Elijah /Elisha Narratives and the Gospels

I.          Introduction

            The great middle section of the Old Testament book of Kings is the Elijah and Elisha narratives. The Elijah and Elisha narratives are told at 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 13. Elijah and his successor Elisha figure prominently in 1 and 2 Kings as they prophesied against the wickedness and idolatry of King Ahab and his evil ruling successors of Israel, also known as the Omride Dynasty. Elijah and Elisha’s opposition against Ahab also put him at odds with Ahab’s Phoenician wife, Jezebel. Jezebel was from Sidon, a region north of Israel, and she worshiped the god Baal and promoted Baal worship in Israel. In order to please his wife, King Ahab built a temple and an altar to Baal and Asherah, thus promoting idolatry and leading the entire Israel nation further into sin and away from Yahweh, the true and living God of heaven and earth.

            Secular historians rate the Omride Dynasty that reigned from approximately 885 BC to 841 BC, as one of Israel’s most powerful and capable political rulers. In fact, the Assyrians records call Israel, “the land of Omri.” King Omri, the father of Ahab, expanded Israel’s land, and founded the city of Samaria, which remained Israel’s capital for 150 years. However, the Holy Bible dismisses King Omri for sinning “more than all those before him” (see 1 Kings 16:21-28). 

II.        Overview of Elijah and Elisha

Elijah and Elisha were the first in a long line of important prophets God sent to Israel. Israel, the Northern Kingdom, had no faithful kings to God throughout its turbulent history in the book of Kings, while Judah in the Southern Kingdom, had some faithful kings that worshipped and obeyed God. With no faithful king to lead and proclaim God’s word to the people, God called Elijah and Elisha along with other mighty men and women of God to rescue Israel from its moral and spiritual decline.

Elijah begins his ministry to combat the evil deeds and idolatry of the Omride Dynasty that begin with Omri and his son, Ahab with the worship of Baal and Asherah (see 1 Kings 16:21-34). Those who worshiped Baal believed Baal was the god who brought the rains and bountiful harvests. Asherah was known as a fertility goddess and the mother of Baal.

First Kings 17 announces the sudden arrival of Elijah and his divine ordain of a three-year drought. With this proclamation, Elijah teaches that the Lord God and not Baal nor Asherah controls all life, death, fertility, and infertility. Elijah, whose name means “my God is Yahweh” or “the Lord is my God,” proved to Israel and the world that Yahweh is the only true God of heaven and earth. With his dynamic ministry, the Holy Scriptures has called Elijah the grandest and the most romantic character that Israel ever produced. Moreover, Elijah’s prophetic role has eschatological relations to the Messiah (e.g., see Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 1:17; Revelation 11). For instance, Revelation 11 does not identify by name the two witnesses, but their capacity “to close the sky so that it does not rain” leads many to conclude they are Moses and Elijah (see Revelation 11:5-6). Elijah’s stories are told at 1 Kings 17:1 through 2 Kings 2:18.  

The prophet Elisha begins his ministry to the Northern Kingdom after a chariot of fire takes Elijah away to God (see 2 Kings 2:1-17). The personal name of Elisha mean “my God is salvation.” Before Elijah’s departure, God asked Elijah to anoint a farmer named Elisha as his successor (see 1 Kings 19:16). Elijah appointed Elisha and threw his mantle on him thereby symbolically manifesting God’s plan to bestow the prophetic powers of Elijah upon Elisha (see 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:13-14). Elisha faithfully remained with Elijah until the last moments of his teacher's life on earth.

Like his predecessor, Elisha performed many miracles and called all of Israel to return to the living God. The spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha (see 2 Kings 2:15). Despite Elisha’ efforts, Israel continued to persist in wickedness, unfaithfulness, and idolatry against the true and living God. Elisha faithfully advised and serviced during the reigns of Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehoram or Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash or Joash. Moreover, Elisha played a major role in Hazael becoming king of Syria (2 Kings 8:7-15). Although Elisha was very famous in his own time, his name appears only once outside the book of Kings (see Luke 4:27). In contrast, Elijah is often mentioned, and John the Baptist is frequently compared to Elijah (e.g., see Luke 7:24-28). Elisha stories are told at 2 Kings 2:1 through 2 Kings 13:25. 

III.       Gospel Comparison of Elijah and Elisha

Many similarities are prominent when reading the Elijah and Elisha narratives and the Gospel of Jesus, the Son of the living God. The Gospels draws parallels between the lives of Elijah and Elisha and the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus. The Gospels presented John as the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy proclaiming that Elijah would come again before the arrival of the Messiah (see Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 7:24-28). John is pictured in the Gospels as coming in the “spirit” of Elijah before the arrival of Jesus the Messiah (Luke 1:17; see also Matthew 11:14; Matthew 17:12). The Gospels presents Jesus as the new Elisha.

The Gospels particularly demonstrate John the Baptist’s relationship to Elijah as to their distinctive dress (see 2 Kings 1:7-8; Matthew 3:4). Both Elijah and John the Baptist’s main enemies were women in the royal court who sought their lives. For Elijah the evil woman was Jezebel (see 1 Kings 19:2, 10, 14), and for John the Baptist the wicked woman was Herodias (see Matthew 14:3-12). Also, both Elijah and John the Baptist anointed their successors at the Jordan River and both witnessed the heavens opening and flying objects descending from heaven above (see 2 Kings 2:7-8, 11-12; Luke 3:21-22). Elijah and Elisha saw an approaching chariot of fire (see 2 Kings 2:11-12), and John the Baptist and Jesus saw a descending dove (see Matthew 3:16).

Jesus as well as the prophets Elijah and Elisha had a single-minded commitment to true and living God and the Law of Moses. These mighty men of God were zealous for the Lord God Almighty and His covenant (e.g., see 1 Kings 18:16-18). The Elijah and Elisha narratives and the Gospels affirmed Moses’ teaching from the covenant and the Mosaic Law. The essence of the Mosaic Law is love and faithfulness to the true and living God and loving one another as ourselves (see Luke 10:25-28, cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Leviticus 19:18). Jesus as well as Elijah and Elisha steadily proclaimed love and faithfulness to God and moral fairness for one another. For instance, during Jesus’ testing and temptation in the wilderness, He quoted from Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 6:16 and Deuteronomy 8:3 from the Mosaic Law to defeat the evil schemes of the devil (see Luke 4:1-13). Moreover, the Gospels quote Deuteronomy 6:4-6 and Leviticus 19:18 from the Law of Moses when Jesus taught on eternal life and the two most important commandments (see Luke 10:25-28). Jesus would embody what Israel was supposed to be – a nation and people living in obedience to God’s commands.

The book of Kings of often called “Deuteronomic history.” God had long ago set before Israel the way of life and death, blessings, and cursing (e.g., see Deuteronomy 28). The book of Deuteronomy warned Israel about the seductive threat of the foreign religions and foreign gods that the nation would encounter (e.g., see Deuteronomy 12:1-3, 29-32). The book of Kings as well as the Gospels demonstrated that Yahweh, the true and living God of heaven and earth, rules over all kings and kingdoms.

Jesus, like Elijah and Elisha, were holy men ordained and sent from the living God (see 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Luke 4:34). The Elijah and Elisha narratives and the Gospels continually affirmed the living God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the Law of Moses (e.g., see 1 Kings 18:36-38; 2 Kings 13:22; Luke 10:25-28). Both Jesus and Elijah preached judgment and the need for repentance (e.g., see 1 Kings 18:36-39; Matthew 4:17). Like Jesus, both Elijah and Elisha were filled with God’s power and Spirit that some kings and mighty men honored and while others feared and hated them (e.g., 1 Kings 18:16-17; 2 Kings 1:1-18; 2 Kings 13:14; Luke 4:1, 14). Elijah and Elisha like Jesus spoke and proclaimed God’s words without compromise and authority to the ruling authorities and to the people, and they were committed to turning the people’s whole hearts back to the living God (e.g., see 1 Kings 18:36-39; Luke 4:31-32; Luke 9:11). However, Jesus brought a new covenant relationship of God with His people and “new wineskins” (see Luke 5:36-39; Luke 6:17-42).

Like Jesus, both Elijah and Elisha were people of integrity who did not try to enrich themselves at others’ expense. These mighty men of God sought to protect the needs of the poor against the powerful, greedy, and wicked (e.g., see 1 Kings 21; 2 Kings 4; Luke 6:17-26). Elijah and Elisha like Jesus proclaimed God’s compassion, mercy, and grace. God’s great reward awaits those in heaven who love God and seek goodness, mercy, and compassion like ancient prophets (see Luke 6:20-23). Similar to Elijah’s prediction to Ahab and his evil dynasty, Jesus predicted great sorrow awaits those who maliciously mistreat and harm others (see 1 Kings 21:17-28; 2 Kings 9:14-10:36; Luke 6:24-26). Sadly, Ahab and his wife, Jezebel and their descendants were not honest, hard -working people, but they enriched themselves by murdering and stealing from others (see 1 Kings 21; Luke 8:15).

