Acts 17:16-34; Romans 1:18-25; Colossians 2:6-10; 1John 5:7.
The God-head is one doctrine in the Holy Bible that has proved quite difficult to explain or teach, and that not necessarily because it is actually a difficult subject to understand, but it is so because there have been conflicting views on this subject among Theologians and preachers.
Some of these conflicting views were deliberately tailored to fit into and defend denominational doctrines, or to support a popular view considered as infallible among a particular section of Christendom. However, a careful look at what the Bible says about the God-head would leave no one in doubt as to what God, through His word, wants us to believe, provided we do not bring our personal biases or denominational prejudices into it. If we must successfully and faithfully deal with any matter of faith in God and His Word, we must first come into agreement that the Holy Bible is the final authority for our adjudication: we must agree that any other view that contradicts it must be jettison with as false and unacceptable to God and man. In lending support to this truth, Apostle Peter wrote, as we can seen below:
2Pet.1.20 ” Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.
2Pet.1.21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. (NIV)
So with much assurance from the truth written above, we can be rest assured that the Holy Bible holds the truth to the doctrine of the God-head.
In explaining the God-head, though, it would be proper to first explain the concept of the parent word, ‘God’, or its derivative,“God-hood”. The word ‘God’, in its basic form, is not a personal name but a generic title, which means that it can be ascribed, in context, to almost anything or anyone commanding influence. See an example in Exod.3.13 when God first sent Moses to the Israelites:
” But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they won't believe me. They will ask,Which god are you talking about? What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” NLT
It can be noticed clearly from the text above that Moses thought that he needed more than a generic title ( of god) from the LORD in order to convince the Israelites that his message was truly from a higher being who was more influential and powerful than the numerous gods of the heathen nation around them. He needed a unique name, not a title which was common among the people of that time, to convince his kinsmen that their God, who is unique to them and their ancestors, had come to help them. The querry, ‘which god are you talking about? What is his name?’ presupposed that there were different gods known to the Israelites at that time, and that those identities used for them were titles, not personal names. This further strengthens the argument that the word, God, is not a name but a title.
For instance, the ant might have what it considers as a god in its habitat, and that’d be quite different from what an antelope would consider to be a god in the grassland; each would ascribe that title to what it dreads. An ant wouldn’t fear meeting with a Lion just as an antelope wouldn’t dread coming across an Anteater. If we can disabuse our minds and come to terms with this fact, then almost half of the problem with the doctrine of the God-head would have been solved.
The word, whether spelled as God, god or gods, is a generic title associated with anyone or anything that is worshiped for their super natural influence or dominating power over their subordinates or devotees. The word does not represent a personal name unique to anyone but, as a title, it can be ascribed to anyone held in reverence and awe, chiefly among mankind. See the following scriptural accounts for some examples of god-hood:
1.Moses And Pharaoh:
Exodus 4:14-17; 7:1-2; 11:3
When Almighty God sent Moses to liberate the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians, it was necessary to empower him over Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who himself was also considered to be a god ( son of Rah, the sun god) by his subjects.
Exod.7.1 “Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet”. (NIV)
The point of interest here is that Almighty God Himself conferred on a mortal man, Moses, the powers of god-hood, thus supporting the line of thought that it is a title, and not a personal name, as often mistaken by some Theologians and Preachers.
To what intent did God place Moses as god over Pharoah? The Holy Bible answers this in Exod.6.1 – “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh,” the LORD told Moses. “When he feels my powerful hand upon him, he will let the people go. In fact, he will be so anxious to get rid of them that he will force them to leave his land!” NLT
It was all about power; a god was supposed to wield superhuman powers, and Moses, as a god to Pahraoh, was supposed to unleash a torrent of punishing plagues on Egypt, sparing no one but only the Israelites. That way, Pharoah was supposed to be afflicted into submission to release the people of Israel from forced labour and slavery. With time this came to be achieved as we can see in the scripture below:
Exod.11.3 – “(Now the LORD had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel, and Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt. He was respected by Pharaoh’s officials and the Egyptian people alike.) NLT
That was the essence of god-hood in ancient times; whoever or whatever wielded considerable power was reverred as a god.
2.The Rich and The Poor.
Psalms 82:1-8; Acts 12:20-22
If you observe the world today you’ll see that the considerable wealth amassed by just a few percentage of its population is used in controlling the global commercial and political narratives; as gods over the masses, the rich call the shots and dictate the pace of global economy. King Herod of Israel ( Acts 12) once wielded such economic influence over some poorer nations of his time, who looked up to him, as to a god, for their sustenance.
