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Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

The Holy Spirit, as described in Scripture, plays a vital role in our spiritual journey. In John 15:26, it is said that the Parakletos will testify of Christ, conveying His messages rather than its own, and in John 16:13, it will not speak from itself. Acts 13:2 refers to the Holy Spirit in the original Greek as pneuma hagion, indicating that Paul was inspired by its power. Romans 8:26 suggests that the Holy Spirit aids in making intercession for us, serving as the instrument Christ gives to help us become spiritually articulate in our requests before God. God's Holy Spirit must become an integral part of us if we aspire to sonship as offspring of God, as noted in Romans 8:11 and 14, making the difference between deification or oblivion. In Ephesians 1:13-14, conversion and adoption into the God Family begin with an implantation and regeneration by God's Holy Spirit into our minds. Zechariah 4 presents a vision where God's Spirit, likened to oil from olive trees, is poured out upon a person to do His work, permeating the universe with its pervasive and fluid nature. Jesus, in John 7:38-39, compares the Holy Spirit to a gushing river flowing from those who believe in Him. In I Corinthians 2, Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a gift from God to help us understand spiritual things, specifically calling it the mind of Christ in verse 16. Ephesians 3:16-17 further explains that God's Spirit supplies internal spiritual strength, being the means by which Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, rooting and grounding us in love. God's Spirit, much like the spirit in man that provides the power of mind and will, is an essence of mind and power that accomplishes God's will, far more potent and effective. While our minds struggle to comprehend its scope and abilities, this basic understanding from Scripture cuts through worldly misconceptions. We can thank God for giving us His Spirit, providing the understanding and power to do His will and ultimately become His glorified children.

What Is the Holy Spirit?

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

God's pouring out of His Spirit on the church, as recorded in Acts 2, marked a dramatic event with manifestations that testified to something extraordinary occurring. The Holy Spirit emerges as a significant theme throughout Acts, accompanying the preaching of the gospel and the calling of more people into the church. The epistles of Paul, Peter, and John also frequently highlight the Holy Spirit. Paul provides a framework for understanding the Holy Spirit in his writings to the Corinthians, explaining that it is not another supernatural being but the essence of God's incredible mind. God's Spirit includes His attitude, principles, thoughts, feelings, temperament, character, disposition, and will, enhancing our minds and giving us spiritual understanding. It is the mind of Christ that we receive, allowing us to know the things of God and what He has prepared for us. The Father and the Son are one in will, thought, and intent, sharing the same spirit, which we receive at baptism through the laying on of hands. Because God is holy, His Spirit is also holy, inclining His people toward holiness in conduct, attitude, speech, and every facet of living. Paul further describes the Holy Spirit in II Timothy 1:6-7 as a gift of God, bestowed through the laying on of hands, which is a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, not of fear. This Spirit enables our minds to be disciplined, self-controlled, sensible, and balanced, operating in a way often incomprehensible to the world. The Holy Spirit is also a spirit of love, pouring out God's love into our hearts and enabling us to act rightly toward God and others, regardless of personal cost. Additionally, it is a spirit of power, providing the capacity for God's will and work to be done through us, though this power is under the constraint of love and sound-mindedness, ensuring it is not used for self-gratification but to focus on God. In Acts 1:8, the resurrected Christ tells the apostles that they shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, enabling them to be witnesses to Him across the earth. This capability extends to everyone who has received God's Spirit, imparting spiritual knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, impelling us toward holiness. As we yield to and make use of God's Spirit, seeking His direction and being careful not to quench or grieve it, His character image takes shape in us, making our lives testimonies of His goodness, mind, love, holiness, and stability. God gives us the essence of His mind so that we can reflect His glory to the world by becoming just like Him.

