The Holy Spirit in the Creation and Redemption of the World Dissertation
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Pneumatology: The Doctrine of the Holy SpiritTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION 3Nature of the Issue 3Purpose of the Study 6Procedure of the Study 6CHAPTER 1—THE CREATION 8In the Beginning 9Christ Revealed in Genesis 12CHAPTER 2—THE REDEMPTION 16The Incarnation 16The Baptism 20The Ministry 22The Sacrifice 26CHAPTER 3—REGENERATION AND RENEWAL 28The Spirit and the Mission 28The Personality of the Spirit 31CHAPTER 4—FOLLOWING CHRIST IN THE SPIRIT 34The Power of the Spirit 34The Dark Night of the Soul 35Prayer 38CONCLUSION 40INTRODUCTIONNature of the IssueIf the Old Testament can be called the Age of the Father, and the Gospels the Age of the Son, the time since Pentecost can be referred to as the Age of the Holy Spirit—for it is at Pentecost that the Paraclete comes to the Apostles, confirms them in the Faith, and gives them the courage to set about on their mission of evangelizing the world. The Holy Spirit is thus important to understand because time is shaped so thoroughly by this Third Person of the Holy Trinity. As a divine person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is at work from the beginning of time even to now. Yet in man’s time, recognition that the Father sent the Holy Spirit into the world through the Son, as part of the divine plan of man’s redemption and attainment of Heaven, has not always been accepted. In fact, the nature of the Trinity has been disputed throughout history—and even the nature of Jesus Christ has been disputed (was He God and Man, only Man, only God, or neither?). This dispute has led to confusion in modern times about the nature of man’s relationship to God and particularly to the Holy Spirit.Before getting into the various disputes that have arisen, it is helpful to first understand that the Holy Spirit and the Triune God is a mystery that man is asked to accept from faith: St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:5 states clearly that the Spirit of God is something beyond the ken of man—it is not something that can be understood through direct application of reason because it is divine and above the understanding of man: “My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith would not rest on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.” This quote from St. Paul shows that the Spirit’s power and God’s power are the same. This admonition from St. Paul is also an indication that the wisdom of God is higher than the wisdom of man. It does not mean, however, that God’s wisdom and Its expression through the Holy Spirit cannot be seen and accepted by man. On the contrary, the work of the Holy Spirit is evident from the beginning of creation to now. The problem is that man often wants to understand more than he is capable of understanding, and so that results in his attempts to explain away the mysteries of God and His Triune nature that has been revealed to man through Scripture and through the work of the Christian church.Nonetheless, the fact that God’s wisdom is above man’s has not prevented man from attempting to understand the things of God. St. Augustine, for instance, put his own powers of reason to the subject of the Trinity. Coffey describes the effort this way:In Trinitarian theology, St. Augustine is renowned for his doctrine of the filioque: the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son as from a single principle. This doctrine gave to Western Trinitarian thought and indeed to Western theology in general a distinctive stamp, which despite the…
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…Pneumatology:TheDoctrineoftheHolySpiritTableofContentsINTRODUCTION3NatureoftheIssue3PurposeoftheStudy6ProcedureoftheStudy6CHAPTER1—THECREATION8IntheBeginning9ChristRevealedinGenesis12CHAPTER2—THEREDEMPTION16TheIncarnation16TheBaptism20TheMinistry22TheSacrifice26CHAPTER3—REGENERATIONANDRENEWAL28TheSpiritandtheMission28ThePersonalityoftheSpirit31CHAPTER4—FOLLOWINGCHRISTINTHESPIRIT34ThePoweroftheSpirit34TheDarkNightoftheSoul35Prayer38CONCLUSION40INTRODUCTIONNatureoftheIssueIftheOldTestamentcanbecalledtheAgeoftheFather,andtheGospelstheAgeoftheSon,thetimesincePentecostcanbereferredtoastheAgeoftheHolySpirit—foritisatPentecostthattheParacletecomestotheApostles,confirmsthemintheFaith,andgivesthemthecouragetosetaboutontheirmissionofevangelizingtheworld.TheHolySpiritisthusimportanttounderstandbecausetimeisshapedsothoroughlybythisThirdPersonoftheHolyTrinity.AsadivinepersonintheTrinity,theHolySpiritisatworkfromthebeginningoftimeeventonow.Yetinman’stime,recognitionthattheFathersenttheHolySpiritintotheworldthroughtheSon,aspartofthedivineplanofman’sredemptionandattainmentofHeaven,hasnotalwaysbeenaccepted.Infact,thenatureoftheTrinityhasbeendisputedthroughouthistory—andeventhenatureofJesusChristhasbeendisputed(wasHeGodandMan,onlyMan,onlyGod,orneither?).Thisdisputehasledtoconfusioninmoderntimesaboutthenatureofman’srelationshiptoGodandparticularlytotheHolySpirit.Beforegettingintothevariousdisputesthathavearisen,itishelpfultofirstunderstandthattheHolySpiritandtheTriuneGodisamysterythatmanisaskedtoacceptfromfaith:St.Paulin1Corinthians2:5statesclearlythattheSpiritofGodissomethingbeyondthekenofman—itisnotsomethingthatcanbeunderstoodthroughdirectapplicationofreasonbecauseitisdivineandabovetheunderstandingofman:“Mymessageandmypreachingwerenotwithpersuasivewordsofwisdom,butwithademonstrationoftheSpirit’spower, sothat yourfaith wouldnotrestonmen’swisdombutonGod’spower.”ThisquotefromSt.PaulshowsthattheSpirit’spowerandGod’spowerarethesame.ThisadmonitionfromSt.PaulisalsoanindicationthatthewisdomofGodishigherthanthewisdomofman.Itdoesnotmean,however,thatGod’swisdomandItsexpressionthroughtheHolySpiritcannotbeseenandacceptedbyman.Onthecontrary,theworkoftheHolySpiritisevidentfromthebeginningofcreationtonow.Theproblemisthatmanoftenwantstounderstandmorethanheiscapableofunderstanding,andsothatresultsinhisattemptstoexplainawaythemysteriesofGodandHisTriunenaturethathasbeenrevealedtomanthroughScriptureandthroughtheworkoftheChristianchurch.Nonetheless,thefactthatGod’swisdomisaboveman’shasnotpreventedmanfromattemptingtounderstandthethingsofGod.St.Augustine,forinstance,puthisownpowersofreasontothesubjectoftheTrinity.Coffeydescribestheeffortthisway:InTrinitariantheology,St.Augustineisrenownedforhisdoctrineofthefilioque:theHolySpiritproceedsfromtheFatherandtheSonasfromasingleprinciple.ThisdoctrinegavetoWesternTrinitarianthoughtandindeedtoWesterntheologyingeneraladistinctivestamp,whichdespitetheupheavalsofitshistoryhasremainedwithiteversince(193).Indeed,St.Augustine’swordsonthematteraresufficienttosettleallarguments,asScriptureisquiteclearonthematteroftheprocessionoftheHolySpirit.St.Augustinewrites:NorcanwesaythattheHolySpiritdoesnotproceedalsofromtheSon,foritisnotwithoutreasonthatthesameSpiritissaidtobeSpiritofboththeFatherandtheSon.NordoIseewhatelseheintendedtosignifywhenhebreathedinthefaceofthedisciplesandsaid,\"ReceivetheHolySpirit.