The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans, D.D.

drjean · Apr 3, 2012

THE ARGUMENT FROM TESTIMONY

1) AS TO THE NUMBER OF THE WITNESSES

The resurrection of Christ as a historical fact is verified by a sufficient number of witnesses: over five hundred (1 Corinthians 15:3-9). In our courts, one witness is enough to establish murder; two, high treason; three, the execution of a will, seven, an oral will. Seven is the greatest number required under our law. Christ's resurrection had 514. Is not this a sufficient number?

2) AS TO THE CHARACTER OF THE WITNESSES
The value of the testimony of a witness depends much upon his character; if that is impeached, then the testimony is discounted. Scrutinize carefully the character of the men who bore witness to the fact of Christ's resurrection. Impeach them if you can. They are unassailable on ethical grounds. "No honorable opponent of the Gospel has ever denied this fact. Their moral greatness awakened an Augustin, a Francis of Assisi, and a Luther. They have been the unrivalled pattern of all mature and moral manhood for nearly two thousand years. " In law much is made of the question of motive. what motive could the apostles have had in perpetrating the story of Christ' resurrection upon people? Every one of them (except one) died a martyr's death for his loyalty to the story of Christ's resurrection. What had they to gain by fraud? Would they have sacrificed their lives for what they themselves believed to be an imposture?

Nor are we to slight the testimony to Christ's resurrection that comes to us from sources other than that of the inspired writers of the New Testament: Ignatius, a Christian, and a contemporary of Christ, a martyr for his faith in Christ, in his Letter to the Philadelphians, says: "Christ truly suffered, as He also truly raised up Himself. I know that after the resurrection He was in the flesh, and I believe Him to be so still. And when He came to those who were with Peter, He said to them, "Take, handle me, and see that I am not an incorporeal phantom!" "Tertullian, in his Apolegeticus says, "The fame of our Lord's remarkable resurrection and ascension being now spread abroad, Pontius Pilate, according to an ancient custom of communicating novel occurrences to the emperor, that nothing might escape him, transmitted to Tiberius, Emperor of Rome, an account of the resurrection of our Lord from the dead....Tiberius referred the whole matter to the Senate, who, being unacquainted with the facts ,rejected it." The integrity of this passage is unquestioned by even the most skeptical critics.

drjean · Apr 4, 2012

Alleged Discrepancies.

The seeming differences in the testimony of the witnesses to the resurrection may be largely , if not altogether, reconciled by a correct knowledge of the manner and order of the appearances of Christ after His resurrection.

The following order of appearances may help in the understanding of the testimony to the resurrection:

1) the women at the grave see the vision of angels.
2) the women separate at the grave to make known the news --Mary Magdalene going to tell Peter and John, who doubtless lived close by (For it seems that they reached the grave in a single run). The other women go to tell the other disciples who, probably, were at Bethany.
3) Peter and John, hearing the news, run to the grave, leaving Mary. They then return home.
4) Mary follows; lingers at the grave; gets vision of the Master, and command to go tell the disciples.
5) the other women see Christ on the way
6) Christ appears to the two on the way to Emmaus
7) to Simon Peter
8) to the ten apostles, and other friends
9) to the apostles at Tiberias
10) to the apostles and multitude on the mount
11) to the disciples and friends at the ascension
12) to James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
13) to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8)

4. THE RESULTS OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

As to Jesus Christ Himself

Romans 1:4--"And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." To "declare" means to mark off, to define, to set apart (Acts 10:42; Hebrews 4:7). NOTE: Christ was not made the Son of God by the resurrection, but declared such. Had Christ remained in the grave as other men had done, there would then have been no reasonable ground to impose faith in Him. The empty tomb testifies to the deity of Christ.

Matthew 12:38-42; John 2:13-22. In these scriptures Jesus Christ bases His authority for His teaching and the truth of all His claims on His resurrection from the dead. See also Matthew 28:6--"Risen, as he said."

drjean · Apr 5, 2012

AS TO THE BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST

Assures Him of His Acceptance With God

Romans 4:25--"Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." So long as Christ lay in the grave there was no assurance that His redemptive work had been acceptable to God. The fact that God raised Jesus from the dead was evidence that the Father was satisfied with the sacrifice Christ had made for the sins of men. "Of righteousness, because I go unto my Father" (John 16:10). Believing sinners may now rest satisfied that in Him they are justified. This thought is illustrated by the picture of the Jews waiting outside the temple for the coming out of the high priests (Luke 1:21). thereby indicating that their sacrifice had been accepted.

Assures Him of an Interceding High Priest in the Heavens

Romans 8:34--"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. " Also Hebrews 7:25.

