Tag Archives: good gifts

LUKE’S GOSPEL…A CASE FOR HOLY SPIRIT – 27a

Bible Study, ,

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” … “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬, ‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A friend of mine, years ago, arbitrarily decided that the Holy Spirit should be known as, “Holy Spirit” without the definite article , “the”, in Greek, “ho”. My question was, “Is this true to Scripture?” 

When we examine the New Testament, we will find that the definite article always precedes His name, that is , “the Holy Spirit”. How significant is this? Can there be another holy spirit that does not refer to the third person of the Trinity? 

There is a variation of between Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 7…

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and Luke 11,

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give (the – not in the original text) holy spirit to those who ask him!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Matthew says, “Good things…”

Luke says, “Holy Spirit…” or “holy spirit…” since there are no uppercase letters in the original Greek text. One word is not in Luke’s text…the definite article “ho” meaning “the”. 

If Jesus’s words do not refer to the Holy Spirit, what did He mean? Was He contradicting Scripture by telling us that we need to ask God for the Holy Spirit before He will come to indwell us? However, nowhere in Scripture are we taught that the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us at our request. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us when we believe in Jesus. He is Christ’s representative, His “other self” whom He promised would come when He, Jesus, went away. 

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit came, Peter  declared, in response to the question…

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is clear, then, that the indwelling of God’s Spirit is part of the salvation “package”. It’s a done deal. 

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To be continued…

GOOD GIFTS FROM A HEAVENLY FATHER

Apologetics, ,

Matthew 7:11 NLT
[11] “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:13 NLT
[13] “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Why is there a difference between these two records of Jesus’ teaching? Are they a contradiction or are they saying the same thing in slightly different words?

The key, I think, is in one small word, not in the original text in Luke 11:13, but added by translators to expand on the “good things” in Matthew’s text.

The Holy Spirit’s title, in the Greek text, is ” ‘o pneuma hagios’, translated “the Holy Spirit”. The word ” ‘o” is the Greek definite article translated “the”. Wherever the Holy Spirit is mentioned in Scripture, He is given His full title. This little one-letter word signifies that the person addressed is one-and-only “Holy Spirit”. Nowhere in the New Testament is ” ‘o” omitted when referring to the Holy Spirit.

In Luke’s record of Jesus` words, “… how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”, there is no
” ‘o” in the original text which means that it cannot be translated as “the Holy Spirit”.

How does this mistranslatiion fit with the teaching of Scripture?

Nowhere in the New Testament are we instructed to ask the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was poured out on “all flesh” on the day of Pentecost as God promised and has never or will never been poured out again or withdrawn.

Two incidents in Acts show us how the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on specific non-Jewish believers as part of the “all flesh”, ie, on Samaritan believers…

Acts of the Apostles 8:14-17 NLT
[14] “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. [15] As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. [16] The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

… on Cornelius, a Roman Centurion and his household….

Acts of the Apostles 10:44-45 NLT
[44] “Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. [45] The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.”

…and on twelve Ephesian believers who had not yet been baptised into Jesus…

Acts of the Apostles 19:1-2, 5-6 NLT
[1]”While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. [2] “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
[5] As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.”

The Holy Spirit takes up residence in every person who receives God’s promise of salvation through faith in Jesus.

Acts of the Apostles 2:38 NLT
[38] “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV
[13] “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

Would Jesus, then, instruct His disciples to ask for the Holy Spirit?

This pernicious teaching in some parts of the church has led to the idea that to be a “spirit-filled“ believer, i.e., one who has received “the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues”, is in a class higher than ordinary believers.

Jesus would have none of that since all of His followers have been immersed in the Holy Spirit through faith in Him. The onus is on the believer to ba “filled” with the Spirit by obeying His leading and by nou quenching or grieving Him.

What did Jesus imply by His teaching in Luke 11?

Let’s go back to the Greek text and look again at the context. Since the Father is greater than earthly fathers, He gives “good gifts” to those who ask Him, good meaning “functional”. The Greek words imply that God will give a holy disposition, mental attitude (words derives from “pneuma” meaning wind or breath). to those who ask for (desire) it.

Is this promise, then, of “good gifts”, the “much more” that the heavenly Father will give, more than basic human needs that earthly fathers provide, to those who ask for ( earnestly desire)
a holy disposition?

This interpretation perfectly fits the whole drift of Scripture. There are so many verses that urge us to seek the Lord, draw near to Him, acknowledge Him, that we cannot ignore Jesus’ assurance that the Father will surely give and do much more that we can ask, think, or even imagine if we ask Him for “holy desires”!

