The Holy Spirit: How Does He Teach Us?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Have you ever read a book which was of such interest to you that you couldn’t put it down? You were challenged by what you read as you gained new insights, and truths already known were reinforced. But then you came to a section that you couldn’t understand. You didn’t know exactly what the author meant by what he wrote. Have you ever wished that you could meet the author and have him explain what he meant? Then you would fully understand what was being communicated! Rarely do we have the opportunity to ask the author what he meant. 

When you think about the Book of all books—the Bible, the Word of God—it is far different. Not only do you as a believer know the Author, but you also have the privilege of Him being your resident Teacher! This is a blessing that we must not take for granted. It should motivate us to study His Word and to depend on Him to instruct us. It is through the inspiration of the Spirit that we have the Word of God. It is through His ministry that we are able to understand His Word. In the past thirteen articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter. We are currently looking at the Spirit’s work in the believer’s life. In our last study, we focused on the filling of the Spirit. Now we come to another ministry of the Spirit to the believer: His teaching. We will answer the question: “The Holy Spirit: How Does He Teach Us?” 

What is meant by the Spirit’s work of teaching? 

• The Spirit’s teaching defined
  This ministry of the Holy Spirit is that ministry by which He reveals truth from the Word of God to the believer. 

• The Spirit’s teaching described

  • When would this teaching ministry occur? It was still future on the night before Christ’s death (John 14:26; 16:12-15). 

    • Believers in the Old Testament or during the earthly life of Christ evidently did not enjoy the personal instruction of the Spirit in their hearts, even though His instruction and guidance were not totally absent (cp. Neh. 9:19-20).

    • The time when the Spirit’s teaching began occurred when the Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost (John 16:14). The verbs relating to His teaching ministry are future in the Upper Room Discourse (John 14:26; 16:12-15).

  • What would be taught by the Spirit?
    The Lord Jesus taught them while on earth with them (John 14:25). There were many more things that He had to teach them, but they were not able to bear them then (John 16:12). When He left the earth, the Spirit would come and teach them these things (John 16:13). He would guide the apostles in the realm of all truth (John 16:13). This is truth concerning... 

    • Jesus Christ (John 15:26; 16:14)—the primary goal of His teaching is to testify of Christ (John 15:26) and glorify Him
      (John 16:14). He reveals the things of Christ and the Father to believers. He draws attention to Christ, not to Himself.

    • History (John 14:25-26)—this refers to what Christ taught them while He was with them. It involves the accurate recording of the Gospels. Though their memories were faulty, the Spirit would bring to their remembrance all things.

    • Doctrine (John 14:26)—this refers to what Christ had taught His apostles.

    • Prophecy (John 16:13)—the Spirit would announce the things that were coming in the future.

    In the verses above, the Lord Jesus was in essence giving the apostles authority to record the New Testament, covering history (John 14:25-26)—the Gospels/Acts; doctrine (John 14:26)—the Epistles; and prophecy (John 16:13)—the Revelation.

  • Why would this teaching be necessary? 

    • It was necessary for the accurate recording of Scripture—the inspiration of Scripture (I Cor. 2:9-13; II Pet. 1:21).
      Divine truth could be revealed to the writers of Scripture only by the Spirit. They needed His teaching ministry because:

      • Their memories were faulty (John 14:26). They would not remember everything. . . they would forget certain details, but the Spirit would direct them in recording His truth.

      • Their understanding was limited (John 2:22; 12:16; 16:12-13; cp. I Pet. 1:10-12)—in certain cases they did not understand what Christ said or did until much later, even after the resurrection of Christ.

    • It was necessary for the accurate understanding of Scripture—the illumination of Scripture (I Cor. 2:14-3:4; I John 2:20, 27). Divine truth can be understood by the hearers and readers of Scripture only by the Holy Spirit.

      • Four kinds of men are described in I Corinthians (2:14-3:4), each having a certain reception of God’s truth.

        • The natural man (I Cor. 2:14)—this is the unsaved man, the “soulish” man (operating only in the realm of the soul), spiritually dead, not having the Spirit. He has NO reception of God’s Word.

        • The spiritual man (I Cor. 2:15-16)—this is the believer who has a high level of spiritual maturity, being controlled by the Spirit, in close communion with God. He has FULL reception of the Word.

        • The carnal-weak man (I Cor. 3:1)—this is the believer who is a babe in Christ, recently saved, in
          early stages of spiritual development (perfectly normal). He has PARTIAL reception of the Word.

        • The carnal-willful man (I Cor. 3:2-4)—this is also a babe in Christ, who has remained immature when he should have grown(Heb. 5:12)(not normal). He too has a PARTIAL reception of the Word.

      • There are several factors which will determine our understanding of Scripture.

        • Salvation (I Cor. 2:14)—we must be saved before we can understand spiritual truths of Scripture.

        • Spiritual maturity (I Cor. 2:15-3:2)—maturity determines level of understanding of biblical truth.

        • Sin (I Cor. 3:3-4; Jas. 1:21; I Pet. 2:1-2)—unconfessed sin hinders our reception of God’s truth.

        • Spirit-yieldedness (IJohn 2:20,27)—the Spirit has anointed us so that we might understand truth.

        • Study (I Tim. 5:17; II Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11)—we must be diligent in our study of the Word.

(Sources to Consult: Class notes—Soteriology, Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, C. C. Ryrie, pp.104-105; The Divine Comforter, J. D. Pentecost, pp.31-34) The Holy Spirit, who gave you the Word, desires to teach you. Are you depending on Him to teach you as you hear, read, and study His Word?

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie 

The Holy Spirit: What’s It Mean to Be Filled?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Isn’t it interesting how our English words can be used in many different ways to express many different meanings?  So it is with the word fill.  When you fill a glass with water, you put as much in the glass as it will hold.  When your heart is filled with joy, you are controlled by this emotion.  When the scent of perfume fills the room, it permeates the entire area.  When an employee fills a new position, he takes over the new responsibilities of the job.  When the pharmacist fills a prescription, he supplies what is needed for the patient. This word fill also has a special significance when it comes to the work of the Holy Spirit. In the past twelve articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  We have seen how the Holy Spirit  is instrumental in the work of salvation in seven areas:  conviction, regeneration, indwelling, anointing, sealing, baptism, and giving gifts.   We now look at the Spirit’s work in the believer’s life. This work that we will examine is foundational to all the ministries of the Spirit in the believer’s life.  The Spirit’s other ministries will not be operational without this work.  I’m referring to the filling of the Spirit.  We will answer the question: “The Holy Spirit:  What’s It Mean to Be Filled?” 

What is meant by the Spirit’s work of filling?

• The Spirit’s filling defined
  This ministry of the Holy Spirit is that ministry by which He controls the believer. It is the spiritual state in which the Holy Spirit is fulfilling all that He came to do in the heart and life of the believer (L. S. Chafer, Major Bible Themes, p. 115).  

• The Spirit’s filling described

  • How is it revealed?

    • It is marked by control (Eph. 5:18).  

      • It is a spiritual, not a physical, filling (Acts 13:52; John 16:6; Luke 4:28; 5:26).  It’s not like the Spirit literally expanding to fill every nook and crevice of our physical bodies.  The idea instead is one of domination or control, as is true with emotional fillings.  When an emotion like fear, sorrow, or anger fills you, it dominates or controls you.  So it is when the Spirit fills the believer.

      • It is contrasted with drunkenness (Eph. 5:18).  Note these parallels. . .

        • When a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the foreign substance is controlling him; when a believer is filled with the Spirit, he is under the control of the Spirit.  

        • When a person is drunk, his behavior is greatly altered. . . so the Spirit’s filling alters our behavior. 

        • A person who is drunk, when he stops drinking, is no longer drunk; a person who is Spirit-filled, when he stops yielding to the Spirit, is no longer Spirit-filled.  

    • It is expressed as a command (Eph. 5:18).

      • It is not an automatic result of salvation.  The ministries of the Spirit that we have previously seen occurred automatically when we trusted in Christ as Savior.  But not so with His filling.  While the other ministries are permanent—we cannot lose them—His filling is not permanent.  It must be continually maintained. 

      • It involves our obedience.  Since we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, we are expected to obey the command. The Spirit’s ministry is directly affected by our continuing obedience throughout our lives.

    • It is described as continual (Acts 2:4; 4:31; Eph. 5:18).  

      •  It was a repeated experience (Acts 2:4; 4:31).  Some of the same believers who were filled with the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 needed to be filled again in Acts 4, indicating that it’s not once-for-all.

      • The verb is one of continual action (“be being filled”) (Eph. 5:18).  It should be our daily pattern.  

  • What are its results?  We should be filled for. . .

    • Performance of ministry or good works (Acts 6:3-5; 13:9-12; John 7:37-39; Luke 1:15-17; cp. Ex. 31:2-3; 35:30-36).  The Spirit empowers us for ministry.

    • Proclamation of God’s message (Luke 1:41-45, 67-79; Acts 2:4; 4:8-13, 29-31).  Boldness in proclaiming the message comes from the filling of the Spirit.  

    • Power in fighting the spiritual battle (Gal. 5:16-17; Luke 4:1-2).  The Spirit gives us power to defeat our spiritual enemies—Satan, the world, and the flesh.

    • Production of godly character (Gal. 5:22-23).  The fruit of the Spirit results from the filling of the Spirit.

    • Praise and worship of God (Eph. 5:18-20).  When we are filled with the Spirit, we sing praises to the Lord in corporate (as well as personal) worship and give thanks to Him for all things.  

    • Promotion of good interpersonal relationships (Eph. 5:21-6:9). His filling results in mutual submission and changed relationships between believers, husbands/wives, parents/children, masters/servants, and every relationship.  

  • How does a believer receive the filling of the Spirit?  While not stated directly in Scripture, here are three necessary steps. . .

    • You must yield to the Spirit’s control rather than quench the Spirit (I Thess. 5:19).  There must be a yielding to Him and His control (cp. Rom. 6:13).  His work in our lives must not be quenched, but allowed to operate in full flame.  

    • You must remove sin from your life (I John 1:9) rather than grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:29-32).  Sin grieves Him and must be confessed and forsaken for Him to fill us.  When you confess sin and yield to Him, He is back in control of your life.  

    • You must live in continual dependence on the Spirit—walk by Him step by step (Gal. 5:16-17).  Walk by the Spirit in order not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  Each step that we take must be in dependence on the Spirit.  

(Sources to Consult:  Class notes—Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, Charles C. Ryrie, pp. 93-103; The Divine Comforter, J. Dwight Pentecost, pp.. 154-164; Systematic Theology, Vol. VI,  Lewis Sperry Chafer, pp. 232-268)

Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?  Are you daily living under His control moment by moment?  Only then can you live in spiritual victory!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: What Kind of Gifts Does He Give?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This is the month for gift-giving. Christmas is marked as a time of giving gifts to those we love. We remember the greatest gift of all: the Lord Jesus. He came into our world, took on human flesh, and died on the cross to pay for our sins, after which He rose again. That’s why Paul closes His major section on grace giving with the exclamation, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (II Cor. 9:15). This “indescribable gift” is essential to our salvation! Without Him being given, we would never have the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23).

Another wonderful gift that has been given to us is the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5; II Cor. 1:22). He has been sent to us by both the Father (John 14:26) and the Son (John 15:26; 16:7). In the past eleven articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter. We have seen that He is essential to us receiving the salvation which has been provided through the work of Christ. We have studied the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation: His work of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, anointing, sealing, and baptism. Let’s now look at another aspect of His work related to salvation: His giving of gifts. He is not only the wonderful “Gift” given to every believer, but He also gives spiritual gifts to every believer. We will answer the question: “The Holy Spirit: What Kind of Gifts Does He Give?”

What is meant by the Spirit’s work of giving gifts?

• The Spirit’s gift-giving defined
  This ministry of the Holy Spirit is that ministry by which He bestows on the believer a God-given ability for service. What is a spiritual gift? First, realize that it is not primarily, as Charles Ryrie points out. . . .

  • A natural talent or innate ability. o A place of service.

  • A particular age group ministry. o A specialty of ministry.

Rather, it is a God-given ability for service (Charles C. Ryrie, The Holy Spirit, pp. 83-84).

• The Spirit’s gift-giving described

  • Who gives spiritual gifts? The Holy Spirit is the Giver of spiritual gifts (I Cor. 12:7-11). I Corinthians 12:11 makes this clear: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” God has sovereignly placed every believer in the Body of Christ by the Spirit (I Cor 12:13) and has sovereignly given every believer a spiritual gift by the Spirit (I Cor. 12:7-11). These gifts are given to us as a result of God’s grace—undeserved favor (the Greek term for “grace”—charis—being the root of the term for “spiritual gift”—charisma). They are also responsibilities of His stewardship entrusted to us (I Pet. 4:10).

  • To whom are spiritual gifts given?

    • Every believer in this present Church age is given a spiritual gift (I Cor. 12:7, 11; I Pet. 4:10).

    • No believer has every gift (I Cor. 12:29-30).

    • Every believer has at least one gift (I Cor. 12:7, 11; I Pet. 4:10).

    • The Body of Christ cannot properly function without each member fulfilling its designed function (I Cor. 12:14-26).

  • Why are the spiritual gifts given? Spiritual gifts are given to equip believers for service for the edification of the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:11-12). The temporary gifts were also given as signs to confirm God’s message and messenger (I Cor. 14:21-22). Each gift should be exercised most importantly for the glory of God (I Pet. 4:11).

  • What are the spiritual gifts?

    • There are four chapters in which spiritual gifts are listed: Rom. 12:6-8; I Cor. 12:7-10, 28-30; Eph. 4:11-12; I Pet. 4:10-11.

    • There is disagreement among Bible students and scholars concerning the exact number of spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament (ranging in number from 14 to 20 or more) and which gifts are permanent and which are temporary. Part of the problem lies in the fact that some of the gifts, such as word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits, are difficult to define. There is an overlap of the same gifts in various lists.

    • After study and research, this is my personal conclusion as to which gifts are temporary and permanent:

      • The temporary gifts: apostles, prophets (prophecy), miracles, healings, tongues, and interpretation of tongues

      • The permanent gifts: ministry (service), teaching, exhortation, giving, administration, showing mercy, faith, evangelism, and pastor-teaching.

      • The debatable gifts (temporary/permanent?): word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits.

(It is not my purpose here to present a description of each gift or to explain why I grouped them this way.)

• The Spirit’s gift-giving detected. . . how to discover your own spiritual gift(s)

  • Study and pray—study prayerfully the lists of gifts in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and I Peter 4. 

  • Experience (become involved in some gift areas) and check the following. . .

    • Desire: do you really like doing it?

    • Effectiveness: are you effective when you do it?

    • Recognition: do others recognize that this is your gift? Ask those close to you.

  • Exercise (your gifts) and function (in the Body)—don’t neglect it, stir it up, develop it (Rom. 12:6-8; I Tim. 4:14; II Tim. 1:6)!

(Sources to Consult: Class notes—Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, Charles C. Ryrie, pp. 83-92; The Divine Comforter, J. Dwight Pentecost, pp.. 165-192; Systematic Theology, Vol. VI, Lewis Sperry Chafer, pp. 215-220)

We as believers can rejoice that God has placed us into the Body with a particular function to fulfill and a particular gift to exercise. The Spirit gave us each at least one gift to exercise, not for ourselves, but to serve others and to glorify Him. Let’s faithfully use the gifts that He has given!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: Is His Baptism a Second Work of Grace?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

When you think of baptism, with what do you normally associate it?  Water, of course.  When you ask someone if he has been baptized, he will likely think about an event in which he was either immersed in water, sprinkled with water, or had water poured on him.  But when you examine baptism in the Scriptures, you discover that it involves far more than water.  There is a spiritual baptism which every New Testament believer has experienced…not by water, but by the Holy Spirit.   While many are confused about water baptism, especially in regard to its mode and meaning, there is also confusion about the baptism with the Spirit.  This confusion centers primarily on the timing of this baptism.  Does it occur at the very moment that the believer trusts in Christ as his Savior, or is it an event that occurs at a point after he is born again as a “second work of grace”?   In the past ten articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  We have studied the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation:  His work of conviction, regeneration, indwelling, anointing, and sealing.   Let’s now look at the Spirit’s baptism.  We will answer the question: “The Holy Spirit:  Is His Baptism a Second Work of Grace?” 

What is meant by the Spirit’s work of baptizing?  

• The Spirit’s baptizing defined

Kenneth S. Wuest defines the Greek word, baptizo, in general as “the introduction or placing of a person or thing into a new environment or into union with something else so as to alter its condition or its relationship to its previous environment or condition” (Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Vol. I, “Romans,” pp. 96-97). Specifically, Spirit-baptism is the ministry of the Holy Spirit by which He as the instrument used by Christ places the believing sinner into the Body of Christ and into Christ.   

• The Spirit’s baptizing developed—specifically referred to seven times in the New Testament, with general references four times

  • Prophetically in the Gospels and in Acts (“He shall baptize. . .”—Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5)

  • Historically in Acts (the Jews baptized—Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; the Gentiles baptized—Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-17)

  • Doctrinally in Paul’s Epistles (into Christ’s Body—I Cor. 12:13; into Christ—Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12)

• The Spirit’s baptizing described

  • Who is involved in the baptizing?   The Baptizer is the Lord Jesus (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33).  The instrumentused in the baptizing is the Holy Spirit (“with” or “by” the Spirit—Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16; I Cor. 12:13).  The participant in baptism is every believer in the Church age (I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:26-28). 

  • What does the baptizing accomplish? It places us into the Body of Christ, the Church (I Cor.12:13), into vital union with every believer.  It places us into union with Christ Himself (Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12), resulting in being “in Christ.”  

  • When does this baptism occur?  When has it occurred in the past?  When does it occur in the present?  

    • Before the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)—never (still future in Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5)

    • In the Book of Acts

      • The first occurrence (Acts 2)—this first occurrence signaled the beginning of the Church (Acts 2:1-4)—predicted by Jesus (Acts 1:5—“not many days from now”); referred to by Peter (Acts 11:15-17—“as upon us at the beginning”); traced directly to the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)—the Church was born!

      • The four special occurrences in the Book of Acts—three of the four are accompanied by speaking with tongues (Acts 2, 10, 19) and all four are used by many to support teaching that this baptism is a “second work of grace” after believing in Christ for salvation (Acts 2, 8, 10, 19).  

        • Is this teaching correct?  The book of Acts is a book of historical transition between law and grace, and thus not everything in Acts can be applied as normal for the Church today.  It is also a book of history, not doctrine—don’t go to Acts to establish a doctrine, but rather the Epistles.  

        • In the first two cases of Spirit-baptism in Acts, the baptism occurred after salvation since these were unique, special cases: in Acts 2 these believers were the first to receive the Spirit (John 7:39; 16:9; Acts 1:4) and to enter the Church; in Acts 8 these Samaritans were baptized with the Spirit after believing as a sign to the Jews that the Samaritans were now part of the Church.  

        • In the last two cases of Spirit-baptism in Acts, the baptism occurred at the moment of believing as the Gentiles entered the Church (Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-17) and as the disciples of John entered the Church (Acts 19:1-6), tongues indicating that both groups were now in the Church.  

      • The normal pattern in the book of Acts—believers were baptized with the Spirit at the moment of believ-ing in Christ (Acts 2:38, 41).  The normal pattern is not as a “second work of grace” following salvation.  

      • The normal pattern during the Church age—all are baptized with the Spirit when believing (I Cor. 12:13).  At conversion the believer is placed into the Body of Christ and into union with Christ.  In the New Testament epistles, you’ll not find one time when the Spirit-baptism follows salvation.  Nor can you find a time when a believer is told to seek, pray for, or wait for it.  It happens the very moment that one believes.  Unlike the Spirit’s filling (repeated throughout the Christian life—Eph. 5:18), baptism with the Spirit occurs only once (I Cor. 12:13).   

(Sources to Consult:  Class notes—Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, Charles C. Ryrie, pp. 74-79; The Divine Comforter, J. Dwight Pentecost, pp.. 136-143; Systematic Theology, Vol. VI,  Lewis Sperry Chafer, pp. 138-161)

As a believer, don’t seek “the baptism of the Spirit.”  Rest in the truth that you have already been baptized with the Spirit. Recognize that you have been placed into Christ’s Body and into union with Christ.  Cultivate your relationship with Christ and other believers.

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: Why Is His Sealing Important?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

What are people looking for in life?  It depends on who you ask.  For some, it is wealth and riches, having all their material needs met and plenty of luxuries besides.  For others, they want popularity and fame, not only being recognized by others as important and valued, but also being at the top of their particular field of endeavor.  There are those also who would like to be free from major problems, whether it be physical illnesses, financial setbacks, or relationship breakdowns.   These are only a few of the ambitions in men’s hearts.

But when you condense these longings, there are three elements which most people would list as essential in life:  a sense of security    . . . a sense of belonging. . . and a sense of satisfaction.  These three components are too often lacking.  So many do not feel secure, whether physically, financially, or spiritually.  There are those who feel isolated and lonely, lacking close, meaningful relationships and having no group to which they truly belong.  Many lack true satisfaction in life, always striving to find something more which will bring complete fulfillment and accomplishment.   It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life which provides all three key elements.

In the past nine articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter  We are focusing now on the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation.  Thus far, we have seen that He convicts the world, revealing His truth to their hearts; regenerates the sinner that trusts in Christ, giving him spiritual life; indwells the believer at the point of saving faith; and anoints every believer by giving him/her the ability to understand the Word of God.  Now, we will examine another doctrine of the Spirit related to salvation—His sealing—which provides the three key elements mentioned earlier.  We will answer the question: “The Holy Spirit:  Why Is His Sealing Important?”    

What is meant by the Spirit’s work of sealing?  

• The Spirit’s sealing defined
  The sealing is that ministry of the Holy Spirit by which He guarantees the certainty of the believer being possessed by God and preserved until the day of redemption.  

• The Spirit’s sealing described

  • Who is involved in the sealing?   Not only has the Father anointed us (II Cor. 1:21), He has also sealed us:  “. . . who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (II Cor. 1:22).   The One who is the seal is the Holy Spirit:  “. . . you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13b).  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).  Every believer in Christ is sealed (II Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30).  Even carnal believers are said to be sealed (II Cor. 1:21-22; cp. I Cor. 3:1-4), and no believer is ever exhorted to be sealed, which implies that it has already occurred and does not need to be sought. 

  • When are believers sealed?  The sealing occurs at the very moment of receiving salvation.  The sealing and the giving of the Spirit in our hearts happen at the same time (II Cor. 1:22).  “. . . in whom [Christ] also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).   The sealing continues until the day of redemption (Eph. 1:14; 4:30), when our redemption is complete and we receive our resurrection bodies (cp. Rom. 8:23).  

  • Why are believers sealed?  There are various uses of seals in the Scriptures:  a document, deed, or decree sealed so it would be made authoritative and complete (I Kings 21:8; Neh. 9:38; Esther 3:9-10; 8:7-8); a book sealed so it can’t be opened (Isa. 29:11; Rev. 5:1, 2, 5, 9); a grave sealed so its contents cannot escape or be stolen (Matt. 27:66; Dan. 6:16-17); an object or person sealed so it can be claimed as one’s own and protected (Ezra 9:4; Rev. 7:2-8) or authenticated (John 3:33; 6:27; Rom. 4:11). For the believer the Spirit’s sealing signifies:  

    • Divine ownership—signifies that we are owned by God, that we belong to Him  (cp. Jer. 32:9-12; II Tim. 2:19).

    • Eternal security—signifies that we are protected by God and that our salvation is secure (II Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14; 4:30).  

    • Finished transaction—signifies that our salvation is a finished transaction (Jer. 32:9-12; I Kings 21:8; Neh. 9:38).  

