Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Ghost - Part I   Part II

Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Ghost – Part III

In John 14:17, Jesus describes the promise of the Spirit as having a significant implication all its own. He says, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” This describes another facet of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and gives us a definition of His divine character.

We read a few verses before in John 14:6, where Jesus had told His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Now He is telling them specifically how the Spirit is “another of the exact same kind” by referring to Him as the “Spirit of truth.” We find that the Holy Ghost is literally the “Spirit of truth.”  Why? Because He is marked by the truth, He gives it to us, and it’s the Holy Ghost who defends the truth.
The Holy Ghost is marked by truth because of His divine nature. He IS God the Holy Spirit, and He has all the attributes of deity; and like Jesus says about Himself in John 14:6. He too is TRUTH. He doesn’t have the capacity to lie and is therefore absolutely trustworthy in all that He says and does. And in this truthfulness of the Spirit, we as God’s elect often desire to be in step with the Spirit and we long to be people of integrity. We can never hope to be under His influence if we are consciously distorting the truth in a misguided effort to protect ourselves or someone else. This doesn’t mean that those who are not walking in the TRUTH are not children of God, but that they do not obey or follow after the TRUTH.

The Spirit gives truth in the sense of divine inspiration. In 2 Pet. 1:21, we read that “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” It’s the Holy Ghost who is the dispenser of all biblical truth. The Word of God is reliable because it came to us under the guidance of the “Spirit of truth.” When we ask the Son to reveal Himself to us, it’s the Holy Ghost who does this work because The Son is ONE with the Holy Ghost. And when we ask the Father likewise to reveal Himself to us it is ALWAYS done through the Holy Ghost, because the Father is One with the Holy Ghost! He is the Spirit of all divine revelation.

The Spirit defends the truth by empowering the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, by His called out ministers who proclaim the truth and stand up and answer the arguments of the world against it. In the ministry of proclamation, the Word of God is not only announced but also exonerated!
The Holy Spirit of TRUTH stands in stark contrast to our spiritual enemy, Satan. Who is merely a created, fallen being, and as well as the father of lies (John 8:44). Satan who is unable to take away even one of God’s elect one’s whom Jesus died for, and whom the Holy Ghost has given new life in the new birth, is now in the business of deception and subtle trickery (Gen. 3; 2 Cor. 11:3,14) in an attempt to steal our joy, hope and peace in Christ.
The Holy Ghost deals only in the truth. He came into the world of God’s people to expose the truth to the world of the lost sheep of God by convicting them of their sin and of righteousness and judgment (John 10:28, 16:8).
What a great comfort that we understand that Jesus didn’t send an inferior to simply stand in or substitute for Him. No, our Saviour sent in His place a Co-equal member of the Godhead. One who is perfectly able to represent Christ and the Father in the lives of God’s little beloved children. There can be no question about the divine nature of the Holy Spirit, and there can be no question about His perfect character. He is our Comforter, another of the exact same kind as Jesus, who gives and substantiates the truth.
Jesus has sent us the promise of the Spirit, One who abides with us consistently, allowing us to live dependently on Him with great assurance and confidence. He said, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” By this statement, Jesus assures us of a New Covenant relationship to the Holy Spirit. This relationship was both alike and yet different from the way the Holy Spirit had related to the people of God in earlier times.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not simply set idle, but was active in a variety of ways. He was active in creation (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4), in conviction (Gen. 6:3), in confirmation of the Word of God (2 Chron. 24:20), and in caring for the people of God (Psa. 51:12). God the Holy Ghost is the One who is given primary emphasis in the Old Testament era, accomplishing all of this. He was involved in His people Israel for acts of divine service, which He does even today.

In the Old Testament, as it is today, any good or honorable act had to be energized by the Spirit and grace of God. Man, in his fallen nature, has always been unable to do anything that would please God. But it is also true that in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon the Lord's people as they needed Him or as He sovereignly chose to use them as He did with Samson.

Throughout Old Testament history, the Spirit would come upon people for seasons of ministry and empower them for acts of skill, strength, or insight. The Spirit of God was described as coming upon them (see the messengers of Saul in 1 Sam. 19:20 and Gideon in Judges 6:34), and then would depart (see the 70 elders of Israel in Num. 11:25).

Sometimes we would see the Spirit's departure because of sin among His people. As when David mourned the sin he had committed with Bathsheba, he prayed, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me,” Psa. 51:11. David's fear seems to have been that the Holy Spirit might leave him because of his sin.

We read that sometimes the Spirit was said to depart because the task for which someone had been empowered was accomplished (Num. 11:25). This was apparently the case with several of the Minor Prophets, who were boldly empowered by the Spirit for very brief prophetic ministries and then went back to whatever their life had been previously. It most certainly was the case with Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa until he was called to speak prophetic words from God (read book of Amos).

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is described differently in the Old Testament than it is in the New Testament. This is the reason Christ’s disciples, who knew only that of the Old Testament era, would see the Lord’s declaration of a permanent abiding of the Spirit as a great contrast to what they had previously understood.

The promise of Jesus was a permanent presence of the Holy Ghost in John 14:16. This would be in direct contrast to their mere three-year physical relationship with Christ Himself. Jesus did not come to dwell permanently on earth in a physical body. He came to accomplish the plan of the covenant of redemption and then return to the Father’s presence. The Spirit’s coming would be very different from His ministry in the Old Testament and different from Christ's ministry in the Gospels, for His coming to indwell believers was promised to be eternal in nature.

Jesus went on to say, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you,” John 14:17. This is an enormous statement to the true believer, because it sets us in direct contrast to the non-elect and unredeemed world. In 1 Cor 2:12-16, we find the contrast of the natural man with the spiritual man: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” The natural, or unregenerate man cannot receive anything that has to do with the Spirit, while we on the other hand have the mind of Christ!