The Holy Spirit

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Understanding God's Holy Spirit is a vital element in grasping God's way of life and becoming a true Christian, transformed into the image of Christ. It is the Spirit of God within us that makes us children of God and imparts eternal life. When the Holy Spirit works within us, our lives produce the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting elements of God's very character, showing both God and man that we are maturing into Christ's image. The Holy Spirit is the power of God, not a personage or entity, but the power or mind of God, emanating from Him. It can be poured out, breathed, used to fill, and anoint. God gives His Spirit only to those who have repented, demonstrated this in attitude and behavior, been baptized, and obey His commandments. No one living apart from God's law has received the Spirit of God or has His power working in them. Only through the intervention of the Holy Spirit are we called to understand the truth of God, as no man can comprehend it by scholarship or human reason alone. By divine revelation through the Spirit, God opens our minds to the mysteries of the truth, allowing us to discern what is vital to our salvation. The Spirit also imparts wisdom and understanding, teaches God's way of life, comforts, helps us, and aids in our prayers when we cannot express ourselves. By giving the Spirit to those He has called, God creates and shapes traits in them that produce the fruit of the Spirit, by which a Christian is known through actions and works. Since Adam rejected God's offer, God has not offered salvation to humanity as a whole, but began offering His Spirit to those called as firstfruits when Christ established His church. In the World Tomorrow, God will give everyone the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit delivers us from death and leads us to the gift of eternal life, a gift from God that we are neither born with nor can earn. Once regenerated by the Holy Spirit from the Father, we must continually be led by it, bearing spiritual fruit throughout our lives. If we produce the fruit of the Spirit, exhibiting a sound mind, we know it is working in us. The Spirit empowers the mind to comprehend spiritual matters, produces conversion, and gives us the strength, will, and faith to overcome our sins.

The Holy Spirit

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

God's Holy Spirit typically refers to the mind of God and Christ, which is added to our human spirit to create a sound mind by which we witness of God.

Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part One)

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

Ephesians 1:13-14 reveals that the Holy Spirit serves as the instrument of our regeneration as children of God, acting as a pledge or down payment on the life to come. The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as the spirit and mind of Christ, emphasizing its vital role in our spiritual transformation. Romans 8:9 underscores that if this spirit does not dwell within us, displacing our carnal minds, we are not in the process of conversion and thus not candidates for the God Family. In Matthew 28:19, the baptismal formula suggests that people are baptized into the name of the Father and the Son by means of the Holy Spirit, indicating its function as an essence rather than an entity. Throughout Scripture, particularly in the original Greek of the New Testament, the term for Holy Spirit lacks an article, further supporting the view that it is a power rather than a personality.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is not a third person in a trinity, but rather the essence of the mind of the Father and the Son. It is the invisible, immaterial element of God's mind, distinct and holy, set apart by its transcendent purity. This Spirit, different from the spirit of man, is clean and reflects the love, kindness, mercy, and life-giving nature of God. Every action of God is a projection of His Holy Spirit, motivating and inspiring with purity and goodness. There is nothing deep or impenetrable about the Holy Spirit to those to whom God has revealed Himself, enabling understanding. To the converted with normal intelligence, this doctrine is clear and usable to glorify God and fulfill His purpose. The Holy Spirit, as the essence of God's mind, joins with the spirit of man, allowing a spiritual begettal where procreation occurs in the mind, unseen but real. This joining is a direct interface where the Father Himself transfers His thoughts, attitudes, and character into our minds, without the involvement of a third entity. The Holy Spirit is power issuing forth from the Father and the Son, emanating directly to influence us personally. When accepted, it produces fruits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, meekness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This direct and personal relationship contrasts with the general influence of satan, as God specifically chooses to stir and excite our minds with His Spirit, creating us spiritually for a unique purpose in His Kingdom. The Father and the Son live in us through this Spirit, not as a separate person, but as the very essence of their unified mind.

The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Holy Spirit is described as the power of God, emanating from the Father and the Son to accomplish His will across creation. It is portrayed as an inanimate force, not a personality, evident in descriptions such as falling on people, being poured out, or rushing like a mighty wind, which are inconsistent with a personal being. Scriptures consistently show the Holy Spirit as the means through which God and Jesus Christ connect with humanity, enabling communion and spiritual family unity among believers. It is the expression of divine nature given to transform individuals into the God kind, allowing Christ, from heaven, to send forth His Spirit anywhere at any time to meet the needs of His people, just as the Father does. In numerous apostolic writings, when the Father and the Son are mentioned together, the Holy Spirit is conspicuously absent as a personality, indicating it was not recognized as part of the God family by the apostles. They did not address or acknowledge the Holy Spirit in greetings or as a source of grace and peace, reinforcing that it does not exist as a distinct person. The Holy Spirit is not included in the chain of command, mediatorial roles, or authority structures within the God family, further supporting its depiction as a power rather than a being. Biblical imagery, such as wind, water, or oil, illustrates the Holy Spirit's invisible and pervasive nature, not indicative of a personal form or shape. Even in verses where the Holy Spirit appears to be assigned personal characteristics, such as testifying or guiding, this is understood as a literary device, akin to inanimate objects in Scripture being given human traits. Grammatical analysis of original Greek texts reveals that pronouns referring to the Holy Spirit are neuter, aligning with its nature as an impersonal force rather than a masculine personality, despite some translations suggesting otherwise. Thus, the Holy Spirit remains the power by which God directs and carries out His purposes in creation, not a separate entity within the God family.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is the essence of God's mind, not a separate entity or third person that divides itself among many. It represents the pure, transcendent nature of God, always producing abundant and everlasting life. This Spirit, holy because God is holy, purifies our thinking and embodies the divine nature. It takes up residence in our minds through words and experiences within our relationship with God, as He directly works with us, overseeing our creation in His image. The Holy Spirit includes concepts, vision, attitudes, perspectives, and attributes such as love, joy, and peace, which guide and empower us to conduct life in a manner that glorifies God. It is through this Spirit that the mind of God and the mind of Christ are put into us, converting us and changing us from glory to glory. God sends forth His Spirit to gain our cooperation, making us aware of our responsibility to Him, to His Word, and to others, enabling us to think like Him and to be created in His image.

Grieving the Holy Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit, as presented in this discussion, is a vital aspect of God's essence and relationship with His people. It is not portrayed as a separate entity but as the Spirit that belongs to God, carrying His holiness because He Himself is holy. When we act in ways contrary to God's commands, we grieve the Holy Spirit, which is to say we cause sorrow to God Himself through His Spirit. This grieving is particularly significant for those who have entered into a covenant with Him and have access to His Spirit, as they are the ones who can truly disappoint Him by failing to live up to the new creation they are called to be. In Ephesians 4:30, the instruction not to grieve the Holy Spirit is placed amidst admonitions to put off old behaviors and embrace new, righteous ways. This unique construction, translated as "the Spirit, the Holy one of God," emphasizes that the Spirit's holiness derives from God, and grieving it is akin to grieving God directly. Our sins, even those we might consider minor, cause pain to God through His Spirit, highlighting the seriousness of our actions and the need to avoid causing Him sorrow. The Holy Spirit also serves as a seal, marking us as God's children and guaranteeing our inheritance. This sealing is not a one-time event but continues throughout our Christian lives, urging us to maintain a relationship with God by not grieving His Spirit. We are warned against quenching the Spirit, which involves actively suppressing or ignoring its promptings, potentially leading to a severing of our connection with God if taken to extremes. Historical examples, such as Israel's rebellion in Isaiah 63:10, show that grieving God's Holy Spirit is not a new concept but a recurring theme of failing to honor the covenant with Him. Similarly, in Acts 5 with Ananias and Sapphira, lying to the Holy Spirit is equated with lying to God, reinforcing that the Spirit is God's own essence. In Acts 7, Stephen accuses the Sanhedrin of resisting the Holy Spirit, mirroring the rebellion of their ancestors and causing God grief through their actions. Ultimately, we are encouraged to walk and live in God's Spirit, avoiding actions that grieve Him, and instead striving to please Him as His sons and daughters. The call is to put off the old man and embrace the new, ensuring that we do not start down a path that could lead to greater separation from God through His Holy Spirit.

