Chapter 2: Receive ye the Holy Ghost; for, New Jerusalem, the Mother of Us All
Chapter 2: Receive ye the Holy Ghost! An upcoming, Christian, Theological book by Ted A. Roberts ... EXPLANATORY NOTES will follow at the bottom of this page...
After His crucifixion, and after He rose from the dead, Jesus appeared unto His disciples in a room, where they were all gathered. This is what happened:
St. John 20:19-22
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side [Proving to them that he was Jesus that was crucified on the cross]. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST...
Now, that's very curious. Didn't the Holy Ghost only come on the Day of Pentecost?*? Well, it seems here that it may have come to the disciples sooner than that! . . . However, look at what happened after this, and just prior to the Day of Pentecost:
Acts 1:8 (Jesus talking with His disciples)
But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you [future tense; i.e. at the beginning of Acts chapter 2]: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This is throwing the Holy Ghost experience forward to the Day of Pentecost once again; for, and as we see in Chapter 2 of Acts, the Holy Ghost did indeed fall upon them just as Jesus had predicted in the first chapter, in verse 8 . . . So, then, was the passage in St. John 20:22 a mistake? In that Jesus didn't actually breath the Holy Ghost upon them at that time? Which, again, was before the Acts 2 experience. After all, I've had some ministers tell me that what John was actually trying to say, in St. John 20:22, was nothing more than a future prophesy of what was going to happen to them not too long in the distant future. And, yet, with how John worded it, that explanation doesn't seem to match up for me . . . Let's consider these next, following passages from Peter, and see how other folks from the Old Testament actually had the Holy Spirit:
1 Peter 1:9-11a
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets [of the Old Testament] have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WHICH WAS IN THEM did signify...
According to the logic of these verses, all throughout the Old Testament, people did have an experience with the Spirit of God – for, how else could the prophets of the Old Testament write with holy inspiration except that they were being led by God's Spirit? i.e. the Holy Ghost. Which, according to Peter, was actually in them. If that was really so, then what was so special about the Day of Pentecost? What was so different about the Holy Ghost experience that day?
Perhaps we should say that, unlike the saints of the Old Testament period (with their Holy Spirit experiences), on this day (in circa AD 30 – on the day which opened up a New Testament period*?) there was then a complete submersion into the Spirit; and, therefore, we should call this new experience a Spiritual Baptism . . . But, even though they may have been fully submersed into the Spirit of God on the Day of Pentecost, did it then mean that the Holy Ghost could actually (as opposed to how the Spirit operated during the Old Testament period) stay upon these newer folks long enough to actually save their souls? Or, on the other hand, in order for this wonderful experience to now operate properly, and actually stay with them, did these New Testament saints need an actual Container in which to now hold the Holy Ghost inside, so that the Spirit of God could, again, stay in them (as opposed to how it happened with the Old Testament saints) without ever departing? Insinuating, of course, that what the OT folks had experienced (and, even though the Spirit did, indeed, come into them), was really only temporal and occasional. And, certainly not an actual, Spiritual Baptism. i.e. not a full submersion . . . Sound confusing? Well, before I get ahead of myself (for, I'm certainly trying to lead this to an actual conclusion), let's explore some more verses to where all this can be more clear and make more sense . . . Also, I'll later connect all these sparse thoughts with a better formation, and eventually swing back around to New Jerusalem being the mother of us all.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead DWELL IN YOU*? [i.e. stay forever!], he that raised up Christ from the dead [i.e. the Father] shall also QUICKEN [make alive!] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that DWELLETH IN YOU.
This is speaking of the Holy Ghost actually living, and staying, on the inside of us – something that wasn't even possible for the Old Testament saints . . . Why? . . . Because, unlike the participants on the Day of Pentecost, those folks of the Old Covenant had no Container in which to allow the Holy Ghost to DWELL within them; to actually stay, without ever departing (well, that is, they didn't have a durable Container – as I'll speak more on in just a moment). As Peter had pointed out in 1st Peter 1:9-11a, the Spirit of Christ did indeed come inside them, and they were inspired (by this same Spirit) to do and say things as they were led by it; but, that doesn't mean that the Spirit ever actually lived within them, or stayed. But, if this is really so, as I am here contending, then just exactly what was that mysterious Container that was needed in order for the Spirit of God to thereafter DWELL within a saint (i.e. to stay without ever departing)? That is, staying within them long enough to actually quicken them (make them alive), to where salvation could then be possible prior to the grave? . . . Also, to be considered in all this, if there really is a New Testament Container, then perhaps there was an Old Testament Container, too – one which, however, wasn't as powerful as the New, and to which the old saints could not obtain eternal salvation through. In fact, the old Container, if what I'm saying here is really true, would have had holes in it to where when the Spirit came into a child of God, that it would eventually leak out, like as water leaks from a broken cistern...
