Romans 8:6-16 - Spiritually Minded Romans 8:6-10
A holy mind or spirit enlightened by the Word which is "Spirit and Life" is a primary "gift of the Spirit." In the next passage mind is equated to spirit.We will look at the Holy Spirit in all of Romans
Chapter ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ] 5 [ ] 6 [ To be in the flesh is to be devoted to the flesh. Therefore, to be in the spirit is to live according to the God guided mind or spirit:
For to be carnally minded (inclined) is death:
but to be spiritually minded (inclined toward) is life and peace. Ro 8:6
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for
it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be. Ro 8:7
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Ro 8:8
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Ro 8:9
The language is a tip: Paul is not saying that we are not still in our bodies. Rather, the we or the innermost being can live in -- or in connection with -- our bodily senses and appetites, or we can live in connection with our own spirit nature. 1 Corinthians 2 clearly shows that the Holy Spirit or mental disposition of God is made known to us in and through the mind or spirit of Christ. If we believe we have the "divine attitude" living within our hearts. Jesus said that his Words are "spirit and life" (John 6:63).
The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Christ because, to us, Christ is God. And because God is holy (meaning pure) Spirit, the Spirit in Romans is the nature of Christ Himself.
This same Paul showed the connection between Christ, the Spirit and the Word:
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:15
Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians.3:16
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17
This "liberty" is not the freedom from the Words of Christ as His law; it is the liberty to understand the meaning of Christ's Words which convey Spirit and Life (John 6:63).
A carnal mind is "inclined toward" things which appeal to the human appetite. A spiritual mind is "inclined toward" spiritual things.
Notice that the "ye" as a whole being, live in (in connection with) the flesh or live in (in connection with) the spirit. Neither of these parts of our triad nature are separate persons. To have God's Spirit dwell in us means that the ye has to be in the spirit. And we know that "He dwells in our heart, mind or spirit by faith." That is, to the extent the facts change our spirit, God is in our spirit working to make it a holy spirit. Taken without understanding the symbolic language we live in the "body" of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit "person" lifes inside of our bodies.
For instance, if we try to construct a physical idol of Paul's symbolic language we have an impossiblity. The Spirit is in us and we are in the Spirit. Or, box A is inside of box B and box B is inside of box A.
In another example, to be baptized into Christ is not understood by the spiritual mind to mean that our body gets inside of Christ's "body" when we are baptized. Rather, we are baptized in connection with Christ's death. When Christ the Spirit is "in" us, He is in connection with us through our own spirit or mind.
To have the spirit of God dwelling in us is defined by Paul in these verses as "to be spiritually minded." That is, the Mind of Christ which is the Spirit (1 Cor 2) occupies or finds a "house" or oikoumene in our "spirit" which is not physical.
"Romans 8:9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ,
means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus,
and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example. Matthew Henry
Well, we know that the "we" or the inner person still lives inside of our body. However, if we are spiritually minded, we are "in" or have the "mental disposition" of Christ. As long as our "worship" involves our body then we are still in the flesh and do not, cannot, worship in spirit which is in the mind.
Paul says that we have "moved out" of our body and our citizenship is in heaven if the Spirit (mental disposition ) of God lives in us. This is the same as saying that the Spirit or mental disposition controls our physical minds. If the literal Spirit lives in our literal body then the literal Holy Spirit directly operates our body and we have no control.
As Christ demanded that we worship God in spirit (mind) and truth (verity), Isaiah records God saying:
I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. Isaiah 57:12
When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind (spirit) shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them:
but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; Isaiah 57:13
The "companies" are the travellers, wayfaring groups, the minstrels and harlots. However, Isaiah said that they cannot enter into the holy way:
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. Isaiah 35:8
Those who err "reel, deceive, cause people to 'pant,' seduce or stagger." The "companies" of travelling fools will not be able to stagger their way into the "highway of Holiness" as a wineskin writer suggest.:
And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. Isaiah 57:14
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. Isaiah 57:16
A spirit of holiness is not a literal person called "holiness" living in us. Rather, the spirit of holiness is having the disposition or mental attitude toward holiness rather than a carnal spirit.