The Wonderful, Powerful Gift of God's Holy Spirit

Sermon by John O. Reid

In 31 AD, after His crucifixion, Jesus appeared before His disciples and breathed on them, declaring, Receive you the Holy Spirit. He described it as a gift from their Father, instructing them to wait in Jerusalem to receive it. With the receiving of God's Spirit comes the responsibility of living in a manner that reflects a light to the world, demonstrating the correct way of living. This responsibility is crucial, as it influences Jesus Christ's decision to save the world for the sake of the elect. During Pentecost, as the disciples assembled in unity, a mighty wind sound filled the house without any movement of air, and tongue-shaped flames of fire appeared above them, resting on each without heat. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and the power of God manifested in the miracle of speaking in unfamiliar languages. This allowed devout men from every country to hear the message in their own dialects, showcasing the wonderful works of God. This event marked the introduction of God's Holy Spirit to the world, making it available to mankind upon being called by God the Father. God's Holy Spirit is the power of God in action, inspiring and accomplishing feats through individuals. It filled men with superhuman strength and courage, enabling extraordinary acts throughout history. This Spirit assists in fulfilling the calling given to God's people, teaching and shaping them personally with righteous knowledge. It reveals Jesus Christ's obedience, faith, and character, urging disciples to obey His commandments and bear witness to His way of living, amplifying truth in a world of deception. The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, bringing an acute sense of guilt and awareness that cannot be ignored. It guides into divine truth, setting individuals free from false justifications and lies, declaring God's will specifically for each person. As a gift, it is a down payment of the inheritance of living as members of the God family, sealing believers as genuine and approved by God. This awesome power must be used to overcome, resisting the pulls of the world, and developing the character needed to be sons of God.

Powerful Effects of the Holy Spirit

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Day of Pentecost holds profound significance as it marks the moment when the Holy Spirit first entered into the 120 members of God's church in AD 31, initiating spiritual group salvation and the birth of the church, with 3,000 more added that day. This event, described in Acts 2:1-4, was accompanied by supernatural manifestations, including a mighty sound filling the house and tongues as of fire resting on each disciple, symbolizing God's presence, holiness, and truth proclaimed through preaching. The Holy Spirit unites God's church in peace, countering the disunity of Babel, and it is God who calls individuals to receive His Spirit, adding them to His church, as confirmed by Peter. Human beings must have contact with God the Father to receive the Holy Spirit, which was freely offered through the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, but rejected by Adam in favor of a self-centered way of life. Consequently, humanity was cut off from God, with only a few specially called by Him to receive His Spirit for specific purposes, as seen with Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and the prophets. Pentecost restores this vital contact with God the Father and Jesus Christ, emphasizing that only those drawn by the Father can come to Christ, particularly during the 6,000-year period before the Kingdom of God is established. The Holy Spirit has transformative effects on those called now, bearing witness with our human spirit that we are children of God, imparting spiritual understanding, and regenerating us into God-life as His children. It instills divine love, the faith of Christ, and spiritual power to overcome a self-centered life, enabling the development of holy, righteous character as part of God's purpose for humanity. This Spirit is essential for understanding God's truth beyond surface knowledge, revealing deeper spiritual insights and fostering fruits such as love, joy, peace, and self-control as evidence of its presence within us. Without the Holy Spirit, mankind cannot grasp God's way or plan of salvation unless specifically called and imbued with His Spirit.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is the essence of God's mind, embodying His power over all creation and residing in His sovereignty to govern and fulfill His purpose. It is the fundamental nature of God's mind, enabling Him to be aware of every detail in His creation and to act or react instantaneously by sending forth His Spirit to ensure His will is done. God's Spirit interfaces with man's spirit, facilitating a process of revelation, illumination, and inspiration, which are essential for spiritual creation and transformation. Through His Spirit, God reveals Himself, illuminates understanding, and inspires action, initiating a begettal and birth process as seen in the invitation to become like Him. God's Spirit is distinct in its holiness, transcending in purity and infinite goodness in all it motivates and energizes. It possesses an immense capacity for transmitting and using knowledge, coupled with infinite wisdom and maturity that define God's morality and character. This Spirit is the missing dimension in life, replacing destructive inclinations with joyous, positive, and selfless attitudes necessary for true success. By His Spirit, God equips individuals to make right choices, providing the inclination and knowledge to align with His purpose. The Holy Spirit also serves as a mechanism for conversion, paralleling a spiritual process that will flow from Jerusalem after Christ's return, healing and restoring through submission to God's Spirit. It is through His Spirit that God draws individuals, directly and personally interfacing to disclose Himself, a process vital for coming to know Him and understanding His purpose. Words, as expressions of spirit, carry life when they are His, quickening and activating as they convey the essence of God's mind and knowledge.

Lying to the Holy Spirit

'Ready Answer' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On Pentecost, Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles, marking a significant moment for the early church as it grew by thousands. Through His Spirit, God made the apostle Peter aware of the deceitful attitude of Ananias and Sapphira, who had sold a possession but kept back part of the proceeds while pretending to give all. Peter confronted Ananias, asking why satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. Peter later clarified that their lie was not to men but to God, indicating that through His Spirit, God knew both their actions and their hearts. In a parallel accusation to Sapphira, Peter asked how they had agreed to test the Spirit of the Lord, showing the Holy Spirit as the possession of God. Their attempt to deceive God, present through His Spirit, led to their immediate deaths, serving as a sobering lesson to the young church about the seriousness of sinning against the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit, as presented in the Bible, is not depicted as a personality co-equal with the Father and the Son within a trinitarian Godhead. Numerous scriptures consistently mention the Father and the Son as distinct Personalities within the God Family, while the Holy Spirit is repeatedly omitted from such references, suggesting it lacks personal identity. For instance, in greetings and salutations in apostolic letters, only the Father and the Son are acknowledged, with no mention of fellowship or greeting from the Holy Spirit, indicating it is not recognized as a personality by the apostles. The Holy Spirit is often referred to with masculine pronouns due to grammatical necessity, as spirit is a masculine noun, which can create the appearance of personality. However, this is a linguistic convention, not evidence of personal nature, as the Bible similarly personifies inanimate objects like the heavens, earth, and body parts for illustrative purposes without implying they possess personality. The Holy Spirit is described as a power or force directed by God, not as a being with authority or responsibility akin to the Father or the Son. In the order of authority, the Father is head over Christ, and the Holy Spirit is not included in this chain of command or in roles of mediation between humanity and God, where only the Son is positioned as the mediator. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is likened to impersonal elements such as wind, water, and oil, which are poured out or spread, lacking any form or shape associated with personality. Unlike the Father and the Son, who express personality through emotions and physical descriptions mirroring human traits, the Holy Spirit shows no such characteristics, with the sole animate depiction being a dove, which does not imply a literal form or personal nature. Even in significant events like Pentecost, the Holy Spirit manifests as a mighty rushing wind, an inanimate force without shape or life, used by the Father and the Son to accomplish Their purposes. In contexts where the Holy Spirit is mentioned alongside the Father and the Son, such as in baptismal formulas or specific verses, it does not inherently denote personality but rather represents the power through which God convicts, reveals truth, and enables belief. The Holy Spirit serves as the means by which God binds believers together, sharing a common divine nature, but it remains an expression of God's power emanating from His mind, allowing Him to be present and active everywhere, without being a distinct personality within the God Family.

Jesus on the Holy Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus taught about the Holy Spirit's function to carry out God's work, including inspiring one to speak the words of God and to resist the power of Satan.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Being 'in Christ' does not refer to location, but instead our 'concern with' or 'involvement with' Him—and He with us.

What the Holy Spirit Does (2005)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's Spirit will never prod us to do anything that is not godly love, and because it a spirit of a sound mind, it will never motivate us to do crazy things.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We receive more of God's Spirit as we respond to His calling, drawing near to His presence and reversing Adam and Eve's fatal errors.

What the Holy Spirit Does

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit always inspires loving, wise, sound-minded actions according to God's will. This helps us discern true guidance from other spirits.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In most biblical contexts, 'spirit' refers to the invisible, internal activating dimension of the mind. Synonyms include heart, mind, and thoughts.

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The receiving of God's Spirit is for God's creative effort in our lives. God's Spirit transforms us from a state of destruction into a state of purity.

The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The true understanding of Elohim dismantles the entire trinity argument. God is reproducing Himself; we are being prepared to become a part of Elohim.

Is Obedience Required Before Receiving God's Holy Spirit?

'Ready Answer' by Earl L. Henn

Acts 5:32 declares that God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him, yet some argue that keeping God's law is not necessary. What is the truth?

