1 Corinthians 15.45-46
Who and what we are
The natural human (before he/she sins) = a ‘soulish’ body. This is a very Hebraic understanding rooted in Genesis 2.7. A being created to have communion with God and reflect God, yet a creature made out of dust. Temporary. Contingent. But a creature fitted for more: with the potential to become more than temporary. A potential, not realised, through being debarred access to the fruit of the tree of eternal life, because of sin.
v 45 quotes from the ancient Greek Genesis 2.7, ‘the man became a living soul’ (Heb nephesh, Gk psuche) adding the first Adam. Then adds, the ultimate (eschatos) Adam ‘life imparter’(zwopoioun ) by (eis) Spirit.
Jesus, in and through His resurrection, is the MEANS, the MODEL and the METHOD of heaven-infused living here and now, on this earth.
We start of as ‘soulish’ or natural people. Every person on earth is like this when they are born. But our potential, ruined by sin, is for more. But Jesus has dealt with the sin! Because of what Jesus has done and now does by the Holy Spirit, we can know and receive the life that is Holy-spirit-ual!
What the Spirit does to us
v 46 It is important to understand, practically, what it is the Spirit does to us. He infuses us with His presence and purpose. Therefore because the coming of the Spirit is influential in shaping us, to make a significant difference He has to come in power.
So we can know His peace: that is significant, but it is not what the power does. We can receive the teaching: that too is significant, but it is not what the power does.
What happens when the Spirit comes on us in power? He come in a way that will shake us to the very core of who and what we are. He does this in many different ways. I’ve known the Spirit to come in power on people, quietly and beautifully, when they have been seeking the Lord in prayer. I have known Him come in power with suddenness, shaking them to the very core. I have known people find it exuberant. And I have known people find it so challenging to their identity that it has terrified them.
But what is happening at essence is that the Spirit comes in Pentecostal power in order to transforms us and enable us to be taken up in the ministry that is the mark of those who belong to Jesus Christ. Come, Holy Spirit!
