The Fire of the Spirit

Transcription

1 The Fire of the Spirit Exploring St Paul (i) Spirituality 1

2 Welcome Contexts Experience (1 Thess and Gal 3 and 5) Experience (Gal 5) Belonging (1 Cor 12) Spirituality (Rom 8) Spirituality (Rom 8) 2

3 Presentation Language for God Early Christianity Spirit in Paul Rome and its Christians Romans 8:1-17 And so Conversation 3

4 Language for God Spirituality flourishes Prayer v. prayers The prayer thing Relationship greater than words All words are metaphors 4

5 Early Christianity And they thought it best to tear it down, so that it would not be a lasting shame to them that the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar, and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until a prophet should come to tell what to do with them. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. (Romans 3:21 22) (1Maccabees 4:45 46) 5

6 Spirit in Paul God s justification by faith Participation in Christ The Gift of the Spirit 6

7 Rome and its Christians Rome at the time? Roman Christians? Their history? Sources...Suetonius, Tacitus and Acts. 7

8 Rome and its Christians Christianity in Rome Claudius Jew v. Gentile Why it was important? 8

9 9

10 Verses 1:1-7 1:8-15 1: :18-4: :1-15:6 15:

11 Verses 1:1-7 Letter Superscript 1:8-15 Thanksgiving 1:16-17 Body 1:18-4: :1-15:6 15: Conclusion 9

12 Verses Letter Rhetoric 1:1-7 Superscript 1:8-15 Thanksgiving Introduction 1:16-17 Body Thesis 1:18-4:23 Proof Proof Proof 3 12:1-15:6 Proof 4 15:7-33 Conclusion 16 Conclusion 9

13 Verses Letter Rhetoric Topic 1:1-7 Superscript Sender, addressee, greetings 1:8-15 Thanksgiving Introduction Reasons for coming to Rome 1:16-17 Body Thesis Faith, salvation, righteousness, Jew, Gentile, living 1:18-4:23 Proof 1 Jews and Gentiles in need of Christ and faith 5-8 Proof 2 Salvation, baptism, life in Christ, hope 9-11 Proof 3 God s election of Jews and inclusion of Gentiles 12:1-15:6 Proof 4 Life together in the body of Christ, weak and strong 15:7-33 Conclusion Reasons for coming to Rome 16 Conclusion Greetings to 26 people in Rome, prayer 9

14 10

15 SALVATION Rom 5 10

16 SALVATION Rom 5 FAITH 10

17 SALVATION Rom 5 FAITH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST Rom 6 10

18 SALVATION Rom 5 FAITH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST Rom 6 MORAL DILEMMAS Rom 7 10

19 SALVATION Rom 5 FAITH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST Rom 6 MORAL DILEMMAS Rom 7 PRAYER (ABBA FATHER) Rom 8 10

20 SALVATION Rom 5 FAITH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST Rom 6 MORAL DILEMMAS Rom 7 PRAYER (ABBA FATHER) Rom 8 HOLY SPIRIT 10

21 SALVATION Rom 5 FAITH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST Rom 6 MORAL DILEMMAS Rom 7 PRAYER (ABBA FATHER) Rom 8 HOLY SPIRIT CHRIST - HOPE 10

22 8:1-17 8:1 A. 8:2-4 B. 8:5-8 C. 8:9-11 D. 8:12-17 E. Thesis and rationale concerning the cosmic struggle between flesh and Spirit The thesis concerning freedom from condemnation for believers The first argument, that Christ frees believers to fulfil the law through the Spirit The second argument, distinguishing life according to the flesh from life according to the Spirit The third argument, that belonging to Christ involves possession of the Spirit The fourth argument, that possession of the Spirit implies a new relationship with God 11

23 Romans 8:1-2 Rom 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Thesis of ch. 8) 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. Antithetical dev. 12

24 Romans 8:1-2 Rom 8:1 [There is] 2 For the law of the But now we have been released from the therefore now no life-giving Spirit in law, because we have died to what condemnation for Christ Jesus has set controlled us, so that we may serve in the those who are in you free from the new life of the Spirit and not under the old Christ Jesus. law of sin and written code. (Thesis of ch. 8) death. (Rom 7:6) Antithetical dev. 12

