3. THE RELATION OF THE SPIRIT TO THE INDIVIDUAL MAN.
The idea of holiness is not usually associated with the Spirit in the
Old Testament. The term "Holy Spirit" occurs but three times in it.
David prays (Ps. 51:11): "Take not thy holy Spirit from me." Isaiah says
(63:10): "They rebelled and grieved his holy Spirit;" and again (63:11)
he asks: "Where is he that put his holy Spirit in the midst of them?" It
is, however, called "good Spirit" twice (Neh. 9:20; Ps. 143:10).
It is mainly in reference to Messianic days that we find this ethical
and personal relation to the Spirit of God.
These three relations of the Spirit are in perfect harmony with God's
law of progressive development in the world. We find him at first
working upon a chaotic material universe; second, upon society, and,
third, upon the individual character.
The work of the Spirit upon the material universe makes it a fit
dwelling-place for man. His work upon society makes man fit to dwell in
the universe, and his work upon the individual character makes man fit
for a righteous and holy fellowship with similar characters.
II
THE SPIRIT AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are two hundred and sixty-four references to the Spirit in the New
Testament.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25