Take Time With God #108 – Inside information from the Holy Spirit
THE HOLY SPIRIT, OUR COMPANION (Inside information from the Holy Spirit)
By Grace Brown
SCRIPTURE: John 14:15-26 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Ben E. King, wrote a song titled, ‘Stand by Me.’ Maybe you remember it.
When the night has come And the land is dark And the moon is the only light we’ll see No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid Just as long as you stand, stand by me
Oh darlin’, darlin’, stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry, no I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darlin’, darlin’, stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me, stand by me
I think we all want the same thing as Ben E. King, someone to stand by us, to be there for us, regardless of what happens, but especially when things are dark and hard, when what is happening is frightening, and when we feel helpless. That is when we really want someone by our side.
In 1942, blinded servicemen returning from World War II were given guide dogs to help them. The first Veteran to receive a guide dog was Sergeant Leonard Foulk, who was paired with a Guide Dog named Blondie. Leonard’s niece, Bonnie Cursey related some stories about her uncle and Blondie in guidedogs.blogspot.com
When Blondie came to live with Leonard, trust wasn’t exactly easy for Leonard. He had to learn to trust her. The defining moment was when Leonard was walking in a familiar place in San Francisco. Blondie indicated Leonard should move over. But he ignored her directions. Blondie became more and more intent on guiding him to the side. Leonard was insistent, that is until he ran right into a light pole, hitting his head. That was the only time he ignored Blondies’ signals.
Adjusting to being blind was still difficult, Blondie was Leonard’s constant, loyal companion. She gave him full independence that he would not have had otherwise. Blondie was a wonderful gift and a blessing. Blondie traveled with him, ate with him, slept by him. She was ready at any moment to do the job for which she was trained. She was always there for him. Blondie also gave Leonard something to get up for, to care for, and a reason to start a new day. You see, she was his responsibility and he made sure his care of her was always helpful. Leonard didn’t work, he became an accomplished wood worker, learned to play the banjo, and spent many hours listening to books on tape. He lived a full rewarding life, enjoying his family, friends.
As the years passed, Leonard needed Blondie less and less for mobility than he had in the beginning of their partnership. By the time Blondie was 9 or 10 years old she was having trouble going up and down stairs. Then she was no longer a working Guide Dog, but until the day she passed away, she was Leonard’s wonderful companion. Blondie had stood by Leonard’s side through thick and thin, always there, always ready, always looking out for Leonard to the best of her ability. http://guidedogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/gdb-history
Blondie came along side Leonard to be with him and help him in his life. The word used in the classical Greek Bible meaning, ‘to come alongside someone’ is the word Paraklatos, the same word translated ‘counselor’ or ‘advocate’ in the scripture above. Paraklatos includes thoughts of encouragement, assistance, care, and supporting or promoting the interests of another. We could say Blondie was Leonard’s paraklatos. She supported and promoted Leonard’s interests by directing him so he wouldn’t run into another pole. She gave him independence, freedom he could never have had without her. She gave him a reason to get up in the morning. She was someone he loved and cared for, who brought richness to his life. She gave Leonard constant companionship, love, and support. He returned it. She enabled him to move forward in life despite his blindness.
Would you like to have a wonderful companion like Blondie? everyone I’ve spoken to who has a guide dog or a dog for a disability or illness has a very close and loving with their dog.
It’s not possible for most of us to have a dog like Blondie. I hope you never need one but, it is possible to have an even better companion. There is Someone who will be with you every day of your life; One who always looks out for you to keep you from hitting your head on a pole. Knowning we’re going the right because our guide always knows the right way gives us freedom. It is possible to have someone who will take every step with you, eat with you, and watch over you when you sleep; One who is with you through thick and thin, in every problem, every celebration, and every sorrow. Of course you can still insist on running into a pole, just like Leonard did if you choose to.
Jesus said, 16 …I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, another Paraklatos, to be with you forever.” Our Paraklatos is the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus gives to all who seek Him. Jesus died on the cross taking all the punishment for all the wrong things we have done or the right things we haven’t done sp we can be forgiven. And He rose again from the dead gaining for us eternal life. When we accept He did these for us, for me, for you and commit our life to Him as our Lord, He sends the Para’klatos, the Holy Spirit to live with us, in us. He becomes our close, loving companion. He gives us encouragement, support, assistance, and care. He sees the poles and will lead us in the right path, always looking out for our best interest. He is faithful.
