Judy wrote: > We know that He was full of the Holy Spirit because > it is written that "God giveth not the Spirit by measure > unto him" (John 3:34)
This passage says that God GIVETH not the Spirit by measure, indicating that it was a present thing, something that was happening at the time it was being spoken. John 3:34 was speaking about a time AFTER John saw the Spirit descending upon him, after his baptism. Therefore, this passage does not settle the question concerning when Jesus was FULL of the Spirit... without measure. Note also, that this perhaps should be looked at as a continual thing, a process, rather than an event in history. The Spirit was constantly flowing through him without measure. Judy wrote: > ... so my belief is that he was full of the Holy Spirit and > pure/holy from birth which is how he could sit in the midst > of the doctors at age 12, hear them, and ask such > questions that all who heard him were astonished at his > understanding and answers. (Luke 2:46,47). Sitting with the doctors at age 12 and being found to be full of wisdom does not settle the question of whether he was FULL of the Spirit either. I have had this experience myself, with my pastors asking me, "how much do you read the Bible... you must spend hours every day reading the Bible to know it by heart so well." We need to be careful not to read more into what Luke is saying than is warranted. Jesus certainly had the Spirit working in his life, but if part of what Jesus came to do was to experience what we experience, then I think he also experienced a time when he was not FULL. From my consideration of Scripture, I think I am inclined to agree with Bill that this happened at the time of his baptism. I tend to differ from him about whether or not it would be proper to call him Jesus prior to his birth as a man, but I will leave that discussion for another time. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