Like Jesus, many times Israel ruling authorities rejected Elijah and Elisha message from God. However, Jesus, Elijah, and Elisha, like many other faithful servants of God, chose to carry out their faithful ministries for God. Because of Jesus as well as Elijah and Elisha’s faithfulness and commitment to the living God, some Jews and Gentiles also accepted and acknowledged the sovereignty of God (e.g., see 2 Kings 5:15; 2 Kings 13:4-5). Even a widow, a foreigner from Jezebel's home territory, cared for and acknowledged the living God and Elijah as a man of God (see 1 Kings 17:7-16, 24).

Sadly, Jesus along with Elijah and Elisha paid for their wholehearted commitment to God by experiencing isolation, threats, and rejections (e.g., see 1 Kings 19:1-18; Luke 4:14-29). At 1 Kings 19, Queen Jezebel retaliated by threatening Elijah's life, and Elijah ran after Elijah mightily defeating the priests of Baal and Asherah in the showdown on Mount Carmel (see 1 Kings 18:16-40). Elijah struggled with feelings of fear, depression, and abandonment. Despite God's provision of food and shelter in the desert, Elijah no longer wanted to live (see1 Kings 19:4).

Moreover, Elijah chose to work alone during his ministry, and he paid for his sole ministry with isolation and loneliness. However, Elisha and Jesus did not work alone during their prospective ministries. Elisha was often accompanied by a company of prophets (e.g., see 2 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 4:38). Similarly, many faithful disciples, women, and followers accompanied Jesus during His public ministry on earth (e.g., Luke 5:8-11, 27-28, 33; Luke 6:17; Luke 7:11; Luke 8:1-4). Elijah often lived apart from the people. However, Elisha shifted the focus and like Jesus lived among the people, preferring the poor and outcast, and stressed life, hope, and God’s grace. Like Jesus, all social classes had access to Elisha, from the lowly widow to foreign kings.

Interestingly, both Elijah and Elisha proclaimed God’s message to the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Elijah and Elisha traveled throughout the Northern Kingdom of Israel proclaiming God’s message. Similarly, Jesus spent a significant portion of His public ministry in Galilee, which is located in northern Israel (see Luke 4:42-44). These mighty men of God toured Northern Israel’s towns and villages with God’s uncompromising words of truth (e.g., see 2 Kings 2:1-8; Luke 4:14-15; Luke 8:1). Moreover, during Jesus’ public ministry, many people from the regions of Tyre and Sidon, Jezebel’s home country that worshipped Baal, came to hear and worship the Son of God (see 1 Kings 16:31; Luke 6:17).

Moreover, supernatural and amazing miracles accompanied Jesus and the ministries of Elijah and Elisha through God’s power and the Holy Spirit working within their lives. God performed mighty works and miracles through Jesus, as well as Elijah and Elisha’s hands. These mighty men revealed God’s power, grace, and healing not only to the Jewish people but also Gentiles (e.g., see 1 Kings 17:8-24; 2 Kings 5:1-14; Luke 4:25-17). First, the prophet Elijah predicted the beginning and ending of a three-year drought (see 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:41-46). Then, God worked an overwhelming miracle through Elijah to defeat the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (see 1 Kings 18:16-40). Furthermore, Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus restored the dead to life (see 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56). Both Elijah and Elisha brought food and salvation to widows (see 1 Kings 17:7-24; 2 Kings 4:1-7). Both Jesus and Elisha healed people suffering with leprosy (see 2 Kings 5:1-15; Luke 5:12-16). During Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus brought miraculous healing and restored life. Jesus healed a bleeding woman (see Luke 8:43-48), restored a dead girl to life (see Luke 8:40-42, 49-56), restored life to a Roman ruler’s servant (see Luke 7:1-10), and also restored a widow’s son to life (see Luke 7:11-17). Like Jesus, both Elijah and Elisha had God’s power to control the forces of nature, and heal and control the raging waters (e.g., see 2 Kings 2:7, 13-14; 2 Kings 2:19-22; Luke 8:22-25). Interestingly, Jesus acknowledged the miraculous works of Elijah and Elisha during His public ministry (see Luke 4:24-27).

The majestic display of God’s power over evil was on display during Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus’ lives. Like Jesus, Elijah had power to defeat the forces of darkness and Beelzebub, “the lord of the flies” (e.g., see 2 Kings 1:2; Luke 8:34-37; Luke 9:42-43). For instance, when Ahaziah fell and injured himself at 2 Kings 1, he sent messengers to ask Baal-zebub (lord of flies) about his fate. However, Elijah intercepted these messengers and sent word back to Ahaziah that he was soon to die (2 Kings 1). Ahaziah sent three different detachments of 50 soldiers each to arrest Elijah. Elijah sent fire from heaven to destroy the first group of messengers (see 2 Kings 1:10-12). Similarly, John and James wanted to retaliate against Jesus’ enemies by calling down fire from heaven on the people, as Elijah did on the servants of the wicked King Ahaziah of Israel (see Luke 9:51-56). Interestingly, at 2 Kings 2, Elijah was taken up into the glory cloud by chariots of fire rightfully revealing Yahweh is the God of all natural resources, including fire (see 2 Kings 2:11-12).

Similarly, Elijah prepared the way for Elisha as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah. John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Jesus (see Malachi 3:1; Luke 7:24-28). Elisha followed Elijah’s ministry and demonstrated God's power, yet with compassion, like Jesus following John the Baptist’s ministry.

Nevertheless, Jesus and Elisha spent less time in conflict with evil and more in compassionate care of people. The miracles that occurred during Elisha and Jesus’ ministries put people in touch with the personal and all-powerful God and performed miracles to help those in need. Sadly, Jesus’ public ministry of compassion only lasted three years while Elisha’s ministry that lasted over 50 years and six different kings from King Ahab to King Jehoash. Elisha’s ministry had a major impact on four nations: Israel, Judah, Moab, and Syria (Aram).

Just before Elijah’s departure, Elisha had asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (see 2 Kings 2:9), and the Holy Scriptures pointedly records about twice as many miracles performed during Elisha’s ministry. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God is often the Spirit of prophecy. Possession by the Holy Spirit enabled God’s servants to fulfill his or her calling. While other prophets waited nearby, Elisha asked for a “double portion” of the Spirit that was on Elijah (see 2 Kings 2:9).

Many of Elisha’s miracles revealed at 2 Kings 4 have great similarities to the miracles Jesus Himself would later perform (see Isaiah 61:1-3). Elisha used his power to provide a widow with an abundance of valuable oil to save her children from slavery (see 2 Kings 4:1-7). Also, Elisha made a poisonous pottage edible (see 2 Kings 4:38-41), fed a hundred men by multiplying limited resources (see 2 Kings 4:42-44), and miraculously provided water for thirsting armies (see 2 Kings 3:13-22). Once Elisha he made an iron ax head float (see 2 Kings 6:5-7). Elisha graciously restored sight to the blind (see 2 Kings 6:18-20), restored the dead to life (see 2 Kings 4:32-37; 2 Kings 8:4-5; 2 Kings 13:21), and brought good news to the destitute (see 2 Kings 4:1-7; 2 Kings 7:1-2; 2 Kings 8:6).

Similarly, Jesus willingly helped and provided for people. As the Gospels proclaimed, Jesus graciously “healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight” (Luke 7:21, ESV).  During His public ministry, Jesus brought healing to a paralytic man (see Luke 5:17-26). Jesus feed five thousand hurry souls with only five loaves of bread and two fish and everyone was satisfied (see Luke 9:10-17). Importantly, after Jesus’ testing and temptation in the wilderness, Jesus went around doing good and brought God’s healing to everyone in need (e.g. see Luke 4:38-41; Luke 9:11). God’s healing power was strongly with Jesus, and Jesus graciously healed everyone (e.g., see Luke 5:17; Luke 6:18-19; Luke 8:43-46; Luke 9:11). Like Elisha, Jesus restored the people’s sight (see Luke 4:18-19). Also, Jesus helped Simon catch fish (see Luke 5:4-7). Like Jesus, Elisha’s power did not end at death. For when a dead man was thrown into Elisha’s grave and touched his bones, “he revived and stood up on his feet” (see 2 Kings 13:21). Even now, everyone that believes and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior has life! Moreover, Jesus graciously gave His faithful disciples His power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases (see Luke 9:1-2). Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the Good News of God’s Kingdom and the power of God in throughout the regions of Tyre, Sidon, and Northern Israel (see Luke 10:1-24). Jesus commented that many prophets and kings longed to see what His disciples saw and hear during their missionary journey (see Luke 10:24).

