June 14^th, 2022

“Who do you say that I am?”

‘Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³ concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh ⁴ and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,’ (Romans 1:1-4 ESV UK).

 The ‘phases’ of Jesus’ ministry:

1. He was declared to be the Son of God by God the Father (Jn. 1:1-3)
2. Jesus the God-man, descended from David according to the flesh and promised beforehand by the prophets and Holy Scriptures. (c.f. Lk. 24:27,44)
3. Declared to be the Son of God in power when he was raised from the dead and installed at God’s right hand as the Messianic King. His reign began when he was raised from the dead through the Holy Spirit and continues to reign forever with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

The reign of Jesus in power is always connected to the holiness of the Holy Spirit in this New Covenant age in which we live.

To remove the Holy Spirit from the equation is to deny the power of Jesus in his new covenant ministry.

If we accept the ministry of Jesus the God-man as recorded in the Scriptures – foretold and fulfilled – can we accept the ministry of Jesus through the Holy Spirit after the Resurrection/Ascension/Pentecost? The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the continuation of the ministry of Jesus after his resurrection.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3 ESV UK)

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27 ESV UK)

 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 27:44 ESV UK)

 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26 ESV UK)

 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-15 ESV UK)