Clarence Larkin - The Spirit World

[Alan]

Brethren,

I would like to do a review of the book written by Clarence Larkin, "The Spirit World." For those brethren who do not have a copy, a free PDF copy can be obtained by the following website:

http://www.earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/Books/Clarence Larkin/TheSpiritWorld/ClarenceLarkinTheSpiritWorld01.html

I would suggest that those who obtain the PDF copy "The Spirit world" to read the foreword. 

The material contained in Larkin's, "The Spirit World," both written and how he presents it on the charts, is, except for a few notable exceptions, excellent material  for a better understanding of the scriptures. In my previous study on Larkin's, "The Book of Revelation, " I brought out some of the issues I disagree with. One of the notable exceptions is that, on rare occasions, Larkin will use a different version of the scriptures. The brethren at the website, 'Earnestly Contending for the Faith,' removed these corrupt versions and inserted the KJV text.

Looking forward to some good discussions, questions, comments, and good fellowship in this study.

Regards,

Alan

 

 

Edited October 29, 2017 by Alan
grammer

[Alan]

12 hours ago, Ronda said:

Brother Alan, I would very much be interested in a book review on Clarence Larkin's "The Spirit World".
I've not (yet) read it myself, not knowing it existed... but have now found a free copy online and plan to read it (God willing). 

It would be a very timely study, since spiritual warfare is a major issue in the life of believers. (Eph.6:12). I just started the first chapter, and it looks to be an excellent read. 

Maranatha! 

Sister Ronda,

Very happy to hear that you found a free online copy of Clarence Larkin's, "The Spirit World." I moved your post from the Revelation thread to here as we will conduct the study on this thread (unless the moderator's decide differently).

Thank you for your reference to Ephesians 6:12 is appropriate to this study. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Every believer is in a spiritual battle.

As you read through the book please feel free to comment as your are lead. We do appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Alan

[Alan]

A Brief Overview of the Contents of The Spirit World

Clarence Larkin published the book in 1921. In his Foreward he states that it was due to the rise of "Spiritism" as of communicating with the dead that prompted him to write this book. He stated that he had the hope that those caught up in "Spiritism" would see the truths of the scripture concerning the spirit world.

Larkin deals with 19 aspects of the spirit world: from an overview of the beings in the spirit world, the Trinity, Satan, Fallen angels, the death of a person, the resurrections, the judgments and other matters in the spirit world.

These 19 aspects of the spirit world are divided into 19 chapters. We will discuss each aspect of the spirit world as we discuss each chapter.

Included in the book are 28 pictures depicting Bible scenes related to the subjects that he discusses. Unless necessary to the discussion, I will probably not discuss the pictures, nor photograph them, in this study.

Included  among the various chapters are charts. The charts are invaluable. Clarence Larkin had the ability, the gift from God, to put in chart form an accurate flow of the history of the subjects that he discussed. As in the book overview of Larkin's "Book of Revelation," we will discuss the charts as needed.

I would encourage all of your to read chapter 1of The Spirit World, called, "The Spirit World," before I begin the Overview of the book.

Alan

 

[Alan]

Brethren,

 

I will give a brief overview of the various chapters and the charts that I deem to be helpful. If there is any part of the book, whether or not I refer to it, that you want to discuss, please do so.

 

Due to the many subjects of the spirit world, Larkin does not attempt to comment on every verse in every subject.

 

There is a chart called, “The Prophetic Earth,”after the Foreword and before Chapter 1, that some find interesting. I find it unusual. But, Larkin does not comment on it. So, decide for yourself. I will forgo commenting on the pictures within the book.

 

Alan

 

Overview of Clarence Larkin's, “The Spirit World.”

By Alan

 

Chapter 1

“The Spirit World.”

There is a common saying, “Can't see the forest due to the trees.”Larkin brings our a very important fact about the scriptures that is very obvious, but, somewhat neglected. Larkin states in his first sentence, “The Scriptures are full of the “Supernatural.” Larkin begins to give a broad overview of the spiritual nature of the scriptures and some of the “Spirit Beings; particularly, Micheal, Gabriel, and Satan. Except for a quotation of Ezekiel 1:4-14, and, “John's Living Creatures,” Rev.4:6-8, with an accompanying hand drawn picture, there are not charts in chapter 1.

