Peter described in 2 Peter 2:10-21. "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.... But these, ... speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, ... cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray,... These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever..."

P. O. Box 35478, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Email: ksajibola0l@yahoo.com ;

www.ksajibola.blogspot.com;

GSM:080-5604-8209

 

Scriptural Marriage, Traditional Customs and Civil Laws – 2

By Sunday Ayandare

This is the second part of the series on Marriage, Traditional customs and Civil laws. In the first part (we encourage the reader to read the first part before continuing with this), we discussed what scriptural marriage is. We also highlighted the fact that marriage is a covenant with all its components.

T

he terms of agreement of marriage are stated by God Himself Who designed it: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). That it was God who made this proclamation is evidenced by our Lord Jesus in Matt. 19:4-5. According to the Designer of marriage, the two parties involved are the man and his wife.

Leave - The agreement between the two is: to leave father and mother. L. A. Stauffer states this so beautifully: "Leaving one's original family is a decisive action... Jesus used an intensive form of the word "leave." The word (kataleipo) means "to forsake completely," or "to abandon." Abandonment of father and mother in no way annuls the responsibility to honor one's parents, but does underscore the need to renounce totally the rule and place of subjection once occupied in that family. A definite and final break is to be made between the new family and the two families from which the couple came. Fathers and mothers must not be permitted to interfere, regulate, dominate or control the marriages of their children."³ This is rule number one.

Cleave - A male and female must cleave to
one another. The idea here is "to glue or weld together" and this emphasizes the marriage vow or promise. This implies acceptance of the oneness in marriage and a commitment to that union. This is rule number two in the marriage covenant.

 

Unite in One Flesh
- The final action of marriage, "they shall be one flesh." L. A. Stauffer notes: "the uniting of the two bodies as 'one flesh' is a fitting expression of the intimacy, boundless sharing, and total merging that marriage demands of a male and a female." This is the point where marriage covenant is ratified. That is the seal of ratification.

Another point that calls for emphasis here is the fact that it is God Himself, the Author of marriage, that does the joining of a male and a female together. When parents or the officers of the State, or preachers or Chairmen of marriage ceremonies (or marriage receptions) proclaim that newly wedded couples are joined together, it should be understood that that joining at that level is merely ceremonial. The true, real, and authentic joining together is done by God when all of the commitments of marriage are fulfilled. "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (Matt. 19:6).

This is marriage according to the will of God. Every traditional custom of man or civil law is subordinate to this divine law.

Applying the Principles

When a man who has the God-given right to marry hooks a woman who equally has the right to marry, God joins them together in holy wedlock. It does not matter whether one is a believer and the other is an infidel (1 Cor. 7:12-16). The marriage is right and Scriptural. The practice of some local churches withdrawing fellowship from their members for contracting marriages with non-believers is, by its very nature, anti-scriptural. The absurdity of the practice should be very obvious even to the obtuse. Sin demands repentance (Acts 17:30). Repentance on the other hand calls for cessation of sin (Matt. 3:8; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Acts 14:15). Now, if it is outright sinful for a Christian to marry a non-Christian, doesn't the repentance of that "sin" call for the sending away of the non-believing spouse? Then, in that case, one would be doing the very thing the Lord has condemned - causing the wife (or the husband) who is a non-believer to commit adultery. "But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery..." (Matt. 5:32). Could language be plainer?

But then a caveat! This is not said to encourage Christians to marry non-believers. It is a blatant demonstration of bad attitude and poor judgment for a child of God to even contemplate marrying a child of the devil - for that is what a non-believer is (1 Jn. 3:8). It is when a person is converted that he is translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:12-13).

Moreover, it has been said over and over again that a marriage will be more harmonious and peaceful if the man and the woman making up the home are equals. That is, if they are suited to each other socially, culturally and more importantly, spiritually. In this way, they share the goals of life, aspirations, joys and sorrows together; and work together to build an atmosphere in which they rear their children and fight the storms of life together. To the extent that they are not united, the home is threatened. The Lord says, "... if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mk.3:25).