(Sources to Consult:  Class notes—Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, Charles C. Ryrie, pp. 80-82; The Divine Comforter, J. Dwight Pentecost, pp.. 144-153; Systematic Theology, Vol. VI,  Lewis Sperry Chafer, pp. 136-137) 

When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us as the seal, we have a new sense of belonging.  We are no longer separated from God, but instead belong to God as His possession.  We have a new sense of security.  The Holy Spirit is the guarantee or down-payment of our eternal inheritance, and there is far more waiting for us in eternity.  We possess a salvation which can never be lost or taken from us.  We also have a new sense of satisfaction.  We enjoy a salvation which can never be earned or pur-chased.  There is nothing that we can add to it, since it is already a finished transaction, having been purchased by the shed blood of Christ. How can we know that all three elements are reality in our lives?  We know it because we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit!

Charles Ryrie illustrated the Spirit’s ministry of sealing this way:  “One of the best illustrations of sealing is a piece of registered mail.  When something is registered at the post office, it is sealed until delivered.  Actually only two persons can open registered mail—the sender (if it is delivered back to him) and the recipient.  In the case of the believer, God is the one who sends him on the way to heaven, and God in heaven is the recipient on his arrival.  Therefore, only God can break the seal of our redemption, and He has promised not to do so; and the guarantee of that promise is the presence of the Holy Spirit who is the one in which we have been sealed by God” (The Holy Spirit, p. 82).   What a blessing and security to know that we as believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: Is His Anointing for an Elite Group?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We would all like to be a member of the elite group.  I am referring to being at the top of the class, the “cream of the crop.”  It might be a student striving to be in the top 10% of the class academically.  It could be an employee pushing to receive recognition as the best employee in the company.  Perhaps it is a person seeking to achieve a powerful position in an organization.  Those in the elite group are often highly respected, while those who are merely ordinary are not recognized and are at times rejected, especially by those who are the “elite.”  There are those who seek to divide believers into groups based on their relationship to the Holy Spirit.  Due to their misunderstanding of the work of the Spirit in a believer’s life, they teach that some believers are in an elite group as compared to other believers.  

While it is true that every believer doesn’t yield to the Holy Spirit to the same degree and doesn’t experience His power to the same extent, it is not true that there is an elite class of believers as far as their possession of the Spirit is concerned.  Some teach that some believers have the Holy Spirit, while others do not.  Some have been baptized with the Spirit, but others have not.  Some believers have special gifts of the Spirit, with others possessing inferior gifts.  Some have experienced the Spirit’s “anointing,” while others lack that “anointing.”  Is this teaching biblical?  Is there a segment of believers who have a “corner” on the Holy Spirit?  

In the past eight articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  We have observed His work in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Book of Acts.  We are currently looking at the present work of the Holy Spirit in salvation.  We have observed that He convicts the world of sin, regenerates (gives spiritual life to) the sinner that trusts in Christ, and indwells every believer from the moment that he/she trusts in Christ.   In this study, we will examine this doctrine of the Spirit which is related to His indwelling but is often misunderstood:  His anointing.  We will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:  Is His Anointing for an Elite Group?”    

What is meant by the Spirit’s work of anointing?  

• The Spirit’s anointing defined
  The anointing is that ministry of the Holy Spirit by which He enables the believing sinner to be taught spiritual things.

• The Spirit’s anointing described
  Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer concisely described the Spirit’s anointing in this way:  “The anointing is universal, occurs at the moment of salvation, and doctrinally is the same as the indwelling of the Spirit .  The teaching that one is anointed subsequent to salvation and that it is a second work of grace or possible only when filled with the Spirit is not the teaching of Scripture” (Major Bible Themes, p. 103).  This runs counter to what is taught by many that certain believers are “anointed” while others are not, and corrects the common misconception that the anointing occurs in a believer’s life at a point after he is saved rather than at salvation.

  • Who is the author of the anointing (II Cor. 1:21)?  God the Father.  “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God” (II Cor. 1:21).  

  •  Who is the agent of the anointing (I John 2:20, 27; cp. I Cor. 2:10, 12, 14, 15; John 16:12-15)?  The Holy Spirit.  “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. . . . But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you, but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (I John 2:20, 27).  Every believer is anointed with the Spirit (I John 2:20, 27), just as Jesus was anointed with the Spirit for service (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).   The result of the anointing is knowing all things (God’s truth) and not needing to be taught because we are taught through the anointing.  Though the Holy Spirit is not described in I John 2:20, 27 by name, it is implied that He is the agent of the anointing (the One through whom we are anointed) because of His instructing ministry which is mentioned in other passages (I Cor. 2:10, 12, 14, 15; John 14:26; 16:12-15).  

  • What is meant by the abiding of the anointing (I John 2:27)?  While we are anointed with the Spirit at the point of salvation, this anointing continues throughout the Christian life.  “The anointing which you have received. . . abides in you” (I John 2:27).  

  •  What is the aim of the anointing (I John 2:20, 27)?  

    • The primary aim of the anointing is that we might be instructed by Him and know His truth.  Our reliance must be on the Spirit to teach us the Word.  He is involved, not only in the inspiration of the Scriptures (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21), but also in the illumination of the Scriptures to our hearts.  Our reliance on human teachers is not good, according to John; the Spirit must be our primary Teacher.  But we must also realize that the Spirit uses human teachers to present His truth (Eph. 4:11-14; I Tim. 1:3; II Tim. 2:24-26; 4:1-5; Tit. 1:7-9; Heb. 5:12).  

    • A secondary purpose of the anointing may be a setting apart for God’s service (cp. Ex. 40:9-15; I Sam. 16:12-13; I Kings 19:16; Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).  Anointing with oil in the Old Testament was a frequent way of symbolizing setting apart someone or something to God for His service.  Prophets (I Kings 19:16), priests (Ex 40:15), and kings (I Sam. 16:12-13) were consecrated or set apart to God by anointing.  The Lord Jesus was anointed with the Spirit, setting Him apart and empowering Him for service (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).  The Spirit empowers us also.  

(Sources to Consult:  Class notes—Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, Charles C. Ryrie, pp. 72-73; The Great Doctrines of the Bible, William Evans, pp. 118; Major Bible Themes, L. S. Chafer and John F. Walvoord, p. 103; Systematic Theology, L. S. Chafer, Vol. VI, pp. 133-134)

There is no elite class when it comes to the believer’s possession of the Holy Spirit.  Every believer is anointed with the Spirit!  His anointing in your life enables you to understand His truth.   Depend on the Spirit’s instruction in order to understand His Word and impart it to others!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: Where Does He Dwell?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

We all have a place where we dwell or live.  Most of us dwell in a house, a town or city, and a nation.  We connect with a specific location or address.  But have you ever asked, “Where does God dwell?”  As you study the Word to answer this question, you discover several places where God dwells.  He dwelt in the tabernacle when Israel left Egypt (Ex. 25:8; 29:44-45).  He dwelt between the cherubim in the tabernacle (I Sam. 4:4; II Sam. 6:2; II Kings 19:15; I Chron. 13:6; Psa. 80:1; 99:1; Isa. 37:16).  He dwelt in the temple which Solomon built (I Kings 8:12-13; II Chron.6:1-2; 29:5-6; 36:15; Psa. 26:8).  He dwelt in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:15; Neh. 1:9; Psa. 135:21; Zech. 2:11; 8:3) or Zion (Psa. 9:11; 76:2; 132:13-14; Joel 3:17).   Beyond these places on earth, heaven is declared to be God’s dwelling place (I Kings 8:30, 39, 43, 49; II Chron. 6:21, 30, 33, 39; Psa. 113:4-6; 123:1; Isa. 8:18; 33:5; 57:15).  But how can the omnipresent (all-present) God be confined to one place, whether in heaven or on earth?  He can’t!  Solomon made this clear in his dedicatory prayer for the temple:  “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?  Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You.  How much less this temple which I have built!” (I Kings 8:27).  Paul declared the same when He announced on Mars’ Hill in Athens, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:24).  Though He dwelt among His people, He can never be confined to one place. 

But the amazing truth, especially as we move into the New Testament, is that God dwells in a special sense in His people.  The emphasis on God’s dwelling in the New Testament is that He dwells in the lives of believers.  This is especially true of the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit (John 14:17; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 3:16; 6:19; II Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:22; II Tim. 1:14; Jas.4:5).  In the past seven articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  We have observed His work in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Book of Acts.  In our past two studies we have been examining the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of unbelievers.  We have focused on His convicting and regenerating ministries.   In this study, we will address His work of indwelling.  We will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:  Where Does He Dwell?”    

How do we define the Spirit’s work of indwelling?  

This ministry of the Holy Spirit is foundational to the other works of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.  His indwelling is essential if He is going to fill us, teach us, guide us, assure us, pray for us, and empower us.  His indwelling is that ministry of the Holy Spirit by which He comes into the heart and life of the believing sinner at the point of salvation and resides permanently.  .

How do we describe His indwelling work?  

• How His indwelling differs
  This work of the Holy Spirit has taken on a distinctive feature in the Church age (since the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2) in contrast to His indwelling in Old Testament times (before the Church began).

  • His indwelling was selective and temporary in the Old Testament (Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 16:20; I Sam. 6:13; Psa.  51:11).

    • He dwelt in certain people (Gen. 41:38; Dan. 4:8; 5:11-14; 6:3).

    • He came upon certain people (Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; I Sam. 10:10; 16:13; II Chron. 15:1).

    • He filled certain people (Ex. 31:3; 35:31).

    • He left certain people (Judg. 13:25; 16:20; I Sam. 10:10; 16:14; Psa. 51:11; John 14:16). 

  • His universal and permanent indwelling for believers was promised by Christ (John 7:38-39; 14:16-17).

  • His universal and permanent indwelling is a present reality for believers in this age (Rom. 5:5; 8:9; I Cor. 6:19).  

• Who His indwelling involves

  • He indwells His Church as a whole (I Cor. 3:16-17; II Cor. 6:16).

  • He indwells individual believers (I Cor. 6:19-20).

    • No unbelievers are indwelt by the Spirit (Rom. 8:9; Jude 19; cp. I Cor. 2:14).

    • All believers are indwelt by the Spirit (Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 6:19).

  • Even carnal believers are indwelt by the Spirit (I Cor. 6:19; cp. I Cor. 3:1-4).  

• When His indwelling occurs

  • His indwelling begins at the point of salvation—when we trust in Christ as our Savior (John 7:37-39; Acts 5:32; Gal. 3:2-3; cp. Acts 6:7; Rom. 1:5; Heb. 5:9).

  • His indwelling never ends (John 14:16-17).  

• What His indwelling proves

  • His indwelling gives evidence of God’s ownership of us (I Cor. 6:19-20).

  • It confirms the Father’s indwelling in our lives (I John 3:24; 4:13).

  • It proves our sonship (Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:9, 16, 17).

  • It assures us of our eternal security (II Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30)—the Spirit is the “earnest” of our inheritance (II Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14), the “first-fruits” (Rom. 8:23), and the “seal” (Eph. 4:30).  

  • It guarantees our future resurrection (Rom. 8:11).

  • It makes available the power and holiness for the believer (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22-23).   

(Sources to Consult:  Class notes—Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978; The Holy Spirit, Charles C. Ryrie, pp. 67-73; Major Bible Themes, Lewis Sperry Chafer and John F. Walvoord, pp. 102-107)

What a blessing to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit!  He is a precious Gift to every believer.  Don’t ever take Him for granted.  As I heard many years ago: it is not enough that He be resident in your life. . . He must also be “president”!  Since He lives in you, yield daily to His control.  

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: How Does He Produce New Life?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

As most of you know, I just returned from a three-week ministry in Mexico.  For the past year and a half since my last trip to Oaxaca, I had heard about how God was working in Iglesia Hogar (Home Church).  I had heard about the spiritual and numerical growth of the church.  I had seen pictures of many individuals and families who had trusted in Christ as their Savior and are now active and growing members of the church, most within the past six to nine months.  But while I was there during this month, I saw with my eyes what God has been doing and continues to do in their lives.  On my first Sunday, July 11, I had the privilege of baptizing fourteen believers, thirteen of whom had trusted in Christ within the past year.  Then, in the weeks to follow, I spent many hours in each of their homes, on trips and hikes, in church services, in English classes, and on a men’s retreat developing relationships with each of these new believers and getting to know them personally.  What a blessing this was!  It was refreshing to see how God has brought each into a relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ.  I saw firsthand the results of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in many lives.  A year ago they were all spiritually dead, but now God has made them alive!  It was so encouraging!