Chapter 2

“The Tri-Unity of God.”

Larkin brings out some interesting facts concerning trinity of the Godhead. He brings out some interesting facts both from the scriptures, from the natural realm, and the trinity of man. There are no charts in chapter 2.

Chapter 3

“Satan”

Larkin clearly shows how Satan is a person, his origin, and brings out some important notes on Isaiah 14:12-20 and Job 38:7. Larkin has a well-thought out section on, “The Problem of Evil,” which should be read by every saint and sinner.

 

Larkin clearly brings out Satan's present location, his kingdom, his methods, how he is an adversary to the saints of God and his doom.

The Chart

Satan - “The God of This Age”

is found on page 9

 

Photo by Alan

 

[Alan]

Brethren,

I am in the process of writing an overview (not necessarily a detailed lesson), on Chapter IV (four), called, "The Fallen angels," and Larkin's Larkin's belief that, "fallen angels," and "the sons of God" in Genesis 6 are one and the same. This coming lesson is one of the issues that I do not agree with Clarence Larkin. As I do not want to turn this overview of, "The Spirit World," into a debate on the Genesis 6:1-8, I would like to direct the reader's to study John Young's' thread. It is found in: (Home\Forums for independent fundamental baptists\IFB Biblical Issues\The Sons of God are not the Angels. John Young exposition on Genesis 6:1-8 is excellent and I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Here is the link to John Young's thread:

I want to thank all of you for reading this overview.

Alan

[Alan]

                                                                        Chapter 4 – The Fallen Angels
                                                                                             Overview
Note # 1: There is no chart for this chapter. But, he does refer the reader to the Chart in the chapter, “The Underworld.” Therefore, I will use quotes from Larkin to show his train of thought and bring out my own comments.

Note # 2: Most of the answers to Larkin's interpretation on Genesis 6:1-4 have previously been answered in the John Young thread on, “The Sons of God are not Angels.”I will limit my comment on the 2 Peter 2:2 4 & 5, Jude 6 & 7 reference to the fallen angels and the “sons of God” section. 
                                                                           2 Peter 2:4 & 5 and Jude 6 & 7 
2 Peter 2:4 & 5, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.” 
Jude 6 & 7, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” 

God brought judgment on the individuals in Noah's day for the same reason He is going to judge the world in the Tribulation Period: the ungodliness of the people. 

Larkin combines 2 Peter 2:4 & 5 with Jude 6 & 7 and then states that all of the above scripture verses to angels, or the sons of God, became fallen angels when they had intercourse with women during the days of Noah in Genesis 6:1-4 Larkin believes that the angels in Jude 6 are the individuals that gave themselves over to fornication in Jude 7. This is not so. Jude 6 and 7 are referring to two different situations. 

Jude 6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” The first estate, or habitation, of these fallen  angels was heaven. An estate, or habitation, is a location or a place of residence. Like Satan,Isaiah 14:13 &14, they willingly left their first estate,their habitation, and God punished them. The sins of these angels was not cohabitation with women on the earth.

The punishment was to be kept in everlasting chains unto the judgment of Revelation 20:11-15 The King James Version translators called this place hell. No matter whether you call it hell, or Tartarus, the result is the same. These fallen angels have been in hell, or Tartarus, since the day they rebelled against God and cannot leave. Satan is not currently in hell, but these angels are. 

Jude 7, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” The apostle Jude is clearly referencing to the individuals of Sodom and Gomorrah and not to the situation in Genesis 6:1-4. “… and going after strange flesh.” is a clear reference to the sin of Sodomy, or homosexuality, as the Apostle Jude is referring to: Genesis 19:1-26 In Leviticus, “strange flesh” is also when the intercourse is accomplished with a human being and an animal: or bestiality, Leviticus 20: 15 & 16 

Therefore, Jude 7 is not referring to angels but to the men of Sodom committing sodomy and possibly bestiality.  
                                                                                                            The Sons of God
Larkin refers to John 1:12; Romans 8:14-14; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 3:1 & 2 and states that the sons of the God of the Old Testament are are not the sons of God (a person who is saved), in the New Testament. 