If in the process of marriage idolatry, drunkenness and other sins are committed, it is these sins that should be rebuked and repented of (1 Cor. 10:14; 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21). Idolatry or drunkenness does not, and would not, invalidate the marriage. The marriage itself is holy and sacrosanct if the persons involved are eligible to marry.

Some traditional customs would not recognize a marriage even after that marriage has produced "a football team" of children. A scenario is this: A man decided to marry. He approached his proposed in-laws for the hands of their daughter in marriage. He was presented with a list of requirements including dowry and or, bride-price. He pleaded with his in-laws (to-be) to release his proposed wife to him with a promise to come back later to settle those requirements. The in-laws acquiesced and blessed the young man together with the young lady and thus another family was established. After nine months, children started to arrive and with this development came additional responsibilities. This was a man who did not "have much of this world's goods," including education and exposure; about the only possession he thought he had was his wife; who doubled as his "only" consolation and the only form of recreation he knew was mating and mating! (Sex is a God-given right and it's beautiful within the framework of lawful marriage - 1 Cor. 7:2-5). As it should be expected in a man with this mind set, this translated to more and more children until he "hath his quiver full of them!" Coping with the problems of life and living became the major preoccupation of our man so much so that he became totally oblivious of the promise he made to his in-laws at the point of his marriage. Then, the eldest of the children his own marriage had produced was ready to introduce a man who had proposed marriage to her. It was at this stage that our man remembered that his wife and his children were not yet his own on the ground that he had not paid the dowry or bride-price on his wife!!!

If the woman that has produced these children is not this man's wife, then, certain questions are crying for answers and the most fundamental of these is: is this man married to this woman? If they were not married, then, what have they been doing all along by living together and producing children? If they were not married, then, they have been living in fornication and all the children produced by the union were born in fornication and out wedlock (Col. 3:5-7). What if one or both of them had died in that condition? That one or both of them would have gone to hell fire for having lived and died in fornication! (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-1.1). On the other hand, if in the sight of God they were married, having fulfilled all the commitments of marriage according to the will of God, then, by what reasoning would they be considered as not being husband and wife? That would be nothing but according to a traditional custom of man! The word of Christ is ringing and ringing loudly: "Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandments of God, ye hold the tradition of men... Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition... Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered, and many such like things do
ye" (Mark 7:6-13).

But then a word of advice (if not of caution): As a child of God, you may buy your food or cloth or car on credit. You may buy concrete blocks for the building of your house on credit. But do not marry your wife on credit! Try as much as possible to fulfil all the legitimate obligations demanded by the culture under which you live in order to win approval and recognition for your marriage. "Whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be
saved"(l Cor. 10:31-33). That way, you will have clarity of conscience as you "drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well ... Let thy fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all

times; and be thou ravished always with her love" (Pro. 5:15-19).

In this connection, there is a word or two for our Christian-parents too: if you have to come up with a list of requirements and charge bride-price at all, let the list be as short and the dowry be as reasonable as would be affordable for your proposed son-in-law. In this way, you will be putting a small nail on the head of the general prevalence of promiscuity among our youths. Let us always remember that there is nothing we have that we have not received (1 Cor. 4:7). In any case, "children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psa. 127:3; Josh. 24:3). We as parents are merely stewards of God in this regard (Gen. 48:9); and faithfulness is required of stewards (1 Cor. 4:2).

Civil law (or marriage registry) may join together people that are not eligible for marriage in the sight of God. To that extent, that arrangement is adulterous (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Moreover, a judge in a court of law may proclaim "divorce" because, as judges are wont to say, "the marriage is irretrievably broken." The Word of God says, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6). No man, no judge, no father, no mother, no father-in-law or mother-in-law has the right to put asunder a man and a woman that God Almighty has joined together!

