This article continues a series from last week by guest blogger Jeff Perry. Last week Jeff introduced us to the importance of doctrine and how it relates to our Christian walk. This week we will be looking at two doctrines specifically, that of the Holy Spirit and predestination.
DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John MacArthur states, “The Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect, emotions, will, eternality, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, and truthfulness.” The Holy Spirit is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son.
One problem people have with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is that it’s not systematically described in Scripture. Many doctrines are very clear with step by step instruction. But the doctrine of the Holy Spirit requires a topical collection of revealed truth. Another problem is a lack of concrete imagery. God is understood fairly well because the figure of a father is familiar to everyone. The Son is not hard to visualize, plus He actually appeared in human form and was observed. The Holy Spirit on the other hand is intangible and difficult to visualize.
Non-Trinitariean monotheist have a major objection to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Monotheists believe that God is only one person, that He does not exist in three persons. The Holy Spirit is nothing more than a force or power. In the book “Reasons for Our Hope” by H. Wayne House & Dennis W. Jowers we see examples of non-Trinitarian monotheistic belief systems including, Islam, Judaism, and Johovah’s Witnesses. The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit is a person, not a vague force. Ephesians 4:30 exhorts believers not to grieve the Spirit. A force or power can not grieve, only a person can. The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit is fully divine. In Acts chapter 5 we read about Ananias and Sapphira. In Acts 5:3 “Peter said, Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…” In the next verse we read, “You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” Peter acknowledged the deity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the second person of the Triune God.
PREDESTINATION
Predestination is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, he chose in Christ those whom he graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies. John MacArthur states, “Predestination should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but he exercises this sovereignty in harmony with his other attributes, especially his omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace and love.”
One problem people have with this doctrine is the adverse effect, the thought that God predestines people to hell. Calvin made this statement in reference to predestination, “He is free to do whatever he wills.” This is a true statement, no one can stop God’s plan. But like all doctrines, we must look at all God’s attributes alongside what is revealed. Another problem people have with this doctrine is in reference to evangelism. Why evangelize when God knows who is going to enter the kingdom? This doctrine seems to contradict the great commission. Most liberal and Holiness Churches but not all, including Methodist and Wesleyan suppress this doctrine and elevate free will, “Choosing salvation” over divine election, “Responding to God’s Call.”
What does the Bible teach in view of this doctrine? Foundationally, both Arminian and Calvin theorist agree we cannot save ourselves. Psalm 68:20 “Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.” In the New Testament, we read in Ephesians 2:8 “By grace you have been saved.” If salvation is apart from mankind why would mankind be the mode to initiate a divine outcome? In John 6:37 Jesus proclaimed, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never drive away.” Millard J. Erickson states, “We can be confident that what God has decided will come to pass. His plan will be fulfilled, and the elect will come to faith.”
Predestination does not contradict missions and evangelism. We do not know who the elect and the non-elect are, so we must continue to spread the Word. Jesus proclaimed in John 8:47 “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” Our evangelistic efforts are God’s means to bring the elect to salvation. In conclusion Charles H. Spurgeon sums up the doctrine of predestination very well, “I wish God had painted a red stripe down the back of the elect. I would spend my time lifting up shirt tails; but, since He hasn’t, I will preach the gospel to every creature.”
It is an awesome testimony of God’s sovereignty that I, a believer in Christ, was written in the book of life before I even knew such a book existed (Revelation 13:8).
Join us next time as Jeff looks at the doctrine of Free Will and then presents his conclusion. I know that I am being fed by Jeff’s words and teaching and I am excited to continue to host this excellent work.