Topical Studies
What the Bible says about God was, in union with Christ, reconciling
(From Forerunner Commentary)
"that is, that God was in Christ" - There are two possible meanings of the word "in." The primary usage indicates "by means of": "God was, by means of Christ, reconciling the world to Himself." It is true that the world is becoming reconciled to God by means of Christ because He is the payment for sin.
The secondary use, if intended at all, would mean "in union with": "God was, in union with Christ, reconciling the world to Himself." Whenever this little word "in" comes up, one must consider its application, not assuming we know what it means.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Image and Likeness of God (Part Four)
The Father, working in Christ, is reconciling the world to Him, and there is no mention of the Holy Spirit as a personality playing a part in this work. The key is "as a personality." Personalities are named frequently—the Father and the Son—but the Holy Spirit is never mentioned as a personality.
The Holy Spirit does play a part in the reconciliation of the world to God and to Christ—as a power used to energize us and change our minds. But not as a personality!
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Holy Spirit
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