"Studies of the Spirit in the New Testament - 1 Timothy, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Titus"
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
April 1, 2021





C. R. Oliver





ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
April 1, 2021

"Studies of the Spirit in the New Testament
1 Timothy, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Titus"


You may watch this Newsletter in a video HERE.

Introduction:

Welcome to the only epistles written to a specific person: Timothy.

Paul was Timothy's mentor and he directed two letters to him. They were chock-full of mandates to him, although there is a five-year gap between the first and the second epistle (I Timothy written in 62 AD and II Timothy in 67 AD).

Within the pages of I Timothy are several spiritual directives which will act as landmarks for churches throughout the ages. Initially, Timothy is told to remain in Ephesus and act as a purifying force. Why? Maybe it is because demonic corruption of the Gospel had already surfaced among members of that early church.

Interestingly, these same deceptions are alive today.

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I Timothy

The study of the Spirit in 1Timothy relates to all that is said in the epistle. The presence of the Spirit is the verifying stamp for what was taught in this epistle.

1 Timothy 3:16-4:4:
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
NKJV

Look at the phrase "justified in the Spirit" and read it in light of the Greek meaning and derivatives.

Simply put, one might well say, The Spirit rendered Jesus as holy, righteous and innocent.

NT:1344
dikaioo (dik-ah-yo'-o); from NT:1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: KJV - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.

NT:1342 dikaios (dik'-ah-yos); from NT:1349; equitable (in character or action); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): KJV - just, meet, right (-eous).

NT:1344 dikaioo (dik-ah-yo'-o); from NT:1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: KJV - free, justify (-ier), be righteous. NT:1342 dikaios (dik'-ah-yos); from NT:1349; equitable (in character or action); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): KJV - just, meet, right (-eous).

The true meaning of "justified in the Spirit" must read, "validated by the Spirit." Jesus was validated in the waters of the Jordan. He was validated in every action He took. He was validated on the Mt. of Transfiguration. He was validated on the cross, "Truly, this was the son of God."

Validation by the Spirit is a must in our lives as well!

In the same vein, the Spirit declared what to expect as His judgment of the latter days (in which we live).

  1. Believers will depart from the faith.
  2. They will give heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
  3. They will speak lies as hypocrites.
  4. Their consciences will be seared as with a hot iron (rendering them static).
  5. They will be characterized by false teaching about marriage, diet and intent.

In Timothy, the Spirit is portrayed as deeply involved in the work of the church. He draws attention to Jesus, The Anointed One, and renders judgment on all that is not His.

In these latter days, we must depend on the Spirit for our direction, lest some be shipwrecked!

Knowing all these things, Timothy is urged to walk the narrow walk.

1 Timothy 6:11-13:
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
NKJV

The sole reference to the Spirit in this epistle is a sign of the universality of His office as He is involved in every word spoken in it.

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I Peter

Continuing our pattern of arranging these letters in the order they were published; we enter the Apostle Simon Peter's writings, which followed Paul's I Timothy epistle by two years (64AD).

Upper room empowered Simon, sent his epistle into a fray that was being experienced in the early church, where temptation and persecution became rampant. Right off the bat, he hails the power of the Spirit to carry out deliverance from their sins.

His opening lines are pregnant with doctrinal truth.

1 Peter 1:1-2:
To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Addressing those who had departed Jerusalem (the Dispersion), Paul acknowledges their part in establishing work in outlying areas. He declares that God's foreknowledge not only redeemed them, but elected them for such duty (through the Sanctification of the Spirit). They were made holy by the Holy Spirit which qualified them to be the messengers of the gospel to the places shown in verse 1.

(Sanctification through the Spirit is not widely preached in the modern environ of the Church.)

Santification:
hagiazo (hag-ee-ad'-zo); from NT:40; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:
KJV - hallow, be holy, sanctify.

NT:38 hagiasmos (hag-ee-as-mos'); from NT:37; properly, purification, i.e. (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier:
KJV - holiness, sanctification.