\"Forthatbodilybreathing,proceedingfromthebodywiththesensationofbodilytouching,wasnotthesubstanceoftheHolySpiritbutamanifestationthroughafittingsignthattheHolySpiritproceedsnotonlyfromtheFatherbutalsofromtheSon.(DeTrinitate4,20(29)(PL42,908)HereonecanseeclearlythatthefilioqueargumentfortheprocessionoftheHolySpiritissquarelyrootedinScripture.ButwhatdoesitsayoftheroleoftheHolySpiritingeneral?WhatisonetothinkoftheHolySpiritintermsofGod’srelationshiptoman?WhatpartdoestheHolySpiritplayinthecreation,redemptionandregenerationofman?OnepossibleanswertothesequestionsmightalsocomefromSt.Augustine,foratthesametimethatheputsforwardthefilioqueargument,St.Augustinealsoputsforwardthemutual-lovetheory,whichhasreceivedacceptanceparticularlyamongtheOrthodoxchurches.AsCoffeypointsout,St.AugustineidentifiestheHolySpiritas“the‘communion’thatexistsbetween”theFatherandtheSon(196).ThisideaismadeapparentinthesewordsofSt.Augustine:TheHolySpirit...isproperlycalledHolySpiritrelatively,sinceHeisreferredtoboththeFatherandtheSon,becauseHeistheSpiritofboththeFatherandtheSon.Buttherelationisnotitselfapparentinthatname,butitisapparentwhenHeiscalledthegiftofGod,forHeisthegiftoftheFatherandoftheSon,because\"HeproceedsfromtheFather,\"astheLordsays,andbecausethatwhichtheApostlesays,\"HewhodoesnothavetheSpiritofChristdoesnotbelongtohim,\"hecertainlysaysoftheHolySpirit.When,therefore,wesaythegiftofthegiver,andthegiverofthegift,wespeakinbothcasesrelativelyinreciprocalreference.ThereforetheHolySpiritisacertainunutterablecommunionoftheFatherandtheSon(Detrinitate5,11(12)(PL42,919).WhilethisexplanationhelpstoclarifytheHolySpirit’srelationtoman,itleavesopenroomforexploringthemeaningoftheHolySpirit’sroleinTrinity.Forthatreason,somefocusneedstobegivenonthequestionsaskedabove.InspiteofthetwoargumentsofSt.AugustinethatcanbeusedtoexplaintheHolySpirit,itisimportanttoexaminethisissuemorecloselysoastomaintainafullerknowledgeofGodthatonemightmorefullyloveHimstill.AsCoffeypointsout,St.Augustine’sargument“stillonlytellsusabouttheSpirit\'srelationtousandnotaboutHisrelationtotheothertwopersonsintheimmanentTrinity”(197).ItistheaimofthispapertoprovideadeeperexplanationoftheHolySpiritsoastofacilitatethedevelopmentofone’sunderstanding.PurposeoftheStudyThispaperwillexplainhowtheHolySpiritisatworkfromthebeginningintheactofcreation;andhowtheHolySpiritalsoproceedsfromtheFatherthroughtheSon,whopreparedtheApostlesforthecomingoftheParacletethattheymightbefilledwiththeHolySpiritandenabledtosetabouttheirmissionoffacilitatingman’sRegenerationandspreadingbeliefintheResurrection.Todoso,itfocusesalsoontheroleoftheHolySpiritintheRedemptionandintherenewalofman.Thistri-foldroleoftheHolySpiritinthestoryofmanalignswellwiththetri-foldnatureofGodandreflectsthetri-foldnatureofthemysteriesoftherosaryasfixedbyPopeSt.PiusVin1563(Duffner).ProcedureoftheStudyThisstudyproceedsbyfirstexaminingtheHolySpiritwithinthecontextoftheHolyTrinity.TheCreation,theRedemption,andtheEvangelizationoftheworldareallexaminedintermsfromthestandpointofthedoctrineoftheHolySpirit.Chapter1focusesontheCreation.Chapter2focusesontheRedemptionandtheroleoftheHolySpiritthere.Chapter3focusesontheroleoftheHolySpiritinregenerationandevangelization.Chapter4discusseswhatthiscanmeanforpeopletodaywhoseektoliveandfollowinthefootstepsofChrist.CHAPTER1—THECREATION“ThereforeItellyou,everysinandblasphemywillbeforgivenmen,buttheblasphemyagainsttheSpiritwillnotbeforgiven. Whoever speaks aword against the Son ofMan willbeforgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit willnotbeforgiven, either in this age or in the onetocome.”(Mat.12:32)WhydoesGodinsistthatspeechagainsttheHolySpiritistheunpardonablesin?ThereasonliesinthenatureoftheHolySpirit,foritistheverylifeandloveofGod—theveryessenceofHisbeing.ChristreceivedtherebukesandbuffetsoftheworldandHedidsowillingly,topayforman’ssins.ButHealsounderstoodthatthescornhereceivedwasbecauseofman’sprideandfallenhumannature.ToerrinattackingHimthroughunbeliefordoubt(likethatwhichThomasshowedbeforeseeingtheResurrectedChrist,orlikethatwhichPetershowedwhenhedeniedChristthreetimesfollowingHisarrest)isnotanunpardonablesin:Christcouldforgiveitasaweaknessofthewill.ButtoresisttheHolySpiritistoresisttheverygracenecessaryforreunionwithGod:itistoresisttheinvitationaltogether;itistocloseallone’swindowsanddoorstoanydiscourseortoanypossibilityofdiscoursewithGod.Itistorejectlifeitself.Thislife—orratherLife—isthespiritualfoundationoftheworld,ofallcreation.ThatiswhyChristviewsrejectionoftheSpiritasunpardonable:hewhorejectstheSpiritrejectsGodtotally,andwhorejectsGodalsorejectsanyopportunitytohavepeacewithHimineternity.Itisunpardonablebecausethesinnerrefusesthepossibilityofpardon.ThepersonwhorejectstheSpiritbecomeslikeJudas,hanginghimself.TotrulyunderstandthegravityofChrist’sadmonition,itishelpfultounderstandtheSpiritasthefoundationoflife.Tothatenditishelpfultounderstandthefoundationfromthebeginning.Onemustlookatthebeginning,toseeone’send.UnderstandingthecreationoftheworldprovidescontextintotheworkoftheHolySpiritintheworld.ToseehowtheHolySpirithasoperatedfromthebeginningoftime,thischapterwillexaminethecreationstoryofGenesis,theFall,andtheaftermath.IntheBeginningThecreationoftheworldsawtheHolySpiritatwork:butregeneration(John3:5-8)andresurrection(Romans8:11)alsoseethesameHolySpiritatwork.Why?Thereasonissimple:afterthecreation,whentheHolySpiritbreathedlifeintotheworld,theFallofManoccurred,whichcorruptedcreationandbroughtaboutaneedformoredivineinterventiontocorrectthemistakethatmanhadmadeinfailingtofulfillthewillofGodintheGardenofParadise(Gen.1:2;Psa.104:30).YettheHolySpiritwasalwaysrecognizedbythosewillingtoacknowledgetheroleofGodintheshapingofallthings.AsJob33:4states,“TheSpiritofGodhathmademe,andthebreathoftheAlmightyhathgivenmelife.”TheSpiritandthebreathofGodarespokenofinthesamesentence,bothhavingapartinthecreationandlife-givingprocess.TheSpiritisidentifiedasmaker,andthebreathofGodaslife-giver.Regardlessofhowonechoosestointerpretthesewords,thefactisclear:thewiseJob,whoneverlostfaithinGod,seestheworkoftheSpiritinhiscreationquiteclearly.ThisSpiritistherefromthebeginning:“Inthebeginning Godcreated theheavens andtheearth. Nowtheearthwasformless andempty, darknesswasoverthesurfaceofthedeep, andtheSpiritofGod washovering