People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #3)
This post is written for the sole purpose of illustrating the ignorance of sound doctrine on social media these days. My aim is to emphasize the absolute necessity of studying the Bible for oneself and seeking answers from the source instead of relying on imaginations or opinions given by people, who may be sincere, but are as ignorant as the one who asked the question to start with.
So, let's begin by stating the question that was asked in the beginning of a social media thread,
QUESTION: "How can Christians catch the Spirit?"
Below is the third of a few answers that were supplied to this question on social media. They appear to be sincere but are unfortunately completely false or have parts that are from the imaginations of men who have not sought out the truth in the Word of God. After this 'answer', and a few more that I will write about later, I add comments as to why the answer is wrong and what the Word of God actually says about it.
False Imagination #3
To catch the Spirit we need to know what are the commandments that Jesus gave? They are in Matthew 5:3–16 plus the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36–40). Strive to master all of the provisions in the Sermon on the Mount because as you do you will draw closer to God and feel His Spirit more abundantly in your life.
My comments:
This third answer to how we ‘catch’ (or receive) the Holy Spirit is also completely false because of incorrect assumptions, or imaginations, created in the mind of carnal men. Let’s have a look at what the bible says about this.
The commandments that Jesus gave in the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ in Matt.5-7, is spoken to Israel and is part of the Kingdom doctrine that is not addressed to us in our grace dispensation. Of course we can learn from what Jesus taught, and if it is trans-dispensational; (in other words, it does not contradict* the grace doctrine that Paul received from Jesus Christ), then we can receive it and apply it in our lives. However, much of what Jesus taught was under law and specific to Israel and the earthly kingdom program, Matt.5:17. This program was under the Mosaic law which is contrary to the grace program in which Paul says we are not under the law, Rom.6:14.
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* See these articles that show that dispensational content does contract:
• To cut straight, to handle aright
In addition to the fact that Jesus taught a doctrine that was rooted in Mosaic law, it is also important to distinguish the audience of the teacher. Paul tells us that Jesus was a minister of the circumcision (the Jews), according to Rom.15:8, and Jesus also says that He was sent ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, in Matt.15:24. Conversely, Paul tells us that he is ‘the’ apostle of the Gentiles, Rom.11:13, and that the doctrine he taught was a mystery doctrine, kept secret by God since the foundation of the world and only now, revealed unto Paul for the grace dispensation, Rom.16:25-26; 1Cor.2:7; Eph.1:9; Col.1:26-27.
In answer #3, the person also stated that one should strive to master all the provisions in the sermon Jesus gave. This is not advice that is taught by Paul; thus, this contradicts our grace doctrine. To strive to do something means to do it in one’s own strength and ability and this results in works which violates grace. Let’s look at what Paul tells us about this,
Romans 3:27-28: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 4:4-5: Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 5:20-21: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Galatians 2:20-21: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Ephesians 2:4-9: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2 Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
According to Romans 6 and 7, we have no ability in ourselves to obey God’s word. God’s law is spiritual, and we are carnal, sold under sin, Rom.7:14. Paul himself says what a wretched man he is because of the law of sin in his flesh, Rom.7:24. Fortunately, Romans 6 to 8 gives us the information that we need, to walk in sanctification by the Spirit. The information in these chapters will begin to teach us how to die to the flesh and how to be delivered from the law so that we can grow up in spiritual understanding and begin to walk by the Spirit (of the written Word), Rom.8:12-14, and in obedience unto righteousness, Rom.6:16, so as to bear fruit unto God, Rom.7:4. This is a work of God within us, by His Word. It is not our work. It is not by our effort and willpower. It is God who works within us to will and do according to His good pleasure, Phil.2:13. This is accomplished by the knowledge and obedience of the written Word transforming our minds and our actions, Rom.12:1-2.
To ‘catch’ the Spirit, a rather slang way meaning to receive the Holy Spirit, or operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has got NOTHING to do with the sermon on the mount, nor even obedience to the ‘provisions’ of it. That is not our doctrine. To operate in the Spirit as a grace Christian today, we are to learn our doctrine, Paul’s epistles, and get it into our heads so that it can transform our minds and lives, allowing us to walk in our doctrine in this age. By walking in accordance with Paul’s doctrine, we will become profitable to God and become instruments in His hands, filled with the Spirit (of the Word) and walking in tune with God’s will, judgements and purpose until the coming of Jesus Christ for His body.
Conclusion
If you are one who is asking questions on social media, I implore you to be careful with the replies that you get. Most of the replies will most certainly be replies that are based on absolute ignorance and the imaginations of men. Whatever replies that come, do not receive them without weighing them up with what the Bible says. As the Bereans did, do your own searching of the scriptures to prove whether the advice is sound and according to our doctrine,
Act 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
If you are a person that is posting a reply to someone who asked a question, I pray that the fear of God will be upon you as you write up your answer. The scriptures are a double-edged sword and can do as much harm as good. Make sure that you are sincere in your desire to reply and help the person. Then ensure that your replies are filled with confirming scripture references that validate your answer. James 3:1 tells us that masters (teachers) who abuse the office, shall receive greater condemnation than those who are hearers, and the same chapter tells of the power of the tongue which can speak both truth and lie in the same breath. Make sure of your answers and be sincere in leading people on the path of truth and reconciliation.
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