2-Minute Theology - TRINITY BIBLE CHURCH

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 10 - Oil

6/12/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 10 - Oil

Oil, particularly olive oil, was used in the Old Testament to anoint prophets, priests, and kings. The anointing was symbolic of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the person to empower them for service.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. - 1 Samuel 16:13

When Jesus came, He came as prophet, priest, and king. In order to serve in such roles, Jesus needed to be anointed with the Holy Spirit. This anointing occurred at Jesus’ baptism.

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, - Matthew 3:16
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, - Acts 10:38

That Jesus came as prophet, priest, and king indicate that He is indeed the Christ or Messiah. The title Christ or Messiah means the Anointed One. Because the Holy Spirit anointed Christ, He was empowered to perform miracles and preach redemption.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; - Isaiah 61:1

The Holy Spirit also anoints all believers for service.

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses… - Acts 1:8

In the Ancient Near East, olive oil also had several other uses including, cleansing, comfort, and illumination. Again, oils function typifies the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit cleanses believers from sin.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, - Titus 3:5

The Holy Spirit provides comforts.

But the Helper [i.e., Comforter], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. - John 14:26

The Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures enabling believers to understand Scripture.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. - Ephesians 1:17

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 9 - Tongues of Fire

6/9/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 9 - Tongues Of Fire

In the New Testament, John the Baptizer announced that the Messiah would come and baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. - Matthew 3:11

In this sense, the Baptism of Fire was prophetic of Christ’s judgment, whereby the unregenerate are placed into Hell and then for all eternity into the Lake of Fire. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit prophesied the then future ministry of the Holy Spirit, whereby He immersed or placed believers into the Body of Christ (i.e., the Universal Church). This baptism began on the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared as “tongues of fire,” resting upon each believer. At that moment, the Apostles and other disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit.

And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. - Acts 2:3-4

When God delivered the Law, He descended upon the mount in fire (Exodus 19:18).

Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. - Exodus 19:18

Jewish tradition states that when God gave the Law in written form, each of the seventy Elders had a flame of fire appear above their heads. Now, God gave the Holy Spirit, who will write the Law upon the hearts of people, and a flame of fire appeared above their heads.

The appearance of the Holy Spirit as a fire was a sign to the Jews that God’s presence and power were upon the Apostles and disciples. As well, just as God’s fire in the Old Testament placed God’s approval upon Elijah’s ministry, so too the appearance of the Holy Spirit as fire upon those early believers authenticated God’s blessing upon their ministry.

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 8 - A Consuming Fire

6/9/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 8 - A Consuming Fire

The metaphor of fire is often used in the Scriptures to typify God.

for our God is a consuming fire. - Hebrews 12:29

In the New Testament, the appearance of fire often denoted God’s presence.

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. - Exodus 3:2
The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. - Exodus 13:21

God used fire as a means of judgment against sin and ungodliness.

Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. - Numbers 11:1
Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. - 2 Kings 1:10

Also, fire symbolized God’s power.

For it came about when the flame went up from the altar toward heaven, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar. - Judges 13:20
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. - 1 Kings 18:38

In Kings 18:38, the fire sent from God not only represented His power but His approval upon Elijah’s ministry.

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 7 - Water, Cleansing

6/5/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 7 - Water, Cleansing

Water was also used in the Old Testament era in various ceremonial rituals to symbolize God’s cleansing from sin. By the time of Christ, mikvahs or ritual washing pools were situated through Judea. People would come to a mikvah and immerse themselves in the water to symbolize their repentance and God’s cleansing of their sin.

As well, any strangers or Gentiles who wanted to become Jewish proselytes of the Covenant needed to be baptized or ritually cleansed of their sin. According to James Hastings, in A Dictionary of the Bible, the individual would be brought “to a pool, in which he stood up to his neck in water, while the great commandments of the Law were recited to him. These he promised to keep. Then a benediction was pronounced and he plunged beneath the water, taking care to be entirely submerged.”

As the New Testament opens, readers are introduced to John, baptizing people who had repented this sin.

and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; - Matthew 3:6-8

As John baptized both proselytes and Jews needing ceremonial cleansing from sin, he declared that the Messiah would come and baptize people with the Holy Spirit.

