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| Seminar 3 | The Holy Spirit | |
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| Word of God
The 'Word of the Lord' would often come to God's people. It was an active being, and was to be declared by those to whom it had been given. 'The Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision,' Genesis 15:1
'The Word of the Lord to Israel
by Malachi'
Malachi 1:1
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The Word of God Takes on two different lines
1. A Christological Development Jesus is equated to the Word of God
This is an extension of the Old Testament concept. The words that are spoken about Jesus are more than words. They have an active power that enables them to change lives
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| Wisdom of God
In the Old Testament, the Wisdom of God is very important, both in the Wisdom Literature (i.e. Proverbs, Psalms, Job, Ecclesiastes) and wise characters in the Bible (i.e. Daniel). Wisdom is 'with God'. It is with God in the beginning, and is often understood as a personalised outgoing of God into the world.
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Aa a Christological concept
What John writes about as the Word of God in John 1 carries a very similar structure to Proverbs 8. This significance was not lost on the early Christians. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. . . John 1:1-4
But now the Word of God takes on a new form;
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
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| Angel of the Lord
Sometimes in the Old Testament, this refers to a created being. Other times it refers to the Lord Himself. There is a good deal of confusion in the text. |
Created heavenly or human messenger
References to the Angel of the Lord become clearer. They are now created beings who act as messengers from God. They are not to be worshiped. |
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| Name of God
The name of God achieves. It is active and powerful.
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The Name of God takes on two aspects
1. Christological The Name of God is primarily about Christ
The Name (singular) of God also refers to the trinity
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| Glory of God
God significance shines through. It is literally a weighty presence
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Father, Son and Spirit
At different times, each person of the Godhead is spoken of as having Glory
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Spirit of the Lord
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Father, Son, and an 'Independent' identity
Unlike many of these other terms that point towards Christ, the Old Testament concept of the Spirit of the Lord can be used to refer to either of the 3 persons of the trinity.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
This passage draws on the experience of Moses being required to veil his
face after being in the presence of the Glory of the Lord. Here Paul equates
the Old Testament reference to Lord with this 'independent' entity of the
Spirit. It illustrate the trouble unbelievers have in hearing the word
of God. It is like their is a veil over their face, which is removed through
the freedom of the Spirit. |
d. Jesus "full of the Holy Spirit"
After his baptism we are told that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.
We are left to guess exactly what that experience entailed.
c. Like the good old days
There is a parallel between the Old Testament prophets such as Ezekiel
who was taken away by the Spirit to go and give a message;
Each of these pictures has a before and after. You should be able to see the before now. All things being equal, when you move your mouse over them, you will see the after. Try and resist the temptation to click on the image.

This reconciliation is necessary as we are estranged on two fronts.
1. Our relationship
with God.
We were enemies with God, but God brought about reconciliation through
His son.
Suggested Reading
B. Milne Know the Truth (2nd Edition), I.V.P., pp. 221-258.
(Part 5 Ther Person and Work of the Holy Spirit)