Paul makes it clear that to "be in the Spirit," to have the Spirit of God or the Spirit of Christ which is to have Christ in us. Other versions make it clear that the conflict is between our appetites and our spirit or mind. In most versions when Christ lives in our heart or spirit we walk by our spirit and not by our "dead" flesh or carnal nature:
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but
the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Rom 8:10KJV
But if Christ is in you,
your body is dead because of sin,
yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. Ro 8:10NIV
But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness. Ro 8:10RSV
Yet, even though Christ lives within you, your body will die because of sin; but your spirit will live, for Christ has pardoned it. Ro 8:10LIV
We do not believe that the Holy Spirit is life because of righteousness. This would say that if we work our way up to righteousness the Holy Spirit gives us life. Nor is the Holy Spirit alive because of righteousness. Rather, it is our spirit which is alive because the Spirit of the living Christ dwells in our spirit while our body is figuratively dead.
When Christ promised "another Comforter" He explained that "I will come to you." Both Father and Son will live in Spirit within the heart of each faithful member of His "body" just as our spirit lives in our physical body.
Paul says it again to the Galatians. The contrast is between our flesh and our spirit:
We have two choices: we can live in connection with our human appetites or we can live in connection with our mind or spirit. Therefore, to walk in the Spirit does not mean to literally stroll around inside the Holy Spirit. Rather, it means to walk in connection with our spirit informed by Christ's Spirit:
And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal 5:24
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:25
The body is not left alive so that our worship consists of things which we do with our body. If we are dead and hidden in Christ we cannot put our talent on display with the blasphemous claim that the body is pulled like a puppet on a string directly by God and you had better "worship" this way or you will never ba a happy camper.
Let us say it again: spiritual people live in the spirit or mind and walk in the spirit or mind. This is the high and holy place, where God lives with with those of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
You can never claim that a "body" which sings, claps, plays instruments, dances around or tries to flail the air into submission with the body and arms is a humble or contrite spirit! Spiritual people have crucified the flesh which is to present the body as a living sacrifice wholly consumed upon the "altar." Renewing the mind is worship in spirit which is the only acceptable worship to a Spirit God.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
And be not conformed to this world: but ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
Isn't it a fact that trying to construct and perform "spiritual" worship for other people is to be wholly poured out like water which conforms to and fits the patterns invented at the foot of the tower of Babel. "Enspirited" but not spiritua: enthusiastic which Philo invented as "to be filled with the gods of madness."
Paul never contrasts our flesh with the Holy Spirit as a separate person. Rather, he contrasts our flesh with out spirit.
The parallel passage shows that the "spirit" is the attitude or mental disposition of the mind:
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: Eph 4:21
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Eph 4:22
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Eph 4:23
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:24
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:for we are members one of another. Eph 4:25
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Eph 5:18
Speaking
to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody
in your heart to the Lord; Eph 5:19
We noted that to be baptized into Christ is to be baptized in connection with Christ's death. To live in the Spirit does not mean that we are literally inside the Holy Spirit. Rather, we live in connection with the Mind or Spirit of God which Paul said is the Mind of Christ.
THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but (walk) after the Spirit. Ro 8:1
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Col.2:6
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Ephesians 4:17
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 1 John 1:6
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4
To walk in the Spirit or Christ is not to walk around inside of the literal Christ: it is to imitate and walk in the same steps or follow the same mental disposition:
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 2 Corinthians 12:17
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 2 Corinthians 12:18
The Christian walk is a rational, spiritual walk. It is primarily an internal one-on-One walk. This interior life causes our physical body to be dead to self and alive to God.
When Christ lives in us by faith we do not understand that He Who is full Deity (Col 2:9) literally lives in our physical being. This would make a second Incarnation.
Our body is dead or crucified with Christ and our carnal spirit no longer controls. If our spirit under the direction of Christ is in control then the "fruit of our spirit" is righteousness.
Romans 8:11-13
The body of Christ contained the power of His own Resurrection. This was because God the Spirit Father lived within His mortal body. If this same Spirit lives in us through Christ then we will hear His voice just as a lamb responds to the voice of its Shepherd. This is not the Holy Spirit as a third and separate person but it is the spiritual indwelling of full Deity Who walks among and lives within the mind or heart of believers:
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Ro 8:11
Those who are busy with body religion will not hear when Jesus calls and we, because we are attuned to the Spirit simply rise in our own spirit to be with Him.
In a spiritual sense the first meaning of the resurrection of Christ is that His Spirit can live in us and give us Spirit life here and now.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Ro.6:4
In a real sense we will be resurrected by Christ Who said
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. Jn 10:17
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Ro 10:18
First, Paul defines the Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ as "Christ in you." Jesus promised and returned as the fuller Comforter.
Second, Jesus is the One who both dwells in us and will resurrect us. God will "draw believers unto Himself as Father and Christ as Son will raise them up to life."
