The Christian and His Intellect

Heb. 5: 11-14: The Christian and His Intellect

Itarsi, 27 November 2005

Domenic Marbaniang 

Background

Man is constituted of three

Body      - Instinct, Sensation, and Reflexes (World-consciousness)

Soul        - Intellect, Emotion, and Volition (Self-consciousness)

Spirit      - Intuition, Conscience, and Communion (God-consciousness)

Faculty of Knowledge: Body (Senses), Soul (Intellect), Spirit (Intuition)

The Intellect receives data from the senses and intuition. It then orders them and places them in the memory of knowledge, as well as informs the various elements regarding necessary action. Elements: emotion, will, reflexes, communion.

Two kinds of Intelligences:

Rational Intelligence: Logical and Analytical ability, right reasoning, thinking.

Emotional Intelligence: Self-control, zeal, persistence, and the ability to motivate oneself in accordance to Truth and the Good.

Both kinds of intelligence are important and are developed through experience by study and practice. Emotional intelligence must depend on rational intelligence for consistency and propriety.

1. The Intellect and Salvation

Spiritual – Reconciliation (communion), Regeneration and purification of conscience (Hb. 9: 14)

Intellectual – Renewal of mind through study and practice. Progressive

Physical – Transformation of body. Future

All the three relate to the image of Christ.

1. The Spiritual and the Intellectual of the Inner man: 2 Cor. 4:16; 2Cor 4:4; 3:18; Col. 3:10
2. The Physical- 1Cor. 15:49; 1 Jn.3:2; Phil. 3:21

2. The Intellect and Knowledge. Eph. 1:18

a. Knowledge of Spiritual Truths. 1 Cor. 2:10, 12-14

Comes by study of Word – 2 Tim. 3: 16-17, Jn. 5:39 (Search- Investigate)

Hermeneutical Problems: 2 Pt. 3: 15,16 (Linguistic: Russel & Branham; Historical: Mohammed)

b. Knowledge of Spiritual Events. Lk. 24:25,26; 2Cor.2:11; Mt.7:16; 2 Tim. 3:1

(Pastor’s handling of spiritual errors in gifts among youths), Prophetic events; Good,evil

c. Knowledge of Spiritual Conditions

            of Self – 1 Cor. 10.12, 2Cor 13.5

            of Others – Col. 4.8, Acts 13.9,10 (Demon-possessed tactics)

d. Knowledge of Spiritual Work

            words – Col 4.6

            work – Acts 13.2, 1 Chr. 12: 32

Any work must be second to God’s work – Bring your firstfruits

Jer. 3:15, 1 Tim. 5: 17,18

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Why this Wastage?

1. When Social Service Supercedes Divine Worship

• Worship – Adoration, Prostration, Self-giving.
• Queen of England – “I’ll lay my crown at Christ’s feet if He comes here.”
• Ministry to the Lord is important (Acts 13.1)
• Service to poor should flow out of an attitude of worship of God, not out of superiority complex or religious rituality.

2. When Familiarity breeds Disrespect

• Remember Who HE is and Who YOU are (1 Cor. 4. 7; Phil. 3. 10)
• Rev. 2. 4 – left first love.
• Every great gift given to someone we love, adore, and regard highly is still too small.
• When Lust destroys Love – Jn. 12. 4
• Lust dehumanizes, lust excels in flesh and wars against the spirit (Gal. 5. 17; 1 Pt. 2. 11).
• Gradual overpowering of lust (Heb. 3. 12-13; 12. 15-17)

3. When Envy derides Exaltation

• They would not have objected if she had spent it on herself or on them all.
• Why spend on Christ?
• Satanic Pride (Isa. 14)
• 24 Elders prostrate before Throne of God.
• He is worthy of all praise.

She has done a beautiful thing.
1. Kalos – Aesthetically good. Modesty, Order, Beauty.
2. Kalos – Ethically good. Motive, Act, End.
3. Poured – Total Surrender, giving.
4. Burial – Divine Interpretation. Because in accordance to prompting of Spirit.

APPLICATION
Do you stand strong in the first love?
Are your actions modest and beautiful?
What identity do you possess before God?
She hath wrought a good work upon Me?
What can He say about you?

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The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Fruit, and the Gifts

Itarsi, 11 December 2005 | Domenic Marbaniang

Promise of the Baptism

• Acts 1:5, 11:16
• Mt. 3.11, Mk. 1.8, Lk. 3:16: With- en (in) “in Holy Spirit and fire” avoid with in italics

Baptism in since baptism = immersion not sprinkling with water or Spirit.