The miracles of Jesus as well as the Elijah and Elisha narratives were redemptive to dry the people’s hearts back to God. The display of God’s raw power on Mount Carmel and Jesus’ teaching and miraculous healing were to produce repentance in Israel (see 1 Kings 18:16-46; see Luke 10:1-24). Yet, many people still refused to wholeheartedly love and obey Yahweh, the true and living God. 

Interestingly, throughout Jesus’ public ministry the crowds believed that Jesus was a mighty prophet like Elijah and Elisha. Ruling authorities, kings, and even common people believed Jesus was like an ancient prophet, such as Elijah (e.g., see Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Luke 4:24; Luke 7:16, 39; Luke 9:7-9, 19). In fact, some people considered Jesus to be Elijah (see Matthew 16:14; Mark 6:15). Like the Old Testament prophets, Jesus boldly proclaimed the living God's message and performed supernatural miracles such as raising the dead through God’s power and Spirit. The people were correct in believing that Jesus was a prophet, but He was much more — He is God Himself!

Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain and the Elijah and Elisha narratives reveal an “audio-visual display” of God’s living presence and power. God’s living presence and power was present during Elijah’s contest on Mount Carmel (see 1 Kings 18:36-39), silent whisper of God’s voice and power (see 1 Kings 19:10-14), and God’s glorious voice at the Mount Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah (see Luke 9:28-36). Interestingly, Elijah appeared along with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus to discuss His “departure” or “exodus” from the world to bring salvation and redemption (see Luke 9:31). Here Peter suggested that three tabernacles be built for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (see Luke 9:33).

Moreover, Jesus as well as Elijah and Elisha concentrated their efforts on the particular needs of the people around them. Elijah confronted and exposed idolatry, helping to create an atmosphere where people could freely worship the true and living God. Interestingly, John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah, and John the Baptist challenged and exposed the people’s wickedness like Elijah (see 1 Kings 18:36-39; Luke 3:1-20). Similar to Jesus, Elijah spent forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. The living God’s power and Holy Spirit supported both Jesus and Elijah for forty days and forty nights (see 1 Kings 19:4-8; Luke 4:1-2, 14).

            The Gospels and the Elijah and Elisha narratives reveal people respected their ministries. For instance, after Jesus’ testing and temptation in the wilderness, reports about Him spread quickly throughout the whole region (see Luke 4:14-15; Luke 7:17). People spoke well of Jesus, particularly because of Jesus’ authoritative teaching and acts of compassion (see Luke 4:18-19, 22, 36-37; Luke 7:21). Similarly, Elijah and Elisha received praised by the kings and the people. For the most part, the people thought well of Elijah and Elisha (e.g., see 2 Kings 13:14).             

IV.       Summary

In summary, the Elijah and Elisha narratives have many similarities to the Gospel message about Jesus. Both the Elijah and Elisha narratives and Gospels of Jesus rightly proclaim that the Lord God of Israel is God of all the earth!

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Apostle Paul:  ² Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. ³ How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? ⁴ Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? ⁵ I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

⁶ In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” ⁷ The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. ⁸ What is more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this Good News to Abraham long ago when He said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” ⁹ So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

¹⁰ But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under His curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” ¹¹ So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” ¹² This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” ¹³ But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He (Christ Jesus) was hung on the Cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” ¹⁴ Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing He promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:2-14 (NLT)

There is one living God, and He exists in three Persons – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Spirit. This doctrine of one God that exists as three Persons is known as the Trinity, the Godhead, or the Triune God. God the Father is presently living on His throne (e.g. see Isaiah 6:1; Daniel 7:9; Revelation 4:2) and God’s Son Jesus is presently at the living God’s right hand (e.g., see Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33). The Spirit of God also known as the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost was sent directly from God the Father and His Son Jesus (e.g., see John 14:26; John 15:26). God the Father and His Son Jesus graciously poured out the blessings of the Spirit of God at Pentecost, and He is with all faithful believers of God and His Son Jesus – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) (e.g., see John 4:24; Acts 2:33; Acts 10:45; Titus 3:6).

Both our salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s transforming Holy Spirit (e.g., see John 3:3-8; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 19). Through faith in God the Father and His Son Christ Jesus, God’s transforming Holy Spirit, who knows everyone’s heart, cleanses our hearts of sin, graciously gives salvation, and comes to live inside our hearts (e.g., see Acts 10:34-48; Acts 15:8-11; Ephesians 1:13-14). The Old Testament prophets predicted the living God would bring forgiveness of sins, salvation, and His transforming Holy Spirit to everyone who genuinely calls upon the Name of the Lord (e.g. see Ezekiel 36:24-27; Joel 2:28-32; John 7:38-39). Only God’s transforming Holy Spirit changes our hearts and guides us to the things that please God (e.g., see Romans 8:5-14; Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22-23). It is impossible to obey and please God without God’s transforming Holy Spirit empowering believers from within our hearts to obey Him (see 2 Corinthians 3). 

In Galatians, some Jews were falsely teaching the Gentiles they had to accept the Mosaic Law and certain rituals such as circumcision to receive the Holy Spirit. However, the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3 reminded these Gentile Christians how they and everyone else receive salvation and God’s Holy Spirit (see Galatians 3:1-2). The true and living God freely and graciously gives salvation and the power of His transforming Spirit to anyone through faith and acceptance of His Son Jesus and the Gospel message (Galatians 3:2, 5, 14; see also Acts 2:38-39; Acts 11:15-18; Romans 8:9-11; Romans 10:14-17; Ephesians 1:13-14). No one can purchase, earn, or deserve this gift of God (e.g., see Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 8:9-25). Everyone who looks to God through faith in His Son Jesus freely receives God’s life and spiritual blessings (see Galatians 3:13-14).

The Holy Scriptures reveal that no one can receive God’s transforming Spirit and power through one’s human efforts such as keeping the Jewish laws and observing certain religious rituals, ceremonies, and festivals (Galatians 3:3, 5; see also Galatians 4:9-10). Instead, the true and living God graciously gives His salvation,  the power of the Holy Spirit, and work miracles by hearing with faith and believing in God’s Son Jesus as our Lord and Savior and accepting the Gospel message (Galatians 3:5; see also 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

Next, the Apostle Paul compares believers’ righteousness with Abraham’s life as an example of how God accepts and declares one right with Him (righteousness) (see Galatians 3:1-9). God declared Abraham righteous and fit for heaven because of Abraham’s faith in Him and acceptance of His good promises (Galatians 3:6; see also Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). In the same way, the Apostle Paul taught the Galatians that the real children of Abraham are those who live by wholehearted faith in God (see Galatians 3:7, 9). Abraham is the father of everyone – Jews and Gentiles – that believes in the true and living God (see John 8:33, 39, 53; Acts 7:2; Romans 4:11-12, 23-25). In essence, the Apostle Paul revealed that faith has always been the basis for a relationship with God and receiving His good promises.

Moreover, the Apostle Paul declared that the Old Testament looked forward to Jesus’ coming when God would declare and credit everyone – Jews and Gentiles – with righteousness and in right standing with Him through faith in Him (Galatians 3:8; see also Hebrews 11:7). God announced this Good News to Abraham long ago when He said, “I will bless those in every nation who trust in Me as you do.” (Galatians 3:8, TLB, see also Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18). So then, everyone who place their faith and trust in God and His Son Jesus share the same blessings Abraham received because of his faith (Galatians 3:9; see also Romans 4:16).

However, anyone who depends on the law and religious rituals to make them right with God are under His curse for the Holy Scriptures clearly say, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them” (Galatians 3:10, ESV; quoting Deuteronomy 27:26). Consequently, no one can win God’s grace and righteousness by trying to keep the law because God has said that the only way one can be right in His sight is by faith in Him (Galatians 3:11; see also Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 5:6). As the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk declared, “The man who finds life will find it through trusting God” (Galatians 3:11, TLB quoting Habakkuk 2:4). However, the law does not rest on faith but says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life” (Galatians 3:12, NLT, quoting Leviticus 18:5).