And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. Jn 6:39
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn 6:40
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn 6:44
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Jn 6:45
Everyone understands that God could put Himself into our literal bodies as pure or Holy Spirit and force our bodies to worship Him day and night. This would be of no value to a human and much less to God. What God wants is that our spirit which He put into our body gains control of our "animal-like" body. The real victory will be our spirit gaining control of our body:
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. Ro 8:12
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit (mind) do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Ro 8:13
This same Paul told the Ephesians the same thing: the spirit in this discussion is the human spirit which God put into everyone to make them rational and able to understand spiritual truth:
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: Ephesians 4:21
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Ephesians 4:22
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Ephesians 4:23
Romans 8:14-16: The Spirit of Sonship
A spirit of knowledge is not a spirit named "knowledge." Therefore a spirit of Sonship is the attitude of a son rather than the mental disposition of an orphan. Spirit here does not mean the Holy Spirit as a separate person:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:15
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Rom 8:16
The Holy Spirit "person" either directly has to witness with our own spirit, or it is the Spirit Words of Jesus which He called Spirit and Life (John 6:63). The witness of the "gift of the Spirit" which is also called "the gift of Christ" is proven when we walk according to the Spirits indirect leading through the Word. There is no quiet voice which bears witness but:
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John 2:3
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
There is no less authority and promise for "Father" and "Son" to literally indwell the physical body than for the separated "Holy Spirit" to literally dwell in the body. Jesus is saying that His Spirit (which means in both Hebrew and Greek: "Mental disposition") dwells in us when our spirit is directed by His Spirit. Again, the direction is direct or it is indirect.
For instance, the spirit of bondage is not the "Holy Spirit of bondage." Rather, it is the mental disposition of our mind or spirit which puts our bodies in bondage. In the same way, the "spirit of adoption" is the mental disposition of a son. We are not orphans, we have been "adopted to Jesus Christ Himself as our Father"
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ep.1:5
This is in fulfillment of the promise Jesus made:
I will not leave you comfortless (orphans): I will come to you. Jn 14:18
God manifested Himself as a Son to teach that the Jews were no longer slaves. They could be advanced to full Sons. While they are not the literal, generated children of God in a normal way, they are sons in a spirit form. When the "spirit of the son" lives within us it is the knowledge and understanding in our mind or spirit:
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding (mind or mental disposition), that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20
This is true because the Spirit of Christ in the prophets (1Pe 1:11; Rev 19:10) promised of the Branch:
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; Isa 11:2
Therefore, the Spirit which rested upon the already-Holy Spirit conceived Jesus Christ was not the Holy Spirit as a third person or man. Rather, the spirit was the spirit or mental disposition of the Mind or Spirit of God.
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 2 Corinthians 3:7
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 2 Corinthians 3:8
When we are baptized this means that we have "turned to the Lord" and with that our eyes are opened. This is one of the "gifts" of the Spirit of Christ. The Jews could not have the spirit of a son of God because the law made them feel like slaves to the institution of law. However, Paul promised that:
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:15
Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians.3:16
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Now, we can understand that the Spirit of adoption is the Spirit of the Son. It is the mental and emotional power to feel like true children of God:
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4:4
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:5
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:7
God did not send the personal Holy Spirit as "the little man (Holy Spirit) in the big man (me)" to wiggle my vocal cords to say, "Father." Rather, to have the Spirit of the Son is to have the mental disposition of the Son. An orphan has a lot of trouble saying, "Father." However, after the adoption the "spirit of sonship" is a part of his mental disposition and they naturally say, "Father" or "Mother."
The Holy Spirit is a "Him" because at the first level the Holy Spirit is God Who is pure or Holy Spirit. At our level, we have the Spirit of God when we have the mental disposition of God's Spirit. This "spirit" speaks to us:
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement (paraklesis) that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, Heb.12:5 (Quoting Prov 3:11
A child accepts a Father's discipline. In many passages, suffering for Christ is proof of sonship. The purpose is to gain understanding of God
This discipline is the supernatural proof that God loves us--
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline (warning or instruction) and do not resent his rebuke, Proverbs 3:11
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Proverbs 3:12
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13 (Note: Wisdom is a "she" but not a person)
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth (educates), and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hebrews 12:6
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Hebrews 12:7
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:8
The Witness of the Spirit
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Rom 8:16
This is
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6
In parallel passages this is (1) the Spirit of Christ, (2) something which tells us that God abides in us, (3) we know because God has given us of His Spirit and finally, (4) this is the spirit of truth. Again, we quote:
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Gal 4:6
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 1 John 3:24
John does not mean that we have the "person" inside of us and this manifestation (of some kind) proves that we know that He lives within our hearts. Rather, it is the Spirit of Christ which instructs us and tells obedient believers this fact.
