ch.8.cont. The Spirit the Spirit at the Entry Point

ch.8. ( Cont.) The Spirit at the Beginning Point.

Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

This was Paul's answer to Jewish agitators who wanted the Galatians to be circumcised. Paul says, “No!” He makes it very clear because of the Experiential nature of their having received the Spirit at Conversion. Gal 3:5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—

Gal 3:6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"?

Paul, therefore, whatever else happens at Conversion, it is the experience of the Spirit that is crucial; and therefore, it is the Spirit alone who identifies Gods people in this present eschatological age.

1Co 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Eph 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Tit 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Tit 3:7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

God gave them His Spirit Romans 5:5; Anointed them with His Spirit 2 Cor 1:21; Poured out His Spirit generously on them Titus 3:6; and sealed them with His Spirit Eph 1:13;4:30.

Believers have received the Spirit 1 Cor 2:12 ;2 Cor 11:4; they have been saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit 2 Thess 2 :13; Romans 15:16, been circumcised in their hearts by the Spirit, Romans 2:29; become one with Him 1 Cor. :17, washed, sanctified and justified by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor 6:11. Cp. Gal 4:29. Therefore you are born of the flesh and Born of the Spirit.

Tit 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Tit 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Tit 3:7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is evidence that the Spirit alone, identifies God's People in this present Eschatological Age.