OZTheology

As indicated my last blog on the Holy Spirit, this one focuses on the Holy Spirit’s personality and deity.   The cults typically depersonalise the Holy Spirit and understand Him to be an influence or some kind of force or energy.   It is important to recognise that God's Spirit who indwells the Christian is a person, which means believers are in relationship with Him.    They can know Him and relate to Him despite His invisible and intangible presence.   Numerous aspects from Scripture testify to His personality.   The first deals with His attributes, which include intelligence (mind), sensibility (emotions) and volition (will).   These are commonly understood to make up genuine personal existence.   With respect to intelligence, the Holy Spirit knows and investigates (1 Corinthian 2:10-11) and has a mind (Romans 8:27).   He is also able to instruct (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13).   Regarding sensibility, He can be grieved (Ephesians...

  Dispensational premillennialism distinctly holds that God has a positive future for the nation of Israel, yet to be realized in the millennium, the 1000-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth.  The Church has not replaced Israel.  God’s promises to Abraham and David still hold; were not fulfilled in the Old Testament era, nor spiritually in the Church.  This view uses a consistent literal interpretive method, which allows for non-literal elements, but only when justifiable in the context. REASON ONE Using a consistent literal interpretation of Scripture demands the covenants made to Abraham and David, as well as the New Covenant to Israel, be fulfilled in their entirety for the nation of Israel.   The Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional with respect to Abraham’s or his descendants’ performance, being solely based on God’s performance (see Genesis 12 and 15).   In Genesis 12, this covenant includes the creation of a nation, blessing and a great name, with...