When the Masoretes attempted to erase Jesus from the Old Testament they also tried to hide a full understanding of the Holy Spirit. The Masoretes claimed that the Christians were polytheists, but in truth they were monotheists. By erasing the Messiah, they also had to hide the Holy Spirit, otherwise they would end up being polytheists as well. Spirit is aether. Some believed that aether was a force that resisted waves, causing ripples in light waves and sound waves. Yet aether is a force; not one that hinders light or sound, but an incorporeal associated with spirit, wind, or air. Spirit cannot be put under a microscope and analyzed. It is not identifiable by a physical construct, yet it is identifiable in the Bible. Once in a while there is a visible manifestation, such as a dove or fire. The Greeks understood that aether was the pure essence that the “gods” breathed, filling space. They understood aether as deities. The Greeks made up stories and mythologies of Aether. What the Greeks tried to do was identify what we all know to be true, even though we cannot examine it apart from the knowledge presented in the Bible. We have the same issue with the idea of soul. The Bible tells us that soul is breath life, something that we cannot see under a microscope either. The idea is that if we are breathing then we have a soul. Yet man has his own spirit and we have no way of identifying it. Then there is the Holy Spirit and we have no way of identifying the Spirit of the Lord. Or do we?
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Fifty days after Passover was the holy day of Pentecost, harvest of the first fruits, also known as the “feast of weeks” or “Shavuot”. It is a pilgrimage holy day, which is why we see Jews from every country in Jerusalem. Incidentally, the disciples were not in an upper room, but they were in the temple courts when the Holy Spirit came on them. Which is why there were people present from all over Israel that heard them.
Acts 2:2 G2532 And G1096 came G869 suddenly G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heaven G2279 a sound G5618 as if G5342 [4being brought G4157 1of a 3breath G972 2violent], G2532 and G4137 filled G3650 the whole G3588 G3624 house G3739 of which G1510.7.6 they were G2521 settled.
“And being born unexpectedly, from out of the heaven a loud confused noise just as if carried a violent blowing making full the whole temple dwelling that were seated”.
A loud confused noise came from heaven. People heard it. They saw the effects of the wind. Then they saw something else.
Acts 2:3 G2532 And G3708 appeared G1473 to them G1266 divided G1100 tongues G5616 as G4442 of fire, G2523 and it sat G5037 G1909 upon G1520 [2one G1538 1each] G1473 of them.
“And look upon them divided up into parts, unacquired language, just as if fire, made to sit down both upon every one”.
Language like fire sat on each and every one. This is significant. The people heard a noise from heaven, they saw fire on the heads of the disciples, but they did not see the Holy Spirit. Each one could speak a different language, but not a language that they already knew. They spoke unacquired languages. Can we put this under a microscope? Can we use a magnifying glass to see the Holy Spirit come upon these people? How do people speak a language that they haven’t learned?
Acts 2:4 G2532 And G4130 they were filled G537 all together G4151 [2spirit G39 1of holy], G2532 and G756 they began G2980 to speak G2087 with other G1100 languages, G2531 as G3588 the G4151 spirit G1325 gave G1473 to them G669 to be declared
“And filled everyone Holy Spirit, and began chatter another different unacquired language according to the manner in which the Spirit offered them to speak out”.
These people who were from Northern Israel spoke languages that they did not learn and said things in a language that other people could understand. The Holy Spirit had them enunciate plainly to these other people. Now some were amazed and some thought they were drunk. Again, can we identify the Holy Spirit in a laboratory? If we could, we could then say whether these people were drunk or whether they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Fifteen different languages were heard in the temple courts. However what the people said they heard were Northern Israelites speaking the wonderful works of God.
Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
The Holy Spirit gave the disciples fifteen languages that they had never learned so that they could speak the magnificent and splendid words of the Elohim. The Spirit directed the words that the people spoke. How can we understand this when the knowledge of the Holy Spirit has been hidden from us? People spoke in unacquired languages in the Old Testament as well. This is why it was a sign. Regular people, not prophets or holy religious leaders, speaking in unacquired languages.