overthewaters”(Gen.1:1-2).IsitnecessarytohaveacompleteunderstandingofhowtheSpiritoperates?GiventheadmonitionofSt.Paul,alreadynoted,thatGod’swisdomisbeyondthatofman,itisfittingtoacceptthesemysteriesasmysteriesandtobecontentwithonlyanoutlineorakindofsilhouetteofthepicture.Godgivesonesufficientunderstandingofthismystery—enoughthatmancanseethepicturewithoutknowingnecessarilyhowitallworks.TheHolySpiritisinvolvedinthecreationoftheworld.ThisisplainfromScripture.ThisknowledgecanhelponetounderstandmoreclearlythattheHolySpiritispresentintheworkofGod.HortonlamentsthefactthatpeopleoftenseetheHolySpiritastypecastorasmaking“cameoappearances”asthoughHewerebutabitplayer—abitofathirdwheel,broughtononlytobreakupthemonotonyofevents(24).ThepointthatHortonmakesisthattheHolySpiritisanactiveparticipantinthelifeofeverymanwhoisofGod.Romans8:9makesclearthatthosewhodonotbelieveinChristdonothavetheSpiritwithinthem—buteverymanhasbeencreatedasaTempleoftheHolySpirit,whichistosay,hehasbeenbuilttopossesstheindwellingSpiritofGod(1Corinthians6:19-20).Thisisanastonishingthingtothinkabout—butitisevidentthatthiswasthecasefromthebeginning.TheHolySpiritwasthere,involvedinthecreationoftheworld,inthebeginning.AndtheHolySpiritfilledAdamandEve,whichallowedthemtoenjoytheirunionwithGodintheGardenofEden.Unfortunately,AdamandEvechosetoworkwithamalevolentspirit—Satan—bydisobeyingGod’scommandmentregardingtheTreeofKnowledge.ThisdefectionfromGodtojointheranksofthefallenangelandhislegioniswhatisknownastheFall.Atthismoment,AdamandEvebrokewithGodandtheHolySpiritdepartedfromthem.Whereastheywereonceclothedininnocenceandlove,thedepartureoftheSpiritfromtheirsoulsleftthemashamed,empty,destitute,awareoftheirseparationfromGod,andsuddenlynolongerinperfectcontrolofthemselvesorofthegiftsthatGodgavethem.TheirbreakfromGodwasabreakwithHisSpirit.Thecommunionthattheyenjoyedwasnowgone.TheFallledtopunishment:GodbarredAdamandEvefromParadise;closedthegatesofHeaven;ensuredthemthattheywouldtoilandlaborandsufferanddiefortheirtransgression.YetHealsopromisedthattherewouldcomeonewhowouldcrushtheheadoftheserpent:“AndIwillputenmitybetweenyouandthewoman,Andbetweenyourseedandherseed;Heshallbruiseyouonthehead,Andyoushallbruisehimontheheel”(Gen.3:15).Inthispromise,oneseestheHolySpiritagainatwork,accordingtoSt.Augustine’smutual-lovetheory:theSpiritisthereinthatpromiseofaRedeemer,inthatforetellingofthelovebetweentheFatherandtheSonthatistobeexpressedintheRedemption.ThechildrenofAdamandEveborechildrenoftheirownandtheworld’spopulationincreased—butthechildrenofmancontinuedtodispleaseGod,Whowantedloveinreturnforhissustainingofalllife.WhenthesinsofmanmountedtosuchapointthatGod,injustice,couldnolongertoleratethebehavior,hesenttheFloodanddirectedNoahtopreservetwoofallspecies,thatlifemightcontinueoncethewaterssubsided.GodthenmadeacovenantwithNoah,promisingnevertodestroytheEarththroughFloodagain.ByassistingintherestorationoftheEarth,Godshowedhisfaithfulnesstothosewho,likeNoah,werefaithfultoHim.HedidnotwithholdtheSpiritfromtheworld,butdirectedtheworldtoreadyitselfthatitmightreceivetheSpiritproperly.ThetimewouldcomewhentheParacletewouldcomedirectlytomentoempowerthemtopreachtheWordofGodtotheworld,thatmenmightbemadeperfectinChrist,theRedeemer.Thus,toallnationsandinalllanguages,theWordofGodhasbeenrevealed,andtheHolySpirithasfacilitatedthatprocessofevangelization.ChristRevealedinGenesisItisnotpossibletounderstandtheHolySpiritwithoutunderstandingtheTrinity;thus,itisnecessarytounderstandtheFatherandtheSonandtheirpresencefromthebeginningaswell.ItisnotdifficulttoseetheFatheratworkinGenesis.Heisever-present,openlyengagedindiscoursewithAdam.ButwhereistheSon?WhereistheWord?Forthatmatter,whereistheHolySpirit?GodactuallyrevealsHisnatureduringthecourseofcreation.Attheverybeginningoftime,theGodoftheUniverserevealedHisuniquecharacteristicswhenHesaid,“‘LetusmakemaninOurimage,accordingtoourlikeness’”(Gen.1:26).WhydidGodusethepluralwhentalkingaboutHimself?Heusedtheplural—notthesingular—pronouns:“LetUs”and“our”—not“me”and“my”.IsGodreferringtomultiplegods?Notatall.TounderstandwhatGodissayinghere,onemusthaveasenseoftheconceptoftheTrinity.AlthoughitisnotuntiltheNewTestamentthattheGodhead’striunenatureisfullyrevealed,therealityofGod’snatureisnonethelessreflectedthroughouttheOldTestament.Inthebeginning,GodwasspeakingnotonlytowhattheNewTestamentwouldlaterrevealconcerningtheotherPersonsoftheTrinitybuttowhattheentirehostofheavenalreadycouldplainlysee—thatGodhadaTriuneNature:HewasOneGodwiththreedistinctdivinePersons.Howthiscanbeisamysterythatcanneverbefullyunderstoodbyman’sreasoninhisfallenstate—buttheevidenceofthisTriunenatureistheretobeaccepted.ThedoctrineoftheTrinityisthis:itmeansthatGodconsistsofthreedistinctPersonswithinoneBeing:GodisGodtheFather,GodtheSon,andGodtheHolySpirit.HeisoneGodwiththreedifferentexpressionsorPersonsofHisdivinenature.Similarly,amaniscomposedofabody,asoul,andaspirit.Thosearethreeotherexpressionsofthesameindividualbeing.ManiscreatedinGod\'simage(Gen1:27)asatriunebeing.1Thes.5:23states,“NowmaytheGodofpeacehimselfsanctifyyoucompletely;andmayyourwhole spirit, soul andbodybepreservedblamelessatthecomingofourLordJesusChrist.”Scripturefullyaccountsforman’striunenaturethusly.TheHolySpiritisrevealedbyIsaiahaswell.Moreover,IsaiahnotonlydescribesthenatureoftheHolySpiritbutalsohowtheSpiritisunitedtotheLORD:ThenashootwillspringfromthestemofJesse,andabranchfromhisrootswillbearfruit.AndtheSpiritoftheLORDwillrestonHim,thespiritofwisdomandunderstanding,thespiritofcounselandstrength,thespiritofknowledgeandthefearoftheLORD.AndHewilldelightinthefearoftheLORD,andHewillnotjudgebywhatHiseyessee,normakeadecisionbywhatHisearshear;butwithrighteousnessHewilljudgethepoor,anddecidewithfairnessfortheafflictedoftheearth;andHewillstriketheearthwiththerodofHismouth,andwiththebreathofHislipsHewillslaythewicked.AlsorighteousnesswillbethebeltaboutHisloins,andfaithfulnessthebeltaboutHiswaist.Andthewolfwilldwellwiththelamb,andtheleopardwillliedownwiththekid,andthecalfandtheyounglionandthefatlingtogether;andalittleboywillleadthem.Alsothecowandthebearwillgraze;theiryoungwillliedowntogether;andthelionwilleatstrawliketheox.Andthenursingchildwillplaybytheholeofthecobra,andtheweanedchildwillputhishandontheviper’sden.TheywillnothurtordestroyinallMyholymountain,fortheearthwillbefulloftheknowledgeoftheLORDasthewaterscoverthesea(Isaiah11:1-9).IsaiahdescribesthepromiseoffaithfulnessofGodtothosewhoarefaithfultoHim.TheHolySpiritischaracterizedasbearinggifts:wisdom,understanding,counsel,strength,knowledgeandfearoftheLord.ThesegiftsoftheHolySpirithavelongbeenrecognizedasessentialtofaithbypatristicauthors,suchasAugustine(Bright).ButIsaiahdoesmorethanlistthegiftsoftheSpirit.HealsodescribeshowthegiftsoftheSpiritwillspreadacrosstheEarthandwhattheireffectwillbe:theHolySpiritbringspeace,understanding,anendtoenmity,andknowledgeofGod.WhenChristsaid,“PeaceIleavewithyou,mypeaceIgiveuntoyou,”(John14:27)hewasforeshadowingthecomingoftheParacleteandthebreathwhichChristwouldbreatheontheApostlesfollowingHisResurrection:“TheAdvocate,theHolySpirit,whomtheFatherwillsendinMyname,willteachyouallthingsandwillremindyouofeverythingIhavetoldyou”(John14:26).Isaiahlinksholinesswithknowledge,andasknowledgeisagiftoftheSpirit,holinessisassociatedwithopennesstotheSpirit.Thus,thereisaclearlinkbetweenthecreationoftheworld,inwhichtheHolySpirithadadirectpartandtheRedemptionoftheworld,broughtaboutbyChrist.ChristthendepartedfromtheworldandtheFathersenttheHolySpirittorenewtheworldandgivementheabilitytofollowChristandtobecomeChristians:“Thespiritgivethlife”(2Cor.3:6).TheSpiritwasthere,givinglifeatthebeginningoftheworld.WhenAdamandEvesinned,theysinnedagainstthecommandmentoftheFather,givinguptheirinnocenceinthefaceoftemptationtopursueafalseknowledgeofthemselvesandtheirownpersons.TheytradedtrueknowledgeofGodforfalseknowledgeofthemselves.TheylistenedtotheserpentinsteadoftoGodtheFather.BybreakingHiscommandment,theyalsoseveredtieswiththeSpiritandthuscutthemselvesofffromGod.YetGodneverabandonedmankind.HestillcontinuedtoloveHiscreation,evenasinjusticeHepunishedHiscreatures.Hiscreaturesaskedforthis,afterall.Theywantedtohaveknowledgeofgoodandevil,andthistheyobtained.ButitwouldbetheHolySpiritguidingthembacktotrueknowledgethatwouldhelptopreparethemfortheirsalvation.Intheend,itwouldbeoneslikethewomanatthewell,announcingthegoodnewsoftheMessiah,whowouldhelptopreparetheway.ItwouldbeoneslikeJohntheBaptist,filledwiththegiftsoftheHolySpirit,whowouldpreparetheway.CHAPTER2—THEREDEMPTION“ButwhenthegoodnessandlovingkindnessofGodourSaviorappeared,hesavedus,notbecauseofworksdonebyusinrighteousness,butaccordingtohisownmercy,bythewashingofregenerationandrenewaloftheHolySpirit,whomhepouredoutonusrichlythroughJesusChristourSavior,sothatbeingjustifiedbyhisgracewemightbecomeheirsaccordingtothehopeofeternallife.”