WHEN AN APOSTLE IS CONCERNED -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 22 of 29
" . . . or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received."
Now, some present a Holy Spirit that is given independently of salvation – a second work, as it was, of empowerment. Others teach concerning a Spirit that "slays" people, knocking them down, and rendering them virtually helpless. Some also affirm that the giving of the Spirit is always attended by utterances in an unknown language, and strange bodily sensations. Still others set forth a Spirit that compels men to convulse in laughter, and even make animal sounds. Is this the Spirit that is proclaimed in the Word of the Lord? Is it the One who was promised? Did the holy prophets give any indication of this kind of Spirit? Did John the Baptist foretell such a Spirit? What of the Lord Jesus Himself? Is this the type of Spirit He promised? And, did the Apostles ever speak to the church of a Spirit of this kind? If they did not, then such presentations are the declaration of "another Spirit."
THE SPIRIT OF SCRIPTURE
The Scriptures speak of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, so that there is no need for confusion on the matter. The prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles deliver clear words on the subject. John the Baptist spoke of the fact of the Spirit being given, but did not elaborate on His ministry (Matt 3:11).
PRIOR TO JESUS
Prior to "the day of salvation," there was enough said about the Holy Spirit to formulate some sound concepts about what He does. He is depicted as striving with men (Gen 6:3), causing men to be discreet and wise (Gen 41:38-39), and imparting wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Ex 31:3). He is identified with instruction (Neh 9:20), wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and judgment (Isa 11:3). When prophesying of the coming Messiah, the Spirit was connected with preaching, binding up broken hearts, and freedom (Isa 61:1). Speaking through the prophets, God announced that putting His Spirit within men would result in them walking in His statutes, keeping His judgments, and doing them (Ezek 36:27). Joel announced that the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit would result in prophesying – a rationale message declaring Divine intentions and accomplishments (Joel 2:28).
The Lord Jesus associated the Holy Spirit with teaching men what they were to say, teaching them "all things," and bringing to their remembrance His own matchless words (Luke 12:12; John 14:26). He also said that when the Spirit came, He would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and the judgment of the devil (John 16:8).
FOLLOWING THE EXALTATION OF JESUS
Following the exaltation of Jesus, considerable is said about the ministry of the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit that is given to the children of God.
1. EXPERIENCE OF COMFORT. "Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied" (Acts 9:31).
2. GOD'S LOVE SHED ABROAD. "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Rom 5:5).
3. MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom 8:13).
4. WITNESSES TO OUR SPIRIT. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God"(Rom 8:16).
5. MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered"(Rom 8:26).
6. EXPERIENCE OF JOY. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom 14:17).
7. REVELATION OF DIVINE PROVISION. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:10).
8. WASHING, SANCTIFYING, JUSTIFYING. "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:11).
9. DIVIDING VARIOUS GIFTS TO THE BODY. "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ" (1 Cor 12:11-12).
10. PROGRESSIVE SPIRITUAL CHANGE. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18).
11. WAITING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith" (Gal 5:5).
12. SPIRITUAL FRUIT. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal 5:23).
13. INNER STRENGTH. "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" (Eph 3:16).
14. OBEYING THE TRUTH. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Pet 1:22).
These are only representative of the marvelous ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is not a showman, drawing attention to Himself by doing things that catch the attention of the ungodly. He is never represented as creating a sort of euphoria in people in which they become oblivious to reality and are wafted away on the wings of raw emotion. His purpose and ministry always relate directly to our identity with the Person of the Lord Jesus, and the purpose of God the Father. When He speaks, He does not speak of Himself. As Jesus said, "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come" (John 16:13). He is not a kind of heavenly freelancer, operating by His own private agenda. So far as men are concerned, He only has relevance within the context of the salvation of God and all that it entails. Summarized, we see there are at least three major areas addressed by the real Holy Spirit.
1. PREPARING. He plays a vital role in preparing us to stand before the Lord on the day of judgment, and readying us to dwell forever with the Lord. In this grand work He leads us in mortifying the deeds of the body, or perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. He acquaints us with the things of God, unveiling through the truth of the Scriptures the marvelous things that God has prepared for those who love Him.
2. CONFORMING. Flesh and blood "cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 15:50), nor can those who are dominated by the same. Men must be transformed – changed into the same "Image" as their Savior. This cannot be done in the energy of humanity, but is wrought by the Spirit Himself. Those who are being "changed" by the working of the Holy Spirit are becoming more and more like Jesus. They think more like Him, viewing iniquity and righteousness as He does.
3. MINISTERING. It is the purpose of Christ to minister to His body through its various members – referred to as "joints and bands," and which are joined to Him (Col 2:19). The process itself is referred to as "the effectual working in the measure of every part" (Eph 4:16). The abilities themselves are referred to as "spiritual gifts,"and are said to be given and administered by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:1-6). The purpose of all of these gifts is to "profit withal," or "for the common good" – to bring good to all of the saints through the process of edification (1 Cor 12:7; 14:12,26).
Wherever there is a Spirit preached or embraced that is not engaged in these ministries, men are being confronted with "another Spirit." It may be an intriguing and interesting Spirit, but it is not the One sent forth by God into the hearts of His "sons" (Gal 4:6). It is rather a "Spirit" that will contribute to condemnation. Such a "Spirit" is a thief and a robber, and brings absolutely no advantages to the people of God – all claims notwithstanding. We must be sure we have not received "another Spirit."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to see the truth about Your Spirit, and to always yield to Him, and never resist Him.