Bible Study Outline - The Two Spirits - Life in the Bible Club, Maple Woods College

Life in the Bible Club
Maple Woods College

September 8, 2005

God sent His son that our sin problem be solved so that we could be reconciled to Him and much more, that we could be saved in His life, the eternal life that dwelt in His Son Jesus. In the Greek language the word Zoe" is used for the uncreated and eternal life and is different from biological (bios) and soul (psuche) life we received from our parents.
- Romans 5:10 - For if we, being enemies, were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more we will be saved in His life, having been reconciled.
- John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that every one who believes into Him would not perish, but would have eternal life.

Three verses in the New Testament speak of both the human spirit and the divine Spirit.

The Lord speaking to Nicodemus concerning a new birth.
- John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The Lord speaking to the woman at the well.
- John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truthfulness.
The apostle Paul speaking to the believers in the Romans.
- Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God.

According to Ephesians chapter 3, in eternity past God planned to work Himself into His chosen people. His eternal purpose is to have a people with Him as life. (yes, you guessed it, the Zoe life) God will be within them and they will be one with Him. This people will be the Body of Christ to express God Himself in Christ. First they are the church and eventually in eternity the New Jerusalem.
- Ephesians 3:8-11 - 8 To me, less than the least of all saints, was this grace given to announce to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ as the gospel 9 And to enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is, which throughout the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things, 10 In order that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenlies the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the church, 11 According to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,
- Ephesians 3:14-17a - 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 Of whom every family in the heavens and on earth is named, 16 That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit into the inner man, 17 That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith,
- Ephesians 3:19b - that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.
- Ephesians 3:21 - To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all the generations forever and ever. Amen.

Christ Jesus, even though He was God and a man of flesh and blood, could only be among his disciples but not "in" them. He told his disciples that He had die and be raised up. By death and resurrection He was changed from a physical form to a spiritual form. He became a "pneumatic" Christ who was able to enter into his disciples. Thus, the Father who both sent and was "in" the son as the Holy Spirit, entered into the early disciples by "receiving" Him in faith. They received the "Triune God". This is the way that Christ makes home in our hearts and by which we are filled unto all the fullness of God. Electricity is a great example of the triune God's operation. Consider God the Father the source or power plant, God the Son as the way or transmission line or wiring which He accomplished by coming as a man, being crucified and resurrected. Finally, both He and the Father came in the "Spirit". This "electricity" which is in the "power plant", in the "transmission lines", comes into us when we receive the Spirit
John 20:22 - And when He had said this, He breathed into them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Man may be likened to a radio. The Spirit of God is like the heavenly radio waves. The spirit of man is like the radio receiver. Many radios do not function because their owners do not use their spirit! People are unable to contact God because the receiver within them is out of order. If man did not have a spirit, he would be unable to contact God.
Our spirit is GREAT in God's creation - Zech. 12:1 The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus declares Jehovah, who stretches forth the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him.

It is in our spirit that we were born again - John 3:6
It is in our spirit that we were made alive - Ephesians 2:5, Romans 8:10
It is in our spirit that God dwells - Ephesians 2:22, 2 Timothy 4:22
It is in our spirit that we are joined to the Lord - 1 Corinthians 6:17
It is in our spirit that we contact and worship God - John 4:24
It is in our spirit that we can walk and serve - Romans 1:9
It is in our spirit that we pray - Ephesians 6:18
It is in our spirit that we see God's revelation - Ephesians 1:17, 3:5; Revelation 1:10, 4:2, 17:3, 21:10
It is in our spirit that we have true fellowship with others - Ephesians 2:22

Lord Jesus, we want to touch you in our spirit every day!