.... The accusations of Satan still need to be answered. (Zechariah 3:1-5; Job 1 and 2; Hebrews 7:25). We need a Moses, not only to deliver us from bondage, but also to plead for us and interceded fro us because of our sins committed in the wilderness journey. Herein is our assurance of forgiveness of sins committed after conversion--that our great High Priests is always heard (John 11:42), and that He prays constantly for us that our faith fail not (Luke 22:32). Our temporary falls shall not condemn us, for our Priest intercedes for us.

Assures Him of All Needed Power for Life and Service

Ephesians 1;19-22--The exceeding greatness of his power...which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might...and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.

Also Philemon 3;10. There are two standards in the Bible by which God's power is gauged: In the Old Testament, when God would have His people know the extent of His power, it is according to the power by which He brought Israel out of Egypt (Micah 7:15); in the New Testament, the unit of measurement of God's power is According to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ...when he raised him from the dead.

The connection of Philemon 3:10 gives the believer the promise and assurance not only of present power and victory, but also of future glorification. If we desire to know what God is able to do for and through us we are invited to look at the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Assurance of His Own Resurrection and Immortality
1 Thessalonians 4:14--For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 2 Corinthians 4:14--Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. John 14:19--Because I live, ye shall live also.

AS TO THE WORLD

The Certainty of a Resurrection

Acts 17:31--Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. The resurrection of Christ is God's unfailing testimony to the fact of a coming day of judgment for the world. The one is as sure as the other.

The Meaning of These Terms:

When we speak of the ascension of Christ we refer to that event in the life of our risen Lord in which He departed visibly from His disciples into heaven. This event is recorded in Acts 1:9-11-"This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven," etc.

By exaltation of Jesus Christ we mean that act of God by which the risen and ascended Christ is given the place of power at the right hand of God. Philemon 2:9--"Which he [God] wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at this own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power." See also Hebrews 1:3.

The Scriptural Data for the Doctrine

Foregleams of this truth were granted to the prophets of the Old Testament times, Psalm 110:1; 68:18. They saw Christ in prophetic vision not only as the meek and lowly One, but as the ascended and glorified Lord.

Our Lord Himself, on many occasions, foretold His ascension and exaltation. These events were constantly before His mind's eye: Luke 9:51; John 6:62; 20:17.

The New Testament writers record the event: Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; John 3:13; Acts 1:9=11; Ephesians 4:8-10; Hebrews 10:12.

Stephen, in his dying moments, was granted a vision of the exalted Christ. he saw the "Son of Man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55-56.)

The Apostles taught and preached these great truths: Peter, Acts 2:33-34; 5:31; 1 Peter 3:22; Paul: Ephesians 4:8-10; Hebrews 4:14; 1 Timothy 3:16.

drjean · Apr 6, 2012

The Necessity of the Ascension and Exaltation of Jesus Christ

The nature of the resurrection body of our Lord necessitated His ascension and exaltation. Such a body could not be subject to ordinary laws; it could not permanently abide here.

Christ's unique personality also required such an exit from the world. Should not the exit of Christ from this world be as unique as His entrance into it? Then, again, consider the sinlessness of His life. If a miraculous exit was granted to men like Elijah and Enoch, who were sinful men, why should we marvel if such was granted to Christ? Indeed, it seems perfectly natural, and quite in keeping with His whole life, that just such an event as the ascension and exaltation should form a fitting finish to such a wonderful career.

The ascension and exaltation were necessary to complete the redemptive work of Christ. His work was not finished when He arose from the dead. he had not yet presented the blood of the atonement in the presence of the Father; nor had He yet been given His place at the right hand of the Father, as the bestower of all spiritual gifts, and especially the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The apostles were thus able to furnish to an unbelieving and inquisitive world a satisfactory account of the disappearance of the body of Christ which had been placed in the tomb, and which they claimed to have seen after the resurrection. "Where is your Christ?" the scoffing world might ask, "We saw Him ascend up into the heaven, and He is now at the Father's right hand, " the apostles could reply.

It was further necessary in order that Christ might become an ideal object of worship for the whole human race. We should not forget that Christ's earthly ministry was a purely local one: he could be but in one place at a time. Those who worshipped at His feet in Jerusalem could not, at the same time, worship Him in any other place. This was the lesson, doubtless, that the Master desired to teach Mary when she would fain hold on to Him, and when He said, "Touch me not." Mary must worship now by faith, not by sight.

drjean · Apr 7, 2012

The Nature of the Ascension and Exaltation of Jesus Christ

IT WAS A BODILY AND VISIBLE ASCENSION :preach:

Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51. It was the same Christ they had known in life, only glorified, who had tarried with them now for the space of forty days, who had delivered unto them certain commandments, and whose hands were even then outstretched in blessing that they saw slowly vanishing from their view up into the heavens. It was a body of flesh and bones, not flesh and blood. So will be our translation. (I Corinthians 15:51, 51)

HE PASSED UP THROUGH THE HEAVENS
Hebrew 4:14 (RV); Ephesians 4:10; Hebrews 7:26. Whatever and how many created heavens there may be between the earth and the dwelling place of God, we may not know, but we are here told that Christ passed through them all, and up to the highest heaven, indeed was made higher than the heavens.

