One of the greatest errors today is the practical separation of the written Word of God from the teaching of the Spirit of God. This error is so common and so serious, it is fatal to true spiritual mindedness, and demands our constant care and watchfulness.
The insubjection of the mind of man to God and his confidence in his own competency to deal with the truth have so largely set aside the habit of dependence on the divinely-given power of the Holy Spirit that these "last days" in which we live are clearly marked by "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Tim. 3:55Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5)).
No doubt man has natural ability for understanding the things of earth and for adapting them to his own advantage, but we are told that "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God" and that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God... neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." "But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." (1 Cor. 2.) These verses clearly show that only by the Spirit of God can we know, receive, discern, or we may add also communicate "the things of God."
It is easy to understand that Satan would always seek to set aside, if possible, whatever may be the present work of God on the earth. When it was a question of owning the only true God as Jehovah, then Satan brought in idolatry, for which God had to send His people into captivity. The Holy Spirit has come to bear witness to Christ and His finished work during His absence in glory, and yet man vainly asserts his ability to receive, discern, and minister the things of God without dependence on the Spirit. Therefore, the coming down from heaven of the Holy Spirit to abide with us forever consequent upon Jesus being glorified, which is the great characteristic of Christianity, is not owned but practically set aside.
It is not that the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is not held in some measure, but His present offices are so little regarded that He is both grieved and quenched. It is this practical acquaintance with Him as the Teacher and Guide into all truth, the Glorifier and Testifier of the Son through the written Word, to which we now refer. Nor have we a doubt that the chief reason why His power is not more known publicly and corporately is because He is not better known by us personally and privately.
Some, however, have gone to the other extreme of professing to have the guidance of the Spirit apart from the Word and have fallen into ways of the most extravagant folly and error. But to have "an ear to hear" what God says in His Word in conscious dependence on the teaching and guidance of His Spirit is clearly what Scripture enjoins. To separate the Word and the Spirit is fatal to a true and happy apprehension of the mind and will of God.
All through Scripture, not only in type but in the plainest possible instruction, we find the two so joined together that we "hear what the Spirit saith" when we hearken to "the Word of God" (see Rev. 2 and 3).
In the very opening of the sacred writings we have the Word and the Spirit. God spoke, and the Spirit of God moved (Gen. 1). Then, for many generations the word of the Lord by Moses and the prophets was both written and spoken by the Spirit for "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. 1:2121For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)).
The tabernacle and its furniture, vessels, coverings, and priestly vestments with their precious stones so typical of Christ were made by Bezaleel when "filled... with the spirit of God," according to the word of Moses, which he had received from Jehovah who showed him the pattern in the mount (Exod. 31:33And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (Exodus 31:3)).
During the wilderness journey the manna in the morning fed them while the springing water from the rock which had been smitten satisfied their thirst (Exod. 16 and 17). All through, God dwelt among them and ministered His word to them, and neglecting to hearken to His word was soon followed by forgetting God. In the land as God's glory filled the house, the ministry of His word by prophets was given from time to time.
Nor can we fail to notice what a careful return there was to acting on the word "as it is written" when the gracious revival of faithfulness to Jehovah occurred in those who came back from the captivity while the prophet assured them that God would be faithful to His word and that His Spirit was with them as when they came out of Egypt (Hag. 2:55According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. (Haggai 2:5)).
It is interesting, too, to observe that the faithful remnant in Jerusalem who looked for redemption before our Lord came were clearly occupied with the word of God and under a great power of the Holy Spirit. Their fervent utterances according to Scripture show this. And here as throughout Scripture we find that those who were occupied with the Word and in the path of the Spirit were taken up with Him of whom the Word and Spirit so abundantly testify.
In Simeon's case he not only looked for the Redeemer according to the written testimony of the prophets, but it was revealed to him by the Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. We see him led "by the Spirit into the temple" where the Savior was. He recognized Him at once, took Him up in his arms, and bowed in worship to Jehovah. The utterance of the heart of this Spirit-led servant of Jehovah was, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word" (Luke 2). We cannot contemplate such a scene or ponder the statements recorded of Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna, without noticing how frequently the written Word was on their lips, while at the same time it was the power of the Holy Spirit upon them which produced such fervent utterances.