Will you give your life to Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit? Will you let the Holy Spirit keep you from hitting the poles and trust He is looking out for you, regardless of what you think is or is not in front of you?
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for dying to pay the penalty for our wrong actions or inactions. We believe you rose from the dead giving us new life. We ask you to send the Holy Spirit to guide us and be our constant loving companion. Give us grace to trust and follow His direction. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Take Time With God #108 – Inside information from the Holy Spirit
Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church by Grace Brown
Pentecost, The Birthday of the Church
by Grace Brown
Acts 2:1-24, 37-40 (RSV) 1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Par′thians and Medes and E′lamites and residents of Mesopota′mia, Judea and Cappado′cia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phryg′ia and Pamphyl′ia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyre′ne, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days
I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth beneath,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness
and the moon into blood,
before the day of the Lord comes,
the great and manifest day. 21 And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:1-24, 37-40)
Pentecost is one of the most significant days in history. It is the day God gave the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It is the day of the annual feast of first fruits of the wheat harvest. It is the day Jesus baptized his disciples with the Holy Spirit. It is the day the Holy Spirit empowered them for the work of the harvest.
Perhaps you can related to harvest through one experience or another as I can. My grandma always had a garden. As a child I helped her plant it: leaf lettuce, cucumbers, peas, tomatoes, radishes, corn, carrots, zucchini, green beans, and more. After the garden was planted I checked it often. It seemed to take forever for the first shoot to push its head up through the soil. I rejoiced in each new young plant. (And I still do each spring as the plants reawaken to new life.) Then the plants would leaf out, bud, and flower. I waited with great anticipation for them to bear fruit, well vegetables. My favorite was green beans. From the time they were about an inch long I asked Grandma if they were ready to harvest yet. Everyday Grandma would say, ‘just a little longer, just a little longer.” Then the day finally arrived. I would enter her house and she would say, “I think some are ready today.” We would go out and check. Sure enough, some were ripe for the picking. The first fruits of the harvest always seemed to be the best. I was filled with excitement, joy, and thanksgiving because weather, critters, and other things could damage the plants. To have a good harvest was a true blessing.
The harvest always begins with a seed. The apostle John wrote of Jesus speaking with a Samaritan woman from Sychar. As the woman heard Him speak to her about her life circumstances she recognized Jesus as a prophet. As they spoke further about the worship God desires, she recognized these were things the Messiah would teach and she asked about the Messiah. Jesus declared to her He was the Messiah. She went into Sychar telling the men, “Jesus told me everything I had ever done” and asking, “Could this be the Messiah?” A seed was planted in the minds and hearts of the men. They headed out to Jesus to see for themselves.
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As the men came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” The harvest was plentiful in Sychar, many people believed in Jesus, the Messiah. (John 4:4-42)
John the Baptist said of Jesus, 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary… (Matt 3:11-12)
Here in Acts 2 it was Pentecost, the disciples were in Jerusalem celebrating the feast of first fruits and waiting with anticipation Jesus’ promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
At one point, Jesus had told his disciples he was going to die and they were grieved. But, Jesus encouraged them saying, “…I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16:7-15)
It may not sound like it, but Jesus was talking about the harvest. You see, it’s only when we, our families, friends and neighbors know we are all sinners, it’s only when we know we are bound for hell because of our sin, it’s only when we know Jesus, the only righteous one, paid the penalty demanded for our unrighteousness thoughts and acts through His death, it’s only when we know Jesus’ death obtained for us forgiveness and new life with God, it’s only when we know and accept these truths for ourselves that we, our families, friends and neighbors can experience the thanksgiving, joy, and excitement of being a part of the harvest. We become part of the first fruits of eternal life, to the glory of God. It is the Holy Spirit who works this harvest in our lives, who reveals these truths and more to and through us.
Jesus went on to say, “When the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15)
The prophet Joel said: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit (the Holy Spirit) upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:17-21).
When we are saved, when we believe and accept Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead obtaining for us forgiveness and eternal life, the Holy Spirit enters our lives. On Pentecost, the festival of first fruits, Jesus baptized the disciples with the Holy Spirit. The disciples preached the gospel as never before resulting in a harvest of 3,000 people joining the ranks of the first fruits, the forgiven, thankful, joyful people of God.
The Holy Spirit works this harvest in us and then through us here where we are to bring in the harvest of people for God. Some may plant, some water, some harvest, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes us grow and bear fruit and brings people to eternal life.
So, where do you stand? Do you know you are a sinner, condemned? Do you believe Jesus died for your sins? Do you accept for yourself Jesus’ death paying the penalty for your sins? Do you believe Jesus rose again from the dead gaining eternal life for you when you believe? Have you received the Holy Spirit and the new life and fruitfulness He brings?
If you have, now is the time to renew your commitment to Him, thanksgiving, and praise for His work in and through your life.
If not, now is the time, confess the following: I know I am a sinner, condemned. I believe Jesus died for my sins? I accept for myself Jesus’ death paying the penalty for my sins. I believe Jesus rose again from the dead gaining eternal life for me when I believe. I want the Holy Spirit in my life and the new life and fruitfulness He brings. Thank you Lord God for forgiving me and giving me eternal life.
And now, having become one harvested for eternal life, it is time to reach out in some fashion to join the work of bring in the harvest, trusting the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of others through you. The Spirit will let you know what you can do right now, regardless of your circumstances. If all you can do is smile, the Holy Spirit can use your smile to bring people to eternal life in Jesus. Most of us can do more. The fields are ripe for the harvest of people for eternal life. What will you do?
Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church by Grace Brown
13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Matt 3:13-17 is one of the clearest pictures of the Trinity in scripture, the Father, the Son-Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It speaks of God the Father. The Father’s voice came from the heavens saying to John the Baptist and those with him. 17 …”This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
The Father has spoken to people down through the ages. God the Father spoke to Abram, who was later called Abraham saying, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him…” (Gen 12:1-4a)
God the Father spoke to Moses, 3 when he went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” (Exodus 19:3-6)
God spoke to Job, for four chapters God challenged Job’s knowledge of God. When He was finished, Job answered the Lord and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” 7 And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord spoke to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Job offered a sacrifice for their sins and prayed for mercy for them and the Lord accepted his prayer. (Job 42:2-47 NASB)
Just before Israel went into captivity, God the Father spoke to Jeremiah the prophet giving him the words the Father wanted the people of Israel to hear: 10 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. (Jeremiah 29:10-14a)
Throughout history, God the Father has been speaking to people and orchestrating life through covenants, blessings, and punishments. More than those, through choosing people for a special purpose. Jesus was the anointed, the chosen of God for our redemption. Matt 3:13-17 speaks of God the Father and of Jesus, His Son. Before Jesus came to be baptized 9″ … John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but I knew that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying of Jesus, 34 … I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:9,31-32a,34 NKJV)
John was three (3) months older than Jesus, but said Jesus came before him. And Jesus did come before him. The Lord Jesus always was. Before Jesus was born, He occasionally came in the form a man to talk with people. The theological term is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God. The Lord Jesus walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden often enough that they recognized the sounds He made as he walked. (Gen 3:8)
The Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre. There the Lord told Abraham that his wife Sarah would have a son within a year. And all the world would be blessed through him. Before He left He told Abraham the plans for Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham plead on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah for his nephew Lot’s sake. The Lord granted his request. (Gen 18:1-19 NKJV)
The angel of the Lord, another name of the pre-incarnate Jesus appeared to Manoah’s wife and told her she was going to have a son. He was not to drink wine or eat anything that comes from the vine. And he was not to cut his hair. Manoah’s wife told him everything the man had said. She didn’t know he was the angel of the Lord. Manoah asked the Lord to send the man again to speak with him as well. And the Angel of the Lord granted his request. (Judges 13:1-25 NKJV)
In verses 15-20 15 Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “Pray, let us detain you, and prepare a young goat for you.” 16 And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food; but if you make ready a burnt offering, then offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord.) 17 And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” 18 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” 19 So Manoah took the young goat with the cereal offering, and offered it upon the rock to the Lord, to him who works wonders. 20 And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar while Manoah and his wife looked on; and they fell on their faces to the ground. The woman gave birth to a son and he was named Samson. Samson delivered Israel from the oppression of the Philistines.
We read of Jesus among men before He left the glory above to be born of a woman. He lived among us as one of us, delivered us from the penalty of our sins, and rose from the dead giving us new life. After He rose from the dead he sent the Holy Spirit to live within us and teach us all things. Matthew 3:16-17 speaks of God the Father, of Jesus, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bore witness that Jesus was the Son of God when John “saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus).