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13
The operation is not physical: it is some facts known and this knowledge comes from the Spirit which Jesus said was bound up in His Words. The next verse says this in clear facts:
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.
And it is the Spirit that beareth witness,
because the Spirit is truth. 1 John 5:6
And John said what he said in the gospel account as he records the words of Jesus:
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words (truth) that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life. Jn 6:63
The witness in Heaven
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7
And they all have a name: Jesus the Christ. Holy is not a first name; neither is Father.
The Witness on Earth
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:8
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God
which he hath testified of his Son. 1 John 5:9
This witness is in our mind and in our own spirit because we have believed that Jesus can bestow His Spirit through His spoken and written record. John seems to say that those who do not believe that Christ bestows Spirit which is the spirit of or mental disposition of Christ himself through His words simply call God a liar! It is our belief in the power of Christ's Words which is our personal witness in our own spirit. This is our pledge, our stamp of approval and our guaranteed:
He that believeth on the Son of God
hath the witness in himself:
he that believeth not God
hath made him a liar;
because he believeth not the record
that God gave of his Son. 1 John 5:10
The Pharisees could know that they did not have the witness because they did not become believers:
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God (for) themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
To reject the counsel of God is to disannul, despise or neutralize the Word of God. That is, if we compare First John 5:10, they call God a liar.
It is totally consistent with ancient paganism that those who have the least faith in God make the greatest and purely legalistic effort to call God to their aid or to try to manipulate or facilitate "the worshipers into the presence of God."
The Spirit of truth in the sense of a Divine Being is Jesus Christ Who promised to return as the fuller Comforter:
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Jn.14:17
Christ the Spirit would return but as a FULLER comforter not limited by a physical body.
The Spirit of truth in the human sense is the Spirit which is truth.
The spirit which God puts into all humans is the "mental disposition" or the thinking, intellectual nature of man. Walter Scott identified a holy spirit as the human made holy by God. God put the Spirit of a Son into us which is the mental disposition of a son. A true son feels like a son and is therefore able to know and feel like a real child. Christ put's His spirit into us through His words:
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 1 John 1:2
Let us repeat the confirmation and meaning of this:
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1Ti 3:16
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 1Pe.3:18
If the Father and Son are two, free-standing persons then when Jesus came to earth he stripped eternal life from the Father. No. Paul shows that the term Father means the "Sender" and Son means the "Sent." God is both Sender and Sent because He is One. This is true if the Father, Son and Eternal life mean the same things under different headings:
Premise: This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 1 John 5:6
John did not say that the Spirit is the "agent" of truth or that He delivers the truth. Rather, the Spirit is the Truth. Spirit is the mental disposition of the only Spirit Being. Spirit is a "He" because the Word is God manifest in His communication and Communicator.
When Christ as Full Deity "breathed" on the apostles or instructed them His Spirit was his Breath or means of speaking words.
The Deity which has been manifest in the flesh and justified in the Spirit lives in a dimension of spirit which is not the physical dimension occupied when full Deity dwelled in Jesus Christ. While God was manifest in different ways, they are literally One God. God, who is Spirit and Who lives in the non-physical dimension called heaven. Look again because it is vitally important to separate the arena where God lives and where we live. God testifies from heaven in a triad way: we respond to that in a triad way:
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7
This is not "unity" but the numerical one.
Full Deity manifested Himself in the world to competent, equipped witnesses. They, with Divine help, wrote that record to be a witness to Spirit's presence In our physical world. 5:6 clearly says that the Spirit's witness to us is as the Spirit of truth. In addition to the Words of Christ, which are "Spirit and Life" (Jn 6:63), the miraculous physical birth, the baptism with the sign of Spirit, and the crucifixion with deadly blood and the resurrection are the witnesses to us:
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:8
Conclusion: The Spirit at one level is God Who is manifested or exposed to the world in flesh. After his body died, Jesus Christ as God was alive in the Spirit. That is, God gave Himself up to suffer for mankind. However, He never abandoned His Majesty and Glory as the Infinite Spirit Who was invisible but still powerful in the image of wind. Therefore, the Holy Spirit as a Being lives in heaven.
At a second level, the Spirit on earth is truth. That is, Christ put spirit and life into words which can be used by believers as a source of power. Full Deity live in and walk among us when we walk according to the Spirit or mental disposition transferred by the Word of Christ which are spirit and life.
At a supernatural level, the Lord whom Paul heard was "Jesus of Nazareth."
See J. W. McGarvey's Commentary on these passages.
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