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God personally handpicks individuals with whom He desires to form a reciprocal relationship. This relationship must be dressed, kept, tended, and maintained.

What Does It Mean to 'Walk in the Spirit'?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

If fleshly things become more important, we are on a trajectory toward death. We must exercise control, drawing on the power of God's Spirit.

A Primer On Spirit

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Spirit is an invisible force, the effects of which are clear by its manifestations. Spirit can be discerned by thinking through and evaluating its effects.

God's Gift of the Spirit

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Compared to the Pentecost in Acts 2, our receipt of God's Spirit was attended with far less drama. However, the power of God's Spirit is no less potent.

Wind and God's Spirit

Sermon by Charles Whitaker

God controls the invisible wind—powerful or gentle—making it an ideal symbol for His Spirit. God's breathing life into Adam foreshadowed giving the Holy Spirit.

The Fruit of the Spirit

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Fruit is a frequent symbol in the Bible, most prominently in the fruit of the Spirit. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in us.

The Absence-Presence Dichotomy and God's Spirit

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Paul's use of the presence-absence dichotomy clarified that absence does not materially affect the Work of God because the same Holy Spirit is always present.

Testing the Spirits (Part 1)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Apostle John exhorts us to test and discern the spirits, judging between the true and the false, using the scripture as the steady standard of truth.

Spiritual Renewal

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul admonishes the Corinthians to resist contentions, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambition, backbiting, whispering, slander, conceit, and agitation.

Jesus and the Feast (Part Two): Belief in the Spirit

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On the last day of the Feast, Jesus proclaimed Himself as the One who will dispense God's Spirit, amplifying the promise He had made to the woman at the well.

Limiting the Holy One of Israel (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God has self-imposed limitations when we go against His commands, testing His patience, purposely limiting Him by our faithlessness, robbing ourselves of blessings.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Holy Spirit is never venerated as a separate being. Our hope is the indwelling of Christ, used interchangeably with 'Spirit of God' and 'Spirit of Truth.'

Using Power Righteously (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When we yield to God's Spirit, we receive the power to do the things God has prepared His firstfruits to accomplish, adding to the capabilities of the spirit in man.

The Father's Promise of Power!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The first fruits who have received the gift of God's Holy Spirit have a second spirit to bring the spirit in man in line with God's will.

What Does God Really Want? (Part 6)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God provides the gift before it is actually needed so that when it is needed, everything is prepared for the person to do as he has been commissioned to do.

The Helper and the Angel of the Lord

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Christ frequently used 3rd person titles, such as the Son of Man and the Helper. Just as Christ sent the Helper—Himself—so Yahweh sent His Angel—Himself.

Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon without Becoming Assimilated (Part Five)

Sermon by David F. Maas

God is not a closed triangular Trinity, but a family consisting of God the Father and God the Son, and will include billions of resurrected, glorified saints.

Acts (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Adherents to the Pentecostal movement try to mimic some of the superficial surface manifestations of Acts 2 rather than follow the teaching given on that day.

Pentecost and the Mystery of the Church

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God forbids us to make alliances with carnal minds on divisive issues. The only division God desires is a separation from the world and its enticing drives.

Teaching Us to Think (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God instructs us to be living sacrifices. Too many drag this change out over decades, thereby self-limiting the process of sanctification.

Do Angels Live Forever? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We cannot assume that angels are immortal and share the same kind of spirit God Almighty has; we cannot assume they are indestructible.

The Pentecost Witness

Article by David C. Grabbe

Pentecost is known for its stupendous signs, particularly in Acts 2. Yet it teaches us of another witness: our own display of Christ's way of life in us.

Acts (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our historical and theological roots are advanced in a polished, chronological narrative (Acts), perhaps designed as a trial document authored by Luke.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ and God the Father are one in spirit and purpose, purposing to draw us toward that same kind of unity that currently exists between them.

Sin (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Though influenced by Satan and the world, sin is still a personal choice. Christ's sacrifice and God's Spirit provide our only defense against its pulls.

The Source of Church Characteristics (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 all existed simultaneously and the characteristics of five of them will apparently be extant at the return of Christ.