This means that He overcame all those evil principalities and powers that inhabit these heavenlies (Ephesians 6) and who doubtless tried their best to keep Him from passing through the heavens to present His finished work before the Father. Just as the high priest passed through the vail (sic) into the holy place, so Christ passed through the heavens into the presence of God.

HE TOOK HIS PLACE AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER

He was exalted to the right hand of God. Ephesians 1:20--"Set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power." Colossians 3:1--"Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." This place was not taken by Christ without conflict with these evil principalities and powers. But "He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15). See also Acts 5:31.

What is meant by "the right hand of God"? Is it a definite place, or is it simply a figure of speech denoting a place of authority and power? Why can not both things be included? God has His dwelling place in heaven, and it is not incredible to believe that from the throne there Christ exercises His divine prerogatives. Stephen saw Christ standing at the right hand of God in heaven.

The "right hand of God" assuredly indicates the place of the accuser whom Christ casts out (Zechariah 3:1; Revelation 12:10); The place of intercession which Christ now occupies (ROMANS 8:34); The place of acceptance where the intercessor now sits (Psalm 110:1); The place of highest power and richest blessing (GENESIS 48:13-19); The place of power (PSALM 110:5). All these powers and prerogatives are Christ's by reason of His finished work of redemption.

drjean · Apr 8, 2012

The Purpose of the Ascension and Exaltation of Jesus Christ

HE HAS ENTERED HEAVEN AS A FORERUNNER

Hebrews 6:20--"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus." The forerunner is one who enters into a place where the rest are to follow; one who is sent before to make observations; a scout, a spy. The Levitical high priest was not a forerunner; no one could follow him. But where Christ goes His people may go also.

HE HAS GONE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR HIS PEOPLE

Hebrews 9:21-24; John 14:2. He is there making all necessary preparations for the coming of His Bride, the Church. In some way it seems that the heavenly sanctuary had been defiled by sin. It was necessary, therefore, that Christ purge it with His blood. What a home that will be if He prepares it!

HE IS NOW APPEARING BEFORE GOD IN OUR BEHALF

Hebrews 9;24--"To appear in the presence of God for us." He is there to act as High priest in our behalf; to present the blood of atonement. "Before the throne my Surety stands." And yet not so much before the throne as on the throne. he is the Kingly Priest. With authority He asks, and His petitions are granted.

HE HAS TAKEN HIS PLACE A THE THE FATHER'S RIGHT HAND THAT HE MAY FILL ALL THINGS, AWAITING THE DAY WHEN HE SHALL HAVE UNIVERSAL DOMINION.

Ephesians 4;10. He fills all things with His presence, with His work, with Himself. he is not a local Christ any longer (cf. Jeremiah 23:24). Hebrews 10:12, 13; Acts 3:20, 21--"He shall send Jesus Christ...whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things." Having won His victory, Christ is now waiting for all the spoils to be gathered. he is expecting, not doubting, but assuredly waiting; already His feet are upon the neck of the enemy. The Apocalypse pictures Christ entering upon the actual possession of His kingdom.

The Results of the Ascension and Exaltation of Jesus Christ

IT ASSURES US OF A FREE AND CONFIDENT ACCESS INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Hebrews 4:14-16--"Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession...Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace." Our Great High Priest is before the throne to present petitions, secure pardons for His people, and to communicate blessings in answer to their faith and prayers. We may have a free and fearless confidence in our approach to God.

AN ASSURED HOPE OF IMMORTALITY

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 describes the longing of the Christian to be clothed with a body after he has been called upon to lay aside this earthly tabernacle. he has no desire for a bodiless existence. The ascension and exaltation of Christ assures the believer that like Christ he also will take his place in heaven with a body like unto Christ's own glorious body.

IT GIVES THE BELIEVER CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S PROVIDENCE TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR HIS GOOD.

Seeing that Christ, the believer's Head, is exalted far above all things in heaven and earth, it is possible for the believer to be master of circumstances, and superior to all his environment (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:15-18).

CHRIST HAS BEEN MADE HEAD OVER ALL THINGS FOR THE CHURCH

That is to say, everything is subject to Christ, and that for the Church's sake. Ephesians 1:22--"And he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church." Christ is the fullness of the Father for the Church (Colossians 1:19; 2;9, 10). Christ bestows the Holy Spirit upon the Church (Acts 2:33-36; John 7:37-39). he receives for and bestows upon the Church spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4;8-12). :groupray:

drjean · Apr 9, 2012

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (outline)

THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Why the Personality of the Holy Spirit is Questioned
..The Spirit seems Impersonal
..The Names Given to the Holy Spirit
..The holy Spirit is Not Usually Associated with the Greetings and Salutations of the New Testament
..The Word Spirit is Neuter