For more on tongues, unacquired languages:
As we know, the Holy Spirit has been around from the beginning, brooding upon the water. Even though we can’t see the Holy Spirit, the Spirit was well known in the Old Testament times.
Let’s take a broad view of the unaltered Greek and the altered Masoretic Text regarding a prophecy of the Messiah. We see here that the Septuagint/Brenton reads differently than the King James Version.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind;
Isa 61:2 to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of recompence; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 that there should be given to them that mourn in Sion glory instead of ashes, the oil of joy to the mourners, the garment of glory for the spirit of heaviness: and they shall be called generations of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for glory. (Brenton)
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.(KJV)
The King James translators used the Masoretic Text which the Masoretes altered to exclude “recovery of sight to the blind”. Their reasoning was that then the rabbi’s could claim anyone as the Messiah because that person would not have to open blind eyes. Jesus healed at least 10 blind people. Jesus quoted this section from Isaiah in a Synagogue in Nazareth.
Luk 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luk 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Luk 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (KJV)
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; and therefore he hath anointed me to proclaim tidings to the poor; and hath sent me to heal the contrite in heart, and to proclaim release to the captives, and sight to the blind; and to send away the contrite with forgiveness of their sins;
Luk 4:19 and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Murdock)
We see the New Testament quoted by Jesus who was reading from the scroll of Isaiah. Although Luke was not an eyewitness, he did record the eyewitness account from Thomas as well as the other disciples. Now let’s look at the breakdown of Isaiah 61.
Isaiah 61:1 G4151 Spirit G2962 of the lord G1909 is upon G1473 me, G3739 G1752 because G5548 he anointed G1473 me G2097 to announce good news G4434 to the poor. G649 He has sent G1473 me G2390 to heal G3588 the ones G4937 being broken G3588 in the G2588 heart; G2784 to proclaim G164 [2to captives G859 1a release], G2532 and G5185 [2to the blind G309 1recovery of sight];
4151 LSJ Gloss:πνεῦμα a blowing
Dodson:πνεῦμα wind, breath, spirit.
Thayer:
1) the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son
1a) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his personality and character (the "Holy" Spirit)
1b) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasi
πνεῦμα
pneuma pnyoo'-mah From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit KJV Usage: ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind.
Isaiah prophesied and Jesus quoted that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon him. The Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, would be upon the Messiah. There has to be something that identifies the Messiah as to having the Spirit of the Lord on him.
David says this:
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy holy Spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy directing Spirit. (Brenton)
After Nathan the prophet corrected David, David realized his need for a renewing of his spirit. Then David asked for the Holy Spirit not to be taken away from him. He also asks to be established with a directing or governing spirit. We want to notice that translators randomly capitalized, or did not capitalize, words such as holy and spirit. Sometimes in context we can see that we are speaking of The Holy Spirit, as opposed to the spirit of man. When we are speaking of The Holy Spirit, the words should be capitalized. Davids words in verse 11 should read Holy Spirit.
Paul points out our three parts.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We all have our own spirit, our own soul, and our own body, but we can only see our body. We cannot see our spirit or our soul. We know the concept for a spirit and a soul, yet even with magnification we can’t see them. Jesus had a spirit, a soul, and a body. He also had the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord upon him, just as David did. The Holy Spirit consecrated Jesus.
Isaiah 61:1...G3739 G1752 because G5548 he anointed G1473 me G2097 to announce good news G4434 to the poor.
5548 LSJ Gloss:χρίω to touch on the surface: to rub
Dodson:χρίω I anoint I anoint, consecrate by anointing.
Thayer:
1) to anoint
1a) consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration
1b) enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit
For Synonyms see entry G5805
χρίω
chriō khree'-o Probably akin to G5530 through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, that is, (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service KJV Usage: anoint.
The prophecy says that the Spirit of the Lord anointed the Messiah. Jesus quoted this, meaning he is the anointed one. He is anointed or rubbed with oil, to announce the good news. Many people can be anointed for a task, but only one was the anointed Messiah. There is another word used for the anointed Messiah, it is Christos.
