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INTERESTING
Question:
-Was
Adll-m
foreordlLined
to
fall
into
sin!
If
SO,
how
could
it
be
said
that
he
had
a.
fair
trial!
AMWer:-Adam
:was
not
compelled
to
sin.
God
did
not
foreordain
that
he
mu.st
disobey
the
divine
command.
That
is
to
say,
Adam
was
not
limited
in
the
exercise
of
his
will.
He
could
will
to
do
right
or
wrong.
The
decision
waa
left
open
to
himself
alone.
The
fact
that
GOO
knew
in
advance
what
Adam
would
do
is
an
altogether
different
mat~r.
While
we
rea.lize
that
God
is
so
gf'eat
that
he
haa
power
we
can
neither
understand
nor
appreciate,
yet
the
Bible
clearly
indicates
that
Adam
had
a
free
will.
If
he
had
not
a
fair,
full
chance,
then
he
could
not
have
been
justly
condemned.
Therefore
the
Scrip
tures
clea-rly
present
the
fact
that
he
was
not
deceived
(l
Tim
othy
2:14)
Not
only
was
he
crea-ted
in
(',.od's
image
and
like
ness,
but
he
had
knowledge
and
at
the
time
of
his
deflection
understood
whwt
the
penalty
for
disobedience
would
be.
How
ever,
God
evidently
had
much
sympathy
with
Adam
in
the
fall,
and
did
not
pUJrPose
that
this
fall
should
work
Ada,m's
eternal
ruin.
Hence
the
Bible
~lls
us
that
God
,had
arra.nged
in
ad
vance
that
Christ
should
redeem
Adam.
Moreover,
our
merci
ful
Orea-tor
has
also
provided.
that
Adam
might
have
more
knowledge
before
his
final
destiny
would
be
fixed.
QUESTIONS
Question:-Do
we
understand
that
there
is
a
restitution
call
now
open
to
mankind
7
Aft8'Wer
:-t:ntil
the
glorification
of
the
church
there
ean
be
no
individual
or
personal
restitution
work.
There
ie,
how
ever,
a
restoration
work
beginning
so
far
as
the
p'repa.ring
of
the
world
is
concerned.
During
the
paat
forty-four
years
a
marvelous
progress
has
been
made,
wonderful
inventions
that
in
so
short
a
time
have
made
the
world
rich
and
have
brought
'blessings
of
comfort
and
convenience
never
bdore
dreamed
of.
These
great
improvement<!
have
come
because
we
have
entered
the
"times
of
restitution"
mentioned
in
Acls
3:
19-21.
But
as
far
as
mankind
is
concerned,
we
understand
restitution
to
hu
man
perfection
is
ndt
due
to
begin
until
the
Messianic
king
dom
shall
have
been
fully
established.
That
beneficent
reign
is
in
process
of
estaobIiBhment
now.
But
not
until
the
last
of
,the
feet
mem:bere
of
the
'body
of
Christ
shall
hav~
passed
be
yond
-the
vail
will
the
work
of
restoring
humanity
under
the
New
Covenant
.begin;
for
that
cownant
cannot
be
sealed
with
the
blood
of
Christ
until
the
church
has
pa.Bsed
int<!
death
and
the
merit
released
for
application
to
the
world.
Then
the
~ve
nam
will
begin
to
opera~
for
the
'benefit
of
all
the
flLuulies
of
the
e&rth.
YOLo
XXXIX
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
AUGUST
15,
1918
No.
Hi
INFILLING
OF
THE
HOLY
SPIRIT
PROPORTIONATE
TO
SPIRITUAL
CAPACITY
"If
afl1l
man
1wJve
not
the
Spirit
of
OMist,
he
1.8
none
of
MS."
In
the
use
of
the
word
spirit,
it
is
very
necessary
that
we
have
in
mind
the
wide
range
of
meanings
which
this
word
pos·
sesses.