Speaking about the people who wielded influence in the earth, the Holy Bible says in Ps.82.6 – “I say, `You are gods and children of the Most High”. However, God’s word is quick to also point out that their god-hood is temporal when it further says in Ps.82.7 – “But in death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince, for all must die.'” NLT
3.Satan And His Loyalists
2Corinthians 4:1-4;John 14:30.
2Cor.4.3 – “If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing .
2Cor.4.4 – Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” . NLT
Here also we see Satan portrayed as a god over the unsaved sinners in the world. That’s a title he holds over as many souls as are still under his influence and control. Many people are!
4.The Apostles And The Gentiles.
Acts 14:8-18; Acts 28:1-6; Acts 10:25,26 .
There are instances in the scriptures where the gentiles attempted to worship the apostles of Christ due to the miracles they performed, esteeming them to be gods. This happened to Paul and Barnabas at Lystra when they healed a crippled man.
Acts.14.10 – “So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.
Acts.14.11 – When the listening crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human bodies!” NLT
It also happened when Paul survived a scary bite from a venomous snake at Malta Island.
Acts.28.5 – “But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed.
Acts.28.6 – The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and decided he was a god”. NLT
In Acts.10.25, 26 , Cornelius the gentile Soldier saw Apostle Peter as a god whom he must worship: “As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell to the floor before him in worship. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being like you!” NLT
5.Demons (Devils) And Their Worshippers
Deuteronomy 32:15-18; 2Chronicles 11:14,15; 33:1-6; Jeremiah 44:15-19 ; 1Corinthians 10:19-21.
When the ancient nation of Israel settled in Canaan, overtime they backslidded, abandoned the worship of the true God, Jehovah, and embraced the worship of other gods, just like the surrounding nations were doing, among whom they lived.
Deut.32.16 – “They stirred up his jealousy by worshiping foreign gods; they provoked his fury with detestable acts.
Deut.32.17 – They offered sacrifices to demons, non-gods, to gods they had not known before, to gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors had never feared”. NLT
In all the instances that have been cited so far, certain persons or things were either revered or
worshipped as gods, based on the influence or power they wielded over their subjects or devotees. We saw how people chose whom or what to accord honour to as gods, with a view to achieving an end, which for most of them was about power, protection, wealth, riches ,guidance, favour, success in life’s endeavours, or the hope of eternal life after death.
Having said all that has been said so far, I must now make a distinction between the Supreme Being whom the Jews and Christians equally refer to as God, and the lesser gods that I have extensively spoken about. There are ample evidence, both scriptural and historical, that this Supreme Being is above all other gods and their worshippers. He is the One that created all things, and by whom all creatures have their being. He is the source of all life forms, both in the seen and the unseen worlds. All creatures are answerable to Him. The Holy Bible aptly captures the essence of His influence over all creatures in Acts17:28 , where it says: “For in him we live and move and exist… ‘We are his offspring.’ NLT
This Supreme Being, although commonly addressed with the title, ‘God’, actually has a personal name, which is unique to Himself alone. Exodus 6:2-3: “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”
Unlike His other title names, like God, God Almighty, The Lord e.t.c, Jehovah is his personal name; it is not a title. This name, wherever it is mentioned, uniquely directs attention to only one Being, whom the Holy Bible describes with the glowing words below:
Deut.10.14 – “The highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God.
Deut.10.17 – “The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes”. NLT
Jehovah is the maker and/or creator of all living and none-living things. He is the supreme ruler of both the known and yet to be known spheres of existence. He is superior to all other gods.
The supremacy of Almighty God over all other gods is clearly stated in the following scriptures of the Holy Bible: Deuteronomy 10:17; 1Kings 8:59,60; 1 Samuel 2:2;
2 Samuel 7:22; Isaiah 43:10-13; 46:9,10; 1Corinthians 8:5,6.
By acknowledging the worship of other lesser gods among heathen nations, the Holy Scripture is not in any way admitting that those objects of worship are really deserving of the ‘god’ title conferred on them by their devotees; neither is it endorsing their worship by any particular person, nation, tribe or religion. Much on the contrary God’s Word condemns the worship of any other god besides the true God whose name alone is Jehovah; and their mention in the Holy Scripture is strictly for historical purposes, which is aimed at letting us know the extent of man’s foolishness and depravity in rejecting the true God, Jehovah, and embracing the worship of His creatures.