What about parental consent in marriage? It goes without saying that a young man and a young woman who are marrying themselves are products of two homes; or better still, a son and a daughter of some parents. Moreover, in any culture, taking and giving in marriage of one's son or daughter are some of the joys and honour anybody can enjoy in this life (cf. Matt. 22:1-14; 24:38). Ordinarily, why would any young man or woman ever contemplate robbing his(her) parents of this joy and honour? We should all remember that the young man or woman of today is the father or mother of tomorrow! Surely, no one would be happy to be at the receiving end of this type of outlandish behaviour. The golden rule states: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would thaft men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12). Besides, one of the eternal decrees of God is:"... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:7-8).

But this writer is aware of a situation where a young man got married without even notifying his father, talk less of seeking his consent. When questioned, his answer was that his father did him much evil by his "refusal" to finance his university education, even though he (the father) had the means. Surely, this young man, like the rest of us, should realize that in spite of what our parents did or didn't do, they are the vehicles through which we came into this world (1 Tim. 5:4). We may become whatever in life, they begat us. Certainly, we came before we become! The Bible speaks of "a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother" (Pro. 30:11; cf. 2 Tim. 3:1-5). Moreover, our young men in this particular instance needs a tutorial on vengeance; that it truly belongs to God and not to us (Rom. 12:19).

Having said all this, what about the marriage that was contracted without the consent of this man's father? The marriage is right and sacrosanct if each of the two parties has the divine right to marry! In this writer's home, for instance, it is a settled matter. That "baddy" and "Mummy" will not give their consent to any marriage arrangement involving any of their children AND a non-believer. God forbid that any of these children should get involved with a non-believer as wife or husband. But just in case, will the withholding of the consent of "Daddy" and" Mummy" invalidate any marriage? No! If the young man and the young lady have the right to marry and each of them agree to leave their father and mother, cleave unto themselves and unite their bodies as one, God will join them together. The marriage will be right in the sight of God even though "Daddy" and "Mummy" don't consent to it!

But again, ordinarily, why would anyone not respect the will or wishes of his parents? Why would anyone - and a Christian for that matter - minimize the need for seeking and having the consent of his parents in this all-important matter? In any case, it is our considered view that if parents have been what they ought to be, living by righteous and godly principles, they will build homes where the will of God will be respected and obeyed. In homes where the will of God is taught and respected, homes where the children are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, marriage without the consent of parents would be a taboo! (Pro. 22:6; Eph. 6:1-3).

God, give us Christian homes!

Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,

Homes where the Master's will is sought,

Homes crowned with beauty Thy love hath wrought;

God, give us Christian homes! Amen and Amen.

P.O. Box 31019, Ibadan, Nigeria.

www.sayandare.blogspot.com

JESUS SUFFERED AGONY

What brought agony?

"And we know that the whole world lieth in wickedness." (I John 5:19). This grieved the heart of God (Genesis 6:5-6). The wickedness did not originate from God because everything that He made was very good (Genesis 1:31). Man becomes sinner when he transgresses the law of God (1 John 3:4); and or commits unrighteousness (1 John 5:17); and or does anything that is not of faith (Romans 14:23) and or fails to do good having known it (James 4:17). The scriptures declared that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). You are included in the list of sinners! And the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Your sins brought the agony which Jesus bore for you. You can benefit from this agony and death if you can just trust Him for His love.

God's Love Made Jesus to Bear the Agony

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God's love for and to mankind was exhibited by sending Jesus Christ of Nazareth to the world as a ransom for the sins of the world that the world through Him might be saved and not actually for condemnation of mankind (John 3:17-18).

 
 

Jesus, the Christ left His father's house of light, His glory circled throne for earthly night, for wandering and sadness in order to lay His life for mankind, He suffered the highest degree of molestation (Matthew 27:36-44), pains (Matthew 27:27-31; John 19:28-29), bitterest agony (Luke 22:44), and humiliation. Jesus Christ gave His life a ransom on Calvary; he bore all those sufferings, pains, agony, molestation and death for mankind to have the opportunity of crossing from death to life. He received the crown of thorn on His head, and spear that pierced His side, He bled and bore all the agony that you might live, and He took the place of death for you that you might live. He, being innocent, was crucified among two thieves (Matthew 15:27-28; 1 Peter 2:22). Jesus Christ died for ALL ... and rose again (II Corinthians 5:15).