METHOD OF PROVING THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

..Names Implying Personality are given to the Spirit
..Personal Pronouns are used of the Spirit
..Identified with Father and Son to Indicate Personality
..Personal Characteristics are Ascribed to the Spirit
..Personal Acts are Ascribed to the Spirit
..The Spirit is Susceptible to Personal Treatment

THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Divine Names are Given to the Spirit
Divine Attributes
Divine Works
Name of the Spirit Associated with Names of the Deity
Comparison of Old Testament Passages with Some in the New Testament

THE NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The HOLY SPIRIT
The SPIRIT OF GRACE
The SPIRIT OF BURNING
Thew SPIRIT OF TRUTH
The SPIRIT OF LIFE
The SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND KNOWLDEGE
The SPIRIT OF PROMISE
The SPIRIT OF GLORY
The SPIRIT OF GOD AND OF CHRIST

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In Relation To The World
.. The Universe
..The World of Mankind
In relation to the Believer
In relation to the Scriptures
In relation to Jesus Christ

OFFENSES AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

By the Sinner
Resisting
Insulting
blaspheming

By the Believer
Grieving
Lying to
Quenching

drjean · Apr 9, 2012

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

We are living in the Age of the Spirit. The Old Testament period may be called the Age of the Father; the period covered by the Gospels, the Age of the Son; from Pentecost until the second advent of Christ, the Age of the Spirit.

All matters pertaining to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit should, therefore, be of special interest to us who live in this age of special privilege. Yet how ignorant is the average Christian concerning matters pertaining to the Spirit. The Christian Church today needs to heed Paul's exhortation: "Now concerning spiritual gifts [or, perhaps better, "matters pertaining to the Spirit], I would not have you ignorant."

May it not be that the reason why the sin against the Holy Spirit is so grievous is because it is a sin committed in the light and with the knowledge of the clearest and fullest revelation of the Godhead. we cannot, therefore, afford to remain in ignorance of this all-important doctrine.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

It seems strange that is should be necessary to discuss this phase of the subject at all. Indeed, in the light of the last discourse of the Master (John 14-16), it seems superfluous, if not really insulting. During all the ages of the Christian era, however, it has been necessary to emphasize this phase of the doctrine of the Spirit(cf Arianism, Socinianism, Unitarianism).

drjean · Apr 11, 2012

THE PERSONALITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Why the Personality of the Holy Spirit is Questioned

a) Because, as contrasted with the other persons of the Godhead, the Spirit seems impersonal
The visible creation makes the personality of God the Father somewhat easy to conceive; the incarnation makes it almost if not altogether, impossible to disbelieve in the personality of Jesus Christ, but the acts and workings of the Holy Spirit are so secret and mystical, so much is said of His influence, graces, power and gifts, that we are prone to think of Him as an influence, a power, a manifestation or influence of the divine nature, an agent rather than a Person.

b) Because of the names given to the Holy Spirit
He is called breath, wind, power. The symbols used in speaking of the Spirit are oil, fire, water, etc. See John 3:5-8; Acts 2:1-4; John 20:22; 1 John 2:20. It is not strange that in view of all this some students of the scriptures may have been led to believe, erroneously of course, that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal influence emanating from God the Father.

drjean · Apr 12, 2012

c. Because the Holy Spirit is not usually associated with the Father and the Son in the greetings and salutations of the New Testament

For illustration, see 1 Thessalonians 3:11--"Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you." Yet we must remember, in this connection, that the apostolic benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 does associate the three persons of the Trinity, thereby asserting their personality equally.

d) Because the word or name "Spirit" is neuter

It is true that the same Greek word is translated wind and Spirit; also that the Authorized Version uses the neuter pronoun "itself," when speaking of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16:26). As we shall see later, the Revised Version substitutes "himself" for "itself."

The importance of the personality of the Spirit and of our being assured of this fact is forcibly set forth by Dr. R. A. Torrey:

"If the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and we know it not, we are robbing a Divine Being of the love and adoration which are His due. It is of the highest practical importance whether the Holy Spirit is a power that we, in our ignorance and weakness are somehow to get hold of and use, or whether the Holy Spirit is a personal Being...who is to get hold of us and use us. It is of the highest experimental importance...Many can testify to the blessing that came into their lives when they came to now the Holy Spirit, not merely as a gracious influence...but as an ever-present loving friend and helper."

drjean · Apr 13, 2012

2. Method of Proving the Personality of the Holy Spirit

It is difficult to define personality when used of the Divine Being. God cannot be measured by human standards. God is not made in the image of man, but man in the image of God. God is not a deified man; man is rather a limited God. ("A little ... less than God." Hebrews 2:7, RV). Only God has a perfect personality. When, however, one possesses the attributes, properties and qualities of personality, then personality may be unquestionably predicated of such a being. Does the Holy Spirit possess such properties? Let us see.