In the past six articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.   We have observed the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Book of Acts.  Since the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, several ministries of the Holy Spirit unique to the Church age have occurred, even to this present day.  In our last study, we began examining the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of unbelievers.  We focused on His convicting ministry as He clearly reveals the truth of the gospel to the heart of the unbeliever.  In this study, we will address His work of regeneration.  Many believers don’t know what that term means.  But when I use the term “born again” or “the new birth,” we see the core of what regeneration means.  We will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:  How Does He Produce New Life?”    

How do we define the Spirit’s work of regeneration? 

The English term “regeneration” is only used twice in the New Testament:  once in referring to the future time when Jesus sets up His kingdom on the earth (Matt. 19:28) and the other pointing to the present work of the Holy Spirit in saving a sinner (Tit. 3:5).  Though the term itself is rare, the concept is often seen in the New Testament.  The meaning of regeneration, or the new birth, is not a difficult concept:  it is the act of God by which He imparts eternal life to the sinner who trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation.

• It is totally the work of God—each Person of the Trinity has a role in this work.  

  • It is the work of God the Father (John 1:13; Jas. 1:18).

  • It is the work of God the Son (John 1:12; 5:21-27).

  • It is the work of God the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8; Tit. 3:5).   

• It occurs in an instant at the very moment a sinner trusts in Christ—it does not occur over a process of time  (John 3:3-5; 5:24).  

• It involves taking one who is spiritually dead and making him spiritually alive as he is given eternal life (Eph. 2:1, 5).  

  • He becomes a new creation (II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24).

  • He receives a new nature (II Pet. 1:4).

  • He enters into a new relationship (John 1:12).

(The above points were taken from class notes, Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978.)

• It is conveyed by three figures (adapted from Major Bible Themes, L. S. Chafer, revised by John F. Walvoord, pp. 98-99).

  • It is a rebirth (“born again”—first birth is physical, second birth is spiritual) (John 1:12-13; 3:1-8).

  • It is a spiritual resurrection—the spiritually dead are raised to life (Rom. 6:13; Eph. 2:1, 5).  

  • It is a new creation—the creation of a “new man” (II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24).  

How do we describe His regenerating work?  

• There is a universal need for the new birth.  Jesus declared, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). Man is spiritually dead—he needs new life (Eph. 2:1, 5).  Man has a totally corrupt nature (Rom. 8:7)—he needs a new nature (II Pet. 1:4).  Man is the devil’s child (John 8:44; I John 3:8, 10)—he needs to become God’s child (John 1:12).  Man is blind to spiritual things (I Cor. 2:14)—he needs a new understanding of the truth.  Man is unable to change his spiritual condition (Eph. 2:1, 5)—God must do it.  

• There is only one source of the new birth.  God is the source, not man (John 1:12-13); it is a birth “from above” (John 3:3, 5, 7).

• The primary agent in the new birth is the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6, 8; Tit. 3:5).

• The major reason for the new birth is not man’s work, but God’s mercy (Tit. 3:5; I Pet. 1:3); not by our will, but by His will (Jas. 1:18). 

• The key instruments in the new birth which are used by the Spirit are the gospel message (I Cor. 4:15; Jas. 1:18; I Pet. 1:23) and the human messengers proclaiming the message (I Cor. 4:15; Philem. 10).  

• The personal reception of the new birth is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by human effort (John 1:12-13; 3:9-18).  

• The visible results of the new birth are many:  a cleansed heart (John 3:5; Tit. 3:5), an exalted position (Eph. 2:1, 5-6), a heavenly inheritance (I Pet. 1:3-4), a new creation (II Cor. 5:17), a new righteousness (I John 2:29; Eph. 2:10), a new victory over sin (I John 3:9), the world (I John 5:4), and the devil (I John 5:18), a new love (I John 4:7), and a new faith (I John 5:1).  

(Adapted from class notes, Soteriology, Professor Otis Stone, Calvary Bible College, 1978)

If you have never been born again, trust in Christ today as your Savior, and you will experience the regenerating work of the Spirit as He imparts to you eternal life.    If you are a believer in Christ, remember that the work of regeneration is God’s work only, but He uses you and me as instruments to proclaim the gospel message.  What a privilege!  Let’s proclaim this message daily in His power!

 Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: How Does He Convict?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,  

We live in a day when truth is considered relative.  If you believe in absolute truth, you are often ridiculed as an outdated relic of the past.  Being dogmatic about truth is offensive to many.  When we proclaim the truth that the Bible is the Word of God and that Jesus is the only way of salvation, we are often rejected as being narrow-minded.   For those who believe that there are many authorities of truth and many ways to God, our message is not welcomed.   Trying to convince unbelievers of the gospel is often fruitless.  Should we try to persuade men to believe?  Yes!  Paul wrote, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. . .” (II Cor. 5:11).  Paul was aware that, though he was responsible to persuade men concerning the truth about Christ, he was not able in himself to make them believe.  He said to the same Corinthian believers, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Corinthians 2:4-5).  Paul through his eloquence and persuasion could not convince men of their need for Christ.  

In the past five articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.   We have observed the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Book of Acts.  When the Church was born on the Day of Pentecost, several ministries of the Holy Spirit unique to the Church age began to occur.  The Holy Spirit remains active in this age in the lives of unbelievers and believers.   Let’s examine a key ministry of the Spirit in the lives of unbelievers.  An unbeliever seeing the truth of Christ and responding in faith is not possible apart from the Spirit’s work.  We will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:   How Does He Convict?”    

How does the unbeliever relate to the Holy Spirit?    

The unbeliever has no relationship with the Holy Spirit.   He is distant from the Spirit, and He cannot remove this separation, nor does he desire to do so.  These truths describe the unbeliever’s relationship to the Spirit.  

• He doesn’t receive or understand the things of the Spirit of God (I Cor. 2:14).  

• He has not been made alive by the Spirit (Eph. 2:1; John 3:8).

• He is not indwelt by the Spirit (Rom. 8:9; Jude 19).

• He cannot receive, see, or know the Spirit (John 14:16-17).  

How does the Holy Spirit reprove (or convict) the unbeliever?  

Apart from the work of the Spirit, the unbeliever cannot relate personally to the Spirit, neither can He come into a personal relation-ship with Jesus Christ.  The primary ministry that the Spirit accomplishes toward the unbeliever is that of conviction (John 16:7-11).  

• What is meant by the term, “convict,” or “reprove” (John 16:8)?  There are two key aspects.  

  • It has an outward significance—toward the world in general.  

    • The term, “convict,” means “to prove guilty,” whether or not they are ready to admit their guilt (William Hendriksen, Exposition of the Gospel According to John, p. 324).

    • It is a general demonstration to the world that it is guilty.  This is the objective truth about conviction.  

  • It has an inward significance—toward the unbeliever specifically. . . in his heart. 

    • The term, “convict,” also means “to awaken to consciousness of guilt,” whether or not they are willing to receive Christ as their Savior (Hendriksen, p. 324).

    • It is a personal confrontation of the unbeliever’s guilt in his heart.  This is the subjective truth about conviction.

  • It has a direct meaning:  to place the truth of the gospel in a clear light before the unsaved so that it is acknowledged as truth whether or not Christ is received as Savior (adapted from B. F. Westcott, Gospel According to St. John, II, 219; Charles C. Ryrie, The Holy Spirit, p. 58).  

• What truth does the Spirit reveal to the unbeliever?  He reveals and proves truth in three key areas.  

  • He reveals truth concerning sin (John 16:9). . . “because they do not believe in Me.”

    • He exposes the seriousness of unbelief in Christ.

    • He shows that this sin of unbelief is what condemns the sinner.  

  • He reveals truth concerning righteousness (John 16:10). . . “because I go to My Father, and you see Me no more.”

    • He reveals that Jesus Christ, whom men condemned as unrighteous, is truly righteous (confirmed by His ascension to the Father).

    • He reveals that man is unrighteous and in need of Christ’s unrighteousness.  

  • He reveals truth concerning judgment (John 16:11). . . “because the ruler of this world is judged” (cp. John 12:31).  

    • Satan has been judged through Christ’s death and resurrection. . . his doom is sure!

    • The unbeliever will be judged because his prince has been judged. . . his doom is also sure!

The order of these three truths is very important:  man must see the seriousness of his sin. . . man must see that Jesus Christ is the answer to that need for righteousness. . . man must see that if Christ is rejected, he faces certain judgment.  

If you are an unbeliever reading this, realize that the convicting work of the Holy Spirit reveals and proves that your only hope is in Jesus Christ.  Trust in Him as your Savior today!  If you are a believer in Christ, the Spirit’s convicting work gives you confidence that He is working when you proclaim the gospel to the unbeliever.  Only He can accomplish eternal results.  Don’t try to do His work for Him.  Proclaim the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation, and trust the Spirit to do the work in the heart!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: What Did He Do When the Church Was Born?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Birthdays are a time of great celebration in our individual lives and in our families.  They provide the opportunity for sending cards and giving gifts. Depending on one’s age, birthdays are anticipated with joy. This may not be the case for those older since birthdays signal the rapid pace of time and the fact that we are getting older.  When a birthday arrives, it should remind us of God’s faithfulness to us and lead us to thank Him for giving us another year.  Nations, organizations, and other groups also experience birthdays.  When I mention July 4, 1776, you think of the birthday of our nation.  Blue River recently commemorated the church’s 60th birthday on April 2.  A day more important than either of these dates was the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.  This day is significant because it marked the day of the Spirit’s coming and of the birthday of the Church.  

In the past four articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  In examining the person and work of the Holy Spirit, we saw what the Spirit did in the Old Testament and in the Gospels.  He was active in creation, in inspiration of the Scriptures, in Israel, and in the life of Christ.   Another phase of the Spirit’s ministry began after the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven.  Jesus spoke to His disciples in the upper room before His crucifixion about the coming of the Spirit.  A new day was about to dawn.  In this study we will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:  What Did He Do When the Church Was Born?”    

On that day the Holy Spirit came into the world.    

The Lord Jesus told His disciples in the upper room about the coming of the Holy Spirit in the near future.  All three Persons of the Trinity were involved in the Spirit’s coming.  The Father and the Son would send the Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7) and give the Spirit (John 14:16). The Spirit Himself would come (John 15:26; 16:7, 8, 13) and abide with them forever (John 14:16-17).  

• When the Holy Spirit came

  • He was not given before Christ’s death, as Jesus described His coming as yet future (Jn.14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-8, 12-15).

  • He was not given before Christ’s ascension (Luke 24:49; John 16:7; Acts 1:8-11).  He would not come until Christ departed.

  • He was not given until after Jesus was glorified (John 7:37-39).  He would be glorified after His resurrection and ascension.

  • He was given in His baptizing work “not many days” after Christ’s ascension (Acts 1:4-5; cp. 11:15-17).

  • This promise of the giving and sending of the Spirit was fulfilled when He came on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).  

• Why the Holy Spirit came

  • On that day a new age was ushered in—the Church age. 

  • On that day the Spirit began a new, distinctive ministry in His new people, the Church.  

  • He would be received by believers (John 7:39), but not by unbelievers (John 14:17). 

    • He would not be with them (as in Old Testament times), but in them (indwelling).  While His indwelling before the Church age was selective and temporary, now it would be universal and permanent.

    • The Spirit would also have the ministry of convicting unbelievers (John 16:7-11) and, most importantly, of glorifying and revealing Christ (John 16:14).  

  • On that day the Spirit came to make His abode in the world (John 14:16).  This does not mean that the Spirit was not omnipresent—He is.  Nor does it mean that He did not work in the world before the day of Pentecost—He did. It does mean that He was sent into the world to begin a new era.  

On that day the Holy Spirit began distinctive ministries to the Church.  

• The Spirit baptized believers, placing them into the Church, the Body of Christ (Christ did the baptizing, using the Holy Spirit as the agent) (Acts 1:5; cp. Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 11:15-16).  

  • This baptism first occurred on the day of Pentecost and marked the beginning of the Church.

