Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-07-01 / 7-8. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Continuedfrom page 3 whose specialty is to deal with energy and power; we can ask the regular people: what do they know about these subjects? We will find out that we have some basic knowledge about energy and power but we do not know the details. How can we describe then the spiritual power? LET TWO WORDS COME TO OUR HELP: GENERAL AND SPECIAL AND EACH OF THEM ARE IMPORTANT. In the GENERAL HOSPITAL every kind of sickness is treated, however in the operating room many SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS are used. Ladies you have special utensils in your kitchen to prepare the meals, and a mechanic has special tools to repair the cars. A specialist is one who is an expert only in his/her specific field. When we talk about the power of the Spirit we should keep in mind that we do not deal with a general source of energy (one size fits them all) but with a specific or unique power, as Jesus had said: “but stay in the city until you have been clothed with POWER FROM ON HIGH.” Luke 24:49. In what way is the spiritual power special or unique? The “power from on high” is a special or UNIQUE FORCE, that is, spiritual. A special instrument and tool can be used only for that purpose it was designed. Think about the scoop of ice cream, can you use it as a ladle? The spiritual power is like a “miracle grow” that makes fruits of the spirit more desirable, read Galatians 5:22-23. The “power from on high” originates from a special or UNIQUE SOURCE: God. Our Lord had promised: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever . . . But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:16 and 26 verses. The “power from on high” is given for special UNIQUE or PURPOSE, like to be bom again: “Jesus answered (Nicodemus), T tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is bom of water and the Spirit. ’ ” John 3:5; or, to represent God, Ephesians 2:22; or, to work on our salvation 2 Thessalonians 2:13; or, to inspire 2 Peter 1:21. The “power on high” is given to SPECIAL PEOPLE but not exclusively to those who like to call themselves saints. Such special people had been the apostles at Pentecost who were together in one place. Please see our scripture reading. Those who can pray honestly: “Thy will be done...” receive sooner the spiritual power than those who simply just demand it or want to purchase it, please see Acts of Apostles 8:18-20. As your parents have the rights to specify in their will what their child/ren will inherit from their possessions, likewise our heavenly Father, as our sovereign Lord, has the right to “allocate and grant” the power of the Spirit as he sees fit. The Holy Spirit is a foretaste and a guarantee of things to come: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 also 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. Rev. Mr. Alexander Jalso With It or Without It? Scripture reading: John 16:1-15. Text: “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’.. . But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:5 and 7 verses. The last among the holidays that are centered in God is the Holy Trinity Sunday, following immediately Pentecost. At Christmas God’s redeeming love is welcomed, at Easter Christ’s glorious triumph is celebrated, and at Pentecost the inspiring fellowship of the Holy Spirit is adored. We shall see the three together as much as the mystery of the Holy Trinity allows it. “I HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY TO YOU, MORE THAN YOU CAN NOW BEAR.” John 16:12 Our scientifically oriented mind, logical reasoning, and preference for tangible proof do not prepare us for the Holy Trinity Sunday. Our Lord made it clear that the secrets of the spiritual world are beyond our comprehension. See John 16:12 and Deuteronomy 29:29. Instead of cold logic and visible evidence, let faith, love, and humbleness lead us as close to the Holy Trinity as possible. “THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE; WITHOUT HIM NOTHING WAS MADE THAT HAS BEEN MADE.” John 1:3 Although Apostle John does not spell out the Holy Trinity yet indirectly he makes many allusions concerning the triune God, please see our text. He also had found important to record: “without Him (that is Jesus) nothing was made that has been made.” This word WITHOUT can be our guide and interpreter this time. The FATHER WITHOUT THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT will become a remote deity, vague idea, a lifeless concept who would have a name but would not have much to do with people. Those have usually such a god who “believe” in a supernatural being but have nothing to do with faith, religion, church, Bible, and charity. The SON WITHOUT THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT would be a wonderful prophet, great hero, famous philanthropist, gifted reformer, charismatic leader, and excellent teacher. What He had said, done, and taught lifts Him above George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, and Billy Graham. The HOLY SPIRIT WITHOUT THE FATHER AND THE SON would become a warm feeling, emotional motivation, and inspiration to do something good. The Spirit without God cannot do anything else but encourage cooperation and emphasize the common goal. Only that Spirit can help sinners to repent and be bom again who is part of the Father and the Son.
