How did the coming of the Holy Spirit
revolutionize the people of God?
Jesus said before He left His disciples in John
16:7-15
New
Living Translation (NLT):
“7 But in fact, it is
best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate [Comforter, Encourager,
counselor] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to
you. 8 And when he comes,
he ill convicts the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the
coming judgment. 9 The
world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and
you will see me no more. 11 Judgment
will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.12 “There is so much more I want
to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When
the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak
on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the
future. 14 He will bring me
glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I
said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.”
(I feel that the
New Covenant and the coming of the Hoy Spirit work hand in hand, so I have in a
brief way covered some of the areas. I also could have used so much more verse references
– but had to limit myself because of length and time. )
Part 1:
Revolution
of the first church:
When Jesus came, died and resurrected – and then
ascended to Heaven, He established a New Covenant based on better promises, a better
mediator (1,1 –
2,18), a better leader (3,1
– 4,13), a better High priest (4,14
– 7,28), a better Covenant (8,1-13),
a better offer (9,1 – 10,31)
and a better way to faith (10,32
– 12,29). ( All verses here from Hebr.)
I think this was so more revolutionary than we
ever can imagine. I love how the Bible describe the changes in their believes-
system, both for the Jews and the Gentiles OR, so that we also today have a
chance to relate, and in faith grasp some of this. I am also glad that we heard in this weeks
teaching, that the word Knowledge used in Paul letters is “epanoses “ Greece
for “on the depth knowledge (in heart) –
Not only head knowledge/intellectual.
The New Covenant and the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit were so mind blowing to the OR ‘s known world. It inflicted all areas as
race, status, gender, known believes and behaviors. (Gal.3.26-28).The new
church should try to look at each other above all this – in unity, be God’s
people and love each other as brothers and sisters. An incredible challenge,
and no wonder they struggled – as it is almost too good to be true. They should
be like a body – not only feel like, but also they and we as believers are one
body. (1.Cor.12.27)
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was already prophesied
about in the Old Testament (OT) Ezek.36.26-32, Joel 2-28-29, in the gospels
John as above and Luke24.49. Then we read about the actual outpouring in Act
1.4-8, ch.2.
What were
the changes for Jews?
The Jews had for thousands of years build their
life on many outward regulations, involving personal life, family-life,
religious life and social life. And now they learned that these didn’t matter –
all was about a change in Heart by the faith and the Spirit, and forgiveness of
sin once and for all – and grace! Jesus and nothing. The same Jahwe, but “a new
and living way”.(Hebr.10.20)And the Holy Spirit as the power was given, as our
helper, advocate, counselor and comforter. (John.16.7-15)
They should no longer have and earthly High Priest
– no one to tell them, or be a mediator (Hebr) – the faith in Jesus and the Holy
Spirit was given to all that wanted – no difference.
The law written on stone and the First Covenant
was no more, replaced by a new covenant. They had heard the prophet’s word
about a new heart (Ezek. 36.22-28) but probably had no idea of how that would
work out. The law written in the hearts, cleansing of sins and grace and
freedom from all the regulations they new. Paul letter to Galatians and Romans
speak much about this.
The same about the issue of circumcision, it had
been their sign and habit for hundreds of years, and now – again they had to
radically change their worldview – the circumcision of the heart. (Rom.2.29,
Deut.30.6, Col2.11). And this change in heart was initiated by the Holy Spirit (Rom2.29).
If listing up more changes for them it will
include aspect as: no Levies, no offering and regulations about sacrifices, no
resembling Kingdom or King like David/Salomon, no spectacular Temple building,
all people was treated alike in Jesus – and His believers should do the same.
These are just some.
What happened when Jesus, came was foreshadowed
in the OT as all “ the new ways of living” – the coming of the Holy spirit and
the heart issue was presented for them in OT – also when Jesus summarizes the
one Command - they had heard it for
generations: (Mark.22.37-40)
“ You must love the
Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is
the first and greatest commandment. A
second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law
and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” also
written in (Deut 6:5,Lev 19:18)
What were
the changes for Gentiles?
