In this writing, we will examine the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity or Godhead as referenced in the scriptures. We will make a comparison between the Holy Spirit, Himself, as used in the scriptures and we will use (3rd member) in this writing to refer to The Holy Spirit, Himself.
We will examine the scriptures to determine if the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Spirit (3rd member) are one in the same or is there a difference between the two. In 1 John 5:7 there is a grouping of three individuals mentioned of whom we call the Trinity. The word “trinity” does not occur in the KJV translation of the scriptures but it is commonly used in Christian arenas and it is a good word to describe a group of three. We will use Trinity in this writing.
1 John 5:17 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one (in bearing record).
The difficulty we sometimes experience in our understanding happens because of the difficulty of translating a very expressive language into a less expressive language. Also, the KJV translators were mostly language scholars rather than spiritual scholars. It seems that many spiritual aspects were not fully understood by the KJV scholars and therefore some clarity and richness of Truth was missed through their efforts in translating the manuscripts into English.
Question: When we talk about the Holy Spirit of the OT, are we talking about the third member of the Trinity or are we talking about the Spirit of Christ? The answer is the third member of the Trinity! Why would that be true? The Spirit of Christ did not exist in the OT scriptures. In fact the Spirit of Christ is not mentioned in the scriptures until Romans 8:9.
Well, what about the NT scriptures? When we talk about the Holy Spirit of the NT are we talking about the third member of the Trinity or are we talking about the Spirit of Christ? Strange answer here because it could be either! In the NT both existed during that time and both are called “Holy”. Let’s see if we can get our minds wrapped around this topic.
If we use the concordance and look up the words “Holy Spirit”, how many references would we guess that we would find? We will find only six references in the entire Bible. Two are in the OT and four are in the NT.
Isa 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Isa 63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
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?
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,
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
1Thes 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
If we us the Strongs Concordance for the words “holy ghost” we will find eighty references in the NT and none in the OT.
If we us the Strongs Concordance for the word “ghost” we will find eleven references in the OT and eight references in the NT. In the OT nine of the words “ghost” is from #1478 gava` (gaw-vah'); a primitive root; to breathe out, i.e. (by implication) expire: and is translated in the KJV also as; die, be dead, give up the ghost, perish.
In the other two verses “ghost” is from #5315 nephesh (neh'-fesh); from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental): and is translated by the KJV as: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead (-ly), desire, X [dis-] contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart (-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thyself-), them (your)- selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
There seems to be no good reason to translate either of these Hebrew words into English as “ghost”!
The OT Hebrew word for “Spirit” is #7307 ruwach (roo'-akh); from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):
The KJV translates this word as; air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).
#7307 ruwach (roo'-akh) is not translated in the OT even one time as “ghost” However when we come to the NT translation, notice what we find.
The NT Greek word for “Spirit” and “Ghost” are both #4151 pneuma (pnyoo'-mah); from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:
The KJV translates this word as; ghost, life, spirit spiritual, spiritually, mind.
Many years ago, there was a minister who explained why the word “spirit” is sometimes used in the scriptures and why the word “ghost” is sometimes used in the scriptures. The reason was attributed to the fact that two different groups of the KJV translators had a different opinion as to whether “spirit” should be used or whether “ghost” should be used. They could not come to a mutual agreement, so the scriptures, which were translated by one group, used “spirit” and the other group used “ghost”. We have never searched out that information, so that is only hearsay!
If we look up just the word “Spirit” in the concordance, we will find thirty-four uses in the OT and we will find one hundred and thirty-five uses in the NT.
The first use of the word “Spirit” in the OT is right at the beginning of Genesis.
Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
“And the Spirit of” is all from one Hebrew word and is #7307 ruwach (roo'-akh); from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):
The first use of the word “Spirit” in the NT is in Matthew 3.
Matt 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
The Greek word for Spirit is #4151 pneuma (pnyoo'-mah); from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit. Again, the KJV translates this as: ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind.
The interesting thing about this verse is that there are different Greek words for “the” and “of” in this statement. Strongs lists both of them as the same number, which is; #3588 ho (ho); including the feminine he (hay); and the neuter to (to); in all their inflections; the def. article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): and the KJV translates this word it as: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc..
When we look at the Interlinear Bible we see that the words are similar but different.
“the” is written as [to’] and “of” is written as [tou’].