For
~n8tance,
God
is
a
spirit,
and
the
angels
are
spirits;
that
is,
they
are
spirit
beings.
This
signifies
that
whatever
kind
of
organism
they
have,
it
is
so
different
from
the
hwnan
organism
that
mankind
cannot
see
them.
Angels
might
be
present
with
us
and
yet
be
invisible,
UJlJlcss
a
special
miracle
Wlll8
performed
by
which
they
might
take
on
a
body
of
fiesh.
Another
thought
connected
with
the
word
spirit
is
much
in
line
with
our
general
usage
of
the
term--that
whieh
is
ethereal.
For
instance,
we
speak
·of
the
mind,
the
spirit,
the
disp<)sition
of
a
person.
Indeed,
in
our
Common
Version
of
the
Bible
these
words
are
used
synonymously.
"If
any
man
have
not
the
Spirit
[mind,
di&positiQn]
of
Ohrist,
he
is
none
of
his."
(Romans
8:9;
Philippians
2:5;
I
Corinthians
2:16)
We
also
use
the
word
spirit
to
mean
the
life
prindple,
the
energizing
power
which
all
living
creatures
possess.
The
power
is
something
which
cannot
be
touched
or
handled.
Still
another
use
of
the
word
spirH
is
in
connection
with
Hquors.
In
this
sense
it
has
the
thought
of
that
which
will
lightly
pass
away
as
a
gas,
that
which
will
become
invisible,
whiclJ.
will
evaporate.
In
our
text,
however,
the
word
8pirit
is
used
in
its
own
peculiar
way-to
signify
the
new
mind,
new
will.
new
purpose,
begotten
in
the
consecrated
children
of
God
through
his
exceedin/2,'
great
and
preciou"
promises,
writ~n
in
his
\Vord.
Originally
man
was
in
the
image
and
likeness
of
God.
Then
he
had
a
8pirit,
or
dispo;;itiop,
very
much
in
accord
with
that
of
his
Creator.
But
aftcr
sin
had
operated
for
a.
short
time,
selfiJshness
and
depravity
\Wre
developed;
and
in
time
these
evil
propensities
vitiated
his
spirit,
or
disposition.
Thereafter
instead
of
having
a
spirit
of
holiness,
man
had
a
spirit
of
unholiness,
of
sin;
and
all
of
Adam's
posterity
have
been
born
with
these
evil
tendencies
ma.rkpd
in
their
brains.
Naturally
we
are
inclined
to
d"
the
wrong
thing
rather
than
the
right,
because
of
Our
having
inherited
these
weaknesses
and
blemishes
from
father
Adani.
THE
BEGETTING
OF
THE
HOLY
SPIRIT
God
has
purposed
that
during
the
GOSopel
age
and
through
t.he
Gospel
message,
those
desirous
of
being
in
harmony
with
him
may
get
back
his
spirit.
Very
few
care
to
do
this,
how
evcr;
and
the
few
who
do
are
said
to
be
holy.
This
class
give
up
their
own
spirit,
mind,
disposition,
will.
and
adopt
ins~ad
the
divine
standards.
the
divine
will.
What
these
divine
standards
are
they
must
learn
from
the
Scriptures.
From
the
time
of
his
consecration
and
his
acceptance
by
the
Father
through
the
Advocate
(1
John
2:
1
),
the
Christian
is
said
to
be
,beiotten
of
the
holy
Spirit.
That
is
to
say,
a
new
mind.
a
new
disposition.
a
new
personality.
hlld
its
start.
its
beginning,
when
God
acct'pted
him.
Just
what
this
spark
of
the
new
nature
'is,
we
may
not
surely
know.
But
we
recog
nize
l:ihe
experiences
whieh
result
from
its
JXlssession.
This
begetting
of
the
Spirit
of
God
starts
a
new
life.
The
start
of
this
new
life
is
not.
however,
the
end
of
the
matter.
He
is
to
fltrive
to
be
"filled
with
the
Spirit."
"Be
filled
with
the
Spirit."-Romans
8:9;
Epllesians
5:18.
Tllere
is
a
necessity
for
this
infilling,
refilling,
continuous
filling
of
the
Sp.irit
of
God.
By
nature
\W
have
the
disposi
tion
common
to
the
fallen
race
to
which
we
be:long.
'l'his
hereditary
disposition
is
more
or
less
infiuenced
by
environ
ment,
training,
etc.;
and
the
new
mind
has
difficulty
in
getting
fully
in
tune
with
the
In1lnite.
Additiona.lly,
our
memories
are
poor,
and
our
natural
tendencies
are
in
the
direction
opposi~
to
our
spirit
of
consecration,
the
Spirit
of
the
Lord.
H
is
therefore
necessary
for
the
child
of
God
to
r;ro
frequently
to
the
throne
of
heavenly
grace
in
order
to
be
filled
more
and
more
with
the
Spirit
of
the
heavenly
Father,
the
Spirit
().f
our
Lord
Jesus.
INOREASE
OF
SPIRITUAL
OAPAOITY
In
the
case
of
the
Master,
it
is
written
that
the
Father
ga'Ve
not
the
Spirit
'by
mea.sure
unto
him.
(,Tohn
3:
34)
This
sta~ment
implies
that
God
gives
the
Spirit
by
meas1!re
~(l
aN
of
the
members
of
the
church.
The
reason
for
thiS
dif
ference
is
that
our
Lord
had
a
perfect
organism.
Recausl'
he
had
left
the
heavenly
glory,
because
his
life
principle
had
'been
transferred
from
the
.heavenly
plane
to
the
earthly,
h('
was
therefore
without
any
taint
of
Adamic
imperfection
of
being.
Being
thus
perfect,
he
could
receive
readily
and
could
comprehend
without
limitation.
He
could
absorb
fully
and
completely
of
the
Spir.it
of
God;
for
he
wa,g
born
in
thl'
1ma~
Qf
God.
With
the
church
it
is
different.
In
our
case
we
receive
only
,by
measure-not
that
God
has
limited
us
to
a
measure,
but
that
we
are
not
able
to
absorb.
to
receive.
a
full
measure.
Some
may
receive
more
and
others
less,
according
to
the
natural
condition
of
our
bodv.
the
condition
in
which
we
were
born,
our
environment,
etc.
'In
proportion
as
our
l.ite
-is
~ven
up
to
the
Lord
and
in
proportion
as
we
mak~
strail!'ht
]laths
for
our
feet,
we
will
choose
II,
pathway
in
life
that
will
be
most
helpful
to
us
and
will
most
assist
us
in
overcoming
the
weaknesses
of
our
flesh.
Thus
we
sllall
'become
.the
better
pnahled,
and
the
more
quickly,
to
be
filled
with
the
H~ly
Spirit
and
to
receive
a
larger
measure
of
it
as
time
goes
h~·.
The
Lord's
people
are
privileged
to
be
filled
with
,his
Spirit
and
to
enlarge
their
capacity
for
greater
infilling.
Our
knowledge
enlarges,
our
appreciation
enlarges,
and
our
needs
enlarge.
Thus
we
/!'Tow
in
grace
and
are
enabled
to
rE'<'eive
more
and
more
of
th~
Spirit
of
God.
For
tIlis
re&son
a
Ohristian
who
has
had
years
of
opportunity
for
development
ought
to
be
more
a.ble
to
abiOrh
readily.
ought
to
have
a
much
larger
spiritual
capacity,
than
when
he
first
entered
the
Lord's
family.
He
!!hould
be
filled
with
the
Spirit
of
God
and
of
Christ.
This
should
give
him
more
and
more
of
the
spirit
of
a
sound
mind,
should
make
him
more
God-like.