Acts 2.38, 39: Promise to

1. you: the immediate audience
2. your children: the coming generations
3. all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call: all believers:  Jew & Gentile

Since Promise, it is to be received by faith: Gal. 3: 2, 14 (promise of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit Himself; related to power - dunamis trs. as miracles in KJV - v. 5)

Difference Between Baptism Into the Body and Baptism Into the Spirit

	BAPTISM INTO CHRIST	BAPTISM INTO THE SPIRIT
Baptizer	Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12. 13)*	Christ (Mt 3.11, Mk 1.8, Lk. 3.16)
Element	The Church (Body Of Christ)	The Holy Spirit, Fire
Purpose	Salvation	Power, Witness
Spirit Work	Regenerative Work (Tit.3.5, Jn 3.5)	Empowering Work (Acts 1.8)
Spirit Presence	Indwelling (made to drink 1 Cor 12.13)	Infilling (Acts 2.4)
Envelop	Christ (Gal 3:27)	Power (Lk 24.49)
Maintain	Continue in Faith (Rom 13.14, Col 1.23)	Continue to be Filled (Eph 5:18)
Description	Receiving the Lord, His coming in us (Jn. 1.12, 14.23)	Receiving the Spirit, His falling upon us (Acts 8.15, 2.4)
Evidence	Inner Witness of the Spirit (sonship and the Gift of New Life) (Rom. 8:16, 6.23)	The Gift of New Tongues (Mk 16.17, Acts 2.4)

* The Scripture doesn’t confuse terms: that would lead to ambiguous statements and conclusions

Pre-Pentecost Experience of Spirit-filling

• Spirit-filling for word (prophecy and psalm) or work (1 Sam 10.10, Judg 3.10)
• For office: Anointing with oil (figurative) and the coming of the Holy Spirit (1 Sam 16.13)
• John filled with Spirit from womb – continuous filling as contrasted to the Spirit coming and going (Lk 1.15, greater prophet Lk 7.28)

The Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit

• Anointing of Spirit mentioned in relation to Christ (Messiah- the anointed one) (Isa 61. 1, Acts 10.38) Anointed with Holy Spirit and with Power.
• Christ is the one who baptizes into the Spirit not the one who receives the baptism of the Spirit. John didn’t need to receive John’s Baptism; neither did Christ need either re-baptism in Jesus’ Name (Acts 19) or baptism in Holy Spirit. He never spoke in tongues.
• The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was in fulfillment of the Feast of the Pentecost which had to follow Christ’s crucifixion prophetically foreshadowed by the Feast of Passover and Resurrection foreshadowed by the Feast of the First Fruits.

Terms

a. Receiving the Holy Spirit: John 7: 39, Acts 1:8; 8:15; 19:2 Focus on Giftedness of Spirit Baptism

b. Being Filled with the Spirit: Acts 2:4, Focus on the full control of the Spirit over the human soul – Mind, Emotions, Will. The inner man being in perfect communion with the Spirit of God, sanctified by His very Presence.

c. Being Baptized In the Spirit (Mtt. 3:11; Acts 1:5; 11:6) Focus on the Transforming Power of the Spirit. Gk writers often used baptismo for sinking, being intoxicated. The Spirit baptized is Spirit-filled Spiritual.

d. Release of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3: 17). Focus on the Freedom of the spirit from the corruption of the flesh (the soulish sinful tendencies).

Purpose of Spirit-Baptism

• Conformation to the Image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:17ff., Rom. 8:14, 29)
• Strengthening of the Inner Man (Eph. 3:16; Jude 20)
• Power to be Witness (not merely to witness) (Acts 1:8)
• Power for Spiritual Warfare (Eph. 6: 10, 17, 18). Overcoming
• Power in Prayer (1 Cor 14:2, Rom 8: 26,27)
• Abundant Life (Jn 7.38): the Overflow of Spirit-Life over being.

Initial Evidence of Spirit-Baptism

a. Tongues (Acts 2.4, 10.46).

• Prophesied: Isa 28:11
• Evidence of Total Personality Control: James 3:2
• Means of Spiritual Release and Freedom: Jn. 7: 38, Lk 6:45 (laleo: 1 Cor 14.2)

E.g. Psychoanalysis (Free speaking, writing, or scribbling) vs Spirit-controlled prayer & Speaking. Tongues as spontaneous and not meditated.

• The Attunement to God through Spirit. Speaketh Mysteries.

b. The Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

Contrast Between the Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit

The Gifts are related to Spiritual Capabilities, the Fruit is related to Spiritual Character.

The Gifts are many, the Fruit is one: Love

• Joy Is Love Exulting
• Peace Is Love Reposing
• Longsuffering Is Love Untiring
• Gentleness Is Love Enduring
• Goodness Is Love In Action
• Faith Is Love On The Battlefield
• Meekness Is Love Under Discipline
• Temperance Is Love In Training

Dimensions of Love Relationship
Relationship with God: Love, Joy, Peace
Relationship with Others: Patience, Kindness, Goodness
Relationship with Self: Faith, Meekness, Temperance (Self Control).

The Gifts of the Spirit as Described in 1 Cor. 12

• Knowledge Gifts: Wisdom, Discerning, Knowledge
• Verbal Gifts: Tongues, Interpretation, Prophecy
• Power Gifts: Faith, Healing, Miracles.

• Gifts are Operated by the Will of the Spirit and not at human disposal
• 1 Cor. 14: Tongues as Prayer Language
• Gifts as Serving to Glorify Christ.

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