(Titus3:4-7)WhenonethinksoftheHolySpirit,onetendstothinkofPentecostandthetonguesoffiredancingontheheadsoftheApostles.OnetendstothinkoftheApostlesbeinggiventhegiftoftongues.OnetendstothinkofthewayinwhichtheworldnowadaysviewstheSpirit,asassociatedwithPentecostalismandRevivals.However,theHolySpiritisevidentintheentireRedemptionstory.TounderstandtheHolySpiritfully,onemustseehowtheHolySpiritplaysamajorpartinthatstory.TheIncarnationMatthew1:18statesthat“thisishowthebirthofJesusChristcameabout:HismotherMarywaspledgedinmarriagetoJoseph,butbeforetheycametogether,shewasfoundtobewithchildthroughtheHolySpirit.”JesusChristwasconceivedoftheHolySpiritandbornoftheVirginMary.TheHolySpiritthuswasdirectlyinvolvedintheIncarnation.TheHolySpiritmadeitpossiblefortheWordofGodtotakehumanfleshandexistasamanonEarth.John1:1states,“InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.”ThisopeningofJohn1:1echoestheopeningofGenesis1:1,whichalsocommenceswithan“inthebeginning”opening.Theconnectionsherebetweenthecreationoftheworld,thecreationoftheGod-Man,andtherelationofthatcreationinMatthew1:18allworktoshowtheinterrelatednessofthings.AttheheartofitallistheTrinity—Father,SonandHolySpirit.Atthecreationoftheworld,thecosmiceventthatsawlifecomeintobeing,GodwaspresentastheTrinity;atthecreationoftheIncarnateWord,theTrinityagainispresent:theFathersendstheHolySpirittoconceiveoftheWordinthewombofMary.ItisabeautifulunionofmotionandactionthatmirrorsthecreationoftheworldinGenesis.TheHolySpiritoncemoreproceedsfromtheFather,butthistimeitisfocusedontherestorationofthefallenworld,withtheaimbeingtobringintotheworldtheRedeemer.Yet,thatRedeemer’sentranceintotheworldstilldependsuponthewillingsubmissionofthehumanheart—andthatisgivenbywayofMary’sfiat,whichistosayheracceptanceofthewillofGod.ShealignsherhumanwillwiththewillofGodinashowoflovethatisdirectlyinvertedinproportiontothefirstsincommittedbyEve.IftheFallofmancommencedwithEve’ssinofpride,therestorationofmancommenceswithMary’shumblesubmissiontothewillofGod.IfthefallofAdamwasinhisfollowingEvetobreakthelawofGod,therestorationofmaniscompletedthroughthesacrificeofChristinpayingforthesinsofmanandransominghimfromHell.Inthisprocess,theHolySpiritplaysacrucialrole:theHolySpiritflowsfromGodtheFathertoMary,whobecomesthelivingtabernacleoftheWordofGod,growinginthefleshinherwomb.TheHolySpiritisthusintegralinthisprocess,flowingintotheWomantoproducetheNewMan,justastheHolySpiritflowedfromtheFatherinthebeginningtobreathelifeintotheuniverse.Inthissense,St.Augustine’sexplanationoftheHolySpiritastheexpressionofmutual-lovebetweentheFatherandtheSoncanbeseenexceedinglywell.TheFather’slovefortheSonisevidentintheSon’sconception.Theloveisseenintheactofconception.Conceptionbyitsverynatureisanactofcreation,anactinwhichoneisopentotheideaofnewlife.Itisanactinwhichthespiritofonejoinswiththespiritofanothertocreateathirdandnewspirit—anditisamysteriousprocess,completely,totallyandutterlyunseeninitssecrecyfrompryingeyes(Sheen).ThissameactofloveisseenintheIncarnationwhentheSpiritovershadowsMaryandsheisfilledwiththeHolyGhost.Thereinthatmysteriousunionofwomanandspirit,theNewAdamisconceived.HegrowsinthewomboftheVirginMary,tobepresentedtotheworldastheNewLamb,Whowillpaytheransomformankindandmakesatisfactionforman’ssinsbytakingthemonhimself.GodHimselfinthatmomentoftheIncarnationannouncesHisintentiontoallowHisowncreationtocrucifyHim.Inthatmoment,HebecomesMan—andtheSpiritisthere,justtheSpiritwasthereinthebeginning.LukedescribestheactivityoftheSpiritinthelivesofZechariah,Elizabeth,Mary,andSimeon(Shelton).AsSheltonnotes,theHolySpirithasanabidingstateinSimeon.HeisinfluencedandguidedandinformedbytheSpirit.SimeonistheonewhopropheciesthataswordwillpierceMary’ssoul.HeistheonewhohasbeenpromisedthathewillseethecomingoftheMessiah.WhenMarypresentstheInfantJesustotheTempleaspartoftheritualofpurification,thatpromisetoSimeonisfulfilled.ThesceneinturnisdescribedbyLukeinthismanner:AtthattimetherewasamaninJerusalemnamedSimeon.HewasrighteousanddevoutandwaseagerlywaitingfortheMessiahtocomeandrescueIsrael.TheHolySpiritwasuponhim andhadrevealedtohimthathewouldnotdieuntilhehadseentheLord’sMessiah. ThatdaytheSpiritledhimtotheTemple.SowhenMaryandJosephcametopresentthebabyJesustotheLordasthelawrequired, Simeonwasthere.HetookthechildinhisarmsandpraisedGod,saying,“SovereignLord,nowletyourservantdieinpeace,asyouhavepromised.Ihaveseenyoursalvation,whichyouhavepreparedforallpeople.HeisalighttorevealGodtothenations,andheisthegloryofyourpeopleIsrael!”Jesus’parentswereamazedatwhatwasbeingsaidabouthim. ThenSimeonblessedthem,andhesaidtoMary,thebaby’smother,“ThischildisdestinedtocausemanyinIsraeltofall,andmanyotherstorise.HehasbeensentasasignfromGod,butmanywillopposehim. Asaresult,thedeepestthoughtsofmanyheartswillberevealed.Andaswordwillpierceyourverysoul.(Luke2:25-35)HereonecanseetheHolySpiritactinginthelivesofothers,toilluminatethem,tobringthemunderstanding,andtogivethemknowledgeofGodandofthingstocome.ThisknowledgecomesfromtheHolySpirit.TheHolySpiritwasuponSimeon,andhadgivenhimsecretknowledgeconcerninghisdeath:hewouldnotdieuntilhehadseentheChrist.Simeonpraysnowfordeathtocome:hehasseenthedayofsalvation—withnooutwardsignsmadevisible—sohowdoesheknow?Again,heisguidedbytheHolySpirit.HehasmadehimselfopentotheLoveofGod,themutuallovethatflowsbetweentheFatherandtheSon.Andnow,presentedwiththeSon,thatsamemutuallovetellshimthatthisistheOnethathehasbeentoldhewouldsee.Simeonannouncesit:“HeisthelighttorevealGodtothenations,andheisthegloryofyourpeopleIsrael!”AsAmitexplains,thegloryofIsraelcannotchangeordeceive.GodisTruth.GodisLove.LoveisTruth.SimeonunderstandsthisbecausehehasbeenilluminatedbytheSpiritandhasacceptedthegiftsoftheSpirit.Whatismostastonishingaboutthisscene,however,isthattheparentsofJesusareastonished.TheyarenotanticipatingthatSimeonwillunderstandWhoHeistheyarepresentingintheTemple.Elizabethknew:shehailedMarywhenheryoungercousincametovisit.JohnleaptinthewomanofElizabeth;hetoowastouchedbytheSpirit.FromtheBabeinthewombofthepregnantVirgintothebabeinthewombofthepregnantElizabeth,theSpiritflowed—fromtheFatherthroughtheSon(Saward).TheBaptismChristisattheforefrontoftheRedemptionofman,buttheHolySpiritalsoplaysanimportantroleintheRedemptionstory.TheHolySpiritisthereatthebaptismofChrist(Mat3:16).ButalsoimportanttonoteisthefactthattheFatherisalsothereandisheardspeaking.Inthismoment,theHolyTrinityispresentandisseenandheard.TheFatherisheardfromabove,saying,“ThisismySon,whomIlove;withhimIamwellpleased”(Mat3:17).TheHolySpiritdescends,asadove,symbolizingpeace,beauty,thespiritofloveaswellasechoingbacktothedovethatwasreleasedbyNoahafterthefloodtoseeifthewatershadyetreceded.Thatdovereturnedwithanolivebranchtoshowthatthewatershadreceded.Here,atthebaptismofChristthedoveisappearingtoshowtheHolySpirit’sunionwiththeFatherandtheSon.TheHolySpiritreferencesthatearliermomentinhistoryatthisimportantmomentinhistoryinwhichChristshowstheneedformentobebaptized.Inthatbaptism,theHolySpiritcomesdownfromHeaventotakeawaythestainofsin.Thedoveispureandmakesthesoulpure.TheHolySpirit,comingfromtheFather,isthusatworkinrenewingtheworldthroughtheSon.CoffeydescribestheHolySpiritasthe“mutualloveoftheFatherandtheSon”(193).Coffeystates:“Augustineseesnogreatdifferencebetweencommunionandmutuallove.Onepassesnaturallyfromtheformertothelatter,andnoargumentisneeded”(198).YetevenSt.AugustineresistsboxingtheHolySpiritintosomethingthatmancanunderstood.TheSpiritmustremainatrootamystery.OnecangraspthattheSpiritisreal,thattheSpiritlives,thattheSpiritmustbeheardandacceptedinorderforonetohavelifeinGod—butonecannotexplainitinmerewords.Augustinesaysasmuch:“ThereforetheHolySpirit,whateveritis,issomethingcommontotheFatherandtheSon.Butthiscommunionitselfisconsubstantialandcoeternal;andifitmayfitlybecalledfriendship,letitbesocalled;butitismoreaptlycalledlove”(DeTrinitate6,5(7)(PL42,928).TheideaoftheHolySpiritproceedingfromtheFatherthroughtheSonisinterchangeablewiththemutual-lovetheoryastheybothexpressthisdivinelove.AugustineinsiststhattheHolySpiritisLove:“AndifthelovebywhichtheFatherlovestheSonandtheSonlovestheFatherineffablydemonstratesthecommunionofboth,whatismoresuitablethanthatHeshouldproperlybecalledlovewhoistheSpiritcommontoboth?”(DeTrinitate15,19(37)(PL42,1086).ThedemonstrationofLovebetweentheFatherandtheSonisademonstrationoftheHolySpiritatthebaptismofChrist.Importantly,Christ’spublicministrybeginsatthatmoment.Tillthen,theBaptisthadbeenpreachingthewayofGod—butnowChristhasfinallyappearedandHispubliclifeisnowsettobegin.TheLovebetweenHimselfandtheFatherhasbeenmanifested:theLove—theHolySpirit—hasshownitself.TheLoveisnowgoingtopouroutthroughChrist,asHesetsabouthealingthesick,castingoutdemons,andraisingthedead.TheworksofGodthatwillwinsomuchrenownforChristfromthismomenttothemomentofHisarrestarepossiblebecauseChristisjoinedinunionwiththeFatherintheSpirit.TheHolySpiritisLoveandthatLoveiswhatpeoplewillseeinChristasHehealsthemandforgivesthemtheirsinsonHisroadtoCalvary(Grudem).YetJohntheBaptistannouncesthatChrististheOneWho“willbaptizeyouwiththeHolySpiritandwithfire”(Mat3:11).JesuspresentsHimselfforbaptismbyJohnasanexampletoHisfollowers—butHeHimselfisalsobaptizedintheHolySpiritbecauseitisatthatmomentofshowingHisfollowerswhattheymustdotobecomepurebeforeGodthattheHolySpiritappearstoinitiateandenlivenChrist’sministry.TheHolySpiritistheAgentbyWhomChristjudges,forgives,heals,makeswhole,cleansandempowersthosewhocometoHim.ItisthusneverinHimselfthatHedoesanythingbutalwaysHeinunionwiththeFatherandtheHolySpirit.Thus,beforeHisascensionintoHeaven,Heannounces:“Goandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,andteachingthemtoobeyeverythingIhavecommandedyou”(Matt.28:19-20).TheMinistryLuke4:14,18;5:17;10:21allspeakofhowtheHolySpiritempowersChristthroughoutHisministry.Luke4:14-15showsthatafterHisbaptism,JesuswentaboutHisministry—HisFather’sbusiness—fullofthemutual-lovebetweentheSonandtheFather:“JesusreturnedtoGalilee inthepoweroftheSpirit,andnewsabouthimspreadthroughthewholecountryside. Hewasteachingintheirsynagogues, andeveryonepraisedhim.”WhatdoesJesusdidintheSpirit:Heteaches—Heilluminates—Hebringsknowledge,oneofthegiftsoftheHolySpirit.HehealsthesickthroughthepoweroftheSpirit(Luke5:17).Heisfilledwithjoy:“AtthattimeJesus,fullofjoythroughtheHolySpirit,said, “Ipraiseyou,Father,Lordofheavenandearth,becauseyouhavehiddenthesethingsfromthewiseandlearned,andrevealedthemtolittlechildren. Yes,Father,forthisiswhatyouwerepleasedtodo”(Luke10:21).Heisengagedwiththeworld,renewingthelifethatwasmadeoldandcorruptbysin.SomeclaimtherearemanywaystofindandknowGod,butJesusChristsaidthereisonlyoneway:“Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife.NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughMe”(John14:6).Then,inActs4:12,onecanseethisdeclaration:“NortheirSalvationinanyother,forthereisnoothernameunderheavengivenamongmenbywhichwemustbesaved.”ChristisassertingHimselfastheSavior.ItisthroughHisaction,Hislife,deathandResurrectionthatman’ssinispaidfor.YetHeisnotalone.HeiswiththeSpirit,WhoJohndescribesastheCounselor—theAdvocate—throughouttheMinistryofJesus:TheAdvocateispromisedbyChristtoalsobewithHisdisciples,taskedwithspreadingthegoodnewsofChrist’ssalvationofferedtothosewhowillbelieve:“AndIwillasktheFather,andhewillgiveyouanotheradvocate tohelpyouandbewithyouforever—“(John14:16).Butwhatdoesoneseehere?AconstantinteractionbetweenChristandtheFather,andtheHolySpiritemanatingthroughtheirmutualloveintotheworld:theSpiritistheadvocatewhowillhelpinthespreadingoftheGospel.ChristcontinuouslypreparesHisdisciplestoreceivetheSpirit:“WhentheAdvocate comes,whomIwillsendtoyoufromtheFather—theSpiritoftruth whogoesoutfromtheFather—hewilltestifyaboutme”(John15:26).TheSpiritwillcometobringtruthtotheheartsandmindsofthosedisposedtohearit.Thosewhoturntheirheartsandmindsawaywillmissit.ButitisclearthattheSpiritflowsfromthatunionofChristwiththeFather.TheSpiritiswhatwillmakethetestimonyofChristpossibleintheworld.TheSpiritwillcometobearwitnesstothehistoryofChristandtothetruthofHislifeanddeathandresurrection.TheBookofActsfindsthehistoricalrecordofthefirstconversionstofaithinChristaspeoplerecognizeandreceivedthetruththatthereisnosalvationoutsideofJesus.Hereindetailisthemessageoftheapostleandtheresponseofthepeople.Herealso,itisfoundthepromiseoftheHolySpirit’sgifttoallwhobelieve.Today’smessageshouldbethesame:thereisSalvationinnonameotherthanthenameofJesus,andthegiftoftheHolySpiritandthelifeHeproducesareavailabletoallwhowillbelieve.ToreceivetheSalvationthatcomesthroughJesus,aswellasthelifeempoweredandenergizedbytheHolySpirit,onemustrepent,bebaptized,andreceivethegiftoftheHolySpirit(Acts2:38,41).Asonereceivesforgivenessforone’ssins,oneenjoystherefreshingthatcomesfromGod’spresence(Acts3:19-20).Thus,thereisthisconditionplaceduponreceivingtheHolySpirit:onemusthumbleoneself.AsoulentrenchedinprideisasoulthatwillnotreceivethegiftsoftheHolySpirit.TheconditionofhumilityisconsistentwiththeexampleofChrist’sownlifeandworkinHisministry.Heisborninastallandlaidinamanger.ThemangeritselfsymbolizesthatChristwillbecomespiritualfoodforHisfollowers.ButtheconditionsofHisbirthareimportanttonotealso:Heisnotbornasaprinceinacastle.Heisborninastall.Heisofhumbleorigins.Heisacarpenter’sson.Hefastsinthedesertandshowsthatmanmustalsohumblehimselfandsubjecthimselftofastingbecauseotherwisehewillnotbeabletoresistthedevil.Manmustbehumbleorelsepridewillruinhim.ItwastheprideofAdamandEvethatruinedthem:theythoughttheycouldbelikeGodbygainingillicitknowledgeorbypursuingafalsepromiseofknowledge.Theywerewrong,misledbytheirownprideandbySatan’slies.ChristshowsinHisworksthattheonlywaytoGodisthroughhumility,andwhenoneishumble,theSpiritwillbetheretoguideone.InadditiontobeingsavedthroughthenameofJesusChristandreceivingthelifeoftheindwellingHolySpirit,oneneedstobewaterbaptized,asapublicdeclarationofone’sdecisiontofollowJesus,toleavebehindtheoldlife,andtomoveintothenew.Atthesametimeonemusthavehumility,onemustalsohavecourageandfortitude—moregiftsoftheHolySpirit.ChristHimselfdemonstratesthisinHisministry.TheChristianiscalledtobearwithhisgovernmentwheneverpossible.JesusdidnotcallforrevolutionagainstRome,eventhoughtheempirewasanoppressiveconquerorofIsrael(Matt.22:21,Rom.13:7).Butatthesametime,theapostlesrefusedtoobeyanordernottopreachandteachinJesus’sname(Acts5:27-29).Tosubmittothegovernmentonthismatterwouldhavebeencowardlyanduntrue:theyhadthetruthwithinthem;theyhadbeenfilledwiththeHolySpirit.ChristHimselfdidnothideHimselfwhentheauthoritiesbroughtHimforward.ToPilateHeassertedHimselfwhenaskedifHewasaKing.