Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

Born Again, Faith

NICODEMUS-THE WIND

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The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things? John 3:8-10

“The figure of the new birth, which Jesus had used, was not wholly unfamiliar to Nicodemus. Converts from heathenism to the faith of Israel were often compared to children just born. Therefore he must have perceived that the words of Christ were not to be taken in a literal sense. But by virtue of his birth as an Israelite, he regarded himself as sure of a place in the kingdom of God. He felt that he needed no change. Hence his surprise at the Saviour’s words.: Desire of Ages, p. 72

The metaphor of being born again brings up a picture of newness…a complete change. Again, the learned Nicodemus must have been familiar with Ezekiel’s and David’s picture of God’s work of creating a new heart and a new spirit in the life of those who were still a child of this world.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Nicodemus was still perplexed, and Jesus used the wind to illustrate His meaning.

The wind is heard among the branches of the trees, rustling the leaves and flowers, yet it is invisible, and no man knows whence it comes or whither it goes. So with the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. It can no more be explained than can the movements of the wind. Desire of Ages, p. 172

By an agency as unseen as the wind, Christ is constantly working upon the heart. Little by little, perhaps unconsciously to the receiver, impressions are made that tend to draw the soul to Christ. These may be received through meditating upon Him, through reading the Scriptures, or through hearing the word from the living preacher. Suddenly, as the Spirit comes with more direct appeal, the soul gladly surrenders itself to Jesus. By many, this is called sudden conversion; but it is the result of long wooing by the Spirit of God,—a patient, protracted process. Desire of Ages 172

The “wooing” of the Spirit of God is explained in the book of Jeremiah,

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3

God Draws-He Never Forces

God never forces. Instead, he uses “reason” and appeals to our hearts and minds about our sins and His solution (Isaiah 1:18) .

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

He displays His “everlasting love” to draw people to Him. People come to Him out of a realization of the love and sacrifice of our Creator. Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus because of the love and patience demonstrated to him. Yes, theology and the explanation of God’s word play a large part in leading us to salvation; but they cannot save within themselves. Only Jesus can save. It is His work alone through the promised giving of the Holy Spirit that produces God’s desired results.

‘Through faith, we receive the grace of God; but faith is not our Saviour. It earns nothing. It is the hand by which we lay hold upon Christ and appropriate His merits, the remedy for sin. And we cannot even repent without the aid of the Spirit of God”. Desire of Ages, p. 175

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 5:31

Soon Jesus would demonstrate His great love through His sacrificial death on a Roman cross. Nicodemus would witness this pivotal act of salvation and draw him even closer to Jesus, especially after the resurrection. The resurrection would seal the deal for many, even the priests who doubted Jesus.

As Nicodemus considered the blowing of the wind, the Spirit, and being born again, Jesus turns Nicodemus’ mind back to the Tora. Jesus recalled the incident of Israel’s salvation from the deadly bite of snakes in the camp of Israel and what God instructed Moses to do. It was a metaphor and forecast of the crucifixion. Jesus is teaching Nicodemus to understand that salvation is not based on religious acts but on the love of God. This act of God’s love and sacrifice would “woo” or “draw” this religious leader to Jesus even more. Here he would find a salve for his soul in Jesus.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so, must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3: 14-15

Jesus emphasizes what initiated eternal life by repeating Himself with the most beloved words of Christendom:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

In Jesus’ final days before the crucifixion, Jesus prepared the hearts of The followers of his pending death as predicted in the the Tanakh. This act of love would be a universal platform for the “wooing” and “drawing” of everyone to Jesus.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

John 12: 32-33

Those who had been bitten by the serpents might have delayed to look. They might have questioned how there could be efficacy in that brazen symbol. They might have demanded a scientific explanation. But no explanation was given. They must accept the word of God to them through Moses. To refuse to look was to perish.

Not through controversy and discussion is the soul enlightened. We must look and live. Nicodemus received the lesson and carried it with him. He searched the Scriptures in a new way, not for the discussion of a theory, but in order to receive life for the soul. He began to see the kingdom of heaven as he submitted himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

There are thousands today who need to learn the same truth that was taught to Nicodemus by the uplifted serpent. They depend on their obedience to the law of God to commend them to His favor. When they are bidden to look to Jesus, and believe that He saves them solely through His grace…”

Desire of Ages, p. 175
Essential Christian Beliefs

28 Fundamental Beliefs-#6 The Spirit

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God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

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No doubt the topic of the Spirit is a mystery and difficult to understand.  A good student of the word knows that some things have been revealed to us very clearly and others have not.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29

The Bible, particularly in the writings of Paul, talk of mysteries, but these mysteries are often revealed. Some are revealed only if we search. Other mysteries with explanations are right in front of our face, but we won’t accept them because they cut directly across preconceived ideas or cherished sins.  In addition, we know that if we are not on a spiritual plane, we will not understand.

