Passage: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Questions:
11) Spirit of God was hovering over the waters (Genesis 1:2b). By His breath (Holy Spirit) the skies became fair (Job 26:13). When you send your Spirit, they (humans) are created, and you renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30).
12) Genesis 6:3: God’s Spirit will not contend (or remain) with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.
Webster’s says contend means “to struggle; to strive or vie in contest; maintain”. It could also mean the Spirit will not struggle against man’s sinful nature for more than 120 years.
Ezekiel 36:26-27: God will put the Spirit in us to move us to follow His decrees and keep His laws.
John 3:8: The Spirit goes where it wants to and you cannot predict where it will go or where it will come from.
John 7:38-39: Whoever believes in Christ will have the Spirit flowing within them.
John 14:16-17: The Spirit was sent by God to be with us and in us; to speak the truth to us and be our Counselor.
John 16:7-8: Jesus had to die so that the Spirit (or Counselor) could be with man. It will be the Spirit to convict the world of guilt and bring righteousness.
Romans 8:9: The Spirit lives in you if you belong to God. You are controlled by the Spirit, not by your sinful nature. If you don’t have the Spirit, you don’t belong to God.
2 Corinthians 3:3: The Spirit is written on our hearts that shows/proves we are God’s.
2 Corinthians 3:6: We are competent to spread the Good News because we have the Spirit. The Spirit gives life. Nothing else such as letters.
2 Corinthians 3:18: We are being transformed into God’s likeness with ever-increasing glory because we have the Spirit within. The Spirit allows us to reflect God’s glory wherever we go.
Ephesians 1:13-14: Once we accepted Christ into our hearts, we were marked by the Holy Spirit as God’s. We are thus guaranteed our inheritance (everlasting life).
Titus 3:5-6: God saved us through the Holy Spirit, which Christ brought us through his death.
13) Personal Question. My answer: It’s a great reminder that no matter what sins we commit, we are saved and forgiven because of the Holy Spirit, which guides all that we do. I take comfort in knowing I’m not in control but God is and that I am gradually being transformed because of the Spirit into God’s glory.
It gives me hope because it seems I fall short every day of God’s commands.
14a) Once Christ is accepted, the Holy Spirit comes and fills that person, marks them, and then guides them for the rest of their earthly days. The Spirit goes where it chooses to go. But we can help the Spirit choose others by reflecting God’s glory.
b) Personal Question. My answer: Yes.
Conclusions: Many people just think of God when they think of Creation. They picture Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel where he depicts God extending His hand to Adam and imparting life. But many (including me) forget the intricate role of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in all of this. Great job by BSF bringing that aspect to light and emphasizing their continued importance in our life today.
Many people just think of God when they think of Creation. —-thanks
you remind me the intricate role of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in all of this.
God bless me
i realize that they don’t get into Genesis 6:4 yet but since it is right below Genesis 6:3 in question 12 {which to me is sort of disturbing since it sort of implies that God already knows that He won’t put up with us forever, and i am assuming it’s on earth and then He will transform us when we get to heaven} but i can’t help but wonder why the reference to the Nephilim and what is your take on this passage. Genesis 1 rather implies that God made earth for man whom He created in His image. so were the Nephilim in his image and why were they on earth?
Hey Keg,
Good to hear from you!
Man, are those loaded questions (which hopefully we’ll learn more about from BSF). You have to remember God is omniscient so God knew we would fall, knew death would be introduced, knew He’d send Jesus, and everything else. It’s hard to wrap your mind around, I know. Here’s one post of me wondering too if God knew about the apple: Apple
We will never know probably who the Nephilim were and why they were on earth. My study bible says the point is that evil behavior was increasing; hence the necessity of the flood. It seems the Nephilim added to this evil.
Here’s a great article on the identity of the Nephilim and when we get there I will devote more time to this and hopefully we can get some understanding. Thanks!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilim
I am new to BSF but after just a couple of visits have begun to wonder if it will provide what I am looking for. The group sessions are rushed and are not really discussions but quick recitations answering questions with no discussion. And it is the first Bible Study I have done that does not permit other resources to further the discussion. Even from the NIV study Bible. However just what I read briefly here tonight piqued my interest and may be just what I need to add to my study. Even though the fellowship with sisters in Christ is wonderful, if there is not meaningfull disscussion and learning from each other at BSF in our small groups I doubt I will find that worth my time. Thank you so much for the work you are leading. My prayer for you is that our Lord touches your heart and fills it with loving memories of your faithful pet, that will heal your heart and give you peace.
Thanks, RSF.
It is what you make it. I use commentary and the Internet freely (something I do not hide). I frequently have links in my answers to sources I have used in order to clarify the Word. I see no problems in that. My goal is to learn as much as possible.
BSF is not for everyone. But I would encourage you to go a few more weeks and then decide if it’s for you or not.
I’ll admit I’m not a big fan of my discussion group this go around. We have 2 women who answer every question all the time and my group is disproportionate in terms of ages. There are a lot of women who could be my grandmother (nothing bad all you older ladies out there) and only 2 other women around my age so I’m having a hard time connecting.
Discussion will always be rushed probably. There’s only so much time to go over the questions and there are a lot of them. Like you, I wish there was more time for personal answers and stories but there’s just not.
Good luck!