Let's see what support there is from the Scriptures of the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
Those who deny that Jesus is God for baseless reasons also deny that the Holy Spirit is God. The reason for their denial is because they do not, implicitly, want to admit that there are three distinct divine Persons in One God (I'll talk about that in my next post). Let us go straight to the Scriptures. In referring to the Holy Spirit, Jesus used certain action verbs that portray the Holy Spirit as an independent divine Entity. The action verbs are boldfaced:
“When the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you
from the Father, he will bear me witness.” (John 15:26)
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will not speak on his
authority, but what he hears, he will speak.” (John 16:13)
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the
Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart Barnabas and Saul (later Paul)
for the work to which I have called them.’” (Acts 13:2)
“The Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go up and join this chariot.’”
(Acts 8:29)
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)
We see that the Holy Spirit can be sent, comes, hears, bears witness, speaks and grieves. During the creation of the world, He was:
“… moving over the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:2)
Christ describes the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of truth.” That means the Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for all truth. He exits, just as Satan, the spirit of all lies exists. (John 8:44)
As a distinct Person, the Holy Spirit had on occasions manifested Himself physically just as God the Father and God the Son had done on different occasions. The Father spoke to the patriarchs and the prophets in the Old Testament and His voice was heard. Adam and Eve heard the “sound” of Him walking in the garden (Gen 3:8). Jesus as God the Son came and people saw Him. God the Holy Spirit had also appeared to men in different forms: as a dove (Matt 3:16), as (tongue or flame of) fire (Exo 3:2; 19:18; Acts 2:3), as wind, breeze or noise (1 King 19:12; Acts 2:3). That is to say that the Holy Spirit exists as a living Entity.
Let us look at it this way. The Father is a Spirit and a Being. Jesus is a Spirit and a Being. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit and a Being. Thinking of the Holy Spirit as a Being rather than the Spirit of God (jointly of the Father and the Son), or as a Person will help understand Him better, for all spirits and persons (including humans) are beings, but all beings are not spirits. Since He is a divine Being (does the questioner still deny this?), He exits.
The Holy Spirit, the living Spirit of God (Gen 1:2) exits as a separate Entity.
Showing posts with label doctrine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doctrine. Show all posts
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Is Jesus Christ God? - Part Two
Today, I'll conclude my discussion on the divinity of Christ.
Now, if we go by the injunction of the Scripture to worship only God (Exo 20:3-5; Matt 4:10; Rev 19:10), then Jesus Christ is God since He was worshiped a good number of times. The three wise men from the East worshiped Him:
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For
we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to
worship him … and going into the house they saw the
child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and
worshipped him …” (Matt 2:2,11)
The man who was blind from birth that Jesus healed by mixing His spittle with sand worshipped Him:
“He said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and he worshipped him.”
(John 9:38)
In awe, the apostles worshipped Jesus after Peter nearly sank in the water when Jesus bid him to step into the water:
“And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly,
you are the Son of God.’” (Matt 14:33)
After the devil dared to tempt Christ the second time after He rebuked him once, Christ indicated that it is perfectly proper to worship Him as God:
“You shall worship the Lord your God and only him
shall you serve.” (Matt 4:10)
Now there are numerous instances where Jesus is called God:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1-2)
Paul tells the Romans:
“… to them belong the Patriarch, and of their race,
according to the flesh, in the Christ, who is God over
all, blessed for ever. Amen.” (Rom 9:5)
And in his letter to Titus:
“… awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory
of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ …” (Titus 2:5)
Lastly, in adoration, Thomas the Apostle proclaimed:
“My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)
And from the Old Testament, we see Prophet Zephaniah referring to Jesus in Mary’s womb as God:
“Sing aloud O daughter of Zion; shut O Israel! Rejoice
and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
The King of Israel, the Lord (Jesus) is in your midst
(as infant in your womb); the Lord your God is in your
midst …” (Zeph 3:14-15,17)
The Good Thief said to Jesus on the cross:
“Remember me when you come into your kingly power.”
(Luke 23:42)
By “kingly power,” the Good Thief must be referring to a spiritual kingdom, since as dying men, the question of an earthly kingdom was ruled out. As King then of this implied spiritual kingdom (heaven), Jesus is God, since there is only one King in heaven – God. Jesus confirmed that He is indeed King of heaven (God) by His firm promise of salvation to the repentant thief:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in
paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Jesus Christ is Lord and God. May all honor, glory, adoration and worship be unto Him now and for ever! Amen!!