Jer.2.11 – “Has any nation ever exchanged its gods for another god, even though its gods are nothing? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!
Jer.2.12 – The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay, says the LORD.
Jer.2.13 – For my people have done two evil things: They have forsaken me–the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” NLT
The Holy Bible emphatically teaches that there’s only one true God. His name is Jehovah.
1Cor.8.5 “For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”),
1Cor.8.6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” (NIV)
The Three Persons Of The God-Head
Genesis 1:26,27; 11:1-9; Matthew 3:13-17; 1 John 5:7.
The opening narrative of this study was on the concept of god-hood, and it ended by affirming and recognizing the existence of only one true God whose personal name is Jehovah, to whom all other beings (whether worshipped by people or not) are subject because He created them all.
Rev.4.11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created” . (AMP)
In this part of the study, we shall explore the existence and nature, or attributes, of our God. But before we embark on this exploration of the Holy Bible we should lay to rest, once and for all, this concept of god-hood.
The god-hood (or the concept of god) is man’s own way of identifying and associating with the source of life and nature. According to the records of the Holy Bible, our first parents actually knew and had fellowship with God. But after their wilful rebellion and sin against God, in the matter of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He sent them away from His presence until He should perfect His plan for their redemption.
Gen.3.23 – “So the LORD God banished Adam and his wife from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made”. NLT
However, mankind, over time, has attempted to fill in that empty void, which the absence of God had left in their soul, by seeking ways to reconnect with Him.
Gen.4.26 “And then Seth had a son whom he named Enosh. That’s when men and women began praying and worshiping in the name of GOD”. (MSB)
Some of mankind were successful in their quest for the true God while others were further led away from Him by deceiving spirits, who presented themselves to man as gods.
Gal.4.8 “But at that previous time, when you had not come to be acquainted with and understand and know the true God, you [Gentiles] were in bondage to gods who by their very nature could not be gods at all [gods that really did not exist] “. (AMP)
However, now that the knowledge of the true God, and His salvation through Jesus Christ, is universally acknowledged and accepted, the error of worshipping of false gods by some people is no more as a result of their ignorance, but of personal choices.
Let us now focus attention on the main subject at hand which is The Three Persons Of The God-Head, with particular emphasis on their existence and nature.
Their Existence:
When we talk of The God-head, we are actually referring to Jehovah and the two other divine Beings who share His attributes, and with whom the Holy Scriptures clearly shows that He confers with in the matters of His Kingdom.
From the records of the Holy Bible we know that the God-head has always existed from times immemorial to man, and is made up of three different and distinct personalities who manifest the unique nature and attributes of the true God, Jehovah.
In this God-head there is the person of the Father who is expressly called Jehovah. Then there is another divine personality whom Jehovah calls His Word or His Son, who in subsequent times came to be called Jesus Christ. Lastly, there is the third divine personality whom Jehovah calls His Holy Spirit. Even though these three Divine Persons of the God-head are distinguishable, one from the other, yet there is a theological misconception that the God-head is one Person manifesting Himself as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; however, this claim can be easily debunked by a careful consideration
of the Holy Scriptures where it shades light on the hierarchy and function of each of the Persons of the God-head, thus showing that they cannot be one and the same Person, but three different and distinct Persons united in one God-hood. In a layman’s language, we can say that as all humans share a common characteristic of their specie, but are each of them individually unique and different in many ways, so also is the God-head. See the following scnptures. Matthew 3:13-17; Genesis 1:26,27; 1John 5:7; John 3:16; 10: 17-18;14:28; 16:5-15; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5; 1Corinthians 15:24-28.
The scriptures above do not only give ample evidence of the existence of the three Persons of the God-head, but they also define their hierarchical powers.( For ease of reference, the ‘Father ‘ refers to Jehovah, the ‘Word’ refers to His Son Jesus Christ while the Counsellor refers to the Holy Spirit).
Concerning their existence, 1John.5.7 says:“So there are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One; “ (AMP)
Concerning the delineation of their hierarchical power, the following scriptures give proof:
In John.14.28, Jesus Christ said to His followers: “You heard Me tell you, I am going away and I am coming [back] to you. If you [really] loved Me, you would have been glad, because I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater and mightier than I am”. AMP ( Note that Jesus Christ says that the Father is greater than Him).
In further speaking to them about the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ said in John.16.7 – “But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you”. NLT ( Note that Jesus Christ sends the Holy Spirit).
