4. The “Spirit of the Promise” cries out in the heart of the son.
So, what happens when someone is baptized by the Holy Spirit? The apostle Paul replies:
“ And because you are sons, God sent forth to your heart the Spirit of His Son, which cries out, 'Abba, the Father!' 7 so that you are no longer a servant, but a son. And if you are a son, then (you are) also an heir, through God.” [Galatians 4:6,7]
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” [Romans 8:11]
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” [Romans 8:14-17]
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with mute sighs. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." [Romans 8:26-27]
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." [Romans 8:29]
The apostle does not leave us in the dark, as to how it is possible for one to know that God has adopted him. It is not enough to simply declare it; it has to be witnessed along with the Holy Spirit. He must hear inside his heart the voice of the Holy Spirit crying out “Abba, the Father”, but not in human words. It will be with “unutterable sighs”, which can be perceived only through one’s spiritual faculties. And of course, as we saw previously, adoption also has the prerequisite of the Christian baptism in water.
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Article published in English on: 18-3-2010.
Last update: 18-3-2010.