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NASB | Acts 4:24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 4:24 And when they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "O Sovereign Lord [having complete power and authority], it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THEM, [Ex 20:11; Ps 146:6] |
Subject: Holy Spirit or holy spirit? What is it? |
Bible Note: Hi, Ray! I can only tell you that I read through this post with contentment and a broad smile both on my lips and on my heart! Romans 14:17-18 seemed to have been in the back of our minds... serving Christ in the (justice and) joy of the Holy Spirit... that is what pleases God! The opposing references of joy (the Magi and those who receive the Word with joy) are excellent examples of serving God in the joy of the Holy Spirit... the Magi could barely contain themselves as they sought the newborn King... they were responsive to the Holy Spirit that guided them through their familirity with astrological science... they were ignorant of much but still they trusted and followed His star! In contrast, there is that joy of the believers and the world that is based on a direct temporal experience... once the novelty dies down... once the adversities or the revelry kicks in... human intellect and wisdom, being outmatched, surrenders and refuses to continue the journey... left to our own devise, we lose the joy brought to us by the Holy Spirit! The Magi are an excellent example of reliance on God's Wisdom... they had been duped by Herod, but they were still in the "joy" and they obeyed without question, thus helping to protect the Child from the dragon (Revelation 12:13-16)... You are correct, Matthew 13:15 deals with a direct function within God's Salvific Plan... it was necessary that Israel should miss out on that joy of the Holy Spirit so that the rest of the world (those who were not God's people) would be brought onto the fold! (Romans 9:25-26) Yet, since this joy comes to us from God, Israel still has hope and it will be called back into that same fold where the two people would find joy! (Ephesians 2:14-18) The joy being revealed in Matthew 3:16-17, reminds me of the two old folks, the old guard, that were witnesses to the Child: Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:22-38)... their joy was complete as they were granted their most dearest desire: to witness the Coming of the Lord! "the Holy Spirit wishes to bring us enlightenment as well as joy," This is exactly what I understand! Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come to be with us and in us! He is the One given the task to convict man of all Truth! He is the One who is to build and guide the Church (John 14:16-17, 25-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15)... Jesus wanted us to abound in His knowledge so that His joy would be our joy and so that our joy would be complete (John 15:11): the Holy Spirit is that joy: the knowledge of God! (Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22) God Bless! Angel |