Larkin states, “The title “Bne-Ha-Elohim,” “Sons of God,” has not the same meaning in the Old Testament that it has in the New. In the New Testament it applies to those who have become the “Sons of God” by the New Birth. John 1:12; Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 4:6; 1 John 3:1-2. In the Old Testament it applies exclusively to the angels, and is so used five times.”i 

Larkin then states, “A “Son of God” denotes a being brought into existence by a creative act of God.”ii Larkin creates his own definition for a “Son of God” for the Old Testament and his own definition of the “sons of God,” in the New Testament. I do not accept his arbitrary definitions and stating that the meaning of each word is different in the two Testaments. 

Larkin refer too, but does not quote, Luke 3:38, which clearly tells us  Adam was referred to as a son of God (I understand that the phrase “the son” is in italics: I will italicize the words as recorded in the King James Version as the translators italicize the verse) “Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.” Luke 3:38 The King James translators were correct to add the italicized words, “the son” in their respective places in Luke 3:38. 

Therefore, Adam was called, “a son of God” in the Old Testament and the phrase, “sons of God,” as a reference to a righteous person, a saved saint, is both proper usage of the word in both the Old and New Testament and is not exclusive to angels in the Old Testament. Adam and Eve willingly accepted the punishment given by God, and willingly, by faith, accepted the garments to cover their nakedness.   Adam was not only a created being but, by faith, was righteous, a son of God, in the sight of God. 

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit clearly worked in the hearts of the Old Testament saints, and clearly led Moses, the prophets, the Judges (Joshua and Judges), clearly led, and spoke to King David, King Solomon, and others, so, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14 Therefore, as the saints in the Old Testament were led by the Spirit of God, the saints in the Old Testament can be referred to as, “sons of God.”

When a Gentile is saved in the New Testament he is “grafted,” or, “adopted,” into the saved Israelites in the Old Testament and we (saved Gentiles), can become, as the saved Jews in the Old Testament, a child of God, or one of the, “sons of God.” “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:15 & 16 

Therefore, the Old Testament usage of the term “sons of God” is not exclusive to angels.  

Edited November 7, 2017 by Alan
formatting grammer twice had to re-italicize luke 3:38

[Alan]

Clarence Larkin – The Spirit World

Chapter 5 – “Demonism”

Overview

The chapter on Demonism by Larkin is very good. Although it does not have a chart, Larkin's comments on Demonism and Spiritualism, is very good. I would like to quote the first paragraph as it sets the tone for the chapter, “We are reading a great deal in these days about “Spiritualism,” or the communication of the living with the dead. What is called “Spiritualism” is DEMONISM, and is forbidden in the scriptures. Lev.20:6, 27. Deu. 18:10-11. Isa 8:19 R.V. The “Familiar Spirits” of the Old Testament are the same as the “Demons” and “Seducing Spirits” of the New Testament.”ⁱ

Larkin has a section dealing with, “The Power of Demons over the Human Body,” that is very good.

Larkin spends a considerable time with a section on, “The Spirit of Samuel,” and the prophet Samuel's appearance with King Saul in 1 Samuel 28:3-25. Larkin goes into great detail in explaining that God took the matter out of the hand of the medium, the witch of Endor, and allowed the prophet Samuel to sternly rebuke King Saul for his disobedience. I agree with Larkin in the interpretation of the passage. I would recommend anyone who is in doubt on what really happened with King Saul,the witch at Endor, and the appearance of the prophet Samuel to read the interpretation by Larkin.

Chapter 6

“The Underworld”

Clarence Larkin begins the chapter with the Hebrew Old Testament words for Hell, the Grave, the Pit, etc… and corresponding Greek words of Hades, Hell and the meanings of Sheol and Hades etc… in relationship with the spirit world. Larkin then proceeds to give some appropriate (not all), scripture verses as examples.