John answered and said to them all, As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. - Luke 3:16

John typified the Holy Spirit as the water of baptism. At the moment, Jesus was baptized in water by John, and the Father baptized Him with the Holy Spirit. Before His ascension into Heaven, Jesus said that the disciples would shortly be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. - Acts 1:5

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered together when the Father baptized them with the Holy Spirit. In the Baptism of the Spirit, believers are immersed into the Body of Christ.

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 6 - Water, Life-giving

6/5/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 6 - Water, Lifegiving

Water is essential to life. Without water, living things would die. To illustrate, the average person cannot go without water for more than three days, or they will die. Just as an individual needs physical water to sustain physical life, they also need spiritual water to sustain their spiritual life.

In Jeremiah 2:13, God accused the Israelites of forsaking Him, the Spring of Water.

For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water. - Jeremiah 2:13

Instead of coming to God for their spiritual refreshment, they dug their own cisterns. However, their cisterns could not hold water. God is the only source of water to quench one’s spiritual thirst and provide eternal life. In other words, without God, the people were dying of spiritual thirst.

In John 4:13-14, Jesus told the woman at the well that He could provide her with water that would quench her spiritual thirst and provide her with eternal life.

Jesus answered and said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. - John 4:13-14

Later, Jesus declared that anyone spiritually thirsty should come to Him and drink.

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. - John 7:37-39

Those who drink or receive Jesus as the Lord and Savior will receive streams of living water that would arise from within them. The Apostle John clarified that Jesus’ illustration was a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. Later in Acts 2:33, believers received this Water, as the Father poured out the Holy Spirit upon them.

Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. - Acts 2:33

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 5 - Wind, Independent

5/29/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 5 - Wind, Independent

The wind metaphor is also used to describe the Holy Spirit’s role in the inspiration of Scripture. The term inspiration comes from the Greek term theopneustos meaning God-breathed. God breathed out His Word to human authors who wrote down what was spoken. Scripture was not the by-product of their logic or reasoning.

for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved (phérō) by the Holy Spirit (pneuma) spoke from God. - 2 Peter 1:21

In 2 Peter 1:21, the phrase moved by the Holy Spirit means that the human writers were led, directed, or carried along by the Holy Spirit. The term moved (phérō) describes the way in which the wind blows the sails of a ship to carry it along.

No one guides the wind. It is as if it independently goes where it wants. Meteorologists can measure the wind winds, and to varying degrees, predict the wind’s direction. However, they cannot control the wind. In a sense, the wind is sovereign — it does as it pleases. Like the wind, no one controls the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is independent and sovereign; He does as He wills.

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. - 1 Corinthians 12:11

Finally, the wind is moving air, which contains oxygen. Oxygen sustains the cells of all living things. So too, the Holy Spirit gives and sustains spiritual life.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. - John 6:63
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 4 - Wind, Invisible

5/29/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 4 - Wind, Invisible

The metaphor of wind also describes the Holy Spirit. In both the Old and New Testaments, the terms wind and spirit translate the Hebrew term rûaḥ and the Greek term pneuma. In John 3:8, Jesus used the term wind as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit.

The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. - John 3:8

The wind is invisible, yet its effects can be seen, heard, and felt (i.e., swirling leaves, rustling of leaves, and the spray of water). Like the wind, the Holy Spirit is invisible.

God is a spirit… - John 4:24
…a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. - Luke 24:39

Like the wind, though invisible, the ministry of the Holy Spirit can be experienced. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s presence was experienced as a mighty, rushing wind.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. - Acts 2:1-2

Believers experience the comforting of the Holy Spirit.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; - Romans 8:26

As well, believers experience the prompting and directing of the Holy Spirit.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. - John 16:13
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. - Romans 8:14

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 3 - Seal & Pledge

5/26/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 3 - Seal & Pledge

The Holy Spirit is also described by the metaphors of a seal and a pledge. During the Old Testament era, a seal served several purposes. First, a seal was given as a pledge or promise to do something. Second, a seal authenticated documents, such as proof of ownership. Third, a seal authorized appointed power.

At the moment of salvation, God sealed believers with the Holy Spirit.

having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, - Ephesians 1:13

Because believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit God lays a claim of ownership upon them.

you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit… who is given as a pledge (arrabōn) of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. - Ephesians 1:13-14
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His, and, Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness. - 2 Timothy 2:19

That believers are sealed until the day redemption guarantees that no believers will be lost.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30

Because believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, they are deputized as ambassadors of Christ.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ… - Ephesians 5:20

Believers have been granted the authority to speak on behalf of God, preaching, teaching, and defending His Word.

