|
|
|
Mission Statement
|
THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A DOVE A. The Trinity B. Symbols of the Holy Spirit C. The Holy Spirit as a dove D. The Holy Spirit as feminine E. The work of the Holy Spirit 1. Is beautiful, pure, perfect, unique, blessed 2. Is easily caught 3. Effervesces 4. Moans for security, justice, and iniquity 5. Nests in security, away from danger 6. Confirming
THE OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THE TRINITY "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit..." (Matthew 28:19) In this verse Jesus, Himself, lists the three parts of the Godhead in one verse, tying together what He had demonstrated and talked about in bits and pieces throughout His ministry on earth. It is fitting that He end His earthly ministry mentioning the triune nature of God since He began His ministry with a demonstration of the three personalities of God at His baptism. Luke 3:21-23a "Now it came about that when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well pleased." And when He began His ministry... So we see in both these references that each part of the "God Family" is a personality who may be fellowshipped and communed with. The Apostle Paul also mentions the triune nature of God at the conclusion of his second letter to the Corinthians. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." II Corinthians 13:14 Just as God the Father and God the Son, the nature of the Holy Spirit is:
The Holy Spirit is the mysterious part of the Godhead because He is not fully revealed. He keeps Himself hidden and whatever He does is not done to draw attention to Himself. His sole purpose is to glorify Jesus (John 16:14), and to bear witness to Jesus, along with the water and the blood (I John 5:7,8). Because of this overriding purpose, we can see the movements of the Holy Spirit and what He is doing, but we don't fully know who He is. We are able to have a "lower" familiarity with God as Father and with Jesus as Friend, Brother, Lover, but not anything like that with the Holy Spirit. "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin." Mark 3:28,29 "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men; but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come." Matthew 12:31,32 "And everyone who will speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him." Luke 12:10
SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. Fire - purifies and refines Acts 2:3 Isaiah 4:4 Exodus 13:21-22 2. Water - regenerates, cleanses, gives life, quenches thirst John 7:38-39 Isaiah 44:3 3. Wind - invisible, undiscoverable, indispensable, life giving, irresistible force. Wind and spirit both come from the Greek root word Numa which means "breath of God." Acts 2:2 John 3:8 4. Oil - anointed, authority, chosen, powerful, healing Luke 4:18 Acts 10:38 5. Seal - assurance, protection, ownership, as a wax seal of authority Ephesians 1:13 6. Earnest - first of many, assurance of more, down payment Ephesians 1:14 7. Dove - purity, loyalty, devotion, gentle, harmless, tender, lovely Matthew 3:16-17 baptism of Jesus John 1:32 baptism of Jesus Since we're not going to be doing an in-depth study of the Holy Spirit, as a way of putting parameters on this study, I'd like us to learn about the nature of the Holy Spirit by looking at Him through the symbol of the dove and by following the path of the dove through scripture. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A DOVE In Genesis 8:8-12, Noah sent a dove out of the ark three times. Each time the dove went out, her actions illustrate truths about the Holy Spirit. vs. 8,9 "Then he sent out a dove from him, to see if the water was abated from the face of the land; but the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, so she returned to him into the ark; for the water was on the surface of all the earth. Then he put out his hand and took her, and brought her into the ark to himself." In like manner, when God the Father sends out the Holy Spirit to look for life in mankind, if our souls are not open to receive Him, no matter how much He flies around us, He can't "land" in us. We have the choice. vs. 10,11 "So he waited yet another seven days; and again he sent out the dove from the ark, and the dove came to him toward evening; and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth." The second time, the earth was receptive to the dove. She couldn't land but she found life and was able to bring Noah hope, encouragement, and peace. Similarly, when we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, we find hope, encouragement, and peace. vs. 12 "Then he waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; but she did not return to him again." This time, the dove found a home. Subsequently, so did Noah. When we invite Jesus to reside in our hearts, He comes in and makes a home there via the Holy Spirit and we are born again. This is what Jesus meant when He told Nicodemus: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again (become as you were before the fall), he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 "...unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." vs 5,6 "Jesus answered and said to him (Judas [not Iscariot] and the other disciples), If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him." John 14:23 Looking at the dove sent out by Noah from another perspective, consider context and what her reaction is: The world had grown so desperately wicked, God had decided He would just have to destroy the earth. He chose to do so by water. One man was found to be righteous so he honored that man by saving him and his family. The third time Noah sent out the dove, she didn't return. So let's fly with her through the pages of the Bible and see what happened to her. We don't find her again until we read that the bride is called a dove in Song of Solomon 2:14; 5:2. The bride's eyes are described as being like a dove's in 5:12, and the bride/dove is described as perfect, unique, an only daughter, pure, blessed, beautiful, and awesome in 6:9,10. But this is only a description of the dove. By the time we find her (Ephraim) again in Hosea 7:11, she has become "silly" and without sense, acting like the doves we see on the town square - easily caught, careless with her young and quarrelsome with her mate. In vs. 12, God says He will spread His net over her and bring her down like birds of the sky and then He will chastise them. This is the only time we see the dove in scripture described in negative terms. In Hosea 11:11 is the promise that Ephraim won't be destroyed but will come to the Lord like doves (root Hebrew word means to effervesce as in fermented wine) from the land of Assyria and like birds (little birds such as a sparrow, hopping or skipping) from Egypt. In Isaiah 38:14 and 59:11 we hear the dove (Moab) moaning for security and justice and flying away in 60:8. And again, in Nahum (burden) 2:7 the dove (handmaids) is moaning again, beating on her heart. She finds a nest away from danger, pride, haughtiness, arrogance, self-exaltation, fury, and futility in Jeremiah 48:28-30. But then we find her mourning over iniquity in Ezekiel 7:16. We don't see the dove again until the Holy Spirit comes like one at Jesus' baptism to commission Him. After that, we are told to be harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16) and Jesus drives out those who are selling doves in the temple. (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; John 2:14,16)