a) NAMES THAT IMPLY PERSONALITY ARE GIVEN TO THE SPIRIT

The Comforter John 14:16; 16:7. Comforter means one who is called to your side--as a client calls a lawyer. That the name cannot be used of any abstract, impersonal influence is clear from the fact that in 1 John 2:1 the same word is used of Christ. (See Romans 8:26.) Again in John 14:16 the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, is to take the place of a person--Christ Himself, and to personally guide the disciples just as Jesus had been doing. No one but a person can take the place of a person: certainly no mere influence could take the place of Jesus Christ, the greatest personality that ever lived. Again, Christ, in speaking of the Spirit as the Comforter, uses the masculine definite article, and thus, by His choice of gender, teaches the personality of the Holy Spirit. There can be no parity between a person and an influence.

b. PERSONAL PRONOUNS ARE USED OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 16:7, 8, 13- 15; Twelve times in these verse the Greek masculine pronoun ekeinos (that one, He) is used of the Spirit. This same word is used of Christ in 1 John 2:6:, 3:3, 5, 7, 16. This is especially remarkable because the Greek word for spirit (pneuma) is neuter, and so should have a neuter pronoun; yet, contrary to ordinary usage, a masculine pronoun is here used. This is not a pictorial personification, but a plain, definite, clear-cut statement asserting the personality of the Holy Spirit. Note also that where in the Authorized Version, the neuter pronoun is used, the same is correct in the Revised Version: note "itself", but "Himself: (Romans 8:16, 26.)

drjean · Apr 14, 2012

c) THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON--AND, INDEED, WITH CHRISTIANS--IN SUCH A WAY AS TO INDICATE PERSONALITY

The Baptismal Formula . Matthew 28:19 Suppose we should read, "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the wind or breath." Would that sound right? If the first two names are personal, is not the third? Note also: "in the name" (singular), not names (plural), implying that all three are Persons equally.

The Apostolic Benediction. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The same argument may be used as that in connection with the baptismal formula just cited.

Identification with Christians. Acts 15:28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us." Shall we say, "It seemed good to the wind and to us"? It would be absurd. 10:38--"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." Shall we read, "Anointed...with power and power? Romans 15:13--"That ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. " Shall we read, "That you may abound in hope through the power of the power? See also Luke 4:14. Would not these passages rebel against such tautological and meaningless usage? Most assuredly.

d) PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ARE ASCRIBED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy spirit is represented as searching the deepest and profoundest truths of God, and possessing knowledge of His counsels sufficiently to understand His purposes.(1 Corinthians 2:10, 11).

Spiritual gifts are distributed to believers according to the will of the Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 12). Here is wisdom, prudence and discretion, all of which are distinguishing marks of personality. The Spirit not only bestows spiritual gifts, but bestows them discreetly according as He thinks best. See Jon 3;8 also.

The Spirit is said to have a mind, and that implies though, purpose, determination: Romans 8:27, cf. v. 7. Mind is an attribute of personality.

e) PERSONAL ACTS ARE ASCRIBED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Spirit speaks: Revelation 2:7 (cf. Matthew 17:5--"hear ye him." ) It is the Spirit who speaks through the apostles (10:20). Speech is an attribute of personality.

The Spirit maketh intercession: Romans 8:26 (R.V.) cf. Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1,2, where Christ is said to "make intercession." Acts 13:2; 16:6,7, 20:28. in these passages the Holy Spirit is sen calling missionaries, overseeing the church, and commanding the life and practice of the apostles and the whole church. Such acts indicate personality.

f) THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO PERSONAL TREATMENT

He may be grieved. (Ephesians 4;30), insulted (Hebrews 10:29); lied to (Acts 5:3); blasphemed and sinned against (Matthew 12:31, 32). Indeed, the sin against the Holy Spirit is a much more grievous matter than the sin against the Son of Man. Can such be said of an influence? Can it be said even of any of the sons of men?

drjean · Apr 15, 2012

II. THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

By the Deity of the Holy Spirit is meant that the Holy Spirit is God. This fact is clearly set forth in the Scriptures, in a a fivefold way:

1. Divine Names are Given to the Holy Spirit

In Acts 5:4, the Spirit is called God. And this in supposition to man, to whom , alone. Ananias thought he was talking. Can any statement allege Deity more clearly? In 2 Corinthians 3:18--"We...are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit." (R.V). Here the Spirit is called the Lord. For the mean of "Lord", see under the Deity of Christ.

2. The Holy Spirit Possesses Divine Attributes.

He is eternal in his nature (Hebrews 9;14, RV); omnipresent (Psalms 139:7-10); omnipotent (Luke 1:35); omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10,11). For the mean of these attributes see under the Doctrine of God and Jesus Christ, pp 28 and 63.

