When He Is Come - Media Sabda Org

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WHEN HE IS COME by Joshua Stauffer Chapter 26 THE ASCENDING SCALE OF THE SPIRIT'S OPERATIONS The operations of Deity forever and ever roll forward and upward. Deity is without increase or diminution. However, the operations and revelations of God in relation to man are ever progressive. In the Bible, time is not only measured by hours, days, weeks, months, and years, but also by ages. An age is an indefinite period of time in which God deals with the human race along certain lines for certain purposes, then when those purposes are fulfilled, He will bring it to a close and usher in another age. In each age, God gives a certain revelation of Himself and His purposes to men. In studying the history of the human race and the prophecies given in the Bible, we learn that every succeeding age since the fall of Adam, an added revelation of God has been given with an advanced development of His purposes. These purposes are the development of a new creation, a race of sons of God, a new heaven, and a new earth wherein righteousness shall dwell forever. There is an ascending scale, a divine crescendo in the development of the purposes of God. As we trace the work of the Holy Spirit through the ages, we learn that it also is on an ascending scale. In each succeeding age the progress of His operations are revealed to be superior to the preceding age. I. The Spirit's Ministry Before the Flood Little is recorded concerning the agency, exertion of power, and influence of the Holy Spirit in the period from the fall of Adam to the flood. All that we read concerning His works in this age is included in these words: "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man" (Gen. 6:3). From these words we learn that the Lord was faithful to men before the flood, and that the Holy Spirit did strive with them. The antediluvians had sufficient light which was a warning to them and should have led them to repentance. God did not leave them without light, warning, and conviction. The Spirit honors the preaching and testimonies of the saints, and through them brings conviction to sinners. The people before the flood evidently were privileged to go to the gate of the garden of Eden where they could sacrifice to the Lord. After the expulsion from Eden, it was the duty of Adam to communicate to his descendants the promise of a coming Redeemer and that through sacrificing they could be redeemed. His testimony was a living witness to all his descendants through the entire period of his life. He lived nine hundred thirty years then died. Then God called a prophet and preacher, Enoch, who was faithful in warning the people of coming judgment. God revealed to Enoch when Methuselah was born that the life of that child would be the length of life for all men and that when he died, judgment would come. The English for Methuselah is "when he is dead it shall be sent." The longsuffering of God was revealed in that He allowed Methuselah to live nine hundred sixty-nine years. His presence among the people even without any message was a warning to all. Then God called Noah to become a preacher of righteousness, and to build the ark for the saving of his own household. All of these things were light to that generation. The Spirit made use of these ministries so that all were without excuse.
II. The Spirit's Ministry in the Old Testament The operations of the Holy Spirit were much greater during this period than in the antediluvian age. He came on individuals like Bezaleel and Aholiab and endued them with wisdom and skill for cunning workmanship. He clothed priests with holiness, gave visions to the prophets, power to the judges, courage, wisdom, and power to kings and leaders; and holy men were given inspiration to write Holy Writ. The Spirit came on individual men for special service and when that service was performed, He departed, then they were but common again. III. The Spirit's Ministry in the Pre-gospel Period In the preparatory period of the coming of Christ and the giving of the gospel, the ministry of the Spirit became very prominent. When the angel appeared to Mary, announcing the birth of Christ, Gabriel said the birth of Christ would be made possible and a reality by the Holy Ghost. When Mary visited her cousin Elisabeth, who at that time had been in the way of motherhood six months, Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and rejoiced greatly, and the unborn child (John) also shared that outpouring of the Spirit, and he too, had a shouting spell, for he was filled with the Spirit in a prenatal state. After the birth of John the Baptist Zacharias also experienced a blessed infilling with the Spirit, which gave expression in rejoicings and prophetic utterances. Another devout saint lived at this time by the name of Simeon. The Holy Ghost was upon him. It was revealed to him by the Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen Christ. By the intuition of the Spirit, he came into the temple, and there he saw, and even held in his arms the Saviour Whom he had already received into his heart. IV. The Spirit's Ministry in Jesus Christ prayed after His baptism by John. In answer to His prayer, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit removed from the heavens in His Person, coming on Christ evidently in all of His Deity, essence, personality, power, graces, and gifts. Never before had anything like this taken place. In the Old Testament there was a foreshadowing of this glorious event which is one of the illustrious types. This was the anointing of Aaron by Moses who poured the holy anointing oil without measure on his head. This qualified Aaron for the office of priesthood. The Holy Spirit was given to Christ without measure (John 3:34). The anointing of Christ with the Spirit qualified Him for the victorious ministry which He performed, His victorious death, triumphant resurrection, ascension, and glorification. The consummation of Christ's ministry on earth made possible a greater ministry for Him in heaven, and a greater ministry for the Spirit, and believers on earth. V. The Spirit's Ministry Since Pentecost The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was on a greater scale than anything previously known. In the Old Testament period, He came on individuals, but on this occasion He came on people collectively and individually. He became incorporated in the church. We read, "and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:4). In the former dispensation, He came on people for service and enduement, but now He came to cleanse, empower, and abide, that is, remain. In this age, the Spirit's indwelling is for every son of God, even for young men, young maidens, old men and
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WESLEYAN HERITAGE Library WHEN HE I
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WHEN HE IS COME by Joshua Stauffer
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infirmities. He is well qualified t
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esurrected life of Christ and impar
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the gospel to all people. It is the
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II. Personal Characteristics Ascrib
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V. Personal Treatments Predicated o
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will do for each of us all we will
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Then the Holy Spirit is omniscient.
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"Judgment" here refers to convictio
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the beautiful type of Christ our gr
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VII. Wine Wine also symbolizes the
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second Person of the Trinity out of
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Christ was not baptized with the Ho
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performed; the manner in which His
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(Acts 1:22). He did not ascend in H
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flesh and humanity; the brass, that
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III. The Vessels Unto Honor The Lor
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tongue (if only a few words) is an
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V. He Guides Us by Constraint Const
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therefore, Christ could legally giv
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Page 65 and 66: is threefold. Paul says it is "for
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Page 71 and 72: VI. The Skillful Employment of Our
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Page 87 and 88: law of God, neither indeed can be"
Page 91 and 92: send in my name, he shall teach you
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Page 97 and 98: One time a child was lost and inqui
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Page 111 and 112: earnest" of our inheritance. The "e
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When He Is Come - Media Sabda Org

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