Holy Spirit – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:22:33 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-LaVistaBanner-Copy-1-32x32.png Holy Spirit – La Vista Church of Christ https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms 32 32 157465916 Who Is God? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/who-is-god/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:17:00 +0000 http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=1365
Who Is God? (Part 1) Who Is God? - Part 2

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Psalms 145

 

I.         You run into many strange ideas in the world concerning God

            A.        We have people stating that there is only one being called God

                        1.         The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that His name is Jehovah

                        2.         There are Pentecostal sects who claim he is Jesus

                        3.         I haven’t run across any that claim He is only the Holy Spirit, but I would not be surprised that they exist somewhere.

            B.        There are those who claim the Father and Son, but say the Spirit is just the spirit of one of those two.

II.        God is three beings

            A.        Genesis 1:26 - Notice the use of plural pronouns in reference to God

                        1.         This is not a use of the royal “we.”

                        2.         Kings in the Bible used singular pronouns in reference to themselves. I Kings 8:17-21 is an example.

                        3.         The word for God in the Hebrew is a plural noun

                                    a.         A noun in singular form that refers to multiple things.

                                    b.         Similar to words like “herd” or “flock.”

                        4.         By itself, we cannot determine how many beings make up God.

            B.        Matthew 3:16-17 - Notice this is a reference to three separate beings in separate locations doing different actions.

            C.        Baptism occurs in the name (or authority) of three - Matthew 28:19

            D.        Three are also named in II Corinthians 13:14.

            E.        God, the Father

                        1.         God is our Father because we are His creation - Isaiah 64:8

                        2.          Jesus taught us to pray to the Father - Matthew 6:9

                        3.         The Father resides in heaven while Jesus was here on earth - Matthew 7:11

                        4.         The Father is God - John 6:27

                        5.         There is but one Father and the Lord Jesus is separate from Him - I Corinthians 8:5-6

            F.        God, the Son

                        1.         John 1:1-3 - The Word was both with God and was God

                                    a.         If ever there is a verse that proves God is made of multiple beings, it is this one.

                        2.         John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and dwelt among man – Jesus the Christ.

                        3.         Jesus’ name, “Immanuel” means “God with us” - Matthew 1:23

                        4.         Calling himself the Son of God was making himself equal to God - John 5:18

                        5.         Jesus is God, over all, and blessed - Romans 9:5

            G.        God, the Spirit

                        1.         From the very beginning we see reference to the Spirit of God - Genesis 1:2

                        2.         He, too, dwells in heaven since Jesus sent Him from there - John 16:7-8

                                    a.         This proves that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit

                        3.         John 14:16-17 - Nor can the Spirit be the Father

                        4.         We are the temple of God with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us - I Corinthians 6:19

                        5.         Lying to the Spirit is lying to God - Acts 5:3-4

                        6.         Demons were cast out by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28) or by the finger of God (Luke 11:20)

III.       God is One

            A.        Each is one in count - Ephesians 4:4-6

            B.        The disciples are to be one as God and the Son are one. - John 17:20-21

                        1.         Being one does not mean there is only one disciple

                        2.         Being one does not mean we lose our individual characteristics

            C.        Jesus and his Father are one - John 10:30

                        1.         To see Jesus is to see the Father - John 14:8-11

                        2.         Yet Jesus is not the same as his Father, as he speaks of going to the Father - John 14:12-13

            D.        The concept should not be difficult for us.

                        1.         We speak of men and women becoming one in marriage - Matthew 19:4-6

                        2.         We speak of companies as a single entity, though they are made up of many people. And when the CEO speaks, often it is report that the company made an announcement.