The new covenant and the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit were totally new for the Gentiles also. It sound like they in a way was
more known to spiritual things – but very unknown to serving one God, and
putting their faith in Jesus – and being faithful to The Holy Spirit. (Rom16.26,
Gal.3.14)
Some of them were customized to work hard to
manipulate their gods so that the god may act in favor of them. But the only
trust in the guidance of the Spirit and ass nothing was unknown and hard. To
live in purity honoring Yahweh and lifting up Jesus was new thoughts. And God,
Jesus and the Holy Spirit all being rooted in unfailing love for the believers were
totally new. (1.Cor.13 -14.1)
The grace must have been hard to grasp for them (as
for us.) That issue that nothing we do can to change His grace – His love – and
Him giving his Spirit and it’s gift and fruits to the OR, and us who are living
today. So the words/ the prophesies from Old Testament – was not so much in
them as the Jews. Many of the Gentiles
we hear about was living in societies that was very ungodly – and the idea of
the Holy Spirit yarning and guiding them to live a pure life (Gal.5.16-19)
As far as I know, especially the Greece world
lifted human wisdom and philosophy high and as a good thing, and here comes the
Holy Spirit - poured out on everybody
and had the ability to know all things. (1.Cor 2)
Jesus word is above everything – And the Holy
Spirit confirms it, manifests the same and earthly wisdom is consider less important
– in fact not to pay too much attention to it.
As for the Jews this New covenant and the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit brought out great differences in all areas in life – and the
NT if full of describing this and concerning the work of the holy spirit it was
and is visible for themselves ad the people around through the Fruit of the
spirit (Gal 5.22), gifts of the Spirit 1.Cor.12, 13 and 14.
Part 2: Revolution in my life:
I remembered being baptized in the Holy Spirit
some months after I was saved at the age of 13. I started speaking in tongues.
I remember being filled by a great love for all people going out of the church
that night. My experience with the Holy Spirit led me to another church
eventually, and a fellowship with other young people also longing for more of
God, and the power of His spirit. The
awareness of our joy in Him is also an “always” longing in me.
It has been very interesting to write the first
part of this assignment, and seeing some of the OR strengths and weaknesses, and
also reflecting on how many similarities it is for us today. Each one of us has
our struggles to grasp and how to grow in understanding Gods world and word. But
thanks to the Holy Spirit enlightening this to us (Rom 8.26 – 30, John 16.7-15)
I feel sometimes very much like Timothy in many
ways. By coming here to do DBS, I had a longing of a new level, a new season in
life. It has been a great privilege to be set aside and having the opportunity
to read and study the Living Word! But also given a longing to, as Paul write
in:
2.Tim.1.6. :”
fan into flame the spiritual Gift God has given you”
I want to grow in the area of the spiritual gifts:
“word of knowledge, prophecy, discerning of spirit and interpretation of
tongues” 1.Cor.12
I know I have a gift of wisdom – but often can I
feel that I draw too much out of my own head. I long for new dimension on the
gifts. It may look like listing them all, but I really long for the Spiritual, God
inspired dimension in counseling/speaking to others. I can see the fruit of my
gifts in this area that people come to me for talk/advice/counseling, my
sensitivity to others, and a willingness to go alongside in people’s life. But
I can also have long times of exhaustion and feeling of heaviness. And I know
there is more to “download” – from the power of the Holy Spirit. So that I will
be more led by this, than by needs and feelings. So I pray for this in Jesus
name. I want to listen to Gods voice, for my own life and for others.
2.Tim3.15
“You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they
have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in
Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what
is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when
we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and
equip his people to do every good work.”
I recognize I have a gift of teaching. I love to
share, and bring on what is given to me. (Eph 4.11-13). I have done this on and
of, during the years - so I pray about
how that will look now. I am very easily inspired, and like to start
activities. So that is my prayer, that I in a new way will be guided and have a
renewed revelation of the power of the Holy
Spirit in and through me. And
2.Cor.4.7: “We now have this
light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars
containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is
from God, not from ourselves”
I also pray that this time of reading the word
has given me a reinforced foundation like: (Ps.40.2b, 1.Pet 5.10,)” He set my feet on
solid ground”
It has also been a prayer and longing in me to
be more overwhelmed by the Holiness of God - and I really feel I have had some Godly
glimpses on this by reading the whole Bible
- it feels wrong to write so short about this - but it is far beyond description.
I also feel God is leading me into new ways of
being bold in ethical areas. Especially in the area around taking and making
life, (new biotechnological and ethnical challenges) I don’t know in which way
– but I am praying and want to be willing to go when time is there.
Finally one of my great revelations through this
reading, is the issue God has brought along all the way in the scripture “ A
place of rest”. “Rest “ (as in resting)
is mentioned 112 times in the Bible, and in my personality of being a doer – it
has been speaking to me all these weeks. And the verses in Hebr. 4, it says we
“should tremble with fear that we might fail to experience it “. So I am
working on this topic, knowing, in the midst of all described above, there is a
rest and a peace that God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit has provided for me.
(Prov.10.22, John4.23-24, Phil.4.4-6, John3.30)
Sources:
Source view Bible
Nelson
Maps and Charts
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Notes from class CBS 4/13
