Blogging The Institutes: Day 23 1.13.13 -1.13.17

In discussing the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, Calvin approaches the topic in the same manor as the Divinity of The Son, that the "proof must be derived from the same sources. And it is by no means an obscure testimony which Moses bears in the history of the creation, when he says that the Spirit of God was expanded over the abyss or shapeless matter; for it shows not only that the beauty which the world displays is maintained by the invigorating power of the Spirit, but that even before this beauty existed the Spirit was at work cherishing the confused mass."

And as in the act of regeneration, "if regeneration to incorruptible life is higher, and much more excellent than any present quickening, what must be thought of him (The Holy Spirit) by whose energy it is produced."

If the Holy Spirit is not Divine, He losses his power to regenerate, and we lose our justification, and without the work of justification, my friends we are all doomed.

Praise God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for each of their roles in saving a fallen soul like me!

Blogging The Institutes: Day 22 1.13.8 -1.13.12

One of the single most important aspects we must acknowledge and understand of Christ is His Divinity. For if He is not Divine, He is not God, therefore He is not the Savior. Calvin presents verse after verse showing Christ's Divine history throughout scripture. Jesus was not a created being. He was the Word and the Word existed from the beginning therefore securing his Divinity and His power to die as Savior. For the Lord says in Isa 43:25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out they transgressions for mine own sake". As Calvin states, " When, in accordance with this deceleration, the Jews thought that injustice was done to God when Christ forgave sins, he not only asserted, in distinct terms, that this power belonged to him, but also proved it by a miracle. We thus see that he possessed in himslef not the ministry of forgiving sins, but the inherent power which the Lord declares he will not give to another."

Blogging the Institues : Day 19 1.11.3 - 1.12.2

The bottom line when it comes to false gods, idols, and man made deities is this:

"that unless everything peculiar to divinity is confined to God alone, he is robbed of his honor, and his worship is violated."