OT Saints: Indwelt by the Spirit?
…there are three reasons why we can affirm the Spirit’s indwelling of OT saints: regeneration, sanctification, and empowerment.
via OT Saints: Indwelt by the Spirit?.
I was actually just thinking about this the other night, while reading through Ezekiel 2-3. I’d heard the argument before that Old Testament saints were NOT indwelt by the Spirit ever, that that Spirit merely “came upon” them.
The text, however, shows otherwise:
Ezekiel 2:22 And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. (ESV)
Ezekiel 3:2424 But the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and he spoke with me and said to me, “Go, shut yourself within your house. (ESV)
4 Ways to Take a Stand for God’s Way
This weekend, at our church, Pastor Brian White preached on Daniel 1:1-21, and how Christians can take a stand for God’s way in the culture.
He suggested 4 ways to do so (though there are many more), in the forms of statements the Christian can make to the culture:
- “Culture, I will not worship your gods.”
- “I will not allow you to change the definition of truth.”
- “I will not allow you to parent my children.”
- “I will not allow you to take anyone with you down the wrong path.”
Listen to the whole sermon here.
Calvin’s Commentaries – $99
Just in time for the holidays… A 22-volume set of Calvin’s commentaries on Scripture is on sale at CBD through Thursday night for only $99. This is a great deal, as the “retail” on the set is $1000, and the “regular” heavily discounted CBD price is $179 in their last catalog.
I own this set and it’s a great reference from one of the best expositors of Scripture in history.
Calvin’s Commentaries, 22 Volumes – By: John Calvin – Christianbook.com.
Why Haddon Zerubbabel
Where does “Haddon Zerubbabel” come from? And how do I say “Zerubbabel”?
Haddon
The name “Haddon” is in honor of the great Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892). To learn more about Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the best resource on the web is Phil Johnson’s Spurgeon Archive at spurgeon.org.
There, you can find (among other things):
- A very brief biography of Spurgeon (with links to a ton of other biographies)
- A slightly longer, but still concise, bio
- A whole huge archive of Spurgeon’s writings and sermons
If you want to read a good short book by Spurgeon, I highly recommend All of Grace, available online for free.
Spurgeon once said that the secret to his highly regarded preaching was this: “I take my text and make a bee-line to the cross.”
Zerubbabel
According to Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary:
ZERUBBABEL [zeh RUB uh buhl] (offspring of Babylon) — head of the tribe of Judah at the time of the return from the Babylonian Captivity; prime builder of the Second Temple.
Zerubbabel is a shadowy figure who emerges as the political and spiritual head of the tribe of Judah at the time of the Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel led the first group of captives back to Jerusalem and set about rebuilding the Temple on the old site. For some 20 years he was closely associated with prophets, priests, and kings until the new Temple was dedicated and the Jewish sacrificial system was reestablished.
If you’d like to read more about Zerubbabel (and listen to his name pronounced), try these links:
- Zerubbabel leads the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem and begins rebuilding the temple: Ezra 3-5
- Census of those who returned with Zerubbabel: Nehemiah 7, 12
- Prophecies concerning Zerubbabel: Haggai 1-2
- More prophecies: Zechariah 4
- Zerubbabel was also an ancestor of Christ. For his place in the genealogy, see Matthew 1:12-13 and Luke 3:27
Haggai 2:4-74 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. (ESV)
Zechariah 4:6-76 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” (ESV)
The Gospel in 50 Words… or Less
Stephen Altrogge, an outstanding musician, has just started a series on his blog called The Gospel in 50 Words… or Less:
Each day we’re going to post a scripture that speaks directly of the gospel, and then a meditation of fifty words or less on that verse.
Two posts so far, both very good. One on Psalm 103:12 and one on 2 Corinthians 4:7. Check out the series.
John Piper: You Aren’t Safe from Adultery
Seeing Bathsheba bathing led to David’s adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:2-3).
David was a man after God’s own heart. David was born again. David wrote divinely inspired scripture. David was blessed with wisdom and power. David enjoyed an everlasting covenant relationship with God.
So what chance do you think you have to escape the effect of looking at naked women?
Follow Me!