Tuesday: The Holy Spirit Unites the Church Through the Word of God
Read Acts 17:11; and John 5:39, John 5:46-47; John 8:31-32. What is a distinguishing mark of a true disciple of Christ? Why is the Bible so indispensable in pointing us to Christ and in helping us to follow Him faithfully?
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The primary means by which the Holy Spirit unites us with Christ is through the Written Word of God. The Bible is a trustworthy source for knowing Jesus and the will of God. That is why reading Scripture and memorizing its content is so important. The Bible is the authoritative source for discerning spiritual truth and error. Paul commended the Bereans as noble-minded (Acts 17:11) because they diligently studied and searched the Scriptures in order to find out if what they heard was true.
Any reformation and spiritual revival-no matter whether it affects us individually or as a church corporately-must be based on Scripture. The Bible is the foundation on which our faith is built; meanwhile, the love of Jesus and for His Written Word is the bond that keeps us together.
Read John 17:17-21. Here Jesus speaks about unity as a distinguishing mark of Christian discipleship. According to John 17:17, what is the basis for this unity?
The Word of God is truth (John 17:17, Ps. 119:160). The unity of the church is the work of the Spirit with and through the Written Word of God. The Holy Spirit will never lead us to doubt, criticize, go beyond, or fall short of Bible teaching. Instead, He makes us appreciate the divine authority of Scripture. The Holy Spirit never draws us away from the Written Word, any more than from the Living Word. Instead, He keeps us in constant, conscious, and willing submission to both. The Bible is the foundational source for any theological unity worldwide. Were we to lessen or weaken our implicit belief in the Bible as God’s Word of truth to us, the unity of the church would be destroyed.
| How much time do you spend in the Word? More important, how can you learn to submit to its teachings? |
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While the lesson presents unity as a distinguishing mark of true discipleship by quoting John 17:17-21, we must understand that this unity is to be founded on love. John 13:34-35. Because even the spirit of apostasy can unite a people in rebellion, Luke 23:18. We know the Holy Spirit is at work when the church cares deeply about what Jesus cared for when He was on earth. The Holy Spirit infuses us with the attributes of Jesus so that we interpret the bible by our actions more than our words. John 1:14.
After reading this days lesson, I thought about family members who'd left the church. Every so often conversations are about spiritual things.
It's interesting how 'little' compromises and even a failure to study to understand simple biblical truths can grow into total renunciation of the bible as the Word of God. Even worse, it can leads us to reject God the Father, Christ as our Savior, and the Holy Spirit as our divine guide and teacher (and so much more).
There is no safety in thoughts, impressions or ideas that lead us contrary to biblical teaching, no matter how gifted or educated the minds or mouths they come from.
If they speak not according to the Word of God, it's because there is no truth in them Isaiah 8:20.
I pray for God's intervention and trust the power of His Spirit. I've learned it's wise to allow the Spirit to speak thru me or to keep silent. It's often not human flesh we wrestle against in these circumstances Ephesians 6:12.
What if members fail to agree based counsels from the Spirit of Prophecy such as Meat Eating, Birthdays and Xmas celebration?
We have to stay in God's word because nothing else will sustain us. Just as we follow sports closely so we do likewise with the scriptures.
Today we have so many versions and it confuses me to recite the text that I learnt in KJV.
Memorization is also discouraged and I wonder how can the Holy Spirit bring back the Word to us if we didn't learn it in the past?
I believe that is important to hide the word of God in our hearts.
We need it for strength and sustainance.
The written word is really a unifying element of the church, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He (the Holy Spirit) brings to our finite mind the understanding and clarity of the word. There are times we read and re-read the Bible, only to discover, (like a child having a toy and never knew it actually lights up and play music until now), a better understanding or additional knowledge from what you thought you knew, understood, or did not quite understand. Tuesday's lesson mentioned the importance of studying the scripture, I reiterate this point. The principle of studying the scripture is not only applicable to the church body/institution, but more so to the individual, creating an appropriate environment that will facilitate the Holy Spirit working to guide us "into all truth" and unite us to Christ (John 17:20-21).
The written word is one great way to connect with concepts of the Kingdom of God. Nature is another way and life's experiences are another way to receive the Word of God.
The Holy Spirit, however, connects us with God using our nervous system. EGW tells how God speaks to us via His Spirit in the "brain nerves." This means that God does not need the Bible to speak to us. The Bible is, however, a very good aide for the Holy Spirit to share the Thoughts and Feelings of God with us.
Don, the Word of God -The Bible- is how we come to know about the Holy Spirit, it is also how we can test if the spirit is the genuine Holy Spirit or Satan's spirit as counterfeit. It was from the Word, that Jesus used to learn about His mission, to stand firm against Satan's attacks quoting from it when tempted. EGW said referring to The Bible "...I recommend this book to you" among other statements referring to the Word of God -The Bible- as THE FOUNDATION to our salvation and our relationship with God.
The Word of God when read, understood and applied directs the church to truth. That is why the Bible was given to us. Paul the Apostle says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
We study the Word of God because Proverbs 30:5-6 tells us that "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." The Word of God is inerrant, infallible, complete and pure. It is all absolutely authoritative (Psalm 119: 89). Isaiah 55:11 says, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
The Holy Bible brings, through the Holy Ghost, believers of every nation, race, class, language, and social level into the indivisible body of Christ. Those that are made holy become united in the pattern of the unity of the Godhead that is rooted in love. We find ourselves on the same ground at the cross.
The noted text in John 17:17 is one of three individual desires or burdens that Jesus's special prayers encompass. The first is for Himself, John 17:1-5. The ones in John 17:6-19, are for His particular 12 chosen Disciples. In the others, Jesus prays for His believers, John 17:20-26. The entire Prayer is beautiful and should be studied as completely as possible. John 17:17 talks about Sanctification and the truth of Jesus and us. How or what do you understand, or apply? Some think sanctification is an endeavor we have to undertake. However Jesus, in verses 17- 19 says it is God the Father who sanctifies. If so, do we have a part and if so, how?
2Thessalonians 2:13- But we ought always ................, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sunctifying work of the spirit and through belief in the truth.
1 Peter 1:2- ....,who have been chose according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,through the sunctifying work of the spirit,for obedince to Jesus Christ and spinkling by his blood:.....
Yes,we have a part to do,that part is to trust and obey. Saved by Grace through Christ jesus we are,so we need to believe,trust and obey.
The statement that Gods written word is the primary source of our enlightenment, is unheeded for many would be Christians. Our time is consumed checking the internet and other pastimes. Spending time with God is what we are chosen for. John 17:20-22. Can anyone describe the Glory of Jesus and God the father. JOHN 17:1,4,5,22,24? Is it more than an exceedingly bright illumination?