Ephesians 3:20 NLT
[20] “*Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT OR HOLY DESIRES?

Christian Life, ,

THE HOLY SPIRIT OR HOLY DESIRES?

Did Jesus say that God will give us the Holy Spirit if we ask Him?

Let’s look at what the Scripture says.

11 So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Matthew 7:11 NLT

13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:13 NLT

Why is there a difference between Matthew’s version and Luke’s version if they both used a common source? Are they saying the same thing? Were these translations the opinion of the translators rather than an accurate understanding of the original text?

Firstly, let’s ask the question, “Did we receive the Holy Spirit by asking or by believing? “

What did Paul say?

“You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.”

Galatians 3:2 NLT

Therefore, if Jesus said that we receive the Holy Spirit by asking God for Him, we are making the Bible contradict itself. The whole drift of Scripture, according to Paul’s teaching, is that the Spirit comes to indwell us when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, what is the meaning of Jesus’ words according to Matthew and Luke?

Matthew speaks in general terms of “good gifts”. Luke is more specific. He said that God gives ‘pneuma hagios’ – holy spirit, to those who ask Him. Is there a difference between ‘holy spirit’ and ‘the Holy Spirit’?

The Greek term for the Holy Spirit is ‘o pneuma hagios’. There are no capital letters in ancient Greek. Therefore, the little word ‘o (transliterated ho), meaning ‘the’, indicates that the writer is referring to THE Holy Spirit. Every time the Holy Spirit is mentioned in Scripture, the term, ‘o pneuma hagios’ is used.

In Luke 11:13, the ‘o is omitted, hence it cannot mean ‘the Holy Spirit’. Not only do the translators assume that it means ‘the Holy Spirit’, but their translation also contradicts Scripture, since we receive the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus as Lord, not by asking.

How, then, should we translate ‘hagios pneuma’ in Luke 11:13. In Matthew 7:11, Jesus said that God, the good Father, will give us ‘good gifts’ if we ask Him. Luke elaborates on the ‘good gifts’ by telling us that God will give us ‘holy spirit’.

‘Holy’ means separate from sin, separated to God. ‘Pneuma’ means ‘breath’ or ‘spirit’. Since the meaning is found in the context, in the context of Luke 11:13, ‘breath’ can also mean ‘disposition’ or even ‘aspiration: or ‘desire’. Would it not make sense to translate this verse like this?

13 So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give a disposition (or aspirations) that are set apart from sin to God, to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:13 NLT

This rendering of ‘holy spirit’ is completely in line with the drift of Scripture.

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 37:4 NIV

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6 NIV

31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way…

1 Corinthians 12:30-31 NIV

The Bible teaches us that we have been made holy by the blood of Jesus, but it also encourages us to work out what God has worked in us.

“… Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Philippians 2:12-13 NLT

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Although we have become new creatures in Christ, complete with God’s nature, we still have the remnants of the old nature in us. Our flesh is at war with our spirit in which the Holy Spirit lives.

Our desires pull us either towards the flesh or towards the Spirit. How important it us, then, for us to have holy desires or aspirations that draw us away from our fleshly appetites towards God and an overcoming life in Jesus.

“12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

Romans 8:12-13 NIV

Why do I need to ask God for holy aspirations?

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15 NIV

18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Romans 7:18-19 NIV

Not only do we have evil desires in our flesh, but our flesh is also too powerful to resist in our own strength.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Romans 8:12-13 NIV

How important are our desires, good or bad?

“14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

James 1:14-15 NLT

Our desires are the outcome of our appetites. A child who lives on junk food has no appetite for healthy, nourishing food. We, also, develop an appetite for the things we most feed on. If we live on the junk food of the world, we will have little appetite to “seek those things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

Does it not make sense, then that Jesus would teach His disciples, in the context of prayer, to ask the Father for a holy disposition with holy desires and aspirations that will feed our spirits, and draw us towards godly living? Then the Holy Spirit who is in us by faith, will lead us and keep us on track as we move towards the Father and our eternity with Him.

If we do not actively seek to live holy lives, our old, ungodly nature will pull us away from God and sink us into the cesspool of worldly living in this world which is transient and passing away.

How important it is, therefore, both for this life and the life to come, that we ask God for the holy disposition and desires that lead us away from satisfying our fleshly appetites. If we live for the flesh we will be disconnected from God, but if we desire and seek after the Spirit, we will have the life of Jesus in us, bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus.