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(Heb 4:12 KJV) "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." It is interesting how the Word of God is written, in a way that the whole man can get a touch from God, even the physical body when following what it says (Prov 3:5-10) and fasting (Mark 2:18-20). Not properly caring for the body (Eph 5:29-30), not obeying (Rom 2:8-10; 2 Cor 7:1) the Word (2 Tim 2:15) and committing immoral acts can be unhealthy and degenerative to the body (1 Cor 6:15-20) as well to the spirit. (1 Th 5:23 KJV) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Linked Together Once you get caught up into studying the Word of God (Prov 30:5-6) your search for truths will seem to be endless. I have found that Bible passages are linked together in some way or another, like a net catching the good and the bad (Mat 13:47-48). You can begin at one passage and end up back at the starting point in an hour, or it could be hours, days or even weeks later before coming back again, only to start off in another study. Continue to Learn One may think he understands the complete truth all in one session, but God shows each of us that we will continue to learn -- with some never able to come to the knowledge of truth (2 Tim 3:6-7) -- and grow our whole lifetime. If we are not growing, then we are dying like a plant that stops growing. We need God's Word. Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Mat 4:4; Deu 8:3). Water and the Spirit Years ago when initially studying water and the Spirit (John 3:5-8) in the born again experience, I searched and searched for an understanding. And when I finally came to a terrific insight, I found there were more things to learn. When water for the body is considered, thoughts come to my mind of drinking it because I may be thirsty and bathing in it because I may be dirty. When spirit is considered, I think of breathing and getting some fresh air. A breath of fresh spirit is what we all need, and that is a must every minute of the day. To live in this mundane world, we need both of these elements, water and spirit, to survive. To get our natural water, we can catch the rainfall, take it from a river, lake or whatever, and at best get it from deep within the earth. The deeper we drill a well, if in the right place, the better the water seems to become, and if deep enough, we could hit an artesian spring that will flow on its own. It could be similar in knowing the LORD. The deeper we go into His Word (1 Cor 2:9-14) and acting upon it, the better we get to know Him, whereby learning more about the living water (Holy Spirit), a well (fountain) of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:10-14 1) that will flow (John 7:37-39) and sustain us forever. This water quenches our thirst, cleanses us (Eph 5:26) and more. I depend on natural water, but now I depend on living water more than ever. The Living Water That Jesus Gives (John 4:10-14) (John 4:10-14 KJV) "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. {11} The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? {12} Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? {13} Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: {14} But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well [fountain] of water springing up into everlasting life." Whoever drinks of the water that Jesus gives will never thirst. When He said "...out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" in John 7:38-39, He spoke of the Holy Spirit. (John 7:38-39 KJV) "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. {39} (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" If we step over into the heavenly realm to see what God has prepared for those who love Him, which is revealed by His Spirit (1 Cor 2:9-14), and see a City (Rev 21:1-22:5) that is more elegant, gorgeous, peaceful and secure than this world could ever offer, and see Him on His throne from where the living water originates (Rev 22:1), for all who is athirst (Rev 21:6; 22:17), we can get a better understanding of that water. The two essentials, water and spirit, along with their applications helps us to understand things in the spiritual realm. The Holy Spirit, new birth and the Word of God are described by them. Born of Water and of the Spirit (John 3:3-8) How important are they? Have to be born (again) of water and of the Spirit to enter into the Kingdom of God (John 3:5-8). Both are necessary in the new birth experience. And as many as received him (the Word), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, who were born (1 John 5:1), not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). (John 3:3-8 KJV) "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. {4} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? {5} Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. {6} That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. {7} Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. {8} The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Being Born Again...by the Word of God (1 Pet 1:22-25) The born again experience is a new beginning, and can be like seed (1 Pet 1:23) -- the Word of God (Luke 8:11) -- that is sown, planted (1 Cor 3:6-8), received (John 1:12) into good moist (Luke 8:6) ground (Mat 13:8, 23), growing (Eph 4:15 2), maturing (1 Cor 13:10-13) and (bearing fruit) producing (Luke 8:8, 15) in ones life. New Creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) The person each Christian is becoming, which can be seen in what we say and do, will be made final when our Savior comes again (1 John 3:2-3) the second time (Heb 9:28). We will dwell in this tabernacle (2 Cor 5:1-10 3) until the resurrection, but will start a new life in the Spirit. We are purged (John 15:3; Heb 9:22), cleansed (Eph 5:26), regenerated (Titus 3:4-6), filled (Acts 2:4; 4:31), baptized (Mark 1:8), given gifts (1 Cor 12-14) and sealed unto the day of redemption (Eph 4:30). We put off (Col 3:5-9) and put away (Eph 4:24-25, 31) the old man, and put on the new man (Col 3:10-17). We new new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Our habits and preferences should revolutionize. Accomplish This Task of Cleansing (1 John 5:7 KJV) "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." If you read John 15:2-3, Ephesians 5:25-27 and Titus 3:4-6, you will find that the words Jesus spoke, the written Word and the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:11) seem to be doing some similar task. If the Word and Holy Spirit (Ghost) are of the Trinity and one (1 John 5:7), then they including the spoken and written Word must be working as one to accomplish this task of cleansing, washing and purging. (John 15:2-3 