3. Divine Works are Ascribed to the Holy Spirit.

Creation (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30, R.V.) ; Job 33:4--"The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Regeneration (John 3:5-8); resurrection (Romans 8:11).

4. The Name of the Holy Spirit is Associated with that of the Father, and of the Son.

See under Personality of the Spirit. The Same arguments which there prove the personality of the Spirit may be used here to prove the Deity of the Spirit. It would be just as absurd to say, "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son , and of Moses,"--thus putting Moses on an equality with the Father and the Son--as it would be to say, "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the wind"--thus making equality with the Father and the Son in the distribution of spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

5. Passages Which in the Old Testament Refer to God are in the New Testament Made to Refer to the Holy Spirit.

Compare Isaiah 6: 8-10 with Acts 28:25-27; and Exodus 16:7 with Hebrews 3:7-9.

drjean · Apr 15, 2012

PASSAGES WHICH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT REFER TO GOD ARE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT MADE TO REFER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Compare Isaiah 6:8-10 with Acts 28:25-27; and Exodus 16:7 with Hebrews 3:7-9.

III. THE NAMES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. The Holy Spirit
Luke 11:13--"How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
The Spirit is holy in Himself and produces holiness in others.

2. The Spirit of Grace
Hebrews 10:29--"And hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace." As the executive of the Godhead, the Spirit confers grace. To resist the Spirit, therefore, is to shut off all hope of salvation. To resist His appeal is to insult the Godhead. That is why the punishment mentioned here is so awful.

3. The Spirit of Burning
Matthew 3:11,12--"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Isaiah 4:4--"When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion...by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning." This cleansing is doe by the blast of the Spirit's burning. Here is the searching, illuminating, refining, dross-consuming character of the Spirit. He burns up the dross in our lives where He enters and takes possession.

4. The Spirit of Truth
John 14:17, 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 5:6. As God is Love, so the Spirit is Truth. He possesses, reveals, confers, leads into, testifies to, and defends the truth. Thus He is opposed to the "spirit of error" (1 John 4:6)

5. The Spirit of Life
Romans 8:2--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." That which had been the actuating principle of life, namely, the flesh, is now deposed, and its controlling place taken by the Spirit. The Spirit is thus the dynamic of the believer's experience that leads him into a life of liberty and power.

6. The Spirit of Wisdom and knowledge
That the references in Isaiah 11:2; 61:1,2 are to be understood as referring to the Spirit that abode upon the Messiah is clear from Luke 4;18 where "Spirit" is capitalized. Christ's wisdom and knowledge resulted, in one aspect of the case from His being filled with the Spirit. "Wisdom and understanding" refer to intellectual and moral apprehension: "counsel and might," the power to scheme, originate, and carry out; "knowledge and the fear of the Lord" acquaintance with the true will of God, and the determination to carry it out at all costs. These graces are the result of the Spirit's operations on the heart.

7. The Spirit of Promise
Ephesians 1:13--"Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." The Spirit is the fulfillment of Christ's promise to send the Comforter, and so He is the promised Spirit. The Spirit also confirms and seals the believer, and thus assures him that all the promises made to him shall be completely fulfilled.

8. The Spirit of Glory
1 Peter 4:14--"The spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." What is glory? Glory as used in the Scripture means character. The Holy Spirit is the One who produces godlike character in the believer (cf 2 Corinthians 3;18).

9. The Spirit of God, and of Christ
1 Corinthians 3:16--"The Spirit of God dwelleth in you." Romans 8:9--"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." The fact that the Spirit is sent from the Father and the Son, that He represents them, and is their executive, seems to be the thought conveyed here.

10. The Comforter (see before).

drjean · Apr 17, 2012

IV The Work of the Holy Spirit

The work of the Spirit may be summed up under the following headings: His work in the universe; in humanity as a whole; in the believer; with reference to the Scriptures; and, finally, with reference to Jesus Christ.

1. In Relation to the World
a) WITH REGARD TO THE UNIVERSE

There is a sense in which the creation of the universe may be ascribed to God's Spirit. Indeed Psalm 33:6--"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath [Spirit] of his mouth, " attributes the work of creation to the Trinity, the Lord, the Word of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord. The creation of man is attributed to the Spirit of the Lord. The creation of man is attributed to the Spirit. Job 33:4--"The Spirit of god hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." It would be proper,doubtless, to say that the Father created all things through the agency of the word and the Spirit. In the Genesis account of creation (1:3) the Spirit is seen actively engaged in the work of creation.

