Tag: Jesus and the Spirit

The Holy Spirit – Summary and Implications

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

A Summary

This series on the Holy Spirit highlights the close connection between living by the Holy Spirit and adopting the mindset displayed by Christ on the cross. Although there is certainly much more that can be said about the Holy Spirit, we cannot say any less. This aspect of the Holy Spirit is central to the teachings of the New Testament, yet it often goes unnoticed or receives minimal attention.

The study began by exploring the meaning of the word “spirit.” The Hebrew word “Ruakh” and the Greek word “Pnuma” both conveyed the basic meaning of “wind” or “breath.” Spirit refers to the air that enters and exits our lungs, sustaining life. It is the stuff that gives thoughts and ideas. A person’s spirit is expressed through spoken words as they are breathed out. If you want to describe a person’s mindset or way of thinking, you could use the word “spirit.”

                Part 1: What is a “Spirit”?

Not only do humans have a spirit, but God also has a Spirit. God’s Spirit is the source of all life. Just as a person’s spirit is closely connected to their spoken words, God’s Spirit is closely connected to His words. The first mention of God’s Spirit is found in Genesis 1:2, which states that “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”. In the very next verse, we read that “God said.” God’s Spirit has always been closely connected to His words.

                Part 2: The Holy Spirit in Creation

Throughout the Old Testament, there were special occasions when God’s Spirit filled certain individuals, such as judges, kings, or prophets. When God’s Spirit filled someone, it meant that that their words and actions could be attributed to God Himself. In other words, their words reflected the mind of God and were not solely a product of their own thinking.

                Part 3: When God’s Spirit Fills People

                Part 4: The Holy Spirit Gave Us The Old Testament

The prophets anticipated a day when God’s Spirit would no longer be poured out on a select few, but on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32). They anticipated a time when God would give His people new life, a new heart, and a new Spirit. Putting His Spirit in His people would enable them to walk according to His statutes and obey His rules (Ezek. 36:26-27). The prophets foresaw that God’s people would be changed from within, where they would obey Him from their hearts. Their spirit would be made new, so that their thinking would look like God’s as they walked in harmony with His laws.

                Part 5: Prophesies Concerning the Spirit

This anticipation is further developed in the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist foretold that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Himself promised to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples after his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit was described as “The Spirit of Truth” and a “Helper” who would teach them and bring to remembrance all of Jesus’s words (John 14:19-26). As in the Old Testament, the “Spirit” remained closely linked to the ideas, commands, teachings, and mindset demonstrated and taught by Jesus Himself. Although Jesus would return to the Father, His “Spirit” would be sent in his place.

                Part 6: The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus

                Part 7: The Holy Spirit in John

                Part 8: The Holy Spirit Raised Jesus From the Dead

                Part 9: Baptism With The Holy Spirit

After Jesus’s ascension, the promised coming of the Holy Spirit became a reality. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8), the Gentiles (Acts 10), and the disciples of John (Acts 19). This outpouring of the Spirit was accompanied by astonishing signs and wonders, including the ability to speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues served as observable proof that their words originated from God’s Spirit.

                Part 10: The Fulfillment of the Promise of the Spirit

                Part 11: Speaking in Tongues as a Sign of the Spirit

Throughout the book of Acts, the miraculous outpouring of the Spirit consistently connected with baptism. When God’s Spirit was poured out, those who believed the gospel responded with baptism. The connection between the Holy Spirit and baptism is explained throughout Paul’s writings, where he states that all Christians are baptized in the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13).

                Part 12: All Christians are Baptized in the Spirit

                Part 13: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Baptism

Through baptism, the Spirit is “given,” “sent”, or “poured out” into their hearts (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Rom. 5:5). The Spirit solves the heart problem highlighted in the Old Testament, as a person’s mind is transformed to live according to the Spirit. Through this transformation, the Spirit offers hope for new life (Rom. 8:1-9).

                Part 14: The Holy Spirit and the Heart

                Part 15: Life in the Spirit

Living according to God’s Spirit means aligning with God’s way of thinking. It requires focusing our  minds on the things of the Spirit and submitting to God’s law (Rom. 8:5-7). It means adopting mind of God, particularly the mind of Christ on the cross, being crucified and suffering with Him (Phil. 2:1-8).

                Part 16: The Fruit of the Spirit

                Part 17: The Spirit Links Christians to the Cross

                Part 18: The Mind of Christ

The Spirit did empower individuals for a time to work miracles, but the enduring work of the Spirit is seen when Christians live with Christ-like love. It is only through the Spirit, by embracing the wisdom of the sufferings seen on the cross, that Christians can confesses Jesus as Lord. All other teachings or ideas should be tested in light of the Spirit of God as seen on the cross.

