The parable of the prodigal son illustrated. In this parable, God is like the Father and ‘sons’ represent ‘born again’ believers. The difference between a ‘son’ and a ‘servant’ is that sons are ‘born again’. It is possible to be ‘born again’ under the old covenant (circumcision by the Spirit) and the New Covenant (Baptism by the Spirit).
This is a story that Jesus told to illustrate how God treats His Children.
God is like the father in this story. His sons represent born again believers.
The Father has servants who are not sons.
The far away places represent the world and the people who live there have no fellowship with the Father and do not serve the Father.
There are many layers in this parable.
The Younger Son is contrasted with the Older Son.
Sons are also contrasted with Servants.
On the surface, this parable illustrates God’s love mercy and forgiveness towards His children. It illustrates how we as God’s children can become proud and think we are better than others whom God has forgiven and made His children by giving them His Spirit (The inheritance that would become theirs when Christ died).
The story was relevant to the sinners and tax collectors (who were like the younger son) and the self righteous Pharisees (who were like the older son) to whom Jesus told it.
It is just as relevant to us today as it was to the Pharisees and Tax collectors in Jesus’ time.
On a deeper level, the Older son and the Younger son could equally represent Israel and the Church respectively. Who then are the Servants who serve the Father and who are the people in far off lands?
In order to understand this parable prophetically, one needs to understand the difference between servants and sons and also have a good understanding of end times revelation.
In Jesus’ time, people could become children of God under the Old or the New Covenant.
It is possible to serve God without becoming a Child of God by serving God’s people. God distinguishes between non Christians who serve God and those who persecute Him. (eg The parable of the Sheep and the Goats.)
Those who become Children of God by faith will become the New Jerusalem in Eternity. Those who only serve the father without becoming sons will become the Nations in Eternity. Those who rebel against the father and have no fellowship with Him will be thrown into the Lake of Fire in Eternity regardless of whether they became sons or not.
If the Older son represents Israel, He like Israel will be part of the New Jerusalem and rejoice with the Father that the younger son the Church returned to the Father.
Both the Church and Israel will be part of the New Jerusalem in Eternity. During the Millennium, however, the Church will be in Heaven and Israel will be on Earth. The Nations who were kind to God’s people will help the 144000 Jews to repopulate the Earth during the Millennium. Providing they do not take part in the final rebellion at the end of the Millennium, they will be the Nations outside the New Jerusalem in Eternity (if they are in the Lamb’s Book of Life when they are Judged at the Great White Throne).
If you become a child of God by repenting and turning to Him and asking for forgiveness, you will receive an inheritance. God will put his Spirit in you now and you will be part of the New Jerusalem in Eternity. When Christ returns, he will redeem you from the Earth and you will reign with him in Heaven for the Millennium and in the New Jerusalem for all Eternity.
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Commentary on the Parable of the Prodigal Son
This parable is often called the Parable of the Prodigal Son because it is about a son who waists his inheritance. It is also called the “Parable of the Lost Son” because it is about a sinful son who falls away and is considered lost but later repents and is restored to his former status as a son.
It is one of the three parables (about heaven rejoicing over recovering what has been lost) that Jesus told to tax collectors and sinners right under the nose of the Pharisees.
This parable is also known as the “Parable of the Loving Father” because it demonstrates God’s love, mercy and forgiveness towards his children.
It is also known as the “Parable of the Two Sons” as the parable contrasts the two sons. It has as much to say about the second son as the first.
It also could be called the “Parable of Sons and Servants” as this is also a significant theme and a key to understanding this parable.
Jesus told these parables not just for the benefit of the Tax Collectors who were considered particularly sinful. He told it for the sake of the Pharisees who were inclined to be self righteous.
God’s people are his Children. God wants all men to be saved. Those who turn from evil and put their faith in Him, become his children by faith.
If the Pharisees believed that they were God’s children because they kept the law, they were missing the point. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Nobody deserves to be in God’s presence because all have sinned. It is only by God’s grace that we can come to Him, whether we are big sinners on little ones.
In the first of the three parables, the “Parable of the Lost Sheep” Jesus said, I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)
In the parable of the Lost Son, the Father wants both of his sons to remain in fellowship with him. If one of his sons feels disgruntled because of the grace extended to the other and leaves because of his brother’s good fortune, be it so, but this is not what the father would have wanted.
These parables were told to help the Pharisees rather than condemn them. Unfortunately, many of the Jews rejected Christ and crucified Him (as was foreseen by God and prophesied by the prophets and had to be so that Christ could pay for our sin and God’s redemptive plan would succeed).
This parable shows us that God is gracious and that he loves us more than anybody could imagine. He forgives us even when we do the most horrible things. To receive this forgiveness all we have to do is repent and ask him to forgive us. The Father will come to meet us where we are. It does not take any effort. There is nothing that we can do to earn or repay God for what he has done. It is only by His grace that we can be saved. We do not deserve to be forgiven; God just forgives us, even though we do not deserve it. Nobody should think that they are more worthy than anybody else as we have all sinned and we all rely on God’s grace for salvation.
The younger son has done the unthinkable and asked for his inheritance before his father has died. Not only this, he has totally blown it and wasted it on wild living.
When he realizes his destitution and comes to his senses, he realizes that he was better off with his father and feels ashamed of himself. He repents and acknowledges his sin and turns back to his father and humbly requests to be his father’s servant.
His father is compassionate and graceful and not only forgives his son but gives him a ring and the best robe and sandals for his feet and receives him back as a son. He sacrifices the fattened calf to celebrate his son’s return. This is more than what the younger son deserved but that is what grace is all about. It is getting something that we don’t deserve.
The eldest son is a bit like the Pharisees; proud, self righteous and feeling superior to his brother and unfairly treated.
Jesus did not tell this parable to condemn the Pharisees, he was hoping that they would not turn away from him. He knew, however, that some would reject him and that he would be crucified.
Jesus told this parable so that sinners would know that God is merciful and forgives sinners when they repent. He also told this parable so the Pharisees would know just where they stood.
Instead of saying “Give me”, the Father wants us to say “forgive me and make me what You will”.
This parable shows us that God is gracious enough to forgive us even when we do the unspeakable and when God forgives others, we should not think that we are better than them and deserve more.
God’s people are the children of God. We can become God’s children by having faith in Jesus Christ. When we believe in Christ and ask Him to come into our heart, we become a child of God. We are “Born Again”. God puts His Spirit in us and we are regenerated. God’s children have the same Spirit as the Father.
Our Earthly fathers have finite wealth but God’s riches are infinite. God can keep pouring out his Love on us and it will never run dry.
The Father has servants in his house who are not his sons. Could this be referring to Angels or could it represent people hear on Earth now?
In eternity, the nations who are not thrown into the Lake of Fire will be allowed to enter the New Jerusalem once a year. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of these nations.
The nations are not the Children of God because they did not accept Christ. They are not Born Again but they may still serve God’s people.
The word for ‘nations’ is usualy translated as ‘pagan’ or ‘gentile’.
While the Father has servants in his house who are not His sons, there are people in the world who are neither God’s sons and certainly do not serve the Father.
When the younger son turned away from the Father and went into the world, the Father considered him ‘lost’ and ‘dead’ (“for he was lost but now is found, he was dead but now he is alive”).
The sons of the Father may, therefore, be dead or alive. Those who are not sons of the Father may still serve the father or they may be lost in the World.
In this sense, this parable has many similarities to the Parable of the Net.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is viewed as a post conversion event by many Pentecostal Christians.
Tongues are considered to be THE SIGN of Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in the Spirit is considered to be an optional extra by these precious brothers and sisters.
Pentecostal believers usually believe that the disciples received the Holy Spirit when Jesus Breathed on them on the day he rose from the dead (ie before Pentecost). Then they were Baptized in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The initial receiving was a deposit and the baptism is a full filling.
Alternative Pentecostal Teaching
An alternative interpretation is that the disciples were commanded to take the Holy Spirit with them when they went into the Nations to preach the Gospel, when Jesus appeared to them on the day of the resurrection (John 20:22). The disciples were already regenerate as a result of circumcision by the Spirit. They then were filled or Baptized with the Spirit at Pentecost. Now when the Gospel is preached to Gentiles, Baptism in the Spirit and Regeneration occur simultaneously at conversion. Only for faithful Jews in Jesus’s time was it possible to be regenerated before being Baptized in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given as a foretaste or deposit of what we will experience in Heaven or Eternity. Tongues are A SIGN of Baptism in the Spirit but so are the other Gifts of the Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit, praising God and confessing that Jesus is Lord.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is Regeneration (Born Again).
You cannot be a Christian without it. We receive the Spirit when we believe in Jesus and make him our Lord and Saviour. Regeneration is what makes us children of God. When we first believe, God puts His Spirit in us and removes our sinful nature. The Spirit witnesses with our conscious and convicts us when we do the wrong thing and gives us peace when we are in the will of God.
Born Again was a new term that was introduced by Jesus. It includes both New and Old Covenant believers.
Baptism in the Spirit and Circumcision by the Spirit are both types of regeneration. Nobody can enter the Kingdom of God, much less see it unless they are Born Again. When we believe in God and make Jesus our Lord and Saviour, He baptizes us with his Spirit which makes us a Child of God. Nobody can see God unless He first opens their eyes, their ears and their minds.
Why does Receiving the Spirit not always immediately follow believing?
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is how we become a Child of God. There are many manifestations of Baptism in the Spirit. Receiving the Spirit (another term for Baptism in the Spirit) is clearly linked to believing.
The disciples had to wait until the Spirit was given at Pentecost but now the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
Why is it then that some people do not seem to receive the Holy Spirit immediately after apparently Believing in God?
