Tag: Holy Spirit

November 10, 2009 / / Old Law

The word “grace” appears 18 times in the Old Testament.  It appears 125 times in the New Testament.  A striking change.  What accounts for this?  The apostles tell us.  John said that “the law was given through Moses, but grace…came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).  Paul declared that Christians are “not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14, 15). 

October 14, 2009 / / Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood member of the godhead. Speaking from personal experience, I believe a poll of the religious community would yield a variety of answers concerning the Spirit’s identity, role, and presence. I know people who strongly assert that God’s Spirit does not dwell in Christians at all except through the implanting of His word.

March 30, 2009 / / Holy Spirit

From the beginning of time on this earth, the spirit has been connected with life. It was the Spirit of God breathed into man bringing him to life (Genesis 2:7). Jesus tells us plainly that it is the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63), and James further states that “the body without the spirit is dead.” (James 2:26) If it is the Spirit that gives us life and keeps us alive, what is the significance of Peter’s promise to those who would repent and be baptized in Acts 2:38, that they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit already gives and sustains us physically (Job 33:4). Thus, there must be more than just physical blessings that God, through the mouth of Peter, was promising.