                Part 19: The Spirit and Miraculous Gifts

                Part 20: The Holy Spirit and Confession

                Part 21: Test the Spirits

The Holy Spirit is the source of life, and the basis of the Christian’s hope of resurrection. However, this hope is contingent on our commitment to live by the Spirit in the present. It requires us to think with the mind of Christ and live not by our own wisdom but by the Spirit of God as demonstrated by Christ on the cross.

                Part 22: The Holy Spirit, Suffering, and Hope

In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is not merely an emotion or a feeling. Being led by the Spirit is not simply following our own hearts. To be led by the Spirit is to be guided by God’s thinking, words, and wisdom. It is a particular way of living that submits to God’s commands, even to the point of suffering and death. It involves loving others, even at the cost of our own lives.

The Spirit of God is clearly seen in the Spirit of Christ on the cross. As we set our minds on the things of the Spirit, we seek to imitate Him. As we live by the Spirit of His Son, who was sent into our hearts, the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. Just as the Holy Spirit first created life, the Holy Spirit is the foundation of our hope for new life in the resurrection. But this hope is contingent on living by the Spirit now, in the present, by sharing in Christ’s suffering.

Implications

  • To live by the Holy Spirit is more than simply following the Bible. But it is not less than that.

Old Testament Israel had inspired Scripture, yet the heart still needed to be changed (Deut. 10:16). The New Testament distinguishes serving in the new way of the Spirit from the old way of simply following a written letter (Rom. 7:6). Serving by the Spirit necessitates a new heart and mind (Ezek. 36:26). However, living by the Spirit does not mean we can cast off God’s words; to the contrary, it requires submission to them. Living contrary to God’s inspired word is characteristic of living by the flesh (Rom. 8:7-8).

  • To live by the Holy Spirit means to live in purity and holiness, denying our flesh.

As we live by the Spirit, our bodies become a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Our bodies must be treated as sacred space. Whoever disregards purity and holiness disregards the Holy Spirit.

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
  • The Holy Spirit is the key to unity.

No matter their background, Christians are one in Christ because they are baptized in one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Unity and peace are experienced in the Spirit. (Eph. 4:3-4). In Philippians Paul emphasizes that fellowship in the Spirit is found only as we live with them mind of Christ, as seen in his humility on the cross (Phil. 2:1-8).

  • The Holy Spirit is the source of love.

God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). Love is listed as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). God abides in us as we mimic His love on the cross.

In this is love, not that we have loved God that but he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:10-12
  • The Holy Spirit is God’s Power in Weakness

He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.

2 Corinthians 13:3b-4:a

The power of the Holy Spirit was seen in the creation of the world and in the resurrection of Jesus, and He will be seen in the resurrection of all of those who are in Christ (Rom. 1:20; 8:9). The question is not whether the Holy Spirit is powerful, but how His power is experienced now. The power of the Holy Spirit is found not in human wisdom, influence, political power, or strength. It was human strength that nailed Jesus to the cross. But it was in this moment, when Jesus subjected himself to a place of supreme weakness, that the power of the Holy Spirit was seen most powerfully. We access His power as we share in His sufferings.

That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11

Conclusion

Although is much more that can and should be said about the Holy Spirit, it is crucial for the church to grasp this key point. Living by the Spirit requires adopting God’s way of thinking, exemplified by the Spirit of Christ on the cross. Trying to obey Scripture is necessary, but it is insufficient in and of itself. Our hearts must be transformed by suffering and dying with Christ. Living by the Spirit by following the crucified Savior leads to unity, love, and hope for resurrected life in Him.

The Holy Spirit in John

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit2 Comments

This is Part 7 of an ongoing study of the Holy Spirit. Click here for the previous parts of this study

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John’s account of the gospel gives special emphasis to Jesus’s teachings regarding the Spirit.

Jesus and Nicodemus

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one of born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 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 its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:5-8

In John’s introduction, he spoke of the necessity of a “new birth” taking place in order to become children of God (1:12-13). This new birth is the theme of Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus, in which he tells him that he must be born of both the “water and Spirit” in order to see God’s kingdom. Just as the prophets had foretold, God’s Kingdom was coming by the work of Spirit, blowing like a wind in whatever direction God desires for it to blow (remember that the Greek word for “Spirit” and “wind” were the same). Just as no human organization can control the wind, or dictate the direction it should blow, so it is with how God was bringing his kingdom by the Spirit. You can’t see God’s Spirit, control God’s Spirit, or dictate to God’s Spirit the direction you want him to blow, let alone try to get into his kingdom on your own terms.

