New Heaven and Earth Newsletter

The Holy Spirit Special Role with Jesus

Early references to the Holy Spirit in the Bible can be seen in the Old Testament words about the “Spirit of God.” Genesis records that “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen.1:2). This shows the active agent of God’s very being in the creation process. In 6:3, God said: “My Spirit shall not abide with man forever,..” And, in Ex. 31:3, God spoke of filling Bezalel with the “Spirit of God”.

(Male) God (Female) / \ Jesus Christ---Holy Spirit (Sp.Father)-------(Sp.Mother) Divine Principle view

After the fall of Adam and Eve, and the emergence of Satan and evil, it became a distinguishing factor to refer to God’s activities by way of His “Holy Spirit”, in contrast to a spirit of evil. It also became an interchangeable term for the Spirit of God/Spirit of the Lord, especially in the New Testament era.

In the Old Testament era, David and Isaiah spoke directly of the Holy Spirit (Ps. 51:11; Is. 63:10,11), and other prophets also spoke of the Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit has a multi-faceted role which can easily be seen throughout God’s many activities in creation and in salvation history. Examples: as indwelling divine quality, fountain, breath and sustainer of life; as an operating force/principle to empower, inspire, guide and comfort the faithful; and much more. In traditional Christian doctrine, the Holy Spirit is personified {as The Word (Jn.1:1-2)and The Spirit of Wisdom (Prov.8:2-36) are personified} as the third person of the Trinity. Jesus and John the Baptist are given birth through the help of the Holy Spirit (Lk.1:15b,35), and both are later 'filled and empowered' with and by the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah and Simeon prophesied, by being filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. Chps.1 & 2).

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Jesus' Unfinished Mission

To speak of Jesus’ unfinished mission may bring alarm to many Christians who believe that he accomplished everything through his death on the cross. However, when we reflect on the overall course of Jesus, his impassionate pleas for acceptance and recognition can be readily recognized: “Believe that I am who I claim to be otherwise you will die in your sins.” (Jn.8:24). Again: “The work of God is that you believe in him whom He has sent.”(6:29). Also, “I come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” (10:10). These are but a few of his desperate words to Israel to embrace him and his message.

The rejection of Jesus was thorough. His family did not believe in him (Mk.3:21;Jn.7:5; Mt.12:48), his disciples deserted him (Mt.26:56), and Israel, as a whole, uncompromisingly demanded that he be killed (Jn. 19:7). With his primary mission to realize the Kingdom of Heaven on earth now blocked, his focus turned to ‘the way of the cross’ (Mt.16:20-21).

With this in mind, Jesus told his disciples in Lk.18:31-32, that:

“We are going to Jerusalem and all the writings of the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered to the Gentiles...mocked...scourged ...and killed, and on the third day he will rise.”

Did Jesus accomplish all that God wanted of him? Our answer therefore, is: he accomplished the way of the cross victoriously, bringing spiritual salvation to fallen man. But, God’s original will - the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth must await the Second Coming.

Purposeful Design or
Chance Evolution?

The debate of evolution versus creationism wages on. At the heart of this historical clash of theories, or, as some may have it; “viewpoints,” is the question of the origin of man and all things. Is man from God (the absolute being of perfection, purpose and personality), or from mere chance and chaos? To further complicate the matter (in America) is the issue of the “separation of Church and state.” This lends a heavy hand against the position of creationists whose God-laden arguments, however sophisticated and convincing, are suspect to having ulterior motives for invading the sacred arena of public education controlled by government and secular thought systems. Nevertheless, the question of origin remains.

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Divine Principle

The Divine Principle is God’s message of the Completed Testament age (Second Coming and new millennium) revealed through Rev. Sun Myung Moon (Jn. 16:13,25; Rev.10:10,11). Excerpts are cited from the Exposition of Divine Principle, HSA-UWC, 1996—English translation of the original Korean text. (Continued from previous issue)

Jesus' Rejection and the Cross
Was Jesus’ death on the cross God’s primary will for him? No, it was not. God’s direction was always for the people to receive and believe in the ones He sent.(Deut.18:15; Jn.6:29, Matt.23:37).

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