What could be more clear? The Children of God are different from the natural man. We have the presence of the Spirit of God in our lives, and the natural man does not. We are enabled by the Spirit to know the things given to us by God (v.12), to understand spiritual things (v.13), to have spiritual discernment (v.15), and to have the mind of Christ (v.16). These rich blessings are not given to everyone who is born in the flesh, but only to those who are born of the Spirit.

“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The key to understanding this passage is to see that the natural man cannot understand anything that has to do with the Spirit of Christ because he is not of the same spirit. He has only his natural carnal mind (Rom 8:6- 8).

The natural man can study the Bible as only mere literature, but he can never see the wonder of God in Christ. He can hear with the natural ear good principles, but he cannot apply them in a spiritual love and faith of Christ. Why? Because he does not have the Spirit of God! Jesus said that the world cannot receive the Spirit. What the Spirit of God produces is undeniably revealed in the contrast with what the spirit of man (i.e. the world) produces. This is the difference between the wisdom that is from above and the wisdom that is of this world. James 3:13-18 delivers the contrast in clear-cut terms:

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

Although James does not explicitly mention the Holy Spirit, it’s obvious from 1 Corinthians chapters 2 and 3 (as well as Acts 6:3, 10 and Eph.1: 17) that spiritual wisdom; that which James calls “wisdom from above,” is imparted by the Holy Spirit and is very different from the wisdom displayed by the natural man, who does not receive the Spirit.

Jesus says, “He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). This is the final declaration of the significant way the Spirit's presence is displayed in our lives. It’s not only a matter of an eternal presence, or even a presence that displays itself in true spiritual wisdom. The reality of it is that the Spirit of the Living God has His personal residence in the lives of believers.

We will stop here and continue in our next issue. May God bless you and keep you.

Elder Thomas McDonald

“Jesus’ Promise of the Holy Ghost – Part IV”

Are Musical Instruments Authorized for New Testament Worship?

Primitive Baptist hold to the belief that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are our only rule of faith and practice. This is certainly a proper scriptural position. When looking at what God has authorized as proper worship there are certain basic scriptural tenets to which we must adhere.
First, the scriptures furnish us everything that we need to know how to worship and serve the Lord. This principle is set forth in 2 Tim. 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  Thus, I need not look outside the scriptures for authority or instruction about how to worship or serve God. Furthermore, I have no authority to look outside the scriptures for authority or instruction about how to worship or serve God.
Second, the worship of God must be according to truth. This principle is set forth in John 4:21 "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. True worship of God is according to truth. The Lord rebuked some for vain worship: Mark 7:7 "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Third, the Old Testament does not authorize Old Testament practices for New Testament worship. This principle is set forth in Gal. 5:2 "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."  Circumcision was required under the Old Testament economy for those men who took part or observed the ordinances of the Old Testament. However, natural circumcision is not an authorized part of New Testament worship. This same principle would apply to other Old Testament practices such as tithing and the use of musical instruments. The fact that those things were used in the Old Testament does not authorize them in the New Testament. New Testament practices are authorized in the New Testament.

Fourth, if something is not specifically authorized for worship, then we have no authority to add it to our worship service. Some have held that if something is not specifically prohibited then it is okay to use in worship. However, the case of Nadab and Abihu speak volumes to this issue: Lev. 10:1 "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD."

The Lord neither commanded them to offer strange fire, nor did he specifically prohibit them from offering strange fire. Thus, where the scriptures are silent, we have no authority to add. In the book of Revelation, God warns us against adding to God's word. Rev. 22:18 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Historically, no form of musical instrument was used in worship services by any who claimed to be a part of the Christian church until the 7th century. Furthermore, no form of musical instrument was used in worship services by any who claimed to be Baptist until the late 18th century. Secular history, however, is not our rule of faith and practice, but the scriptures.

Examples of New Testament singing were without the accompaniment of musical instruments:

1. Matt. 26:30 "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."
2. Acts 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

The primary Greek word translated sing is "psallo." Psallo means to twitch or twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument. Please note that the scriptures where singing is commanded give the location of the singing, i.e., "psallo," as being the heart:

1. Eph. 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
2. Col. 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Therefore, this "stringed instrument" is to be played in the heart! It would definitely be difficult to get a piano or organ or some other musical instrument in the heart! The obvious lesson is that our singing is to come from the heart. Since we are to sing praises, then we know that we are to sing praises from the heart. Our melody (psallo) is to sound forth from the heart.
Furthermore, our singing is to be directed to the Lord. A musical instrument is for the benefits (?) of man's ears. It is lifeless and therefore can give no praise to God. What pleases God is praise from the heart not the phonetic quality of the sound of our voices or the sound of musical instruments.

Some have taken the use of the harp in the book of Revelation as giving authority for using musical instruments in the worship service. First, we would point out that the book of Revelation is written in sign or figurative language. The harp is an instrument of ten strings or a stringed instrument. Isn't it interesting that the ones who want to use the harp as authority to use musical instruments, don't use the harp, but use pianos, organs, or wind or percussion instruments. Thus, the harp, even if taken literally, would not authorize pianos, organs, or wind or percussion instruments. The harp in Revelation is used as a figure of the regenerated heart which has the laws of God (the number 10 is associated with the laws of God) written on it. Thus, an instrument of ten strings represents the regenerated heart, on which we sing praises to God. Every one of those mentioned in Revelation had a harp, not just one individual who played and everyone else or a choir sang! Literally, we are to sing praises on the strings of our heart unto the Lord.
In conclusion, the only musical instruments authorized for use in the New Testament Church worship are the heartstrings of a regenerated heart. From these heartstrings sound forth the praise of our lips to the honor and glory of God.

Elder Vernon Johnson