— The Word and Spirit Connection —
In our previous post, we saw the focus placed on doctrine, or teaching, as the primary method for how the gospel is spread.
We also saw that there is both good doctrine that comes from the Lord through His Word, and false doctrine that comes from devils working through mankind.
In this post, we will concentrate on why Word and Spirit teaching is emphasized, while also glimpsing the necessary and unbreakable connection between them.
God, the Father, uses the power of both his Word and his Spirit to transform us into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Both the Word and the Spirit play a vital role in so many other elements of our Christian lives.
Here are seven specific areas directly affected by both the Word and the Spirit.
1. Salvation –
Both the Word (1 Peter 1:23), and the Spirit (Titus 3:3-5, John 3:5-8) contribute to our salvation.
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2. Prayer –
There is a distinct connection between prayer and the Word (Acts 6:4; 1Timothy 4:5), and prayer and the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27; 1Corinthians 14:15).
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There are two aspects of Sanctification: Cleansing and Growth.
3. Cleansing –
Both the Word (Psalm 119:9,11; John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26) and the Spirit (John 16:7-11; 2Thessalonians 2:13) cause us to be spiritually cleansed.
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4. Growth –
We grow, or are built up in our faith, by both the Word (1 Peter 2:2) and the Spirit (Jude 1:20).
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5. Unity –
True Christian unity comes about by the Word (John 8:31; John 17:17) and is maintained by the Spirit ( Ephesians 4:3 ).
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6. Generational Faithfulness –
Because of their eternal nature, both the Word (Isaiah 40:8) and the Spirit (Hebrews 9:14) help to facilitate generational faithfulness. This is embodied in the covenantal verse for Word and Spirit Doctrine, Isaiah 59:21.
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7. Testifying to Christ –
Finally, and most importantly of all, both the Word (John 5:38-39, Luke 24:44), and the Spirit (John 15:26-27) testify to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
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Because Word and Spirit teaching influences all these other areas, Word and Spirit believers ought to set the example for others to follow.
"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia." (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7)
As we have seen, it’s important to get these two doctrines right. Find out how in the upcoming two-volume set of books entitled, The Word of Truth & The Spirit of Truth. Please stay connected for updates on their release.