1 G2444 Why did G5433 [2neigh G1484 1nations], G2532 and G2992 peoples G3191 meditate upon G2756 vain things ?
2 G3936 [5stood by G3588 1The G935 2kings G3588 3of the G1093 4earth], G2532 and G3588 the G758 rulers G4863 gathered G2009.1 together G2596 against G3588 the G2962 lord G2532 and G2596 against G3588 G5547 his anointed one, G1473
5547 Dodson:Χριστός anointed, the Messiah, the Christ anointed; the Messiah, the Christ.
Thayer:
1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God
2) anointed
Literal: Christ = "anointed"
Χριστός
Christos khris-tos' From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus KJV Usage: Christ.
Anointed, chriō, is the act of pouring or smearing one with oil or ointment. Christos is the anointed one. Jesus is the anointed one. Notice what Peter says.
John 6:68 G611 [4answered G3767 1Then G1473 5to him G* 2Simon G* 3Peter], G2962 O Lord, G4314 to G5100 whom G565 shall we go forth? G4487 [2 the words G2222 3of life G166 4eternal G2192 1You have].
69 G2532 And G1473 we G4100 have believed G2532 and G1097 have known G3754 that G1473 you G1510.2.2 are G3588 the G5547 Christ, G3588 the G5207 son G3588 of the G2316 living God. G3588 G2198
Jesus brought them the words of eternal life, that is, good news. Jesus was known as the “Son of the Living God”. Paul tells us something interesting, Christ is in us.
Colossians 1:27 G3739 ones to whom G2309 God wanted G3588 G2316 G1107 to make known G5100 what G3588 the G4149 wealth G3588 of the G1391 glory G3588 G3466 of this mystery G3778 G1722 is among G3588 the G1484 nations; G3739 which G1510.2.3 is G5547 Christ G1722 in G1473 you, G3588 the G1680 hope G3588 of the G1391 glory;
28 G3739 whom G1473 we G2605 announce, G3560 admonishing G3956 every G444 man, G2532 and G1321 teaching G3956 every G444 man G1722 in G3956 all G4678 wisdom, G2443 that G3936 we should present G3956 every G444 man G5046 perfect G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus.
The anointed one in us gathers those who died in him first. Therefore if you are born from above and your body dies, your spirit lives in paradise until you are called up to heaven.
I Thessalonians 4:16 G3754 For G1473 [3himself G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G1722 in G2752 a word of command G1722 by G5456 the voice G743 of an archangel, G2532 and G1722 with G4536 a trumpet G2316 of God, G2597 shall descend G575 from G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3588 the G3498 dead G1722 in G5547 Christ G450 shall rise up G4412 first.
17 G1899 Thereupon G1473 we G3588 the G2198 living, G3588 the ones G4035 remaining, G260 together G4862 with G1473 them G726 shall be seized G1722 in G3507 clouds, G1519 for G529 meeting G3588 the G2962 Lord G1519 in G109 the air, G2532 and G3779 thus G3842 at all times G4862 with G2962 the Lord G1510.8.4 we shall be.
To understand the harpazo see these previous blogs.
The apocalypse of Jesus the Anointed is the revealing of Jesus the anointed.
Revelation 1: 1 G602 The revelation G* of Jesus G5547 Christ, G3739 which G1325 [2gave G1473 3to him G3588 G2316 1God], G1166 to show G3588 to G1401 his bondmen G3739 what G1163 must G1096 take place G1722 quickly. G5034 G2532 And G4591 he signified G649 having sent G1223 by G3588 G32 his angel G1473 G3588 to G1401 his bondman G1473 G* John,
Could the first century people see the actual anointing on Jesus, or could they only see the effects of the anointing on Jesus? If Jesus walked the streets with blue oil running down his head, on his hair, and on his clothes, then people would have seen that, but they couldn’t see the Spirit of the Lord’s anointing. They could see the effects of the anointing, in that Jesus preached the good news, he healed the sick, opened blind eyes and deaf ears, and he rescued those who were captives.
