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NASB | Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. |
Bible Question:
Christ's gift of Holy Spirit to his people is great. But the comments of some of the members of our forum raises a question for me. This question might be a good one to study God's word for an answer. (Or by the indwelling Spirit do we need to consult God's Word?) The general question is what is the relationship between the Spirit and the Word? More specifically, does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit make the Word or parts thereof superfluous? When indwelt by the Holy Spirit do we "automatically know" the will of God? And if the work of the Holy Spirit is to dispense knowledge "automatically," what sense do we make of the verses where God commands us to grow and learn? (Eph. 5:10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 2 Pet. 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. ) Those who have been in the forum for more than a day will know that there won't be agreement on this issue, so let's not try at first to persuade but to clearly present our biblically supported opinion. Peace, Lionstrong |
Bible Answer: Strongly suspecting that you will agree with my point of view, here we go: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." --John 14:26 The role of the Holy Spirit is that of a teacher. What does he teach and bring to their remembrance? All that Jesus said to them. In other words, the Spirit is not adding to the info that Jesus gave them, but rather bringing to their remembrance something that has already been verbalized. We get more into the insight of the Teacher's work from Paul: "But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 We see a connection between turning to the Lord and a veil being lifted. But note that the veil is being lifted in connection with the reading of Moses (i.e. the Scriptures). It is only by the power of the Spirit that the eyes of the blind can see the truth. But where is the truth found? The Scriptures. Jesus says the same thing: "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." --John 17:17 The word of God is truth. Where do we find the word of God? The Scriptures. However, there is a dynamic here which I do not think is explored enough. Do we have to have the Bible to know what God's will is? In one sense, it might surprise some to read that I say "no": "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." --Romans 1:18-20 In regard to the law of God, every man has the light of nature which demonstrates His power and His nature. This truth, however, due to our unrighteousness, is something we suppress in our darkened minds. Every human being knows on some level the duty s/he has to glorify God as humanity was created to do. Paul goes on in the next chapter: "For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." --Romans 2:12-16 Every human being has a moral sense, a conscience that tells them the will of God. Therefore, the Gentiles without the written law again are without excuse, because they "show the work of the Law written in their hearts." However, it is important to note here that the people Paul are referring to here are not merely the people of God, but rather ALL PEOPLE. Therefore, this is not the work of the Spirit revealing God's law in any special way to the believer, but rather the light of creation and the moral sense which God has hardwired into every human being. So, why the Scriptures, if what to do is instinctively known to us? Because in our fallen state we walk in darkness, suppressing the truth. The will of God revealed in the Scriptures is a reinforcement of the light of nature, a more thorough revelation of His will for His people. In the Decalogue we see a "spelling out" of the general will of God to love him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. God in His grace gave His people this second revelation; so that despite the effects of the Fall on our hearts, we have a second, more thorough message from God specifically designed for our present state. But what about the present indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Let us take a look at that in another installment. --Joe! |