However, Christ Jesus has purchased our freedom (redemption) and released everyone from the curse of the law by taking the curse for our wrongdoing upon Himself on Calvary’s Cross (see Galatians 3:13; see also Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 4:5). So through faith in Christ Jesus, everyone can receive the blessing of Abraham, declaration of righteousness (justification), and God’s transforming Holy Spirit (sanctification) (Galatians 3:14, 22, 24; see also Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-9). The true and living God gave His unconditional promises to Abraham and His Seed, Christ Jesus, to save and declare everyone righteous through wholehearted faith in Him and now also His Son, Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:15-18; see also Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:15).

One may ask, “what about the law?” The Apostle Paul is not degrading nor depreciating the Mosaic Law for he maintained that the Mosaic Law is good, holy, righteous, and spiritual (Galatians 3:19; see also Psalm 119; Romans 7:12, 14; 1 Timothy 1:8). The true and living God wrote the Mosaic Law – the Ten Commandments – with His finger (see Exodus 24:12; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1; Deuteronomy 9:10; Romans 8:3). However, the Apostle Paul reminds the Galatians that God added the Mosaic Law four hundred and thirty years (430) after declaring Abraham righteous through faith and acceptance in Him and His good promises (Galatians 3:17; see also Genesis 15:6). God gave Moses and the ancient Israelites His covenant—the Ten Commandments—to reveal and teach what sin, wrong, and evil looks like in His holy eyes (Galatians 3:18-19, 24; see also Romans 3:20). The Mosaic Law reveals the nature and will of the living God, provides our daily wisdom, and acted as our guardian until the arrival of Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:24; see also Deuteronomy 4:6-8, 13-14).

The Apostle Paul teaches that the only way now to escape sin and guilt is through our faith in God’s Son, Christ Jesus (see Galatians 3:22, 24). Through our faith in Christ Jesus, God graciously adopts and unites believers—men, women, Jews, and Gentiles —equally into His family as His dearly loved children and forgives our sins (Galatians 3:26-28; see also Galatians 4:4-7; John 1:12-13). Even more, believers of Jesus become true descendants of Abraham, and all of God’s promises given to Abraham also equally belong to faithful believers of God’s Son, Christ Jesus (see Galatians 3:29). Most important, believers of God and His Son Jesus become One with the Triune God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit (see John 17:21-23). Through our faith, God and His Son Jesus graciously sends believers the transforming Holy Spirit and power to live in believers’ hearts, so they become more and more like God and holy (see 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, 17-18; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 4:4-7; Philippians 2:12-13). In essence, God and His Son Jesus live into believers’ hearts by the Holy Spirit and empower believers to live holy and God-honoring lives (see Galatians 5:13-26).

As a side note, few expressions in the Holy Scriptures are more significant and more misunderstood than “law.” The Holy Scriptures apply the “law” to specific commandments, customs, legal judgments, collections of regulations and ordinances, the book of Deuteronomy (which means “second law”), the entire revelation at Mount Sinai, the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), and the Old Testament as a whole (e.g., see John 10:34; John 12:34; John 15:25; 1 Corinthians 14:21).. Maimonides, a Jewish rabbi, established that 613 commandments were scattered throughout the Pentateuch. Also, the New Testament recognizes other laws such as the natural laws (see Romans 1:26; Romans 2:14) and “the law of sin” that results in death (see Romans 7:23, 25; Romans 8:2).

God and Moses perceived obedience to the laws, not as a precondition to salvation, but as the grateful response of those who had already been saved. God did not reveal the law to the Israelites in Egypt and then tell them that as soon as they had measured up to this standard, He would rescue them. On the contrary, by God’s grace alone through faith Moses and the ancient Israelites crossed the Red Sea to freedom (see Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:6). Thus, God never intended obedience to the Ten Commandments or any other law as the way of salvation but as a response to salvation already received. True biblical religion has always been a matter of wholehearted love, devotion, and obedience to God from our hearts (e.g. see Leviticus 26:41; Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6-10; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:39; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26-27). Throughout Israel’s history, the ancient Israelites corrupted the law by placing great value in external religious rituals and ceremonies while disregarding God’s ethical and moral demands of mercy, justice, and fairness (e.g., see Isaiah 1:10-17; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8).

With His first coming, Christ Jesus brought many aspects of the Old Testament law to completion. In His person, Jesus ended the ceremonial laws and transformed these old covenant customs into new covenant realities (e.g., baptism; the Lord’s Supper). However, the moral laws of the Old Testament remain in force. The moral commands of the Old Testament that Jesus declared continues is a wholehearted commitment of one’s whole being to God and a genuine love for the well-being of others (e.g., see Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-37; John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:6). This teaching was the same viewpoint Moses developed in Deuteronomy, and the Apostle Paul continually taught (e.g., see Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Romans 13:8-14; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:14). The Apostle Paul continued Jesus’ teaching that love is the most important virtue (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22).

Besides, we must recognize that many of the Apostle Paul’s negative statements concerning the law occurred in contexts of debating with Judaizers the way of salvation for Gentiles (e.g., see Galatians 3). Salvation comes only by God’s grace through faith in Him and His promises, which is precisely the way the Old Testament presents Israel’s experience (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Furthermore, the Apostle Paul’s comments that apart from the Holy Spirit it is impossible to satisfy the demands of the law is not contrary to Moses but a clarification of what Moses had meant by the circumcision of the heart (e.g., see Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:29).

In summary, the glorious news of the Gospel is that through faith in Jesus and His sacrificial death God lifts the curse of sin and circumcises our hearts by His Holy Spirit. However, Jesus’ coming and sacrificial death do not mean that God has suspended His moral commands, such as His Ten Commandments, as His moral laws are a fundamental statement of God’s moral will, and we must obey His moral commandments. Instead, the law serves as a reflection of God’s moral nature, will, and wisdom as well as the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable conduct (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:6-8, 13-14; Psalm 119). Accordingly, those who fulfill the “Law of Christ” by loving God with all their hearts and their neighbors as themselves will fulfill the essence of the law and reflect holy living (see John 14:15, 21, 23-24; John 15:12, 17). The Holy Scriptures speak with a single voice in calling on all people to respond to God’s grace with wholehearted love for Him and self-sacrificing love for others (e.g., see Matthew 7:12; Matthew 9:9-13).

References

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Butler, Trent C. Holman Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1991).

Holy Spirit Transforms

¹⁷ For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT)

There is an old saying, “you cannot teach an old dog a new trick.” However, the Apostle Paul taught the early Corinthian church that people could change by the living God’s transforming Spirit through faith in His Son Jesus and the power of the Gospel (Good News) (2 Corinthians 3:2-3; see also Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Through wholehearted faith in Jesus and His Gospel message, believers die to their old ways of selfish living and now live to please and obey Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:5, 14-15). Faith in Jesus not only declares believers righteous and blameless before God but also results in a new and changed lifestyle of unselfish living for God and others by God’s transforming Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6; see also John 3:3-8; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:15, 21). In essence, genuine believers of Jesus are brand new people on the inside!

Sadly, some people in the early church criticized the Apostle Paul’s ministry efforts and His Gospel message about Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 1:3-2:17). The Apostle Paul refuted this criticism by asking his accusers to look at the good change in the Corinthians’ hearts and the good work (fruit) among them (2 Corinthians 3:2; see also Galatians 5:22-23; James 2:14-26). The Spirit of the living God was changing the hearts and minds of Corinthian believers through their genuine faith and obedience to Christ Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 3:3-5). The Holy Spirit had written the truth of God on the Corinthians’ hearts making them living letters from Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 3:3). Believers’ continual relationship with the Christ Jesus is the source to receive God’s transforming Spirit and removal of our spiritual blindness.

The Apostle Paul explained to his critics that Christ Jesus instituted a new covenant from the living God at His sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross (2 Corinthians 3:3, 6; e.g., see also Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 9:15). The Old Testament prophets had predicted that God would make a new covenant with His faithful people (Jews and Gentiles). This covenant would be written on their hearts and not stone tables and would bring forgiveness of sins (e.g., see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Ezekiel 11:19-21; Ezekiel 36:24-27; Hebrews 8:8-12; Hebrews 10:16). The Apostle Paul saw the fulfillment of the Old Testament’s prophecy at Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection that brought an outpouring of the living God’s Spirit and a new life on all who trusted and obeyed God’s Son Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:6; e.g., see also John 6:63; John 7:38-39; John 14:16-17, 25-26; Acts 2:33, 38-40; Acts 5:31; Titus 3:4-8).

