By J. L. Dagg
Chapter 3
Office
of the Holy Spirit THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SANCTIFIER AND COMFORTER OF GOD'S PEOPLE.[1]
The Holy Spirit is the author of holiness in all those who are saved:
"Through sanctification of the Spirit."[2] "Ye
are washed, ye are sanctified by the Spirit of our God."[3] He is the author of the new or spiritual life which is
produced in regeneration.[4] Not only the
beginning of the new life, but its whole progress, is dependent on the Spirit:
wherefore, believers are said to live in the Spirit,[5] to walk in the Spirit, to be led by the Spirit,[6] and be filled with the Spirit;[7] and, for this reason David prayed, "Take not thy Holy
Spirit from me."[8] As it is his office to
change the soul, and from a state of death in trespasses and sins, bring it
into a new life, so it is his office to change our vile body, and fashion it
like the glorious body of Christ: "He that raised up Jesus from the dead,
shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."[9] As both body and spirit are redeemed by
Christ, so both body and spirit are changed by the Holy spirit, and fitted for
the presence and enjoyment of God.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter of God's people. By his teaching, the
knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins is obtained. The Saviour
promised: "He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you."[10] In fulfilment of this promise, the Spirit makes
known the sufficiency and suitableness of Christ as Saviour, and the efficacy
of his blood to cleanse from sin. By the Holy Spirit the promises of the
divine word are applied to the heart. Hence, peace and joy are called the
fruit of the Spirit.[11] These spiritual
enjoyments, which are a foretaste of heaven, are called "the earnest of the
Spirit."[12] And, as the earnest is given by
him, we have reason to conclude that the full possession will be given by him.
As Christ will be the medium through which the felicity of the future world
will be bestowed; so, the Holy Spirit will be the immediate agent in bestowing
it. The first comfort here below, and the full bliss and glory of heaven, are
alike his work. |
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[1] Ps. li. 10-12; Ezek. xxxvi. 27; John xiv. 26; Acts ix. 31; Rom. v. 5; viii. 13, 16, 26; 1 Cor. vi. 11; 2 Cor. i. 22; iii. 18; Gal. v. 22; 2 Thes. ii. 13. [2] 1 Pet. i. 2. [3] 1 Cor. vi. 11. [4] John iii. 6. [5]Gal. v. 25. [6] Gal. v. 18. [7] Eph. v. 18. [8] Ps. li. 11. [9] Rom. viii. 11. [10] John xvi. 15. [11] Gal. v. 22. [12] Eph i. 13, 14; 2 Cor. i. 22. |