  • This baptism occurs in the life of each believer at the point of trusting in Christ for salvation (Rom. 6:3-6; I Cor.12:13).  

• The Spirit empowered believers for service, that they might be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8).  

• The Spirit filled believers, as He controlled their lives (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 6:3, 5, 10; 7:55; 9:17; 11:23-24; 13:9-12, 50-52; 19:6).  

  • The Spirit’s filling is a repeated experience in the believer’s life (Acts 2:4; 4:31; cp. Eph. 5:18).  

  • The Spirit’s filling accomplishes powerful results in the believer’s life:  they spoke with tongues (on only limited occasions—Acts 2:4; 10:44-47; 19:6), spoke the Word with boldness and wisdom (4:8, 31; 6:10; 7:55; 13:9-12), ministered to others’ needs (6:3, 5), exhorted and evangelized (11:23-24), and rejoiced (13:50-52).  

• The Spirit guided believers, guiding evangelists to prepared souls (Acts 8:29, 39; 10:19-20; 11:12; 16:6-7) and guiding by revealing the future (Acts 20:22-24).  

• The Spirit comforted believers, as the growing Church experienced the consolation of the Spirit (Acts 9:31).

• The Spirit revealed the message through believers (Agabus—11:27-28; 21:10-11; disciples—19:6, 21:4).  

• The Spirit appointed believers for service, specifically missionaries (Acts 13:1-4) and pastors (20:28).  

• The Spirit instructed believers, instructing the Jerusalem Council concerning His will for Gentile converts (Acts 15:28-29).  

(Resources used:  Major Bible Themes, L. S. Chafer/J. Walvoord, pp. 93-95; The Divine Comforter, J. D. Pentecost, pp. 81-108-119, 136-143)

The work of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, ushered in a new age.  We as believers have the privilege of living in that age.   Let’s yield to the Spirit, that we might see Him do amazing things in our own lives!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: How Did He Work in the Life of Christ?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

One of the key doctrines to which the Church has held firmly since its beginning is the Trinity.  Though the term “Trinity” never appears in the Scripture, it is clearly taught throughout the Word of God.  We acknowledge one God who exists in three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.   It is important to affirm that we do not worship three Gods, but only one God in three Persons.  While we cannot fully understand how this is humanly possible, we stand resolutely on this doctrine. 

One of the important and interesting features of studying the Trinity is how the three Persons of the Trinity interact and relate to one another.  One such area involves the work of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.  How the third Person of the Trinity relates to the second Person of the Trinity shows the dependence of the Lord Jesus as the God-man on the Holy Spirit during our Savior’s life on this earth.  Though the Lord Jesus is equal to the Father and the Spirit, He voluntarily submitted Himself to the Father in coming to earth and to the Spirit by yielding to His power and control.  

In the past three articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  We have seen who He is—He is both God and a Person.  In our last study we began to examine what He does as we saw His work in Old Testament times.   We discovered that there are differences between how the Holy Spirit works in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. As we view the Spirit’s ministry in the New Testament, we must focus on His activity in the four Gospels, specifically as His work relates to the  key figure in the Gospels—the Lord Jesus Christ.  In this study we will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:  How Did He Work in the Life of Christ?”  In this respect, there are four important aspects of the Spirit’s work.  

The Spirit was active in the birth of Christ.     The Holy Spirit was involved in predicting, proclaiming, and producing Christ’s birth. 

• The Spirit revealed to Mary through her cousin, Elisabeth, that Mary would bear the Messiah (Luke 1:39-45).

• The Spirit revealed through Elisabeth’s husband, Zacharias, that the Messiah would be coming soon (Luke 1:67-79).  

• The Spirit revealed to Mary and Joseph through Simeon that their Baby who had been born was the Messiah (Luke 2:25-35).  

• The Spirit was instrumental in producing the conception of Christ in Mary’s womb, announced by the angel to Joseph (Matt. 1:18, 20-21) and to Mary (Luke 1:34-38).  

• All three Persons of the Trinity were involved in His birth:  the Father prepared His earthly body (Heb. 10:5), the Son took to Himself human flesh (Heb. 2:14-15), and the Spirit was the active agent in Jesus’ conception in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:34-35).   

The Spirit was active in the ministry of Christ.  The Holy Spirit had an active influence in Jesus’ ministry as Jesus depended on Him. 

• Jesus was anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38; Heb. 1:9). . . the Spirit provided preparation for ministry, setting Him apart as the Messiah (Acts 4:26-27; Heb. 1:9; cp. Isa. 11:2; 42:1) and empowering Him for service (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).  

• Jesus was filled with the Spirit (Luke 4:1; John 3:34). . . the Spirit provided control for ministry,  as He lived in constant control by the Spirit (Luke 4:1) and was given the Spirit by the Father, not by measure, but in absolute fullness (John 3:34).

• Jesus was led by the Spirit (Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1, 14). . . the Spirit provided direction for ministry, as a result of being controlled by, or filled with, the Spirit (Luke 4:1, 14).

• Jesus was rejoicing in the Spirit (Luke 10:21). . . the Spirit provided joy in ministry, resulting in thanksgiving to the Father (Luke 10:21-22).

• Jesus was empowered by the Spirit (Matt. 12:27-28; Luke 4:18). . .  the Spirit provided power for ministry: power to perform miracles (Matt. 12:27-28; Luke 4:18), to preach (Luke 4:14-19), and to serve God the Father and others (Acts 10:38).

The Spirit was active in the death and resurrection of Christ.  The Holy Spirit may have been involved in Christ’s death and resurrection.  

• He may have been the means by which Christ offered up Himself without spot to God (Heb. 9:14).  (It depends on whether the “Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit or to Christ’s divine spirit in Heb. 9:14.)

• He may have been involved in making Christ alive (Rom. 1:4; I Pet. 3:18).  (Once again, in each of these verses, the reference to the “Spirit” may refer to Christ’s own spirit instead of the Holy Spirit.) 

The Spirit was active in the commission of Christ.  The Holy Spirit was involved in giving the commands and the power to obey them.  

• The Holy Spirit was the means by which Jesus gave commands to His apostles (Acts 1:2; cp. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15).

• The time period during which He gave them these commands was the forty days following His resurrection (Acts 1:3).  

• One command which He gave them was to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Spirit, who would empower them (Acts 1:4-5). 

(Resources used:  The Great Doctrines of the Bible, William Evans, p. 119; Major Bible Themes, Lewis Sperry Chafer/John F. Walvoord, p. 92; The Holy Spirit, Charles Ryrie, pp. 45-51; Basic Theology, Charles Ryrie, pp. 350-354; The Divine Comforter, J. Dwight Pentecost, pp. 81-107)

The work of the Holy Spirit during the earthly life and ministry of Christ can be summarized in one statement:  the Lord Jesus, the God-man, exercised a continual dependence on the Holy Spirit.  His dependence on the Spirit was necessary for three reasons:  to develop His humanity (Luke 2:52; Heb. 5:8), to display His condescension (Phil. 2:6), and to demonstrate His example (cp. Gal. 5:16).  If He, the God-man, depended on the Spirit’s control and power, how much more must we!

 Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: How Was He Active in the Old Testament?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

An aspect of God’s character for which we should all be thankful is His immutability.  If something is mutable, it is subject to change.  God’s immutability means not only that God does not change, but that He cannot change.  Malachi records, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Mal. 3:6).  If God changed, there would be no hope for any of us.  We would all be in danger of being consumed.  God would not keep His promises.  God’s faithfulness would be in question.  But His immutability is a certainty on which we can rest.

But to say that God cannot change does not mean that He does not deal with men differently in various dispensations.  Nor does He expect the same thing from men in each dispensation.  For example, God deals differently with Israel than He does with the Church, since He has two distinct programs.  Under the Law, Israel was commanded to offer animal sacrifices and observe various prescribed feast days. . . under grace, the Church is not commanded to make such offerings since our Lord has already offered the supreme sacrifice of Himself, and we are not bound to keep the feast days.  

In the past two articles, we have been studying the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  We have seen who He is—He is both God and a Person.  We now begin to examine what He does.  When studying His work, we must discover if there is a difference between how He has operated in the past and how He operates now and in the future.  In this study we will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:  How Was He Active in the Old Testament?”  His past activity falls into three areas.  

He was active in creating the world.

 As God, the Holy Spirit had a definite role in the creation of the world.  

• He was involved in the creation of the earth, moving over the face of the waters, forming it for man to inhabit (Gen.1:1-2).

• He exercised limitless wisdom and direction in the act of creating (Isa. 40:12-14).  

• He was involved in creating the heavens (Job 26:13).  

• He was involved in creating the animals (Psa. 104:24-30).

• He was involved in creating man (Job 33:4).   

He was active in revealing the truth. 

The work of the Holy Spirit was central in giving us the Scriptures.  

• He revealed the truth to the writers of Scripture (I Pet. 1:10-12; cp. Eph. 3:2-5). 

• While using human authors and their distinctive vocabulary, background, and personalities, the Holy Spirit moved upon these human instruments (“holy men of God”) to speak and record His revelation to man without error (II Pet. 1:19-21).  

• Some of these human instruments—the Old Testament prophets—declared that they were speaking by means of the Holy Spirit (II Sam. 23:2; Ezek. 2:2-8; Mic. 3:8).  

• The New Testament writers attribute quotes from the Old Testament to the work of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 22:43; Acts 1:16; 4:24-25; 28:25; Heb. 3:7; 10:15-16).   

He was active in transforming the people. 

Though different than His present work, the Holy Spirit actively worked in men’s lives.

• His indwelling in believers was not universal nor permanent, as it has been since the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).  

  • He dwelt in certain people (Gen. 41:38; Numb. 27:18; Dan. 4:8; 5:11-14; 6:3).

  • He came upon certain people (Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; I Sam. 10:10; 16:13; I Chron. 12:18; II Chron. 15:1; 24:20).

  • He filled certain people (Ex.28:3; 31:3-5; 35:31; Numb. 11:17, 25).                                       

  • He left certain people (Judg. 13:25; 16:20; I Sam. 10:10; 16:14; Psa. 51:11). 

  • Jesus contrasted the Spirit’s ministry in Old Testament times with that in the Church age since Acts 2:  “the Spirit of truth. . . you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17—underlining added)—previously, selective and temporary indwelling. . . in this Church age, universal and permanent indwelling.  

• His ministry involved restraining sin (Gen. 6:3).  

  • The restraining likely involved the Spirit speaking through Noah to that wicked generation.

  • The Spirit wouldn’t contend with man forever—He restrained sin for 120 years until the Flood came (Gen. 6:3).  

• He empowered believers for service (Ex. 31:3; Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:6; I Sam. 16:13)—He came upon certain believers to enable them to fulfill a specific purpose. 

(Resources used:  Systematic Theology, Lewis Sperry Chafer, Vol. VI, pp. 66-79; The Holy Spirit, Charles Ryrie, pp. 30-44; Basic Theology, Charles Ryrie, pp. 346-349; The Divine Comforter, J. Dwight Pentecost, pp. 21-65)

As we view the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the Old Testament, it reminds us that the Holy Spirit has been essential is giving us this created world and the Scriptures.  He worked in the lives of men then, and He works in men now.  We should be thankful that He indwells us as believers now permanently and universally, not temporarily and selectively.  What a blessing that He not only works in us, but also through us, to accomplish His purposes!  Let’s yield moment by moment to the Spirit’s control!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit: Is He Really God?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

When we think about God, our minds are soon overwhelmed by the majesty of His Person.  We cannot understand His eternal existence. . . He never had a beginning and will never have an end.  We cannot grasp His amazing perfections of character. . . all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, holy, unchangeable, sovereign, and loving, to speak of a few.  We see His wonderful creation and marvel at how He could create a universe so vast.  Our finite minds cannot fully comprehend the greatness of the infinite God.  Not understanding everything about God should not lead us to doubt, but to believe what the Word says about Him.  It should lead us to a greater appreciation of who He is and a deeper worship of Him.  

One of the mysteries about our God which we don’t understand but accept by faith is that of the Trinity.  We cannot fathom how God can be one and yet exist in three Persons.   Many illustrations have been presented to try to explain the Trinity, but they all fall short.  While we know much about God the Father and God the Son, we often have a nebulous idea about the third Person.   Last month we began a study of the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.  We established that He truly is a Person.  But in this study we will answer the question:  “The Holy Spirit:  Is He Really God?”  The Holy Spirit is a Person, but that does not necessarily mean that He is God.  There are other personal beings, such as angels and man, neither of which is divine.  How can we know that He is God?  Let’s examine four areas of evidence that He is God.  

He is divine in His totality.  

He possesses all the attributes or perfections of God.  

• He is omniscient—He has complete knowledge of all things (Isa. 40:13; I Cor. 2:9-12).

• He is omnipresent—He is present everywhere at the same time (Psa. 139:7-10).

• He is omnipotent—He possesses all power (Job 33:4; Psa. 104:30; Luke 1:35).  

• He is eternal—He has always existed and always will exist (Heb. 9:14).

• He is holy—He is set apart from sin and from all creation (Luke 11:13).  

• He is truth—He is the very standard of truth and always bears witness to the truth (I John 5:6).  

He is divine in His activity.

He does what only God can do.  

• In regard to creation, He was present and active in the creation of the universe and of man (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; 27:3; 33:4; Psa. 33:6; Psa. 104:29-30).

• In regard to salvation, He is involved in the following aspects:  conviction (presenting the truth in a clear light—John 16:7-11), regeneration (imparting spiritual life—John 3:5-8; Rom. 8:2), justification (declaring the believer righteous—I Cor. 6:11), sanctification (setting apart the believer to God—II Thess. 2:13), and resurrection (giving life to mortal bodies—Rom. 8:11).

• In regard to the Scriptures, He was the primary source in inspiration as He moved holy men to record God’s revelation to man (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21).

• In regard to the ministry to believers, He provides instruction (teaching us the truth of His Word—Luke 12:11-12; I Cor. 2:9-16; I John 2:20, 27), consolation (comforting and encouraging us—John 14:16), ordination (setting us apart to ministry—Acts 13:1-5; 20:28), and intercession (aiding us in prayer—Rom. 8:26-27).   

He is divine in His identity.

He is identified as God.

• He is called “God” (Acts 5:3-4) and “the Lord’ (“the Lord, who is the Spirit”—II Cor. 3:18, ESV). 

• He is identified in the New Testament as Jehovah of the Old Testament (compare Isa. 6:8-9 with Acts 28:25-26; Jer. 31:31-34 with Heb. 10:15-17).  

• He can be blasphemed as God (Matt. 12:31-32).  

He is divine in His equality.

He is presented as equal to the Father and the Son in the Trinity.  

• He is mentioned equally with the Father and the Son (Matt.28:19; II Cor.13:14; I Cor.12:4-6; I Pet. 1:2; John 14:16-17).

• He appears with the Father and the Son at the baptism of Christ (Matt. 3:16-17).

• He is called the Spirit of the other two Persons (Acts 16:7; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 6:11).

(Resources used:  The Great Doctrines of the Bible, William Evans, pp. 111-112; The Holy Spirit, Charles Ryrie, pp. 17-22; Basic Theology, Charles Ryrie, pp. 344-345; Major Bible Themes, L. S. Chafer, p. 89)

It makes a difference that the Holy Spirit is God.  As God, He is equal to the Father and the Son and must receive proper respect as God.  As God, He can work mightily in our lives, providing the power to live the Christian life.  As God, He can fulfill all the ministries attributed to Him in the Word of God.  Let’s yield moment by moment to the Spirit’s control!

 Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

The Holy Spirit—Person or Force?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

As we have entered another year, many challenges lie ahead.  But God has promised to be with us and give us His wisdom and strength as we rely on Him.  He has given us all that we need to live victoriously, and we must not use our own feeble resources to accomplish His work.  Two of the greatest gifts which He has imparted to us are His Word and His Spirit. 

With a new year we begin a new study of one of these precious gifts.  Every believer possesses this Gift, but  every believer does not utilize this Gift in the way that he or she should.   In regard to this Gift, there is much confusion today in the minds of many believers. We know much about the Father and are very aware of who the Son is and His ministry. But who is the Holy Spirit, and what does He do?  How did He work in the Old Testament, and how does He work In this Church age?  We will answer some of these key questions about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit.  We will come to appreciate the Person and work of this Divine Comforter.  Let’s first answer this question:  “The Holy Spirit:  Person or Force?”

To hear many refer to the Holy Spirit, even true believers, you would think that the question regarding the Spirit should be “What is it?”  instead of “Who is He?”  Throughout forty-seven years as a believer, I have heard many Christians refer to the Holy Spirit as an “it.”  As such, the Holy Spirit becomes nothing more than an impersonal force, an inanimate object, or a superhuman influence.  Many cults, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Armstrongism, Christian Science, and Unity, teach that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force.  But I’m convinced that true believers who refer to the Spirit impersonally don’t mean to be disrespectful to Him. . . they are merely misinformed, having never been taught clearly about His nature.  

Why some are inclined to think of the Holy Spirit as a force rather than a person

• While nearly all recent Bible translations identify the Holy Spirit with the pronoun “Himself,” the King James Version in certain verses used the pronoun “itself” to refer to the Spirit (Rom. 8:16, 26).  (This actually should be translated “Himself.”)

• The Greek word for “spirit” is neuter (pneuma), leading some to translate the word as a neuter object. 

• The Holy Spirit is identified with impersonal symbols, such as breath (John 20:22), wind (John 3:8; Acts 2:2), fire (Acts 2:3), water (John 3:8), and a dove (Matt. 3:16).  This leads many to see Him as a force or influence.  These are merely symbols or illustrations which describe His coming, but are not intended to describe His true essence.  

Why the Holy Spirit is a Person and not a force

The Word of God is clear that the Holy Spirit is a Person and not merely a force or influence.  

• The Holy Spirit possesses the essential elements of personality.

  • He possesses intellect—He has infinite knowledge (Rom. 8:27; I Cor. 2:10-11, 13).

  • He possesses emotions—He expresses personal feelings (Rom. 15:30; Eph. 4:30).

  • He possesses will—He makes decisions and acts according to His volition (Acts 16:6-11; I Cor. 12:11).

• The Holy Spirit carries out personal activities.  

  • He speaks (Matt. 10:20; Gal. 4:6; Rev. 2:7).

  • He teaches (John 14:26).

  • He guides (John 14:16).

  • He bears witness (Rom. 8:16).

  • He intercedes (Rom. 8:26).

  • He commands and directs (Acts 8:29).  

  • He convicts (John 16:7-8).  

  • He appoints to service (Acts 13:2, 4).  

• The Holy Spirit is treated as one would treat a person and not a force. 

  • He can be grieved (Isa. 63:10; Eph. 4:30).

  • He can be resisted (Acts. 7:51; I Thess. 5:19).

  • He can be obeyed (Acts 10:19-21a).

  • He can be insulted (Heb. 10:29).

  • He can be blasphemed (Matt. 12:31).

  • He can be lied to (Acts 5:3).

• Because of His union with the Father and the Son in the Trinity, it is only fitting that He would be a Person, as the other two Persons are (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14).

• The rules of Greek grammar are broken to demonstrate that the Spirit is a Person (masculine) instead of impersonal (neuter) (John 16:7-8, 13-15)—the neuter noun for “Spirit” requires a neuter pronoun instead of a masculine one.

(Resources used:  The Great Doctrines of the Bible, William Evans, pp. 107-111; The Holy Spirit, Charles Ryrie, pp. 11-16; Major Bible Themes, L. S. Chafer, pp. 87-89)

It is important to believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person.  If He is truly a member of the Triune God, then He must be a Person just as the Father and the Son are Persons.  If He is a Person, then we as believers can know Him personally and experience the fullness of His blessings in our lives.  Dr. R. A. Torrey explains why it is important to see the Holy Spirit as a Person:  “It is of the highest experimental importance. . . . Many can testify to the blessing that came into their lives when they came to know the Holy Spirit, not merely as a gracious influence. . . . but as an ever-present, loving friend and helper” (The Great Doctrines of the Bible, Evans, p. 108).    In the Holy Spirit we have a Comforter and Helper who is a Divine Person!  

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

Who Is the Greatest Gift of All?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

The Christmas season is often characterized by giving.  We try to give special gifts to those we love. Many give so generous-ly that they spend many months of the next year recovering from debt they have incurred!  I’m not discouraging giving, at Christmas or any other time, but I want to draw attention to one who has given us far more than we could ever give.   

For over a year our focus has been on the most amazing Person who has ever lived.  We have seen who He is and what He has done.  He is the God-man, the Creator, the Savior, the Lord of all.  We have examined the Lord Jesus in the glory of His person and work.  In light of what we have seen about Him, it’s fitting to focus on Him as the central message of Christmas.  In this final study of this series, we answer the question: “Who is the Greatest Gift of All?”   Let’s look at three important truths. 

• The Lord Jesus was given by the Father. . .

  • He is the Son given, that we might have eternal life (Isa. 9:6; John 3:16).

  • He is the Bread of life given, that we might live forever (John 6:32-35, 48-51).

  • He is the Son delivered up for us all, that the Father might also give us all other things (Rom. 8:32).   

• The Lord Jesus was sent by the Father. . .

  • He was sent into the world, to save the world, not to condemn it (John 3:17).

  • He was sent by the Father, that the Son may also send us into the world (John 17:18; 20:21). 

  • He was sent by the Father, condemning sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3).

  • He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24).

  • He was sent to heal the brokenhearted, deliver captives, open the eyes of the blind, set at liberty the oppressed, and proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD (Luke 4:18-19).

  • He was sent to preach the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43).

  • He was sent to do the Father’s will and to finish His work (John 4:34; 6:38).

  • He was sent to give eternal life to all who are believing in Him (John 6:38-40).  

  • He was sent to seek the glory of the One who sent Him (John 7:18).

  • He was sent to work the works of Him who sent Him (John 9:4).

  • He was sent to obey the Father’s command to speak what the Father wants Him to speak (John 12:49-50).

  • He was sent to bless His people, in turning them away from their iniquities (Acts 3:26).

  • He was sent to redeem those who were under the Law (Gal. 4:4-5).

  • He was sent, that we might live through Him (I John 4:9).

  • He was sent to be the propitiation (satisfaction offering) for our sins (I John 4:10).

  • He was sent to be the Savior of the world (I John 4:14).  

• The Lord Jesus gave Himself for us. . .

  • He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (Gal. 1:4).

  • He gave Himself for us, which shows His love for us (Gal. 2:20).

  • He gave Himself for the Church, which shows His love for the Church (Eph. 5:25).

  • He gave Himself for us as an offering and pleasing sacrifice to God (the Father) (Eph. 5:2).  

  • He gave Himself for all as a ransom (paying the redemption price) (I Tim. 2:6).

  • He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us and purify us for Himself a people of His own (Tit. 2:14).

The Word of God is clear that the Father gave His Son for the world and sent His Son into the world.  It is equally clearly that the Lord Jesus gave Himself for us.  We are each recipients of this love-gift from the Father.  This is what we celebrate during this Christmas season.  The Lord Jesus came into this world to carry out the work given to Him by the Father, but also to give Himself to save sinners.  This would be accomplished through His death on the cross for our sins.  

While Christmas is marked by giving gifts to those we love, let’s remember the true reason for Christmas:  God gave His Son for us.   The apostle Paul speaks about grace giving in II Corinthians 8-9 as he exhorts us to give generously to the Lord and others.  The occasion related to Gentile believers taking up an offering to help the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem.  Paul concludes the chapters in a fitting way:  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (II Cor. 9:15).  This answers the question about the greatest gift of all.  Though believers giving to meet needs of others is addressed, the greatest gift of all should motivate us to be faithful in giving.  What is the greatest gift of all? “His indescribable gift.”  It is not “what,” but rather “who,” that answers that question.  The Lord Jesus is the greatest Gift of all!  He was given to us by the Father.  In His discussion on giving, Paul elaborates on this greatest Gift:  “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (II Cor. 8:9).  That’s the message of Christmas:  not the gifts that we give, but the supreme Gift which the Father gave.  It is only through that Gift that we have salvation and eternal life.  As we remember this greatest Gift, let’s give ourselves to this One who gave Himself for us.