25 Romans 8:1-2 Rom 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Thesis of ch. 8) 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. Antithetical dev. 12

26 Romans 8:1-2 But if the ministry that produced death carved in letters on Rom 8:1 [There is] 2 For the law of the stone tablets came with glory, so that the Israelites could not therefore keep their eyes now fixed on no the face of life-giving Moses because Spirit of the glory in of his face (a glory which was made ineffective), how much more condemnation for Christ Jesus has set glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be? For if there was glory in those the ministry who that are produced in condemnation, you free how from much more the does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory! For Christ Jesus. law of sin and indeed, what had been glorious now has no glory because of the tremendously greater glory of what death. replaced it. For if what was (Thesis of ch. 8) made ineffective came with glory, how much more has what remains come in glory! Antithetical dev. (2 Cor 3:7 11) 12

27 Romans 8:1-2 Rom 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Thesis of ch. 8) 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. Antithetical dev. 12

28 Romans 8:3-4 Rom 8:3 For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in *among* us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 13

29 Romans 8:3-4 A For the law [being] powerless (v. 3a) B in that it was weakened by the flesh (v. 3b) Rom 8:3 For God achieved what the law could C God having sent his own Son (v. 3c) D in the likeness of sinful flesh, D and concerning sin (v. 3d) C [God] condemned sin in the flesh (v. 3e) not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the A in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled among us (v. 4a) in B *among* who do not us, work who according do not to walk the flesh according but according to to the Spirit (8:4b) righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled the flesh but according to the Spirit. This topic is taken up in vv

30 Romans 8:3-4 Rom 8:3 For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in *among* us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 13

31 If sinful flesh is understood as the perverse quest for honor that Romans poisons every human 8:3-4 endeavor, it is clear that Christ entered fully and without reservation into that social arena with all its evil consequences, at the cost of his own life. His extraordinary exhibition and proclamation Rom 8:3 For of God a noncompetitive achieved what lifestyle the law in the could awareness not do because that the it Abba s was weakened love filled all through need for the honor and flesh. set By him sending free for generous his own love Son provoked in the likeness the opposition that led to his crucifixion. Christ s life and of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he death condemned sin in the flesh by exposing the condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the hostility against God entailed in the quest for honor on the basis of competitive achievement. righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in *among* us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Robert K. Jewett and Roy D. Kotansky, Romans: A Commentary on the Book of Romans, Hermeneia 66; p

32 Romans 8:3-4 Rom 8:3 For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in *among* us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 13

33 Romans 8:5-8 Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook (= mind) shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. 6 For the outlook (= mind) of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the outlook (= mind) of the flesh is (1) hostile (!) to God, for it (2) does not submit to the law of God, (3) nor is it able to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh (4) cannot please God. 14

34 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, complete Rom my joy 8:5 and For be those of the who same live according mind, by having to the the flesh same have their love, outlook being united (= mind) spirit, shaped and having by the one things purpose. of the flesh, Instead but of being those motivated who live by according selfish ambition to the or Spirit vanity, have each their of you outlook should, shaped in humility, by the be things moved of to the treat Spirit. one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. Romans 8:5-8 6 You For should the outlook have the (= same mind) of the attitude flesh toward is death, one but another outlook that Christ of Jesus the Spirit had, is who life and though peace, he existed 7 because in the the form outlook of God did (= mind) not regard of the equality flesh is with (1) God hostile as something (!) to God, to for be it (2) grasped, does not but submit emptied to himself the law by taking of God, on (3) the nor form is of it able a to slave, do by so. looking 8 Those like who other are in the men, flesh and (4) by cannot sharing please in human God. nature. (Phil 2:1 7) 14

35 Romans 8:5-8 Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook (= mind) shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. 6 For the outlook (= mind) of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the outlook (= mind) of the flesh is (1) hostile (!) to God, for it (2) does not submit to the law of God, (3) nor is it able to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh (4) cannot please God. 14

36 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if (= since) Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if (=since) the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 15