Isaiah 61:1...G649 He has sent G1473 me G2390 to heal G3588 the ones G4937 being broken G3588 in the G2588 heart;
649 LSJ Gloss:ἀποστέλλω to send off
Dodson:ἀποστέλλω I send forth, send, send away, dismiss I send forth, send (as a messenger, commission, etc.), send away, dismiss.
Thayer:
1) to order (one) to go to a place appointed
2) to send away, dismiss
2a) to allow one to depart, that he may be in a state of liberty
2b) to order one to depart, send off
2c) to drive away
For Synonyms see entry G5813
ἀποστέλλω
apostellō
ap-os-tel'-lo
From G575 and G4724; set apart, that is, (by implication) to send out (properly on a mission) literally or figuratively
KJV Usage: put in, send (away, forth, out), set [at liberty].
2390 LSJ Gloss:ἰάομαι to heal, cure
Dodson:ἰάομαι I heal I heal, generally of the physical, sometimes of spiritual, disease.
Thayer:
1) to cure, heal
2) to make whole
2a) to free from errors and sins, to bring about (one's) salvation
ἰάομαι
iaomai ee-ah'-om-ahee Middle voice of apparently a primary verb; to cure (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: heal, make whole.
Jesus was sent as an apostle, which is someone who sets others free. He healed and cured people. These are the effects of the Holy Spirit on someone’s life.
Isaiah 61:1...G2784 to proclaim G164 [2to captives G859 1a release], G2532 and G5185 [2to the blind G309 1recovery of sight];
859 LSJ Gloss:ἄφεσις a letting go, dismissal
Dodson:ἄφεσις deliverance, pardon, complete forgiveness a sending away, a letting go, a release, pardon, complete forgiveness.
Thayer:
1) release from bondage or imprisonment
2) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty
ἄφεσις
aphesis af'-es-is From G863; freedom; (figuratively) pardon KJV Usage: deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.
309 LSJ Gloss:ἀνάβλεψις a looking up
Dodson:ἀνάβλεψις recovery of sight.
TBESG:ἀνάβλεψις recovery of sight
G:N-F
ἀνά-βλεψις, -εως, ή
(< ἀναβλέπω), [in LXX: Isa.61:1 (פְּקַח־קוֹחַ)* ;]
recovery of sight: Luk.4:18 (Lxx).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) recovery of sight
ἀνάβλεψις
anablepsis an-ab'-lep-sis From G308; restoration of sight KJV Usage: recovering of sight.
Jesus announced a release from imprisonment for people taken captive by the devil due to their own sin. Jesus restored the sight of at least ten people, but most likely more than ten people. Jesus had the anointing of the Holy Spirit on him. No one could see an apparition floating around him. No one could see oil running down his head. No one could see the Spirit of the Lord. But the Spirit of the Lord was on Jesus. No one can see the Christ (the anointed one) in us with a microscope, but our actions announce it is there. When the dead in Christ rise first, the Christ inside of those who have died secures their trip to heaven.
Notice the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. John may have been an eyewitness to this discussion. Nicodemus calls Jesus, “rabbi”, “teacher”, and says that they know “he is from God”. Jesus was an Essene, as we know, and Essenes were highly educated. Nicodemus knows this, and he says that no one can do the miracles that Jesus does if God isn’t with him. Here are some blogs on the Essenes.
Remember the prophecy of Isaiah, the Spirit of the Lord was on Jesus and anointed Jesus.
Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
This is where we get hung up. Our translation here is not quite right.
509 LSJ Gloss:ἄνωθεν from above, from on high
Dodson:ἄνωθεν from above, from the beginning, again
(a) from above, from heaven, (b) from the beginning, from their origin (source), from of old, (c) again, anew.
Thayer:
1) from above, from a higher place
1a) of things which come from heaven or God
2) from the first, from the beginning, from the very first
3) anew, over again
ἄνωθεν
anōthen an'-o-then From G507; from above; by analogy from the first; by implication anew KJV Usage: from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.