KJV) "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. {3} Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (Eph 5:25-27 KJV) "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, {27} That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Titus 3:4-6 KJV) "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, {5} Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;" Baptize and Wash And then, according to the Greek in the following instances, water baptism can mean wash. The Greek word apolouo (G628) was translated "wash" and also "away" in Acts 22:16, and "washed" in 1 Corinthians 6:11. (Acts 22:16 KJV) "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (1 Cor 6:11 KJV) "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." The Greek word baptizo (G907) translated many times "baptize" (Mark 1:4) and "baptized" (Mark 16:16) like in Mark 16:16, was translated "wash" in Mark 7:4. Comparing that passage with Mark 16:16 (wherein baptized could also imply by the Holy Spirit) and the previous two, help us to understand more of the meaning behind being baptized (washed) with water. When one believes and acts in obedience (with a honest heart) to His commands and is baptized with water, I believe the Word comes alive (John 6:63) in him and the Lord baptizes him with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 7:4 KJV) "And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables." (Mark 16:15-16 KJV) "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. {16} He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." We have not nearly exhausted the findings of water in the Bible in this discussion. You could go even deeper into the Word, find more about water baptism and how water was used in the tabernacle, feasts, sacrifices, divers (Heb 9:10) washings (Mark 7:4), etc. Word and Spirit Let us examine some passages and briefly clarify some qualities of the Word that will contribute toward understanding better the born (again) of water and of the Spirit experience. 1st We need to understand that it is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that Jesus spoke are spirit and life (John 6:63). (John 6:63 KJV) "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." 2nd The Word (Jesus) will purge the branch (Christian) in Him that bears fruit, so it will bear more fruit. Now we are clean through His word which He has spoken (John 15:2-3)). (John 15:2-3 KJV) "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. {3} Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." 3rd The Word can sanctify (make holy) and cleanse (purge, purify) the Church with the washing (baptism) of water by the Word. That Christ might present it to himself a glorious church... (Eph 5:25-27). (Eph 5:25-27 KJV) "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, {27} That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." 4th The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17). (Eph 6:17 KJV) "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" 5th The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). The Word has the requirements to perform the operations that are necessary to change lives. (Heb 4:12 KJV) "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The Word and When He Spoke According to Genesis chapter one at creation, each thing was carried out when "...God ['elohiym: H430] said..." (Gen 1:3, 6, 9, etc.). He created, made (Gen 2:3) and formed (Gen 2:7, 8, 19) everything (John 1:3), even created evil (Isa 45:5-7). (Gen 1:1-2 KJV) "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. {2} And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." "In the beginning was the Word [logos: G3056\...All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made...and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:1-3, 14 KJV). (John 1:1-3 KJV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:14 KJV) "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." After Jesus (the Word) brought redemption (Heb 9:11-12) and again back in heaven, the Comforter, Spirit of truth (John 15:26), the same Spirit of God who moved upon the face of the waters at creation in Genesis 1:2 came into our lives to abide forever (John 14:16), to make us a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) and His (Rom 8:14-17). In retrospect, you can see, the Word, water and Spirit are factors in the creation and also in our born again experience. 4 (John 16:7 KJV) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." Around 1656 years after creation to bring about a revised earth because of corruption (Gen 6:11-13), the LORD (Yehovah: H3068) said (Gen 6:7) that He was going to destroy, both man and beast, creeping thing and fowls of the air -- all except for Noah, who found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Gen 6:8), and those that went into the ark. He caused it to rain upon the earth (Gen 7:1-4) to the Flood it (Gen 6:17); and afterwards God ('elohiym) caused a "wind [spirit] to pass over the earth and the waters asswaged" (Gen 8:1). (Gen 8:1 KJV) "And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;" During Jesus' ministry, He had power to rebuke the winds (Mat 8:23-27) and calm (Mark 6:47-51) the storms (Mark 4:36-41), raise the dead (John 11:1-6, 11-44), heal people (Mat 8:5-15), cast out devils (Mat 8:16-17) and more with His word. He could just speak and it was so (Gen 1:6-7 5). One can see how powerful the Word and His words are. We have a chance to receive the Word of God (John 1:12-14), the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and His power (Acts 1:8), and be made a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Will Accomplish His Word will accomplish what it will be sent to do when the Lord gives the command (Rev 11:12) to resurrect the Saints' (1 Th 4:14-17)) bodies, and an angel cries "with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourself together unto the supper of the great God..." (Rev 19:17-21 KJV), where kings of the whole world gather for the battle on that great day of God Almighty, to a place called Armageddon (Rev 16:14, 16). If you let the Word, and the spoken and written Word in your life, they will accomplish (Isa 55:11) what they were sent to do and not return (Isa 45:23) unto Him void. (Isa 55:11 KJV) "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Without Shedding of Blood Is No Remission (Heb 9:22) (Heb 9:22 KJV) "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." If Jesus had not come and shed His blood (Heb 9:22), we would never have had a chance of receiving the Word (John 1:12-14) and His Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). (John 1:12-14 KJV) "But as many as received him [Word] to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. {14} And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (Acts 