Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 48

10. What was the Comforter to do when He came?

"And when He is come, He will _reprove_ [margin, _convince_] the world of _sin_, and of _righteousness_, and of _judgment_." Verse 8.

11. By what other t.i.tle is the Comforter designated?

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even _the Spirit of truth_, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." John 15:26.

12. What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do?

"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 show you things to come_." John 16:13.

NOTE.-The Spirit _speaks_ (1 Tim. 4:1); _teaches_ (1 Cor. 2:3); _bears witness_ (Rom. 8:16); _makes intercession_ (Rom. 8:26); _distributes the gifts_ (1 Cor. 12:11); and _invites the sinner_ (Rev. 22:17).

13. Whom did Christ say the Holy Spirit would glorify?

"He shall glorify _Me_: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." Verse 14.

NOTE.-It is plain from these scriptures that the Holy Spirit is the personal representative of Christ upon the earth, abiding in the church by dwelling in the hearts of the believers. It follows that any attempt to make a man the vicegerent of Christ in the place of the third person of the G.o.dhead is an attempt to put man in the place of G.o.d. Thus does the fundamental principle of the Papacy set aside the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

14. How has G.o.d revealed to us the hidden things of the kingdom?

"But G.o.d hath revealed them unto us _by His Spirit_: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of G.o.d." 1 Cor. 2:10.

15. Who moved upon the prophets to give their messages?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of G.o.d spake as they were moved by the _Holy Ghost_." 2 Peter 1:21.

16. After Pentecost, how was the gospel preached?

"With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." 1 Peter 1:12.

17. How are believers sealed?

"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were _sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise_." Eph. 1:13.

18. What warning is therefore given?

"_Grieve not the Holy Spirit of G.o.d_, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.

19. Is there a limit to the strivings of G.o.d's Spirit?

"And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Gen. 6:3.

NOTE.-The limit is determined by the creature rather than by the Creator. It is when there is an utter abandonment to evil, and further appeals would be without avail. G.o.d foreknowing all things, may designate a definite period of probation for man, as in the case of the one hundred and twenty years before the flood (Gen. 6:3); but His Spirit never ceases to strive with man as long as there is hope of his salvation.

20. For what did David pray?

"Cast me not away from Thy presence; and _take not Thy Holy Spirit from me_." Ps. 51:11.

21. How willing is G.o.d to give to us the Holy Spirit?

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" Luke 11:13.

O for that flame of living fire?

Which shone so bright in saints of old; Which bade their souls to heaven aspire, Calm in distress, in danger bold!

Remember, Lord, the ancient days; Renew Thy work, Thy grace restore; And while to Thee our hearts we raise, On us Thy Holy Spirit pour.

WM. H. BATHURST.

Fruit Of The Spirit

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

David And Jonathan. "The fruit of the Spirit is love." Gal. 5:22.

1. What is the fruit of the Spirit?

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Gal. 5:22, 23.

2. What are the works of the flesh?

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like." Verses 19-21.

NOTE.-The evils here mentioned are a close parallel to the lists found in Matt. 15:18, 19; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:29-31; and 2 Tim.

3:1-5.

3. How may the works of the flesh be avoided?

"_Walk in the Spirit_, and ye shall not fulfil the l.u.s.t of the flesh."

Gal. 5:16.

4. By what is the love of G.o.d shed abroad in the heart?