The idea is that we are to be born from the beginning, or from above. Nicodemus gets stuck on the word born, as if a rebirth is to happen. Instead we should be focused on the word anōthen, “from above”. We need to be born from above. The root word anō means “upward” or “on the top”, as in heaven. We need to be born from the heavens, otherwise we cannot know the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Jesus is correcting the part about being born. He says that we have to be born of water. All babies are birthed out of water, amniotic fluid. Not all humans are born of the pneuma, wind, breath, or Holy Spirit.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Nicodemus is still trying to catch on. Jesus reiterates “you must be born from above”. I don’t think they were teaching this in Pharisee school.
Joh 3:8 The 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.
John 3:8 G3588 The G4151 wind G3699 [2where G2309 3it wants G4154 1blows], G2532 and G3588 G5456 its sound G1473 G191 you hear, G235 but G3756 you know not G1492 G4159 from what place G2064 it comes, G2532 and G4226 where G5217 it goes; G3779 so G1510.2.3 is G3956 every one G3588 G1080 being born G1537 of G3588 the G4151 spirit.
“The Spirit in some places desires to breath hard and its sound heard but not know whence it comes and where depart, thus is all give birth from out of the Spirit”.
Jesus is giving quite an example to Nicodemus. Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit desires to blow or breathe. Sometimes we can hear it but we don’t know where is comes from and where it goes. This is what it’s like for everyone born of the Spirit. In other words, the Spirit wants to birth in people. Neither David or Solomon wanted the spirit to depart from them. The Holy Spirit had birthed in them. Notice what Solomon wrote.
Wis 6:12 Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.
Wis 6:13 She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them.
Wis 6:14 Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors.
Wis 6:15 To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care.
Wis 6:16 For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every thought.
Wis 6:17 For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;
Wis 6:18 And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;
Wis 6:19 And incorruption maketh us near unto God:
Wis 6:20 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.
Jesus said that unless people were born from above they would not enter into the kingdom of God. Nicodemus would have been thoroughly versed in the Wisdom of Solomon. Therefore he should have known this. Let’s go on.
Wis 7:7 Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
Wis 7:8 I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
Wis 7:9 Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her.
Wis 7:10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth out.
Wis 7:11 All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands.
Wis 7:12 And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them.
Wis 7:13 I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches.
Wis 7:14 For she is a treasure unto men that never faileth: which they that use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning.
Solomon said that he prayed and understanding was given to him, and he called upon God and the Spirit of Wisdom came to him. Why didn’t Nicodemus understand this? Why did he think that this was a strange idea to be born from above? Solomon knew it. David knew it. The Pharisees had not been teaching what the Essenes taught. The Pharisees had no prophets among them. The Essenes kept true to the teachings of their forefathers. The Pharisees compromised, stayed in temple service under a man of blood appointed politically, Jonathan Apphus, and rejected the Holy Spirit. Those who left Jerusalem and temple service after that defilement became known as the Essenes, Nazarenes, the Damascus Community, the Therapeutaes, and the Prophets. This is why the later Masoretes hid the knowledge of the Holy Spirit, they rejected the Holy Spirit as the Pharisees did. They did not like the Essenes because Jesus was an Essene. We think that politics today is bad, these politics caused thousands of years of people being sentenced to hell. Here are some blogs regarding the history of the split of the Damascus Community and the Pharisees.
Back to Jesus and Nicodemus.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
It had been about 180 years since the Pharisees rejected the Holy Spirit. Jesus asks Nicodemus why he doesn’t know these things. Maybe Pharisee school had a political bias.
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
Who is “we”? “We speak”; who speaks? The Essenes, Nazarenes, Therapeutaes, etc. They all were well versed in the Holy Spirit. Jesus says “we” to include his mentors and teachers. The Essenes speak what they know, and testify as to what they have seen. Jesus says ‘you, pharisees, do not receive our witness’. Clearly there is a division between the “we” and the “you”.
Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
How can anyone understand heavenly things if they don’t understand the earthly things of the Spirit of the Lord? Jesus tells Nicodemus about his coming from heaven and having to die.
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Nicodemus could not understand the idea of being born from above, but he should have understood the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave him a lot to think about, telling Nicodemus that he was the Messiah and that he would be lifted up for the healing of the people. Isn’t that what the prophecy of Isaiah said? Paul tells us that those who are born from above are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Can we see the seal? Can we see the record of the earnest money paid on our behalf? Although we cannot see it, the Holy Spirit is the down payment for our eternal lives.
