CHRIST’S BODILY RESURRECTION

CHRIST’S BODILY RESURRECTION ‘I have power to take it again’Jn 10:18

Watchtower Teaching: ‘Jesus was raised to life as an invisible spirit. He did not take up again that body in which he had been killed . . .’ ‘Let your Name be sanctified.’ (p.266).

The Watchtower teaches that Jesus’ body was disposed of by God.
The NWT mistranslates I Peter 3:18 as ‘being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit’ to teach merely a spiritual resurrection of Christ.

Bible Teaching: I Peter 3:18 refers to when Christ died. His Spirit went and preached to spirits in prison (v. 19,20). After three days, Christ’s physical body was raised.

I Peter 3:18 (KJV) correctly reads: ‘being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.’

Which Scriptures best teach Christ’s bodily resurrection?

1. ‘They were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.’ (v.37) He said unto them, ‘Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.’ (Luke 24:37, 39)

Notice that the resurrected Christ says here that:

(1) He is not a spirit;
(2) His resurrection body has flesh and bones;
(3) His physical hands and feet are proof of His physical resurrection;
Jesus is trying to convince them that He, ‘I myself’ has a permanent physical body which still had the nail scars in His hands and feet. This is opposite to the WT teaching that Christ’s body was disposed of and that He became only a spirit. If the WT claim was correct, then
Jesus would be deceiving the disciples here in showing them His body.

2. ‘Then saith he to Thomas, . . . reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.’ (John 20:27)
Here Jesus says that He has a physical side that He challenges Thomas to touch.

3. ‘Neither did his flesh see corruption.’ - Acts 2:30,31
Notice the following:
a) God promised David that ‘according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ’ to sit on his throne.’ (v.30). This is a bodily resurrection of Christ, not spiritual. The NWT omits this because of its corrupt Westcott-Hort Greek text. Well over 38 manuscripts have it.
b) ‘neither did his flesh see corruption’ (v.31) means that Christ’s body did not decay.

Why? Because Jesus was raised from the dead in a material, fleshly body.

4. ‘I will raise it up . . . he spake of the temple of his body.’ - John 2:19-21
‘Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (v.19). But he spake of the temple of his body.’ (v.21)

Jesus here promised that He Himself would raise up His own body after three days.

Notice how Jesus uses the word ‘body’ meaning a bodily resurrection, not a spiritual resurrection.

5. Christ promises to eat of the fruit of the vine in the Kingdom. Only a body can eat.

‘I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come.’(Luke 22:18)

Jesus here showed that his resurrected body would be able to eat and drink even in the Kingdom of God. Notice that a non-material spirit cannot eat and drink. Jesus promised the disciples in Luke 22:30 ‘that ye may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom.’

Question: If Jesus expected to become an immaterial spirit, why would He promise the disciples that they would eat and drink with Christ at His table in His Kingdom?

6. Christ ate a broiled fish and a honeycomb in front of them. Luke 24:41,42.

7. ‘he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies’. Rom. 8:11
As Christ’s body was raised physically from the dead, so shall our mortal bodies be raised.

8. His resurrection body could ‘breathe on them’(John 20:22). A spirit cannot breathe, can it?

9. ‘His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives...’ Zechariah 14:4

A spirit does not have feet. Only a physical body has feet as Jesus has at His second coming.

10. ‘One shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands?’ Zechariah 13:6

Question: How can a non-material spirit have wounds in his hands which can be observed?

11. The resurrected, glorified Christ touched John, laying his right hand on him. Rev. 1:17

Watchtower Objection: JWs quote I Corinthians 15:44,50 to support their claim that Jesus was raised from the dead as a spirit creature:
a) ‘It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.’ (v.44)
b) ‘flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.’ (v.50). JWs claim that Jesus must have had a spiritual resurrection, because flesh-and-blood bodies cannot exist in heaven.

They claim that mortality and corruption belong to the fleshly body.

Bible Teaching:

a) The Greek word for body, ‘soma’ (4983), always means a material body, an organised whole made up of parts, when used of a person (Zodhiates, NT Word Study,p.1358). The spiritual
body in I Cor.15:44 is not an immaterial body, but a supernatural, spirit-dominated body.

It is a body directed by the spirit, as opposed to a body under the dominion of the flesh.

There are no exceptions to Paul using ‘soma’ for a material body.
Paul even refers to a believer as a ‘spiritual’ man who judges all things (I Cor. 2:15), yet Paul did not mean an immaterial invisible man with no physical body.

He meant a spirit-controlled man with a flesh and blood body.

QUESTION: In I Corinthians 2:15 (‘He that is spiritual judgeth all things’), is Paul discussing an invisible spirit creature or a material, flesh-and-blood human? Can you see that being ‘spiritual’ does not demand a non-material body? The same is true in I Corinthians 15:44.
b) Key: In v.50 ‘flesh and blood’ is an idiom meaning that mortal, perishable, earth-bound
humans, as we are now, cannot have a place in God’s glorious, heavenly Kingdom.
c) ‘this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.’v.53
Nothing is taken away from us (materialness). Instead immortality is ‘put on’ or added to us.
Question: Don’t the words ‘put on’ mean adding something to humanity (that is immortality),
not taking away something from humanity (our material body)?

Conclusion: Since Christ’s resurrected body could eat, drink, breathe (John 20:22), show His hands and feet with scars (Luke 24:40), be touched, and have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39), it is certain that this body was a material body. This is especially true since Jesus corrected the disciples’ misconception that they had seen a spirit (Luke 24:37).

For the JWs to say that a body is not a body, is their last resort of redefining common words.

Greek Scholars & The Watchtower: Julius Mantey

Greek Scholars & The Watchtower: Julius Mantey

Julius Mantey was arguably the greatest Greek scholar of the 20th century. He was co-author of A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament, a Greek grammar that was in use for half a century to teach Greek in prominent schools. Along with other Greek grammar book authors A. T. Robertson and Daniel Wallace, Mantey disagreed with the Watchtower’s (Jehovah’s Witnesses’) book, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT). For several years, Mantey was quoted in a footnote to the NWT, with the Watchtower trying to use Mantey’s grammar book to support their view of the bible. Mantey took offense, and wrote the letter below.

