Today, focus is on the sacred names for persons among the GODhead. Christian believers often are surprised to learn that the Holy Spirit is not an abstraction, the essence from someone deceased, or a “thing”. He is a distinct active presence contributing to the fullness of divinity, and is to be respected and reverenced at all times as a divine person. Created beings and living creatures are separated from divinity by their form that includes flesh, their finite consciousness, and their independent self-will. That mankind is made “in the image of GOD” also declares that man has been fashioned to display sacred substance, and is to exist expressing perfected, unseen spirit. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Bryan C” (Level 5 with 5,318 points, a member since December 06, 2007) posted the following:
The Holy Spirit used to be called the Holy Ghost. Why change the name?
To not scare the kiddies?
To sound better on tv?
Why?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. (Job 33: 3-4, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The New Testament Name (05/01/2017); The Complete Divine Revelation? (03/10/2017); The Holy Spirit "Begotten"? (02/27/2017); Known By Divine Revelation (06/16/2015); About Knowing the Name of GOD (09/21/2014); About Deluding Yourself? (09/22/2014); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Jesus, King of Earth? (10/07/2012)
“Bryan C”, for mature Christian believers the names and titles to be used when speaking of the various divine persons who are the GODhead are provided through revelation, through sacred practice (we say, sacrament), through praise, and through prayer. So to speak, our faith, our sacred knowledge, our standing as sons and joint-heirs, and our need will determine the name. Consider the following points:
(1.) GOD is to be known and spoken of on the basis of shared oneness without sameness, unchanging commitment, eternal purpose, and sovereign authority. With the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit completes multiple sacred works. In addition to burning (we say, judgment, cleansing, purging), there are Creation, deliverance, imparting existence and life, prophecy, rebirth, resurrection, sanctification, and salvation. Genesis 1: 25-27, King James Version (KJV): 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
(2.) Jesus used the name “the Comforter,” and thereby suggested that the Holy Spirit would minister to bereavement and a sense of loss that would linger among his followers following the Lord’s removal from the earth. However, the Savior is alive, and with the Father, a cause for greater rejoicing. Believers are to be active and busy with the works of ministry. Thus, “Comforter” is in line with such other sacred names as the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of Grace, the Spirit of the Living God, the Spirit of Prophecy and the Spirit of Truth: Acts 4: 31-33, KJV: 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
(3.) During prayer, the Holy Spirit may give utterance as tongues, as our confession, as consciousness, as the direct address to GOD, and as the substance of our petitions: Romans 8: 26-28, KJV: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) The present dispensation for the followers of Jesus Christ includes being buried and resurrected with the Lord through baptism, acquiring a new nature through the imparted, indwelling Spirit, and receiving spiritual gifts. Even so, the outpourings to date have been only partial deposits and “an earnest” of the Spirit. There is far more to be bestowed and revealed; and there are even elements that may never be shared: Revelation 2: 17, KJV: 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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