Sanctification in the Spirit is two-fold. It is a matter of appropriating holiness to the believer (punctiliar) and also causing continuing growth in holiness to take place. The second verse gives two reasons for this application: their obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies, justifies and glorifies the saint. Holiness and the Spirit are inseparable. The Scriptures say, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Holiness is wrapped in obedience and is powered by the blood.

Look now at the Amplified version of this passage.

1 Peter 1:2:
2 Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts]
AMP

Simon, himself, had been changed from a denying disciple to a flaming evangelist after he attended the upper room where the Holy Spirit changed all those in attendance.

This is what caused Simon to rush to speak about the end of their faith being wrapped in promises of future inheritance and salvation.

1 Peter 1:5:
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Indeed, this is the great mystery of salvation, which was prophesied by those who were Spirit-filled prophets of old. They projected the element of grace which would be poured out to future generations. So now, the same Holy Spirit is unfolding, through the gospel, the relevance of those prophetic words.

1 Peter 1:10-11:
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
NKJV

Note: The Spirit, who prompted the prophets, now enables the believer to fulfill those prophetic words.

1 Peter 1:12:
…they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things which angels desire to look into.

Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things which angels desire to look into.

Holy Spirit endorsed preaching and ministering is just different!

Heavenly revelation induced by the Holy Spirit sounds different.

Gospel engendered by the Holy Spirit gets Holy Spirit results because the source is pure and powerful.

Revelation that is discovered through the Spirit draws the spirit of man to occasion all manner of wonderous works. Angels query about what they observe of this marvelous grace.

Simon, who walked on water and was rescued from prison by supernatural means, was qualified to declare that the believer should be invested with Holy Spirit holiness.

Ah, it is time to query the saints. It is time to determine how much of what the church does is holy.

Jump down now to verse 22.

1 Peter 1:22-23:
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…
NKJV

Soul purification is another matter rarely enjoined by congregations or groups. Just think, one's obedience to the truth of the gospel is evidenced by one's love for the brethren. It is also a product of being born again by incorruptible seed through the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:22:
…by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart.
AMP

Because Simon is addressing salvation in this epistle, he reveals why it was necessary for Jesus to be in the grave three days before being raised by the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:18-20:
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient…
NKJV

NKJV

Jesus triumphed over death and hell and preached to those who died in disobedience in order for them to see what they denied.

Observe now the final mention of the Spirit in I Peter. The subject matter deals with persecution and certainly Peter was acquainted with such.

1 Peter 4:14:
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
NKJV

Multitudes have suffered greatly since these words were penned. They would testify to the fact of its inevitability. By the time you read this study, many will have fallen to reproach. Scripture views such as a "blessing" and a Spirit opportunity for the glory of God to abide with those victims of persecution for the sake of the gospel.

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II Peter

Strangely, there is but one reference to the Spirit in this second epistle. Perhaps it is because of the subject matter which Peter addressed. However, this one citation carries much to consider.

2 Peter 1:16-21:
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
NKJV

Opening his treatise on false prophets and unreliable teachings, Simon establishes a foundation of truth on which to stand and use discernment.

Referencing his attendance on the mount of transfiguration and the audible voice of God declaring Jesus as His son, Peter declares his authority is based in the supernatural (Who, also, saw visions and encountered countless supernatural healings).

Simon stood as a witness to both true and false prophecy in this second epistle. This caused him to declare true prophecy comes through a clean vessel. Holy men of God, moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke reliable words which formed a platform for truth.

Simon, after establishing what was true prophecy, launched an attack on false teaching and its teachers. Second Peter and Jude take to task similar subjects. Even a casual reading of this second epistle makes one aware of elements uncovered today and how close some come to matching his indices.

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Titus

One might say all of this one-page epistle is included in its single reference to the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:4-7:
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

After mentioning an array of sins from which believers are delivered, Titus delves into Spirit-progenitured redemption. He clearly states six aspects which are notable in man's redemption.