When we surface read this in the English translation, it would seem that this is a Spirit sent form God that alighted upon Jesus. However, when we examine the Greek word for “God” here in verse 16, we see that it is the Greek word #2316 theos (theh'-os); of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:
The word “theos” does not specifically name the Father, the Word, or the Holy Spirit of the trinity. This Word is more of a description or quality, of which all three members of the Godhead would qualify.
The Name of God is Yahweh. We can also see that the word “theos” (theh'-os) is a word which could be correctly used to refer all three members of the Trinity. The Father is Divine, the Word is Divine, and the Holy Spirit is Divine. That is why we could properly use these terms and say that a person may go to a school of Theology and earn a degree in Divinity.
With this in mind let’s retranslate this first use of “Spirit” in Matt 3:16
Matt 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the very Spirit of Divinity descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
The first reference to the “Spirit” in the OT and the NT both refer to The Holy Spirit, Himself, who is the third member of the Godhead and again we sometimes refer to all three of them as The Trinity.
Matt 3:16 is the account of Jesus, being baptized with The Holy Spirit, Himself. This takes place just shortly after John had baptized Jesus with water. Before this point in the life of Jesus, Jesus already possessed in His own being, the Spirit of Christ, which He received from God the Father at the conception and pregnancy of Mary. Mary conceived the Word and God the Father supplied the Spirit and divine DNA to the Word at conception. That is why the Word is Spirit-Life. Mary supplied the placenta. That conception produced the man Jesus.
When we use the Strongs Concordance with the word “ghost” we find the first use in the OT to be with the death of Abraham. It seems that “giving up the ghost” is an Old English way of saying someone has died and this first reference of “ghost” is not #7307 ruwach (roo'-akh); but is #1478 gava` (gaw-vah') and in context is clearly understood to be the death of Abraham. Abraham breathed his last breath. Again, in this case the Hebrew word for “ghost” is not #7307.
Gen 25:8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
gave up the ghost is from the Hebrew word #1478 gava` (gaw-vah');a primitive root; to breathe out, i.e. (by implication) expire:
The KJV translates this word as; die, be dead, give up the ghost, perish.
and died is #4191 muwth (mooth); a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill:
When we go to the NT, we see the first use of “ghost” used in Matt 1:18 and of course this precedes the chronological time of when Jesus was baptized with the Holy Spirit after John baptized Him with water.
Matt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
If we did not already know that the Holy Ghost is not the father of Jesus and we just happened to casually read this verse, what would we conclude? That the Holy Ghost impregnated Mary! Also, if we go to the scriptures where the angel and Mary had conversation about the upcoming pregnancy, that opinion might be further enhanced.
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
If someone came to us saying that the Holy Ghost impregnated Mary and they used for their argument
Matt 1:18b she was found with child of the Holy Ghost, and then reminding us that the Word states that truth shall be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses, and then they take us to Luke 1:35 The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and then they say to us, it doesn’t get more clear than this. Capital “T” capital “H” capital “G”, The Holy Ghost came upon Mary and impregnated her and that fact is established in the mouth of Matthew and Luke, what are we going to say?
How could we even have argument to refute such profound, and sound logical scriptural evidence as this? Except maybe, “well oh yeah! Blaah, blaah, blaah.” There seems to be no fallacy in this argument brought to us? We must remember that Psalms 119:160 states that the sum of Thy word is truth. So let’s proceed on.
Now let’s think about this very seriously! Is The Holy Ghost the Father of Jesus? That is a pretty strong set of facts stated above! Are we willing to say no, even in the face of the evidence just put before us?
We should consider this to be important to know, seeing that Jesus said that His heavenly Father is also our heavenly Father? Is it important to know who our Father is? Sure it is!
If we investigate Matt 1:18b, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost, we will find that Strongs lists this word “the” as one of the (9999) words meaning that it was not in the original text, although it is not italicized in the KJV.
If we go to the Interlinear Bible, this will be confirmed. We will also find the order of “Holy” and “Ghost” reversed for English reading. The Hebrew text reads, “She was found with child of Spirit Holy. This just tells us emphatically that the child Mary conceived was not the seed of a natural man.
Since the fall of Adam, Adam and all his descendants have been passing on tainted seed containing sin and death. This statement simply tells us that the child in Mary’s womb possessed a Spirit of a Holy nature. This particular passage in Matt 1:18b does not tell us the origin of that Spirit, which was of a Holy nature.