Now, if we go by the injunction of the Scripture to worship only God (Exo 20:3-5; Matt 4:10; Rev 19:10), then Jesus Christ is God since He was worshiped a good number of times. The three wise men from the East worshiped Him:
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For
we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to
worship him … and going into the house they saw the
child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and
worshipped him …” (Matt 2:2,11)
The man who was blind from birth that Jesus healed by mixing His spittle with sand worshipped Him:
“He said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and he worshipped him.”
(John 9:38)
In awe, the apostles worshipped Jesus after Peter nearly sank in the water when Jesus bid him to step into the water:
“And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly,
you are the Son of God.’” (Matt 14:33)
After the devil dared to tempt Christ the second time after He rebuked him once, Christ indicated that it is perfectly proper to worship Him as God:
“You shall worship the Lord your God and only him
shall you serve.” (Matt 4:10)
Now there are numerous instances where Jesus is called God:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1-2)
Paul tells the Romans:
“… to them belong the Patriarch, and of their race,
according to the flesh, in the Christ, who is God over
all, blessed for ever. Amen.” (Rom 9:5)
And in his letter to Titus:
“… awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory
of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ …” (Titus 2:5)
Lastly, in adoration, Thomas the Apostle proclaimed:
“My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)
And from the Old Testament, we see Prophet Zephaniah referring to Jesus in Mary’s womb as God:
“Sing aloud O daughter of Zion; shut O Israel! Rejoice
and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
The King of Israel, the Lord (Jesus) is in your midst
(as infant in your womb); the Lord your God is in your
midst …” (Zeph 3:14-15,17)
The Good Thief said to Jesus on the cross:
“Remember me when you come into your kingly power.”
(Luke 23:42)
By “kingly power,” the Good Thief must be referring to a spiritual kingdom, since as dying men, the question of an earthly kingdom was ruled out. As King then of this implied spiritual kingdom (heaven), Jesus is God, since there is only one King in heaven – God. Jesus confirmed that He is indeed King of heaven (God) by His firm promise of salvation to the repentant thief:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in
paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Jesus Christ is Lord and God. May all honor, glory, adoration and worship be unto Him now and for ever! Amen!!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Does Purgatory Exist? - Part One
Today, I’m going to offer some real scriptural proofs of the existence of purgatory. The doctrine of purgatory is one of the most contentious issues Protestants have with the Catholic faith. Most Catholics have little or no idea how to answer a question from a Protestant on the biblical support for purgatory. Here we go.
The term “purgatory” is derived from the Latin word “purgare” which means “to purge” or “to cleanse” or “to make pure.” It is the name given to that intermediate state where the souls of the dead are purified, and assisted by the prayers of the living. Although the term is not mentioned in the Bible, however, its existence can easily be proved by reference to certain passages in the Bible. John the Beloved Apostle defines two kinds of sin: one that leads to eternal death, and another that is equally sin, but does not lead to eternal death:
“All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not
mortal.” (1 John 5:7)
Jesus defines mortal or eternal sin as sin that leads to eternal damnation or death of soul:
“Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never
has forgiveness, but is guilty of eternal (mortal) sin.”
(Mark 3:29)
Elsewhere, we are reminded that:
“Nothing unclean shall enter it (that is, the kingdom
of God).” (Rev 21:27)
Paul also tells us:
“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness
without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14)
For this reason, Christ constantly reminds us that we must strive to be without any stain of sin, whether it leads to death or not:
“You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father
is perfect.” (Matt 5:45)
If indeed “nothing unclean shall enter the kingdom of heaven,” and that we cannot enter heaven unless we are “perfect,” “clean,” and “holy” (that is, without a stain of any kind of sin including that “which is not mortal”), the question is: If a person has committed a “wrongdoing that is sin, but … which is not mortal,” and dies without having the chance of confessing this “wrongdoing which is not mortal” (that is, not leading to eternal damnation or hell), where does he go?