Shortly after Jesus spoke with Nicodemus he spoke to a women in Samaria. Jesus explained that in order to be a true worshipper one must worship the Father in Spirit.
John 4:23 G235 But G2064 comes G5610 the hour, G2532 and G3568 now G1510.2.3 is, G3753 when G3588 the G228 true ones G4353 doing obeisance G4352 shall do obeisance to G3588 the G3962 father G1722 in G4151 spirit G2532 and G225 truth; G2532 for also G1063 G3588 the G3962 father G5108 [2such G2212 1seeks] G3588 G4352 to do obeisance to G1473 him.
“It is time now for the true genuine worshippers to go down on their knees and prostrate to the Father in Spirit and sincere candor of mind, free from pretense and falsehood. These are the people the Father searches such as this kind worshipping him.”
When we understand that “truth” includes candor of mind, being truthful in heart, and not worshipping simply based on what can be gained, without pretense, we understand Jesus’ statement. He continues.
John 4:24 G4151 God is spirit, G3588 G2316 G2532 and G3588 the ones G4352 doing obeisance to G1473 him G1722 [3in G4151 4spirit G2532 5and G225 6truth G1163 1must G4352 2do obeisance].
“Spirit the Elohim and on their knees in what is proper worship, Spirit and sincere candor”.
If one wishes to understand the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit, that one must use proper worship, which is in the Holy Spirit along with our spirit, and with an honest candid heart. The secrets Jesus related to this Samaritan woman are vitally important. The Samaritans worshipped in Samaria, which, according to the Pharisees, was wrong. There was a lot of contention between the Samaritans and the Jews, in so much that the Jews would go over the mountains around Samaria instead of through Samaria. Jesus went through Samaria, and those people believed that he was the Messiah. Jesus tells the women that soon no one would need to worship on a mountain or in a temple, but instead they will worship truly from their own heart, from their own spirit to the Holy Spirit. This is revolutionary. The Jews hated it. They hated Jesus for it. Then when the temple was destroyed in 70A.D. and the Jews were kicked out of Jerusalem, there was no other way to worship. The Jews lost control over the people and the worship. All that was left was for the true worshippers to worship in Spirit and in truth.
How can we direct the Spirit? How can we separate our spirit from the Holy Spirit once we are born from above? We cannot see the Spirit, but we know the effects of the Spirit. As Jesus is preparing the disciples for his crucifixion he tells them what the mission of the Holy Spirit on the earth will be. The Holy Spirit will be a comforter to those who follow Jesus.
John 14:16 G2532 And G1473 I G2065 will ask G3588 the G3962 father, G2532 and G243 [3another G3875 4comforter G1325 1he shall give G1473 2to you], G2443 that G3306 he should abide G3326 with G1473 you G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon.
387 LSJ Gloss:παράκλητος called to one's aid
Dodson:παράκλητος an advocate, comforter, helper, Paraclete
(a) an advocate, intercessor, (b) a consoler, comforter, helper, (c) Paraclete.
TBESG: παράκλητος counsellor
G:N-M
παρά-κλητος, -ον
(< παρακαλεω), [in Aq., Th.: Job.16:2 * ;]
called to one's aid in a judicial cause (Dion. Cass.); hence, most freq. as subst., ὁ π., an advocate, pleader, intercessor (Dem., al.; so in Rabbinic lit., פְּרַקְלִיטָא), "a friend of the accused person, called to speak to his character, or otherwise enlist sympathy in his favour" (Field, Notes, 102). In NT, specif., ὁ π.,
__(a) of Christ, 1Jn.2:1 (see ICC, Jo. Epp., 23 ff.);
__(b) of the Holy Spirit (AV, comforter; but see opp. with),
Refs Jhn.14:16, 26 15:26 16:7(cf. also Abbott, Essays, 86, 97; Deiss., LAE, 339 f.; MM, xviii; Westc., Jo., ii, 188 (AS)
Thayer:
1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
1a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
1b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor
1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
παράκλητος
paraklētos par-ak'-lay-tos An intercessor, consoler KJV Usage: advocate, comforter.