The old covenant given by God at Mount Sinai to Moses and the ancient Israelites was not bad nor evil but holy, good, righteous, and glorious (2 Corinthians 3:7, 10-11; see also Exodus 34:29-30; Psalm 119:39; Matthew 5:17-20; Romans 7:12; 1 Timothy 1:8). However, the old system of law – the Mosaic covenant – was written on stone tablets and not on the human heart. Thus, the old system of the law on stone tablets was powerless to purge away our sins and transform our heart and minds from within (2 Corinthians 3:3, 7; see also Exodus 24:12; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1; Deuteronomy 9:10; Romans 8:3). However, the new covenant instituted at Jesus’ sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross was more glorious than the old covenant (see 2 Corinthians 3:10). The new covenant instituted at Jesus’ sacrificial death brings a new and transformed heart and mind by the Holy Spirit and declares everyone righteous who believe and obey Jesus and the Gospel message (2 Corinthians 3:6-9, 11-12; see also John 3:3-8; Romans 3:28; Romans 5:1-5; Galatians 3:2-5). The new covenant through the Holy Spirit brings (1) a changed heart, (2) reconciliation with God, (3) knowledge of God, (4) forgiveness of sins, and (5) a new life (2 Corinthians 3:6; see also 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

The power of the living God’s transforming Spirit changes everyone who wholeheartedly repents of their sins and genuinely accept and obey the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel (2 Corinthians 3:16; e.g., see Acts 13:38-39; Romans 10:9-13; 2 Peter 1:3-4). The Spirit of God has the transforming power to give everyone a new and eternal life who believes and obeys Jesus and His Gospel message of salvation (2 Corinthians 3:17; see also Acts 1:4-5; Acts 11:16; Romans 1:16-17). Through our faith and obedience of Jesus, believers not only receive new life but freedom from trying to obey the Law through our own physical efforts (2 Corinthians 3:17; see also John 8:31-32; Romans 2:29; Romans 7:6). The Holy Spirit adopts believers into God’s family and gives believers the enabling power and desire to obey the Law from within (see also Romans 8:2, 5-6; Galatians 4:6-7). In other words, the God’s transforming Spirit gives believers new hearts to obey God and His good Law through our faith in His Son Christ Jesus (see Romans 3:30-31; Philippians 2:12-13).

Under God’s new covenant, God’s same laws and statutes are now engraved inwardly onto believers’ hearts and minds and it is no longer an external set of rules and principles (2 Corinthians 3:3-4; e.g., see also Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Ezekiel 11:19-21; Ezekiel 36:24-27). The Holy Spirit works inside believer to activate our consciences, influence our motives and desires, and make us want to obey God (see Romans 8:2, 5). Now doing God’s will is something believers genuinely desire with all our heart and mind (see 2 Corinthians 4:4-6). With new hearts, believers find that serving God is our greatest joy and freedom!

As the Spirit of God transforms our hearts and minds from within, we become more and more like our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus and reflect His bright glory (2 Corinthians 3:18; see also John 17:22, 24; Romans 8:29). Biblical scholars call believer’s transformation by the Spirit sanctification. The old system of law – the Mosaic covenant – written on stone tablets faded with time (2 Corinthians 3:13-14; see also Exodus 34:29-35). However, God’s transforming Spirit brings ever increasing glory to all believers as we trust and obey the living God found in Christ Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 3:16-18). God is a living, personal Presence and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, freedom, and deliverance from evil. God’s transforming Spirit helps believers through faith in Jesus to become excellent, self-controlled, patient, merciful, and godly (e.g., see John 14:17, 26; John 15:26; Romans 8:26; 2 Peter 1:3-11).

References

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Holy Spirit’s Blessings

Apostle Paul:  ³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. . . . ⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son (Jesus). ⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased (redeemed) our freedom with the blood of His Son (Jesus) and forgave our sins. ⁸ He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence). . . . ¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ (Messiah) from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now He (Jesus) is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else — not only in this world but also in the world to come. ²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ (Messiah) and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³ And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself. Ephesians 1:3, 6-8, 19-23 (NLT)

GOD IS GOOD! In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul teaches on the spiritual wealth and goodness of Triune God—God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Spirit. The true and living God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has blessed all faithful believers of His Son Jesus with every spiritual blessings and riches in the heavenly realms because we trust and obey His Son (Ephesians 1:3).

First, God the Father has blessed every faithful believer with His overflowing and abundant mercy, peace, and grace through faith in His Son Jesus (e.g., see Ephesians 1:2-3, 6-8; Ephesians 2:4-7; Ephesians 3:8, 14-21). Furthermore through our faith and obedience in His Son Jesus, God has declared all believers as righteous, holy, blameless and wise (Ephesians 1:1, 8; see also Romans 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8-9). Even more, all believers have received an inheritance from God, forgiveness of sins, and adoptions into God’s family because we love and obey His Son Jesus (Ephesians 1:7, 18; see also Acts 20:32; Romans 2:4; Romans 3:23-25; Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Through our faith in His Son Jesus, the glorious and living God has washed away all our sins, sealed us with His Holy Spirit, and adopted us as His children (Ephesians 1:7, 13-14; see also John 1:12-13; John 3:3-8; 2 Corinthians 5:5). Our Heavenly Father is not poor but rich, and He has made faithful believers’ rich in His Son, Christ Jesus (see Ephesians 3:8). God’s grace supplies the wealth, but our faith lays hold of the wealth.

Most importantly, through our faith in His living Son Christ Jesus, God has given all faithful believers the mighty power and wisdom of His Holy Spirit to help and dwell within us (Ephesians 1:13-14, 19; see also John 14:25-26; John 16:12-14; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Ephesians 6:10). God has given every faithful believer of Christ Jesus the power of His Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul mentions the Holy Spirit many times in the book of Ephesians because the Holy Spirit is the One who channels our spiritual blessings from God the Father through the Son, Christ Jesus (see Ephesians 1:13-14). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is a foretaste or down payment of our inheritance from God, the Father of glory. Not to know and depend on the Holy Spirit’s blessings and provisions available to all believers is to live a life of spiritual poverty! That same Holy Spirit power that resurrected Christ Jesus from complete death and seated Him at God’s right hand in heaven also now lives and dwells within all faithful believers of Jesus (Ephesians 1:20; see also Acts 2:24, 33; 1 Peter 3:18, 22). The living God has elevated His Son Jesus to be far above any other kings, rulers, dictators, and leaders of this world or in the world to come (Ephesians 1:21; see also 1 Peter 3:22). The Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme Head of the Church—which is His body (see Ephesians 1:22-23). As faithful believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are also spiritually seated with Christ Jesus in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:20; see also Ephesians 2:5-6), and all things are under our feet (see Romans 8:37). “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV). If we are on God’s side, God will defeat our enemies (e.g., see Psalm 118:6; Jeremiah 20:11; Romans 8:31).

At Calvary’s Cross, Jesus defeated and destroyed evil! Although Jesus has defeated all evil powers, principalities, and spirits, these unclean spirits have not yet surrendered. The residues of their power continue to corrupt the disobedient world (see Ephesians 2:2). When Jesus returns in all His glory with His angels, Jesus will defeat all residues of evil (see 1 Corinthians 15:24).

Sadly, evil enemies want to rob believers of our spiritual blessings (see e.g., Ephesians 6:11-12). Believers can never defeat these evil spiritual enemies in our own power, but we can through the Holy Spirit’s power (see Ephesians 6:10). In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wants all believers to know the greatness of God’s power to defeat any evil enemy that tries to deprive us of our spiritual blessings. Because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the living God has given all believers the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat all strategies and tricks of Satan and his evil followers (see Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:10-11). Believers can resist and defeat Satan and his evil spirits through our TRUTH, GOODNESS, PEACE, FAITH, GOD’S WORD, PRAYER, AND HOLY SPIRIT’S POWER (Ephesians 6:13-18). Believers overcome evil with good (see Romans 12:9, 21).

References

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Book House Company, 2001).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary –New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit

²² Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and could not speak, was brought to Jesus. He (Jesus) healed the man so that he could both speak and see. ²³ The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” ²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder He can cast out demons. He gets His power from Satan, the prince of demons.” ²⁵ Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. ²⁶ And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. ²⁷ And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. ²⁸ But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. ²⁹ For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. ³⁰ Anyone who is not with Me opposes Me, and anyone who is not working with Me is actually working against Me. ³¹ Every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. ³² Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.” Matthew 12:22-32 (NLT)

One day, a demon-possessed man, who was both blind and unable to talk, was brought to Jesus (see Matthew 12:22). Demons – unclean spirits – sometimes inflict physical and mental sickness (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:14-15, 23; Mark 5:1-5, 8; Luke 9:37-43). As so many times before, Jesus healed the demon-possessed man so that he could both speak and see (Matthew 12:22; e.g. see also Matthew 9:32-34; Mark 1:23; Mark 3:10-12; Luke 11:14). The crowds were amazed and exclaimed, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” (Matthew 12:23; e.g., see also Matthew 1:1, 16-17; Matthew 9:27; Luke 11:15; John 4:29).