Words of the Spirit

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

John 3:34

As John contrasts Jesus who “comes from above” with those who are “of the earth” (3:31), special attention is drawn to Jesus’s words. Jesus speaks words from God. He does this because God “gives the Spirit without measure.” This is right in line with how we see God’s Spirit connected with speaking words from God in the Old Testament.

Living Water

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 7:37-39

By referring to himself as the source of living, or flowing water, Jesus was identifying himself as the source through whom God’s Spirit would be poured out on the thirsty (see Isaiah 44:3-5). Through Jesus anyone who was faithful to him would be able to receive the Spirit. John notes, however, that this had not happened yet, and it would not happen until after Jesus was “glorified”, a phrase which John uses to refer to the death and resurrection of Jesus (cf. 3:14; 12:23; 17:1).

The Helper

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him not knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you… These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:16-17; 25-26

Just before his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples that he would be going away (14:2). But he promised them that they would not be left alone like orphans (14:18), because he would send the “Spirit of truth” as a “Helper” (sometimes translated as “Comforter” or “Advocate”) to dwell with them and be with them. Even though the world would not be able to see him, they would be able to see him (14:19). In this way, Jesus would be “1in them” (14:20). Jesus would show himself and make his home with those who would love him and keep his commandments (14:21-23). This would be accomplished by sending the “Helper”, the “Holy Spirit” who would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all the things that he had said to them (14:26).

Observe that the Helper is described as the “Spirit of truth.” Through the Spirit, Jesus will be made manifest to those who love him and keep his commandments (14:21). Jesus says that the Spirit will “teach” and “bring to remembrance” all the things that Jesus had said to them. This concept of a spirit being connected to truthful ideas, commands, teachings, and memories makes sense. That’s what a spirit does. When people teach things, they do so with their breath. When people know things, or remember things, they do so with their mind, or with their “spirit”.

But Jesus’s disciples wouldn’t just have any ordinary human spirit, as a source of ordinary human teachings or memories. They would somehow be helped by THE Spirit. They would be taught teachings which originated with Jesus, as opposed to those created in their own mind. Just as in the Old Testament, when people were said to be filled with God’s Spirit as a way of saying that their actions and their words could be attributed to God working and speaking through them (Part 3), so the apostles would be given the Spirit, showing that their teachings had their origin with Jesus himself.

In this way Jesus would be present with his disciples after his departure. He was going to be with them in that the Spirit would continue to be with them.

When the World Hates You

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 15:26-27

Jesus warned his disciples that they would be hated and persecuted by the world (15:16-21). They should not be taken by surprise when this happens, for they hated Jesus without cause as well (15:22-25). But fortunately, according to Jesus, they would not be left alone. He reminds them that the “Helper”, the “Spirit of truth” would be sent from the Father. When he comes, he will (along with the apostles) bear witness about Jesus.

Once again we see that the Spirit will have something to say to the world about Jesus. The idea of a “spirit” having something to “say” makes sense given the Hebrew understanding of “spirit” (Part 1).

Guide Into All Truth

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judges.

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will come to declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

John 16:7-15

Jesus consoles his disciples by telling them that it is to their advantage that he goes away. That’s because his death, resurrection, and departure are necessary events that must happen before sending the Helper, the Spirit of truth. Part of the job of the Spirit will be to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, to guide the apostles into all truth, and to glorify Jesus, taking what is his and declaring it to the apostles.

Once again we can observe that the Spirit’s work, as in the rest of scripture up to this point, is that of expressing or teaching God’s words. But here the message which the Spirit will speak is namely the teachings of Jesus himself (which of course came from the Father to start with).

In other words, the past work and teachings of Jesus will be continued after his departure through the work and teachings of Spirit.

Jesus, the Spirit, and the Disciples

John’s emphasis on Jesus’s teachings about the Spirit culminates in his interaction with his disciples in the upper room after the resurrection.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

John 20:21-23

Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to his disciples by breathing on them. By doing this, he made them his agents through which sins would be forgiven. By giving them the Holy Spirit, he commissioned them to act on his own behalf. What Jesus had done previously on earth would now be accomplished through His Spirit, who was now embodied in his apostles.

Up to this point, Jesus’s teachings about the Spirit had always been forward looking. But now that Jesus had been glorified through his death and resurrection, the anticipated time had come.