The Paraklētos will be an advocate, intercessor, and a comforter who will stay wherever you are into the ages. Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit is going to be a permanent thing with us. Now Jesus makes a distinction, we will know it, but the people of the world will not know or receive it.
John 14:17 G3588 The G4151 spirit G3588 G225 of truth; G3739 whom G3588 the G2889 world G3756 is not G1410 able G2983 to receive, G3754 for G3756 it does not G2334 contemplate G1473 it, G3761 nor G1097 knows G1473 it. G1473 But you G1161 G1097 know G1473 it, G3754 for G3844 [2with G1473 3you G3306 1it abides], G2532 and G1722 in G1473 you G1510.8.3 it will be.
The world does not contemplate or behold, look at or discern the Holy Spirit. The world does not know, ascertain, or observe it. Jesus says that we know, ascertain, and observe it because it abides or stays with us and in us. That gives us something to explore. While we cannot identify the Holy Spirit in a laboratory, we can search for the Holy Spirit within ourselves. We can manifest the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit wills via the Gifts of the Spirit. This tells us that the Holy Spirit is unique to the individual and the way that the individual knows the Spirit. Jesus explains that when the Paraklētos comes, the disciples will witness or testify about Jesus.
John 15:26 G3752 But whenever G1161 G2064 [3should come G3588 1the G3875 2comforter], G3739 whom G1473 I G3992 send G1473 to you G3844 from G3588 the G3962 father, G3588 the G4151 spirit G3588 of the G225 truth, G3739 who G3844 from G3588 the G3962 father G1607 goes forth, G1565 that one G3140 will witness G4012 concerning G1473 me;
27 G2532 [2also G1473 1and you] G1161 G3140 witness, G3754 for G575 [4from G746 5 the beginning G3326 2with G1473 3me G1510.2.5 1you were].
The Paraklētos is sent by Jesus from the Father. Jesus is the one that the disciples will testify about. The Spirit of Truth will abide with us and in us, therefore we can testify regarding Jesus. As we noted previously, it is a team effort to get us saved. And we are part of the team to help others get saved.
John 16:13 G3752 But whenever G1161 G2064 that one should come, G1565 G3588 the G4151 spirit G3588 of the G225 truth, G3594 he will guide G1473 you G1519 into G3956 all G3588 the G225 truth; G3756 [3not G1063 1for G2980 2he shall] speak G575 from G1438 himself; G235 but G3745 as much as G302 whatever G191 he should hear, G2980 he shall speak; G2532 and G3588 the things G2064 coming G312 he shall announce G1473 to you.
The Spirit of Truth will lead, guide, instruct, and teach us. What the Holy Spirit hears, the Holy Spirit speaks. The Holy Spirit will announce or bring word about what is coming. He will speak to prophets who will prophesy. But the only ones who will know and understand this are the ones who are born from above. The rest of the people will not know and understand the things that the Holy Spirit says. One cannot understand the Holy Spirit from the outside looking in. Therefore do not listen to people who do not know the Holy Spirit.
If people do not understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit, even within the church, it would be because they have never prayed and asked the Holy Spirit into their lives. The Holy Spirit is with those and in those who pray and ask. We cannot see aether. We cannot see an incorporeal. We cannot put spirit under a microscope or mix it in a test tube and see its form. Jesus explained the start of understanding is to be born from above. The Spirit itself blows like wind, seeing who wants to commune with it.
Paul closes his second letter to the Corinthians suggesting something interesting. His prayer is that the fellowship, communion, association, or partnership, of the Holy Spirit, be with us all.
2 Corinthians 13:14 G3588 The G5484 favor G3588 of the G2962 Lord G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G2532 and G3588 the G26 love G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G3588 the G2842 fellowship G3588 of the G39 holy G4151 spirit G3326 be with G3956 you all. G1473 G281 Amen.
May the partnership of the Holy Spirit be with us into the eons.