The significance of this letter is that it is from a respected author of a Greek grammar. We live in a free country, and Wathtower supporters have, and likely will continue, to disagree with any point they desire.

I am not in a position to defend Mantey; a scholar of his caliber does not need a defense from me. I am not a language scholar, do not pretend to be one, nor will I hide my ignorance of the languages. Concerning grammar and translation, too many arguments are made from those who should have remained silent, and I do not wish to contribute to the problem by adding my words to the conversation.

But I know enough to use the tools and quote the scholars. Of the three Greek grammars I mentioned, all specifically disagree with the NWT. The Watchtower can protest all they want, but their disagreement is with the unified opinion of all the language scholars. If the Watchtower ever publishes a Greek text that is used in accredited schools to teach Greek, or can find one that is in agreement with them, they will be taken seriously. Until then, they will not. Below is a top-tier scholar’s view of the Watchtower and their book.

Anyone can write a book claiming to know what they are talking about, but this does not make them true. The only objective reference we have for language is the recognized grammars. If the Watchtower claims all of the grammars are wrong, they have made a self-refuting statement.

Julius R. Mantey
414 Palmette Road
New Port Richey, FL 33552
July 11, 1974

Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
117 Adams St.
Brooklyn
New York 11201

Dear Sirs:
I have a copy of your letter addressed to Caris in Santa Ana, California, and I am writing to express my disagreement with statements made in that letter, as well as in quotations you have made from the Dana-Mantey Greek Grammar.

(1) Your statement: “their work allows for the rendering found in the Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures at John 1:1.” There is no statement in our grammar that was ever meant to imply at “a god” was a permissible translation in John 1:1.

A. We had no “rule” to argue in support of the trinity.

B. Neither did we state that we did have such intention. We were simply delineating the facts inherent in Biblical language.

C. Your quotation from p.148 (3) was in a paragraph under the heading: “With the Subject in a Copulative sentence.” Two examples occur there to illustrate that “the article points out the subject in these examples.” But we made no statement in the paragraph about the predicate except that , “as it stands the other persons of the trinity may be implied in theos.” And isn’t that the opposite of what your translation “a god” infers? You quoted me out of context. On pages 139 and 140 (VI) in our grammar we stated: “without the article theos signifies divine essence . . . theos en ho logos emphasizes Christ’s participation in the essence of the divine nature.” Our intepretation is in agreement with that in NEB and the TEV: “What God was, the Word was”; and with that of Barclay: “The nature of the Word was the same as the nature of God”, which you quoted in your letter to Caris.

(2) Since Colwell’s and Harner’s articles in JBL, especially that of Harner, it is neither scholarly  nor reasonable to translate John 1:1 “The Word was a god”. Word-order has made obsolete and incorrect such a rendering.

(3) Your quotation of Colwell’s rule is inadequate because it quotes only a part of the his findings. You did not quote this strong assertion: “A predicate nominative which precedes the verb cannot be translated as an indefinite or a ‘qualitative’ noun solely because of the absence of the article.”

(4) Prof Harner, vol. 92:1 (1973) in JBL, has gone beyond Colwell’s research and has discovered that anarthrous predicate nouns preceding the verb function primarily to express the nature or character of the subject. He found this true in 53 passages in the Gospel of John and 8 in the Gospel of Mark. Both scholars wrote that when indefiniteness was intended the gospel writers regularly placed the predicate noun after the verb, and both Colwell and Harner have stated that theos in John 1:1 is not indefinite and should not be translated “a god”. Watchtower writers appear to be the only ones advocating such a translation now. The evidence appears to be 99% against them.

(5) your statement in your letter that the sacred text itself should guide one and “not just someone’s rule book”. We agree with you. But our study proves that Jehovah’s Witnesses do the opposite of that whenever the “sacred text” differs with their heretical beliefs. For example the translation of kolasis as cutting off when punishment is the only meaning cited in the lexicons for it. The mistrnalstion of ego eimi as “I have been” in John 8:58. The addition of “for all time” in Heb. 9:27 when nothing in the Greek New Testament supports it. The attempt to belittle Christ by mistranslating arche tes ktiseos “beginning of the creation” when he is magnified as “the creator of all things” (John 1:2 and as “equal with God” (Phil. 2:6) before he humbled himself and lived in a human body here on earth. Your quotation of “The father is greater than I am” (John 14:28) to prove that Jesus was not equal to God overlooks the fact stated in Phil. 2:6-8. When Jesus said that, he was still in his voluntary state of humiliation. That state ended when he ascended to heaven. Why the attempt to deliberately deceive people by mispunctuation by placing a comma after “today” in Luke 23:43 when in the Greek, Latin, German and all English translations except yours, even in the Greek in your KIT, the comma occurs after lego (I say) — “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” 2 Cor. 5:8, “to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.” These passages teach that the redeemed go immediately to heaven after death, which does not agree with your teachings that death ends all life until the resurrection. Cf. Ps. 23:6 and Heb. 1:10.

The aforementioned are only a few examples of Watchtower mistranslations and perversions of God’s Word. In view of the preceding facts, especially because you have been quoting me out of context, I herewith request you not to quote from the Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament again, which you have been doing for 24 years. Also that you not quote it or me in any of your publications from this time on.

Also that you publicly and immediately apologize in the Watchtower magazine, since my words had no relevance in the absence of the article before theos in John 1:1. And please write to Caris and state that you misused and misquoted my “rule”. On the page before the Preface in the grammar are these words: “All rights reserved — no part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.” If you have such permission, please send me a photo-copy of it.

If you do not heed these requests you will suffer the consequences.

Respectfully yours,

Julius R. Mantey

BOTH the FATHER and the SON HAVE the SAME 119 ATTRIBUTES, CLAIMS and MAJESTY. ‘I am Jehovah - that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another.’ (Isaiah 62:8). The glory of these 119 attributes are jointly owned by the Father and the Son, and nobody else. Jesus Christ is Jehovah God, equally with the Father, because both the Father and Son alone have the following attributes: 1. both are to be honoured equally (John 5:23) 2. both are the I AM (Exodus 3:14-15; John 8:24,58) 3. both are the Mighty God (Isaiah 10:20,21; Jer 32:18; Psalm 50:1; Isaiah 9:6; Gen 49:24) 4. both own the same throne (Psalm 45:6,7; Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 22:1,3) 5. both accept worship (Exodus 34:14; I Chronicles 16:29; Hebrews 1:6; Matthew 28:9) 6. both laid the foundation of the earth (Psalm 102:24-27; Isaiah 48:13; Hebrews 1:10-12) 7. One God has created mankind (Mal. 2:10; Prov. 16:4; Isaiah 44:24; Col 1:16; John 1:3) 8. both are the Shepherd (Psalm 80;1; Gen 49:24; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20; I Peter 5:4) 9. both are from Everlasting (Psalm 90:2; Habakkuk 1:12; Micah 5:2; Hebrews 7:3). 10. both are the First and Last (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:17,18; Rev. 2:8; See p.54).) 11. both are the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8; 21:5-7; 22:13-16; See p.54) 12. both come and Reward (Isaiah 40:10; 62:11; Revelation 22:12) 13. both are unchangeable (Malachi 3:6: Hebrews 13:8) 14. both have unsearchable riches (Romans 11:33; Ephesians 3:8) 15. both are the Holy One (Isaiah 43:15; Acts 3:14) 16. both are omnipresent and fill all things (Psalm 139:7; Jer. 23:24; Eph. 4:10; John 3:13) 17. both are omniscient (Psalm 147:5; Prov. 14:3; John 21:17; John 16:30; Colossians 2:3) 18. both are omnipotent (Genesis 17:1; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:3) 19. both are eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27; Hebrews 7:3; Micah 5:2) 20. both own the everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 145:13; Daniel 7:14; II Peter 1:11) 21. both are Lord of all (Psalm 103:19; Matthew 11:25; Acts 10:36) 22. both are the only Saviour (Isaiah 43:11; Titus 1:3,4; Philippians 3:20; II Peter 1:1; 3:18; Luke 2:11; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 4:12) 23. both are the Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:6) 24. both are sinless (Deuteronomy 32:4; Hebrews 4:15) 25. both are in the beginning (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1) 26. both God and the Son are the Judge (Psalm 82:8; John 5:22), but the Father is not the Judge (John 5:22 ‘The Father judgeth no man’). 27. both are our Hope (Psalm 39:7; I Timothy 1:1) 28. both shelter believers under their wings (Psalm 91:2,4; Matthew 23:37) 29. both are our Redeemer (Psalm 130:7,8; Isaiah 44:6; Galatians 3:13; Titus 2:14) 30. the glory of both was seen by Isaiah (Isaiah 6:3,5; John 12:41) 31. both are the Rock (Deuteronomy 32:3,4,18; Psalm 18:31; I Corinthians 10:4) 32. both are to be looked to for salvation (Isaiah 45:22; John 1:29; John 6:40) 33. to both shall every knee bow and every tongue confess (Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10; Romans 14:10,11) 34. the enemies of both shall perish (Psalm 92:9; Philippians 3:18,19) 35. both send the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28; John 16:7) 36. to both shall all men come (Psalm 65:2; Isaiah 45:24; John 12:32) 37. both forgive sins (Exodus 34:7; Mark 2:5,7; Colossians 3:13) 38. both blot out sin (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 1:3; I John 1:7) 39. both still storms (Psalm 107:29; Matthew 8:26) 40. both own the Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:20; Romans 8:9) 41. both seek the lost (Ezekiel 34:16; Luke 19:10) 42. to both are applied 10 aspects of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; see page 954) 43. both receive believers to glory (Psalm 73:24; John 14:3) 44. both are our One Master (Malachi 1:6; Matthew 23:8,10) 45. both are served by believers (Deuteronomy 10:20; Colossians 3:24) 46. both lead believers to living waters (Psalm 23:2; Revelation 7:17) 47. both correct believers (Proverbs 3:12; Revelation 3:19) 48. both prepare a place for believers in heaven (Hebrews 11:16; John 14:2) 49. both are all in all (I Corinthians 15:28; Colossians 3:11) 50. both are known by believers (Galatians 4:9; Philippians 3:10; John 17:3) 51. both are cleaved to by believers (Deuteronomy 10:20; John 15:4) 52. both are the light of the world (Psalm 27:1; John 8:12) 53. both are the Light of the New Jerusalem (Isaiah 60:19,20; Revelation 21:23) 54. both give eternal life (Psalm 36:9; John 10:28) 55. both are called ‘My Lord and my God’ (Psalm 35:22,23; John 20:28) 56. both are our Righteousness (Isaiah 45:24; I Corinthians 1:30; Jeremiah 23:5,6) 57. both have the same voice as of many waters (Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:15) 58. both are witnessed to by believers (Isaiah 43:10; Acts 1:8) 59. both own the peace given to believers (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27) 60. both own the gospel (I Thessalonians 2:2; Romans 1:16) 61. both give saving grace (Titus 2:11; Acts 15:11) 62. both are our peace (Judges 6:24; Ephesians 2:14) 63. both are pierced and looked upon (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37) 64. both sanctify believers (Exodus 31:13; I Corinthians 6:11) 65. both give victory to believers (Psalm 98:1; I Corinthians 15:57) 66. both heal people (Exodus 15:26; Matthew 9:35) 67. both equally own the churches (I Corinthians 15:9; Romans 16:16; I and II Thess. 1:1) 68. both own the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33; Rev. 11:15). 69. both are glorified by the Gentiles (Isaiah 24:15; II Thessalonians 1:12; Matthew 12:21) 70. both own the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:6; Philippians 1:6; II Thessalonians 2:2) 71. both give grace to believers (Romans 5:15; Colossians 1:6; II Cor. 8:9; Galatians 6:18) 72. both own the same glory (Romans 5:2; II Corinthians 8:23) 73. both own the same love (John 5:42; II Corinthians 5:14) 74. both own the same Word (Psalm 119:11; I Thessalonians 2:13; Colossians 3:16) 75. both own salvation (Luke 3:6; Jonah 2:9; Acts 4:12; II Timothy 2:10) 76. both were served equally by Paul (Titus 1:1; Romans 1:1);and by James (James 1:1) 77. both own the commandments (I John 5:3; John 14:15) 78. both had their way prepared by John the Baptist (Isaiah 40;3; Mark 1:1-3) 79. both search all hearts (Psalm 139:1; Revelation 2:23) 80. both own the same flock (I Peter 5:2; John 21:15,16) 81. both ascend on high, lead captivity captive, and give gifts to men (Psalm 68:17,18; Ephesians 4:7-10) 82. both are like a Bridegroom (Isaiah 62:5; Mark 2:19,20) 83. both receive the glory of God alone forever and ever (Isaiah 42:8; Galatians 1:4,5; I Peter 5:10,11; II Peter 3:18; Hebrews 13:21; I Peter 4:11; Revelation 1:5,6) 84. both are the source of fruit (Hosea 14:8; John 15:5) 85. both are our source of strength (Psalm 119:28; Philippians 4:13) 86. both give rest for our souls (Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:29) 87. both shall appear at Christ’s return (Psalm 102:16; Zechariah 14:3,4,5; Titus 2:13) 88. both will come to earth (Isaiah 40:10; Revelation 22:7,12,20) 89. both are to be trusted in (Jeremiah 17:7; Ephesians 1:12; John 14:1) 90. both are our King (Isaiah 6:5; 33:22; Revelation 17:14; 19:16; I Timothy 6:14,15) 91. both will wound their enemies’ heads (Psalm 68:21; 110:6) 92. both take vengeance (Romans 12:19; II Thessalonians 1:7,8) 93. both will be opposed by the Antichrist’s armies (Isaiah 34:22; Revelation 19:19) 94. both will fight against the Antichrist’s armies at Armageddon (Zechariah 14:3; Revelation 19:11,13,21) 95. both will destroy death (Isaiah 25:8; II Timothy 1:10). 96. both receive the faith of believers (I Thessalonians 1:8; Galatians 3:26) 97. both are our life (Deuteronomy 30:20; Colossians 3:4) 98. both are to be prayed to (Matthew 6:9; Acts 7:59) 99. both raised up Christ (Acts 2:32; John 2:19,21) 100.both own all of the other (John 16:15) 101.both enter the east gate of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 44:1,2; Luke 19:37-45) 102.the man on the throne in Ezekiel 1:26 is identified as the God of Israel in Ezek 10:20 103.both names are placed on the same level in the baptism formula (Matthew 28:19) 104.both fellowship equally with believers (I John 1:3). 105.both comfort believers (Isaiah 66:13; Philippians 2:1). 106.both receive doxologies of worship in heaven (Revelation 5:8-10; 5:11,12; 5:13,14). 107.both jointly send grace and peace to the churches (Romans 1:7). 108.both the love of the Father and love of the Son are an equal privilege given to us.(John 14:21) 109.both jointly declare themselves to be Jehovah, “I am the first,& I am the last”(Isaiah 44:6) 110.both come to his temple, ‘the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple.’(Malachi 3:1; Mat 21:13) 111.both are the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6; John 1:49). 112. both can be blasphemed (God-Rom.2:24; HS-Luke 12:10; Christ-Luke 22:65; Acts 13:45; 18:5,6; 26:9,11) 113.both are always with all believers (Matthew 28:20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). 114.both are the one lawgiver (God-Rom.7:22; Christ-Gal.6:2; HS-Rom.8:2; James 4:12). 115.both have the same face (Revelation 22:3,4) 116.both have the same Name (Revelation 22:3,4) 117.both own the same servants (Revelation 22:3) 118.both are the Temple of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:22) 119.Heavens are the work of thy hands (Psalm 102:24-27; Hebrews 1:10-12) Since both Jesus and the Father have these same attributes, both are Jehovah God. There are not 2 Gods, but One God in 3 persons. One who has these attributes must be God. The Lord’s Prayer is devoted to worshipping the Father. Jesus conceals His personal glory in this prayer as seen by other Scriptures which are just as true of Christ as the Lord’s Prayer is of the Father.

BOTH the FATHER and the SON HAVE the SAME 119 ATTRIBUTES, CLAIMS and MAJESTY.

‘I am Jehovah - that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another.’ (Isaiah 62:8).

The glory of these 119 attributes are jointly owned by the Father and the Son, and nobody else.

Jesus Christ is Jehovah God, equally with the Father, because both the Father and Son alone
have the following attributes:

1. both are to be honoured equally (John 5:23)
2. both are the I AM (Exodus 3:14-15; John 8:24,58)
3. both are the Mighty God (Isaiah 10:20,21; Jer 32:18; Psalm 50:1; Isaiah 9:6; Gen 49:24)
4. both own the same throne (Psalm 45:6,7; Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 22:1,3)
5. both accept worship (Exodus 34:14; I Chronicles 16:29; Hebrews 1:6; Matthew 28:9)
6. both laid the foundation of the earth (Psalm 102:24-27; Isaiah 48:13; Hebrews 1:10-12)
7. One God has created mankind (Mal. 2:10; Prov. 16:4; Isaiah 44:24; Col 1:16; John 1:3)
8. both are the Shepherd (Psalm 80;1; Gen 49:24; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20; I Peter 5:4)
9. both are from Everlasting (Psalm 90:2; Habakkuk 1:12; Micah 5:2; Hebrews 7:3).
10. both are the First and Last (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:17,18; Rev. 2:8; See p.54).)
11. both are the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8; 21:5-7; 22:13-16; See p.54)
12. both come and Reward (Isaiah 40:10; 62:11; Revelation 22:12)
13. both are unchangeable (Malachi 3:6: Hebrews 13:8)
14. both have unsearchable riches (Romans 11:33; Ephesians 3:8)
15. both are the Holy One (Isaiah 43:15; Acts 3:14)
16. both are omnipresent and fill all things (Psalm 139:7; Jer. 23:24; Eph. 4:10; John 3:13)
17. both are omniscient (Psalm 147:5; Prov. 14:3; John 21:17; John 16:30; Colossians 2:3)
18. both are omnipotent (Genesis 17:1; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 1:3)
19. both are eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27; Hebrews 7:3; Micah 5:2)
20. both own the everlasting Kingdom (Psalm 145:13; Daniel 7:14; II Peter 1:11)
21. both are Lord of all (Psalm 103:19; Matthew 11:25; Acts 10:36)
22. both are the only Saviour (Isaiah 43:11; Titus 1:3,4; Philippians 3:20; II Peter 1:1; 3:18;
Luke 2:11; Hebrews 5:9; Acts 4:12)
23. both are the Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:6)
24. both are sinless (Deuteronomy 32:4; Hebrews 4:15)
25. both are in the beginning (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1)
26. both God and the Son are the Judge (Psalm 82:8; John 5:22), but the Father is not the
Judge (John 5:22 ‘The Father judgeth no man’).
27. both are our Hope (Psalm 39:7; I Timothy 1:1)
28. both shelter believers under their wings (Psalm 91:2,4; Matthew 23:37)
29. both are our Redeemer (Psalm 130:7,8; Isaiah 44:6; Galatians 3:13; Titus 2:14)
30. the glory of both was seen by Isaiah (Isaiah 6:3,5; John 12:41)
31. both are the Rock (Deuteronomy 32:3,4,18; Psalm 18:31; I Corinthians 10:4)
32. both are to be looked to for salvation (Isaiah 45:22; John 1:29; John 6:40)
33. to both shall every knee bow and every tongue confess (Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10;
Romans 14:10,11)
34. the enemies of both shall perish (Psalm 92:9; Philippians 3:18,19)
35. both send the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28; John 16:7)
36. to both shall all men come (Psalm 65:2; Isaiah 45:24; John 12:32)
37. both forgive sins (Exodus 34:7; Mark 2:5,7; Colossians 3:13)
38. both blot out sin (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 1:3; I John 1:7)
39. both still storms (Psalm 107:29; Matthew 8:26)
40. both own the Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:20; Romans 8:9)
41. both seek the lost (Ezekiel 34:16; Luke 19:10)
42. to both are applied 10 aspects of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; see page 954)
43. both receive believers to glory (Psalm 73:24; John 14:3)
44. both are our One Master (Malachi 1:6; Matthew 23:8,10)
45. both are served by believers (Deuteronomy 10:20; Colossians 3:24)
46. both lead believers to living waters (Psalm 23:2; Revelation 7:17)
47. both correct believers (Proverbs 3:12; Revelation 3:19)
48. both prepare a place for believers in heaven (Hebrews 11:16; John 14:2)
49. both are all in all (I Corinthians 15:28; Colossians 3:11)
50. both are known by believers (Galatians 4:9; Philippians 3:10; John 17:3)
51. both are cleaved to by believers (Deuteronomy 10:20; John 15:4)
52. both are the light of the world (Psalm 27:1; John 8:12)
53. both are the Light of the New Jerusalem (Isaiah 60:19,20; Revelation 21:23)
54. both give eternal life (Psalm 36:9; John 10:28)
55. both are called ‘My Lord and my God’ (Psalm 35:22,23; John 20:28)
56. both are our Righteousness (Isaiah 45:24; I Corinthians 1:30; Jeremiah 23:5,6)
57. both have the same voice as of many waters (Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:15)
58. both are witnessed to by believers (Isaiah 43:10; Acts 1:8)
59. both own the peace given to believers (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27)
60. both own the gospel (I Thessalonians 2:2; Romans 1:16)
61. both give saving grace (Titus 2:11; Acts 15:11)
62. both are our peace (Judges 6:24; Ephesians 2:14)
63. both are pierced and looked upon (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37)
64. both sanctify believers (Exodus 31:13; I Corinthians 6:11)
65. both give victory to believers (Psalm 98:1; I Corinthians 15:57)
66. both heal people (Exodus 15:26; Matthew 9:35)
67. both equally own the churches (I Corinthians 15:9; Romans 16:16; I and II Thess. 1:1)
68. both own the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33; Rev. 11:15).
69. both are glorified by the Gentiles (Isaiah 24:15; II Thessalonians 1:12; Matthew 12:21)
70. both own the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:6; Philippians 1:6; II Thessalonians 2:2)
71. both give grace to believers (Romans 5:15; Colossians 1:6; II Cor. 8:9; Galatians 6:18)
72. both own the same glory (Romans 5:2; II Corinthians 8:23)
73. both own the same love (John 5:42; II Corinthians 5:14)
74. both own the same Word (Psalm 119:11; I Thessalonians 2:13; Colossians 3:16)
75. both own salvation (Luke 3:6; Jonah 2:9; Acts 4:12; II Timothy 2:10)
76. both were served equally by Paul (Titus 1:1; Romans 1:1);and by James (James 1:1)
77. both own the commandments (I John 5:3; John 14:15)
78. both had their way prepared by John the Baptist (Isaiah 40;3; Mark 1:1-3)
79. both search all hearts (Psalm 139:1; Revelation 2:23)
80. both own the same flock (I Peter 5:2; John 21:15,16)
81. both ascend on high, lead captivity captive, and give gifts to men (Psalm 68:17,18;
Ephesians 4:7-10)
82. both are like a Bridegroom (Isaiah 62:5; Mark 2:19,20)
83. both receive the glory of God alone forever and ever (Isaiah 42:8; Galatians 1:4,5;
I Peter 5:10,11; II Peter 3:18; Hebrews 13:21; I Peter 4:11; Revelation 1:5,6)
84. both are the source of fruit (Hosea 14:8; John 15:5)
85. both are our source of strength (Psalm 119:28; Philippians 4:13)
86. both give rest for our souls (Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:29)
87. both shall appear at Christ’s return (Psalm 102:16; Zechariah 14:3,4,5; Titus 2:13)
88. both will come to earth (Isaiah 40:10; Revelation 22:7,12,20)
89. both are to be trusted in (Jeremiah 17:7; Ephesians 1:12; John 14:1)
90. both are our King (Isaiah 6:5; 33:22; Revelation 17:14; 19:16; I Timothy 6:14,15)
91. both will wound their enemies’ heads (Psalm 68:21; 110:6)
92. both take vengeance (Romans 12:19; II Thessalonians 1:7,8)
93. both will be opposed by the Antichrist’s armies (Isaiah 34:22; Revelation 19:19)
94. both will fight against the Antichrist’s armies at Armageddon (Zechariah 14:3;
Revelation 19:11,13,21)
95. both will destroy death (Isaiah 25:8; II Timothy 1:10).
96. both receive the faith of believers (I Thessalonians 1:8; Galatians 3:26)
97. both are our life (Deuteronomy 30:20; Colossians 3:4)
98. both are to be prayed to (Matthew 6:9; Acts 7:59)
99. both raised up Christ (Acts 2:32; John 2:19,21)
100.both own all of the other (John 16:15)
101.both enter the east gate of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 44:1,2; Luke 19:37-45)
102.the man on the throne in Ezekiel 1:26 is identified as the God of Israel in Ezek 10:20
103.both names are placed on the same level in the baptism formula (Matthew 28:19)
104.both fellowship equally with believers (I John 1:3).
105.both comfort believers (Isaiah 66:13; Philippians 2:1).
106.both receive doxologies of worship in heaven (Revelation 5:8-10; 5:11,12; 5:13,14).
107.both jointly send grace and peace to the churches (Romans 1:7).
108.both the love of the Father and love of the Son are an equal privilege given to us.(John
14:21)
109.both jointly declare themselves to be Jehovah, “I am the first,& I am the last”(Isaiah 44:6)
110.both come to his temple, ‘the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple.’(Malachi 3:1; Mat
21:13)
111.both are the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6; John 1:49).
112. both can be blasphemed (God-Rom.2:24; HS-Luke 12:10; Christ-Luke 22:65; Acts 13:45; 18:5,6;
26:9,11)
113.both are always with all believers (Matthew 28:20; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
114.both are the one lawgiver (God-Rom.7:22; Christ-Gal.6:2; HS-Rom.8:2; James 4:12).
115.both have the same face (Revelation 22:3,4)
116.both have the same Name (Revelation 22:3,4)
117.both own the same servants (Revelation 22:3)
118.both are the Temple of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:22)
119.Heavens are the work of thy hands (Psalm 102:24-27; Hebrews 1:10-12)
Since both Jesus and the Father have these same attributes, both are Jehovah God.
There are not 2 Gods, but One God in 3 persons. One who has these attributes must be God.
The Lord’s Prayer is devoted to worshipping the Father. Jesus conceals His personal glory
in this prayer as seen by other Scriptures which are just as true of Christ as the Lord’s Prayer
is of the Father.

Polystrate Trees

Polystrate Trees. Crossing several rock strata are trees preserved as well at their tops as at their bottoms. These fossil trees bridge an evolutionary imagined time span of millions of years, that would preclude their “in place” growth and fossilisation.

Question: Was this tree standing unweathered for millions of years while strata was slowly deposited all around it?

Answer: No! The sediment and tree were moved into place at the same time. Slow deposition of rock (uniformity)would not allow a tree to be fossilised before it would rot and fall over.

Flood Proofs

Flood Proofs

Pre-Cambrian void, then abundant, complex Cambrian fossils.

Pre-Cambrian rocks are the pre-Flood basement. Post-Cambrian rocks are the post-Flood fossil rich strata. Earliest Cambrian rocks (supposedly 500 million years old) contain highly complex, diversified animal fossils which suddenly appeared.

Question: How could this complex range of fauna evolve so suddenly and quickly?

This was as unexplainable to Darwin as it is to Evolutionists today.
Answer: Creationists easily explain this as the pre-Flood, post-Flood demarcation. The “2 billion year” geological column used to support the evolution of life, is actually a record of the destruction of life by the worldwide flood.

The geological column is a record of life’s departure, not of life’s coming.

The geological column represents 2 or 3 months deposition not 2 billion years

Fossilisation. The existence of billions of plant and animal fossils preserved in the earth’s crust speaks of a flood catastrophe. The fossil record is not “incomplete” as evolutionists argue, (incomplete only because it does not contain the links they need to prove evolution), but is quantitatively huge, with a greater variety of species than are alive today.

Polystrate Trees. Crossing several rock strata are trees preserved as well at their tops as at their bottoms. These fossil trees bridge an evolutionary imagined time span of millions of years, that would preclude their “in place” growth and fossilisation.

Question: Was this tree standing unweathered for millions of years while strata was slowly deposited all around it?

Answer: No! The sediment and tree were moved into place at the same time. Slow deposition of rock (uniformity)would not allow a tree to be fossilised before it would rot and fall over.

Simple to Complex by Flood Fossil Sorting.

We observe a general sorting of fossils from simple, spherical, dense sea creatures to less dense, irregular shaped, complex creatures higher up.

a) Evolutionists interpret this to mean that simple creatures lower down evolved to complex creatures higher up over time.

b) Creationists match these observations with the sorting effect produced by Noah’s Flood, as follows:

i) Initial effects of the Flood would be to trap smaller, simple, spherical, dense sea creatures like trilobites in sediment.
ii) Then plants and trees, being immobile, would be swept off the earth and deposited, becoming coal of today.
iii) Amphibians, living close to the water’s edge and being relatively slow moving would be deposited next.
iv) Reptiles and Dinosaurs living further inland and being relatively slow moving (eg. brontosaurus) would be trapped next.
v) Land mammals and birds being faster-moving and living further inland would be next deposited (eg. lions).
vi) Finally, man, being more intelligent at fleeing to higher ground would be the last ones overcome by the Flood, and therefore appear on top of the rock strata. The final effect would be simple organisms lower in the sediment to complex organisms higher up in the sediment, although contradictions to this order would be expected due to randomness of the flood action. This is precisely what we see as predicted by Noah’s Flood.

Consider these fossil examples supporting the worldwide flood:

i) Coal and Oil Reserves even in polar regions can only be explained by thecatastrophic burial of billions of plants and animals. Coal (fossil plants) weredeposited by a water catastrophe, not by slow accumulation in swamps. Fossil trees extend through several layers of coal.

ii) Mammoths by the millions cover about 14% of the earth’s surface from Siberia to Alaska, frozen so rapidly that their flesh is edible today.

iii) Fossil Dinosaur Bones.
• in Dinosaur National monument Utah contain over 300 different kinds of dinosaurs.
• in Geissseltal Germany, we find remains of 6000 fossil vertebrates.

iv) Closed Clams. We find millions of fossil closed clams in a 3 foot stratum in Texas. Clams do not live packed together like this. Clam shells will open unless buried before death.

