A word of caution: there are, and will be, problems and questions that can be asked regarding all

views of the Holy Spirit. The three main views would include

“ordinary,” “personal indwelling,” and “miraculous, but limited”

positions.

Observations

This material is not intended to be used in a divisive way, nor should it be pressed upon others as the only correct position. Personally, I have fewer problems with the miraculous but limited view than with the other positions. These three views should not be a fellowship issue, except where there are clear departures that imply a false position.

Ignorance of this subject has led to much confusion and many errors. The study of Divinity is the most com-plex of all Biblical studies, for it involves a study of God: His personality, attributes, character, works, and will. The fact is there is one Deity; God is His name. God is manifested to man in the personalities of Father, Word, and Holy Spirit.

Brethren, it has become necessary for us to examine the Scriptures in regard to the work of the Holy Spirit.

It is now being taught (since 1994) that the Holy Spirit operates directly upon the heart of the faithful Christian (Deaver-Moffitt 101).

Mac Deaver states that directly/ immediately means, “The human spirit is joined to or united with the actual person of the Holy Spirit so that the Holy Spirit affects the human spirit immediately” (Deaver-Moffitt 102).

Brethren, please observe two very basic propositions:

Good people listen to the meaning of direct/immediate

influence.

The Scriptures teach that in conviction and conversion of sinners, and in leading those converted in their Christian duties, the Holy Spirit operates or exercises an influence upon the human heart or mind only through the written or spoken Word of God today.

It is denied that the Holy Spirit has ever operated (without medium) immediately upon the heart of anyone for his particular, peculiar benefit in order to change one’s nature or to force his involuntary obedience.

Brethren, in this study, we are concerned about what the Holy Spirit does and not what He can do !

Thus, we mean no harm to anyone who holds to the direct immediate influence of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of the saint.

does

can do

We are opposed to this view, therefore, we have come

to this forum!

We are opposed to this view, therefore, we have come

to this forum!

Biblical Ethical Deceit

Mac Deaver and Bob Berard believe that “Biblical Ethical Deceit” is authorized by the following:

Genesis 12:14-20

Joshua 8:2-8

1 Samuel 16:1-4

2 Kings 6:19-23

Jeremiah 38:24-27

Luke 24:17-19

John 8:6

Implications and Applications

Friends, any justification for deceit in the above-mentioned Scriptures is SIN!Please follow these facts: Bob Berard wrote an anonymous letter to Dub McClish, director of the Denton Lectures.

Berard put the letter on a computer disk and left it on McClish’s book display table.

In that letter, he criticized in 14 points those who opposed the doctrine of the direct work of the Holy Spirit on the saint as propagated by the Deavers.Berard compiled a list of names he considered guilty of one or more of the 14 points.

Berard included his own name in the list (his name was first); these were ones who were wrong in opposing the Deaver doctrine.

Berard gave instructions to McClish to distribute his letter to everyone on the list and anyone else who is currently doing any of the following.Berard was not doing any of the things the other men in his list were doing.

Thus, he portrayed himself as one of the men on his own list.

Mac wrote an article titled, “We Appreciate Brother Bob Berard.” In this article he endorsed Bob for what he said and the way he said it. (Vol. III No. 1 Jan.-March 1999 B N Q).Brethren, it is interesting that both Berard and Deaver believe they receive wisdom directly from God.

David Brown correctly observed: Is this the fruit of a doctrine which avers that wisdom is received directly from the Holy Spirit? (Bob Berard’s Descent, 19).Does this aforementioned not violate the golden rule of Matthew 7:12?Paul gave a directive to “Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).

Those who believe in and

practice biblical ethical deceit are

inwith the Devil!“b

ed”

Mac’s Teaching Regarding

“Indwelling”

Mac states that “Joel said God would ‘pour out my spirit’ (Joel 2:28).” (Deaver-Fox Debate,127).

The case is, however, that when Peter quoted Joel 2, he helps us to under-stand what the intent of Joel’s state-ment was.

Peter, by inspiration said, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” (Acts 2:16-17). Out of

Our understanding of Joel must reflect that, whatever was to be poured out it would come from the Spirit. Good people, this is not a literal/personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit!

We are told that the preposition apo tou pneumatos literally means of or from the Spirit. Brethren, this is not by accident. Inspiration set forth by or through Luke what Joel meant when this verse was applied on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The force is that it is impossible for this verse to mean a literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit Himself!

The Implications

Of Mac’sIndwelling

Because the Holy Spirit literally indwells the Christian, Mac teaches that according to James 1:5, he has perfect wisdom, but the Holy Spirit helps/aids the Christian in his wisdom.

How is wisdom provided? Mac stated, “how my view of the Spirit’s providing wisdom today would differ from the spiritual gift of wisdom, I would simply say that the difference is one of degree” (Letter to Gary Summers, Jan. 2, 2003).

Mac stated in the Deaver-Lockwood debate, that those who do not accept the literal/personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the saint are weakening churches at best and at worse are killing churches (Video tape 4).

Good people, if you do not agree with Mac then what are you doing to the body of Christ!

Friends, this is a fellowship issue, for if you are killing churches, there cannot be fellowship.

If not, why not?

“We cannot fellowship those who say that by means of the Spirit’s indwelling men can and do receive direction/guidance that is other than (or in addition to) the direction the Spirit has given us in the Bible.”

“The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit in some way indwells the Christian, but it also teaches that he guides/directs the Christian through the word (cf. Eph. 2:22; II Tim. 3:16-17).”

“Here we stand; and in opposition to any and all who deny this view…as long as we agree that the Holy Spirit convicts, leads, directs, and edifies only through the word of God, whatever other differences there may be on the subject ought not to have the least effect on the question of our fellowship.”

The last three quotes are from Mac Deaver “For All To Know”

Biblical Notes November/December, 1993,

p.1.Brethren, here some of us still stand!

I agree with Mac (1993) and seek his good both here and in

eternity.

“We cannot fellowship those who say that by means of the Spirit’s indwelling men can and do receive direction/guidance that is other than (or in addition to) the direction the Spirit has given us in the Bible.”

“The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit in some way indwells the Christian, but it also teaches that he guides/directs the Christian through the word (cf. Eph. 2:22; II Tim. 3:16-17).”

“Here we stand; and in opposition to any and all who deny this view…as long as we agree that the Holy Spirit convicts, leads, directs, and edifies only through the word of God, whatever other differences there may be on the subject ought not to have the least effect on the question of our fellowship.”

Argument—Holy Spirit and Kingdom

“Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not

taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God

come with power” (Mark 9:1).

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you:

but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued

with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come

upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me”

(Acts 1:8).

Peter puts this all together for us in Acts 2.

Watch the conclusion: They (apostles) would not taste death until they saw two things. See the kingdom come and the kingdom would come with power.

Good people, the kingdom came on Pentecost when the power

came. Thus, the application of Joel’s pro-phecy began to be fulfilled that memorable day!

It should be obvious to all honest seekers of truth that to make Joel 2 a literal indwelling completely corrupts Acts 2 and the kingdom.

Influence Of The

Holy Spirit

There is a void between any two spirits.

Between two human spirits:

There is a void between any two spirits.

Between two human spirits:

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no

man, but the Spirit of God” (1

Corinthians 2:11).

Between two Divine spirits:

“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall

not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that

shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come”

(John 16:13).

Between Divine and human spirits:

“For what man knoweth the things the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?

Between Divine and human spirits:

“For what man knoweth the things the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?

Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we

have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11-12).

The void is bridged by words or communication:

Between two human spiritsIt requires conversation,

correspondence, or coded message.

Between two Divine spiritsIt demands words.

Between Divine and human spiritsMust be spoken and written words.

Argument–Parable of the Sower: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11).

What was the medium used in the parable? (the seed)

What was received into the soil so that there could be a

harvest? (seed)Can there be any doubt that the medium used was the word of

God?

The Holy Spirit influences only through medium—

“Now these be the last words of David…the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:1-2).

“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:25-26).

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of him-self; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:13-15).

“Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus” (Acts 1:16).

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice” (Hebrews 3:7).

Conclusion