In the last five issues we have been discussing the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, in sinners and in the lives of the saints. Today we shall conclude our study with these two final points.
The Holy Spirit works in and through Bible truth. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth… Now, if we are to believe that statement, it is absolutely impossible for all believers to be a part of the Lord’s church. There cannot be two truths about the same doctrine. We said last time that individuals are guided into all truth necessary for their daily need and personal joy and happiness. Now we must say that the Holy Spirit guides the true church into, not just all truth necessary for their daily needs and personal joy and happiness, but all Bible truth.
As my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Lawson used to say, “Let’s put on our thinking caps.” There are hundreds of different Christian organizations and denominations in the world today and one of the main reasons for that is, different theological views and different interpretations of the one Bible. Now, two people may disagree on a certain subject and both be wrong in their understanding of the issue, but both cannot be right; for as I have said, there cannot be two truths about the same doctrine. The Bible is not a book of many different views of the same subject, but a book of one view articulated by many different men, in different times, in different locations and different languages. Think on these things.
The Holy Spirit works in and through the church to carry out the great commission. Every individual who has been saved has the testimony of Jesus Christ in himself and a duty to be a testimony of the saving power of God. 1 John 5:10
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. This is the characteristic of the faith of God’s elect and is universal in every one of them. It is also the gift of God through the operation of the Holy Spirit. However, we notice also throughout the New Testament that the work of the great commission was carried out by the Lord’s churches either directly or indirectly through missionaries. What is the great commission? The word “commission” is defined as, (1) “an instruction, command or duty.” (2) “a group of people given official authority to do something.” The great commission is the authority given to the Lord’s church to carry the gospel of Christ throughout the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them the same truths that have been taught; to form, or found, or plant churches everywhere that the Holy Spirit has opened a door. The commission hasn’t changed and the Lord’s churches have not gone away; therefore, we, through the leadership of the Holy Ghost are still authorized to continue to carry out that commission. No other institution on earth has all the truth and no other institution on earth has that authority. If all Christian institutions had all the truth they would all be Baptists. Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