Down through the ages the Holy Spirit has come upon people for a purpose. After God had given Moses the plans for the tabernacle, God said to him, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exodus 31:2-4 NKJV)
Later, in the time of the Judges, When Samuel had anointed Saul king, he told Saul, 5 … you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city … you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. 6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you. (1 Samuel 10:5-7 (NKJV))
Isaiah wrote in chapter 61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV)
Throughout time, the Holy Spirit has come upon people for a specific purpose; to do something in and through them. Matthew 3:16-17 speaks of God the Father, of Jesus, God’s Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the three persons of the Trinity. Yet they are one God.
Following is a portion of the Athanasian Creed. It is the first known creed to talk about trinity and has been in use since the 6th century. Although Martin Luther, the great reformer, considered it one of the three most important statements of faith, it is not often used today. The Nicene Creed has largely replaced it.
The Athanasain Creed states:
“But our … faith is this, that we venerate one God in the Trinity, and the Trinity in oneness; neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance; for there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit; but the divine nature of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one, their glory is equal, their majesty is coeternal.
Of such a nature as the Father is, so is the Son, so also is the Holy Spirit; the Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated; the Father is infinite, the Son is infinite, and the Holy Spirit is infinite; the Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal; and nevertheless there are not three eternals but one eternal; just as there are not three uncreated beings, nor three infinite beings, but one uncreated, and one infinite; similarly the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, and the Holy Spirit is almighty; and yet there are not three almightys but one almighty; thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; and nevertheless there are not three gods, but there is one God; so the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord; and yet there are not three lords, but there is one Lord; because just as we are compelled by Christian truth to confess singly each one person as God, and also Lord, so we are forbidden … to say there are three gods or three Lords. The Father was not made, nor created, nor begotten by anyone. The Son is from the Father alone, not made nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son, not made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. There is, therefore, one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits; and in this Trinity there is nothing first or later, nothing greater or less, but all three Persons are coeternal and coequal with one another, so that in every respect, as has already been said above, both unity in Trinity, and Trinity in unity must be venerated.
Therefore, let him who wishes to be saved, think thus concerning the Trinity.”
The Athanasian Creed is a very precise and detailed statement of the Trinity. But even with such a statement the Trinity is difficult to grasp. I have heard it compared with an egg, with water, and with a triumvirate, a group of three people who share authority.
Of the three, I am not sure I like the picture of the egg or of water best. An egg is one egg, yet it has a shell, a yolk or chick, and the white. They can be compared to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Like an egg shell, the Father is the one who gives the structure. Of course, the Father doesn’t provide structure for the Trinity, but for creation. He sets for us the way we should live. The yolk of an egg becomes the chick, the creature who is part of this world. Jesus left His glory above to become a man and live among us, His creation. Jesus returned to His glory at His resurrection. Of course Jesus, the Son was not created in His birth, but is co eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The white of the egg nourishes the growth of the chick. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus and Jesus lived in the power of the Spirit while he lived among us. The Holy Spirit nurtures and nourishes all who are the called and chosen of God, all who believe and trust Jesus death and resurrection for forgiveness and eternal life. Of course the Holy Spirit is co eternal with the Father and Jesus, the Son.
I also like the picture of Trinity like water because water comes in three (3) forms: liquid, solid (ice), and steam, yet it is still water. Ice, water, and steam are of the same essence. The Trinity-the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are of one essence. The Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God. There is no variation within the Trinity. They are not like wind, earth, and fire, but are the same as ice, water, and steam. It is all water, hydrogen dioxide.
The nature of the Trinity wholly different from the first triumvirate I know of except the triumvirate was made of three (3) persons and they ruled together. The First Triumvirate I’m aware of was a political alliance lasting around 6 years from 59 to 53 BC. It was between three prominent Roman politicians: Gaius Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great) and Marcus Licinius Crassus. They were tied together in the triumvirate by selfishness, ambition, and the opportunity for individual political advantage. It dissolved through the military defeat of one, and the same selfish, ambitious, and opportunistic motives.
