Reading the Bible does not Give us the Spirit

Evangelical · 10-15-2016, 01:50 AM

There is a quote on the main page of this site that I just want to address:

The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes.
The more of God's Word you know and love, the more of God's Spirit you will experience. ~ John Piper.

Many individuals, ministries, churches believe this, that by knowing, loving and teaching the Word of God, that we are becoming more filled with the Spirit.

It sounds logical, the Spirit inspired the Bible, therefore read the Bible and you get the Spirit! Read the Bible more and you get more Spirit! But it is correct? No, and it is in fact illogical. The Bible came from the Spirit, but the Spirit does not come from the Bible. It's like if I write a letter to my wife, does she get more of me by reading and loving my letter? No. Even if she studies my letter diligently and knows it inside out, she only gets me when she asks for me. Likewise, reading, studying, loving the bible, God's letter to us, does not get us more of God. What gets us more of the Spirit is when we ask for the Spirit.

This idea of reading the Bible to get the Spirit is false for a few more reasons.

1. The Pharisees were diligent and loved the Scriptures and knew them very well, yet Jesus said:

John 5:39 "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,".

Jesus stated right there that knowledge of the Scriptures does not give eternal life, and since the Spirit is the Spirit of (eternal) life, we can conclude that knowledge of the Scriptures does not give the Spirit.

2. The Bible itself says that scripture's purpose is to make us wise, not give us the Spirit:

2 Tim 3:15 "From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

3. In the Bible, believers received the Spirit the moment they heard the gospel and believed, not read the Bible (Acts 10:44-47) and

Acts 19:2 "and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.""

4. When the apostle Paul had his conversion experience, he was blinded, obviously he was not reading the Scripture to get the Spirit.

5. Jesus breathed His Spirit on the disciples and did not tell them to read the Scriptures to get the Spirit.

6. When the disciples were waiting for the outpouring of the Spirit, they were not reading their Bibles fervently to get filled with the Spirit, but waiting as the Lord told them to (Acts 2).

7. A large percentage of the world's Christians do not have or have access to the Bible in their own language. Does it mean they cannot be filled with the Spirit? Of course not. The Christians who arguably need the Spirit the most (in persecuted or underground churches) may not even have a bible! Does this mean they are helpless? Of course not.

8. We find no example in the New Testament of anyone reading their Scriptures to get the Holy Spirit or be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The only true and sure fire way to be filled with the Spirit is to ask!

Luke 11:13 "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!""

10-15-2016, 01:50 AM	#1
Evangelical Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 3,965	Reading the Bible does not Give us the Spirit There is a quote on the main page of this site that I just want to address: The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God's Word you know and love, the more of God's Spirit you will experience. ~ John Piper. Many individuals, ministries, churches believe this, that by knowing, loving and teaching the Word of God, that we are becoming more filled with the Spirit. It sounds logical, the Spirit inspired the Bible, therefore read the Bible and you get the Spirit! Read the Bible more and you get more Spirit! But it is correct? No, and it is in fact illogical. The Bible came from the Spirit, but the Spirit does not come from the Bible. It's like if I write a letter to my wife, does she get more of me by reading and loving my letter? No. Even if she studies my letter diligently and knows it inside out, she only gets me when she asks for me. Likewise, reading, studying, loving the bible, God's letter to us, does not get us more of God. What gets us more of the Spirit is when we ask for the Spirit. This idea of reading the Bible to get the Spirit is false for a few more reasons. 1. The Pharisees were diligent and loved the Scriptures and knew them very well, yet Jesus said: John 5:39 "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,". Jesus stated right there that knowledge of the Scriptures does not give eternal life, and since the Spirit is the Spirit of (eternal) life, we can conclude that knowledge of the Scriptures does not give the Spirit. 2. The Bible itself says that scripture's purpose is to make us wise, not give us the Spirit: 2 Tim 3:15 "From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 3. In the Bible, believers received the Spirit the moment they heard the gospel and believed, not read the Bible (Acts 10:44-47) and Acts 19:2 "and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."" 4. When the apostle Paul had his conversion experience, he was blinded, obviously he was not reading the Scripture to get the Spirit. 5. Jesus breathed His Spirit on the disciples and did not tell them to read the Scriptures to get the Spirit. 6. When the disciples were waiting for the outpouring of the Spirit, they were not reading their Bibles fervently to get filled with the Spirit, but waiting as the Lord told them to (Acts 2). 7. A large percentage of the world's Christians do not have or have access to the Bible in their own language. Does it mean they cannot be filled with the Spirit? Of course not. The Christians who arguably need the Spirit the most (in persecuted or underground churches) may not even have a bible! Does this mean they are helpless? Of course not. 8. We find no example in the New Testament of anyone reading their Scriptures to get the Holy Spirit or be filled with the Holy Spirit. The only true and sure fire way to be filled with the Spirit is to ask! Luke 11:13 "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!""