In the scriptures above, the hierarchical powers of the three Persons of the God-head is clearly delineated, with Jehovah sitting at the top while His Son and His Holy Spirit occupy the second and third places of power. This is enough proof that we are not dealing with one Divinity manifesting as three different Persons.
Their Nature:
There is, however, a unique aspect of the lives of the three Persons of the God-head which makes it seem as though they’re all of them one Person. So in this concluding part of the study we are going to carefully look at the two things that make them unique and mysterious.
The first is their collective attributes. The word attribute means quality or characteristics associated with and serving to identify someone or something.
When we talk about the collective attributes of the three persons of the God-head, therefore, we are making reference to that unique character which they all share as though they are one person while, in actual fact, they are three different and distinct Persons.
1John.5.7 “So there are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One;” (AMP)
The scripture above is often misunderstood as meaning that the three Divine Characters named therein are one Person. However, the discourse in this chapter of the Holy Bible is about the God-head’s joint witness (or record ) of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His mission to earth in order to save mankind from their sins. This particular verse, therefore, is saying that both the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have a common (or are one in this) witness or record of the divine mission of redemption to earth.
Apart from bearing the same record or witness about the plan of salvation for mankind, the three Persons of the God-head are also one in nature or attribute (as we shall soon see) and purpose. Whatever Jesus came to do and to fulfill on earth was commanded by God the Father and was executed through the power of the Holy Spirit. See the following scriptures: John 5:17-38; 8:18, 26-29; Luke 4:1,14, 18,19; Mathew 12:28; Isaiah 11:1-2; Act 10:38.
This unity of mind and purpose as seen in those scriptures above is made possible because the three persons of the God-head have the same nature, which is to say that it would have been impossible for them to have acted each after their own will. Jesus Christ said to His disciples in John.5.30:
” I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord – but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me” . (AMP)
Below are some of the collective attributes which the three persons of the God-head share as though they’re one Person:
- God-Hood:
They are, each of them, God because they rule and exercise dominion over all created things and the whole of nature in general.
Father : 1Corinthians 8:6;1Chronicles 29:10.
Son : Isaiah 9:6,7; John 20: 28;
Titus 2:13.
Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4. - Inherent Holiness:
They are each holy by their nature and cannot be stained with sin.
Father: Isaiah 6:1-3; Psalms 93:5; Leviticus 11:45; 1John 1;5.(
Son: Luke 1:30-35; Hebrews 7:26,27; Acts 4:29,30.
Holy Spirit: 1Thessalonians 4:8. - Eternal Existence/Immortality:
They each possess eternal life. They cannot die or live under any form of duress.
Father : 1Timothy 1:17; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 90:1,2.
Son: 1John 5;20; 1Timothy 1:15-17.
Holy Spirit: Hebrews 9:14.
4.OMNIPOTENCE:
The three Persons of the God-head have power over nature and all created things, both visible and invisible.
Father: Revelation 19:6; Psalms 62:11;66:3.
Son: 1Peter 3:22; 1Corinthians 15:24-28; Matthew 28:18.
Holy Spirit: Romans 15:13,19; 1Corinthians 2:4,5
5.OMNIPRESENCE:
The three members of the God-head cannot be confined within space, limited by time or constrained by distance; they are everywhere at all times, except where they do not wish to be.
Father: Jeremiah 23:24; 2Chronicles 16:9; Hebrews 4:13.
Son: John 1:43-50; Matthew 18:20.
Holy Spirit: Psalms 139:7-10.
6.OMNISCIENCE:
The God-head is all knowing; there’s nothing, both in time and in etenity, that is not within the grasp of their knowledge, except what they do not wish to retain in their knowledge.
Father: Psalms 139:1-6; 1Kings 8:38,39; Acts 15:18.
Son: John 2:23-25; Revelation 2:1-29; 3:1-22
Holy Spirit: 1Corinthians 2:10,11.
The attributes outlined above are unique only to the three persons of the God-head, and in exclusion of all other creature, whether mankind or spirits.
Each of the three persons of the God-head is God because they are inherently Holy, eternal in existence, omnipotent in power, omniscient in knowledge and omnipresent in all sphere of existence, except where they choose not to be.
On the other hand, all other created beings are finite in existence, in power, in knowledge, in presence and in moral qualities, except where God grants them to be otherwise.This is why they are unlike the God-head.
The Distinction Among The Three Persons Of The God-head.
