MEASURES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

(John 3:34-35)

Measure- The Greek used in John 3:34 is metron (noun) and denotes that which is used for measuring, the thing used for measuring; that which is measured; a determined extent (amount, limit-rb), a portion measured (Vine’s).

This word is used in other places in the New Testament.  Its use at John 3:34 is as last defined above.  Anything given by measure is limited by the measured amount given.  Here that which may be measured was given “not by measure” (without limit, not limited, not limited in strength or amount, given in full strength and in the entire and complete amount) to Jesus the man, the Christ, the only begotten Son of God. 

Why did Jesus need to be given anything or any power, was he not God?  Jesus emptied himself, gave up every attribute and power he possessed as a member of the Godhead equal with God,  and took on as he lived in this world the God given attributes and powers of all men (Philippians 2:5-12).  He lived and died on this earth as a man, the only man ever begotten of God (John 3:16).  Because he lived as a man, tempted as is every man, his sinless life and sacrifice  renders love for him and faith in his  mediation and intercession for man most credible.  He was “that prophet” prophesied by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  As a man and as every prophet of God he had to be inspired of God (given) that which he was to speak (John 12:44-50).  This was miraculous (beyond God’s natural order/laws) as were all signs and wonders (miracles) performed to confirm and authenticate the message and the prophet (II Peter 1:19-21).  The purpose of all miracles including creation was to reveal God in his glory and confirm his Word.  That given “not by measure” to Jesus was the miraculous powers of and given by the Holy Spirit.  This total and complete miraculous power was given to Jesus at his baptism of John and only evidenced thereafter (Matthew 3:16-17, 11:27; John 1:32-34, ).

“The implication (of John 6:34) is clear that God did give the Spirit “by measure” to others.  The apostles and the house of Cornelius received the baptismal measure (miraculous powers though limited) of the Spirit(Guy N. Woods, Commentary The Gospel According to John, Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville Tennessee, 1981).”  As the apostles fulfilled their commission they imparted certain powers/gifts to others in the church that they might know and obey God’s will even as Christian today who have the complete (for its purpose), inspired, and inerrant word of God (Acts 8:14-17).  These powers were “the earnest of the Spirit” and the seal,  the guarantee of God that man (the faithful) could have the forgiveness of sin, salvation, and receive the inheritance promised (II Corinthians 1:20-22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:14).  Therefore, there is no need today of any additional revelation and miracles (Hebrews 5:12).  No man today receives or has need of the miraculous    “(T)he gift of the Holy Spirit” cannot be the word of God.  The world (all men) has the word.  The ability to have one’s sins forgiven, to have salvation of the soul, is the result of hearing, believing and obeying the word of God from the heart.  The “gift of the Holy Spirit “is the miraculous powers of the Spirit given to reveal and confirm the word (Acts 2:38).  The words spoken by the Apostle Peter were to those of that day, before the complete word was completed.   “To receive the Holy Spirit is a figure of speech.  It never means the Holy Spirit himself but always refers to the Power of the Holy Spirit (Carl G. Hecker email to this writer on July 11, 2008)” 

The inspired word is that which the Holy Spirit revealed from God.  This was accomplished by “the gift of the Holy Spirit” given the apostles of Christ and by them to the infant church. The   word   is   not    the Spirit or the miraculous powers thereof, nor does it stand for either of these.  The word is that which was revealed and confirmed by the Spirit, the result of the miraculous.  The Spirit dwells in the hearts of the faithful by the influence of God’s revealed word.

Two phrases not found in the New Testament are “the non-miraculous measure” and “the common measure” of the Spirit.  A phrase used by many to counter the prevalent denominational belief in the literal and personal indwelling of the Spirit in the hearts of the believers and the continuing revelation and miracles from God today.  Any words that could lead to an inaccurate conclusion concerning the gift of the Holy Spirit and the method of the indwelling of the Christian by the Holy Spirit should be avoided.

The “power of God” (of the Godhead) “unto salvation” is “the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16-17).  The gospel is God’s plan by which the faithful, loving, obedient are saved in these “last days”.  His word in every age has been the means by which man could be saved.  The power of the word to save is its influence on the heart.  By this influence obeyed God the Father, Christ the Son, and God the Holy Spirit dwell in the hearts of men (Romans 10:17, Galations 3:5, I John 4:12-16).  .