We have the Spirit!
January 19, 2024
Good day! I am writing a series of short reviews of abbreviated COGR video clips. I am looking for input and comments. If it makes it easier, I will be glad to supply a Word document so comments can be put in the document and we can communicate directly. My email address is lattema@icloud.com. I hope you find these reviews helpful.
Subtitle: “so that God can help us to tell you what God was thinking about.”
Transcript:
“Read,” but the spirit, which is of God, [but the spirit, which is of God,] that we might know the things that are freely given, [that we might know.] We got God’s spirit because really, God’s the only one who knows. “Say amen.” So, God’s Spirit is the only one who knows. And so, we’ve received His spirit, the apostles. “Say, amen” so that God can help us to tell you what God was thinking about. “Say, Amen.” So, we receive that spirit of God, not the spirit of the world so that we can tell you some things. What things are you going to tell? I’m glad you asked; we’re going to tell you the secret things of God. But no, no, really tell me what things like what things. We’re going to tell you things that eye have not seen. Nor ear heard. There are people writing songs about that, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, but when I get to heaven my eye will see and my ear hear.” Well, amen. Amen. But we do have eyes here, and God made the eyes. Yes, we do have ears here, and God created us with ears. Therefore, God must want us to see and if He wants us to see and hear, He would like us to see and hear what things pertain to Him. Is that correct? And there’s only one way to see what things pertain to God, and that is by the spirit of God. Is that correct? Well, God doesn’t share His spirit with just anybody, but He gave it to the apostles.
Commentary:
Stephen asserts that only the Apostles can communicate God’s thoughts to individual congregants because, according to him, God exclusively shares His Spirit with the Apostles. This claim is driven by the Apostles’ desire to control those who perceive them as such, aiming to establish a special status for themselves within the congregation. They seek to implement a two-tier system, distinguishing the super-spiritual from regular congregants, fostering a belief that God has a unique connection with the super-apostles. Stephen crafts a mythology where God imparts His spirit solely to the Apostles, making congregants dependent on them for divine communication.
However, an examination of Stephen’s claims reveals several issues. Firstly, the concept of apostleship is rooted in the original 12 Apostles documented in Scripture, and there is no indication of their replacement. The leadership of the church transitioned to elders and deacons after the Apostles’ era. The assertion that the COGR has 12 apostles lacks biblical support and evidence, appearing to be a local myth imposed on Scripture.
Regarding Stephen’s attempt to limit God’s Spirit to the Apostles, scrutiny of the Scriptures contradicts his stance. Various passages affirm that believers, including those baptized in the Holy Spirit, born-again Christians, and children of God, possess God’s Spirit. The verses provided (Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 2:38, John 3:5, Romans 8:14-16, Romans 8:9) emphasize that believers, not just Apostles, are recipients of God’s Spirit. Additionally, Scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, John 14:26, Romans 8:16, and 1 John 2:27 illustrate God sharing His Spirit with all believers.
Stephen’s interpretation of 1 Corinthians 2:12 to exclusively refer to the Apostles is challenged by the contextual understanding. Most commentators believe that the “we” in this verse includes Paul and other Corinthian believers who received the Holy Spirit. The fact that the church has been led both by the Spirit and the Word since the Apostles’ time challenges Stephen’s attempt to restrict the Spirit to a select few. Overall, a careful examination of Scripture reveals discrepancies in Stephen’s claims about apostleship and the distribution of God’s Spirit.
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