Hello To All:
Is it literally true, that each of us, who are converted to Jesus Christ; that is to say - is it literally true, that each of us, who is truly a disciple of Jesus Christ; that is to say - can we truly say yes, to the question: If we belong to Jesus Christ, are we, truly and literally, a temple of the Living God? According to the title for this posting, which is a quote from the King's Book, the answer is an absolutely compelling: Yes!
The title comes from 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, where we find written: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
We find a similar reference at 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where we find written: "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? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
And, again, we find a similar reference at 2 Corinthians 6:16, where we find written: "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
The temple built with human hands; the Jewish temple of the Living God, at Jerusalem, consisted of three parts: The Holy place - the temple proper - and the court of the Gentiles.
The temple, not made with human hands; the Christian temple of the Living God, also consists of three parts: spirit - soul - and body. We see the evidence of this, at 1 Thessalonians 5:23, where we find written: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
If we are to fully comprehend and experience the manifesting reality of Jesus Christ; and thus, if we are to truly enter into victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ: then, we must take some time to understand the relationship between the temple made with human hands and the temple not made with human hands.
With the indwelling and empowering presence of the Holy Ghost, working in and through the indwelling and empowering presence of Jesus Christ, we shall come to a deeper understanding of how we are, individually and corporately: "The temple of God."
Join with me, in the days (and perhaps weeks) ahead, as we grow in our understanding and application, of this most important relationship, between the natural and the spiritual: the relationship between the Jewish temple and the Christian temple.
In closing, let us take a look at a familiar text, from Colossians 1:25-27, where we find written: "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
It is this great "mystery," now revealed, but still mysterious, that we are going to examine: the mystery of "Christ in you" - who are "the temple of God."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Monday, February 20, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Spirit of Truth: He shall testify of Me!
Hello To All:
Our last posting (titled: "How important is the TRUTH?"), reminded us of how essential it is, that Jesus Christ be given first priority in all things. At the end of the essay, the question, posed by the title, was answered. The essential part of that answer is this: "Our full allegiance must be given to the person of Jesus Christ." We find this conclusion confirmed by the title for today's posting: "The Spirit of Truth: He shall testify of Me!"
Our text for this essay, comes from John 15:26-27, where we find written: "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: And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning." This is part of what is typically referred to as "the upper room discourse." It includes chapters 13 to 17 of John's gospel; and contains the final teachings, given by Jesus Christ, to His disciples; and to His church.
Jesus first spoke of the Comforter, in John 14:16-18, where we find written: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
We need to pay attention to the significant reality, that Jesus identifies himself with the "Comforter." Take a careful look, at these portions of the above text, in the order that they appear: "the Father" - he shall give you" - "another Comforter" - "the Spirit of truth" - "ye know him" - "he dwelleth with you" - "and shall be in you" - "I will come to you." We have, here, a wonderfull view of the One and True and living God; and the reality that Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Jesus identifies the Comforter, as the Holy Ghost, in John 14:26), rejoice in the Oneness, that is the reality of who they are - and always will be. Can we say Amen?
In the course of His time with His disciples, Jesus has been their: "Comforter." But, as their "Comforter," He has dwelt amongst them. In the future, He will come, with the Holy Ghost (another Comforter) and the Father (John 17:23 - "I in them, and Thou in Me."); "and shall be in you." Are we all getting this? Do we recognize that Father, Son and Holy Ghost, now make their abode: that is, that the One and True and Living God now dwells, within each person, that is truly converted to Jesus Christ? Can we say thank you Jesus?
There is much confusion, particularly in the western church, regarding the work of the Holy Ghost. If we are willing to listen to Jesus, much of the confusion can be eliminated. If we are willing to listen, very carefully to Jesus; and truly believe all that He is teaching us: then, all of the confusion, can be eliminated. On three occasions (John 14:17, 15:26 and 16:13), Jesus specifically identifies the Holy Ghost as the: "Spirit of truth." Jesus also identifies Himself as "the truth" (John 14:6). Thus, when Jesus tells us that the "Spirit of Truth - He shall testify of Me" - He is also telling us that the testimony of the Holy Ghost will always be about: the "Truth."
In John 5:39, we find written: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me." In Luke 24:27, we find written: "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." In 1 Corinthians 2:2, we find written: "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." In Hebrews 12:2, we find written: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." In 2 Peter 3:18, we find written: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." Are we getting a sense of what the focus of scripture, rightly is? Do we see and comprehend the importance of Jesus Christ?
Thus, when Jesus Christ, tells us, that the "Spirit of Truth - He shall testify of Me"; He is directing us to the testimony of the whole of the King's Book; and, He is providing us with a standard, by which we can judge, if something or someone is truly being guided and directed by the Holy Ghost.
Thus, empowered by the Holy Ghost, in and through the indwelling and manifesting presence of Jesus Christ, it can be said, with great boldness and authority: No matter how wonderful and biblical some one's teaching or preaching might seem to be; no matter how wonderful or inspired some work of the individual believer, or the corporate body might seem to be: if it is not testifying of Jesus and directing us to Jesus - then, it cannot be a work of the Holy Ghost!
"The Spirit of Truth - He shall testify of Me." Thus saith Jesus who is the Christ: the Son of the Living God. Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Our last posting (titled: "How important is the TRUTH?"), reminded us of how essential it is, that Jesus Christ be given first priority in all things. At the end of the essay, the question, posed by the title, was answered. The essential part of that answer is this: "Our full allegiance must be given to the person of Jesus Christ." We find this conclusion confirmed by the title for today's posting: "The Spirit of Truth: He shall testify of Me!"
Our text for this essay, comes from John 15:26-27, where we find written: "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: And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning." This is part of what is typically referred to as "the upper room discourse." It includes chapters 13 to 17 of John's gospel; and contains the final teachings, given by Jesus Christ, to His disciples; and to His church.
Jesus first spoke of the Comforter, in John 14:16-18, where we find written: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
We need to pay attention to the significant reality, that Jesus identifies himself with the "Comforter." Take a careful look, at these portions of the above text, in the order that they appear: "the Father" - he shall give you" - "another Comforter" - "the Spirit of truth" - "ye know him" - "he dwelleth with you" - "and shall be in you" - "I will come to you." We have, here, a wonderfull view of the One and True and living God; and the reality that Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Jesus identifies the Comforter, as the Holy Ghost, in John 14:26), rejoice in the Oneness, that is the reality of who they are - and always will be. Can we say Amen?
In the course of His time with His disciples, Jesus has been their: "Comforter." But, as their "Comforter," He has dwelt amongst them. In the future, He will come, with the Holy Ghost (another Comforter) and the Father (John 17:23 - "I in them, and Thou in Me."); "and shall be in you." Are we all getting this? Do we recognize that Father, Son and Holy Ghost, now make their abode: that is, that the One and True and Living God now dwells, within each person, that is truly converted to Jesus Christ? Can we say thank you Jesus?
There is much confusion, particularly in the western church, regarding the work of the Holy Ghost. If we are willing to listen to Jesus, much of the confusion can be eliminated. If we are willing to listen, very carefully to Jesus; and truly believe all that He is teaching us: then, all of the confusion, can be eliminated. On three occasions (John 14:17, 15:26 and 16:13), Jesus specifically identifies the Holy Ghost as the: "Spirit of truth." Jesus also identifies Himself as "the truth" (John 14:6). Thus, when Jesus tells us that the "Spirit of Truth - He shall testify of Me" - He is also telling us that the testimony of the Holy Ghost will always be about: the "Truth."
In John 5:39, we find written: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me." In Luke 24:27, we find written: "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." In 1 Corinthians 2:2, we find written: "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." In Hebrews 12:2, we find written: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." In 2 Peter 3:18, we find written: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." Are we getting a sense of what the focus of scripture, rightly is? Do we see and comprehend the importance of Jesus Christ?
Thus, when Jesus Christ, tells us, that the "Spirit of Truth - He shall testify of Me"; He is directing us to the testimony of the whole of the King's Book; and, He is providing us with a standard, by which we can judge, if something or someone is truly being guided and directed by the Holy Ghost.
Thus, empowered by the Holy Ghost, in and through the indwelling and manifesting presence of Jesus Christ, it can be said, with great boldness and authority: No matter how wonderful and biblical some one's teaching or preaching might seem to be; no matter how wonderful or inspired some work of the individual believer, or the corporate body might seem to be: if it is not testifying of Jesus and directing us to Jesus - then, it cannot be a work of the Holy Ghost!
"The Spirit of Truth - He shall testify of Me." Thus saith Jesus who is the Christ: the Son of the Living God. Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
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