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie 

Who Is the King of All Kings?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

This has been a very difficult year, to say the least.  There have been multiple problems related to Covid-19 since March.  There have been lockdowns, national unrest, and multiple protests.  The presidential election has been filled with confusion and uncertainty.  It has been a year like no other in my memory. . . and probably in yours also.  

As I think about the recent election, I thank God for our form of government.  It is not a perfect system, but it was wisely designed by our forefathers.  Having three branches of government—the executive, legislative, and judicial— provides a system of checks and balances which prevents us from having a dictatorship or mob rule, as in many other countries. Is ours the best form of government?  While most of us would rate it as one of the best, it is not the best.  There is one form that will greatly exceed what we have.  It won’t be a republic or democracy.  It will be ruled by One, a King like no other.  

We have been examining the most amazing Person who has ever lived.  We have seen who He is and what He has done.  He is the God-man—crucified, risen, and ascended.  He will someday return in the air for His Church.  He will later come to earth to set up His Kingdom.  When He returns to earth, He will fill two important roles.  We have examined the first:  He will be the righteous Judge.  He will also be the sovereign King.  This answers the question:  “Who Is the King of All Kings?”   

• The King’s Future Coming Is Predicted.

  • The King and His future Kingdom are promised (Gen. 49:10; Psa. 2:6-9; Isa. 9:6-7; 11:1-9; Jer. 23:5-6; Mic. 5:2; Zech. 9:9; 14:9).

  • The Davidic Covenant will be fulfilled (II Sam. 7:12-16; Psa. 89:20-37).   

  • The Davidic Kingdom will be established (Jer. 33:14-26). 

  • The eternal Kingdom to succeed all other Kingdoms will be set up, destroying all kingdoms (Dan. 2:36-45).

• The King’s Physical Birth Is Proclaimed.

  • The angel Gabriel declared to Mary that her baby would be the promised King (Luke 1:31-33). 

  • The wise men announced to Herod and Jerusalem the birth of the King in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1-12).  

• The King’s Coming Reign Is Proferred.

  • The call for men to prepare for the coming Kingdom was proclaimed by both John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus:  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17).  

  • The King presented Himself to Israel as King as He delivered the “constitution” of the Kingdom (Matt. 5-7—Ser-mon on the Mount), displayed the credentials of the Kingdom (Matt. 8-9—His mighty miracles), and dispatched the couriers of the Kingdom (Matt. 10-11—His twelve apostles; previously His forerunner, John the Baptist).  

• The King’s Coming Reign Is Postponed.

  • The King was rejected by the religious leaders, attributing His power to the ruler of the demons (Matt.12:22-32).

  • The Kingdom was revealed in mystery form, showing His work between His first and second coming (Matt. 13).  

  • The Kingdom emphasis was replaced by a cross focus, as Jesus announced His approaching death (Matt. 12:38-40; 16:21-23; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). 

  • The King was rejected by the religious leaders and the people, nailing Jesus to the cross (John 18:33-19:6, 12-22). 

  • The King before ascending reported that it wasn’t the time for the Kingdom to be restored to Israel (Acts 1:6-8).

• The King’s Future Reign Is Previewed.

  • The King was transfigured in a spectacular preview of His Kingdom (Matt. 17:1-8).

  • The King was treated to a superficial reception of  Him as King (Matt. 21:1-11).  

• The King’s Present Position Is Preserved.

  • The Lord Jesus is still the King, even though He is not reigning in physical form on this earth (Acts 17:7; I Tim. 1:17; 6:15; Rev. 1:5).  

  • The current kingdom is spiritual, not physical, in nature (John 3:3,5; 18:36; Acts 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,31; Rom.14:17; I Cor. 4:20; 6:9-10; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13; 4:11; I Thess. 2:12; II Thess.1:5; Jas. 2:5; II Pet. 1:11).  

• The King’s Millennial Reign Is Promised.  

  • The Old Testament prophecies relating to the King and His Kingdom will be fulfilled in the millennial Kingdom. 

  • The King will return to earth to set up His earthly Kingdom for a thousand years (Matt. 25:31; Rev.17:14; 19:11-20:6).  

The King has already come the first time and offered the Kingdom to Israel.  But they rejected the King, and the Kingdom was postponed.  The King could not be conquered. . . He arose from the grave and ascended into heaven.  He is still the King as He reigns over a spiritual kingdom.  Someday He will return to earth to set up His earthly Kingdom.  He will rightly be designated as King of kings and Lord of lords.  We now submit to Him as our King, but look forward to that day when He will reign as King on earth, ruling over an earthly Kingdom dominated by peace and justice.  His Kingdom will have no end.  

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

Shall Not the Judge of All the Earth Do Right?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you ever heard of an “unjust judge”? The Lord Jesus described such a judge in one of His parables in Luke 18:2-8. He presented him as “a judge who did not fear God nor regard man” (Luke18:2).

While the purpose of the parable was to emphasize the importance of persistence prayer as demonstrated by the woman seeking justice from the unjust judge, it also acknowledges the existence of such unjust judges. I’m sure that we all have heard of at least one unjust ruling handed down by judges, whether it be the most powerful judges of the land (the Supreme Court justices) or a local judge in our own city. In our disagreement with such a ruling, we cry out, “It’s not fair!” or “That’s not right!”

Are there any perfect judges? Not on this earth. All those who have been appointed or will be appointed judges under our system of government are fallible men and women who will not always rule accurately or fairly. Our hearts yearn for the day when perfect justice will be done and judges will always make the right rulings. Will that day ever come? God’s Word says that it will. But it won’t be today, and it won’t be under our current system of government.

We have been focusing for more than a year in these studies on the most amazing Person that has ever lived on this earth. We have seen who He is and what He has done. We are currently looking at what He will do in the future. This One, of course, is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He is God, the Second Person of the Trinity, who came to earth, taking on human flesh. He died on the cross for our sins, rose again from the dead, and later ascended into heaven. The Scriptures declare that He will someday return in the air to catch up His Church. Then, seven years later, He will come to the earth to set up His earthly Kingdom. But what will He do in the future when He comes? There are two very important roles that He will fill, the first of which we will examine now. This answers the question asked by Abraham in Genesis 18:25 when he was pleading with God for the safety of his nephew, Lot: “Shall Not the Judge of All the Earth Do Right?”

• Who Will Be the Judge? The Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge.

  • The Father has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22, 26-27).

  • Jesus was ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42-43).

  • God will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained (Acts 17:30-31).

  • God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:16).

  • Christ will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom (II Tim. 4:1; cp. I Pet. 4:5). 

  • Christ is the righteous Judge who will reward His own (II Tim. 4:8).

• How Will He Judge? The Lord Jesus will judge as the perfect Judge.

  • Christ will judge with absolute truthfulness: He will judge according to truth (John 8:15-16; Rom. 2:2-6).

  • Christ will judge with full knowledge: He knows even the secrets and thoughts of men (Rom. 2:16; I Cor. 4:5). 

  • Christ will judge with absolute righteousness: He fulfills perfect justice (Isa. 11:3-5; Jn. 5:30; Acts 17:31; II Tim. 4:8). 

  • Christ will judge with full understanding: as the Son of man He understands man perfectly (John 5:27).

  • Christ will judge with His spoken Word: those who reject Him will be judged by what He has said (Jn. 12:47-48).

• When Will He Judge? There are times in the future when the Lord Jesus will judge specific groups.

  • Following His return in the air, He will judge believers in the Church age at the Judgment Seat (Rom. 14:10-12;

    I Cor. 4:3-5; II Cor. 5:10; II Tim. 4:8). Believers will be rewarded, not condemned... service, not sin, is the issue.

  • When He returns to the earth, He will judge the wicked (Jude 14-15; Rev. 19:11-16). He will judge the wicked who fight against Him (Rev. 19:11, 19-21). . . the living Gentiles, separating the sheep (believers) from the goats (unbelievers) (Matt. 25:31-46). . . and likely the living Jews, separating the rebels from the faithful (Ezek. 20:33-38) (the believers among Gentiles and Jews spared to go into the earthly Kingdom—the Millennium).

  • During the millennial Kingdom, He will judge those dwelling on the earth, providing equity for the meek and the poor, but not allowing open sin or rebellion as He judges it immediately (Isa. 11:3-5) (Jesus Christ Our Lord, John F. Walvoord, p. 280).

  • Following the millennial Kingdom and the final Satanic rebellion (Rev. 20:1-10), He will judge unbelievers of all ages at the Great White Throne (Rev.20:11-15; Matt.7:21-23). This judgment results in condemnation to the lake of fire--their names not found in the book of life and their works determining degrees of eternal punishment.

  While Christ’s judgment is directed toward unbelievers and believers, for the believer the result is not condemnation. Yet to stand before Christ at the judgment seat will be a time of serious evaluation and should motivate us now to live a life of godliness and faithful service for Christ. Daniel Webster, the great statesman in the early years of the United States, was asked a penetrating question, “What is the most sobering thought that ever entered your mind?” Webster replied, “My personal accountability to God.”

• To know that we are personally accountable to this righteous Judges hould change our lives. Knowing that we will someday stand before Him should lead us to prepare for that day now. Are you ready for that day?

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

How Will the King Return?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Magi asked King Herod, “Where is He who has been born the King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matt. 2:2). Herod, seeing this King as a threat to his own position, sought to find Him and kill Him. But his efforts failed. This Baby grew up and offered the kingdom to Israel, but they rejected Him as their King. Instead, they nailed Him to a cross. Is He still the King? When will He set up His kingdom?

As we have been viewing the splendor of our amazing Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, we have seen in the Word of God the amazing Person that He is and the wonderful works that He has done. We have examined His past and present works, and in our last study, we focused on His future work—the Rapture, His return in the air. But we see in the Scriptures that this is only the beginning of His future work: His coming in the air will be followed seven years later by His coming to the earth to reign as King. We will now address the question: “How Will the King Return?”

The Contrast Between the Present Reality and His Future Return

How different today is than when Christ returns to earth!

Today

• Christ is not visible (I Pet. 1:8).

• Christ is in heaven physically (Heb. 1:1-3; 10:12).

• Christ is not judging the wicked directly(II Pet. 3:9).

• Christ is not reigning physically on earth.

• Satan is active (Eph. 6:11-13; I Pet. 5:8-9).

His Return

• Christ will be visible to all (Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30).

• Christ will be on earth physically (Zech. 14:4).

• Christ will judge the wicked directly (Rev. 19:11-21).

• Christ will reign physically on earth (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 20:6).

• Christ comes for the Church (I Thess. 4:15-17).

• Satan will be bound (Rev. 20:1-6).

The Contrast Between the Rapture and the Revelation

The Rapture

• Christ comes in the air (I Thess. 4:16-17).

• Christ comes for the Church (I Thess. 4:15-17).

• Believers go to heaven (Jn 14:1-3; I Thess .4:16-17).

• Only believers can see Christ (John 14:3).

• Believers are taken off the earth (I Thess. 4:16-17).

• The Bible does not state when (Tit. 2:13; Jas. 5:7-8).

• Believers are rewarded (I Cor. 4:5; II Cor. 5:10).

• It is a source of comfort (Jn. 14:3; I Thess.4:18).

• There are no recorded changes in nature.

• The world is not judged (I Thess. 4:13-18).

• It is imminent (I Cor. 1:7; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 10:37).

• It is not in the Old Testament (I Cor. 15:51-53).

• It directly affects believers only (I Thess. 4:16-17).

• It occurs before the day of wrath (I Thes. 1:10; 5:9).

• There is no reference to Satan (I Thess. 4:16).

The Revelation

• Christ comes to the earth (Zech. 14:4).

• Christ comes with the Church (Rev. 19:11-14; Zech .14:5).

• Believers come back to earth (Rev. 19:14; Zech. 14:5).

• Every eye shall see Christ (Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30).

• Unbelievers are taken off the earth (Matt. 24:36-42).

