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Dear Friends, Thank you for your letter. Some are speaking: As for your conclusion regarding the "bodily form like a dove" being different from "in the shape of a dove," we do not understand it. In English, there is no real difference in the meaning of the two expressions. There is the expressions "in a dove shape" in the episode of the baptism of Jesus Christ is the distortion of the text of the Holy Scripture. Everywhere in the Holy Scripture we see only "like a dove", and nowhere "in the shape of a dove". (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32).  And there is the image of the dove in the picture of the episode of the baptism of Jesus Christ is the distortion of the text of the Holy Scripture too. Some are speaking: The expression "like a dove" means "having the appearance of a dove. The expression "like a dove" is meaning, that it is not a dove. For example, is the expression "like a man" means "having the appearance of a man"? No. The expression "like a man" is meaning, that it is not a man. And: ... The dove is a frequent symbol of the Spirit in the Bible. Excuse me please, where in the Bible is it told, that "The dove is a frequent symbol of the Spirit"? There is in the Holy Scripture it is told: "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). Holy Spirit is the God Jehovah. The Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape, which has an image of the man, and in this shape the Holy Spitit descended like a dove. The words "like a dove" are meaning, that it is the appearance of the descent, not the form of the Holy Spirit in this episode. If the words "like a dove" are speaking about the form of the Holy Spirit in this episode, it is meaning, that the Holy Spirit descended in the unknown bird shape. It is very difficult to agree with it. There is the dove on
the whole have no any attitude to the Holy Spirit in the Holy
Scripture. Some are speaking: Christ ... has
been given the special position of King in this world, Please
see the words of Jesus Christ: "Jesus answered, "My
kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world,
My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to
the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36).
Christ ... has ... the special position of King in this
world What is meaning "the special position of King"?
"Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion" (Psalm
2:6). God the Father said, that His Son is the King, but some
said, that God the Father is the King too. Excuse me please,
where they taken it? "In the year that king Uzziah died
I saw also the Lord sitting upon the throne, high and lifted
up, and His train filled the temple. Then said I, Woe is me!
For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell
in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have
seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:1,5). Who is
the King and Lord of hosts in the Isaiah 6:1,5? Lord Jesus Christ
is the King and Lord of hosts. "These things said Isaiah,
when he saw His glory, and spoke of Him" (John 12:41), about
Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, King, Lord of hosts. Thank you. Dear Vladimir Rumyantsev, God bless you for your email which was very comprehensive and understandable. Your question about the Holy Spirit has occurred to many, in fact they can't understand what the Bible is trying to relate. We use the King James Version. I just did an article about the issue and this is part of it. God communicates that way to us. He uses animals and plants,the weather etc. to describe characteristics of whatever He is trying toget across to us. It takes a while to get the hang of it. Those things don't change over time where everything else does. It works wonderfully. His message stands forever and His creation is here to stay until He removes it. Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. Note by Albert Barnes a Bible scholar: Lu 3:22 Verse 22. In a bodily shape. This was a real visible appearance, and was doubtless seen by the people. The dove is an emblem of purity and harmlessness, and the form of the dove was assumed on this occasion to signify, probably, that the spirit with which Jesus would be endowedwould be one of purity and innocence. The Holy Spirit, when he assumes a visible form, assumes that which will be emblematic of the thing to be represented. Thus he assumed the form of tongues, to signify the miraculous powers of language with which the apostles would be endowed;the appearance of fire, to denote their power, c., Ac 2:3. By William Burkitt: The Holy Ghost descends like a dove upon
our Saviour. Here we have a proof and evidence of the blessed
Trinity; the Father speaks from heaven, the Son comes out of
the water, and the Holy Ghost descends after the manner of a
dove, hovering and overshadowing Him. But why did the HolyGhost
now descend upon Christ? The Holy Spirit Enters The Church, The Body of Christ "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heavenas of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) [Note: 2:1-13 This is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit was to glorify Jesus Christ (John 16:7-14) The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and filled not just a selected few, but every believer that was present in the upper room (Acts2:4). One result of this baptism was that these people spoke in languagest hat they did not previously understand. In Acts 2:6, 8, the writer uses the Greek word dialect (1258). Which referred to known and understood ethnic languages, or “dialects.” The “other tongues,” mentioned in verse four should not be confused withthe “unknown tongue” spoken by the Corinthians (see 1 Cor. 14:2, 4, 13,19, 27). The “unknown tongue” is always in the singular and is accompanied by a singular personal pronoun. The Apostle Paul demanded that this unknown tongue always be interpreted. The tongues that were spoken in this passage, however, needed no interpreter because each manheard the message of the Lord in his own language. "And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every manin our own tongue, wherein we were born? Acts 2:7,8 The Apostle Peter said: “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shalldream dreams: (Acts 2:16,17) This event was prophesied in the Old Testament in Joel 2:28-29
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my
spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall
see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days will I pour out my spirit. John 7:38 He that believeth
on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water. How Did People Receive The Holy Spirit Investigating how people received the Holy Ghost we find the
following: Acts 8:14-18 “Now when the apostles which were
at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God,
they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on
them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that
through laying on of the apostles' hands theHoly Ghost was given,
he offered them money, References: Acts 6:6; 19:6. - Acts 6:6
“Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed,
they laid their hands on them.” Acts 19:6 And when Paul
had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and
they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Laying on of hands
had to do with the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit because
in Acts 6 when Stephen received the power it was after hands
were laid on him by a number of Apostles. It states in those
verses that Stephen already had the Holy Spirit before they laid
hands on him to give him the gifts and the power. Notice that
those who laid hands on him were the Apostles. In the Book of
Mark 3:13-15 speaking of Jesus, “.. He goeth up into
a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came
unto Him. And He ordained twelve, that they should be with him,
and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power
to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:, Power #1849 Greek
word isexousia; it is permissible, allowed, permission; authority,
right, liberty, power to do anything (Acts 26:12). It may be
used either of the capability or the right to do a certain action.
It means executive powerin another passage. The apostles are
directly under the authority ofJesus Christ and they have seen
Jesus with their own eyes and were breathed on by Jesus in John
20:22 The Apostle Paul Acts 9:4-19 And he fell to the earth, and
heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
Me? And he said,Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest:it is hard for thee to kick against the
pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt
Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go
into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And
the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a
voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and
when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by
the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days
without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. [Ananias apparently
had the Holy Spirit because he saw a vision.] And there was a
certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said
the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And He said, Behold, I am here,
Lord.And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for
one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath
seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his
hand on him, that he might receive his sight. [He healed which
was a gift of the Holy Spirit.] Then Ananias answered, Lord,
I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done
to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the
chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name. But the Lord
said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me,
to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children
of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer
for my name's sake. Here we have it that only Apostles had the authority to lay hands on believers to give them the gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1 Timothy4:13-16 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee,which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things [in other words discover what gifts you received]; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Apostle Paul did not tell Timothy to lay hands on the congregation but toexercise his spiritual gifts that he had received from the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul was telling him to wait for him who was authorized to do it. John 7:38-39 He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he ofthe Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for theHoly Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Let Us Go Unto Perfection Hebrews 6:1-12 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faithtoward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands,and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those whowere once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and weremade partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God,and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renewthem again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh inthe rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh untocursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded betterthings of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints,and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Conclusion is at the time when Jesus Christ taught, He had all gifts active and used them to heal, resurrect and teach during the 3 years of His ministry. After the resurrection and glorification of His body, Jesus authorized the Apostles to distribute the gifts of the Holy Ghost for the edification of the Church which included the Apostle Paul. He receivedthe authority (power) when Jesus spoke to him from heaven and Aniniaslayed hands on Him later. The believers at Pentecost received direct baptisms of the Holy Spirit which filled them but did not receive authority to transfer the gifts of the Holy Spirit. From that conclusion we have to realize that Paul was addressing
believers of his time . 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now ye are the
body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some
in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues. Are allapostles? are all
prophets? are all teachers? are all workers ofmiracles? Have
all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew Iunto you a
more excellent way.” In the same breath that he tells them
to covet the gifts, he tells them of a more excellent way because
shortlyhe will not be available to bless them with gifts and
they will have tomanage another way. Hebrews 2:1-4 Therefore
we ought to give the more earnest heed tothe things which we
have heard, lest at any time we should let themslip. For if
the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression
and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall
we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first
began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with
signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the
Holy Ghost, according to his own will? While I was working on this research, I received an email asking us where we stand on this issue with a suggestion. My answer was, “Often confronted with the question if the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still in effect, I reasoned, since 'faith' is one of the gifts, they must still be active in spite of the fact that the gifts don't seem be, at leastI have not seen anything valid as yet. The only valid spiritual experiences are personal encounters if they line up with the Word of God. Like you, I came up with startling information about ‘faith’ and when we receive it. Galatians 3:16-29 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
After trying for many years we finally in utter exhaustion realize that we are fighting a losing battle and throw ourselves at the mercy of Jesus Christ and confess our sins and plead for mercy. He receives us like His Father received His lost son in a parable Jesus taught and Father couldn’t do enough for his son to let him know that he was most welcometo come back to his Father. Jesus forgives us and gives us grace so that we can receive faith of Jesus Christ. [Notice without grace we cannot have faith. After this act of calling on our Savior to save us from hell], “we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [We are now called the children of God:] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:26-29) The following Scriptue has many puzzled. Some believe that
it means praying in tongues, that would mean that we all would
have to have the gift of tongues with the gift of interpretation.