During Jesus’ public ministry on earth, He performed many miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit working through Him (e.g., see Matthew 11:5; Luke 4:18-19; John 3:34; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:36-43). The living God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power (e.g., see Matthew 3:16; John 1:32-33; Acts 10:38; Romans 1:3-4). Then, Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were sick and oppressed by the devil for the living God was with Him (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 12:15, 18; Luke 6:19; John 3:2; Acts 10:38). Jesus is the only begotten Son of the living God, and He came from the living God (e.g., see Daniel 6:25-27; Matthew 16:16; John 1:14, 18; John 3:16; John 20:31; Acts 17:24). Importantly, Jesus was full of God’s grace, glory, and truth (e.g., see John 1:14, 17) because the fullness of God dwelled within Jesus (e.g., see Colossians 1:15, 19; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:3-4). Out of Jesus’ fullness, we have all received one gracious blessing after another (see John 1:16).

However, when some Pharisees and others heard about Jesus’ miraculous healing of the demon-possessed man, they said, “He can cast out demons because He is Satan, king of devils” (Matthew 12:24, TLB; see also Luke 11:15-16). Sadly, these Pharisees and some others believed that Jesus was in alliance with Satan and attributed Jesus’ power to Satan’s power at work in Him, not God’s power (Matthew 12:24; see also Mark 3:22; Luke 11:18).

Jesus knew these Pharisees’ thoughts and replied,

²⁵ “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. ²⁶ If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? ²⁷ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁸ But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. ²⁹ Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. ³⁰ Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters. ³¹ And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” Matthew 12:25-32 (NIV2011)

As God in human flesh (incarnate) (e.g., see John 1:1, 18), Jesus told the listening crowd that a divided kingdom will end in ruin because a city or home divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25; see also Mark 3:24-25; Luke 11:17). Jesus knew that if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting himself and destroying his own kingdom (Matthew 12:26; see also Mark 3:26). Sadly, some of the Pharisees and other Jews believed that Jesus was healing and curing people of demons and other unclean spirits by invoking the powers of Satan (Matthew 12:24, 27; e.g., see also Matthew 9:34; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15-16, 18-19; John 8:48-52; John 10:19-21). However, Jesus healed and cured many people by the power of the Spirit of God (see Matthew 12:28). Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy but Jesus has come to give everyone the Spirit of life through faith in Him (e.g., see John 1:4; John 3:15-16; John 10:10; John 20:31). The fact that Jesus delivered the demon-possessed man was proof that He was stronger than Satan was and that Satan could not stop Him (Matthew 12:29; see also Mark 1:7; Luke 11:21-22; John 16:33). The fullness of God’s power lived inside Jesus, and the powers of darkness could not overcome Jesus (e.g., see Luke 4:31-36; Luke 11:20; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossian 2:14-15; 1 Peter 3:22). Jesus introduced God’s Kingdom and rescued people from Satan’s power through faith in Him (see Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13). Jesus entered Satan’s kingdom, overcame his power, and claimed healing and deliverance for this demon-possessed man. Jesus’ victory was through the Spirit of God and not in the power of the evil one (see Luke 11:20). There is truly power in Jesus! As faithful followers of Jesus, believers share this same power of Jesus to defeat evil (see Colossians 2:20).

Then, Jesus informed the listening crowd, “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man (Jesus) will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32, ESV; see also Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10). Teaching about the unpardonable sin stems from Jesus’ teaching recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels (see Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10). Jesus’ teaching brings a severe warning about the deep danger of attributing the grace and Spirit of God to an act of Satan. In Jesus and His miraculous powers, the true and living God and His Spirit were present and active (e.g., see Luke 4:18-19; John 3:34; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38; Romans 1:4). To reject Jesus’ ministry was to reject God and so to reject God’s way forgiveness. The unpardonable sin means a blatant hostility and persistent rejection of God’s divine presence with Jesus and His offer of new life and salvation by the Spirit of grace (see Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-29; 1 John 5:16-21). In this sin, the Spirit of grace is outraged, and there is no further access to forgiveness. The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus, convicts everyone of sin, and draws people to God (see John 15:26; John 16:7-11). Those who deliberately reject the living God and the Holy Spirit’s call to faith and obedience to Jesus have no hope for forgiveness! The rejection of Holy Spirit’s call to faith and obedience to Jesus indicates a deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart and subjection to God’s wrath (e.g., John 3:3-8, 15-18, 36).

The most important gift Jesus gives all faithful believers is the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:1-4), and Jesus promised to give all believers the Holy Spirit to those who trust and obey Him (John 8:30-31; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:9-10; Titus 3:5; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 5:3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12). The Holy Spirit brings life now and for eternity (see John 3:36; John 7:38-39; John 20:31; Acts 16:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; 1 John 5:1). Even more, the Holy Spirit gives believers God’s guidance, power, and the seal of salvation (e.g., see Romans 8:26-27; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit brings good gift from God that washes away our sins and gives us a new heart through faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection (e.g., see Luke 11:13; John 4:10; Acts 2:38-40; Hebrews 10:10, 22; 1 Peter 2:24). Moreover, the Holy Spirit also gives believers spiritual gifts (e.g., see Romans 12:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-10; Ephesians 4:4-6, 11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

However, if a person deliberately continues sinning after receiving the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins (see Hebrews 6:4-8; Hebrews 10:26-29). There is only the terrible expectation of God’s eternal judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies (see Hebrews 10:27, 29). It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God (see Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). Jesus told the listening crowd that people of Nineveh repented and turned from evil when the Prophet Jonah proclaimed God’s grace and love to them (see Jonah 3:4-5, 8-10; Jonah 4:2; Matthew 12:41). Jesus said that He was greater than the Prophet Jonah was as He possessed the fullness of God, and yet the people refused to repent and believe in Him (Matthew 12:41; see also Mark 1:14-15; Luke 11:29-30, 32).

Faithful believers of Jesus are God’s children, and they do not make a practice of sinning for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them (see 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:1, 18). Anyone person who continually practices sin proves that he belongs to Satan (see 1 John 3:7-10). God says many times throughout the Holy Scriptures that He wants everyone wholeheartedly love and obey Him (e.g., see 1 Samuel 15:22, 23; Psalm 40:6-8; Psalm 51:16-19; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 9:13). The Holy Scriptures repeatedly teaches that God’s good blesses come to those who hear and obey God’s righteous ways (e.g., see Proverbs 8:32; Luke 6:47; John 14:21; James 1:22-25). We reject God and grieve the Holy Spirit when we live in sin and disobedience to God’s righteous ways of living (e.g., see Isaiah 63:7-14; Ephesians 4:1-6, 20-24, 30; 1 John 1:5-10). The Holy Spirit is a Person who is sensitive and is hurt by the immoral behavior of those in whose hearts He lives through faith in Jesus (see Isaiah 63:10; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 11, 17, 19-20; Ephesians 2:21-22).

God graciously forgives all sins, blasphemies, and slanders if one humbly confesses and repents of one’s sins and returns to the living God and His righteous ways of living (e.g., see Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13-14; 1 John 1:7, 9). Whoever genuinely repents and seeks God’s grace found in Jesus will find God’s forgiveness and mercy (see 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1-2). However, God does not forgive those who continual sin and reject God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy found by faith in His Son, Jesus (see Mark 3:28-30). Such rejections of the Holy Spirit is crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace (see Hebrews 6:6).

References

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Book House Company, 2001).

Spirit Brings Life

¹ There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. ² After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent You to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with You.” ³ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” ⁴ “What do You mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” ⁵ Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. ⁷ So do not be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you cannot explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

. . . .

¹³ “No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. ¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. ¹⁸ There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. ²⁰ All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. ²¹ But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

. . . .

³¹ “He (Jesus) has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but He has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. ³² He testifies about what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what He tells them! ³³ Anyone who accepts His testimony can affirm that God is true. ³⁴ For He (Jesus) is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives Him the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves His Son and has put everything into His hands. ³⁶ And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who does not obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:1-8, 13-21, 31-36 (NLT)

During Jesus’ public ministry, the people of Israel and even non-Jews (the Gentiles) knew that Jesus came from the living God (e.g., see John 1:14; John 5:36; John 12:20-23; Acts 10:38). One dark night Nicodemus, a highly respected Jewish religious leader, teacher, and a member of the Pharisees, came to Jesus (John 3:1-2, 10). Nicodemus said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that You are a Teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him” (John 3:2, ESV; see also John 3:13, 34; John 6:38, Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 9:24). During Jesus’ time on earth, Jesus taught the people with authority and performed many miraculous signs, healings, and wonders (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:22, 32-34; John 2:11, 23; John 20:31; Acts 2:22). Yet despite Jesus’ authoritative teaching and miraculous signs, many people refused to believe and accept that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) and the Son of the living God from heaven (e.g., see John 3:11, 19, 32; John 5:43; John 12:37-43).