This
Spirit
of
the
Lord,
manifested
in
the
liws
of
his
pPOple,
is
a
.spirit
of
meekness.
\Vhoever
poss('ss~s
this
spirit
will
not
be
proud
nor
boastful;
for
he
will
sP()
that
God
is
not
pleased
with
the
proud.
Therefore
he
will
humble
him
self,
in
order
to
be
lowly
in
mind
and
in
heart,
as
waa
the
Master.
If
he
makes
a
mistake
in
judgment,
he
will
be
the
first
to
recognize
and
correct
the
error.
Gentleness
all!O
is
an
element
of
the
holy
Spirit.
Some
people
are
naturally
(
239-243)
[8308]
INTERESTING QUESTIONS Question:—Was Adam foreordained to fall into ain? If so, how could it be said that he had a fair trial? Answer:—Adam was not compelled to sin. God did not foreordain that he must disobey the divine command. That is to say, Adam was not limited in the exercise of his will. He could will io do right or wrong. The decision was left open to himself alone. The fact that God knew in advance what Adam would do is an altogether different matter. While we realize that God is so great that he has power we can neither understand nor appreciate, yet the Bible clearly indicates that Adam had a free will. If he had not a fair, full chance, then he could not have been justly condemned. Therefore the Scriptures clearly present the fact that he was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14) Not only was he created in God’s image and likeness, but he had knowledge and at the time of his deflection understood what the penalty for disobedience would be. However, God evidently had much sympathy with Adam in the fall, and did not purpose that this fall should work Adam’s eternal tuin. Hence the Bible tells us that God had arranged in advance that Christ should redeem Adam. Moreover, our merciful Creator has also provided that Adam might have more knowledge before his final destiny would be fixed. Question:—Do we understand that there is a restitution call now open to mankind? Answer :—Until the glorification of the church there can be no individual or personal reatitution work. There is, however, a restoration work beginning so far as the preparing of the world is concerned. During the past forty-four years a marvelous progress has been made, wonderful] inventions that in so short a time have made the world rich and have brought blessings of comfort and convenience never before dreamed of. These great improvements have come because we have entered the “times of restitution” mentioned in Acts 3:19-21. But as far as mankind is concerned, we understand restitution to human perfection is not due to begin until the Messianic kingdom shall have been fully established. That beneficent reign is in process of establishment now. But not until the last of the feet members of the body of Christ shail have passed beyond the vail will the work of restoring humanity under the New Covenant begin; for that covenant cannot be sealed with the blood of Christ until the church has passed into death and the merit released for application to the world. Then the covenant will begin to operate for the benefit of all the families of the earth. Vor. NXXIX BROOKLYN, N. Y., AUGUST 15, 1918 No. 16 INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PROPORTIONATE TO SPIRITUAL CAPACITY “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of Ris.’ “Be filled with the Spirit.’—Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18. In the use of the word spirit, it is very necessary that we have in mind the wide range of meanings which this word possesses. For instance, God is a spirit, and the angela are spirits; that is, they are spirit beings. This signifies that whatever kind of organism they have, it is so different from the human organism that mankind cannot see them. Angels might be present with us and yet be invisible, unless a special mmiracie was performed by which they might take on » body of flesh. Another thought connected with the word spirit ia much in line with our general usage of the term-—that which is ethereal. For instance, we speak of the mind, the spirit, the disposition of a person. Indeed, in our Common Version of the Bible these words are used synonymously. “If any man have not the Spirit [mind, disposition] of Christ, je ig none of his.” (Romans 8:9; Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16) We also use the word spirit to mean the life principle, the energizing power which all living creatures possess. The power is something which cannot be touched or handled, Still another use of the word spirit is in connection with liquors. In this sense it has the thought of that which will lightly pass away as a gas, that which will become invisible, which will evaporate. In our text, however, the word spirit is used in its own peculiar way—to signify the new mind, new will, new purpose, begotten in the consecrated children of God through his exceeding great and precious promises, written in his Word. Originally man was in the image and likeness of God. Then he had a apirit, or dispositiop, very much in accord with that of his Creator. But after sin had operated for a short time, selfishness and depravity were developed; and in time these evil propensities vitiated his spirit, or disposition, Thereafter instead of having a spirit of holiness, man had a spirit of unholiness, of sin; and all of Adam’s posterity have been born with these evil tendencies marked in their brains. Naturally we are inclined to do the wrong thing rather than the right, because of our having inherited these weaknesses and blemishes from father Adam. THE BEGETTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT God has purposed that during the Gospel age and through the Gospel message, those desirous of being in harmony with him may get back his spirit. Very few care to do this, however; and the few who do are said to be holy. This class give up their own spirit, mind, disposition, will, and adopt instead the divine standards, the divine will. What these divine standards are they must learn from the Scriptures. From the time of his consecration and his acceptance by the Father through the Advocate (1 John 2:1}, the Christian is said to be begotten of the holy Spirit. That is to say, a new mind, a new disposition, a new personality, had its start, its beginning, when God accepted him. Just what this spark of the new nature is, we may not surely know. But we recognize the expertences which result from its possession. This begetting of the Spirit of God starts a new life. The start of this new life is not. however, the end of the matter. He is to strive to be “filled with the Spirit.” (239-243) There is a necessity for this infilling, refilling, continuous filling of the Spirit of God. By nature we have the disposition common to the fallen race to which we belong. ‘This hereditary disposition is more or less influenced by environment, training, ete.; and the new mind has difficulty in getting fully in tune with the Infinite. Additionally, our memories are poor, and our natural tendencies are in the direction opposite to our spirit of consecration, the Spirit of the Lord. It is therefore necessary for the child of God to go frequently to the throne of heavenly grace in order to be filled more and more with the Spirit of the heavenly Father, the Spirit of our Lord Jesus, INOREASE OF SPIRITUAL CAPACITY In the case of the Master, it is written that the Father gave not the Spirit by measure unto him. (John 3:34) This statement intplies that God gives the Spirit by measure to all of the members of the church. The reason for this difference is that our Lord had a perfect organism. Because he had Jeft the heavenly glory, because his life principle had been transferred from the heavenly plane to the earthly, he was therefore without any taint of Adamic imperfection of being. Being thus perfect, he could receive readily and could comprehend without limitation. He could absorb fully and completely of the Spirit of God; for he was born in the image of God. With the church it is different. In our case we receive only by measure—not that God has limited us to a measure, but that we are not able to absorb. to receive. a full measure. Some may receive more and others less, according to the natural condition of our body, the condition in which we were born, our environment, ete. In proportion as our life is given up to the Lord and in proportion as we make straight paths for our feet, we will choose a pathway in life that will be most helpful to us and will most assist us in overcoming the weaknesses of our flesh. Thus we shal? become the better enabled, and the more quickly, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to receive a larger measure of it as time goea by. The Lord’s people are privileged to be filled with his Spirit and to enlarge their capacity for greater infilling. Our knowledge enlarges, our appreciation enlarges, and our needs enlarge. Thus we grow in grace and are enabled to receive more and more of the Spirit of God. For this reason » Christian who has had years of opportunity for development ought to be more able to absorb readily, ought to have a much larger spiritual capacity, than when he first entered the Lord’s family. He should be filled with the Spirit of God and of Christ. This should give him more and more of the spirit of a sound mind, should make him more God-like. This Spirit of the Lord, manifested in the lives of his people, is a spirit of meekness. Whoever possesses this spirit will not be proud nor boastful; for he will see that God is not pleased with the proud. Therefore he will humble himself, in order to be lowly in mind and in heart, as was the Master. If he makes a mistake in judgment, he will be the first to recognize and correct the error. Gentleness also is an element of the holy Spirit. Some people are naturally [6306]
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