            E.        There is only one God - I Corinthians 8:4

                        1.         Even though later Paul speaks of both the Father and the Son - I Corinthians 8:6

            F.        There is not a separate God for Jew and Gentile - Romans 3:29-30

                        1.         There is not a Jewish God, a Muslim God, and a Christian God. There is only one God.

            G.        God is only one - Galatians 3:20

IV.      The Roles within the Godhead

            A.        The role of the Father

                        1.         John 14:28 - The Father has supreme authority

                        2.         Jesus reigns until he gives the kingdom to his Father - I Corinthians 15:27-28

                        3.         As the ultimate authority, the Father knows more than the Son - Mark 13:32

                        4.         My grandfather used to use builder terms to describe the Godhead.

                                    a.         The Father is described as the owner because everything belongs to Him.

                                    b.         This is also why the Father is sometimes just called God because ultimately He is the head.

            B.        The role of the Son

                        1.         The very term “Son” shows the submission of the Jesus to the Father.

                        2.         The world was made for and by Jesus - Hebrews 1:2,10

                        3.         Through Jesus the world holds together - Colossians 1:16-17

                        4.         Using our building illustration, Jesus is the architect.

                        5.         Jesus was sent by God into this world - John 6:38

                                    a.         Even though he is equal to God, he submitted to the Father’s will - Philippians 2:5-11

                                    b.         He did so to set us free from Satan’s power - Hebrews 2:14-18

                                    c.         He was the author (or captain) of our salvation - Hebrews 2:10

                                    d.         Therefore he became the head of his people, the church - Ephesians 5:23

            C.        The role of the Spirit

                        1.         The Spirit is the moving force of God

                                    a.         We see him shaping the world according to God’s will - Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30

                                    b.         In our construction illustration, the Spirit is the builder

                        2.         He was sent by Jesus after Jesus left this world - John 16:7

                        3.         His purpose is listed in John 16:8-14

                                    a.         He would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment

                                    b.         He would guide the apostles into all truth

                                    c.         Like the Son, he would only speak what He is directed to say

                                    d.         He will glorify Jesus

                        4.         He is the guarantee of our salvation - Ephesians 1:13-14

                                    a.         The written word, our Bible, comes by the Spirit.

                                    b.         It is the Bible that contains the promise of our salvation.

                                    c.         It was the work of the Spirit to confirm that promise

                                    d.         He is the witness of our salvation - Romans 8:16-17

                        5.         Blasphemy (willful rejection) of the Spirit is more dangerous than rejecting the Son - Matthew 12:32

V.        The difficulty is that the word “God” can refer to the three – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – working together as one, or it can refer to the Father.

            A.        It is the context that defines the term and in many cases it doesn’t matter if we are talking of the Father only or the Godhead.

            B.        People have a tough time with the concept, but only because they want to simplify the concept of God.

            C.        But a God whom we could simply describe could not be the God who created more than we can understand.

            D.        Sometimes it is easier to accept the facts as presented.

]]> 1365 The Holy Spirit Completed His Revelation https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/the-holy-spirit-completed-his-revelation/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:23:18 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=94699

by Bruce Reeves

The religious culture that surrounds us today has chosen emotionalism and sensationalism over a passionate and substantive examination of God's word and the application of truth to our lives. As a result, there is much confusion regarding miracles and the activity of the Holy Spirit. One of the key elements of the charismatic chaos stems from a misunderstanding of the purpose of miracles in Biblical times. There is great power in the completed revelation of the Holy Spirit in the scriptures, and it is that very point that must be driven home in the heart of every believer.

What Was the Purpose of Miracles in the Days of the New Testament?

The miracles performed in the New Testament were not merely intended to remove human suffering. Jesus did not heal all of the sick or raise all of the dead. The miracles of both Jesus Christ and His apostles were for the purpose of confirming the claim that Jesus was the divine Son of God (John 20:30-31; Acts 2:22).

Mark reports, "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed" (Mark 16:20). The Hebrew writer also spoke of the purpose of miraculous gifts, "...After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will" (Hebrews 2:3-4). Luke speaks of the purpose of miracles, as well, when he writes, "Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands" (Acts 14:3).

The Holy Spirit came on the apostles in order to reveal all truth (John 16:13). It was necessary that He teach them all things because the revelation had not yet been completed (John 14:26). Once God's word was completely revealed, there would be no need for miraculous confirmation of that which had already been received. Additionally, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius' household directly to confirm the Lord's willingness to accept the Gentiles into the church (Acts 10:47-48, 11:15-18). The Spirit's purposes in these regards have been accomplished; thus, the need for miraculous activity for empowerment and confirmation has been met.

The More Excellent Way (I Corinthians 12:31)

To appreciate I Corinthians 13:8-13, we must consider the surrounding context in which we find it. It is clear from the context that there was carnality in Corinth surrounding the expression of miraculous spiritual gifts. Paul emphasizes that the gifts were a means to an end and not the end itself. He also establishes the necessity of love in the expression of spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 13:1-3); the character of the love of Christ (I Corinthians 13:4-7); and the superiority of love over the gifts, which were but temporary (I Corinthians 13:8-13).

He speaks of the duration of love in contrast to the gifts. Love will never "fail," i.e., "come to an end" as the terms "done away" and "cease" demonstrate (I Corinthians 13:8). However, the gifts of "prophecy," "tongues" and "knowledge" will "vanish away" (I Corinthians 13:8). These gifts are all mentioned among the nine gifts enumerated in I Corinthians 12:8-10. These three miraculous gifts were not the only ones to cease, but are mentioned as representatives of miraculous spiritual gifts as a whole. Paul's argument rests on the assumption that "faith," "hope," and "love" are superior and enduring compared to miraculous spiritual gifts.

"But When the Perfect Comes..." (I Corinthians 13:9-10)

Paul employs two terms that interact with one another in this section in an instructive manner that must not be missed. "In part" is contrasted with the term "perfect" in I Corinthians 13:9-10. Paul uses the words "know" and "prophesy" in order to represent miraculous spiritual gifts in their entirety.

There has been much debate concerning the meaning of the phrase, "but when that which is perfect comes..." (I Corinthians 13:10). The term "perfect" refers to that which is complete, full, or mature. Since the terms "part" and "perfect" are being contrasted, they must be used together to establish the definition of the concept Paul intends in this context. Likewise, the phrase "in part" clearly refers to God's revelation through "prophecy," "knowledge," or "tongues"; therefore, we can certainly know that the counterpart of the term in the use of the word "perfect" refers to the completed revelation. So, just as one term refers to the partial revelation of God's will, the other term must be defined as God's perfect or complete revelation of God's will.

We can read of the things that existed during the life of Paul, that is, miraculous spiritual gifts and faith, hope, and love. Paul pronounces the future of each item, i.e., miraculous gifts would "fail," "cease," and "vanish away," whereas "faith," "hope," and "love" would "abide." Therefore, there would be a time prior to the return of Christ in which miraculous spiritual gifts would cease to exist (I Corinthians 13:13). We know that "hope" would exist after the cessation of miraculous spiritual gifts and, yet, Paul argues that in eternity we will no longer have to hope, for we will possess in actuality our spiritual reward (Romans 8:24).

The apostle even uses illustrations in order to make this point clear. He speaks of his own development from a young man into adulthood. He wrote, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (I Corinthians 13:11). Miraculous spiritual gifts were intended for empowerment and confirmation of the gospel in the infancy of the church. When the revelation of the gospel was complete, the need for the spiritual gifts was accomplished, and miraculous spiritual gifts ceased. It is also noteworthy that only the apostles could transfer the ability to practice spiritual gifts through the laying on of their hands (Acts 8:14-25; II Timothy 1:6). As a result, miraculous spiritual gifts would cease as those who had received gifts through the laying on of the apostles' hands died.