Larkin has a chart to help explain the various Hebrew and Greek words and their locations.

“The Heavens”

 

 

Page 49

Photo by Alan

Larkin explains the various Hebrew and Greek meanings, and related scripture passages, and their locations as depicted on the chart. Larkin clearly explains why the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-21, is a true story and not a parable. His explanation on Ecclesiastes 9:5 & 10, is also noteworthy for those who need help in dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses.

 

Larkin has a section on, “Purgatory,” the, “Restoration Theory,” that is helpful for those who deal with Catholics. In dealing with the subject of purgatory and the Mass, Larkin has a section called, “A Defective View of the Work of Christ on the Cross.” In his comments Larkin adequately explains how the Catholic view of the purgatory and the mass are contrary to the real meaning of, “The Lord's Supper,” as a memorial for the work of Christ on the cross. Larkin has a good chart dealing with the Priestly work of Christ that is helpful in understanding the Prophetic, the Priestly and the Kingly work of Christ.

“The Two Comings”

Photo by Alan

Larkin has a section on, “Annihilationism”and a section on “Future Punishment Eternal,” that is very helpful. In his comments on annihilationism he brings out the correct interpretation of the word “destruction” as it is used in the scriptures.

 

i Larkin, Clarence The Spirit World, (Glenside, PA: Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate), 1921, page 37

Edited November 12, 2017 by Alan
grammer changed chapter 4 to 5 and 5 to 6

[Invicta]

I consider the judgement seat of Christ and the great white throne to be one and the same.

[Alan]

Invicta,

Thank you for looking closely at the chart. I appreciate your participation.

I do agree with Larkin though that the Judgment Seat of Christ is separate from the Great White Throne of Judgment.

Brethren,

I briefly mentioned the subject of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne of Judgment in the Revelation Chapter 19-22 Study on page number 1, 3, & 8 Here is the link to one of the studies.

On 3/7/2015 at 9:22 PM, Alan said:

Revelation 19: 7-10, “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.”

Verse 7, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Verse 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Verse 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Verse 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of the brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Very Important notes: At this point in our study of the prophetic events in the Book of Revelation we need to make sure of four key points in the interpretation, and order of events, of prophecy:

1. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 All of the various religions, cults, false prophets, et al, can ‘divide’ the scriptures; but they do not have the spiritual discernment to ‘rightly’ divide the scriptures. “ 1 Corinthians 2:13 & 14, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The confusion concerning the fulfillment of the prophetic prophesies of the prophets is due to corrupt doctrine in the churches, denominational bias, and of evil influences. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

2. “Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:32. Concerning prophecy, there are specific promises and prophesies given to the elect sons of Israel; specific prophecies concerning the unbelieving Gentile nations, and specific promises to the elect in the church of God (believing Jews and Gentiles in the Church Age).

3. “… for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10 Amen!

4. The prophetic prophecies by the prophets in the Old Testament concerning the restoration of Israel, the coming of the Messiah, and the times of ‘Jacob’s Trouble,’ (the Tribulation Period)and the prophesies of the Lord Jesus, particularly Matthew chapter 24 & 25, the prophecies of Paul, Peter and John are not always written in the order of sequence. The proper order of sequences of the prophecies is ‘revealed’ in the Book of Revelation. Because God is the God of order, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:10, God gave us the proper order of prophetic events clearly delineated in the Book of Revelation.

“…the marriage of the Lamb is come…”

In the Old Testament the wife of Jehovah is the Jewish nation of Israel. In the Church Age the nation of Israel is pictured as an adulterous wife: Please study Jeremiah and Hosea.

The Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

In the New Testament the wife of the Lord Jesus is the church. I must add; the church is comprised of born again Jews and Gentiles who are saved, not those necessarily belonging to some, ‘church.’ The book of Ephesians gives us an in-depth description of the spiritual relationship between the church and the Saviour. Particularly: Ephesians 12:4, 22 & 23; 2:6 & 7, and 5:23-33

“…and his wife hath made herself ready.”

