462. PHP 1:19. METAPHORICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Php_1:19. Metaphorical Representations Of The Holy Spirit

"The supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ"’97Php_1:19

If we are to know any thing clearly of Deity, it must be from his word. Especially from the statements and declaration of the only-begotten of the Father, who came to manifest the glory of the Godhead, and to bring life and immortality to light by the gospel. By referring to this we discover the unity of the Godhead, and the spirituality of his nature. But we also have presented to us the personal distinction of Father, Son, and Spirit. The same terms are applied to each, and each is clothed in the glorious attributes of the Godhead. Doubtless this is one of the profound mysteries of our religion. What shall we do,’97shall we reject the truths stated, on the ground of mystery? If so we might reject many of the palpable facts connected with nature. Is it not rather then our wisdom to receive the truths of revelation, and to use the phraseology of the scriptures, and not to attempt to explain, and define what God has not defined in his word. Let us at this time attend to the great and interesting theme presented in the text. "The supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." We shall,

I. Offer some Remarks on the Holy Spirit.

We notice,

1. The Spirit bears the essential titles of Deity.

He is frequently styled the Spirit of God. "Know ye not that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." "Grieve not the Spirit of God." By comparing Exo_34:34, 2Co_3:15-17. And also Exo_17:7; Heb_3:7-9. See also Act_5:1-4.

2. The Spirit is represented as possessing the attributes of Deity.

(1) Eternity. "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God," Heb_9:14.

(2) Infinity and omnipresence, Psa_139:7, Psa_139:8.

(3) All knowledge and omniscience. "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things; yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man, which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God," 1Co_2:10, 1Co_2:11.

(4) Holiness. "The Spirit of holiness," Rom_1:4. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God," &c.

3. The Spirit is connected with the glorious works of God.

(1) In creation. It is said, "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." It is also said, "God by his Spirit garnished the heavens." See Job_33:4

(2) The renovation of the soul, the new creation of man, is the work of the Spirit "Born of the Spirit." "It is the Spirit that quickeneth." That gives liberty. That transforms into the divine likeness. That seals, sanctifies, keeps, &c.

(3) The resurrection of the body is to be effected by his power. This is most beautifully and forcibly illustrated in Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones. "Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live," Eze_37:9. See Rom_8:11. "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Observe,

4. Some of the emblems by which the Spirit is presented to our minds in the holy scriptures.

Of these we select the following.

(1) He is likened to wind or air. This was the figure used by the Redeemer with Nicodemus. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," &c., Joh_3:8. So also when it descended on the disciples at the day of Pentecost, there was heard as it were, "a sound from heaven as of a mighty," &c., Act_2:1, Act_2:2. Now this emblem teaches as the invisibility of the Spirit. Its universal pervading presence encircling all things. Its mighty power.

(2) He is likened to water. "In the last great day of the feast, Jesus stood up and cried," &c. Hence, in prophecy we read of it being poured out,’97of floods,’97of streams,’97of the wells of salvation. Now this emblem denotes the freeness, the abundance, or plenteousness of the Spirit. It teaches us also its vegetating and refreshing influence. Its cleansing and purifying power.

(3) He is likened to fire. So John spake of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance," &c., Matthew 2. See Act_2:3, Act_2:4.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire," &c. Thus "we are not to quench the Holy Spirit," &c. Now this emblem denoteth the penetrating nature of the Spirit. Its illuminating power. Its refining influence.

(4) He is compared to oil. Hence all the passages which speak of its anointing, imply this figure. This includes its softening, healing, comforting, and beautifying influences. Hence we read in that striking prophecy of Christ, "Wherefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows," Psa_45:7

II. The characteristic Appellation by which the Spirit is presented to us in the Text.

"Spirit of Jesus Christ."

1. The Spirit which was essentially connected with his person and work

(1) His conception was by the Spirit.

(2) He was anointed with it at his baptism. The visible emblem of the dove descending, &c. It rested in all its fulness, and was not given by measure unto him.

(3) He did all his works by it. In its fulness he went forth to preach, to suffer, to work miracles, &c. See Heb_9:14. "Who through the eternal Spirit offered himself," &c.

(4) It raised him from the dead, Rom_8:11.

2. The Spirit which he obtained for his church.

"And when he is come, he will reprove," &c., Joh_16:8. "But. the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send," &c., Joh_14:26.

3. The Spirit which Christ confers on all believers.

All things are in Christ’s hands. "He hath ascended on high," &c. Hence the Spirit, in all his saving influences, he sheds down upon his believing people. Faith in Christ only can realize his blessed operations.

Application

1. How desirable to have clear views of the Spirit of God.

2. How necessary to fear and reverence before him.

3. How anxious we should be to be filled with his influences.

4. How may we obtain them? "If ye being evil," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS