Quote:
Originally Posted by Presbyterian Deacon  Quote:
Originally Posted by Presbyterian Deacon In John 4:24 we read, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
How would you explain this concept to a "new" believer? What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth? |  Thank you JD and Poimen. Anyone else?
I am especially interested in thoughts about what is meant here by "spirit." Is it the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, or some combination of the two?
It is interesting that Jesus says, the Father seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and truth, but doesn't explain what He means by that. How would the woman he was talking to have understood it?
Today, we can tie it into other portions of scripture. "What is truth?" "Sanctify them through thy word, thy word is truth," and so forth. We can look at how it is explained in the confessions and catechisms, but I guess my question at this point is this:
Was there some understanding of what Jesus meant that was common to His day (ie--no need to explain what He meant to the woman) that we have lost sight of?
Any thoghts? | Clearly Jn 4:24 has several portions of the Nt. that speak to it's fulfillment.
Isa.64 : Quote:
1Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
2As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
3When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
| quoted by Paul in 1 Cor2:7-16 Quote:
4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11For 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.
12Now 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.
13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
| This knowledge is Spirit given .We are translated into the Kingdom of The Son.
Jn3- Quote:
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
| Peter spoke of this 1Pet1 Quote:
9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
| and again- Quote:
22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
| I could also cut and paste virtually all of Isa. 40-66,[although it is difficult to read such a long post] but look at all the promises of the law going forth to the gentiles,The Servant raising up His people,both Jew and Gentile.All the promises made to Zion and Jerusalem coming to pass as the Nt temple is built with living stones. Just read the second half of Isa. or at least 61-66.
Look at the descriptions of the worshippers being trees of righteousness,priests of the Lord,
All of the promises of these chapters can only be fulfilled in the realm of the Spirit, with only those who are Spirit baptized, in saving union with Christ.
No more, No less.
__________________
Anthony D'Arienzo
Sunday School Teacher
Hope Reformed Baptist Church:
Medford, N.Y.
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