Now only is it true that the Spirit's agency is seen in the act of creation, but His power is seen also in the preservation of nature. Isaiah 40:7--"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it. " A staggering declaration. The Spirit comes in the fierce east wind with it's keen, biting blast of death. he comes also in the summer zephyr, which brings life and beauty.

drjean · Apr 18, 2012

b) WITH REGARD TO HUMANITY AS A WHOLE

John 16:8-11--"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, because I go unto my father and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judge." Here are three great facts of which the Spirit bears witness to the world: the sin of unbelief in Christ; the fact that Christ was righteous and absolutely true in all that He claimed to be; the fact that the power of Satan has been broken. Of sin: the sin in which all other sins are embraced; of righteousness: the righteousness in which all other righteousness is manifested and fulfilled; of judgment: the judgment in which all other judgments are decided and grounded. Of sin, belonging to man; of righteousness, belonging to Christ; of judgment, belonging to Satan.

John 15:26--"The Spirit of truth...shall testify of me." Acts 5:32--"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost." It is the work of the Holy Spirit to constantly bear witness of Christ and His finished work to the world of sinful and sinning men. This He does largely, although hardly exclusively, through the testimony of believers to the saving power and work of Christ: "Ye also shall bear witness" (John 15:27).

2. The Work of the Spirit in Relation to the Believer

a) HE REGENERATES THE BELIEVER

John 3:3-5--"Born of ...the Spirit." Titus 3:5--"The...renewing of the Holy Ghost." Sonship and membership in the kingdom of God come only through the regenerating of the Holy Spirit. "It is the Spirit that quickeneth." Just as Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost, so must every child of God who is to be an heir to the kingdom.

b) THE SPIRIT INDWELLS THE BELIEVER
1 Corinthians 6:19--"Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you." Also 3:16; Romans 8:9. Every believer, no matter how weak and imperfect he may be, or how immature his Christian experience still has the indwelling of the Spirit. Acts 19:2 does not contradict this statement. Evidently some miraculous outpouring of the Spirit is intended there, the which followed the prayer and laying on of the hands of the apostles. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:3.)

drjean · Apr 19, 2012

c) THE SPIRIT SEALS THE BELIEVER WITH ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Ephesians 1:13,14--"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were our inheritance." Also, 4:30--"Sealed unto the day of redemption." This sealing stands for two things: ownership and likeness (2Timothery 2:19-21). The Holy Spirit is "the Spirit of adoption" which God puts into our hearts by which we know that we are His children. The Spirit bears witness to this great truth (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:4-16). The sealing has to do with the heart and the conscience--satisfying both as to the settlement of the sin and sonship question.

d) THE HOLY SPIRIT INFILLS THE BELIEVER
Acts 2:4--"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Ephesians 5:18--"Be filled with the Spirit." The filling differs somewhat from the indwelling. We may speak of the baptism of the Spirit as that initial act of the Spirit by which, at the moment of our regeneration, we are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ; the Spirit then comes and takes up His dwelling within the believer. The filling with the Spirit, however, is not confined to one experience, or to any one point of time exclusively; it may be repeated times without number. There is one baptism, but many infillings with the Spirit. The experience of the apostles in the Acts bears witness to the fact that they were repeatedly filled with the Spirit. Whenever a new emergency arose they sought a fresh infilling with the Spirit (cf. Acts 2:4 with 4:31), showing that the apostles who were filled on the day of Pentecost were again filled a few days after).

There is a difference between possessing the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. All Christians have the first; not all have the second, although all may have. Ephesians 4:30 speaks of believers as being "sealed," whereas 5:18 commands those same believers to "be filled (to be being filled again and again) with the Spirit."

Both the baptism and tin infilling may take place at once. There need be no long wilderness experience in the life of the believer. It is the will of God that we should be filled (or, if you prefer the expression, "be baptized") with the Spirit at the moment of conversion, and remain filled all the time. Whenever we are called upon for any special service, or for any new emergency, we should seek a fresh infilling of the Spirit, either for life or service, as the case may be.

The Holy Spirit seeks--so we learn from the story of the Acts--for men who are not merely possessed by but also filled with the Spirit, for service (5:3, 5; 9:17; 11:24). Possession touches assurance; infilling, service.

e) THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS THE BELIEVER FOR LIFE AND SERVICE

Romans 8:2--"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (also vv 9-11). There are two natures in the believer: the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5;17). But while the believer is still in the flesh, he does not live after the flesh (Romans 9:12,13). The Holy Spirit enables the believer to get constant and continual victory over sin. A single act of sin a believer may commit; to live in a state of sin is impossible for him for the Spirit which is within him gives him victory, so that sin does not reign over him. If sinless perfection is not a Scriptural doctrine, sinful imperfection is certainly less Scriptural. The eighth chapter of Romans exhibits a victorious life for the believer; a life so different from that depicted in the seventh chapter. And the difference lies in the fact that the Holy Spirit is hardly, if at all, mentioned in the seventh chapter, while in the eighth He is mentioned over twelve times. The Spirit in the heart is the secret of victory over sin.

