Refreshing
Though still a spirit with the
following incident happening in the Old Testament, what seems to be the Son of
God was manifest in human figure and stayed with Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego while they are being burned on fire. Daniel 3:91 says: King
Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men
bound into the fire?” The nobles answered, “Assuredly, O king.”
King Nebuchadnezzer persisted likewise to ask even more, “But I
see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks
like a Son of God (Daniel 3:91-2).” Even at that very time in the Old
Testament, Jesus though appearing in a theophany or Christophany did appear
visible as the seemingly presence of the Son of God. This only means that he
was God apart from the Father though in their being, as Jesus and the Father
shares the same spirit, which in the New Testament the Father sent Jesus and
His Spirit, the two Deities were fused into one existence making them the One
God as mentioned in Deuteronomy 6:4.
By sharing in one spirit, as they also share one substance as
onward we move to the New Testament, the Father and Jesus are fused as one
appearing as one with Jesus provided of the body with whom the spirit of the
Father which is the Holy Spirit did indwelt into a clean vessel in the person
of Mary making the Spirit as the father to Jesus and making the godhead Jesus
complete with the three of these Deities manifested as one, with Christ existing
as the body which is possessed of the spirit of the Father (Isaiah 11:2).
With Christ being human with flesh and bones, existing as a body,
he is complete as Godhead because in him dwelling as a God to God was the
Father in spirit form. Though they are of three Divinities, they being a body
that has a spirit, this does not violate their oneness even if they are
diversified into a triune or a Trinity.
Also in Acts 7:55-56, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked
up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right
hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God.” Though the Father is invisible being a pure
act and a pure spirit unseen by Stephen, it was emphasized in this passage that
Jesus was with the Father making him a God beside God. God can then be one or
are distinguished apart, though this cannot divide them nor make them one
person, as God is an ‘Elohim’ or persons and not ‘El’ or one person except when
Jesus called his Father in singular form ‘El’ in his nearing death on the cross
which is in one of the last words of Jesus, it was visible that the Son was
nailed to the cross and there was this Father whom he is calling of attention
to for whom compassion is being invoked.
Thus God exist as a mystery in Triune, with the Father being the
presence near as a spirit indwelt or far as a Father in heaven being invoked of
compassion and mercy, with Jesus suffering in the cross while he called for his
Father above or in heaven. Likewise when Jesus died, he really died as a human
and placed in the tomb with his human spirit visiting the dead. The Father
meanwhile is still a Creator who is in heaven and did have control of the earth
and the universe.
It is in a matter of our own understanding, that we can see God as
one in the person of Jesus, or are manifested in Triune with each functioning
in their varied responsibilities, the Father in the Creation, the Son in
redemption, and the Spirit in His indwelling to Jesus, to the prophets, and to
us. Though we have no control in the mystery of God, we can receive revelation
every time we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
On my part, I cannot write sentient things unless I am cleanse
with the Holy Ghost. I have to admit that for me speaking in tongues or strange
language is important for me to be able to write religious or spiritual
matters. All through these years, I have relied on the Holy Spirit for
inspiration, wisdom and knowledge. The manifestation in tongues is of great
importance even heightened with the gift of prophecy.
I cannot reduce the revelation of God to my own knowledge for I
need to seek the presence of the Holy Spirit. Though His presence was
temporarily blocked as we grow up and are imputed with evil, the release of the
Holy Spirit gain momentum through confession, receiving of the Eucharist,
healing, and spiritual struggle for release through praise and worship, that we
may once more have our refreshing in the Spirit.
All of us can receive the Holy Ghost and all of us must strive to
receive it and if possible, it should be evidenced by speaking in tongues,
interpretation and/or prophecy. That’s why it is a must that we should attend
mass that we may reconcile ourselves with God, and that we should confess our
sins that we may be an open vessel for Holy Ghost indwelling, and more so we
should also frequently receive communion as a seal against evil possession even
against hardness of our heart. We should have refreshing every time to aflame
the Spirit that we receive.
-Jyotisman Nearu Upendra
