Welcome to the Study of God Podcast. This is episode #67
I am your host, Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International. This podcast is designed to give you a basic understanding of God, the Bible, and Christian beliefs. J. Dwight Pentecost said, “There is no higher activity in which the mind may be engaged than the pursuit of the knowledge of God.”
Let’s start out reading the Word of God Itself. Today’s passage of Scripture is John 17:3 which reads: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Today’s words from a theologian are from James Merritt. He said: “The primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to know the Bible but to know God.”
Our topic for today is titled “Theology of Paul (Part 6)” from “The Moody Handbook of Theology” by Dr. Paul Enns.
Dr. Paul Enns writes…
Holy Spirit
Pauline theology provides an extensive discussion of both the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
His person. Paul’s letters describe the following attributes of the Holy Spirit’s person: (1) Intellect. The Holy Spirit investigates the deep things of God and then teaches them to believers. (2) Will. The Holy Spirit has a will in that He distributes gifts “just as He wills”. The Holy Spirit gives “not according to the merits or wishes of men, but according to his own will.” (3) Emotion. The Holy Spirit can be grieved. (4) Deity. The deity of the Holy Spirit is evidenced in that He is an intercessor like Christ and He indwells the believer along with the Father and Son. The benediction equates all three members of the godhead as equal.
His works. Paul’s writings also affirm the many important works the Holy Spirit performs as a member of the Trinity. (1) He regenerates. The Holy Spirit brings new life to believers. (2) He baptizes. The Holy Spirit joins believers and their Lord by placing them into the body of Christ. (3) He indwells. The Holy Spirit lives in each believer; those that are not indwelt are not believers. (4) He seals. The Holy Spirit puts God’s mark of identity and ownership on believers; He is Himself the seal, thus verifying their salvation. (5) He gives gifts. The Holy Spirit sovereignly dispenses spiritual abilities to believers. (6) He fills. The Holy Spirit controls believers when conditions are met. (7) He empowers. The Holy Spirit enables believers to live by His power.
Sin
Definition. Paul uses a number of different Greek words to describe the nature of sin. Hamartia (hah-mahr-tee-uh) is a general word used to describe sinful acts. Hamartia (hah-mahr-tee-uh) links Christ’s death with man’s sin. In the plural form it denotes the accumulation of sins, whereas in the singular it denotes the state of sinfulness. Paraptoma (par-ap’-to-mah) denotes a false step in contrast to a true one. Parabasis (pä-rä’-bä-ses) means stepping aside, a deviation from a true faith. Anomia (an-om-ee’-ah) means lawlessness or iniquity.
Explanation. Sin is a debt, suggesting man’s obligation and inability to meet the debt. It is deviation from a straight path; the Mosaic law had established God’s standard, but the people fell short of His standard. Sin is lawlessness and becomes rebellion, involving both external acts and internal attitudes. Romans 1:29–31 combines both acts and attitudes; acts are murder, immorality, drunkenness, and homosexuality while attitudes are envy, foolishness, and faithlessness. Paul also characterizes sin as a taskmaster, making slaves of unbelievers, and a falsehood that suppresses the truth and exchanges it for a lie.
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Let’s Pray —
Before we close, dear friend, I want to remind you that while it is important to engage in the study of God, it is far more important that you have a relationship with God. I fear that there are a lot of people who will die knowing a lot about God, but not really knowing God. You don’t want to be one of those people.
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you want to get to know Him today here’s how.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Pray and ask Him to come into your heart and He will.
May God bless you and keep you until we meet again.
BCNN1 WP 