Acts 1:4-8 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem… The doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of religion. The Father elects, the Son redeems, the Spirit sanctifies. The Son came in execution of the covenant of redemption, and having fulfilled its conditions, was entitled to its promises. One of these was the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:33), which Christ again and again repromised. I. THE HOLY GHOST IS SECURED FOR THE CHURCH ONLY BY THE MEDIATION OF CHRIST. II. CHRIST IS THE IMMEDIATE GIVER OF THE HOLY GHOST. He sends Him to whom He pleases, and bestows through Him what blessings He pleases. Therefore men must seek the Spirit specially from Christ as our Mediator. III. ELECTION BY THE FATHER, AND REDEMPTION BY THE SON AVAIL ONLY IN VIRTUE OF THE SPIRIT'S WORK. Until the Spirit is received, the elect do not differ from the non-elect, the redeemed from the unredeemed. Hence our obligations to the several persons of the Trinity are the same. And as the Son acted voluntarily in redeeming those whom the Father chose, the Spirit is voluntary in applying the redemption purchased by the Son. IV. THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT is — 1. To renew or quicken those dead in sins. 2. To illuminate. To reveal the glory of Christ, the holiness of God, the justice and extent of the law, the evil of sin, the certainty of judgment, the truth and authority of the Word of God. 3. To work repentance and faith, i.e., turning from sin to God. 4. To guide in the knowledge of truth and duty. 5. To qualify for special duties and offices. 6. To sanctify. 7. To comfort. 8. To glorify soul and body. V. THE DEPENDENCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE CHURCH ON THE SPIRIT IS ABSOLUTE. Nothing can be experienced or done but by Him. Analogous to the dependence of the creatures on the Creator for — 1. Existence. 2. Faculties. 3. Activity. 4. Results or successes. But not in any one of these is our agency superseded; in all the need of effort is the same. (C. Hodge, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. |
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