Jeremiah 2:13
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me [for, I am] the fountain of living waters [i.e. The Holy Spirit], and hewed them out cisterns [Containers], broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
There is a Container that can't hold water; and, in scripture, it does has a distinctive name/application: OUTWARD-MAN; and, also, SON OF MAN; and, SON OF ADAM. Certainly, if this type of body is actually referenced in the Bible (that is, a body that has holes in it!), then we cannot be speaking of any natural, earthen body. But, this would have to insinuate something metaphorical. And, yet, at the same time, something very real. That is, in the sense that man has built himself something (without God being the builder) that would eventually crumble, and never fully work properly.
Psalms 127:1a
Except the LORD build the house,*? they labour in vain that build it...
And, of course, this would have to be in reference to a man's work in the Kingdom of God; of what he himself tries to build without God's divine and ultimate approval – as I will continue to explain during the course of this book . . . And, yet, to be quite fair with the scriptures, the Outward-Man body can also be a reference to our own natural bodies, too. Just like anything else in the Bible, we must use scripture within context of the subject matter wherever we may be reading them . . . But, in our Jeremiah reference, just above, we must observe that if the Outward-Man body has been hewed or carved, then surely it must have been done by someone else other than God; instead, it has been done by the spirit of man. Man has made themselves a body for religious worship which will worship God in their own way, and on their own terms. And, as far as God is concerned, the ways of the Outward-Man are nothing but evil, and is a road that will lead to death and destruction.
Proverbs 21:8a
The WAY of [the Outward, Son of] man is froward and strange...
Proverbs 21:16
The [Outward] man that wandereth out of the way of understanding [of God] shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a [Outward] man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Therefore, God straightforwardly tells this Outward, Son of Man:
Isaiah 55:9
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
So, what's the solution? Well, we'll just have to make God's ways ours. And, how do we do that? By putting on the Mind of Christ...
Philippians 2:5
Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
The Mind of Christ is the thoughts of God - mindful of His ways.
1 Corinthians 2:16b
...we have the mind of Christ.
Hebrews 10:16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their MINDS will I write them.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded [thoughts of man] is death; but to be spiritually minded [thoughts of God] is life and peace.
But, is it a good idea to place this new mind (or rather, these Godly thoughts) on top of our old, Outward-Man body?
Luke 5:36-39
And he [Jesus] spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled [remember our verse in Jeremiah about the broken cisterns], and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No [Outward] man also having drunk old wine straightway desires new: for he says, The old is better [for, that's what he was initially made for; and he knows no better].
So, what then is the new Bottle? What is this new Container? What is the new Cistern that can actually hold the wine without leaking out?
Ephesians 4:22-24
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old [Outward] man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new [Inward] man, which after God is created [born again!] in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:9-10
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.
Yes, folks, I'm speaking of the Inward-Man as opposed to the Outward-Man; I am speaking of the New Creature of the New Covenant, as opposed to the Old Creature of the Old Covenant; I'm also declaring, quite boldly, that this was the significance of Revelation 21:1-3 – of which we've already gone over verses 1 and 2; but, then, I made a reference to verse 3, but didn't say too much about:
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
This Tabernacle is none other than the body of the Inward-Man; a Container that can certainly hold water; that is, a Container that can hold the Spirit of God within, and never leak out again. This is the New Creature that was first born on the Day of Pentecost (one in each participant) from its new parents – the Lamb and the New Jerusalem. It's a product of that marriage, and is in the image of God.
EXPLANATORY NOTES for Chapter 2...
*?. Didn't the Holy Ghost only come on the Day of Pentecost?... After all, we do have this verse to consider:
St. John 7:39
But this spake he [Jesus] of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive [future tense]: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.
Even though I've already quoted this verse earlier in another End Note, I'm not really done with it yet. It will produce some further interesting thoughts. However, it'll be just a bit later that I will actually discuss it in this book...
