Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 3:11 "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:11 "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, we speak only of what we [absolutely] know and testify about what we have [actually] seen [as eyewitnesses]; and [still] you [reject our evidence and] do not accept our testimony. |
Bible Question:
Hello C.S.M., You said "Since Jesus had not died for mankinds sins yet, or been raised from the dead and ascended into heaven to sit at God's right hand, and the Holy Ghost had not yet been sent from God the Father, through Jesus his Son, to indwell believers, no one had been "born again" yet." What role did the Holy Spirit play in the OT? I'm particularly thinking of PS 51:11 where David is asking God not to "take Your Holy Spirit from me". Is Ezek 36:26,27 speaking of times after the cross? Could God's people in the OT not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I see how the NT shows that there would be a different type of work from the Holy Spirit, but I'm unclear as to exactly how that difference shows itself. God Bless, SBoone |
Bible Answer: The Holy Spirit has (in the past and presently) many functions and roles. Below is a brief list of His major roles, functions, and activities. This is not a comprehensive list. 1. Revelation of the Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21; Acts 1:16; 2 Samuel 23:2-3; John 14:26; 16:14). This indicates the Holy Spirit was the one who carried along the Old Testament prophets, safeguarding their words from error. 2. In the Old Testament, it is indicated that the Holy Spirit regenerated believers (Psalm 51:10; compare to Jesus telling Nicodemus he should have known about this in John 3:1-10). 3. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit indwelt certain select people (Numbers 27:18; Judges 3:10; 1 Samuel 16:12-13). 4. In the Old Testament, it indicates that the Holy Spirit restrained sin (the Spirit's striving, Genesis 6:3). 5. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit gave people ability for service (Exodus 31:2-5; Numbers 27:16-18; Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 10:10; 16:13). 6. Today, the Holy Spirit baptizes believers. This baptism occurs at the moment of belief, it is experienced by all, and the baptism places the believer in the Body of Christ, the universal church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 1:5). 7. Today, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer (Romans 8:9; John 7:37-39; Ephesians 1:13; John 14:16). 8. Today, the Holy Spirit seals every believer (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). The seal is a mark of ownership showing that believers are the Lord's. 9. Today the Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers for the edification or building up of the body of Christ (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11-16). 10. Today, the Holy Spirit fills or controls the submissive believer (Ephesians 5:18). 11. He was sent to the church to be the Comforter (John 14:16, 26). 12. He always points a person toward Christ (John 16:13-15). Above taken from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-today.html WOS |