The ‘wife’ is the church. The reason why the church is not mentioned during the events of the Great Tribulation Period, or the ‘Times of Jacob’s trouble,’ is due to the fact that the church has been in heaven since Revelation 4:1. The church, during the Tribulation Period, Revelation chapter 6-18, has been being made ‘ready’ for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Almost without exception, every bride, in every country, in every age, is secretly taken away to be made ‘ready’ for her marriage. In Revelation 4:1 The church was secretly taken out of the world at the ‘Rapture,’ in order to be made ‘ready’ for her bridegroom.

This being made ‘ready’ is primarily a reference to the cleansing of heretical doctrine in the church and the giving of rewards to the Church Age saints at the, ‘Judgment Seat of Christ,’ as spoken by Paul in Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:8-15, and 2 Corinthians 5:10. Salvation and service are two different aspects in the Christian life.

Paul wrote this testimony shortly before his death, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6

And, “That he [Christ] might sanctify and cleanse it [the church] with the washing by the word.” Ephesians 5:26. Brethren, please take this lesson as a friendly word of warning. If you are not going to be cleansed from your sins and from corrupt doctrine while you live on the earth by the word of God, the Lord Jesus will personally cleanse every Christian of the corrupt doctrines, corrupt Bibles, corrupt associations, and corrupt behavior, at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

The Lord Jesus performed one act at the Temple of God at the beginning of His earthly ministry and at the end of His earthly ministry that all of the saints need to take very careful heed. The Lord Jesus ‘cleansed’ the Temple of God. One day the Lord Jesus will again ‘cleanse’ the Temple of God. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

“…for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”  

1. Righteousness in Salvation. When a person believes on the Lord Jesus as Saviour he is made ‘righteous’ in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

2. Righteousness in Daily Holiness. In our daily walk with the Lord Jesus we need to be ‘righteous’ in our thoughts, our behavior, our companionship, and relationship with our fellow man. 2 Corinthians 6: 11-18, 2 Timothy 2:19-21, and the rest of the writings of the Apostles in the New Testament. 1 Peter1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Some of the saints on God’s green earth are not holy and therefore, not ‘ready.’ All of us though will be made ‘ready,’ or ‘holy,’ in preparation for our marriage with the Lamb. Glory Hallelujah!

   The Lord Jesus wants a ‘chaste virgin’ for His bride: 2 Corinthians 11:2

“…which are called…”

Every person who has answered the, ‘call of salvation,’ will be ‘called,’ to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The ‘calling’ of the saints to the marriage supper was made when the Lord Jesus ‘called’ the saints into heaven. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 17

“…See thou do it not…”

The Apostle John mistakenly fell down to worship this man of God. The man of God, as any true man of God, told him not to do it. If the Pope, the Cardinals, and the Priests of the Roman Catholic Church were true men of God (which they are not in any sense of the word), then they would not allow people to fall at their feet. It is Satanic for a man to allow another man to fall at his feet in worship and not to correct him for his error.

“…for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

All of the prophesies of the Old Testament, and, the prophesies of the New Testament, point to some aspect of the character, work, testimony, and person of the Lord Jesus as the Messiah.

 

Alan

 

Here is the link: http://www.onlinebaptist.com/home/topic/23115-revelation-chapter-19-22-study/?page=1

[Invicta]

Thanks Alan  I don't agree with you but if I post my view I will do it on another thread,

[Alan]

Brethren,

I appreciate all of you who are following this overview of Larkin's, 'The Spirit world.' There is a lot of information on the charts that I have not discussed as this is just a broad overview. So, as you either read something in the book, or see something in the charts that you are not familiar with, or you disagree with, please bring it to our attention. It is my intention to bring out that I feel that his books (as a whole not in its entirety), are useful to give the diligent student of scripture  a proper understanding of the work of God throughout history. And, in this overview, some of his subjects can help us understand the false teachings, and spirit, of the Catholics, spiritualism and Jehovah's witnesses.