*?. The day which opened up a New Testament period... Already, I've been giving some pretty good clues for us to make this connection. That is, that the Day of Pentecost was the specified day of when the New Testament commenced. However, the apostle Paul gives us another:
Hebrews 9:17
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
So saying, the New Testament only came into existence after Jesus had died on the cross. However, His death on the cross wasn't the specific event that got folks into the New Testament, it took having a born again experience to really do so; and, that didn't occur until the Day of Pentecost. Therefore, this is why I'm saying that the New Testament actually commenced with the new births on that specific day. For, even if we can say that by Him dying on the cross that the NT period technically commenced, nobody got into that New Heaven until a New Creation was being formed within them, to where they could officially then say that they were children of God; i.e. children that were actually born from Him.
*?. Dwell in you... I cannot over-emphasize the importance of the little word 'dwell' within an English language Bible study.
Dwell, Oikeō, G3611, from Strong's Greek Dictionary: From G3624; to occupy a house that is, reside (figuratively inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication to cohabit: - dwell. See also G3625.
In fact, I love the quick definition of 'remain' in this description. It certainly indicates something coming in a permanent manner, and not leaving. At the beginning of the description, it also implied that this Greek word originated from another: G3624.
Oikos, G3624, from Strong's Greek Dictionary: Of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literally or figuratively); by implication a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively): - home, house (-hold), temple.
Look at these wonderful descriptions: an extensive 'family' dwelling-place; a temple. Can we not catch the obvious theme here?
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
St. John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Make their abode with him? Does that not indicate the filling of a residency? And, just how does this happen? It happens by the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
1 John 4:13
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
*?. House...
As one can see, I am linking such terms as BODY, CONTAINER, and HOUSE together. And, indeed, will continue to observe other, upcoming references of similarity. Basically, and what all this boils down to is an absolute reference to something that has the ability to hold something else – just like the Temple in Jerusalem (as well as the Tabernacle in the Wilderness) was built to hold the Spirit of God (well, not literally, but in principal); and now, there's another House (which the Temple and the Tabernacle metaphorically stood for) that holds God's Spirit, as well. As I had gone over in a couple of my past books, this new Temple/Tabernacle/House is designed to hold God's Spirit within us.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
That is, your temple/house/container holds God's Spirit inside you ... As one has probably guessed by now, I am running toward the goal of explaining that this new Container, House, Building, Temple, Tabernacle is actually the new Body of a born again new Creature...
END OF CHAPTER 2... For more, please visit our official website: www.SeekingTheGospel.com
After His crucifixion, and after He rose from the dead, Jesus appeared unto His disciples in a room, where they were all gathered. This is what happened:
St. John 20:19-22
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side [Proving to them that he was Jesus that was crucified on the cross]. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST...
Now, that's very curious. Didn't the Holy Ghost only come on the Day of Pentecost?*? Well, it seems here that it may have come to the disciples sooner than that! . . . However, look at what happened after this, and just prior to the Day of Pentecost:
Acts 1:8 (Jesus talking with His disciples)
But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you [future tense; i.e. at the beginning of Acts chapter 2]: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This is throwing the Holy Ghost experience forward to the Day of Pentecost once again; for, and as we see in Chapter 2 of Acts, the Holy Ghost did indeed fall upon them just as Jesus had predicted in the first chapter, in verse 8 . . . So, then, was the passage in St. John 20:22 a mistake? In that Jesus didn't actually breath the Holy Ghost upon them at that time? Which, again, was before the Acts 2 experience. After all, I've had some ministers tell me that what John was actually trying to say, in St. John 20:22, was nothing more than a future prophesy of what was going to happen to them not too long in the distant future. And, yet, with how John worded it, that explanation doesn't seem to match up for me . . . Let's consider these next, following passages from Peter, and see how other folks from the Old Testament actually had the Holy Spirit:
1 Peter 1:9-11a
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets [of the Old Testament] have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WHICH WAS IN THEM did signify...
According to the logic of these verses, all throughout the Old Testament, people did have an experience with the Spirit of God – for, how else could the prophets of the Old Testament write with holy inspiration except that they were being led by God's Spirit? i.e. the Holy Ghost. Which, according to Peter, was actually in them. If that was really so, then what was so special about the Day of Pentecost? What was so different about the Holy Ghost experience that day?
Perhaps we should say that, unlike the saints of the Old Testament period (with their Holy Spirit experiences), on this day (in circa AD 30 – on the day which opened up a New Testament period*?) there was then a complete submersion into the Spirit; and, therefore, we should call this new experience a Spiritual Baptism . . . But, even though they may have been fully submersed into the Spirit of God on the Day of Pentecost, did it then mean that the Holy Ghost could actually (as opposed to how the Spirit operated during the Old Testament period) stay upon these newer folks long enough to actually save their souls? Or, on the other hand, in order for this wonderful experience to now operate properly, and actually stay with them, did these New Testament saints need an actual Container in which to now hold the Holy Ghost inside, so that the Spirit of God could, again, stay in them (as opposed to how it happened with the Old Testament saints) without ever departing? Insinuating, of course, that what the OT folks had experienced (and, even though the Spirit did, indeed, come into them), was really only temporal and occasional. And, certainly not an actual, Spiritual Baptism. i.e. not a full submersion . . . Sound confusing? Well, before I get ahead of myself (for, I'm certainly trying to lead this to an actual conclusion), let's explore some more verses to where all this can be more clear and make more sense . . . Also, I'll later connect all these sparse thoughts with a better formation, and eventually swing back around to New Jerusalem being the mother of us all.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead DWELL IN YOU*? [i.e. stay forever!], he that raised up Christ from the dead [i.e. the Father] shall also QUICKEN [make alive!] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that DWELLETH IN YOU.
This is speaking of the Holy Ghost actually living, and staying, on the inside of us – something that wasn't even possible for the Old Testament saints . . . Why? . . . Because, unlike the participants on the Day of Pentecost, those folks of the Old Covenant had no Container in which to allow the Holy Ghost to DWELL within them; to actually stay, without ever departing (well, that is, they didn't have a durable Container – as I'll speak more on in just a moment). As Peter had pointed out in 1st Peter 1:9-11a, the Spirit of Christ did indeed come inside them, and they were inspired (by this same Spirit) to do and say things as they were led by it; but, that doesn't mean that the Spirit ever actually lived within them, or stayed. But, if this is really so, as I am here contending, then just exactly what was that mysterious Container that was needed in order for the Spirit of God to thereafter DWELL within a saint (i.e. to stay without ever departing)? That is, staying within them long enough to actually quicken them (make them alive), to where salvation could then be possible prior to the grave? . . . Also, to be considered in all this, if there really is a New Testament Container, then perhaps there was an Old Testament Container, too – one which, however, wasn't as powerful as the New, and to which the old saints could not obtain eternal salvation through. In fact, the old Container, if what I'm saying here is really true, would have had holes in it to where when the Spirit came into a child of God, that it would eventually leak out, like as water leaks from a broken cistern...
Jeremiah 2:13
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me [for, I am] the fountain of living waters [i.e. The Holy Spirit], and hewed them out cisterns [Containers], broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
There is a Container that can't hold water; and, in scripture, it does has a distinctive name/application: OUTWARD-MAN; and, also, SON OF MAN; and, SON OF ADAM. Certainly, if this type of body is actually referenced in the Bible (that is, a body that has holes in it!), then we cannot be speaking of any natural, earthen body. But, this would have to insinuate something metaphorical. And, yet, at the same time, something very real. That is, in the sense that man has built himself something (without God being the builder) that would eventually crumble, and never fully work properly.
Psalms 127:1a
Except the LORD build the house,*? they labour in vain that build it...
And, of course, this would have to be in reference to a man's work in the Kingdom of God; of what he himself tries to build without God's divine and ultimate approval – as I will continue to explain during the course of this book . . . And, yet, to be quite fair with the scriptures, the Outward-Man body can also be a reference to our own natural bodies, too. Just like anything else in the Bible, we must use scripture within context of the subject matter wherever we may be reading them . . . But, in our Jeremiah reference, just above, we must observe that if the Outward-Man body has been hewed or carved, then surely it must have been done by someone else other than God; instead, it has been done by the spirit of man. Man has made themselves a body for religious worship which will worship God in their own way, and on their own terms. And, as far as God is concerned, the ways of the Outward-Man are nothing but evil, and is a road that will lead to death and destruction.
Proverbs 21:8a
The WAY of [the Outward, Son of] man is froward and strange...
Proverbs 21:16
The [Outward] man that wandereth out of the way of understanding [of God] shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a [Outward] man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Therefore, God straightforwardly tells this Outward, Son of Man:
Isaiah 55:9
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
So, what's the solution? Well, we'll just have to make God's ways ours. And, how do we do that? By putting on the Mind of Christ...
Philippians 2:5
Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
The Mind of Christ is the thoughts of God - mindful of His ways.
1 Corinthians 2:16b
...we have the mind of Christ.
Hebrews 10:16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their MINDS will I write them.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded [thoughts of man] is death; but to be spiritually minded [thoughts of God] is life and peace.
But, is it a good idea to place this new mind (or rather, these Godly thoughts) on top of our old, Outward-Man body?
Luke 5:36-39
And he [Jesus] spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled [remember our verse in Jeremiah about the broken cisterns], and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No [Outward] man also having drunk old wine straightway desires new: for he says, The old is better [for, that's what he was initially made for; and he knows no better].
So, what then is the new Bottle? What is this new Container? What is the new Cistern that can actually hold the wine without leaking out?
Ephesians 4:22-24
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old [Outward] man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new [Inward] man, which after God is created [born again!] in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:9-10
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.
Yes, folks, I'm speaking of the Inward-Man as opposed to the Outward-Man; I am speaking of the New Creature of the New Covenant, as opposed to the Old Creature of the Old Covenant; I'm also declaring, quite boldly, that this was the significance of Revelation 21:1-3 – of which we've already gone over verses 1 and 2; but, then, I made a reference to verse 3, but didn't say too much about:
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
This Tabernacle is none other than the body of the Inward-Man; a Container that can certainly hold water; that is, a Container that can hold the Spirit of God within, and never leak out again. This is the New Creature that was first born on the Day of Pentecost (one in each participant) from its new parents – the Lamb and the New Jerusalem. It's a product of that marriage, and is in the image of God.
EXPLANATORY NOTES for Chapter 2...
*?. Didn't the Holy Ghost only come on the Day of Pentecost?... After all, we do have this verse to consider:
St. John 7:39
But this spake he [Jesus] of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive [future tense]: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.
Even though I've already quoted this verse earlier in another End Note, I'm not really done with it yet. It will produce some further interesting thoughts. However, it'll be just a bit later that I will actually discuss it in this book...
*?. The day which opened up a New Testament period... Already, I've been giving some pretty good clues for us to make this connection. That is, that the Day of Pentecost was the specified day of when the New Testament commenced. However, the apostle Paul gives us another:
Hebrews 9:17
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
So saying, the New Testament only came into existence after Jesus had died on the cross. However, His death on the cross wasn't the specific event that got folks into the New Testament, it took having a born again experience to really do so; and, that didn't occur until the Day of Pentecost. Therefore, this is why I'm saying that the New Testament actually commenced with the new births on that specific day. For, even if we can say that by Him dying on the cross that the NT period technically commenced, nobody got into that New Heaven until a New Creation was being formed within them, to where they could officially then say that they were children of God; i.e. children that were actually born from Him.
*?. Dwell in you... I cannot over-emphasize the importance of the little word 'dwell' within an English language Bible study.
Dwell, Oikeō, G3611, from Strong's Greek Dictionary: From G3624; to occupy a house that is, reside (figuratively inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication to cohabit: - dwell. See also G3625.
In fact, I love the quick definition of 'remain' in this description. It certainly indicates something coming in a permanent manner, and not leaving. At the beginning of the description, it also implied that this Greek word originated from another: G3624.
Oikos, G3624, from Strong's Greek Dictionary: Of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literally or figuratively); by implication a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively): - home, house (-hold), temple.
Look at these wonderful descriptions: an extensive 'family' dwelling-place; a temple. Can we not catch the obvious theme here?
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
St. John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Make their abode with him? Does that not indicate the filling of a residency? And, just how does this happen? It happens by the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
1 John 4:13
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
*?. House...
As one can see, I am linking such terms as BODY, CONTAINER, and HOUSE together. And, indeed, will continue to observe other, upcoming references of similarity. Basically, and what all this boils down to is an absolute reference to something that has the ability to hold something else – just like the Temple in Jerusalem (as well as the Tabernacle in the Wilderness) was built to hold the Spirit of God (well, not literally, but in principal); and now, there's another House (which the Temple and the Tabernacle metaphorically stood for) that holds God's Spirit, as well. As I had gone over in a couple of my past books, this new Temple/Tabernacle/House is designed to hold God's Spirit within us.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
That is, your temple/house/container holds God's Spirit inside you ... As one has probably guessed by now, I am running toward the goal of explaining that this new Container, House, Building, Temple, Tabernacle is actually the new Body of a born again new Creature...
END OF CHAPTER 2... For more, please visit our official website: www.SeekingTheGospel.com
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