Part 1 (2/2)

2. THE RELATION OF THE SPIRIT TO CREATED MAN.

(1) Gen. 6:3. G.o.d tells Noah: ”My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.” Here the work of the Spirit pa.s.ses from the form of omnipotence to one of pleading or striving. The Spirit no more impresses his will upon the material universe, but expresses (rolls it out) to a rational creature. By the preaching of the faithful Noah the Spirit plead with the antediluvians to do right and escape the destruction that was coming upon a corrupt and wicked world. From this time onward the Spirit comes on men in various ways, qualifying them with supernatural power for the performance of special duties. (See Num. 11:25; Judg.

3:10; 1 Sam. 18:10; 10:11.)

(2) But we find no case of the Spirit falling on man to cleanse him from sin, or to confer upon him a special blessing. Later on in the prophets the Spirit becomes a revealing and inspiring Spirit. (See Isa. 61:1; Ezek. 2:2; Zech. 7:12; 4:6.) As a result of this revealing power, we have the great facts of the New Testament set forth in detail. The life, nature, character and mission of the world's Redeemer stand forth in beauty and symmetry.

3. THE RELATION OF THE SPIRIT TO THE INDIVIDUAL MAN.

The idea of holiness is not usually a.s.sociated with the Spirit in the Old Testament. The term ”Holy Spirit” occurs but three times in it.

David prays (Ps. 51:11): ”Take not thy holy Spirit from me.” Isaiah says (63:10): ”They rebelled and grieved his holy Spirit;” and again (63:11) he asks: ”Where is he that put his holy Spirit in the midst of them?” It is, however, called ”good Spirit” twice (Neh. 9:20; Ps. 143:10).

It is mainly in reference to Messianic days that we find this ethical and personal relation to the Spirit of G.o.d.

These three relations of the Spirit are in perfect harmony with G.o.d's law of progressive development in the world. We find him at first working upon a chaotic material universe; second, upon society, and, third, upon the individual character.

The work of the Spirit upon the material universe makes it a fit dwelling-place for man. His work upon society makes man fit to dwell in the universe, and his work upon the individual character makes man fit for a righteous and holy fellows.h.i.+p with similar characters.

II

THE SPIRIT AND THE NEW TESTAMENT

There are two hundred and sixty-four references to the Spirit in the New Testament. But in many of them there is no allusion to the Holy Spirit.

In many places the expressions ”the Spirit,” and ”the Holy Spirit,”

should be rendered ”Spirit” and ”holy Spirit,” or frequently ”a holy Spirit.” The pa.s.sages in this chapter are arranged in two columns: Column I contains the pa.s.sages in which the definite article is to be found in the Greek. These should always be translated ”the Holy Spirit.”

Column 2 contains the pa.s.sages where the definite article is not found and which may be often--but not always--translated ”a holy Spirit.” The use of the article is often governed by other parts of speech. Where the Spirit sustains a universal relation to mankind, the word is italicized.

MATTHEW

3:16. He saw the Spirit of G.o.d 1:18. She was found with child of descending as a dove, and coming the Holy Spirit.

upon him.

1:20. That which is conceived in 4: 1. Then was Jesus led up of the her is of the Holy Spirit.

Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 3:11. He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit, and in fire.

10:20. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your 12:28. If I by the Spirit of G.o.d Father that speaketh in you. cast out demons.

12:18. I will put my Spirit upon 22:43. How then doth David in the him. Spirit call him Lord.

12:31. The blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

12:32. Whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him.

28:19. Baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

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