|
READ: ACTS 1: 4, 5; 2: 33, 38, 39; EPHESIANS 1: 13; GALATIANS 3: 14 (AND JOEL 2: 28-32).
1) THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT TO THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROMISE IS SUGGESTED IN PROPHECY. HIS WORK WOULD BE TO GUARANTEE SALVATION WOULD BE OFFERED TO THE GENTILES.
2) IT WAS FOR THE EFFECT OF THE SPIRIT'S WORK IN FULFILLING THE PROMISE FOR WHICH THE APOSTLES WERE TO WAIT.
3) THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT EFFECTED WHAT JESUS RECEIVED WHEN HEASCENDED TO HEAVEN TO ASSUME THE THRONE OF DAVID IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
4) THE POWER OF THAT WORK BEGAN TO BE DEMONSTRATED IN THE GIVING OF MIRACULOUS GIFTS ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST.
5) ON THAT DAY WAS THE PROMISE FULFILLED AND OFFERED TO "ALL WHO WERE AFAR OFF AND TO AS MANY AS THE LORD WOULD CALL."
6) CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN SEALED BY THE SPIRIT. THE SEAL IS NOT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF BUT THE EFFECT OF HIS WORK. "WITH" INDICATES THE MEANS, NOT THE INGREDIENT (cf. EPHESIANS 1: 13).
7) BOTH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FATHER HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE IMMUTABILITY OF THE PROMISE. GALATIANS 3: 14 SAYS THE CHRISTIAN RECEIVES THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH. NO MORE IS IMPLIED BY THIS STATEMENT AS TO WHAT THE CHRISTIAN RECEIVES THAN IS IMPLIED BY ACTS 1: 4 WHEN THE APOSTLES WERE TOLD TO WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER. THE CHRISTIAN RECEIVES NO MORE FROM THE FATHER THAN HE DOES THE SPIRIT, YET RECEIVES NO LESS FROM THE SPIRIT THAN HE DOES THE FATHER.
THE PROMISE IS IMMUTABLE TO US BECAUSE THE ENTIRE GODHEAD HAS GUARANTEED ITS FULFILLMENT BOTH NOW AND FOREVER.
|
