The Jewish leaders and teachers, during the days of Jesus on earth, were looking to the coming of the Messiah. However, when Jesus the Messiah appeared, they crucified Him. They judged Him as being blasphemous and attributed His miracles to the devil. Jesus commented on their acts saying that He drove out demons by the Spirit of God, and that sin against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven.
Mat 12:28. "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Mat 12:30-31 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy [against] the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
I wonder if this is also not true of people who claim to know Christ but reject and oppose the works of the Holy Spirit. Would they really receive Jesus if He appeared today and did the miracles? Or would they reject Him for not fitting in to the doctrine of Christ that they teach?
Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice. They recognize His voice not because of being prepared to recognize Him by human doctrines. They recognize Him because they are His sheep. (cf. John 8, 10)
Certainly, miracles done in the Name of Jesus cannot be attributed to anything "strange" to Him?
But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. (Mark 9:39)
The counsel of Gamaliel may be wiser here for some:
"And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it -- lest you even be found to fight against God." (Acts 5:38-39)
However, those who really know Christ will certainly be able to also recognize His works. If His works seem "strange fire" to them, is it because they serve another Christ?!! This is something to really ponder upon.
It is impossible to have received Christ and yet be opposed to the gifts and workings of the Holy Spirit, because one can only accept Christ through the Spirit.
1Co 12:3. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
Again, it is evident that one who does miracles in Christ's Name is not against Him. Also, one who accepts Christ through the Spirit cannot just accept Christ and reject the Spirit. This is self-contradictory. So, logically as well, those who are opposing the works done in the Name of Christ (which obviously are not anti-Christian) are opposing the works of Christ, the works of the Spirit.
Also, it must be emphasized that those who take the Name of Christ genuinely (not fraudulently) will also genuinely depart from iniquity. This is definitely characteristic of the separated and redeemed life.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
But, there is no excuse of partial or progressive revelation here; as some say, that the Lutherans didn't know about water baptism, but Baptists got this advanced revelation; but, Pentecostals have received an even higher revelation of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But, if this was so, the Pharisees and the Sadducees should have been excused. It is not a matter of "how much" they know, but "what" they know. The Israelites in the wilderness were as much guilty of rejecting Christ and resisting His Spirit as would anyone today be who does so.
1Co 10:9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents
Heb 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard [it.]
Certainly, it is impossible to receive Christ and genuinely be opposed to the works of the Spirit. Isn't it so?
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