“Thouhastsaidit,”Heresponded.WheneverthecivilgovernmentforbidsthepracticeofthingsthatGodhascommandedonetodoortellsonetodosomethingGodhascommandedonenottodo,thenoneisonsolidgroundindisobeyingthegovernment.Blindobediencetogovernmentisneverright,forthegovernmentisnotGod.ChristsubmitstothegovernmentbutHedoesnotdisavowHimself.PeterdisavowedChristandwaswrongandrepented,andthenlaterpaidforhisfaithwithhislife,showingallthewayuntodeaththathewaswiththeSpirit.Howevercomplexorcostlyitmaybe,onemustreservetherighttosaynotothingsthatareconsideroppressiveorimmoralinGod’seyes.ThemoneychangersintheTemplelearnedthislessonattheotherendofthelash—whenChristwhippedthemforpollutingthesacredplaceoftheTemple.Theywerenottheretopray.Theyweretheretoexploitothers.Christusedthelashtodrivethemoutinamomentofjustanger.Themomentissoimportantthatithasbeenre-representednotjustinScripturebutalsoinartlikethatofRembrandt’spainting(Golahny).TheSacrificeAsPiperpointsout,“OurverysalvationhangsontheinvolvementoftheHolySpiritinthemomentofthecrucifixion.”Whatdoesthismean?ChristwasneverwithouttheHolySpirit.ItemanatedthroughHimandtouchedthelivesofothers.ItisunthinkablethatHewouldbewithouttheSpiritatthemomentofHisaccomplishmentofman’sredemption.Astheessenceofthemutual-lovebetweenFatherandSon,theHolySpiritconveyedthesatisfactionofsinfromtheSontotheFatherinthemomentofCrucifixion(Piper).ItistruethatChristappearstobeabandonedatHisfinalhour.HecallsouttotheFather.Hethirsts.Heistortured.YetcanitbetruethatHewaswithouttheFatherortheHolySpirit?HetookuponHimselfthesinsoftheworldtohangonacross.HedidthiswiththefullsupportoftheHolySpirit.Itcouldnothavebeenotherwise.InthemomentwhereHeappearsabandoned,HeisactuallymostsupportedbytheSpirit.HegivesthedirectivetoHisfollowerstocometoHisMotherandforHisMothertocometotheaidofHisdisciples(John19:26-27).HeisstillteachingfromtheCross,andsinceHeisstillteachingHeisstillwiththeHolySpirit,Whogivesthegiftofknowledge.Heisalsostillforgiving.HeforgivesthesinsofthepenitentthiefandpromisesHimthatforhisfaithandhumilityhetoowillbesavedandwillbewithGodthatverydayinParadise.SuchforgivenesscouldnothavebeenaccomplishedbutwiththeSpirit.ThustheseactsshowthatevenintheRedemption,theSpiritisthere.CHAPTER3—REGENERATIONANDRENEWAL“When the DayofPentecost hadfullycome, theywereallwithoneaccordinoneplace.Andsuddenlytherecameasoundfromheaven,asofarushingmightywind,and itfilledthewholehousewheretheyweresitting.Thenthereappearedtothemdividedtongues,asoffire,and one satuponeachofthem.And theywereallfilledwiththeHolySpiritandbegan tospeakwithothertongues,astheSpiritgavethemutterance.” (Acts2:1-4)TheregenerationandrenewaloftheworldcomesbywayoftheHolySpirit.ChristrisesfromthedeadandstayswithHisdisciplesforfortydaysbeforeascendingintoHeaven.Butbeforegoing,HepromisesthemthathewillsendtothemeachtheHolySpiritWhohasbeenwiththem.Christmakesgoodonthispromise.AfterHisascension,theHolySpiritdoesindeedcomeanddoesindeedrenewtheApostles,makingthemintocourageousfightersforthefaith,fullofzealandfullofasenseoftheirmissionasevangelists.ThischapterlooksathowtheHolySpiritoperatesintherenewalofmanfromthattimetonow.TheSpiritandtheMissionChristisdirectwithHisdisciples.Heknowshowweaktheyare.AshumanbeingstheyarestillaffectedbyOriginalSin,eventhoughtheyhavefollowedHimandtheirfaithhasbeenbolsteredbytheResurrection.Yettheyarestillinneedofsupport.TheyarestillinneedoftheSpirit.ChristhasalsoalreadytoldthemoftheirneedfortheSpirit:“‘IfyouloveMe,keepMycommandments.AndIwillpraytheFather,and HewillgiveyouanotherHelper,thatHemayabidewithyouforever—theSpiritoftruth, whomtheworldcannotreceive,becauseitneitherseesHimnorknowsHim;butyouknowHim,forHedwellswithyou andwillbeinyou.Iwillnotleaveyouorphans; Iwillcometoyou’” (John14:15-18).HowwillChristcometothem?HewillcometothemthroughtheSpirit.ButChristfirsttellsthemthattheSpiritdwellsinthemandwillbeinthem.Thisaddressestwomatters:first,itshowsthattheyhavealreadybeentouchedbytheSpiritbecausetheyhavebeenopentoChristandHisTruth.TheSpirithasmovedthemthusfar.ButthereisanothertypeofindwellingthatChristalsospeaksof:Heisspeakingofconfirmationinthespirit—anotherstepintheirspirituallifethatwillcometothemasyetanothermysteryintheirdevelopment.TheSpiritwillfillthemandanimatethemandmakethemtruesoldiersofChrist.Indeed,theywillbeaskedtolaydowntheirlivesforChrist.Everyoneofthemwilldoso.AllwillbemartyrsforChrist(saveJohn).AllwilldieasChristdied,andastheSpiritwaswithHimsotoowillitbewiththem.ThatistheLord’spromisetothem.John20:22states,“Andwiththathebreathedonthemandsaid,‘ReceivetheHolySpirit.’”ThispassageshowsoncemorethattheSpiritproceedsthroughtheSon.TheSpiritissentfromJesustothemsothattheywillbestronginthefaith.Jesuswasalwaysdoingsomesmallacttoshowtheactofgraceactingonthesoul—whetheritwasspittingintodirttomakeclaythatwouldbeputontheeyesoftheblindmantohealhim,orusingtheloavesandfishestofeedathousand.HeneverdeniedthehumanandnaturalaspectsofHiscreation.Thus,whenHebreathesontheapostles,HeissendingHisbreathtothem—andinthatacttheSpiritisbroughttothem.The“spirit”isthesamewordas“breath”or“wind.”TheSpiritisaliveandmovestheworld.TheSpiritrefreshesandbringsnewairwheretheairmightotherwisebestaleandold.TheSpiritisassociatedwithmovement,force,andlife.TheHolySpiritisaPersonandworksasaHelperforthechurch.Hehasallthecharacteristicsofapersonalityandshouldneverbeviewedasimpersonal.HehasthedivinefeaturesofGod\'shead:Heiseternal,alwayspresenteverywhere,all-powerful,andall-knowing.GodtheFathersentthepromisedHelper,theHolySpirit,toassistintheRedemptionofthehumanrace,breathedintolifebyGodwithaidoftheHolySpifit.IfonehasacceptedJesusChristintoone’slife,onehastheSpiritoftruthlivinginside.OnehasasupernaturalHelperinlifewhocangiveonethepowertobevictorious.TheworlddoesnothavetheSpiritoftruth,becausetheworldisinsubmissiontoSatan,whoisthefatheroflies.IfalltruthleadstotheHolySpirit,allliesleadtoHellandSatan.ThosewholiveinsubmissiontoSatanandtotheworldhavenospiritualdiscernment;butthosewhopossessasupernaturalcompasswithinareabletomaintainthecourse.Tobearanyspiritualfruitinlife,onemustremainunitedtothevine,whichisJesus,tobearfruit.Asonebearsspiritualfruit,God,whoistheVinedresser,willdothepruning.HewilldisciplineallwhocometoHimbecauseHewantseveryonetobeperfect.HewantsthosewhofollowHimtobeevermoreproductive.Hedoesnotwantmediocrityorlukewarmness.Hewantsavibrantchurch.HewantstheSpirittoringoutthroughtheworldlikeachorusofchimesinthewind.GodwantsmankindtoworkwiththeSpiritwhichlovessomuchtoworkwithman.ThatisthewayGodhasarrangedit.ThatisthedoctrinethatChristpreached.ThatisthedoctrineoftheHolySpirit.Thedoctrineisoneofmutuallove—oflovebetweentheFatherandtheSon.GodwantsthatsamelovetobeseenbetweenHimselfandman.ThePersonalityoftheSpiritTheSpirithaspersonalitythatdefinesHischaracterandHisactions.TheHolySpiritintercedesforbelievers(Rom.8:26),hasamind(Rom.8:27),cangrieve(Eph.4:30),canspeak(Rev.2:714:13),andberesisted(Act.7:51).AllofthesecharacteristicstellsomethingabouttheSpiritandHiscareforpeople.TheSpiritisconstantlyseekingbelievers,leadingthemtotheChrist,drawingthemwiththetruth.TheSpiritloveswithaloveandpassionthatcannotbecomprehended.TheSpiritspeakstotheheart,tothemind,andtothesoul.AndyettheSpiritacceptsthefreewillofeveryindividualtorespondortoresist.TheSpiritistheretoassist—buttheSpiritwillnotforceHimselfonthosewhodonotwantHim.TheHolySpiritisknowninvariouswaysaswell:1.Helper(John14:16)2.TheHolySpirit(Luke11:13)3.TheSpiritofJesus(Acts16:7)4.TheSpiritofGod(Rom.8:9)5.TheSpiritofTruth(John14:17)6.TheSpiritofglory(1Pet.4:14)TheHolySpiritisreferencedintheGospelsandtheEpistlestomakeitcleartotheChurchthatHeisReal.HowisHispresenceknown?Hispresenceisknownasahelper,asthespiritofGod,asthespiritoftruth,andasthespiritofglory.AlltruthcanbesaidtocomefromtheHolySpirit,becausetheSpiritisthespiritoftruth.AllhelpcanbesaidtocomefromtheSpirit,becausetheSpiritisthehelper.AllglorygiventoGodcanbesaidtobeconveyedbytheSpiritfromtheonegivingglorytoGodWhoreceivesit.TheSpiritisthusaliveandatworkandallwhoseektobeinvolvedinGod’sworkhereonearthareipsofactoinvolvedwiththeworkoftheSpirit.ItisalsotruethatnumerousplacesinScriptureexplicitlyidentifytheHolySpiritastheThirdPersonoftheTrinity(Matt.3:16-17;1;Cor.12:4-6;Eph.4:4-5;Heb.9:14;Pet.1:4:14;Gen.1:2,26.Matt.28:19;2Cor.3:14).TheSpiritisthusaliveinScripture.Heisnotneglectedbytheauthors.Heisreferencedforapurpose—toshowthenatureofthemutual-lovebetweentheSonandtheFatherandtheessenceofthatLoveandhowitworksintheworld.Bonhoeffernotesthat“ChristianitywithoutthelivingChristisinevitablyChristianitywithoutdiscipleship,andChristianitywithoutdiscipleshipisalwaysChristianitywithoutChrist”(59).Whatcanitmeantolackdiscipleship?Howcanoneevangelizewithoutdisciples?Howcanachurchexistwithoutthem?Simplyput,itcannot.YetthatiswhatpeopletrytodowhentheyengageinaformofChristianitywithoutengagingtheSpirit.TheSpiritisthegatewaytoChrist.TheSpiritiswhatallowsonetocometoChrist,tofindHim,tobenourishedbyHim.Christianityrequiresdisciples,andthatrequirestheSpirit,becausetheSpiritiswhathooksthediscipleandbringshimintoGod.Likewise,theSpiritplaysamajorroleincreatingnewdiscipleswhoarebaptizedinthefaith.Baptismiswhatservesasasignofrenewalandregeneration.Itmakesthepersonnew.ItisachievedonlybywayoftheTrinity—theSpiritproceedingfromtheFatherthroughtheSon(NewInterpreter’sBible).WhenChristsaystoNicodemus,“Verily,verily,Isayuntothee,ExceptamanbebornofwaterandoftheSpirit,hecannotenterintothekingdomofGod”(John3:5),HeisidentifyingthewayinwhichonemustcometoGod:throughbaptism,throughtheHolySpirit.TheSpiritisthegatewaytoGod.TheHolySpiritisreferencedintheEpistletotheRomanswhenSt.Pauladdressesthem:“NowtheGodofhopefillyouwithalljoyandpeaceinbelieving,thatyemayaboundinhope,throughthepoweroftheHolySpirit”(Romans15:13).TheSpiritisfrontandcenteroftheApostle’smind,fromthebeginning.PauldoesnotwantanyonetothinkofChristwithoutalsothinkingoftheSpirit.TothinkofChristwithouttheSpiritistothinkintermsonlyofthelaw,whichkills.TheSpiritiswhatgiveslife(2Cor3:6).TheSpiritgiveslifeandyetremainsamystery.Itisthegreatmysteryoffaith,thegreatmysteryofcreation,thegreatmysteryofRedemption,andthegreatmysteryofrenewal—yetitisreality.CHAPTER4—FOLLOWINGCHRISTINTHESPIRIT“‘NeverthelessItellyouthetruth.ItistoyouradvantagethatIgoaway;forifIdonotgoaway,theHelperwillnotcometoyou;but ifIdepart,IwillsendHimtoyou. …Istillhavemanythingstosaytoyou, butyoucannotbear them now. However,whenHe, theSpiritoftruth,hascome, Hewillguideyouintoalltruth;forHewillnotspeakonHisown authority, butwhateverHehearsHewillspeak;andHewilltellyouthingstocome. HewillglorifyMe,forHewilltakeofwhatisMineanddeclare it toyou.’” (John16:7, 12-14)ThischapterdescribeshowtheHolySpiritcomestotheaidofthoseengagedintheministryofGod.ItfocusesonthepoweroftheSpiritandhowtheSpiritistheretohelp.IfoneimmerseshimselfinprayertotheHolySpirit,onewillbecomemoreintimatelyunitedwithChristandbeabletoleadotherstoGodtheFather.ThePoweroftheSpiritThepowerofGodcomesonlybytheHolySpirit.Thereisnootherwaytoappropriatethispower,andoneshouldnevertryministrywithoutit.Onceonehasbeenbornagain(throughfaith),onecanthenlookforandreceivethebaptismintheHolySpirit.Butevenafterreceivingit,onemustrememberthatbeingfilledwiththeSpiritisnotaone-timeevent.OneneedstobecontinuallyrefilledwiththeSpirittorenewone’slifeandministry.Onealsoneedstoexerciseone’sprayerlanguageasapartoftheSpiritflowinone’slife.AfterreceivingthebaptismintheHolySpirit,onecanexpectone’sSpirit-filledrelationshipwithJesustobringnewlifetoone’swork.Theministryispartoftherenewal,promisedbyGod,throughtheinterventionoftheHolySpirit.ThatSpiritistheretohelponespeakboldly,withcourage,andwithspiritualunderstanding.Asoneexpectsthatcourageandspiritualwisdomtocome,onewillbereadytoshareJesusboldlywiththeworld,alwaysaskingtheHolySpirittoconfirmone’stestimony.AsGrahamstates,theSpirithasthepowertotransformhumannature.Whyisthisimportant?Thereasonisthathumannatureisweak.Itisfallen.St.PaulwrotetotheRomanstosaytothem:“LikewisetheSpiritalsohelpsinourweaknesses.For wedonotknowwhatweshouldprayforasweought,but theSpiritHimselfmakesintercessionforuswithgroaningswhichcannotbeuttered.Now HewhosearchestheheartsknowswhatthemindoftheSpirit is, becauseHemakesintercessionforthesaints accordingto thewillof God” (Romans8:26-27).TheDarkNightoftheSoulAtthosehourswhenoneseemsmosttobeabandoned,onecanrememberthatChristtooseemedtobeabandonedinHisfinalhours,asHewashungonthecrosstodie.AndyetitisthosehoursinwhichonecanfindtheSpirittobenearest.Whythendoesonefeelsoalone?Thereasonissimple:Godtestsmanthroughtrial.EverytrialisatestthatismeanttoseewhethermanwillreachacrosstheimpasseandtrustinGod.EvenwhenGodseemstobenotthere,whenthecomfortoftheSpiritisgone—onemustofferupeverythingtoGod,withtotaltrustandfaith—andthatiswhenonerealizestheSpiritwasnevergone.JustasChristcontinuedtoteachandforgivefromthecross,eveninthedarkesthour,sotoowillonefindthathecandoallthingsinChristthroughtheSpiritbecauseheisstillattachedtotheTrinity.Peoplearewillingattimestopraybuttheydonotwanttobeengagedincontinualprayereveryday.Theyliketodistractthemselveswithsin.Andthentheywonderwhytheyexperiencethesedarknightsofthesoul.Itisbecausetheyhavenotstrengthenedtheirfaithatall.Contemplativepracticeinthedarknightexperienceishelpful;however.GodisnotkeepingHisdistanceduringthedarknightofthesoul,andHewillsendonemessagesifoneisopentothem.Thisisdonethroughcontemplation.OneallowsGodtofillthemindwithwhateverHewantstosend.Itislikestaringoutatabeautifulseaofartworksandjustgazingoutatthemastheycommunicatebacktotheviewer.ThatiswhatGodisdoingduringcontemplation.OneismerelygazingoutintothespiritualworldandallowingGodtocommunicatebackduringthatgazingprocess.OneawaitstheSpirittoenlivenoneoncemore.AndtheSpiritwill:whatiswantedisashowoftrustandfaithonthepartoftheperson.Thecomplexissuesinvolvedindiscerningthedarknightarerootedinmaintainingfaithvs.despairingofGod’shelp.Godisfaithfultothosewhoarefaithful,evenifitseemsthatHeisasleepwhenthereisastormarisingallaroundus.IntheBible,itisapparentthatGodknowswhatisgoingonandHedoesnotwantHisfollowerstobealarmedjustbecausetheforcesofnatureseemrawandoverpowering.Godisneverfar.WhenJesuscalmsthestormatseamuchtothereliefofHisdisciples,itisonlybecauseHeishavingmercyonthem.Theywereneverreallyinanydanger.Theiranxietywasasignofweaknessoffaithontheirpart.YettheyknewenoughtocomerunningtoGodtowakeHimfromHissleepanyway.Inthatwasakindofactoffaith—butitwasnotthesortofdeepfaiththatGodwantsHisfollowerstohave.FromthatstoryinScriptureitisevidentthatGodisgoingtosendchallengesandtempeststoHisfollowerstotesttheirfaith.ItisnotthatHedoesnotloveusbutHewantstoseewhatwearemadeof.HeisalwaysimpressedwhenHefindsonewhosefaithisunshakenbythestrongestgales.ThatisthekindoffaithHeislookingfor.HewantsHispeopletorelyonHimforeverything,tofearnothing,toalwaysbeawareandmindfulthatGodiswiththematalltimes,alwaysthere.Otherwise,oneiswonderingwhyGodhasabandonedhimorwhetherGodwaseverreallythereinthefirstplace.Thedarknightisnotatimefordoubt.Itisnotatimefordiscouragement.ItisatimeforrecognizingwhatGodisaskingofone,ofdeepeningone’sfaithandtrustinGod.SometimespeoplewanttousetheirdarknightasanexcusetogoawayfromGod,toenterintosin.Theysaytothemselvesthatitisjusttoohard,tooheavytobear;onelittlequickdancewithsinwillmakeitmoretolerableandsinceGoddoesnotseemtobelisteningitisfineandhewillnotreallymind.Thatisthekindofthinkingthatcangetoneintotroubleasitisthinkingthatisself-deceptiveandfromthedevil.Thesethoughtsarenotone’sfriendsduringthedarknightandonehastobeabletodiscernthat.Morethanthat,however,onehastobewillingtodemonstratevirtueandthatrequireshavinggoodhabitsalreadyingrainedinone.Whatgoodhabitsdoesoneneedtonavigatethedarknightanddiscernthegoodimpulsesfromthebad?Oneneedspatienceandfortitudeaswellasperseverance.Onecannotgettotheendgoalifoneislackinginthese.CharityisalsoimportantandasthegoodBooktellsus,charitycoversamultitudeofsins,meaningthatifwearelackinginsomevirtuethatisneeded,charityissomethinglikealiferaftasitcanstillpreventusfromseekingbecauseitshowsthateventhoughwearenotperfectwearenotyetcutofffromGodbecausewearesharingHislovewithothersthroughourcharity.Sometimesthisisthemostimportantqualitytohaveduringthedarknightofthesoul.Whenallseemslost,charitycanbethethingthatsuddenlysavesonefromthedarkandbringsonebacktothelight.PrayerWhydoesGodenterintoprayerintheGardenofGethsemanethenightofHisarrest?WhatisHedoing?HeknowswhatawaitsHim:Hiscrucifixion.HeseesitallandHispassionbeginsintheGardenwiththesweatingofblood—sointenseistheunderstandingofwhatHemustendure.HedoesnottrytohidefromHismission,thewayJonahtriestohide.HedoesnotquestiontheFather.Heprays,andtakessuccorfromtheSpirit.PrayeristhelifelineofmantoGod.Withoutittherecanbenoconnection.Prayeriswhatopensthepathways;itiswhatgetsonetothegatewaythatistheSpirit.Evenbeforeonegetsthere,however,oneisbeingmovedbytheSpirittoenterintoprayer.Thegatewaycomestogetone,inotherwords.PrayeriswhathelpsonetowanttocometoGod.Evenwhenoneisindoubt,orfeelsisolated,orfeelsuncertainabouteverything,prayeristheflareinthenightskythatsendsasignalup,showingtoGodthatyouarethere,waiting,dependentuponHisaid.Itwillbethere.AlreadytheSpiritisthere,foritistheHolySpiritthattakeseachprayerfromone’sheartandmindandracesittotheFather.ItistheHolySpiritthatstirswithinonethedesiretoprayinthefirstplace.TheSpiritisthere,speakingtothemindandthewill,alwaystellingremindingitthatoneisaTempleoftheSpirit—sochaseoutthemoneychangers,whipthemoutfromone’sself,fromone’ssoul:thatiswhattheSpiritsays.TheHolySpiritwantsone’sTempletobepureandcleansothatGodcandwellwithinone,sothatrealpeaceandperfectionofstatecanbeachieved.TheSpiritwantstobeembeddeddeepwithinman.PrayeristhestakethatallowstheSpirittodrivedeepdownintothesoulandsecureittoGod.CONCLUSIONWhatthenistheHolySpirit?Helper,Truth,Breath,Love.TheSpiritistheessenceofmutuallovebetweentheFatherandtheSon.TheSpiritproceedsfromtheFatherthroughtheSon.TheSpiritwasthereatthebeginning,andtookpartinthecreationoftheworld,whichwasmadeoutofthissameLove.TheHolySpirittookpartintheRedemption.HewasthereattheIncarnation,overshadowingtheVirginMarythesamewaytheSpirithoveredovertheworldatthetimeofcreation.ThefirstmanrejectedtheSpiritintheFall.TheNewEve(Mary)wouldaccepttheSpiritandtakepartinthesubmissiontotheFatherthatwouldallowfortheNewAdam(Jesus)tobebornandredeemmankind.TheSpiritwastherethroughouttheministryofJesus:asHetaught,healed,andforgave.TheSpiritwastherewithChristonthecross,whenHeseemedmostabandoned—yetHewasnotaloneforitwasintheSpiritthatHewasabletocontinuetoteachandtoforgiveandtopromiseParadisetothepenitent.TheSpiritwasdeliveredtotheapostleswhenChristrosefromthedead,whenHebreathedonthemandtheyreceivedtheirconfirmationinthefaith.TheSpiritfilledthemwithfire,passion,courageandfortitude.Today,theSpiritseeksahomeintheTempleofeverylivinghumanbeing,sothateverymancancometoGod.WorksCitedAmit,Yairah.\"\"TheGloryofIsraelDoesNotDeceiveorChangeHisMind\":OntheReliabilityofNarratorandSpeakersinBiblicalNarrative.\" Prooftexts 12.3(1992):201-212.Augustine.DeTrinitate.https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/130101.htm.Accessed25Apr2021.Bonhoeffer,Dietrich.TheCostofDiscipleship.NewYork:Touchstone,1937.Bright,Pamela.\"AugustineandtheEthicsofreadingtheBible.\" TheReceptionandInterpretationoftheBibleinLateAntiquity.Brill,2008.55-64.Coffey,David.\"TheHolySpiritasthemutualloveoftheFatherandtheSon.\" TheologicalStudies 51.2(1990):193-229.Duffner,Fr.Paul.“TheRosaryandSt.Dominic:InDefenseofaTradition.”TheRosaryLight&Life–Vol49,No5,Sep-Oct1996.https://www.rosarycenter.org/homepage-2/rosary/the-rosary-st-dominic/.Accessed25Apr2021.Golahny,Amy.\"AppropriatingforCommentary:Rembrandt’sCritiqueofTitian,Raphael,andLeonardo.\" Rembrandt—StudiesinhisVariedApproachestoItalianArt.Brill,2020.139-157.Graham,Billy.TheHolySpirit.Nashville,Tennessee:ThomasNelson,1988.Grudem,Wayne. SystematicTheology:AnIntroductiontoBiblicalDoctrine,GrandRapids,Michigan:Zondervan,1994.Horton,Michael. RediscoveringtheHolySpirit:God’sPerfectingPresenceinCreation,Redemption,andEverydayLife.ZondervanAcademic,2017.TheNewInterpreter’sBible.VolumeVIII.AbingdonPress,Nashville,2010.Piper,John.“WherewastheHolySpiritonGoodFriday?”https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/where-was-the-holy-spirit-on-good-friday.Accessed25Apr2021.Saward,John. Redeemerinthewomb:JesuslivinginMary.IgnatiusPress,1993.Sheen,Fulton.ThreetoGetMarried.Scepter,1951.Shelton,JamesB. Mightyinwordanddeed:TheroleoftheHolySpiritinLuke-Acts.WipfandStockPublishers,2000.
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