  1. The kindness of God
  2. The love of God
  3. God's mercy
  4. God's grace
  5. The washing of regeneration
  6. The renewing of the Spirit

Titus, in one paragraph, contributes a concise view of salvation. Through Jesus, he shows the elements which equip us to be heirs, having hope of eternal life.

The author even emphasized Holy Spirit abundance.

"…the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior…"

There is never enough praise to Jesus for His marvelous salvation, and what praise is given seems impoverished in light of His work in us.



Until Next Month,

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.





OLIVER EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING:


The OEA Board Meeting was held in Conroe, Texas, March 5 and 6. In addition to the seven board members, we were joined by a group of missionaries from a wide range of locations. The following pictures are from this meeting:

A group picture.
Publications from Zadok Publications, a part of OEA.




A time of fellowship and dinner.




Opening meeting by Dr. Oliver.
Singing and worship led by Donald and Beverly Davis with piano accompanment by Barbara Cranfield.




A time of prayer. The first of many!



A presentation by Portia Sharp.
A presentation by Donnie West.



A presentation by Larry and Marla Johnson.
A presentation by Peggy Thornton.



A presentation by Larry Smith.
A presentation by Dr. Samuel Karunanithi.



A Certificate Of Appreciation was awarded to
Dr. Samuel and Anusuya Karunanithi
in gratitude for their 60 years of missionary service.












MISSIONS REPORT:

From :Tim & Beth Pike - AG Missionaries

Contacts:
Web: https://agmd.org/Profile/Index/67bfce94-e280-4986-b085-432927511ae0
Email: pikes_peeks@yahoo.com



We have been in missions with the Assemblies of God since 2000 when we went to Vanuatu, an island nation of 200,000 people, considered to be the least developed country in the world. Over the past 20 years, we have served in different capacities and different locations, but always primarily focused on Bible School ministry - - the training of leaders and discipleship of believers. We've learned 3 languages along the way: Bislama, Papiamentu and Spanish.


Our journey has taken us from Vanuatu to Curacao, to Central America, to Antigua ~ and now we'll be working in multiple countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. Two of our 3 daughters are married and serving the Lord in full time ministry while our youngest is attending university in Waxahachie, Texas.


We are thankful to God for the open doors He has given us. We've seen many we've trained go forth into ministries of various kinds and in various places, for the Lord. In many cases they've gone beyond where we could go and done what we ourselves could not do. This is MULTIPLICATION.


In addition to training and sending nationals, we've been blessed by God to be involved in other ministries, including: disaster relief, prison visitation, church planting, mentoring younger missionaries who've come to work with us, Teen Challenge (drug & alcohol recovery), children's ministries and training of children's workers, domestic intervention and counseling, evangelism, preaching rotations, hosting of teams, youth work, Street Pastors International, Child Evangelism Fellowship International, the birthing of an international network of Spanish churches in English speaking nations, oversight of construction projects, legal incorporation of ministries, English as a Second Language, and co-leading of a team of nationals from one Caribbean nation to another.


In 20 years we have seen the Lord do so much, and the needs have been so great in every place. It seems every missionary finds themselves doing more than they ever thought they would, but it is the Holy Spirit who draws and equips.


Our work in the West Indies has overlapped with two different ethnic populations - 'AfroCaribbean' and 'Spanish Caribbean'. There is no shortage of color and variety, where extemes of affluence & luxury on one hand, and poverty & desperation on the other exist side-by-side.









Dr. OLIVER'S BOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE KINDLE ON AMAZON.COM AND FOR THE NOOK AT BARNES & NOBLE!



Paperback volumes may still be ordered through our website.


To see the currently available books from Amazon, click on the cover images below.


In Spanish:


In German:




To see the currently available books from Barnes & Noble, click on the cover images below.




In Spanish:



In German:











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