Then note how the Holy Spirit produces the blessed fruit of the Christian life (Galatians 5:22, 23). What a beautiful cluster of graces! How different from the awful catalogue of the works of the flesh (vv. 19-21). Look at this cluster of fruit. There are three groups: the first, in relation to God--love, joy, peace; the second, in relation to our fellowman--longsuffering, gentleness, goodness; the third, for our individual Christian life--faith, meekness, self-control. :preach:

drjean · Apr 21, 2012

f) THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE GUIDE OF THE BELIEVER'S LIFE
He guides him as to the details of his daily life, Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16, 25--"Walk in the Spirit." There is no detail of the believer's life that may not be under the control and direction of the Spirit. "The steps [and as one has well said, "the stops"] of a good man are ordered by the Lord."

The Holy Spirit guides the believer as to the field in which he should labor. How definitely this truth is taught in the Acts:8:27-29; 16:6, 7; 13:2-4. What a prominent part of the Spirit played in selecting the fields of labor for the apostles! Every step in the missionary activity of the early church seemed to be under the direct guidance of the Spirit.

g) THE HOLY SPIRIT ANOINTS THE BELIEVER

This anointing stands for three things:

First, for knowledge and teaching. 1 John 2:27--"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth...ye shall abide in him." Also 2:20. It is not enough to learn the truth from human teachers, we must listen to the teaching of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2;9-14 teaches us that there are some great truths that are spiritually discerned; they cannot be understood saying by the Spirit-filled man, for they are "spiritually discerned." See also John 14:26; 16::13.

Second, for service. How dependent Christ was upon the Holy Spirit for power in which to perform the duties of life is clear from such passages as Luke 4;18--"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach." etc. Also Acts 10:38--"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good." Ezekiel teaches a lesson by his vivid picture of the activity of God portrayed in the wheels within wheels. The moving power within those wheels was the Spirit of God. So in all our activity for God we must have the Spirit of power.

Third, for consecration. three classes of persons in the Old Testament were anointed: the prophet, the priest, and the king. The result of anointing was consecration--"Thy vows are upon me, O God"; knowledge of God and His will--"Ye know all things"; influence--fragrance from the ointment. Just as in the incense at Mecca clings to the pilgrim when he passes through the streets, so it is with him who has the anointing of the Spirit. All his garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia. he has about him the sweet odor and scent of the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

drjean · Apr 23, 2012

3. The Relation of the Holy Spirit to the Scriptures

a.) HE IS THE AUTHOR OF THE SCRIPTURES

Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20,21. The Scriptures came by the inbreathing of God, 2 Timothy 3:16. "hear what the Spirit saith to the churches," Revelation 2 and 3. It was the Spirit who was to guide the apostles into all the truth, and show them things to come (John 16:13).

b.) THE SPIRIT IS ALSO THE INTERPRETER OF THE SCRIPTURES

1 Corinthians 2:9-14. He is "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation," Ephesians 1:17. "he shall receive of mine and show it unto you." John 16:14, 15. (See under the Inspiration of the Bible.)

4. The Relation of the Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ

How dependent Jesus Christ was, in His state of humiliation, on the Holy Spirit! If He needed to depend solely upon the Spirit, can we afford to do less?

a.) HE WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, BORN OF THE SPIRIT, LUKE 1:35

b.) HE WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT, MATTHEW 4:1

c.) HE WAS ANOINTED BY THE SPIRIT FOR SERVICE, ACTS 10:38

d.) HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT, HEBREWS 9:14

e.) HE WAS RAISED BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT, ROMANS 1:4; 8:11

f.) HE GAVE COMMANDMENT TO HIS DISCIPLES AND CHURCH THROUGH THE SPIRIT, ACTS 1:2

g.) HE IS THE BESTOWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTS 2:33

drjean · Apr 24, 2012

V. OFFENCES AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

Scarcely any phase of the doctrine of the Spirit is more solemn than this. It behooves us all, believer and unbeliever alike, to be careful as to how we treat the Holy Spirit. Sinning against the Spirit is fraught with terrific consequences.

1. Offences Committed by the Unbeliever

a) RESISTING THE HOLY GHOST

Acts 7:51--"Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost.: Here the picture is that of the Holy Spirit attacking the citadel of the soul of man, who violently resists the gracious attempts of the Spirit to win him. In spite of the plainest arguments and the most incontestable facts, this man wilfully rejects the evidence and refuses to accept the Christ so convincingly presented. Thus ins the Holy Ghost resisted. (See Acts 6:10.) That this is a true picture of resistance to the Holy Spirit is clearly seen from Stephen's recital of the facts in Acts 7:51-57.

b) INSULTING, OR DOING DESPITE UNTO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Hebrews 10:29 (cf. Luke 18:32). It is the work of the spirit to present the atoning work of Christ to the sinner as the ground of his pardon. When the sinner refuses to believe or accept the testimony of the Spirit, he thereby insults the Spirit by esteeming the whole work of Christ as a deception and a lie, or accounts the death of Christ as the death of an ordinary or common man, and not as God's provision for the sinner. :preach:

The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans, D.D.

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