• Christ comes 7 years after the Rapture (Rev .11:3; 12:6).

• Unbelievers are judged (Rev. 19:11-12; Jude 14-15).

• It is a source of terror (II Thess. 1:6-10).

• There are many changes in nature (Matt. 24:29-31).

• The world is judged (Jude 14-15; II Thess.1:7-10; Rev 19:11-21).

• It follows definite predicted signs (Matt. 24:3-28).

• It is predicted often in the Old Testament (Zech. 14:1-9).

• It affects all men (Zech. 12:10-14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30).

• It concludes the day of wrath (Rev. 6:15-17; Joel 2:1-2,11).

• Satan is bound (Rev. 20:1-6).

The Conclusions About His Return to Earth

• Christ will come visibly and bodily (Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 1:7).

• Christ will come with power and great glory (Matt. 24:29-30; 25:31; Rev. 19:11-16).

• Christ will come to earth (Zech. 14:1-6; Rev. 19:11-16).

• Christ will come in judgment (Rev. 19:11-21; Jude 14-15; II Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Zech. 14:3; Matt. 25:31-46). 

• Christ will come in deliverance (Zech. 12:1-9; 14:3).

• Christ will come to reign (Rev. 19:16; 20:1-3; Zech. 14:9; Luke 1:31-33; Isa. 9:6-7; Mic. 4:7).

As we see a world that seems to be spinning out of control, we must remember that our God is still in control. As we view escalating crime, flourishing injustice, and widespread suffering, our hearts yearn for the King’s return when He will reign on this earth in true righteousness and peace. Everything that is wrong He will set right. What a glorious day it will be when the King returns to reign! But remember. . . seven years before He comes to earth to reign, He catches up His Church to heaven. If you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, that is the day to which you should look forward with great anticipation. Keep looking up as you serve Him faithfully. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

What If It Were Today?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

F. T. Ruhland, in the Walther League Messenger, tells of an American tourist traveling through northern Italy. He visited a majestic castle, Villa Asconati, northwest of Milan. This rural palace featured many beautiful gardens. When he came to the front gate, a friendly elderly gardener opened the gate and showed him the grounds, which this gardener kept in perfect order. The tourist asked when the owner of the castle had last been there. The gardener replied, “Twelve years ago.” The tourist asked, “Does he ever write to you?” He answered, “No.” The conversation continued: “From whom do you get your instructions?” “From his agent in Milan.” “Does he come?” “Never.” “Who, then, comes here?” “I am almost always alone; only once in a while a tourist comes.” “But you keep this garden in such fine condition just as though you expected your master to come tomorrow.” The old gardener promptly replied, “Today, sir, today!”

Just as this gardener was looking for the imminent return of his master, so we who know Jesus as our Savior should be anticipating His return at any moment. Just as the gardener sought to keep the gardens and the grounds always prepared for the master’s return, so we believers must keep our lives ready in light of His possible return at any time. Over a year ago we began a study of the most amazing One to have ever lived on this earth: the Lord Jesus Christ. We have examined the wonder of His character and the amazing works that He has done. We stand amazed at who He is and what He has done. His ministry on the earth culminated in His substitutionary death, His victorious resurrection, and His glorious ascension. In the last article we saw the work that He is presently doing in and for His Church. What is the next event on our Savior’s timetable? According to Scripture, it is His return in the air, known as the Rapture of the Church. We must consider this important question: “What If It Were Today?” Let’s ponder the doctrine of the Rapture.

• The Development of the Comings of Christ (His first and second comings) (developed throughout the Bible)

  • In the Old Testament: the truth is presented that Christ is coming, but the writers could not distinguish between His first and second comings (cp. I Pet. 1:10-12).

  • In the Gospels: His coming has two phases. . . He has come once, and announces that He will come again.

  • In the Letters: His second coming unfolds into two phases—His coming in the air and His coming to earth.

  • In the Revelation: each of the two phases of His second coming unfolds into a series of events.

    (Adapted from The End Times, Herman A. Hoyt, pp. 57-58)

• The Definition of the Rapture of the Church

  • The term, “rapture,” though not in the English Bible, is from the Greek of I Thess. 4:17—“caught up” (Latin rapere). There are three key passages on the Rapture: John 14:1-3, I Thess. 4:13-18, and I Cor. 15:51-53.

  • The Rapture is the literal, personal, and bodily return of Jesus Christ in the air to take the Church to heaven.

  • The Rapture has been characterized as “the great snatch,” “the great escape,” and “the meeting in the air.”

• The Declaration of the Rapture (John 14:1-3) What Jesus declared about His return. . .

  • He is coming again (literally, “I am coming”—John 14:3).

  • He will take His own to the place prepared for them in the Father’s house (John 14:2-3).

  • He will receive them to Himself—they will see Him again and will be with Him (John 14:3).

• The Description of the Rapture (I Thess. 4:13-18) The one passage describing in detail the actual event. . .

  • The reason for our hope: the death and resurrection of Christ (I Thess. 4:13-14), resulting in the absence of a hopeless sorrow (4:13) and the assurance of a heavenly reunion (4:14)

  • The reality of the hope: the return of Christ (I Thess. 4:15-17)

    • A declaration of Christ’s promise (4:15): Christian dead will be raised first, preceding the living believers.

    • A description of Christ’s coming (4:16-17): the return of Christ (4:16a). . . the resurrection of dead believers (4:16b). . . the rapture of living believers (4:!7). . . the reunion in the air (4:17b).

  • The result of the hope: comfort and encouragement—the practical effects of the return of Christ

• The Details of the Rapture (I Cor. 15:51-53) Further details concerning the event, relating to the physical body

  • The revelation (15:51-52a): something previously hidden in times past, but now revealed. . . the mystery is not the resurrection (Job 19:25; Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2), but that many will enter heaven without dying.

  • The results (15:52b): the dead shall be raised incorruptible. . . the living shall be changed.

  • The reason (15:53): the corruptible must put on incorruption. . . the mortal must put on immortality.

• The Distinctives of the Rapture (I Cor. 15:51-53) The Rapture is. . .

  • Certain (John 14:1-3; II Pet. 3:3-4, 9): it will occur. . . nothing can prevent it. He will fulfill His promise.

  • Imminent (I Thess.4:15; I Cor. 1:7; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 10:37): it could happen at any moment.

  • Unexpected (I Thess. 5:2-3): it will catch the world by surprise. . . it will happen so suddenly.

  • Literal (I Thess. 4:16-17; John 14:1-3): His coming will not be spiritual in nature. . . it will be a literal event.

  • Personal (I Thess. 4:16; Acts 1:9-11): it will be “the Lord Himself” who will come. . . He will come personally.

  • Bodily (Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:39-43): He will come just as He left. . . in a glorified, physical body.

  • Pretribulational (I Thess. 1:9-10; 5:1-10): He will come before the Tribulation period.

  • Transforming (Phil. 3:20-21; Rom. 8:23; II Cor. 5:2, 4; I Cor. 15:53): believers’ bodies will be transformed.

  • Motivating: His coming should motivate believers to faithful service and holy living (Rom.13:11-12; I Cor. 5: 4-5; 11:26; 15:58; Tit.2:11-13; I Thess.2:19-20; 4:18; 5:4-8, 23; Heb.10:25; Jas.5:7-8; I Pet.4:7-8; I Jn.2:28; 3:2-3).

Just as sure as He came the first time, Jesus will return. We don’t know when He will come. . . we shouldn’t set dates. . . but we must live in the daily expectation that it could be today. What if it were today? Are you ready to meet Him?

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie

What Is He Doing Now?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When we are separated for an extended period of time from someone that we love, we miss the loved one and wish that we could see him/her again.  This separation may be more temporary, as in the case of a business trip or a summer vacation.  It may be more permanent, as with a move from a geographic move or even a departure to heaven.   Sometimes our thoughts are directed toward the loved one as we wonder how he is doing or what he is doing in the time of absence. 

We continue to direct our attention to the most amazing One to have ever lived on this earth.  I’m referring, of course, to the Lord Jesus Christ.  In our study of His person and His work, we have examined the Creator, the God-man, the Savior, the spotless Lamb, the Lord of all.  He is the One who died on the cross for our sins, rose again on the third day, and ascended into heaven to the Father’s right hand.  We know what He has done in the past and what He will do in the future, but what is He doing now?  Since His ascension into heaven, our Lord has been maintaining an active ministry toward His Church.  There are four major areas in which His ministry is directed toward the Church.  This answers the question: “What Is He Doing Now?”  

• He is providing all that the Church needs.
  His ministry to the Church is conveyed in seven figures:

  • Christ as the Head of the New Creation, being the “last Adam” (I Cor.15:45, 47; cp. II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15): the Lord Jesus has made us a new creation in Christ instead of being the old creation in Adam.

  • Christ as the Head of the Body (Eph. 1:19-23; Col. 1:18; Matt. 16:18):  Jesus provides direction for the Body, which is aimless and lost apart from Him.  

  • Christ as the Shepherd of the Sheep (John 10:1-5, 10-18; Heb. 13:20-21; I Pet. 5:4; Psa. 22-24):  Jesus provides all the care which a shepherd gives to the sheep, which are totally dependent on Him.

  • Christ as the Vine With the Branches (John 15:1-11, 16):  Jesus provides the life, power, and fruitfulness for the branches, which can do nothing apart from Him.

  • Christ as the Cornerstone/Foundation of the Building (Eph.2:19-22; I Pet.2:4-8; I Cor. 3:11-15):  Jesus provides the symmetry and stability for the structure, which must be built on and dependent on Him. 

  • Christ as the High Priest of the Priesthood (I Pet. 2:5, 9):  Jesus represents us before the Father, offering the sacrifice/intercession by which we have access to Him.

  • Christ as the Bridegroom With the Bride (Eph. 5:23-32; II Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:6-8):  Jesus gave Himself for the Church, sets it apart to Himself, and will someday present it a glorious Church. 

(Adapted from Jesus Christ Our Lord, John F. Walvoord, pp. 226-257)

• He is present with the Church.  

  • He has promised to be with the Church (Matt. 18:20; 28:20).  He is all-present.

  • He has promised to be in the Church (John 14:18, 20, 23; 15:4-5; 17:23, 26; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:26-27; I John 3:24).   He is indwelling.

    • He indwells the Church as a Body (cp. I Cor.3:16-17) and each individual believer (cp. I Cor.6:19).  

    • His indwelling is the guarantee  of your eternal life (John 1:4; cp. Jn. 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; Col.3:4; I John 5:12), the source of your daily strength (Phil.4:13; Matt.28:18-20), and the basis of your glorious hope (Col.1:26-27).

• He is preparing a place for His Church.

  • While He was with His disciples, Jesus declared His departure (John 13:33, 36).

  • While He is away, He is preparing a place for His own (John 14:2).

  • When He returns, He will take us to the prepared place (John 14:3).

    • What the place is:  a dwelling place (not a state of mind)

    • Where the place is:  the Father’s house (heaven)

    • Who is in the place:  the Father (14:2). . . the Son (14:3). . . other believers (14:3)

    • How you get to the place:  Jesus is the only Way (14:4-6).

• He is praying for His Church.

  • His intercession is reserved for His own (John 17:9; Rom. 8:33-34; Heb. 7:25), though Jesus is the mediator between God and all men (I Tim. 2:5).

  • His intercession involves two aspects in its practice.

    • It has a preventive (positive) aspect—preventing evil which could happen (Luke 22:32; John 17).

    • It has a corrective (negative) aspect—correcting evil which has already occurred (I John 2:1-2).  

  • His intercession provides assurance of our eternal security (Rom. 8:33-34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24-28).

    • He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:24).

    • He appears before the Father to pray for us (Heb. 9:26).

    • He will appear at His coming to receive us (Heb. 9:28).

Looking at the present ministry of the Lord Jesus should lead us to personal reflection.  Am I yielding to Him in His ministry as seen in the seven figures?  Am I recognizing His indwelling and cultivating my relationship with Him?  Am I focusing on my heavenly home and anticipating His return to take me there?  Am I resting in the security that His intercession provides?  What Jesus is doing for us now reminds us of what a wonderful Savior and Lord we have!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie