Holy Spirit

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The blood of Christ redeems the believer from the guilt and penalty of sin. 1 Pe. 1:18 as the power of the Spirit delivers from the dominion of sin. Rom. 8:2; Eph. 2:2.

Great article: Spiritual Fitness.

N3 to Exocus 17:8, p91 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.” (Amalek, grandson of Esau (Ge. 26:12) who was “born after the flesh” (Gal. 4:22-29) and progenitior of the Amalekites, Israel’s persistent enemy, is a type of the flesh in the believer (Gal. 4:29). But the conflict with Amalek in chapter 17 sets forth the resources of the man under law, rather than those of the believer under grace. The man under law could fight and pray (vs. 9-12). Under grace the Holy Spirit gains the victory over the flesh in the believer’s behalf (Ro. 8:2-4; Gal. 5:16, 17); but this victory is only as the believer walks in the Spirit. Acting in independency or disobedience, Amalek gains an easy victory (Nu. 14:42-45). Likw AUL QW ew peonw ro apEW RHW DLWAH (1 Sa. 15:8, 9), forgetting Ro. 7:18. See “Flesh,” John 1:13; Jude 23.)

N3 to Ex. 27.20, p105 “And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.” (Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Cf) Joh 3:34; Heb 1:9. In Christ the oil-fed Light ever burns, the Light of the world Joh 8:12. But here we have not the world, but the sanctuary. It is a question, not of testimony in and to the world, but of our communion and worship as believer-priests in the holiest Heb 10:19-20. In the Tabernacle there were two compartments, two lights: the holy place with the candlestick Cmt. on Ex 25:31 the holy of holies with the shekinah, or manifested glory of God. These two places are now one Mt 27:50-51; Heb 9:6-8; 10:19-21 but it is important to see that there are still two lights: Christ, the Light of life Joh 8:12 through the Spirit giving light upon the holy things of God, the showbread and altar of incense; and also the shekinah, now on the face of Jesus Christ 2Co 4:6. Into this twofold light we, as believer- priests, are brought 1Pe 2:9. We “walk in the light,” not merely which He gives, but in which He lives 1Jo 1:7. But what of the command to “bring pure oil” Ex 27:20. Because our access, apprehension, communion, and transformation are by the Spirit Eph 2:18; 1Co 2:14-15; 2Co 13:14; Php 2:1; 2Co 3:18. Our title to His presence is the blood Eph 2:13 but only as filled with the Spirit Eph 5:18 do we really walk in the light.)

N1 to Ex. 30.31, p112 “And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.” (Anointing oil, type of the Holy Spirit for service (Acts 1.8).)

Ex. 31.2-3 “See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,” Exodus 31:6 “And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;”

Ex. 35.31-35 “And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.”

N1 to Ex. 40,34, p125 “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Cf. Eph 2:22. What the shekinah glory was to tabernacle and temple, that the Spirit is to the ‘holy temple,’ the Church, and to the temple which is the believer’s body. 1Co 6:19. <Cf. Eph 2:22. What the shekinah glory was to tabernacle and temple, that the Spirit is to the ‘holy temple,’ the Church, and to the temple which is the believer’s body. 1Co. 6:19.)

N1 to Is. 63.16, p768 “Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.” (Cf. Isa 1:2; 64:8. Israel, collectively, the national Israel, recognizes God as the national Father (cf) Ex 4:22-23, Doubtless the believing Israelite was born anew (cf) Joh 3:3,5; Lu 13:28 but the O.T. Scriptures show no trace of the consciousness of personal sonship. The explanation is given in Ga 4:1-7. The Israelite, though a child, “differed nothing from a servant.” The Spirit, as the “Spirit of His Son,” could not be given to impart the consciousness of sonship until redemption had been accomplished. Ga 4:4-6 See “Adoption” Ro 8:15; Eph 1:5. Cmt. on Eph 1:5. Margin: redeemer Heb. “goel,” Redemp. (Kinsman type). Cmt. on Isa 59:20)

N1 to Malachi 2.15, p980 “And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” (Summary of the O.T. doctrine of the Holy Spirit: (1) The personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit appear from the attributes ascribed to Him, and from His works. (2) He is revealed as sharing the work of creation and therefore omnipotent Ge 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; Ps 104:30 as omnipresent Ps 139:7 as striving with men Ge 6:3 as enlightening Job 32:8 enduing with constructive skill Ex 28:3; 31:3 giving physical strength Jg 14:6,19 executive ability and wisdom Jg 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25 enabling men to receive and utter divine revelations Nu 11:25; 2Sa 23:2 and, generally, as empowering the servants of God Ps 51:12; Joe 2:28; Mic 3:8; Zec 4:6. (3) He is called holy Ps 51:11 good Ps 143:10 the Spirit of judgment and burning Isa 4:4 of Jehovah, of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, good, knowledge, the fear of the Lord Isa 11:2 and of grace and supplications Zec 12:10. (4) In the O.T. the Spirit acts in free sovereignty, coming upon men and even upon a dumb beast as He will, nor are the conditions set forth (as in the N.T.) by complying with which any one may receive the Spirit. The indwelling of every believer by the abiding Spirit is a N.T. blessing consequent upon the death and resurrection of Christ Joh 7:39; 16:7; Ac 2:33; Ga 3:1-6. (5) The O.T. contains prediction of a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel Ex 37:14; 39:29 and upon “all flesh” Joe 2:28-29. The expectation of Israel, therefore, was twofold–of the coming of Messiah-Immanuel, and of such an effusion of the Spirit as the prophets described. See Mt 1:18.)

N1 to Mt. 10.2, p1008: “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;” (The word apostle, = “one sent forth,” is used of our Lord Heb 3:1. Elsewhere it is used for the twelve who were called to that office by our Lord during His earth ministry; of Paul, called to the apostleship by the risen and ascended Lord, and of Barnabas Ac 14:14 specially designated by the Holy Spirit Ac 13:2. Of Matthias, chosen by lot by the eleven to take the place of Judas Iscariot, Ac 1:16-26: “And he was numbered with the eleven.” Ac 1:26
The “signs” of an apostle were (1) They were chosen directly by the Lord Himself, or, as in the case of Barnabas, by the Holy Spirit Mt 10:1-2; Mr 3:13-14; Lu 6:13; Ac 9:6; 13:2; 22:10,14-15; Ro 1:1 (2) They were endued with sign gifts, miraculous powers which were the divine credentials of their office Mt 10:1; Ac 5:15; 16:16-18; +1″>Mt 28:8-9. (3) Their relation to the kingdom was that of heralds, announcing to Israel only Mt 10:5-6 the kingdom as at hand. Cmt. on Mt 4:17 and manifesting kingdom powers Mt 10:7-8. (4) To one of them, Peter, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, viewed as the sphere of Christian profession, as in Mat 13, were given Mt 16:19. (5) Their future relation to the king will be that of judges over the twelve tribes Mt 19:28. (6) Consequent upon the rejection of the kingdom, and the revelation of the mystery hid in God Mt 16:18; Eph 3:1-12 the Church, the apostolic office was invested with a new enduement, the baptism with the Holy Spirit Ac 2:1-4 a new power, that of imparting the Spirit to Jewish-Christian believers; a new relation, that of foundation stones of the new temple Eph 2:20-22 and a new function, that of preaching the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified and risen Lord to Jew and gentile alike. (7) The indispensable qualification of an apostle was that he should have been an eye-witness of the resurrection Ac 1:22; 1Co 9:1. Margin: James son of Zebedee Cmt. on Mt 4:21.).

1917 Scofield Reference Bible, Margin c to Mt. 18.18, p. 994: Holy Spirit (N.T.). vs.18-20; Mt. 3.11-16. (Mt. 1.18; Acts 2.4.).

N2 p1035 to Mt. 25.1 “Matthew 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” (The kingdom of heaven here is the sphere of profession, as in Mat 13. All alike have lamps, but two facts fix the real status of the foolish virgins: They “took no oil,” and the Lord said, “I know you not.” Oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and “If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Ro 8:9 Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, “I know you not.” Margin: heaven. Cmt. on Mt 3:2.).

N1 p1090 to Luke 11.13 “Luke 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (It is evident that none of the disciples, with the possible exception of Mary of Bethany, asked for the Spirit in the faith of this promise. It was a new and staggering thing to a Jew that, in advance of the fulfilment of Joe 2:28-29 all might receive the Spirit. Mary alone of the disciples understood Christ’s repeated declaration concerning His own death and resurrection Joh 12:3-7. Save Mary, not one of the disciples but Peter, and he only in the great confession Mt 16:16 manifested a spark of spiritual intelligence till after the resurrection of Christ and the impartation of the Spirit Joh 20:22; Ac 2:1-4. To go back to the promise of Lu 11:13, is to forget Pentecost, and to ignore the truth that now every believer has the indwelling Spirit Ro 8:9,15; 1Co 6:19; Ga 4:6; 1Jo 2:20,27. Cmt. on Ac 2:4.).

Jn. 7:37-39. The great prophecy concerning the Holy Spirit for power (Acts 2.2-4. Cf. John 4.14). “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood, and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him, should receive. For the holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

N1, p1199 to Ro. 7.6 “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” (Cf. Ro. 2:29; 2 Co. 3:6. “The letter” is a Paulinism for the law, as “spirit” in these passages is his word for the relationships and powers of new life in Christ Jesus. In 2 Co. 3. a series is presented of contrast of law with “spirit,” of the old covenant and the new. The contrast is not between two methods of interpretation, literal, and spiritual, but between two methods of divine dealing: one through the law, the other through the Holy Spirit.)

Ro. 8.5-13. Conflict of the spirit w/the flesh.

N1 p1202 to Ro. 8.2 (Romans 8: “2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”): “Hitherto in Romans the Holy Spirit has been mentioned but once Ro 5:5 in this chapter He is mentioned nineteen times. Redemption is by blood and by power. Cmt. on Ex 14:30. Ro 3:21-5:11 speaks of the redemptive price; Ro 8. of redemptive power.”

1 Cor. 2.9-16 (“ * * * [T]he things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God * * *.”

N2 p1222. 1 Cor. 12-14.

Gal. 2.20-21 The Christian life is the outliving of the inliving Christ. (Cf. Gal. 5.15-23) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

Gal. 3.1-5 “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

Gal. 4:6-7 The Spirit actuaqlizes the believer’s sonship. (See Eph. 1.5, note) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

N4 p1250 to Eph. 1.13 “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,” (The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a seal signifies: (1) A finished transaction Jer 32:9-10; Joh 17:4; 19:30. (2) Ownership Jer 32:11-12; 2Ti 2:19. (3) Security Es 8:8; Da 6:17; Eph 4:30).

Eph. 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Death (spiritual), Summary: Spiritual death is the state of the natural or unregenerate man as still in his sins. Eph 2:1 alienated from the life of God Eph 4:18-19 and destitute of the Spirit. Prolonged beyond the death of the body, spiritual death is a state of eternal separation from God in conscious suffering. This is called “the second death.” Re 2:11; 20:6; 21:8. Margin: saved Ro 1:16, note.)

Eph. 2:19-22 The church a temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”


Ephesians 5:18-20 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

vv18-19 Be not drunk with wine, but filled with the spirit…. Drinking will stimulate temporarily: it will energize the flesh, but then it will let you down and lead you in the direction of profligacy (reckless extravagance or wastefulness in the use of resources) and dissoluteness (dissoluteness), and finally eventuate in desperation and despair and delirium tremens (An acute, sometimes fatal episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual excessive drinking or an episode of heavy alcohol consumption. It is characterized by trembling, sweating, acute anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations.).

Rather than drinking, “be filled with the Spirit.” A man who is drinking is possessed by the wine. You can tell that a man is drunk. In contrast, it is the Holy Spirit who should be the one to possess the believer. It is a divine intoxication tht is to fill that need. This is not an excessive emotionalism but that which furnishes the dynamic for living and for accomplishing something for God. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, it means we are controlled by the Holy Spirit.

A believer is never told to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, but we are told we are baptized the moment we trust Christ. The Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells us. The Holy Spirit seals us and the Holy Spirit baptizes us.

However, the believer needs that filling of the Spirit to serve Christ. We drive into a service station and say, “Fill it up.” Believers should start the day with the Lord and say, “Lord, I want to walk today in the Spirit. I cannot do it myself. I need Your power. I need your help.” Being filled yesterday or last week, but that will not suffice for today. When you are filled with the Spirit, you will do something for God; you will be walking in the Spirit. But you need a daily filling.

That is why some people can be mightily used of God one day and feel so empty the next.

One of the evidences of being filled with the Holy Spirit is “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Believers need an attitude adjustment, but they don’t need the spirits that come from a bottle; they need to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that they might radiate the joy of the Lord. The Apostle John says that one reason he wrote his epistle was so that “your joy may be full.” This fullness of joy is to be through our fellowship with the Father and with Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 1.3, 4). The joy of the Lord comes with the filling of the Holy Spirit.

v20 Another evidence of being filled with the Spirit is an attitude of thankfulness. In the book of Psalms we note a great amount of thanksgiving and praise to God, on a high level. “Praise the Lord, and thanks bo to God for His unspeakable gift.”

The command to be filled with the Holy Spirit is ten only command given to the believer relative to the Holy Spirit. Every believer is regenerated by the Holy Spirit; John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” The believer is indwelt by the Spirit; Romans 8:9: “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.” The believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit; Ephesians 1:13: “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.” Christ baptizes the believer with the Holy Ghost; John 1:33: “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”


N1 p1272 to II Th. 2.3 “2 Thessalonians 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (The order of events is: (1) The working of the mystery of lawlessness under divine restraint which had already begun in the apostle’s time 2Th 2:7; (2) the apostasy of the professing church 2Th 1:3; Lu 18:8; 2Ti 3:1-8.; (3) the removal of that which restrains the mystery of lawlessness 2Th 2:6-7. The restrainer is a person–“he,” and since a “mystery” always implies a supernatural element Cmt. on Mt 13:11 this Person can be none other than the Holy Spirit in the church, to be “taken out of the way” 2Th 2:7; 1Th 4:14-17.; (4) the manifestation of the lawless one 2Th 2:8-10; Da 7:8; 9:27; Mt 24:15; Re 13:2-10; (5) the coming of Christ in glory and the destruction of the lawless one 2Th 2:8; Re 19:11-21; (6) the day of Jehovah 2Th 2:9-12; Isa 2:12.)

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The local church sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the word——————–A ministry of Charity Baptist Tabernacle of Amarillo, Texas led by Pastor Ben Hickam. "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). ————————————Jerald Finney, a Christian Lawyer and member of Charity Baptist Tabernacle, having received this ministry in the Lord, explains how a church in America can remain under the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11; See also, Ephesians 4::1-16 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-25). "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (Colossians 4:17). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1.22; See also, e.g. Colossians 1:18).