All of these and several others stated in the New Testament are summarized under this phrase -The Gospel of Christ. The gospel of Christ is the goodness about the kingdom of God and of salvation through Christ. It is the powerful means appointed of all who believe and embrace it. It is the power by which God saves men (Romans 1:16).

The gospel has basic facts to believe. They are the death of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-3; John 19:33); burial of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:4; Matthew 27:59-60); and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:4; Matthew 28:5-6) for the purpose of saving men. These facts are to be preached (Mark 16:15), be heard (Romans 10:13-17), and be believed by anyone who is willing to enjoy the benefits accrued from the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Behold the Goodness of God

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God (Romans 11:22). Anyone who can just believe the gospel of Christ will benefit from the death of Christ, but anyone who has not believed that Jesus Christ was sent by God (John 3:16); to die and that He died for our sins and that He was buried and that He rose again from the dead the third day (I Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Matthew 28:5-6) has not appropriated the benefit of the death and resurrection of Jesus to himself. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" and "... the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:18, 36).

Promise of the Gospel To be Received

If anyone should believe the submission of the scriptures, such will receive the promises of God. God promised remission (forgiveness) of sins (Romans 6:17-18); gift of Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 5:32); eternal life (I John 2:25).

Commands of the Gospel to be Obeyed

The gospel of Christ has commands to be obeyed. In order to receive the promises of God pertaining to the gospel of Christ, one must first believe the facts of the gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ - Mark 16:16) and must repent of his sins (Acts 17:30-31; 2:38; Luke 13:3), must confess his faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:8-10) and be baptized in water (Acts 8:38; 6:3-4; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:26-27) for remission of his sins.

Whenever these steps are taken by anyone, God adds such a person to the body of Christ (Acts 2:47; 1Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18, 24) which is the church of Christ (Colossians 1:18, 24), the kingdom of God (John 18:36; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-27). God writes such person's name in the Lamb's book of life (Revelation 20:15; 21:27). Without obedience to the gospel, one is eternally lost (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).

Our Plea

That body of Christ is not a denomination of men. God denounces denominationalism (1 Corinthians 1:10); God wants His people united (John 17:21; 13:35). This group of people; will not bow down to the erroneous teachings of men neither will they teach for doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:8-9). They worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). They speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where it is silent (1 Peter 4:11).

The agony that Jesus bore was for the purpose of saving mankind from the horror of hell fire. Glory be to God who commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

You too can appropriate the benefits of Christ's death to yourself by following the New Testament pattern as enumerated above. You too can be part of this body of Christ today if you can just believe the simple truth of the Gospel, repent of your sins, confess your faith in Christ, be baptized and remain faithful to Him and renounce all forms of denominationalism. Answer the call of Jesus today who says "all things are ready, come" (Matthew 22:4; 11:28; Revelation 3:20) by showing your love to him by being baptised. Baptism is the point at which faith makes one a child of God by putting one into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). It is for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). It is when one's sins are washed away in Jesus' blood (Acts 22:16)

Conclusion

Will you accept God's wonderful news that Jesus died for your sins and be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that all your sins will be forgiven in His agony and death?

For more information:

Visit church of Christ, Olubi Construction Company Area, Oke Onitea, Osogbo, Osun State. or any church of Christ meeting in your area.

Kola Ajibola, Box 35478, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State. 08056048209, 08060194463, 08132990742 www.ksajibola.blogspot.com; ksajibola01@yahoo.com.

