I just do not see how that can be used as a proof text for being born spirit children
To me the reading is clear.
The Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirits of our salvation........it is an assurence scripture
Would you explain how you get anything other than that out of it?
I certainly do not have time now to give my normal thorough answer to this. I just read the whole chapter, and Paul sure is all over the map with this metaphor.
He talks about receiving the Spirit of God into our lives, so we are not punished for our sinful bodies. He talks about resurrection. He talks about adoption into God's family. Hard to really follow all the he is saying here.
I certainly can see confusion over this verse, even in context. If I wasn't LDS, I might come up with an adoption theory, especially since he talks of heirs in the next verse.
Being LDS, however, I would say that he is telling us that the Spirit confirms to our spirits that we are literal spirit children of our Heavenly Father.
I certainly can see confusion over this verse, even in context. If I wasn't LDS, I might come up with an adoption theory, especially since he talks of heirs in the next verse.
I think it is problematic as a proof text for progression especially when seen through other scripture
Rom 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2Cr 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
1Jo 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ( I really like this verse:>)
1Jo 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
I think both Paul and John use the term in the saame way as a measure of eternal assurence..