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Lying to the Holy Spirit
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughOn Pentecost, Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles, marking a significant moment for the early church as it grew by thousands. In the account of Ananias and Sapphira, Peter confronts their deception by asking why satan filled their heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, indicating that through His Spirit, God knew not only their actions but also their hearts. Their sin led to their immediate death, serving as a sobering lesson to the church about the seriousness of living by God's word. Regarding the nature of the Holy Spirit, it is never described in the Bible as having a humanlike shape, unlike the Father and the Son. The only form attributed to the Spirit is that of a dove during Christ's baptism, though some suggest it descended in a visible form like a dove rather than being shaped as one. This distinction highlights that the Spirit does not share the human image in which man was created, setting it apart from the Father and the Son.
The Trinity and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The Holy Spirit, often described in imagery such as a dove, is presented as the power of God, not a distinct personality within the God family. At Jesus' baptism in John 1, the Spirit is depicted as descending like a dove, symbolizing peace and gentleness, yet it is emphasized that the Holy Spirit is not a bird or a literal creature. Theologians may dismiss the literal interpretation by calling it a mystery, but they acknowledge it as the power of God manifesting in a harmless and gentle form. Jesus Himself, in John 3:8, describes the Spirit as invisible, like the wind, where its effects are observable, but its source and destination remain unseen. Further, in John 7:37, Jesus uses water as a metaphor for the Spirit, illustrating it as flowing from within, which challenges the notion of it being a personality. The Holy Spirit is consistently portrayed as an inanimate force, emanating from the Father and the Son, enabling communion with God and aiding in the spiritual creation of His kind. It dwells within believers, not as a person, but as the divine power that transforms and connects them to the Father and the Son, reinforcing its role as the means through which God's will is accomplished.
Jesus on the Holy Spirit
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Genesis 1:2, the Holy Spirit is depicted as waiting expectantly for God's command to perform His creative work, with imagery reminiscent of a bird fluttering or flitting about, poised for action. This vivid picture captures the Spirit's readiness to act at God's behest, illustrating its role as the dynamic force through which He accomplishes His purposes. The same Spirit that hovered in anticipation at the dawn of creation continues to be the vital means by which God works, whether in the physical feats of the Old Testament or the spiritual transformations of the New Testament. This imagery of a bird, like a dove, underscores the gentle yet powerful presence of the Spirit, always prepared to move as God directs.
Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon without Becoming Assimilated (Part Five)
Sermon by David F. MaasGod 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.
John (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe apostle John has provided at least eight separate forms of witness, establishing the veracity of Jesus Christ's identity as God in the flesh.