The Spirit

Because of preconceived ideas, the Spirit is visualized by many Christians as a wispy smokey like vapor presence that is only interested in getting people excited and worked up.  How often have we translated someone who is happy or loud as “in the spirit.” But, there is much more that is revealed about the Spirit.

1.) The Spirit was present along with God the Father and the Son at creation and participated in the creation of man. We are made in their image!

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters…And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:1, 26

2.) The Spirit works and communicates on another dimension called inspiration.

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

2 Samuel 23:2

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Peter 1:21

3.) It was prophesied that The Spirit would anoint Jesus and direct His ministry.

The Prophecy:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Isaiah 61: 1

Fulfillment:

 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he closed the book (Isaiah), and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Luke 4: 18-21

4.) The Spirit was present at Jesus’ baptism (along with the Father) and was seen in the form of a dove:

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.  And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him

Luke 3:21

5.) The Spirit provides help and comfort on a spiritual plane while Jesus is physically not present:

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter) , that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:16-18

6.)  God the Father was with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  This is how God is with us today!

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 10:38

7.) It is the work of the Spirit to direct people in the pursuit of truth.  He points people to the truth by whatever He hears from the Father and Jesus.

 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

John 16:13

8.) The Spirit’s primary job is to bring conviction upon every person regarding sin and point the fallen to Jesus as the way to eternal life:

I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

John 16:8

But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

John 15:26

9.) The Spirit prepared the disciples for a world mission and gave them power.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

10.) The gift of the Spirit is given to those who ask for it! We don’t receive because we don’t ask!

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

Luke 11:13

11.) The Holy Spirit is given to those who repent and are baptized.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

12.) After baptism (public display of intent to walk with Jesus), the Spirit gives to the born again believer different gifts to profit all who are in the church.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues (languages), to another the interpretation of tongues (languages).  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

1 Corinthians 12: 7-11

Please notice that the gift of the Spirit is not something you work towards or train yourself to possess, it is given to you by the will of God.  It is also given to both sexes.  It is not limited to men only.

 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3: 26-28

13.)  The Spirit gives wisdom and insight that is not understood by those without this gift:

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

14.)  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to give the repentant sinner a new heart and new life different from the carnal life.

 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3: 6-8

15.) God the Father will gladly give the Holy Spirit to those who ask:

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Luke 11:13

16.) Once you have the Spirit, you have the choice to either live by the Spirit by the carnal thinking of the world.  If you choose to live by the Spirit, you will have life and peace:

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:5-6

17.) Once the Spirit comes into a repentant sinners life, they will produce fruits of the Spirit.  These are life qualities different from the fruits produced by a carnal person:

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22

It is by these fruits that demonstrate the rebirth experience:

18.) The Spirit separates the true follower from the false:

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Matthew 7:17-20

19.) It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction upon the heart of the sinner regarding sin, unbelief, judgement , and draw them to Jesus for salvation from eternal death and the sins that entangle a person’s life.

 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me;  of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

John 16:8

20.) With the Spirit of God, the follower of Jesus will been born again and will receive eternal life.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God..” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 3: 3,5

21.) Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

Luke 12: 10

Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is the only unpardonable sin because it is continuous.  This ongoing persistent turning away from the prompting of the Holy Spirit leads to a scar on the heart where there are no longer any feelings or response possible. For many years, this person turns off the Spirit and turns on to the pleasures of this world.  They enjoy a short life of sin rather than eternal life offered from Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  Paul said, it this way.

“….having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…”

1 Timothy 4:2 

Today, if you feel the pull of the Spirit drawing you to make a decision, surrender to God and you will find Jesus and the Spirit in your life giving you conviction, repentance, direction, power, and peace.  Won’t you do it today?

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Conclusion on the Trinity

For the last several weeks, we have been letting God’s word tell us about the Trinity.  From the scripture, we see the Spirit as God, along with the Father and the Son.  All three participated in the creation of the universe and of all life including you and me!

All three are active in bringing back mankind from the loss of eternal life and giving them what was meant for their creation:  Life, joy, and growth instead of demise.

Wisdom and spirituality can only come as a gift from the Father who is full of grace.  But, He has also has set up laws to protect us from walking down a path that will lead to destruction. This wisdom is found in Jesus and the Spirit draws people to Jesus and gives them a new life in Him.

The Saviour said, “Except a man be born from above,” unless he shall receive a new heart, new desires, purposes, and motives, leading to a new life, “he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3, margin. The idea that it is necessary only to develop the good that exists in man by nature, is a fatal deception. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:7. Of Christ it is written, “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men”–the only “name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” John 1:4; Acts 4:12.

Steps To Christ, page 18, 19