I have previously established from the holy scriptures that there is a clear delineation of hierarchical powers among the three Persons of the God-head, but I wish to throw more light on that aspect of the study.
A careful study of the Holy Bible will reveal that although the three persons of the God-head share some common attributes, which unite them in a unique oneness, there is, nevertheless, a clear distinction in authority among them. Let us look at each of them through the lens of the Holy Scriptures and see what is revealed about them.
God The Father:
Romans 11:33-36; 1Corinthian 8:6; John 10:29; Revelation 4:1-11; Daniel 7:9-14; John 13:16; 20:19-21.
God the Father is the ultimate point of reference for all creation and life forms, whether of Celestial beings (fallen or loyal to Him) or of earthly beings (redeemed or lost). They are all His servants.See Psalm 119;89-91; 24:1; Revelation 10:5,6.
Although we understand from John 1:1-3 that all things were made by Jesus Christ (The Word), nevertheless God takes the credit as the Creator of heaven and earth,
and all that fills them, because He commanded their creation. See Psalm 148:1-13; 104:1-31.
Ps.148.5 “Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created”. (NIV)
God the Father is exalted above the other two Persons of the Godhead because they receive instructions from Him.
John.20.21 “Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you”. (AMP)
John.14.26 – “But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative–and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit–he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you”. NLT
God The Son
John 1:1-14; Acts10:36-43; Luke4:14-19; Mathew 28:16-20; Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 5:1-14; John 5:22-24; 1Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:15;
Acts 13:33, Hebrews1:5;5:5 Romans 8:29.
Rev.3.14 “And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusty and faithful and true Witness, the Origin and Beginning and Author of God ‘s creation: “ (AMP)
John.3.35 “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands” . (NIV)
God the Son, who was manifested to us in human form as Jesus Christ, has been appointed by God the Father to bear rule over all of creation, both in the celestial and the earthly realms, with the exception of God the Father.
1Cor.15.27 “For He [the Father] has put all things in subjection under His [Christ ‘s] feet. But when it says, All things are put in subjection [under Him], it is evident that He [Himself] is excepted Who does the subjecting of all things to Him”. (AMP)
The implication of the scripture above is that the third person of the God-head ( God the Holy
Spirit) is subject to and receives instruction from God the Son, Jesus Christ, as it is also evident by the Gospel of John 16:7-15.
Although He is subject to God the Father, Jesus Christ, nevertheless, executes all His power and authority so much that every prayer request, worship or praises offered to God must be channelled through Him because He represents the very Person of Jehovah, God the Father.
John.14.6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. (NIV)
God The Holy Spirit
John 14:15-17; 16:7-15; Acts 2:1-4; 13:1-4; 16:6-10; 20:28; 1Corinthians 12:1-11.
As Jesus is the perfect image and likeness of the invisible God, so also the Holy Spirit is
the power of the invisible God. He answers both to God the Father and God the Son much in the
same way. The Holy Scriptures say that God has not placed a limit to the Holy Spirit’s function in the life of Jesus Christ His Son.
John.3.33 – “Those who believe him discover that God is true .
John.3.34 – For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God’s Spirit is upon him without measure or limit.” NLT (Compare with Revelation 4:1-5; 5:1-6).
The Holy Spirit is inseparable from the first two persons of the God-head. He is always
with them because He is the power that gives effect to their word or will. See Isaiah 59:19; Luke 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
The same fact is also true of the union between the Holy Spirit and the Church; He leads
the church according to the will of Jesus Christ. Below are some of His functions in the Church today:
1.He expounds the teachings of Jesus Christ clearly to us. John 16:13
2.He gives Believers gifts for the work of the ministry of the Gospel. 1Corinthians 12:1-11 .
3.He gives direction to Believers and instructs them in the course of their work for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts 13:1-14; 16:6-10.
4.He appoints leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ. Acts 20:28.
5.He reveals the future to Believers Acts 20:22-23
6.He executes the judgment of Believers against satan and his agents. Acts 13:9-12.
The Holy Spirit is the identity of the true believer.
Rom.8.9 – “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)” NLT
His absence, either in the Church or in a Believer’s life, is a sign of spiritual decay and harbinger of ultimate rejection, unless repentance and reconciliation are earnestly sought after, fervently pursued and
convincingly won by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. This is necessary because the Holy Spirit is our seal of the final redemption; the indispensible companion of the true Believer.
Eph.4.30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God ‘s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin)”. (AMP)
Praise God for this 🙌