The Holy Spirit is also given as a pledge.

who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge (arrabōn). - 2 Corinthians 1:22
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. - 2 Corinthians 5:5

The pledge (arrabōn) is a down payment which confirms the transaction will be paid in full. That God gives the Holy Spirit as a pledge guarantees believers of their heavenly inheritance.

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 2 - Clothing

5/26/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 2 - Clothing

In the Ancient Near East, clothing is a metaphor or picture of one’s standing before God (Genesis 3:21). When God clothed Adam and Eve, it was not merely to cover their physical nakedness but to serve as a reminder that their sin needed to be covered. When God slaughtered and shed the blood of animals to make their clothes, He also demonstrated how to make atonement for sin. Something or someone had to die and shed its blood. Later in Genesis 35:2 and Exodus 19:10-14, the people were commanded to wash and put on clean clothes before entering into a covenant with God. The act of wearing clean clothes symbolized the inner purity of the people. Later, Joshua the High Priest was guilty of wearing filthy clothes, symbolizing his sin (Zechariah 3:6-7). God removed his filthy clothes and gave him clean clothes.

Clothing also identified one’s right to attend a wedding. In the parable of Matthew 22:1-14, Christ recounts how an individual attended a wedding without the proper attire. Because the man was not properly attired, the host had the man cast out of the wedding into outer darkness. Christ used the parable to explain that anyone who tries to attend the wedding of the Lamb and His Bride, without right standing will be cast out into the Lake of Fire. One can only attain right standing by repenting of their sin and placing their faith in Christ’s salvific work.

Jesus used this metaphor of clothing to describe the Holy Spirit.

And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed (endúō) with power from on high (húpsos). - Luke 24:49

Jesus promised the disciples that they would be clothed with power from on high. The term on high (húpsos) refers to Heaven. Thus, the source of this clothing is Heavenly. The verb clothed (endúō) meaning to dress is in the passive voice meaning that believers do not clothe themselves but are clothed by someone else. Believers will be clothed with power. The power is the one promised by the Father and sent forth by Jesus.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. - John 14:26

Thus, believers are clothed with the Holy Spirit. As such, they have right standing with God. That they are clothed with the Holy Spirit identifiers them as being atoned to God. As well, it guarantees that believers will welcomed into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

The Representations of the Holy Spirit: Part 1 - The Dove

5/22/2021

TBC Glassboro Sermons and More · The Representations Of The Holy Spirit: Part 1 - The Dove

The Holy Spirit is often depicted in Scripture by various symbols which are used to describe some aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. During Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove.

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, - Matthew 3:16
Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; - Mark 1:10
and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, - Luke 3:22

It is important to note that the text of Scripture does not state that the Holy Spirit is a dove but that He appeared as a dove, like a dove, or in bodily form like a dove. Thus, the Holy Spirit took on the appearance of a dove.

The Holy Spirit’s depiction as a dove goes back to the Flood. After the Flood ended and the waters began to abate, Noah sent out a dove.

Then he sent out a dove from him, to see if the water was abated from the face of the land; but the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, so she returned to him into the ark, for the water was on the surface of all the earth. Then he put out his hand and took her, and brought her into the ark to himself. […] The dove came to him toward evening, and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth. Then he waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; but she did not return to him again. - Genesis 8:8-9, 11-12

The first time the dove returned with nothing. The second time the dove returned with a budding olive branch. The third time the dove did not return. From that moment, the dove was viewed as a harbinger of peace and a symbol of hope. It is likely that this is where the idea of extending an olive branch also became a symbol of peace.

The depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove is also rooted in the Law.

But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord his guilt offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. - Leviticus 5:7
When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. - Leviticus 12:6

Because of its perceived purity, the dove was an acceptable animal for sin offerings. God provided the dove as a sacrificial animal, particularly, for those who where poor. As such, the dove symbolized that God provided a sacrifice for all, even the poor of the world.

When the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove, He portrayed three truths. First, by descending as a dove upon Jesus, the Holy Spirit demonstrated that Jesus had come to establish peace between God and humanity. Second, the Holy Spirit demonstrated that Jesus was the world’s only hope to deal with the curse of sin. Finally, the Holy Spirit descended as a dove to demonstrate that Jesus was a sacrifice for all people.