Nothing we can think of can truly describe the Trinity with any more comprehensiveness than we can understand God, which is very limited indeed. The Trinity was never created. The Trinity was, is, and will always be united. The very nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the same. And they are united in all things. “In this Trinity there is nothing first or later, nothing greater or less, but all three Persons are coeternal and coequal with one another, so that in every respect, as has already been said above, both unity in Trinity, and Trinity in unity must be venerated. Therefore, let him who wishes to be saved, think thus concerning the Trinity.” (Athanasain Creed)
Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church by Grace Brown
Acts 2:1-24, 37-40 (RSV) 1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Par′thians and Medes and E′lamites and residents of Mesopota′mia, Judea and Cappado′cia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phryg′ia and Pamphyl′ia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyre′ne, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days
I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth beneath,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness
and the moon into blood,
before the day of the Lord comes,
the great and manifest day. 21 And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:1-24, 37-40)
Pentecost is one of the most significant days in history. It is the day God gave the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It is the day of the annual feast of first fruits of the wheat harvest. It is the day Jesus baptized his disciples with the Holy Spirit. It is the day the Holy Spirit empowered them for the work of the harvest.
Perhaps you can relate to harvest through one experience or another as I can. My grandma always had a garden. As a child I helped her plant it: leaf lettuce, cucumbers, peas, tomatoes, radishes, corn, carrots, zucchini, green beans, and more. After the garden was planted I checked it often. It seemed to take forever for the first shoot to push its head up through the soil. I rejoiced in each new young plant. (And I still do each spring as the plants reawaken to new life.) Then the plants would leaf out, bud, and flower. I waited with great anticipation for them to bear fruit, well vegetables. My favorite was green beans. From the time they were about an inch long I asked Grandma if they were ready to harvest yet. Everyday Grandma would say, ‘just a little longer, just a little longer.” Then the day finally arrived. I would enter her house and she would say, “I think some are ready today.” We would go out and check. Sure enough, some were ripe for the picking. The first fruits of the harvest always seemed to be the best. I was filled with excitement, joy, and thanksgiving because weather, critters, and other things could damage the plants. To have a good harvest was a true blessing.
The harvest always begins with a seed. The apostle John wrote of Jesus speaking with a Samaritan woman from Sychar. As the woman heard Him speak to her about her life circumstances she recognized Jesus as a prophet. As they spoke further about the worship God desires, she recognized these were things the Messiah would teach and she asked about the Messiah. Jesus declared to her He was the Messiah. She went into Sychar telling the men, “Jesus told me everything I had ever done” and asking, “Could this be the Messiah?” A seed was planted in the minds and hearts of the men. They headed out to Jesus to see for themselves.
As the men came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” The harvest was plentiful in Sychar, many people believed in Jesus, the Messiah. (John 4:4-42)
John the Baptist said of Jesus, 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary… (Matt 3:11-12)
Here in Acts 2 it was Pentecost, the disciples were in Jerusalem celebrating the feast of first fruits and waiting with anticipation Jesus’ promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
At one point, Jesus had told his disciples he was going to die and they were grieved. But, Jesus encouraged them saying, “…I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16:7-15)
It may not sound like it, but Jesus was talking about the harvest. You see, it’s only when we, our families, friends and neighbors know we are all sinners, it’s only when we know we are bound for hell because of our sin, it’s only when we know Jesus, the only righteous one, paid the penalty demanded for our unrighteousness thoughts and acts through His death, it’s only when we know Jesus’ death obtained for us forgiveness and new life with God, it’s only when we know and accept these truths for ourselves that we, our families, friends and neighbors can experience the thanksgiving, joy, and excitement of being a part of the harvest. We become part of the first fruits of eternal life, to the glory of God. It is the Holy Spirit who works this harvest in our lives, who reveals these truths and more to and through us.
Jesus went on to say, “When the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15)
The prophet Joel said: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit (the Holy Spirit) upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:17-21).
When we are saved, when we believe and accept Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead obtaining for us forgiveness and eternal life, the Holy Spirit enters our lives. On Pentecost, the festival of first fruits, Jesus baptized the disciples with the Holy Spirit. The disciples preached the gospel as never before resulting in a harvest of 3,000 people joining the ranks of the first fruits, the forgiven, thankful, joyful people of God.
The Holy Spirit works this harvest in us and then through us here where we are to bring in the harvest of people for God. Some may plant, some water, some harvest, but it is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes us grow and bear fruit and brings people to eternal life.
So, where do you stand? Do you know you are a sinner, condemned? Do you believe Jesus died for your sins? Do you accept for yourself Jesus’ death paying the penalty for your sins? Do you believe Jesus rose again from the dead gaining eternal life for you when you believe? Have you received the Holy Spirit and the new life and fruitfulness He brings?
If you have, now is the time to renew your commitment to Him, thanksgiving, and praise for His work in and through your life.
Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church by Grace Brown
