OZTheology

  It is one thing to know about the Holy Spirit from our previous discussions, but it is quite another to be sure of His presence in our lives.  Does the Bible give any indicators of the Spirit’s presence that we can use to check our own experience?   The answer is YES!   This is our focus in this lecture.   First, I want to examine those things that might initially be considered evidence for the Holy Spirit’s presence, but are actually unreliable.   Then we will look at the true indicators of His presence.   UNRELIABLE EVIDENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S PRESENCE   1.      The ability to perform spiritual works, such as prophesying, exorcism and miracles ( Matt 7:21-23 )  Jesus makes it clear that the exercise of spiritual power in itself is no true indicator of a    relationship with Him and thus possession of His Spirit.   In modern times the gift of tongue speaking has gained prominence among some Christians...

  THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS Related to the current ministry of the Holy Spirit is the matter of spiritual gifts.   Just as the Holy Spirit is the one who empowers Christians, so He also gifts them.   This subject has been the focal point of much controversy with respect to the ecstatic or sign gifts and as a result, many have neglected the normal operation of spiritual gifts.   Such neglect harms Christians and the Church, which this blog hopes to correct.   First, it is necessary to define spiritual gifts.   They are divinely bestowed supernatural capacities to glorify and serve God, which result from God's grace (Rom. 12:6; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Cor. 1:4, 5, 7) and sovereignty (1 Cor. 12:11, 18; Heb. 2:4).   You cannot earn a spiritual gift any more than you could salvation itself.   They are channels of the grace of God to others, as well as being a result of the grace of God in each believer.   The Scriptures speak of particular g...

Continuing the series on the Holy Spirit , i t is now time to consider the role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration , spiritual baptism , indwelling , filling , and sealing with respect to believers in the current era of God's dealings with His people. REGENERATION Jesus clearly stated that every person must be born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3, 5-6).   “Regeneration” is the label for this remarkable, miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, which refers to the making alive of a person who is dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-5).   Not only did Jesus teach this reality, Paul also taught that the Holy Spirit brought about regeneration (Titus 3:5).  Christians are new creations in Christ by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). There are many references to the need for and provision of regeneration by God, despite the fact that only on one occasion is the Greek word for regeneration, palingenesias, used in this sense (Titus 3:5).   The concept of being born again, or ...

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...