v) Billions of fossilised fish, contorted in agony over 10,000 square miles, with 1000 fish in one square metre are found in England.
vi) Millions of fossil trilobites rolled into  defensive balls, and although marine, are found 7000 feet high on mountains.
vii) 800 billion fossils of amphibians, reptiles and fish covering 200,000 square miles in the Karoo formation of South Africa.
viii) Rain drops, ripple marks, worm trails, animal tracks, droppings, insect wing detail and feathers are fossilised.
ix) Sharks flattened to 1/4 inch thick with the tail still upright suggest sudden catastrophic burial.
x) Rhinoceroses, camels, pigs, etc. make up 9,000 fossil animals in one hill at Agate Springs, Nebraska.
xi) A 14 foot Portheus fish has swallowed a 6 foot Gillicus fish, with no signs of digestion.
xii) A Perch swallowing a Herring is caught in the action by very quick burial at fossil lake Wyoming.
Flood Traditions.
Every ancient culture has a Flood tradition. A survey of 120 tribes in North, South and Central America found every one to have a flood tradition. A post- Flood population would carry Flood ideas with them as they scattered across the world.
Flood accounts of isolated groups would change over time, but the basic ideas of a universal Flood, safety in a ship, with few people surviving would survive. Noah’s ark would have been almost impossible to capsize, having a length to width ratio of 6 to 1 (ie. 300:50 cubits).

ABCs of Christian Life. Study # 8. The Holy Spirit

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The Holy Spirit

There is a great deal of confusion about the Holy Spirit. Many cults deny He is a Person and that He is God, saying the Holy Spirit is just a “force” or “influence.” On the other hand, the Christian Movement, which has absolutely swept today’s religious world, places extreme emphasis on the Holy Spirit – teaching such things as “ecstatic utterances,” “healings,” and “exorcism.”

As with all these studies, our aim is to look beyond what men say and see what the Bible teaches!

Study Outline

1.   Who is the Holy Spirit?

2.   What has the Holy Spirit done in times past?

3.   What is the work of the Holy Spirit today?

4.   What does the Holy Spirit do when we are saved?

5.   What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and me?

6.   What about “Speaking In Tongues” and “Divine Healers?”

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1.   Who is the Holy Spirit?

A.   Look up: Acts 5:3, 4 ³ But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ⁴ Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

In verse 3, Ananias is said to have lied to the Holy Spirit, but in verse 4 he is said to have lied to God. The conclusion we can draw is that the Holy Spirit is God.

B.   Look up I John 5:7 ⁷ For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

This verse tells us that the Holy Ghost is one with both the FATHER and the WORD (Jesus, God the Son).

C.   Look up Matthew 28:19 ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Notice the word “Name” is singular, which again shows the Holy Spirit to be God

– the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.

D.   Look up John 14:16, 17 ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

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John 14:26 ²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

How many personal pronouns (He, Him, Himself) that apply to the Holy Spirit do you count in these scriptures? = 6

E. Look up John 16: 7, 8 ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

John 16:13, 14 ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Can you draw a conclusion that the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of God) is a

person… not just an impersonal force?

F.    List three (3) ways the Holy Spirit may be affected as a Person:

You can lie to Him - Look up Acts 5:3 ³ But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

You can resist Him - Look up Acts 7:51 ⁵¹ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

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You can grieve Him - Look up Ephesians 4:30 ³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2.   What has the Holy Spirit done in times past?

A.   Look up Genesis 1:2 ² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Job 33:4 ⁴ The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (spoken by Elihu ?) The Holy Spirit was active in the formation of the Earth and all things.

B.    Look up II Peter 1:21 (starting with verse 20) ²⁰ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. ²¹ 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. The Holy Spirit is the author of prophecy!

C.   Look up Luke 1:35 ³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. The Holy Spirit was part of the miracle of the birth of Jesus.

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D.   Look up Romans 1:4 ⁴ And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Romans 8:11 (starting with verse 10) ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The Holy Spirit was instrumental in the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

3.   What is the work of the Holy Spirit today?

A.   Look up John 15:26 (starting with verse 25) ²⁵ But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

²⁶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: ²⁷ And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Christ.

B.   Read John 16: 8-11 (and more) ⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove (convict)

the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me; ¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; ¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (The

Holy Spirit will convict men of: sin, righteousness, and judgement.) ¹² I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. ¹³

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Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

C.   When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, it is thwe Holy Spirit who doeas the work of regeneration (we are “born again”):

i.      Look up Titus 3:5 ⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

ii.     Look up John 3:5 ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

iii.    Look up John 6:63 ⁶³ It is the spirit that quickeneth (make alive); the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

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4.   What does the Holy Spirit do when we are saved?

A.   Look up Romans 8:9 ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. He comes and DWELLS in you.

B.    Look up John 14:23 ²³ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him,

and make our abode with him. God will live in the heart of every believer.

C.   Look up I Corinthians 6:19 ¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Our fleshly body will become a temple for the Holy Ghost.

D.   Look up to see that every Christian is Sealed with the Holy Spirit.

i.      Ephesians 1:13 ¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

ii.     Ephesians 4:30 ³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

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E.    Look up John 16:17 ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter.

F.    Look up Romans 8:26 – 27 ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for

we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. The Spirit makes intercession for us.

5.   What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and me?

A.   He is always dwelling in us: II Timothy 1:14 ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

B.   He enables us to know the things of God’s Word, for He is our teacher. Look-up: I Corinthians 2:12-14 ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for

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they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

C.   A Christian can grieve the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 4:30 ³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: ³² And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

[more on next page]

Sins that grieve the Holy Spirit: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking and malice.

Godly attributes: kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

This is the opposite of what the “world” believes is strength!

D.   A Christian can quench the Holy Spirit: Look-up: I Thessalonians 5:19 [reading

from verse 14] ¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. ¹⁵ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good,

both among yourselves, and to all men. ¹⁶ Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit. ²⁰ Despise not prophesyings. ²¹ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ²² Abstain from all appearance of evil. ²³ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit

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and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

E.    The Holy Spirit is our power. Acts 1:18 ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

F.    In Ephesians 5:18, Christians are commanded to be filled with the Spirit: ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

The “be not drunk with wine” insinuates a Christian is be under the influence of the Holy Spirit (in lieu of wine).

The work of the Holy Spirit in me is to produce the fruit of the Spirit: Galatians

5:22-23 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. This is what the “world” believes is weak and boring!

The “secret” to allowing the Spirit to do this work in your life unhindered is

found in John 15:4-8: ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁶ If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast

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them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

G.   The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers: I Corinthians 12:4-11: ⁴ Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. ⁸ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; ¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: ¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

i.      Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift (verses 7, 11)

ii.     These gifts are not for personal use (I Corinthians 14:12 ¹² Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.)

iii.    Some of the gifts are temporary, and ceased when the written New Testament was completed. These gifts (tongues, interpretations, miracles,

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healing, prophecy, knowledge, and discernment) were given as signs to the nation of Israel:

a.    Mark 16:17,18 ¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ¹⁹ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

b.    I Corinthians 1:22 ²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

c.     I Corinthians 14:21,22 ²¹ In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. ²² Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (and much more!...)

d.    Hebrews 2: 3, 4 ³ How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; ⁴ God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,

according to his own will?

These temporary gifts ceased in 70 AD when Israel was dispersed among nations. The Bible says they (the gifts) would vanish when “that which is

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perfect (the completed Word of God) is come” I Corinthians 13:8-10 ⁸ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

iv.   Romans 12:6-8 lists the Holy Spirit’s permanent spiritual gifts:

…  ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; ⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

⁸  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with

cheerfulness.

Permanent gifts: The motivation and ability to:

a. Prophesy – declare God’s truth.		b.  Giving – be a channel for God-given assets
		of the Word of the Lord
c.	Ministry –serve others in practical	d.  Ruling – lead others in accomplishing the
	ways	work of God
e.	Teaching present the Word of	f.   Mercy – identify with and share in the
	God clearly and accurately	suffering and joys of others as a
		comforter
g.	Exhorting – encourage others
	through the application
	of Truth

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6. What about “Speaking In Tongues” and “Divine Healers?”

The Charismatic Movement is a modern phenomenon which had its beginning in the USA just before the turn of the century. In the last 60 years, it has snowballed in to the most active movement within Christendom. One of the main reasons for this is because spiritual “deadness” of most mainline denominational churches – and the apparent “aliveness” of the Charismatics.

Don’t be fooled!! – II Corinthians 11:13-15 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. The test of whether someone is right or wrong is not determined by how it feels or by who’s doing it, but by “What saith the Lord?” – Isaiah 8:20

A.   The Bible defines “tongues” as known, understandable foreign

languages. Look-up Acts 2:4-11 ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation

under heaven. ⁶ Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? ⁸ And how hear we every man

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in our own tongue, wherein we were born? ⁹ Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

The Charismatics do not practice this. They speak in a babbling gibberish – which at the least is a psychologically induced, ecstatic aberration that comes about when the conscience mind loses control and the subconscious takes over.

B.   In the Bible, the miraculous gift of being able to speak in an unknown foreign language was a sign to unbelieving Jews:

•      I Corinthians 1:22 ²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

•      I Corinthians 14:21, 22 ²¹ In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other

lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

²² Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

•      Isaiah 28:11 ¹¹ For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

In each recorded case in the New Testament where the miracle of tongues occurred (only 3) – Jews and at least one apostle, were present:

•      Acts 2:5 ⁵ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

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•      Acts 10:45-46 ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

•      Acts 19:6 ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

C.   The Bible says “tongues shall cease” and goes on to say when they would cease.

•      I Corinthians 13:8-10 ⁸ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part,

and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Charismatics argue “that which is perfect” refers to Christ and that tongues will continue until the Second Coming of Christ. But Joel 2:28-31 indicates an

outpouring of the Holy Spirit associated with gifts after the rapture.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: ²⁹ And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. ³⁰ And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. ³¹ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.

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Also, “That which is perfect refers to the “more sure” Word of God, which replaced the gift of prophecy – II Peter 1:19-21 ¹⁹ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

²⁰Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private

interpretation. ²¹ 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.

D.   The gift of tongues was still operative today, which is not, the Bible

would place certain restrictions on its use:

I Corinthians 14:27 - 28 ²⁷ If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. ²⁸ But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

•     No more than three people to speak in a foreign tongue during any meeting.

•     Each speaker must follow after the other has finished (not all at once).

•     One person is to interpret.

•     If there is no interpreter is available, then no one should speak in another language.

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•      The Holy Spirit NEVER takes anyone out of control. I

Corinthians 14:32 ³² And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the

prophets.

•     Women are not to speak (in tongues or otherwise).

I Corinthians14:34 ³⁴ Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

The modern Charismatic movement is dominated by women.

E.    The Charismatic Movement is dangerous because it elevates “experiences” above the Word of God. Remember, the devil can give you any experience you desire. The Christian must walk by the Word of God:

•      II Corinthians 5:7 ⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

•      Romans 10:17 ¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

F.    The truly spiritual person will acknowledge the supremecy of the

Written Word over any religious experience: I Corinthians 14:37 ³⁷ If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

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G.   Many Charismatic groups say or imply, you arte not saved unless you have spoken in tongues. They claim to have the “full” Gospel. But, the

real full Gospel is given in I Corinthians 15: 1,3, 4 ¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Those that add something to this are in fact preaching another

gospel: Galatians 1:6-9 ⁶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that

called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: ⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Remember Colossians 2:10 ¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the

head of all principality and power:

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H.   By focusing so much on these alleged gifts, the Charismatic movement elevates the Holy Spirit above the Son of God. The Spirit is God. He is equal to the Father and the Son in every way – but he is the shy Member of the Godhead. He does not speak about Himself, but always of Christ:

•      John 15:26 ²⁶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

•     John 16:13-14 ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

I.      The miraculous gift of healing was also a “sign gift” to Israel.

Mark 16:17-18 ¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

J.    Healings were overshadowed by Gospel preaching and conversions: See all of Acts 3 and Acts 4.

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K.   Healings were sometimes done on unsaved people: II Corinthians

12:7-9 and I Timothy 5:23

L.    Today we are instructed to pray for Gods healing mercies, but not to seek or expect a miraculous, instantaneous healing.

James 5:14-15 ¹⁴ Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

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Study Outline

1.   Who is the Holy Spirit?

2.   What has the Holy Spirit done in times past?

3.   What is the work of the Holy Spirit today?

4.   What does the Holy Spirit do when we are saved?

5.   What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and me?

6.   What about “Speaking In Tongues” and “Divine Healers?”