He cannot go to heaven because he is not yet perfect as God and all those who dwell in heaven are perfect (Matt 5:45). The stain of his wrongdoing (sin) has made him “unclean” (unfit, imperfect, unholy) to enter heaven. He cannot go to hell for his “wrongdoing (sin) is not “mortal” (does not lead to eternal damnation). Where then does he go?
He goes to purgatory where he is cleansed or purged (verb form of purgatory) of all his “wrongdoing (sins) that are not mortal,” which he was not opportune to confess before he died. Consider the consequence of committing a minor “wrongdoing that is sin, but … which is not mortal,” such as looking a second longer at the vain things of the world, straying in our thoughts, uttering a “careless word:”
“I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render
account of every careless word they utter.” (Matt 12:36)
These are the sort of things that make us “imperfect,” “unholy,” “unclean” or “unfit” to enter the kingdom of heaven, but will not take us to hell. They are all “sinful wrongdoings” for which “men will render (an) account on the judgment day.” Only a hypocrite will deny that they do not unavoidably encounter these minor imperfections in their daily lives. Christ was actually referring to purgatory when He said:
“Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you
have paid the last penny.” (Matt 5:26)
Ok, I'll stop here for today. In the second Part, I'll present more biblical proof of the existence of purgatory.
If you want to access the complete treatment of the biblical support of Catholic doctrines, teachings and practices, you may visit our website at: www.DefendYourCatholicFaith.com.
Have a blessed day.
The term “purgatory” is derived from the Latin word “purgare” which means “to purge” or “to cleanse” or “to make pure.” It is the name given to that intermediate state where the souls of the dead are purified, and assisted by the prayers of the living. Although the term is not mentioned in the Bible, however, its existence can easily be proved by reference to certain passages in the Bible. John the Beloved Apostle defines two kinds of sin: one that leads to eternal death, and another that is equally sin, but does not lead to eternal death:
“All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not
mortal.” (1 John 5:7)
Jesus defines mortal or eternal sin as sin that leads to eternal damnation or death of soul:
“Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never
has forgiveness, but is guilty of eternal (mortal) sin.”
(Mark 3:29)
Elsewhere, we are reminded that:
“Nothing unclean shall enter it (that is, the kingdom
of God).” (Rev 21:27)
Paul also tells us:
“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness
without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14)
For this reason, Christ constantly reminds us that we must strive to be without any stain of sin, whether it leads to death or not:
“You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father
is perfect.” (Matt 5:45)
If indeed “nothing unclean shall enter the kingdom of heaven,” and that we cannot enter heaven unless we are “perfect,” “clean,” and “holy” (that is, without a stain of any kind of sin including that “which is not mortal”), the question is: If a person has committed a “wrongdoing that is sin, but … which is not mortal,” and dies without having the chance of confessing this “wrongdoing which is not mortal” (that is, not leading to eternal damnation or hell), where does he go?
He cannot go to heaven because he is not yet perfect as God and all those who dwell in heaven are perfect (Matt 5:45). The stain of his wrongdoing (sin) has made him “unclean” (unfit, imperfect, unholy) to enter heaven. He cannot go to hell for his “wrongdoing (sin) is not “mortal” (does not lead to eternal damnation). Where then does he go?
He goes to purgatory where he is cleansed or purged (verb form of purgatory) of all his “wrongdoing (sins) that are not mortal,” which he was not opportune to confess before he died. Consider the consequence of committing a minor “wrongdoing that is sin, but … which is not mortal,” such as looking a second longer at the vain things of the world, straying in our thoughts, uttering a “careless word:”
“I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render
account of every careless word they utter.” (Matt 12:36)
These are the sort of things that make us “imperfect,” “unholy,” “unclean” or “unfit” to enter the kingdom of heaven, but will not take us to hell. They are all “sinful wrongdoings” for which “men will render (an) account on the judgment day.” Only a hypocrite will deny that they do not unavoidably encounter these minor imperfections in their daily lives. Christ was actually referring to purgatory when He said:
“Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you
have paid the last penny.” (Matt 5:26)
Ok, I'll stop here for today. In the second Part, I'll present more biblical proof of the existence of purgatory.
If you want to access the complete treatment of the biblical support of Catholic doctrines, teachings and practices, you may visit our website at: www.DefendYourCatholicFaith.com.
Have a blessed day.
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