The account in Luke almost seems as if one or more of the KJV translators, who might have believed the Holy Spirit, Himself, impregnated Mary, were trying to bring their belief into the scriptures. When we also investigate this other passage of: Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, we will find that Strongs lists “The” as a (9999) number and not in the original text and when we check that against the Interlinear Bible, we find the same results.
For a translator to just insert the definite article “The” with a capital “T” into a sentence seems to be a deliberate attempt to prove their point, ignoring the facts, or at least violating proper laws of translating. Neither they nor we should just insert words nor leave out words in order to try to make the scriptures conform to our preconceived beliefs or indoctrinations.
From what we have studied so far, it seems that the Hebrew word #7307 ruwach (roo'-akh); which is translated spirit, Spirit, and ghost, contains no grammatical language information within itself as pertaining to origin nor to the one who is presently the possessor.
In the OT and NT is seems that the origin of the nature and the possessor of spirit, Spirit, ghost or Ghost must be determined by the surrounding text. Only the text renders us the ability to extract proper counsel from the Word of God. When we have this understanding in our mind, we will be able to better overlook the improperly capitalized words and the inserted words by the KJV translators in our attempt to understand this topic.
When Jesus was conceived, there came into existence a universal law, which had not existed before that time. It is called “The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus”. The Spirit of Christ had a beginning. In contrast, the Holy Spirit, Himself i.e. the third member of the Trinity had no beginning. The Holy Spirit (3rd member) has always existed, just as the Word has always existed just as the Father has always existed.
This Law of The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus had to be tested and proven to be valid and irrevocable. Jesus was tempted in every point common to mankind and did not sin even once. When Jesus rose from the dead, that Law was stamped effectively temped, tested, tried and eternally proven to be a valid Law. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of Christ began to indwell the hearts of men and women.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them, which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
This Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus originated at the conception of Mary. This Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus was tested throughout the life of Jesus on the earth and was declared perfect by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus came into full effect on the earth in the hearts of men on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two. We have all read about this happening in the upper room and that which followed.
From the restoration of the earth and the creation of man until the beginning of the dispensation of grace, the operation of the Holy Spirit, Himself, was very pronounced in the scriptures. Of course, we know the first pronounced act of the Holy Spirit, (3rd member) was to warm the earth and melt the ice.
Before the beginning of the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit, Himself, would come upon men, mainly the prophet, the priest, or the king, for the plan, purpose and pursuit of God. The Holy Spirit did not permanently reside with the individual but would come and then at the proper time would leave. That is why we see David praying to God and asking Him not to take His Holy Spirit from him.
Ps 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Jesus was the first man, on whom the Holy Spirit, Himself, came upon Him and remained and did not leave. If you recall, John said that God had told him that would be the sign for John to recognize the one of whom he was preaching would come.
John 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
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.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
abode and remaining are both the Greek word #3306 meno (men'-o); a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):
We can see that God the Father was the author and finisher of the baptism of Jesus with the Holy Spirit, (3rd member) here on the earth. John also tells us that God had told him that the same one he saw would be He, which baptizes with the Holy Spirit (3rd member). Again that was Jesus. After the day of Pentecost, Jesus became the author and finisher of baptizing believers with the Holy Spirit, (same 3rd member), here on the earth. This baptism is not automatic for believers, but must be desired and asked for.
It is highly important that we do not get this baptism of believers by Jesus with the Holy Spirit, (3rd member) confused with each believer being baptized by the one and same Spirit of Christ into the body of Christ. When “whosoever” will believe in their hearts and confess with their mouth that God raised Jesus from the dead they will be saved. The new believer receives the Spirit of Christ!
Another scriptural term for saved is born again. At the point of confessing Jesus as savoir, a human being changes linage in the spirit realm from the spirit of sin received from the linage of Adam through our earthly fathers to a new linage of Sonship through the Spirit of Christ. That Spirit of Christ was sired by God the Father through the preternatural conception process of Mary. Again, Mary conceived the Word spoken to her by the angel, God the Father sent His Spirit into the Word. Mary supplied the placenta and that which was born of her was the holy child Jesus.
This is very technical only because we can only determine which spirit is being spoken of by context.
We were all born with a sin tainted spirit from our natural forefather Adam. We call that the “Adamic nature.” Jesus was not born with the spirit from Adam as we are! Jesus had the Spirit of Father God blended with the Word that Mary received and that preternatural union is called “The Law of the Sprit of Life in Christ Jesus!”