Then, Jesus informed Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3, NASB). Nicodemus shouted to Jesus, “How can someone be born when they are old? . . . Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” (John 3:4, NIV2011). Jesus answered Nicodemus’ question with a summary of the Holy Spirit’s giving of new life:

⁵ . . . “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8 (ESV)

Jesus informed Nicodemus that unless one is born of water and the Spirit, that person could not enter God’s Kingdom (John 3:5; see also Ezekiel 36:25-27; Acts 2:38-41; Titus 3:5). Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Holy Spirit (John 3:6; see also 1 Corinthians 15:50). The Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven (John 3:6-8; see also John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus taught Nicodemus that unless one is born anew from above by the Spirit of God one cannot enter and see God’s Kingdom (John 3:3; see also John 1:12-13). Everyone is reborn by the Holy Spirit and accepted into God’s Kingdom by their faith, repentance, and belief in Jesus and His Word (Gospel) (e.g., see Acts 2:23-40; Acts 10:37-44; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; 1 John 5:1, 10-12).

The Greek word pneuma and the Hebrew word ruah are similar for Holy Spirit, stemming from association with breath and the wind (see Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 1:4; John 3:8; Acts 2:1-2). The word wind in both Hebrew and Greek can also be translated “spirit.” One of the symbols of the Spirit of God in the Bible is the wind or breath (see Job 33:4; John 20:22; Acts 2:2). Like the wind, the Spirit is invisible but powerful; and one cannot explain or predict the movements of the wind. When God sends His Holy Spirit, a new life is born (see Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30).

By looking and accepting Jesus and His Word by faith, the Holy Spirit brings a supernatural spiritual birth from above and anew (e.g., see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 11:16; Romans 1:16-17). Just as there are two parents for physical birth, so there are two “parents” for spiritual birth: the Spirit of God (see John 3:5-8) and the Word of God (see John 6:63; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25). The combination of the Spirit of God and the Word of God bring new life and a new heart. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and, when a sinner believes, imparts the life of God (e.g., see Acts 10:37-44; Romans 10:9-13). Acceptance and belief in Jesus and His Word bring life because the Holy Spirit enters one’s life and heart when one accepts and believe Jesus and His Word (see Acts 10:43-48; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-9; see also Ezekiel 37:1-14). Water baptism is also a part of our obedience to Jesus and our witness for Him (see Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41). Everyone who believes and obeys Jesus and His Word has God’s new life from above – spiritual, eternal, and abundant (e.g., see John 1:4; John 10:10; John 14:6; Romans 5:17)! The new birth, also known as regeneration, is the act of God that gives new life and new heart to the one who believes and obeys His Son, Jesus (see John 8:30-31; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:9-10; Titus 3:5; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 5:3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12). Through our wholehearted faith in Jesus, believers undergo a cleansing from sins and a spiritual transformation and renewal (see 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:1, 4, 18). 

Jesus is the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) that the living God had sent from heaven to save the world and give new life through faith in  Him, Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 1:21, 23; Luke 2:10-11; Mark 1:1; John 3:15-17, 31; John 6:61-65; Hebrews 4:14; 1 John 5:12). Everyone (Jews and non-Jews) who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and they will receive a new life, a new heart, and eternal salvation (e.g., see John 3:36; John 7:38-39; John 20:31; Acts 16:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; 1 John 5:1). The living God did not send His Son Jesus into the world at His first arrival to condemn the world, but to save the world through faith in Him (John 3:17; see also John 1:14, 29, 34-35; 1 John 4:9-10). There is no eternal doom and condemnation awaiting those who genuinely call upon and trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior (John 3:18; see also John 6:40; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6).

However, everyone who rejects and do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah (Christ) and Son of God have already been sentenced and condemned because of their rejection of Jesus (see John 3:18). The unrepentant and unbelieving people’s sentence is based on this fact: that the Light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the Light, for their deeds were evil (John 3:19, TLB). Sadly, even today as the first century many people reject the heavenly Light that Jesus brings because they love sin and the darkness (see John 3:20). Instead of turning to the Light found in Jesus, many unrepentant people stay away from that Light for fear their sins would be exposed and they would be punished by God (John 3:20; see also Ephesians 5:11-13). However, those doing right come gladly to the Light of Jesus so everyone can see that they are doing what God delights (John 3:21; see also Matthew 5:13-16). The true and living God is omniscient, and He sees everything even our secret sins (see Psalm 90:8).

Afterward, Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and stayed for a while in Judea and baptized many people by the Jordan River (see John 3:22). At this time, John the Baptist was also baptizing people (see John 3:23). One day someone began an argument with John’s disciples, telling them that Jesus’ baptism was best over John’s baptism (see John 3:25). John informed his disciples that his work was to prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah and urge everyone to trust Jesus (John 3:28; see also Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:2-4; Luke 3:3-6; John 1:6-7, 23; Acts 19:4). Jesus is the Light, and John the Baptist, coming in the spirit of Elijah, pointed everyone to the Light of Jesus (see John 1:6-8). Moreover, John knew that Jesus came from heaven and is greater than any other human (John 3:31; see also Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:1, 7; Luke 3:16; John 1:1-5, 14-15, 18, 27, 30; Acts 13:25). Jesus speaks God’s words for God’s Spirit is upon Him without measure and without limit (John 3:34; see also Isaiah 42:1; Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38). Importantly, John testified that Jesus is God’s Son, and all who trust in Jesus will have eternal life (John 3:35-36).

In summary, everlasting life is in Jesus, and this life gives light to all humankind (e.g., see John 1:4; John 5:26; John 11:25; John 14:6; Acts 3:15; 1 John 5:11). Jesus is the Light and Life of the world (John 3:19; see John 1:4-5, 7; John 8:12; John 14:6). Jesus’ life is the light that shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish Jesus’ life nor light (see John 1:5). Everyone who wholeheartedly and genuinely seeks, believes, and obeys Jesus will turn away from darkness (sin) and turn to the Light found in Jesus (see John 3:19-21). By turning to the Light, everyone will find salvation and new spiritual life that will make one godly (see John 3:6, 36; see also John 12:46; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 5:6; 2 Peter 1:3-4).

When we wholeheartedly receive Jesus into our lives, we share Jesus’ very life and become children in God’s eternal family (e.g., see John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:26-29). The Holy Spirit is the essence of Jesus’ gift (see John 6:63). Life and wisdom come through the gift of the Spirit (see John 14:15-20; John 20:21-22; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30). The life-giving Presence of the Father, Son, and Spirit works in perfect unity to bring life to all faithful believers of Jesus. In the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit), there is life. God the Father is life (e.g., see John 5:21, 26; John 6:33; John 17:3). Also, God the Son Jesus is life (e.g., see John 5:21, 25-26; John 6:33; John 17:3). Finally, God the Spirit has life (e.g., see John 3:6, 8; John 6:63). The transforming power of God’s Spirit is a seal of God’s ownership for Jesus’ faithful followers (e.g., see 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14).

As to Nicodemus the Pharisee, the Holy Scriptures reveal that he finally did “come to the light” and accept Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah. In opposition to his colleagues on the Jewish high council, Nicodemus strongly argued that Jesus should be given a fair trial (see John 7:50-51). After Jesus’ sacrificial crucifixion and death, Nicodemus brought seventy-five pounds of expensive perfumed ointment for His burial (see John 19:38-42). Thus, Nicodemus appears to be an example of a Jewish Pharisee, like the Apostle Paul, who came to believe in Jesus (see Acts 23:6).

Let everyone come to Jesus Christ!

References

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary –New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).

Baptism and Filling with the Holy Spirit

¹ In those days, John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, ² “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”. . . ⁵ People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. ⁶ And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. . . . ¹¹ “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I am not worthy even to be His slave and carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ¹² He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with His winnowing fork. Then He will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” Matthew 3:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 (NLT)

Since the days of the Old Testament prophets, God’s people have looked to the outpouring of God’s Spirit (e.g., see Numbers 11:29; Isaiah 44:3; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-32; Acts 3:17-19). When the New Testament opens, all four Gospels and the book of Acts speak of Jesus’ baptism and outpouring of God’s Spirit promised from the Old Testament (e.g., see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-5).