Any others thoughts, areas we need to discuss, or questions that need to be discussed, before I start the next lesson?

Alan

 

[Jim_Alaska]

Bro. Alan. I am behind you in my reading of Larkin's work. But since you stated that you would like other's comments as thoughts came to them I thought I would make a short comment on something that I have often taken exception with.

It has to do with Larkin's observations in his section on the Tri-Unity of God. I speak specifically of his assertion that The Trinity was present at the Baptism of Jesus.

While I do believe that The Trinity was present at the Baptism of Jesus and that this is a strong proof verse for the argument that there is a Trinity, I take strong exception with Larkin and most others teaching that the "HOLY SPIRIT" was present in the form of a "Dove." Mat 3:16-17.

While my views in opposition to this teaching are not something that I would break fellowship over, I do believe that for the sake of clarity and proper "rightly dividing" I have always taken exception to this teaching regarding the form the Holy Spirit took in this Scripture.

John clearly says that he saw The Spirit of God "descending like a dove." To me this speaks expressly to the manner in which The Spirit of God descended, not the actual form He descended in.

I hope my observation and understanding does not seem too "picky', but this has always been my point of departure with the teaching of most on this subject. It is because of this one verse that we see The Holy Spirit depicted by most teachers and writers as a dove in picture form in their work.

[Alan]

Hmmm.

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16 & 17

Larkin stated, "The "SON" was present in Jesus. And the "HOLY SPIRIT" was present in the form of a "DOVE." This quote is found on page 5.

Jim,

Very happy that you made this comment about the Holy Spirit descending like a dove. I do not feel it is nit-picking.

I had thought of what you are saying, but I am not mentioning every detail that Larkin states as I do not know what subjects are of interest to everybody and what subjects to comment on and what subjects not to comment on.

The scriptures does state the the Holy Spirit, "... descending like a dove..." and then, "... lighting upon him..." The scriptures does not say, " in the form of a dove " as you brought out. Some have thought though that since the scriptures say, "and lighting upon him" indicates not only the descending manner but also a form of a dove.

Either way, I appreciate your participation and I appreciate your observation, and comments, concerning the Holy Spirit.

Alan

 

P.S.

I have not noticed this subject previously being discussed on OnLine Baptist.

So, as Larkin did make this a point in his book, and if there is anybody else, or if Jim wants to continue this discussion on Matthew 3:16-17 and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, please do so.

Alan

[Invicta]

9 hours ago, Alan said:

Hmmm.

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16 & 17

Larkin stated, "The "SON" was present in Jesus. And the "HOLY SPIRIT" was present in the form of a "DOVE." This quote is found on page 5.

Jim,

Very happy that you made this comment about the Holy Spirit descending like a dove. I do not feel it is nit-picking.

I had thought of what you are saying, but I am not mentioning every detail that Larkin states as I do not know what subjects are of interest to everybody and what subjects to comment on and what subjects not to comment on.

The scriptures does state the the Holy Spirit, "... descending like a dove..." and then, "... lighting upon him..." The scriptures does not say, " in the form of a dove " as you brought out. Some have thought though that since the scriptures say, "and lighting upon him" indicates not only the descending manner but also a form of a dove.

Either way, I appreciate your participation and I appreciate your observation, and comments, concerning the Holy Spirit.

Alan

 

P.S.

I have not noticed this subject previously being discussed on OnLine Baptist.

So, as Larkin did make this a point in his book, and if there is anybody else, or if Jim wants to continue this discussion on Matthew 3:16-17 and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, please do so.

Alan

Thanks Alan. 

I don't think it matters either way.  The main point is that he saw the spirit descending. Was it Jesus that saw, or John?

  In Acts 2 the Spirit appeared as cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

• Luke 2:2-3 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

[Alan]

Invicta,

Thank you for your comments and bringing Acts 2:3 to our attention.

Brethren,

Any other thoughts, or comments, on other passages of scripture pertaining to the subject of the baptism of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove?

Alan