Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 7 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
Romans Commentary Chapters 1-8  /  Romans 8:6-13 to Be Carnally Minded is Death  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 7
The transcript pauses to discuss “Spirit of Christ” and even notes the Spirit “proceeds from the Father, not from the Son,” while Origen suggests it could mean the “mind and teachings of Christ”; how does each reading (Holy Spirit vs. mind/teachings) change what it means to “have the Spirit of Christ,” and how would you test whether you actually have it?
Another way to ask: How does it change things if “Spirit of Christ” means the Holy Spirit versus Christ’s mind and teachings? What would you look for to test whether you truly have the Spirit of Christ?

Direct Answer The lesson offers two transcript-based readings: “Spirit of Christ” can mean the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus, dwelling in believers; or it can mean Christ’s mind and teachings shaping a person. In either case, the test is whether you are living after the Spirit—marked by doing God’s will and not loving the world.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot notes ambiguity: ancient texts lacked capitalization, so it could be “Spirit of Christ” as the Holy Spirit or “spirit/mind of Christ.”
  • If Holy Spirit: “the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father… [yet] Jesus sends the Holy Spirit… In that sense, the Holy Spirit can be called the Spirit of Christ.”
  • If mind/teachings: Origen says it can mean “the mind and teachings of Christ… If we do not have these, then we are not His.”
  • Paul to Corinthians: “We have the mind of Christ,” linked to being “spiritual.”
  • John’s test is cited: loving the world shows lack of the Father’s love; “he who does the will of God remains forever.”
Discussion Follow-ups What would be stronger evidence in your life: a claimed spiritual experience, or a steady pattern of not loving “the lust… and pride of life”?

Jumpstarter 7 of 10
Back Questions Next