"The Holy Spirit is variously defined in the Scriptures as ’The Spirit of Christ,’ ’The Spirit of Truth,’ ’The Spirit of Understanding,’ ’the Spirit of Wisdom,’ ’The Spirit of Adoption,’ ’The Spirit of Prophecy’. . . .It is impossible to harmonize these various statements with the ordinary idea of a third god, but it is entirely consistent with every one of them to understand these various expressions as description of the spirit, disposition and power of one God, our Father, and also the spirit, disposition and power of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is at one with the Father. Also to a certain extent it is the spirit or disposition of all who are truly the Lord’s in proportion as they have come into oneness or harmony with Him." The Atonement Between God and Man, pp. 167, 168

Read online excerpt (Chapter 8) from The Atonement Between God and Man: "The Holy Spirit"

Read online excerpt (Chapter 9) from The Atonement Between God and Man: "The Baptism, Witness and Seal of the Spirit"

Bible Question: My boss says that the Bible says to take care of yourself, and quotes"Do you not know that your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. .?" I feel more is said about serving OTHERS and God takes care of US.  Which is it?

Dear Friend,
The scripture reads: " Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." 1 Corinthians 3:16 says "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in You?" Ephesians 2:20-22 says that we "are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
The Apostle Paul refers to Jesus’ followers as the temple of God, sometimes in a collective sense and sometimes individually. This is only true if one is in Christ -- begotten of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise this body is not a temple at all, and serves no purpose for God. Yes, we should take care of our bodies (health wise), but only for the purpose of serving God and others. Primarily we should take care of our spiritual interests, growing in grace and truth.
This is a tremendous privilege--to be God’s children and to have His holy spirit and influence in us. In Jewish times, the temple, and before that, the tabernacle, were places where the people would go to serve God and receive His blessings and learn of His ways. We are the temple of God now as we strive to glorify God and show His wonderful plan to others. But we will have an even more wonderful opportunity to do this on a grander scale once we have been resurrected in Heaven and once God’s Kingdom on earth begins.
There have been millions throughout the ages who have not learned of Christ, and yet Paul states that Christ "gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:4-6) All Christians realize that for the past 2000 years God has been "calling out a people for his name." (Acts 15:14) Those who believe now, during this difficult, evil time will be rewarded for their faith by receiving life in heaven. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him . . ." (2 Timothy 2:12)
But, what will happen to the millions throughout the ages who never learned of Christ? Not all people have ears to hear today, and not all have their "due time" at the same time. Jesus gave his life so that all would receive a resurrection and a reasonable opportunity to know him and gain everlasting life. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1Corinthians 15:22)
This is the glorious purpose for the reign of Christ with his Church! Those who prove faithful as Christians now will have the privilege of bringing all up from the grave to learn of Christ in that wonderful time. Christ and his church will teach righteousness to these billions during this kingdom when learning will be more favorable for them.
God has given us the promise that, if we are faithful now as Christians in following Christ and doing His will, we will be resurrected in heaven. Jesus promises us in Revelation 5:9 and 10 that we will be made priests and kings, and that eventually we will reign over the earth to bless and teach the people. During the Millennium, when God’s kingdom for which we pray is established here on earth by Christ, all the rest of mankind will be resurrected here on earth and learn of God’s loving plan. That will be in the kingdom for which we pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven." That will be when "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:9) The Scriptures assure us that every person who has ever lived will be brought back to life on earth at that time. "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good [in this evil age], unto the resurrection of life: and they that have done evil [those not justified by faith now], unto the resurrection of judgment." (John 5:28, 29 RSV) "When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." (Isaiah 26:9) They will then be given the opportunity to learn from their past mistakes. "They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." (Isaiah 29:24) They will learn of Christ’s loving sacrifice for their sins. They will then have the opportunity to repent of their sins and accept Christ and obey Him. Those who do so will be gradually brought up to human perfection as Adam had before he sinned. If they are faithful then, they will eventually be granted everlasting life here on earth. We will have the blessing of teaching them. In that way we can be the "temple" of God then, too. We can bless the people and help bring them to Christ. Revelation 21:2-4 says that we will be a "holy city," a "bride adorned for her husband," a "tabernacle of God," and what wonderful things will happen! "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
All mankind, during the Millennium, will be privileged to draw near to God and to receive divine favors and uplift out of sin and death, back to the original image and likeness of God, which Adam lost in Eden, and which Christ redeemed for all at Calvary. And we will be permitted to help them in that kingdom if we are faithful now in serving God!
Serving Others
There is quite a bit said in the Bible about serving others and sacrificing for the Lord and for others. We are told in Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Colossians 3:1-3 says, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Colossians 1:24 says, "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church." Galatians 6:9 and 10 says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." In Philippians 2:30 we are told of the good example of Epaphroditus who, "Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life." Sacrificing ourselves (including our time, our health, our desires) to serve the Lord and to help others is a Scriptural principle for those who belong to the Lord. Sickness and discomfort of any sort, incurred by our energy in the service of the Lord and His truth, are permitted by our Father as evidences of our fidelity and love; because if not liable to such tribulations, or if relieved of them instantly by a miracle, the Lord’s service would cost us no sacrifice and the test of our willingness to endure for the Lord or the truth’s sake would be wanting. As it is, however, every ache or pain or wound of person or of feelings for the Lord’s sake, becomes a witness of the spirit, testifying to our faithfulness. And in all such tribulations we should rejoice greatly. "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." (1 Peter 4:16)
Of course, this doesn’t mean we should plop down on the couch all day and eat cream donuts. We don’t want to serve our own fleshly inclinations. We want to serve God and others. The rest of 1 Corinthians 19 and 20 says, "Ye are not your own . . . For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." We want to be able to serve the Lord and His cause to the best of our ability, and this requires a reasonable care of our bodies. Everything we do, we want to do to the glory of God. Our main goal is not a strong physical body, but to sacrifice that physical body to serve God. We will then develop a strong spirit. 1 Timothy 4:7 and 8 says, "Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." It doesn’t say that bodily exercise doesn’t profit at all, but that it profits "little." It only helps if it enables us to serve God better. Our time belongs to the Lord, and we want to use that time in ways that will be pleasing to Him.
May the Lord bless you in your discussion with your boss.