The final illustration Paul uses is that of a mirror. He writes, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (I Corinthians 13:12). Paul teaches the brethren that presently they saw "dimly" but the time was coming when by virtue of the full revelation brethren would see "face to face" or clearly. The phrase "face to face" does not refer to seeing God or Jesus on the Day of Judgment; rather, it points to the complete revelation of God's will. Let no one think that he or she is free to take liberties with God's Word in the name of "following the Spirit." Those who argue for a closed canon and yet affirm the existence of miraculous spiritual gifts are in a self-contradiction that reveals a problematic position, to say the least. To follow the Spirit is to surrender to the word of God.

The Holy Spirit has revealed and confirmed the full revelation of God's truth in the Bible. Jesus said, "He who rejects and me and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day" (John 12:48). Let us thank God for His divinely inspired word!

]]> 94699 Who Is the Holy Spirit? (Campbell) https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/who-is-the-holy-spirit-2/ Wed, 07 Jan 2026 02:38:52 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=93064

by Kyle Campbell

The Holy Spirit is a distinct member of the "Godhead" (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4), and He is distinct from the Father and the Son (John 14:26; Acts 10:38). He was active in creation (Genesis 1:2, 26-27; Job 26:13; Psalms 104:30). He was given to the apostles to reveal "all truth" so that they could preach the gospel or "shew you things to come" (John 16:13). When people believed this preaching, they obeyed and were then saved: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21).

The coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles included the ability to work miraculous gifts, such as speaking in tongues (Acts 2:5-12; cp. I Corinthians 12:8-10 for a list of spiritual gifts). These gifts could only be transferred through the laying on of the apostles' hands (Acts 8:18). Paul stated that these gifts would cease in I Corinthians 13:8-10. No one today possesses gifts such as healing or speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit was given to confirm the word of God (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:1-4). After the word was "once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3), the gifts were no longer needed.

The Holy Spirit also dwells in us. He does not do it by physically entering our body, helping us to make decisions, or "steering" us in the right direction. The Holy Spirit is in us like God is in us (I John 4:15) and Christ is in us (Colossians 1:27). As long as you and I live by the Holy Spirit's law (the Bible), He will dwell within us, and we will be guided by His wonderful precepts. At that point, we will "walk in the Spirit" and produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:16, 22-23). Conversely, if we do not obey, we will "grieve" the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Let the word dwell in you and faithfully adhere to it.

]]> 93064 Why do some churches of Christ not believe in the Holy Spirit? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/why-do-some-churches-of-christ-not-believe-in-the-holy-spirit/ Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:53:35 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=91335

Question:

Howdy!

I am reaching out to inquire why some of the churches of Christ do not believe in the Holy Spirit. They think it's just the Bible and that He is not actually with Christians! Seems like a false teaching. It's like they are too afraid to be anything like the church of God movement, so they went way too far to the other side and neglected the truth of Scripture.

(Acts 2:38, 5:32; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 3, 6; Ephesians 1; 1 John 3:24)

Answer:

I don't know of any congregation that says it doesn't believe in the Holy Spirit. Therefore, you need to define what you think believing the Holy Spirit means.

The Bible is the product of the Holy Spirit's work. "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (II Peter 1:20-21). It wasn't a vague method of inspiring people to write, but giving them the very words to write. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" (I Corinthians 2:12-13). When we study and listen to the teachings found in the Bible, we are listening to the Holy Spirit.

Paul said that through singing we fill ourselves with the Spirit. "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:18-20). Paul told the Colossians a similar thing in slightly different words. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:16-17). In one place Paul said "be filled with the Spirit" in another, he said, "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;" both are the same thing expressed in different words.

The Church of God began on August 19, 1886, in Monroe County, Tennessee, by Richard Green Spurling. The churches of Christ have existed for a much longer period of time. What is taught among the churches is definitely not in reaction to a denomination that did not exist at the time.

See:

Question:

Thanks for the response. I'm sorry I did not word that correctly. The church of Christ I went to did not believe the Holy Spirit is with or indwells a Christian, but the Bible says otherwise (Acts 2:38, 5:32; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 6; etc). The teacher and minister tried to explain it away, but did not use the Scriptures to do so.

Answer:

It is often difficult to answer questions off the top of your head, especially if you were not expecting the topic to arise. Hopefully, enough passages were given in the articles to which I gave you links to settle your mind about the concept.

]]> 91335 Do Not Quench the Spirit https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/do-not-quench-the-spirit/ Tue, 16 Sep 2025 17:15:18 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=90549

by Terry Wane Benton

You can quench a thirst by stopping yourself from being thirsty. You quench a thirst by drinking some water. So, what does Paul mean by "Do not quench the Spirit" (I Thessalonians 5:19)?

The Spirit has been trying to appeal to our hearts through such letters as He inspired Paul to write. His message has been changing hearts and lives, and those lives in turn are crying out for us to consider. The Spirit speaks through the 66 books of the Bible, which in turn have reached many hearts like yours. The Spirit is still speaking through these sacred writings to encourage us and build us up (Acts 20:32; Hebrews 3:7).

To "quench" the Spirit would mean to stop His appeals and encouragements from impacting your heart, your thinking. He is appealing to us through brothers and sisters who remind us to do right. You can cut off the supply line of spiritual reminders, such as spiritual people who could encourage us, the church, the Bible, and Bible teaching, etc. You must not cut off the supply line of spiritual encouragement and strength.

To quench the Spirit would be eternally unwise! Keep the supply of the Spirit coming into your heart, and never shut it off. Quench your thirst, but never quench the Spirit.

]]> 90549 Not Feeling the Spirit Move There? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/not-feeling-the-spirit-move-there/ Sat, 06 Sep 2025 16:09:06 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=90174

by Terry Wane Benton

I've heard several speak of attending various churches and "not feeling the Spirit move" there. This idea is foreign to the Bible. Feelings have never been the detector of the Spirit of God. If you rely upon feelings, you are not relying upon the Spirit of God. You are relying upon your feelings that can easily be deceived or mistaken.

Since the devil transforms himself into an "angel of light" (II Corinthians 11:13-14) and there are "deceiving spirits" (I Timothy 4:1ff) at work, how would you know that deceiving spirits are not making you think that the Spirit of God is not present at a church gathering? Perhaps your feelings are being used by the deceiver!

The real Holy Spirit is associated with the truth He revealed (John 17:17; 16:13; I Corinthians 2:10-16; II John 9-10). Perhaps people need to seek the already revealed truth, rather than taking the lazy route of "feeling" and trying to "sense" whether they think the Spirit of God is present. If the truth given by the Spirit is present, then that is the measure of whether God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are present. If the truth is in us, then the Spirit is in us. If we do not bring this doctrine, then God is not with us.

"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds" (II John 9-11 NKJV).

God is inseparable from His word and our true association with His word. We can only know the things of God through the revelation God gave by the Spirit in the Bible. So, don't criticize a group because you don't "feel" something in the air, but rather investigate whether truth is taught and practiced from the heart there.

]]> 90174 Dwelling in the Spirit https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/dwelling-in-the-spirit/ Sun, 20 Jul 2025 23:29:31 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=88806
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by Darrell Hamilton

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]]> 88806 Is the Holy Spirit not bound by only the words in the Bible? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/is-the-holy-spirit-not-bound-by-only-the-words-in-the-bible/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 03:00:43 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=88520

Question:

Hi Jeff,

I heard a sermon a while ago, and someone recently shared it on Facebook to say that brethren are too worried about emotionalism, and they don't worship in the Spirit and truth as God intended. "The Holy Spirit is not bound in the words alone within the leather covers of our Bibles." Is that a true statement? I feel that it's worded so vaguely as to make a person feel bad if they believe the Holy Spirit doesn't operate outside of what is stated in Scripture. Am I wrong?