THE HOLY SPIRIT AS FEMININE It is fitting that throughout scripture the dove is referred to as a she because most Bible scholars consider the Holy Spirit to be the feminine part of the Godhead. In Genesis 1:26,27 God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness"....and God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." In Luke 1:35, Mary is told that the power of the Holy Spirit will result in the conception of the Son of God. In John 1:12, we are told that "as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God..." Both these references were referred to when, before she had birthed any children, Adam called Eve "Life" or "Living" since she was the one who would bear children. Genesis 3:20 A mother is a regenerating element of our society. "For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God." I Corinthians 11:12 The Holy Spirit is the regenerating aspect of the Godhead. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the surface of the waters." Genesis 1:1,2 The Spirit was waiting for the Word to be spoken. That word of faith was the substance He used to form the earth. (Hebrews 11:1) The word translated moving, hovering, or brooding gives the same picture as a hen sitting on her eggs, waiting for God's timing. "Thou dost send forth Thy Spirit, they are created; and Thou dost renew the face of the ground." Psalm 104:30 "It is the Spirit who gives life." John 6:63 "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." Job 33:4
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Following the dove through scripture, we found her moaning for security, justice and iniquity; easily caught; nesting in security away from danger; effervescing; and confirming. These same words describe the work of the Holy Spirit. Let’s take each aspect individually. Is beautiful, perfect, unique, pure, blessed, awesome This is indeed how Christ wants His church, beautiful, washed in the blood of the Lamb, covered with His blood. Each member is unique and, in fact, comparing ourselves with each other is a sin. He likes the variety each of us affords. Is easily caught When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we are moved to obey the Lord in repentance. "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." John 6:63 "He saved us...by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5 Effervesce The effervescent nature of the Holy Spirit is what caused the drastic change in the disciples - men and women who had been hiding behind locked doors. After the Holy Spirit fell on them, they became bold and possessed the ability to witness without fear. Jesus breathed on them and told them to "receive the Holy Spirit" before He ascended into heaven. John 20:22 Even though they had been so close to Jesus all through His earthly ministry, they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Indeed, up until that day, and except for John the Baptist who was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb, the Holy Spirit had only come upon people for periods of time. For the first time in history, at that time, they were indwelt with the Holy Spirit. This is what happens to us also when we receive Christ. He comes to dwell in us and we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. But this wasn't all Jesus had for them or knew they needed. He had already told them that after He went back up to heaven, He would send the Holy Spirit and He told them what would happen when He did this. "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, and you will bear witness also because you have been with Me from the beginning." John 15:26,27 He repeated this prediction right before He ascended: "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8 After the Holy Spirit came, we see His effervescent nature that was so great they bubbled with - faith - joy Romans 14:17; James 1:2 - an incredible ability to witness - the ability to do the works of Jesus (healing, miracles, etc.) In fact, there are 56 references to the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts alone! They were so changed and learned so quickly the advantage of being able to bubble with the Holy Spirit, they prayed for it during times of persecution, confirming the truth of Jesus prediction and promise of guidance. "But be on your guard; for they will deliver you up to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit." Mark 13:9-11 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence, while Thou dost extend Thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Thy holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:29-31 Moans for security, justice, and iniquity. These characteristics of the Holy Spirit are so much a part of His nature that Jesus said His primary task is to "convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged." John 16:8-11 The Holy Spirit uses His power and intelligent personality to convict and teach another intelligent personality - man - who was made in His image. Nests in security, away from danger The type of nest the Holy Spirit makes is one that is both strengthening and sanctifying at the same time. "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:26 "I bow my knees before the Father...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." Ephesians 3:14,16 Sanctify means to set aside or dedicate to a holy use. Paul knew that God had thus sanctified his ministry to the Gentiles: "...because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles...that my offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:15,16 He then wrote that we are washed, sanctified, and justified in the Holy Spirit; that our very salvation is through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit: "And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." I Corinthians 6:11 "But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth." II Thessalonians 2:13 Talk about security and being away from danger! Thank God for this work of the Holy Spirit in, for, and through us! As if this weren't enough, Jesus promised even more security when He said: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you." John 16:13-15 According to II Timothy 2, as the Holy Spirit reveals truth as Jesus said He would, a natural result is that we begin to
"Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." (vs. 21) Confirming
His seal, or confirmation that we are indeed children of God and heirs to the eternal promise is our guarantee. This assurance is both comforting and promising. "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1:13 "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30 "...the Holy Spirit of promise...is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:14 "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge." II Corinthians 1:21,22 "Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge." II Corinthians 5:5 "Guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." II Timothy 1:14 "The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, 'The Lord knows those who are His..." II Timothy 2:19 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you." Romans 8:11 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Romans 8:1,2 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." Romans 8:16 "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Galatians 4:6 "And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us." I John 3:24 "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." I John 4:13 "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed...the comfort of the Holy Spirit..." Acts 9:31 "Blessed be the...God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." II Corinthians 1:3,4
|
|
Mission Statement | RaJean's Bio | Gary's Bio | Current Events | Teachings | Products | Contact Us | Home Page |