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Now notice this! Jesus, The Word in the form of a man, who had the Spirit of the Father given to Him by God the Father at the conception of Mary, did no miracles until after He was baptized with the Holy Spirit (3rd member of the Godhead), after His water baptism by John.
Let’s notice that event carefully because we will see the Trinity displayed clearly here in the scriptures. We will see Jesus the Word made flesh. We will see the Spirit (3rd member) like a dove descending. We will see the voice of the Father from heaven speaking. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit just like 1 John 5:7 declares.
Mark1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus (the Word made flesh) came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit (Holy Spirit) like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven (the Father), saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Once the miracles began, Jesus got the notice of Nicodemus.
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
With 20/20 hind sight we know why Nicodemus had a hard time understanding this born again explanation by Jesus! “Christ in you the hope of glory” is one of the mystery points and was hidden in God from before the foundation world.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Question: In verse 6, is “the Spirit of his Son” the Holy Spirit, Himself, or the Spirit of Christ, which was sired by God through the conception of Mary? The Spirit of Christ!
During this dispensation, when any person believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth that God raised Jesus from the dead they are born again in the spirit realm i.e. they receive a new spirit. Now would we determine that to be the Holy Spirit, (3rd member), or is that the Spirit of Christ? Definitely The Spirit of Christ!
Now if we ask that question to the fundamental Christians, they will answer the Holy Spirit, Himself. That is why they do not believe in being baptized with the Holy Spirit after they get saved.
1 Cor 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Question: In Verse 13, is that “one Spirit” the Holy Spirit, Himself, or the Spirit of Christ? Definitely the Spirit of Christ! Everyone who confesses Jesus receives the Spirit of Christ.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
It is always fun to read these verses in Romans 8:9-11 to a group and then ask, “Just how many entities are inside us”? Listen closely.
Rom 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.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
In the English language, it is proper English to capitalize a pronoun when it is referring back to a before mentioned person. The KJV uses capitalization on the word “spirit” in many cases and because of that we think the word “Spirit” is referring to the person of the Holy Spirit, who is the third member of the Trinity.
Romans chapter eight is a classic example of this because verse 16 is the first mention of the Holy Spirit, (3rd member), and the emphases of “itself” which should be “Himself” because the Holy Spirit is not an “it” He is a “Him!”
God becoming our heavenly Father and us becoming a Son of God is totally based on our receiving the Spirit of Christ and by receiving the Spirit of Christ we are saved or born again.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, (this is the Spirit of Christ) whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself (should be Himself) beareth witness with our spirit, (our born again spirit) that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
Once again, In the English language, it is proper English to capitalize a pronoun when it is referring back to a before mentioned person. The KJV uses capitalization on the word “spirit” in many cases and because of that we think the word “Spirit” it is referring to the person of the Holy Spirit, who is the third member of the Trinity. Romans chapter eight is a classic example of this because verse 16 is the first mention of the Holy Spirit, Himself, (3rd member) and the emphases of “itself” should be “Himself” because the Holy Spirit is not an “it” He is a “Him”.
So when we rightly divide the two covenants we will find that Holy Spirit, Himself, is the key player in the Old Covenant, because the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus did not exist yet. “Christ in you the hope of glory” being a mystery, there are only a few slight prophesies in the OT and certainly not enough to gain full understanding. One of those prophecies would be:
Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
One thing that is very interesting points and also difficult for us to get our mind wrapped around is the omni presence of the Holy Spirit and the fact the He is the third Person of the Godhead, yet He is everywhere. David also had a hard time getting his mind wrapped around this fact.
Ps 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
When we look at the Holy Spirit, Himself, we see that He is one person of the Godhead or Trinity; however He seems to cover the whole earth and the universe at the same time and yet can be very personable in interacting with each individual believer on the earth at the same time as a person.
Just as the Holy Spirit, Himself, was a main player in the OT writings, we find that the Spirit of Christ shows up as the major player in the NT writings during the whole Dispensation of Grace. So with this in mind, we will look at Jesus trying to explain this whole concept to His disciples, who didn’t have a clue however Jesus already possessed understanding this part of the mystery.
We did a teaching named “How did Mary Become Pregnant,” and we came to know that at the conception of Mary, everything changed!” Many things that had never existed before, in the universe, came into existence after the conception of Mary.