2:1, 4 KJV) "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.... {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Abide and Make Our Abode (John 14:23) Not only has the Holy Spirit come to abide with us and be in us (John 14:16-20), also the Father and Jesus (John 14:23) have made their abode (Greek word mone (G3438) for "abode" was translated "mansion" in John 14:2) with us. You have heard the expression, "Jesus lives in my heart" -- well He does. When we speak of one of them being with us, it means all are as the following passages tell us. (John 14:16-20 KJV) "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; {17} Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. {18} will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. {19} Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. {20} At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." (John 14:23 KJV) "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Gifts of the Spirit Now, considering the gifts of the Spirit, I have heard different teachings on whether the gifts are or not relevant for today. I would like to first give a testimony of a revealing I had a few years ago that will possibly help us to understand if the gifts are applicable for today. One day when I was over at my mother's sitting in front of the TV, this revealing came to me about our then next President. During his campaign, Jimmy Carter (who had not at that time campaigned for office at the time) would profess to be a born again Christian. Only my Mother heard me say what had come to me. I believe it was for the purpose of building me. Whether anyone believes it or not does not matter. I know I was edified when it was fulfilled, and it gave me what I needed to continue my personal evangelism. With the help of that experience, I can believe the gifts of the Spirit are still given. Some may cease as we become mature (perfect) Christians (1 Cor 13:10) or when not needed in any given church group. When initially filled (Acts 2:4; 4:31) and baptized (Mark 1:8) with the Holy Spirit, we can experience such a wonderful joy. And can speak to the Father (Rom 8:14-17) with tongues (1 Cor 14:2), and the utterances (1 Cor 14:9, 14, 16) may sound similar to a little baby trying to speak. Because of that reasoning, I believe the Spirit of God led Paul to write a message in 1 Corinthians partly dealing with growing up. (1 Cor 13:8-13 KJV) "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. {9} For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. {10} But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. {12} For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. {13} And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (1 Cor 14:1-2 KJV) "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. {2} For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." The first century Pentecostal (Acts 2:1-21) movement was at its best and appeared to be heading down the wrong road. Paul needed the Corinthians to better understand what the heavenly experience was to do in their lives. The Good News had been getting out according to God's prophetic plan (Joel 2:28-29). The joyful and amazing tongues movement was an easy road; but there was work to be done, and it was best that mature (1 Cor 13:10-11), orderly (1 Cor 14:40) Christians carry it out. And building the Church was a priority (1 Cor 14:5, 12, 26). (1 Cor 14:5 KJV) "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." (1 Cor 14:12 KJV) "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." (1 Cor 14:26 KJV) "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." In 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14 on the gifts, which some say have disappeared (1 Cor 13:6-13), part of Paul's final statement on them was, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor 14:39-40 KJV). If the gifts were supposed to disappear, then I do not believe that he would have given such an extensive discourse on the gifts of the Spirit. Also, I believe if God handed everything over to us on a silver platter, we would neither learn nor mature (perfect). He may take some things from us and put others in their places. Newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word (1 Pet 2:2), but when older, we should desire the meat of it (1 Cor 3:1-2; Heb 5:11-14). When we are babies, someone speaks for us and feeds us milk, but when mature and of full age, we speak for ourselves and feed on meat (John 4:32-38), not to say we will not drink milk the rest of our lives. As we go forth (Mark 16:15-18), getting the message out possibly in ways yet to experience, we need to concentrate on maturing and edifying more the body of Christ (Eph 4:16) than just ourselves. (Eph 4:8-16 KJV) "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {11} And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {14} That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; {15} But speaking the truth in love, might grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: {16} From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Miracle Grow Value of the Word There is power in the Word to help change a soul and turn the seeker in the right direction, and plenty to feast on that will sustain a devout soul for a lifetime. The nutritional and miracle grow value of it is rated higher than we could ever imagine. Through the power of the written word, you have learned things, which can be a start, and was transformed in ways only He and His Word can do. The Word, the Holy Spirit, and the spoken and written Word are as one teaching us what God needs us to know. With the help of these studies, dig in deep (1 Cor 2:9-14) and continue (John 8:31) in the written Word of God, and let the Spirit of truth guide you (John 16:12-15). (1 Cor 2:9-10 KJV) "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. {10} But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." (Isa 64:4 KJV) "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." (John 16:12-15 KJV) "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. {13} Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. {14} He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. {15} All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you." References: Deu 32:2-4; Mat 5:48; 19:21; Luke 1:3; 6:40; John 17:23; Acts 3:16; 22:3; 24:22; Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 2:6; 13:10; 2 Cor 12:9; 13:11; Gal 3:3; Eph 4:13; Phil 3:12, 15; Col 1:28; 4:12; 1 Th 3:10; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 2:10; 5:9; 7:19; 9:9-11; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23; 13:21; James 1:4, 17, 25; 2:22; 3:2; 1 Pet 5:10; 1 John 4:17-18; Rev 3:2
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