Romans 8:16-17

Text

Romans 8:16-17. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 8:16-17

346.

Does the Holy Spirit tell us that we belong to God? Notice the use of the word with in Romans 8:16.

347.

The child will have his father's inheritance. When God is the father and we are the children, what an inheritance it will be! Describe the inheritance.

348.

If we are to enjoy along with Christ the wonders of the Father's house, we must also be willing to pay the price. What is it?

349.

Define the word glorified.

Paraphrase

Romans 8:16-17. Also the Spirit itself, bestowed on us in his extraordinary operations, beareth witness along with the filial dispositions of our own minds, that we are children of God.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then we are heirs; heirs, verily, of God, heirs of immortality and of the felicity of God's house, jointly with Christ; if we jointly suffer with him what afflictions God appoints, that also we may be jointly rewarded.

Summary

The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then joint-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him.

Comment

d. The testimony of the Holy Spirit with our spirit affirms that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). There are many and varied remarks upon this passage but those remarks which seem best to explain the witness of the Spirit with our spirit are as follows:

The Holy Spirit has spoken in the form of the written Word, which is his testimony. He has told us what to do to become a Christian, or a child of God, and what to do to continue as a child of God. Please notice the all-important fact that the Holy Spirit and our spirit are said to stand side by side in voicing the testimony that we are children of God. The Holy Spirit has already given his testimony, Anyone who will comply with what he has said can become and stay a Christian. We come now to the testimony of our spirit. Can our spirits stand, as it were, alongside of the Holy Spirit and witness to the fact that we are God's children? This testimony could be given by our spirits, if we have done what the Holy Spirit commanded to become a Christian, and are now doing what the Holy Spirit asks to remain a Christian, Thus our spirits can testify with the Holy Spirit that we are children of God, and the Spirit himself can bear witness with (not to) our spirits, that we are children of God. Romans 8:16

179.

How does the Holy Spirit bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God? Explain fully.

e. It follows then that if we are children of God we will surely inherit in the Father's family. Not only are we heirs of God, but having Jesus as our elder brother, we are joint heirs with him. The glories of our inheritance cannot be comprehended with mere mortal mind; only heaven itself will reveal the riches of the heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus.

There is yet one further word on this matter of inheritance. We can only be counted worthy of being glorified with Christ if we are also willing to suffer with and for him. Romans 8:17