The opening verses of the New Testament reveal John the Baptist’s preaching in the Judean wilderness, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2, NLT; see also Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, 8; Acts 13:24-25). John the Baptist repeatedly warned the people to be baptized to show that they have turned away from their sins and turn to the living God to receive forgiveness of their sins because the Kingdom of Heaven was coming soon in the form of the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus (see Matthew 3:2, 11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, 8). With John the Baptist’s preaching, people from Jerusalem, all over the Jordan Valley, and every section of Judea went to the Judean wilderness to hear John the Baptist preach and to be baptized when they confessed their sins (see Matthew 3:5; Mark 1:5). When anyone confessed their sins, John baptized that person in waters of the Jordan River (see Matthew 3:6, 11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:16; John 1:31). Centuries before, Israel led by Joshua had crossed the Jordan and received a national baptism (see Joshua 3:9-17).

John the Baptist’s preaching centered on repentance (see Matthew 3:2, 8; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, 8). Generally, repentance means to turn your whole heart and mind away from sin and to turn wholeheartedly to the true and living God and His ways of living prescribed in His Holy Scriptures (see e.g., Matthew 3:2, 8; Luke 3:3). Repentance is orienting your inward and outward life toward God and His righteous ways and turning from sin and a lifestyle of sin and selfishness (e.g., see 1 Kings 8:35; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 36:3; Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30; Acts 3:19; Acts 8:22; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:18; Revelation 2:21-22; Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 16:11). John was not satisfied with regret or remorse. Instead, John wanted a change of mind and heart that bears good fruit in a changed life (Matthew 3:8; see also Galatians 5:19-23). John knew that no one can pursue God and sin at the same time! True repentance means doing an about-face — an 180-degree turn — from the kind of evil, selfishness, and self-centeredness that leads to wrong actions such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, abusing, and indulging in sexual immorality.

Amazingly, John the Baptist’s message of repentance of sins and forgiveness was the same as that of God’s Old Testament prophets (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:12-14; Isaiah 1:16-20; Jeremiah 7:24-25; Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 14:6). Old Testament prophets and writers repeatedly declared, “if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NLT; e.g., see also Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 18:32; Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 1:3-4). The true and living God is the only God of heaven and earth, and He wants our whole heart, allegiance, and devotion to Him FIRST (e.g. see, Exodus 20:3-7; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37). John the Baptist continued the message of the Old Testament prophets and preached repentance and bearing ethical fruit (see Matthew 3:2, 8; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3, 8). Jesus Christ continued John’s message of repentance and bearing of good deeds (see Matthew 4:17; Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 12:33-35; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 6:43-45; John 15:5, 8). Similarly, Jesus’ apostles continued Jesus’ message throughout all Judea, and to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God and prove they have repented by their changed lives and good deeds (fruit) (e.g., see Luke 24:46-49; Acts 2:38; Acts 13:38; Acts 14:15; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:18, 20; Galatians 5:22-23).

Then, John the Baptist proclaimed to the listening crowd in the Judean wilderness that he baptized those who repented of their sins (see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:16). However, John said that Jesus the Messiah was coming. As the Light of the world and the Son of the living God, Jesus the Christ (Messiah) was so great that John declared he was not even worthy to carry Jesus’ shoes (see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:1, 7; Luke 3:16; John 1:1-5, 14-15, 18, 27, 30; Acts 13:25)! Importantly, John proclaimed that Jesus would baptize everyone with the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 11:16).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen and empower His disciples to continue His good work of spreading the Gospel (Good News) (see Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2). Today, God the Father and His Son Jesus bring salvation and the Holy Spirit to everyone who genuinely repents by turning to God found in Jesus Christ, confessing their sins, and committing to obey and follow God’s way of living prescribed in His Holy Scriptures (e.g., see John 3:5-8, 16-17; John 14:15; Acts 2:38-40; Acts 5:31; Acts 19:3-7; Acts 20:21). Through repentance and faith in God, a believer becomes one with God, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within that believer as God’s child (e.g., see John 1:12-13; John 17:21-23; Acts 10:44; Romans 8:14-16; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:17, 19; Galatians 3:26; Colossians 2:6). Even more, God the Father and His Son Jesus send the Holy Spirit to be with His faithful people and bring about a spiritual change in a believer’s heart, forgiveness of sins, and release from the power of evil and darkness (e.g., see Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 14:16; John 16:7; Acts 26:15-18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

In Matthew and Luke’s Gospel accounts, John’s preaching declared that Jesus would baptize not only with the Holy Spirit but also baptize with fire (see Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16). Jesus’ baptism of fire refers to the future judgment for everyone who refuses to repent and turn to the living God. Moreover, Matthew and Luke’s Gospel declared that Jesus would one day separate the chaff from the grain, burning the chaff with never-ending fire and storing away the grain (see Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17). Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the eternal fire with unholy trinity (Satan the dragon, the beast (antichrist), and the false prophet) (see also Malachi 3:1-5; Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 3:10; Matthew 7:19; Luke 3:9 Luke 13:6-9; see also Revelation 20:7-15). Thus, Jesus will baptize everyone either now by God’s Holy Spirit through faith and repentance or later by the fire of His judgment!

The New Testament book of Acts shows the fulfillment of Jesus’ baptism with the outpouring of God’s gracious Spirit to both Jews and Gentiles who repented of the sins and accepted Jesus’ message and life by faith (e.g., see Acts 2; Acts 10:44; Acts 11:16; Acts 20:21, 32; Acts 26:15-18). The promises of the Old Testament prophecy that the Holy Spirit would come in new covenant fullness was fulfilled as Jesus returned to heaven and then was given authority to pour out the Holy Spirit in new fullness and power (see Acts 2:33). During Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus promised His followers the gifting and empowerment of God’s Spirit after His departure and glorification (e.g., see Luke 24:49; John 4:10; John 7:37-39; John 14:17, 25-26; John 15:26-27; John 16:7-8; Acts 1:4-5, 8). With His return to heaven, Acts 2 reveals God’s salvation and outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and God’s continuing outpouring and filling of the Holy Spirit to all faithful and obedient believers of Jesus through their repentance of sins, faith in God, and baptism in the Name of Jesus (e.g., see Acts 2:38-40; Acts 5:31).

Of course, the Holy Spirit was at work throughout the Old Testament beginning with the Spirit’s hovering over the waters of the first day of creation (see Genesis 1:2). Even more, the Holy Spirit empowered God’s faithful people for service, leadership, and prophecy in the Old Testament (e.g., see Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31; Numbers 11:16-17; Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13-14; Psalm 51:11). Moreover, the Holy Spirit empowered such Old Testament leaders as Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Daniel, many of the writing prophets, and even Samson for specific ministries. Even before Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples received some foretaste of the post-Pentecostal power of the Holy Spirit when they healed the sick and cast out demons (e.g., see Luke 9:1; Luke 10:1, 8, 17-20, and many other verses) because of their association with Jesus.

The New Testament reveals that Jesus’ outpouring and filling with the Holy Spirit gave Jesus’ disciples more effectiveness in their witness and their ministry (e.g., see Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:8, 11-13) as well as greater power over sin and wickedness (e.g., see Romans 6:11-14; Romans 8:13-14; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:19-21; Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 3:10; 1 John 4:4). Even more, Jesus’ filling of the Holy Spirit resulted in a distribution of spiritual gifts for ministry to all believers for the uplifting and benefit of the church (e.g., see Luke 24:49; Acts 2:16-18; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Timothy 4:16; 1 Peter 4:10-11) as predicted by the prophet Moses (see Numbers 11:17, 24-29). Moreover, the Holy Spirit comes to believers of Jesus to encourage, teach, guide, defend, comfort, help, protect, empower, and strengthen them (John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7, 13). The Holy Spirit maintains God and Jesus’ presence in the world, and the Holy Spirit duplicates and sustains Jesus’ work. In effect, the Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ very presence indwelling in close union with Jesus’ disciples (e.g., see John 14:16-17, 26; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Thus, confession, repentance, commitment, baptism, and faith, if they are genuine, can only bring positive results in a person's life. Repentance and baptism are related to death to selfishness and surrender to God (e.g., see Matthew 16:25; Mark 10:39, 45; Romans 6:6-7; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24). Many faithful believers of Jesus Christ will testify that Jesus’ filling and baptism in the Spirit bring assistance with prayer, Bible study, worship, spiritual gifts, effectiveness in personal ministry, cleansing, rebirth (regeneration), and continual fellowship with the living God and much greater.

References

Butler, Trent C. Holman Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1991). 
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary –New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).