In John chapter 14, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure from the earth. Jesus is explaining the mechanics of what would take place very shortly on the day of Pentecost. Those guys did not have a clue what Jesus was talking about. Jesus in the flesh had been with those guys some three and a half years and He was the only Comforter they had known. Jesus makes a key statement to His disciples here and it is crucial for our understanding.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Now Jesus goes on and springs a new twist on them that He is leaving and if freaks them out! Where are you going and why can’t we come too? Jesus does not make this issue clear to them with His Answer but gives some very technical information. It is imperative that we follow carefully that which Jesus said as pertaining to this study and our conclusion.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;
17 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.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
In verse 6 above, Jesus names Himself as the way, the truth and the life. Now let’s follow the particulars in the narrative in the above verses. 16; I, (Jesus), will pray the Father and he (the Father) shall give you (the disciples) another Comforter (named by Jesus in the next verse) 17; Even the Spirit of truth (the Spirit of I am the truth) for he (Jesus in the flesh) that dwells with you (disciples now on the earth), and shall be in you (the Spirit of Christ). 18; I (Jesus in the flesh) will not leave you comfortless: I (the Spirit of Christ) will come to you (the disciples) and dwell within you in the form of The Spirit of Christ.
Again, this is technical but necessary. Jesus goes on in this chapter to give them some more information and again they do not understand what He is talking about.
John 16:6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
We have the witness of Paul in his writings to the Galatians that the Spirit that indwells us is the Spirit of Son of God, which is the Spirit of Christ.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
If we received the Holy Spirit (3rd member) into our heart at our new birth, we would not be the sons of God, because the Holy Spirit (3rd member) is not the Son of God.
If we received the Holy Spirit (3rd member) into our heart at our new birth, we would not be heirs of God because Jesus, the Son of God, has been made heir of all things. Having the Spirit of Christ indwelling us is the legal authority by which we are made to be the heirs of God through Jesus Christ by His Spirit.
Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage (old Adamic spirit) again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption (Sonship), whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit Himself (3rd member) bears witness with our spirit (our born again spirit), that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Another key point necessary for our understanding is found in John 17. While Jesus is praying to His Father, Jesus makes a statement that we often overlook as to the profoundness revealed.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (future believers)
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one (the body of Christ); and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Jesus makes this statement; “as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee”! When we examine the OT, we do not find the Word (Jesus) and God (the Father) coexisting in each other. There was a beginning point in time in which this union took place. This became known as The Law of The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.
God the Father, God the Word and God the Holy Spirit are the only beings in the universe that had no beginning. The heavens and the earth had a beginning. The Law of Sin and Death had a beginning. The Law of Moses had a beginning. The Law of the Spirit of Christ had a beginning. Angels had a beginning etc.
So when did the coexisting of God the Father and God the Son come into being? At the conception of Mary! When Mary conceived the Word delivered by Gabriel then the Father sent His Spirit into the conception and Mary supplied the placenta and then Jesus was born as a man. Jesus was born of a woman and that made Him the Son of Man. The Spirit of God sired Jesus and that made Jesus the Son of God.
With this understanding, let’s look at how the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God are interchanged and even sometimes used in the same statement. Understanding that Jesus said that He was in the Father and the Father was in Him will help us understand this brain twister.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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 has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.
One might say, “I am not in the flesh but in the Spirit so how many entities are in me?” We will see that all the above are a way of saying the Spirit of Christ. So Let’s list them.
The Spirit of God. Jesus in the Father and the Father in Him. (The Spirit of Christ)
The Spirit of Christ. The individual Spirit of the God-man as redeemer. (The Spirit of Christ)
Christ. Our born again spirit is Christ in us the hope of glory. (The Spirit of Christ)
The Spirit. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. (The Spirit of Christ)
The Spirit of him. Jesus said, “I lay my life down and I have the power to take it up again. (The Spirit of Christ)
His Spirit. Quicken or make alive our mortal body. (The Spirit of Christ)
Again in the Greek, there is no difference or indications of the type of spirit contained in the Greek word translated “Spirit or spirit.” Only by context are we able to discern which spirit is being referred to.
When we see Jesus pray in John 17:21, That all future believers may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me, we can see that the only way that is possible is through the Spirit of Christ.
1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
That one Spirit is the Spirit of Christ!
When anyone believes in their heart that Jesus rose from the dead and confesses with their mouth Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, then the Spirit of Christ indwells them andbaptizes them into the body of Christ.
Grace and Peace multiplied in the name of Jesus.
Compiled by Jerry Thomas 12/01/2013
All scripture references are (KJV) unless otherwise denoted.
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