How constantly Scripture presents the Word and Spirit in near connection! When the Holy Spirit came down as recorded in the second chapter of Acts we read that those who were filled with the Spirit not only declared with intense earnestness to those around the wonderful works of God, but also "they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine." Again, in the fourth chapter we are told, "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness"; and often after this it is said they were led of the Spirit, the Word of the Lord was published by them.
We need scarcely remind the Christian reader that in our Lord Himself we have the perfect Exemplar of One always being led by the Spirit, walking in the truth, and contending for the divine authority of the written Word. He whom God the Father sealed, on whom the Spirit came down, and in whom He took up His abode was wont to say, "It is written," and put His adversaries to silence by a sentence of Holy Scripture.
When speaking of the new birth, He so connected the Word and the Spirit that He said, "Except a man be born of water [the Word; see 1 Pet. 1:2323Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23)], and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3).
As we have seen, the testimony of the apostles both in their oral ministry as recorded in the Acts and their written ministry in the epistles was always to the divine certainty of the Word. They often referred to the personal actings, indwelling, anointing, and operations of the Holy Spirit while they themselves were taught, led, and filled with the Spirit and they were quoting constantly from the written Word.
In the book of Revelation, John is said to be "in the Spirit," in order to enter into the divinely given lines of truth which were communicated to him And in the last page of the inspired volume we have the Spirit and the bride saying, "Come" to the Lord Jesus while the most solemn warnings are given against adding to or taking from "the words of the book of this prophecy."
Finally, we should not overlook the precious and soul-stirring fact that there is a third truth almost always connected with those testimonies to the actings together of the Word and the Spirit. It is their ministry of Christ.
For example, the Word and the Spirit present to our hearts the first man, Adam, as figure of the Christ that was to come, His death, resurrection, and the presentation of His bride.
In the vast variety of types and shadows which God has given us by Moses, we receive through the Spirit precious instruction as to the Person, sacrifice, and offices of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nor were prophets and the writers of the Psalms failing in testifying of Christ, for our Lord after His resurrection from among the dead said, "All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me." Luke 24:4444And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44).
In the Acts it is said of those who were filled with the Holy Spirit not only that "They spake the Word of God with boldness," but it is added, "With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus." Acts 4:31, 3331And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)
33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33). Stephen, too, full of the Holy Spirit went through the Scriptures in addressing his angry hearers and died under their wicked hands.
In all the writings of the apostles we find them unable to write many verses, whatever the subject, without referring to the personal, moral, or official glories of Christ, or the glory of His path of humiliation, or His perfections either toward God or for us.
In one way or another throughout the Word, Christ is presented to us by the Spirit. This surely is a threefold cord which cannot easily be broken. May we mark it well and hold it fast.
Now, what are we to gather from what Scripture teaches us as to the Word and the Spirit? Among other lessons we must learn that it is the power of the Spirit of God that brings the Word of God home to our hearts, and reveals and ministers to us the deep things of God. When the Spirit acts by the Word in us, it will be connected with the ministry of Christ and produce in us conduct according to Him. If we in self-sufficiency allow the intellect without the Spirit to work on the Word of God, we may be puffed up with knowledge, and manifest a low walk while professing to hold the highest doctrines. But when we are occupied with the Word as subject to its divine authority in dependence on the teaching of the Holy Spirit, then shall we care not only for one or two particular lines of truth but for all it teaches. There will be consistency in every path in which we are called to walk. We shall heed the Lord's mind as to our relation to Him in the assembly, as to our personal conduct and private walk, and shall have a conscience as to honoring God in our family relationships and duties.
When a believer is not consistent as to general conduct, it may, we believe, be often traced to the practical separation of the Word of God and the Spirit of God. If it is our habit to pray over the Scriptures and to ponder them in dependence on the Holy Spirit, then they become food for our souls. How then is it possible that our conversation and written communications should be without the ministry of Christ?
May the scriptures which we have looked at as to the Word of God and the Spirit of God and connected as we have seen with the ministry of Christ so exercise our hearts and consciences as to give us fresh delight in turning prayerfully and humbly to the written Word and in looking for the teaching of the Holy Spirit.