If The Holy Spirit dwells in us, then why do we have to turn to man? I'm not referring to the bible of which is truth, but a mystery that only the Holy Spirit can reveal to us. Its all of mans teachings, even the scriptures that should lead us to that place where we want nothing less than the Holy Spirit to be our teacher. I am in no way putting any mans teachings down because I know that God uses everything to draw us to Him. I know He teaches us truth through men, but there is something in all mens teachings that draws us and connects us with the Holy Spirit to have that one on one, and not one on two.
1 Cor 1:19-21 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Cor 3:5-9 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.Roy, the Holy Spirit is what opens up your understanding of God's truths, through whatever minister He is using...God gives the increase, not any man's teaching.
I have a lot of scriptures to read about The Holy Spirit when it came upon someone. In most cases it was something very supernatural. I have had a couple of overwhelming feelings of which I have no doubt was the Holy Spirit letting me know its presence. I know that all is of God and that He leads us here and there, and that His word can show up in many places and in and through people. I know His word is here, and in Ray, and in all of us. The disciples walked with Jesus about 3 years and in an instant got truth. Some of us have been walking with Him 1-40 years yet only have a little of the truth of which we have to study, ask people, and listen to preachers that mislead us. Some of us reach complete burnout looking for understanding and truth. I speak for myself when I say that all of this leads me to that point of saying, "God I have had enough of this, where is the Helper that you promised"?
Being led by the Spirit is definitely from God, but it is not always revealed by a 'rushing wind' in the scriptures. The Lord tells us we will know them (whether of God or of Satan) by their works/fruit [Matt 7:14-20]. You know from what comes OUT of them, not what they may claim came UNTO them.
Little by little He gives me some of it, and it is good for awhile then back on the merry go round then back to God. My question is, was the Holy Spirit promised to just the disciples? My heart says no, but I have never received it as they and all of those on the day of Pentecost. What is the promise for if we still have to turn to man for the truth, and in our case, just one man Ray?. Please don't anyone get beside themselves and think that that is a put down, because its not in any way, I assure you its a positive and legitimate statement and question. The verses do read as if they were just for the disciples, but it just doesn't feel right. I just don't know, but I have to know the truth.
(The Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.)
Peace
Roy
No, the Holy Spirit was not promised to 'only' the disciples who physically walked with Christ. Again, you have the Spirit indwelling in you in the same measure as the good fruit/works you produce.
It takes the Spirit of God to turn anyone from the lies of Satan to believe that God is LOVE.
It takes the Spirit of God to turn anyone to believe that God will save all humanity.
It takes the Spirit of God to turn anyone from the fable of 'free will' and understand that it is the HEART that causes us to will and to do...God either softens or hardens our heart for His Will and Purpose. [Rom 9:18, Phil 2:13]
Etc, Etc...
As I said, I'm just now getting into this study. There is much to read about this topic.
Maybe in this same topic we can discuss the lieing spirit that God sends to the pastors and the people that are deceived.
These pastors, or at least most of them think they are lead by the Holy Spirit. We confront them and its as if we are butting heads with God Himself. In fact we are doing just that because it is God that blinded them with this deceiving spirit.
No Roy, we are not butting heads with God Himself, seeing that HE is the very one who sends His ministers to speak His truth:
Rom 10:13-17 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.How is it 'beautiful' to proclaim the gospel if we are simply butting heads with God? Again, God gives the increase in growing His vineyard...our position is only to water & plant, not fall into vanity that we could do it better or that it is a futile exercise.
To them it feels right according to the spirit they have in them, just as it feels right to us with the truth that we believe, yet we use to believe as they did.
You're right Roy, we did USED TO believe as they did, but then a change happens in our lives:
Eph 2:2-10 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
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 [grace - teaching us to live Godly and righteous (Titus 2:11-12)] are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Is it possible that the whole world is mislead in some things? We wouldn't know it if we were if God sent the spirit to deceive us.
All of this will tie in together of what I'm searching for.
The whole world is deceived [Rev 12:9] by that wicked spirit, but the Elect will not be deceived [Matt 24:24, Mark 13:22]. When we rely on anything but the Spirit of God, we'll never be sure of anything. That's what faith does and why God gives it to us...to BELIEVE what He says, with conviction.
Heb 11:1 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen [ASV]
Sorry to hear about your exam...I take exams to further myself in my field of work and get frustrated if I fall short.
Hope any of this helps,
Marques