Can Regeneration Precede Baptism in the Holy Spirt? The answer depends upon whether you are talking about Jewish Converts to Christianity or Pagan converts to Christianity.
Baptism in the Spirit is not the same as Speaking in Tongues. Baptism in the Spirit is essential for becoming a Christian.
Old Testament saints who were circumcised by the Spirit were Children of God. They were Born Again by Circumcision by the Spirit.
When people become Christians, they receive the Holy Spirit by Faith in Jesus Christ. This is Baptism in the Spirit which is how people become regenerated in the New Testament times.
Faithful Jews in Jesus’s time who were circumcised by the Spirit could convert to Christianity by being Baptised in the Name of Jesus. For Jews in the time of Jesus, it was, therefore. possible to be regenerated before being Baptised with the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in the Spirit is not the same as Speaking in Tongues. Speaking in tongues is just one manifestation of Baptism in the Spirit. Other manifestations include: Praising God, The Fruit of the Spirit, Other Gifts of the Spirit, Other Manifestations of the Spirit and Calling Jesus ‘Lord’. Baptism in the Spirit is the same as receiving the Spirit. It is the first Filling with the Spirit as the Spirit comes upon us and fills us many times in our life. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is what makes us a Christian. It is how we become Born Again (Children of God). We cannot be part of the Body of Christ without it. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who repent, believe, make Jesus their Lord and invite Him into their Heart and Listen to and Obey the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, people could be Born Again and become Children of God by being Circumcised in the Spirit. When Jesus came, those who rejected him became uncircumcised in the Spirit and were grafted out of the Vine. NOW, BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAVED OR BORN AGAIN. For those who were saved under the Old Covenant in Jesus’ time and then became Christian, Regeneration could precede Baptism in the Spirit. Now, Regeneration and Baptism in the Spirit are inseparable It is not possible to enter the Kingdom of God unless you are Born of Water and the Spirit. ‘ Baptism in Water’ and ‘Baptism in the Spirit’ is how we become part of the Body of Christ. These terms are mentioned in every Gospel and are equivalent to the terms’ Regeneration’ and ‘Born Again’ mention by John’s Gospel and the Epistles of Paul.
Can Regeneration Precede Baptism in the Holy Spirt? The answer depends upon whether you are talking about Jewish Converts to Christianity or Pagan converts to Christianity.
Baptism in the Spirit is not the same as Speaking in Tongues. Baptism in the Spirit is essential for becoming a Christian.
Old Testament saints who were circumcised by the Spirit were Children of God. They were Born Again by Circumcision by the Spirit.
When people become Christians, they receive the Holy Spirit by Faith in Jesus Christ. This is Baptism in the Spirit which is how people become regenerated in the New Testament times.
Faithful Jews in Jesus’s time who were circumcised by the Spirit could convert to Christianity by being Baptised in the Name of Jesus. For Jews in the time of Jesus, it was, therefore. possible to be regenerated before being Baptised with the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in the Spirit is not the same as Speaking in Tongues. Speaking in tongues is just one manifestation of Baptism in the Spirit. Other manifestations include: Praising God, The Fruit of the Spirit, Other Gifts of the Spirit, Other Manifestations of the Spirit and Calling Jesus ‘Lord’. Baptism in the Spirit is the same as receiving the Spirit. It is the first Filling with the Spirit as the Spirit comes upon us and fills us many times in our life. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is what makes us a Christian. It is how we become Born Again (Children of God). We cannot be part of the Body of Christ without it. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who repent, believe, make Jesus their Lord and invite Him into their Heart and Listen to and Obey the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, people could be Born Again and become Children of God by being Circumcised in the Spirit. When Jesus came, those who rejected him became uncircumcised in the Spirit and were grafted out of the Vine. NOW, BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAVED OR BORN AGAIN. For those who were saved under the Old Covenant in Jesus’ time and then became Christian, Regeneration could precede Baptism in the Spirit. Now, Regeneration and Baptism in the Spirit are inseparable It is not possible to enter the Kingdom of God unless you are Born of Water and the Spirit. ‘ Baptism in Water’ and ‘Baptism in the Spirit’ is how we become part of the Body of Christ. These terms are mentioned in every Gospel and are equivalent to the terms’ Regeneration’ and ‘Born Again’ mention by John’s Gospel and the Epistles of Paul.
Delays in receiving the Holy Spirit after apparently believing part 1
Delays in receiving the Holy Spirit after apparently believing part 2
Delays in receiving the Holy Spirit after apparently believing part 3 of 3
Why does Receiving the Spirit not always immediately follow believing? Baptism in the Holy Spirit is how we become a Child of God. There are many manifestations of Baptism in the Spirit. Receiving the Spirit (another term for Baptism in the Spirit) is clearly linked to believing.
The disciples had to wait until the Spirit was given at Pentecost but now the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
Why is it then that some people do not seem to receive the Holy Spirit immediately after apparently Believing in God?
Baptism in The Spirit : Regeneration : Born Again 