Observe that the point of Jesus “breathing” on his disciples and giving them the Spirit was not to give them some moving or emotional experience. Surely following Jesus can and should be deeply moving and emotional, but that’s not what Jesus giving the Holy Spirit was all about. Nor is the point that Jesus’ disciples were now free to follow whatever kind of intuition they might feel tugging at their hearts. Part of the point of giving the Spirit is that they would be led and taught by Jesus Himself through the Spirit, not by their own spirit, their own feelings, or their own emotions. The apostles, now having received the Holy Spirit, would be acting on Jesus’ own behalf, teaching things that originated with Jesus Himself.

The Holy Spirit (Part 6): The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit2 Comments

Read earlier parts of this study here.

In the New Testament, the Spirit plays a big role in the life of Jesus, in his resurrection, and in the lives of his people. This is true in all four gospel accounts, and especially in the book of Luke. What God’s Spirit does in the New Testament corresponds with the things the Holy Spirit is said to do in the Old Testament.

Jesus’s Birth Is Attributed to the Holy Spirit

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:18

Mary’s pregnancy was from the Holy Spirit. As surprising as the virgin birth is, it is not surprising to see God’s Spirit connected with the gift and creation of life in a place where there was previously no life. This is the same sort of thing that the Spirit is described as doing in the Old Testament (e.g. Genesis 1-2).

Luke starts the story even earlier with the story of the birth of John the Baptist. First, Luke records how Elizabeth was told that John the Baptist would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb.

He will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:15

A few verses later, Luke records that John’s father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit when he prophesied about Jesus’s birth. Again, it is no surprise to see that the Holy Spirit is connected with speaking words from God, as this is the same thing the Spirit is described as doing in the Old Testament.

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying…

Luke 1:67

Similarly, Simeon is described as having the Holy Spirit when he prophesied.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents of the child brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up on his arms and blessed God and said…

Luke 2:25-28

Again, just as in the Old Testament, we see the Holy Spirit described as revealing special knowledge to a prophet. Simeon was filled with the Holy Spirit in that he was able to know things that came from God’s own mind.

All these events surrounding the birth of Jesus were attributed to the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit’s Role in Jesus’s Baptism

In Luke 3, Luke describes how John was leading a repentance movement and baptizing people in the Jordan River. Some people began to question whether or not John might be the Christ. Luke records John’s answer (which will be examined in more detail in a future part of this study).

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

Luke 3:16-17

Luke then records that Jesus himself was baptized by John.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:21-22

Observe:

  • Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan
  • The heavens were opened
  • The Holy Spirit descends in bodily form, like a dove
  • God’s voice is heard speaking

Having studied the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, we can see that this event seems to echo another time when God’s Spirit is said to hover (a word used to describe what birds do) over the waters in connection with God’s voice speaking words.

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.

Genesis 1:2-3

From the account of Jesus’s baptism, we can also notice the close connection between God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. The Holy Spirit/Pnuma/Breath is described as descending on Jesus at the same moment that God speaks words. Again, given our understanding of the Hebrew and Greek words for Spirit, it makes sense that we would see a close connection between God’s Holy Spirit and God’s Word’s. We can also note that the Holy Spirit is distinct from the person of Jesus, but is also very active in the life of Jesus.

The word “trinity” is never used by Luke (or any other New Testament author) to describe the close relationship between God and the Spirit and Jesus. (The word “trinity” wasn’t even invented until after the close of the New Testament when early Christians tried to describe God’s nature.) But there is certainly a very close relationship between God and the Spirit and Jesus, just as in the Old Testament there was a close relationship between God and the Spirit and the prophesied Messiah.

The Spirit in the Life of Jesus

Luke highlights the role of the Spirit in the life of Jesus more than any other author.

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days.

Luke 4:1

Jesus’s day to day work was attributed to God’s Spirit.

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Luke 4:14-15

If Jesus was in the power of the Spirit when he taught, who’s words was he speaking? God’s words! Jesus was giving voice to words from God’s own Holy Spirit. Jesus made this clear when he applied Isaiah 61:1-2 to himself.

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:17-21

In Luke 10, when Jesus saw what was happening, he gave credit to, and rejoiced in the Holy Spirit.

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”

Luke 10:21

In Luke 11, Jesus described the Holy Spirit as a gift that could be given by God to his children.

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

Luke 11:13

In the Old Testament, when on special occasions, God’s Spirit is filled unique individual’s, the words and actions and wisdom of those individuals could then be attributed to God himself. When Luke and the other gospel writers attribute the life and ministry of Jesus to the Holy Spirit, it means that the things Jesus said and did can rightly be attributed to God himself. When we see Jesus’s ministry and teachings, we see the words and actions of God Himself.