A STUDY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part Eighteen)

By Bob Myhan

If we want to comprehend what the Bible teaches as to the work of the Holy Spirit, it is essential that we be familiar with the figurative language used by inspired writers and speakers.

In his massive work, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, E. W. Bullinger wrote the following.

”A figure is simply a word or a sentence thrown into a peculiar form, different from its original or simplest meaning or use. These forms are constantly used by every speaker and writer. It is impossible to hold the simplest conversation, or to write a few sentences without, it may be unconsciously, making use of figures.”

“It may be asked, ‘How are we to know, then, when words are to be taken in their simple, original form (i.e., literally), and when they are to be taken in some other and peculiar form (i.e., as a Figure)?’ The answer is that, whenever and wherever it is possible, the words of Scripture are to be understood literally, but when a statement appears to be contrary to our experience, or to known fact, or revealed truth; or seems to be at variance with the general teaching of the Scriptures, then we may reasonable expect that some figure is employed. And as it is employed only to call our attention to some specially designed emphasis, we are at once bound to diligently examine the figure for the purpose of discovering and learning the truth that is thus emphasized” [p. xv].

[Bullinger’s work comprises a total of 1022 pages - not counting the table of contents and multiple indices - and has been a widely accepted standard for over 100 years.]

That Jesus used dozens, if not scores, of parables in His public teaching is unquestioned. He also used metaphors and similes. When instituting the Lord’s Supper, He used metonymy, “a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as ‘scepter’ for ‘sovereignty,’ or ‘the bottle’ for ‘strong drink,’ or ‘count heads (or noses)’ for ‘count people’” [Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, 2001].

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Mt. 26:26-28).

When He said, of the fruit of the vine, “this is My blood,” He did not mean it was His blood, literally. It was His blood, figuratively, by metonymy. It was related to His blood, in that His blood would be shed for the new covenant and the fruit of the vine would represent that blood in the new covenant period.

“Metonymy of the Cause is when the cause is put for the effect: e.g., when the doer is put for the thing done; or, the instrument for that which is effected; or, where the action is put for the effect produced by the action” [Bullinger, page 538].

“By this figure the cause is stated while the effect is intended” (D. R. Dungan, Hermeneutics: Gospel Light Publishing Company, page 271).

Often, the Holy Spirit is used by inspired speakers and writers for something to which He is related. Notice the following parallel reports of Matthew and Luke concerning a statement made by Jesus.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:7-11)

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:9-13)

Obviously, “the Holy Spirit,” in Luke’s report is, by metonymy, the “good gifts” in Matthew’s.

There are other examples of metonymy of the cause in the book of Acts. Shortly before Jesus’ ascension, for example,

And He said to them, "...But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

The fulfillment is noted in Acts 2:4.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

They “were “filled with the Holy Spirit” in that they received power from Him.

After Philip’s evangelistic efforts in the city of Samaria resulted in many being baptized, the following occurred.

Now when the apostles...heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:14-19).

The reception of the Holy Spirit, here, was something “Simon saw.” The Holy Spirit is not visible. But the miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit were visible. Thus, by metonymy, they received “the Holy Spirit” in that they received miraculous spiritual gifts.

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6)

The Holy Spirit gave them the power to speak with tongues and prophesy (1 Cor. 12:8-11). Thus, the Holy Spirit, who is the cause of spiritual gifts, is put for the effect - the spiritual gifts that He caused.

[To be continued]

DIVINE PROVIDENCE (Part Twelve)

By Bob Myhan

Though many, perhaps even most, Christians do not realize it, there are some things God provides via the agency of His people. While He may use us in ways that He has not revealed, so that we do not always see the providence of God ahead of time (see Esther 4:12-14), there are ways in which He uses us that He has revealed. In one respect, “Christ has no hands but our hands” [“The World’s Bible” by Annie J. Flint], in that He has given us responsibilities that He might accomplish certain things through us.

Providence and Salvation

Every Christian has a role in the divine providence as it relates to the salvation of alien sinners. While the Great Commission was given only to the apostles, a part thereof was to prepare disciples to at least try to win the lost ones with whom they come in contact. (Mt. 28:16-20; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)

Responsibility in evangelism, of course, is proportional (Mt. 25:14-30) according to ability (1 Peter 4:11) and opportunity (1 Cor. 16:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:12; John 9:1-4; Acts 13:14-16). There are at least four reasons why personal evangelism is superior to pulpit preaching. These will be dealt with in our next Faith Builder.

[To be continued]