Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 7:38 "He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, 'From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.'" [Is 58:11; John 4:14] |
Subject: When does the Baptism occur? |
Bible Note: Hello Ray, the way I see it the filling of the Spirit, is a process that involves the action of the will of each believer, otherwise Paul wouldn't have made the statement that he did. Ephes. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; This is a decision for a positive action to be taken by a believer the same as drinking wine was a decision buy the individual involved. It is interesting to note in Ephes. 5:18 that the word (excess) is translated from the Koine Greek word (asotia); which is a compound word. The (a) is the alpha or negative meaning no or not and (sotia) infers rioting. Thus the use of to much wine leads to a riotous life style. The word (but) from (alla) introduces a contrast from what wine does when controlling the person, to what God wants to do when he is controlling the believers life. Notice the similarity to what is mentioned in I Peter 4:4. 1 Peter 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: At the moment of salvation every believer is indwelt and filled with the Spirit at the same time, thus being controlled by the Holy Spirit: However the filling of the Spirit can be lost, as it only last until the new believer commits their next sin. This sin is actually grieving or quenching the Spirit and the believer's old sin nature, which resides in the flesh, take control of the life again. Believers have two natures after salvation they have a new nature because of Christ and the old sin nature that came from Adam. Even though the Holy Spirit resides with the believer forever, as promised in Hebrews. Hebrews 13:5 B for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. The Holy Spirit is not always controlling or filling the believer that has chosen to sin and removed themselves from fellowship. Paul wrestled with this very problem in Romans 7:15-25 Romans 7:15-25 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Paul was experiencing warfare within himself as to who was going to control him, his old sin nature, or the Holy Spirit. If sin, through the act of negative volition, is what eliminates the filling or controlling of the Spirit then the only way to reestablish the Filling of the Holy Spirit is by an act of positive volition; this is accomplished by a command in I John. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The command starts off with an (if), which is a third class condition in the Greek, i.e. maybe we will maybe we won't, but if we do, positive volition, it says that God is faithful, which means he will do it every time, and that he is just, he will forgive. The word (confess) is the Greek word (homologeo) and was originally was used to mean cite or declare as in a courtroom case, i.e. name your sin to God. The reason that God can forgive and be just in doing so is because his Son Jesus Christ paid for that sin on the cross. By doing this God is back in control and the believer is filled with the Spirit. It is helpful to realize what actually can be expected of those that are filled with the Spirit, as is mentioned in Ephes. 5:18-20, and it is interesting to note that a type of speaking takes place, but not what some would lead you to believe! Ephes. 5:18-20 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Not a word was uttered of any form it is all done in silence, in the heart or soul of the one being filled. This is the way I see it, CDBJ |