Our doctrine is spiritual and makes us spiritual

Our doctrine is spiritual and makes us spiritual

Our doctrine is a SPIRITUAL curriculum that must be studied IN A SET ORDER. In this post, I’d like to delve deeper into the ‘spiritual’ aspect of the curriculum and investigate what ‘spiritual’ really means in this regard. 

Rom_1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  [12]  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

‘Spirit’ and ‘spiritual’ in the context of Paul’s epistles has a few meanings, including the spiritual dimension and its entities and spiritual gifts. However, the predominant meaning, which may come as a surprise to many, is that it refers to the Word of God. It is Jesus Himself that revealed to us that the words He spoke ARE SPIRIT and life, Jn6:63.

As you read the following verses in Paul’s epistles, take note that the word ‘spiritual’ bears reference to the written or verbalized words of God shared by the apostle, or to the knowledge gained and applied from the Word of God, or to the individual who has matured in wisdom by the Word of God.

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #5)

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #5)

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 another answer that was supplied to this question on social media. The person might be sincere in their reply, but sincerity can still be wrong and misleading, as is the case with this answer which misinterprets the proper context of scripture. I add comments as to why the answer is wrong and what the Word of God actually says about it.

False Imagination #5

The gift of the Holy Ghost is promised by God if you obey Him according to Acts 2:38-39, which says, “Repent everyone of you and be baptized in the name of JESUS for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. For this is for you and your children and to all that are a far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

My comments:

People today DO receive the Holy Spirit just as it was in the day of Pentecost.

People today DO receive the Holy Spirit just as it was in the day of Pentecost.

COMMENT:

People today DO receive the Holy Spirit just as it was in the day of Pentecost. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. People Do get baptized by the Spirit and fire today, speaking in tongues and receiving spiritual gifts. This promise was then, and this promise is still active today until the day of the coming of our Lord. If you have not received the baptism of Holy Spirit, then seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you!

ANSWER:

For about 30-years of my faith walk, I was in the Pentecostal and Charismatic denominational circles. I claimed to be 'baptized in the Spirit' and I participated in many intercessory prayer meetings, functioning in 'tongues', 'prophecy' and teaching. After I moved out from those denominational circles, through circumstances, I committed to really study the Word, looking first at prophecy and the gospels. When I continued into Paul’s epistles, I started to see a VERY different pattern. Paul said some really strange, but interesting things, like,

OBS: ACTS - The Transition (Part 6 - Pentecost vs. the New Covenant)

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 6) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

See the video lesson of this study here.

Pentecost vs. the New Covenant