There is One Spirit

By Sunday Ayandare

It is sad to say that there is much superstition and ignorance about the subject of the Holy Spirit. This stems from the tendency on the part of many people to associate some kind of mysticism with the Spirit. The rendering of the King James Version (KJV) referring to the "Holy Ghost" is partly responsible for this. Who understand a "Ghost" and what are the workings of a "Ghost" is problematic for people to understand.

Moreover, many people rely on their personal feelings or the testimony of other people in their ideas about the Holy Spirit and His workings and thereby remain ignorant as to what the Bible actually teaches about Him. Several years ago, this writer met a religious leader in a discussion about the Holy Spirit. At a point, he yelled on top of his voice: "I don't care what the Bible says. I know the Holy Spirit is in me and is operating on my heart because I can feel Him:" But the Bible says long ago: "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool, but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered" (Proverbs 28:26).

Another reason for the general lack of understanding about the Holy Spirit is the rendering "Spirit." The KJV contains not less than 264 references to the "Spirit." Many make the mistake that whenever "spirit" or "Spirit" is used, reference is to the Holy Spirit. However, it is the context that will show whether the Spirit that is under consideration refers to the human spirit or the Holy Spirit.

While there are several aspects that we could beam our searchlight upon in our study of the Holy Spirit, for the sake of space, we shall limit ourselves to just four areas. We are going to focus on the Bible as our only source of information and then identify the names by which the Holy Spirit is called in the Old and the New Testaments. Moreover, we are going to discuss the Godhood or Deity of the Holy Spirit and His personality together with His work in the conversion of sinners.

The Bible Is Our Only Reliable Source of Information

On the subject of the Holy Spirit as in all other subjects pertaining to our salvation, let it be settled in our minds that the Bible is our authoritative and reliable source of information. Proverbs 30:5-6 says:  "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Even, after we have studied everything the Bible teaches on the subject of the Holy Spirit, we must still acknowledge our limitations. In Deuteronomy 29:29, we learn: "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." In other words, we must expect some things about the Holy Spirit to remain a mystery. This should not be surprising because the same thing is true with reference to God and Jesus Christ. We cannot claim we fully know and fully understand everything about Them. We must walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) and faith comes by hearing God's word (Romans 10:17).

Who Or What Is the Holy Spirit?

To the modernists, "the Holy Spirit is but a symbol or figure of speech for good influence" (Divine Science, the Development of Eternal Life, Truth and Love, Science and Health, p. 588). To the Jehovah's Witnesses, "the Holy Spirit is the invisible power of God, operating upon and or matter as God may will (Deliverance, p. 192). In other words, to the modernists and Jehovah's Witnesses, the Holy Spirit is NOT a person but an inanimate influence or power or force. Hence, the neuter gender "it" is used in their writings to refer to the Holy Spirit. However, the Pentecostals and Trinitarians believe that the Holy Spirit is a Being or Person revealed in three different forms as the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Contrary to these false theories, the Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person, having the characteristics of personality. He speaks (1 Timothy 4:1; Acts 8:29). He teaches and witnesses (John 14:26; 15:26). Moreover, He has the capability of guiding (John 16:12-14). He has the ability to know and search the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10) and can also forbid (Acts 16:6-7). He has affection (Romans 15:30). He can be lied to (Acts 5:3) and be resisted (Acts 7:51). He can be grieved and vexed (Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 63:10). All of these are characteristics of a being, an individual with personality and do not belong to mere influence and force.

Besides, the evidence from the Scriptures seems to be overwhelming that the Holy Spirit is not just a form of the Father and Jesus Christ but a distinctive Personality. For instance, at the baptism of Jesus Christ, He (Jesus) was standing before John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ and God spoke from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:16). Here, we see three distinctive Personalities. Again in John 14:16, Jesus Christ says, "And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, … even the Spirit of truth." Jesus Christ is the One to pray, the object of that prayer is God and the prayer if for the Holy Spirit to comfort the disciples. Three Persons! The declaration is made by Jesus Christ: "My Father is greater than I" (John. 14:28). Definitely, one cannot be his own father and son at the same time. Some may argue, "All things are possible with God." No, sir! Things ridiculous and absurd like this are not possible with God!     