Answer:

Emotionalism allows false teachers the elbow room to develop followings. The teacher doesn't have to develop well-reasoned ideas, he merely needs to generate excitement and people assume that these feelings are due to God. "Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned" (II Peter 2:2). See "Worship: The Emotional Component."

The verse being alluded to is "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). Notice the first flaw: the preacher changed "spirit" to "the Spirit."

The Samaritan woman at the well had asked Jesus about one of the points of contention between the Samaritans and the Jews: Where must a person worship, here or in Jerusalem? (John 4:19-20). Notice that the justification for worshiping on Mt. Gerizim was that this was what their ancestors had done, even though the Law clearly stated that worship was to be done in Jerusalem (I Kings 9:3, II Chronicles 7:12).

Jesus said that the question would soon no longer matter because there would no longer be a single place to worship God (Malachi 1:11; I Timothy 2:8). The Samaritans had worshiped out of ignorance. The Jews had the truth of God’s will. But the time has come when God seeks people who will worship Him in both spirit and truth, from both a fervent desire and a willingness to obey God’s will. God is Spirit, so proper worship is not a mere physical ritual but from the heart, accompanied by obedience.

Acceptable worship has always been ordained by God, not man.

  • God nearly destroyed the entire nation of Israel when they worshipped the LORD through a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-14, 28).
  • Nadab and Abihu were killed by God when they offered common fire (Leviticus 10:1-2).
  • Saul offered the burnt offering instead of waiting for Samuel. As a result, his kingdom was taken from him (I Samuel 13:8-14).

Jesus accused the Pharisees: "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men'" (Matthew 15:7-9). They had drifted from the truth and did not worship with the proper spirit.

"To worship God in spirit and truth means that worship must be from the heart, not just outward acts, and that it must be done in exact obedience to God's commands. The worship must be directed to Him, not to the whims of the worshipers" [Bob Prichard, "Worship or Entertainment?]

The second error is the idea that the Holy Spirit directs people to act outside the teachings of the Bible. The preacher forgot that the Bible is the work of the Holy Spirit. "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (II Peter 1:20-21). That revelation is complete. "Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (II Peter 1:3). The preacher is claiming that the Bible is inadequate to direct people to worship God properly.

Finally, while claiming to be directed by the Holy Spirit, this false preacher can offer no proof that what he advocates comes from the Spirit. We only have his claim, and that is inadequate. Just as God warned Israel in the days of Jeremiah, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; they speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the LORD'" (Jeremiah 23:16).

]]> 88520 Is the Holy Spirit Just the Force of God? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/is-the-holy-spirit-just-the-force-of-god/ Sun, 22 Jun 2025 21:11:55 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=88015

by Terry Wane Benton

I was told that there is an argument circulating that the Holy Spirit is not a person but a force. To get around there being Three Persons in the Godhead, it is argued that the Holy Spirit is not a personal being but merely the force of God. Let’s think and test this by the scriptures (Acts 17:11).

  1. The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). Can we grieve a mere force?
  2. Jesus said “When He the Spirit of truth has come” (calling Him a “He” not an “it”) that “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Jesus said “He will not speak on His own authority, but what he hears He will speak." Thus, Jesus did not believe that the Holy Spirit is merely a force, but a personal being that both hears and speaks.
  3. Jesus said the Father will send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) in Jesus’ name. You don’t send a mere force in the name of another. You always send a messenger in the name of another. This messenger will teach you all things. Thus, again, a personal teacher, not an inanimate force. The Holy Spirit would testify of Jesus (John 15:26). A mere force does not testify.
  4. The Holy Spirit is never spoken of as a mere force and is always spoken of as a person. Some things are indeed personified, though they are not possessors of real personality. For example, wisdom is personified as a companion in the book of Proverbs. So, wisdom is personified. So, how do we know that the Holy Spirit is not just the force of God personified? All of the above points combined show that the Holy Spirit is not just a force personified. Wisdom is personified but never grieves, is never sent to testify, is never sent to bring things to remembrance. Wisdom is personified because it is handed down from the wise to the student who listens to parents and teachers who are persons with a higher measure of wisdom to share. So, collectively, the voice of wisdom is all around, calling out in churches and various places of learning. The Holy Spirit was sent and is Himself a teacher and helper.

