How are we to understand the Holy Spirit in reference to John the Baptist? From this article the reader will obtain the following Scripture facts:
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE OLD TESTAMENT
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.
Is the Doctrine of the Trinity Essential for Salvation?
There is no other doctrine that has been so hotly debated in the last 2,000 years. Christians have literally killed Christians for believing differently. All other Christian doctrines have several different views. This is not the case with the Trinity doctrine, if one ever so slightly gets of course from the orthodox view, it is tantamount to heresy.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Only is God Glorified
THIS is so obvious that it really needs no arguing. It brings no glory to God that his children should be dwarfs. As sunshine and rain are sent for the nourishment and fructification of vegetation so the means of grace are provided that we may increase in our spiritual stature. “As newborn babes desire the... Continue Reading →
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Christian Progress Does Not Make Us Meet for Heaven
Many of those who are more or less clear on the three points considered above are far from being so upon this one, and therefore we must enter into it at greater length. Thousands have been taught to believe that when a person has been justified by God and tasted the blessedness of “the man... Continue Reading →
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Christian Progress Does Not Procure a Title for Heaven
THE perfect and indefeasible title of every believer is in the merits of Christ. His vicarious fulfilling of the law, whereby he magnified and made it honorable, secured for all in whose stead he acted the full reward of the law. It is on the all-sufficient ground of Christ’s perfect obedience being reckoned to his... Continue Reading →
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Christian Progress Does Not Denote that the Work of Regeneration Was Incomplete
GREAT care needs to be taken in stating this truth of spiritual growth lest we repudiate the perfection of the new birth. When a normal child is born into this world naturally the babe is an entire entity, complete in all its parts, possessing a full set of bodily members and mental faculties. As the... Continue Reading →
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Experience More Genuine Assurance, Preserved from Grievous Backsliding, and Preserve the Cause of Christ from Reproach
Peace becomes more stable and joy abounds in proportion as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and become more conformed practically to his holy image. It is because ...
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We Adorn the Doctrine We Profess
THE truth we claim to have received into our hearts is “the doctrine which is according to godliness” (1 Tim. 6:3), and therefore the more our daily lives be conformed thereto the clearer proof do we give that our character and conduct is regulated by heavenly principles. It is by our fruits we are known... Continue Reading →
SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We Certify that We Have Been Made Partakers of an Effectual Call and are Among the Chosen of God
“BRETHREN, give diligence to make your calling and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:10) is the Divine exhortation—one which has puzzled many. Yet it should not: it is not to secure it Godward (which is impossible), but to make it more certain to yourselves and your brethren. And how is this to be accomplished?” Why, by... Continue Reading →