He Is A Divine Person

The Bible does not merely teach that the Holy Spirit is a Person. It goes ahead to show clearly that He is a Divine Person. Another word for divinity is Godhead and this is found in three passages of the New Testament (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20 and Colossians 2:9). The term "Godhead" denotes the sum total of the attributes and characteristics common to deity. Just as manhood denotes the sum total of human characteristics, Godhood or Godhead refers to the three Persons possessing the attributes of divinity. The Three Persons are God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Three are joined together in the command to baptize (Matthew 28:19). Moreover, the Three are together in the administration of spiritual 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 12:4-7). Besides, the Three are mentioned together in the benediction. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." (2 Corinthians 13:14). Just as the Father is called God (1 Corinthians 8:5-6) and Jesus Christ is also called God (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:8), just so is the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4). In other words, there is one God or Godhead or Divine family (Deuteronomy 6:4), and this consists of Three Persons and each of whom is called God. This derives from the fact that the Three possess the attributes of Deity.

Eternity is one of the attributes of Deity. Of the Father, it is said, "Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting." (Psalms 93:2). The same thing is said of Jesus Christ, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8). What about the Holy Spirit? He also is called the "eternal Spirit" (Hebrews 9:14). Another attribute of divinity is omniscience or the ability to know all things. Of the Father, it is said that "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). On the part of Jesus Christ, we read, "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man" (John 2:24-25). This trait of omniscience which is true of the Father and Jesus Christ, is equally true of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

Omnipotence or the ability to do all things is another attribute of Deity and this is ascribed to God (Revelation 19:6; Luke 1:37) as well as to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18). The same attribute is also ascribed to the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14; Acts 1:8). Another characteristic of Deity is omnipresence, that is, ability to be everywhere at the same time. Jeremiah 23:24 reads: "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth?" Just as the omnipresence of God is established here in this passage, so it is of Jesus Christ, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). The same attribute is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. "Where can I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" (Psalms 139:7).

Creative power is another attribute of Deity and this is ascribed to the Three Persons. Of the Father, the Scriptures affirm that "He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding" (Jeremiah 51:15). Of Jesus Christ we read, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" (Colossians 1:16). At creation, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). Little wonder God said later, "Let Us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Genesis 1:26).

The Work of the Holy Spirit In The Conversion of Sinners

By conversion, we mean the total change of a sinner from his sins to God. God is the first Cause or the Author of conversion (Psalms 51:13). Jesus Christ is the mediatorial and interceding cause of conversion (Hebrews 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5). The word of God is the prescribing cause or instrument of conversion. "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: "(Psalms 19:7). What is the work of Holy Spirit here? It is He who revealed the word through the apostles and prophets (John 14:16; Ephesians 2:20; 3:1-5). And the blood of Christ is the procuring cause of conversion (Hebrews 11:4; 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19). The point of emphasis here is that the Holy Spirit is the "revealer" of the word which is the instrument of conversion. That is why everything that is said of the Holy Spirit in conversion is also said of the word in conversion. Note these points:

1.      Jesus Christ says when the Holy Spirit comes; He will convince the world of sin (John 16:8). And Apollos convinced the Jews ... by the Scriptures (the word) that Jesus was Christ (Acts 18:28).

2.      Sanctification is ascribed to the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16); but we are sanctified by the word (John 17:17).

3.      We are washed by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11) while we are cleansed with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26).

4.      We are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5), while we are born of the word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

Conclusion

What greater work can we expect the Holy Spirit to do? God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit worked together in the physical or material creation (Genesis 1:1-2, 26). The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit work together in the spiritual creation (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The word of God, the instrument of conversion was first in the mind of God, then in the mouth of Jesus to the apostles and then by the Holy Spirit given through the apostles to us (Deuteronomy 18:18; John 17:8; 14:26; Ephesians 3:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). In short, the Holy Spirit is God's medium through which He has revealed His word to us.

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