The Holy Spirit is not the Father but is sent from the Father. He teaches, reminds, and guides. The Holy Spirit is not Jesus, nor a force from Jesus, but a personal being sent in Jesus’ name (on behalf of Jesus by His approval). When we are baptized “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), this is with the full authority and approval of all three persons of the Godhead. We do not baptize in the name of a mere force.

]]> 88015 How Do We Hear the Voice of God? https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/how-do-we-hear-the-voice-of-god/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:42:43 +0000 https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/?p=87910

by Kevin Cauley

We all listen to someone's voice. As humans, this is inescapable. John Donne (1572-1631) wrote, “No man is an island.” We enter this world listening to the voices of our mothers and fathers. As children, we hear the voices of relatives and friends. As we grow older, we listen to teachers, preachers, newscasters, and commentators. In adulthood, the cacophony of voices that bend our ear can be staggering, and in an information society, there is no end to the voices to which we can listen. Such has been the case for centuries. Luke’s inspired pen records “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21).

There is, however, a point at which we must stop listening and start acting. And we should be clear: the voices to which we listen will affect the decisions we make and the actions we take in life. The Bible teaches that there is no action taken by man without there first having been a thought in man’s heart. Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35). What we believe will affect how we act. We don’t act in any way without first considering the consequences. And so our actions reflect the voices to which we have been listening, and the voices to which we have been listening become the conventions that shape the decisions of our lives, whatever direction our lives take.

If we are honest with ourselves, we will confess that there is no such thing as unconventional thinking and unconventional wisdom. There is no new thinking that can be done that hasn’t, in some shape or fashion, been done. Solomon very wisely confessed this before he began his treatise on ethics (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10). It is a deception to think that my thoughts are objectively unconventional; the truth is that one’s thoughts are only unconventional to some while they are conventional to others. Whether we consider our thoughts conventional or not depends upon the voices to which we are listening, and even this is only our perception of whether our thoughts are conventional or not, because in the final analysis, there are only two voices, two conventions, that exist. Yes, there are only two voices in this world that truly speak: the voice of God and the voice of Satan, the voice of truth and the voice of error, the voice of righteousness and the voice of sin (Matthew 21:25).

Satan speaks with many voices from many places and with many advocates appearing as if he has multiple ideas and multiple choices; this is pluralism, and while it appears wise, it is a deception. It is a deception because truth cannot exist in the confluence or the synthesis of multiple thoughts. If it is true that truth can only be discerned in the synthesis of plural thoughts, then one of those thoughts from which truth must be discerned is that truth cannot be discerned in the synthesis of plural thoughts. How can it be true that truth must be discerned both from multiple thoughts and not from multiple thoughts? It cannot. We must conclude that pluralism is inherently self-contradictory and that truth can only come from one voice, namely, the voice of God.

So, how do we hear God's voice? There is only one way to hear the voice of God and thereby know the mind of God, namely, through the revelation of God’s mind by His Spirit. If someone can know the mind of God outside of revelation, I’d like for them to explain how. Scripture says that no man knows (independently from revelation) the mind of God except the Spirit of God reveal it to him (I Corinthians 2:11). Indeed, no man has seen (i.e. understood) God; it is only the Son of God who has declared Him (John 1:18). The only way to know God’s mind is if God reveals His mind to man through inspiration (I Corinthians 2:12). And there is only one inspired source of truth from the mind of God, the Bible.

To whose voice are we listening: the voice of pluralism or the one voice of truth? May God help us to learn that true wisdom comes from listening to and obeying God’s truth.

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