37 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if (= since) Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if (=since) the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful desires, aroused by the law, were active in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. (Rom 7:5) 15

38 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if (= since) Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if (=since) the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 15

39 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. I 10 will But reside if (= since) among Christ the is in Israelites, you, your body and is I will dead be because their of sin, but the Spirit is your life God, and they will know because of righteousness. 11 that Moreover I am the if (=since) Lord the their Spirit God, of the who one who brought raised them Jesus out from from the dead the land lives in of you, Egypt, the so one that who I raised may reside Christ from among the dead will also make your mortal them. I am the Lord their bodies alive through his Spirit God. who lives in you. (Exod 29:45 46) 15

40 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if (= since) Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if (=since) the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 15

41 Romans 8:9-11 We know that our old man was crucified Rom 8:9 with You, him however, so that are the not body in the of flesh sin would but in no the longer Spirit, if dominate indeed the us, Spirit so that of we God would lives no longer in you. be Now enslaved if anyone to sin. does (For not someone have the who Spirit has of died Christ, has this been freed person from does sin.) not belong to him. Now if we died with Christ, we 10 believe But if that (= since) we will Christ also live is in with you, him. your We know body that is dead since because Christ of has sin, been but raised the Spirit from is the your dead, life because he is never of righteousness. going to die again; 11 Moreover death no longer if (=since) has the mastery Spirit over of him. the For one the who death raised he died, Jesus he from died the to sin dead once lives for in all, you, but the the one life he who lives, raised he lives Christ to from God. the So dead you too will consider also make yourselves your mortal dead bodies to sin, but alive alive through to God his in Spirit Christ who Jesus. lives in you. (Rom 6:6 11) 15

42 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if (= since) Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if (=since) the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 15

43 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives We do so because we in you. Now if anyone does not know have the that Spirit the of one Christ, who this raised person does up Jesus not belong will also to him. raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into his presence. (2 Cor 4:14) 10 But if (= since) Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if (=since) the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 15

44 Romans 8:9-11 Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if (= since) Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if (=since) the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 15

45 Romans 8:12-13 Rom 8:12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 16

46 Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Romans 8:12-13 Rom 8:12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to For live whoever according wants to save to the adulterous flesh 13 and (for sinful if you his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it. live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? What can a person give in exchange for his life? For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:34 38) 16

47 Romans 8:12-13 Rom 8:12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 16

48 Romans 8:14-17 Rom 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him. 17

49 Romans 8:14-17 Now I mean that the heir, as long Rom as he is 8:14 a minor, For is no all different who are led from by a slave, the though Spirit he of is God the owner of everything. But he is are the sons of God. 15 under guardians and managers For until the you date did set not by his receive father. So the also we, spirit when of we slavery were minors, were enslaved under the basic leading again to fear, but forces of the world. you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, Abba, Father. 16 But when the appropriate time The had come, Spirit God himself sent out bears his Son, witness born of a woman, to our born spirit under that the law, to redeem those who were we are God s children. 17 under the law, so that we may be And adopted if children, as sons with then full rights. heirs And because (namely, you are heirs sons, of God sent the Spirit of his Son into our God and also fellow heirs hearts, who calls Abba! Father! with So you Christ) if are no longer indeed a slave we but a suffer son, and with if you him are a so son, we then may you are also an heir through God. also be glorified with him. (Gal 4:1 7) 17

50 Romans 8:14-17 Rom 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him. 17

51 8:1-17 8:1 A. 8:2-4 B. 8:5-8 C. 8:9-11 D. 8:12-17 E. Thesis and rationale concerning the cosmic struggle between flesh and Spirit The thesis concerning freedom from condemnation for believers The first argument, that Christ frees believers to fulfil the law through the Spirit The second argument, distinguishing life according to the flesh from life according to the Spirit The third argument, that belonging to Christ involves possession of the Spirit The fourth argument, that possession of the Spirit implies a new relationship with God 18

52 A Prayer For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14 21 NET) 19

53 And so... Spirituality in general NT Sources: Luke-Acts, Paul, John The Holy Spirit Christian Spirituality for today 20