Paul made it clear, that all should not expect the gift of tongues
and that he preferred that believers prophesied in 1 Corinthians
14:5. “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather
that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he
that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church
may receive edifying. Those believers who believe this verse means praying in tongues areassuming that is what it means. In going a step further let’s lookat the references. a) Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding there in with thanksgiving. 1Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith:so do. b) Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but theSpirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching hithereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Does that sound like praying in tongues to you? I don’t think so. In Greek the Spirit is described by #4151 Pneu'ma to breathe, blow, primarily denotes the wind. Breath, the Spirit which like the wind isinvisible, immaterial, and powerful. It is the element in man by which he perceives, reflects, feels and desires. [Looking at what happened whenJesus went to the cross, the veil was rent in two (Mark 15:36) and we believers attained direct access to God for the first time. When I think of the cross the vertical axis represents the Holy Spirit and the horizontal, the body and soul which is what animals have as well.The vertical access to God distinguishes us from animals. The Lexical Aid refers to the inward man, as the expression used only by believers (Rom. 7:6; 2 Cor. 4:13) the new life (Rom. 8:4-6, 1016; Luke 4:33, 1 Pet. 3:19).. Spirit is the element in man which gives him the ability to think of God. It is man's vertical window, while psuche', soul is his horizontal window making him conscious of his environment...Whenever the word spirit is used it refers to the immaterial part of man including his spirit and soul. The soul part refers to man's fallen nature. We can also deduct from the Scriptures that the WORD is God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, beginning with John 1:1. You will see lots of references in the Old Testament that the WORD came to the prophets,which implies that when we are in the WORD we are in the Holy Spirit, in Jesus Christ and in God. Conclusion is "do we need to be speaking in tongues to get aconnection to God? of course not. It states all prayers and supplication in the Spirit [in the WORD since God admonishes us to return His Word back to Him] are what this Scriptures refer to.God wants us to go into a closet and pray which doesn't mean praying intongues. Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [Because He is the WORD] Speaking to the emailer in reply of what he sent me, see CM> below: “What you related fits into this study perfectly, because that is the answer.” 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word
ofhis grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you aninheritance
among all them which are sanctified. - Acts 20:32 I agree the gifts were for the early Church to prove their
case to the heathens. They didn't have documentation that we
have today. For us there is no need for demonstrations, in fact
Jesus said that we should not be looking for signs and wonders
but simply believe. Hebrews 12:22-29 But ye are come unto mount
Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly
and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and
to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made
perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and
to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better thingsthan that
of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they
escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall
not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:Whose
voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying,
Yetonce more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And
this word, Yetonce more, signifieth the removing of those things
that are shaken, as ofthings that are made, that those things
which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom
which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve
God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is
a consuming fire. Dear Friends At 10:46 AM 12/14/2004 , you wrote: Dear Friends, Ecxuse
me please, let me attract your attention my interesting observation
about the Holy Spirit in the New Testament,when Jesus Christ
was baptized. (Please see the attached file Image_6). There is
in the Luke 3:22 we see the next: "And the Holy Spirit descended
in a bodily shape like a dove uponHim" (Luke 3:22). There
is the Holy Scripture said, that the Holy Spirit descended ina
bodily shape like a dove, not in a dove shape. Everywhere in
theHoly Scripture we see only "like a dove", and nowhere
"in adove shape". (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, John 1:32).
It is possible to descend in any shape like a dove, but there
is in adove shape is only in a dove shape. And the phrase "like
a dove" is meaning, that it is not a dove. For example,
"like a human" is meaning, that itis not human. Why
two thousands years all artists in the episode of baptism of
Jesus Christ are drawing the dove, and there are in the many
theologize works we see the words "in a doveshape"?
Please see the pictures of well-known artist, and you will see
the dove. And there is in all temple you will see the dove. "And
the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove uponHim"
(Luke 3:22), not "in a dove shape". "Therefore
I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgivenmen, but
the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men"
(Matthew 12;31). Excuse me please my mistakes in English, I am
sorry, I don't speak English. Thank you. |
Now a mediator is not a mediator
ofone, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of
God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could
have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the
law. [Note: Righteousness gives life eternal and human beings
have no righteousness. We are of evil origin.] "But the
scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promiseby faith
of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before
faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith
which should afterwards be revealed.Wherefore the law was our
schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, thatwe might be justified
by faith. But after that faith is come, [Note: It is the law
that brought us to Christ Jesus. Why? Because when we tried to
keep the Ten Commandments we failed utterly. And anyone who thinks
they can keep the Ten Commandments is a liar. That is why we
have to die.