But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, You know not what manner of spirit you are of. Luk 9:55 Mercy and love are of God.

Jesus tells His disciples that they do not know what spirit they are operating in.   

How can they have been with Jesus, heard Him teach, watch Him heal and deliver and yet want to destroy people who do not agree with Jesus as to where to worship?   
   → they were still affected by the Old Testament
   → they did not know the HolySpirit

The disciples knew of instances in the Old Testament where evil men were destroyed by flood, fire, snakes, sink-holes, etc.   

Jesus did not rebuke them because they were mis-appropriating the Old Testament.   Rather He rebuked them for not understanding the Holy Spirit.   

For the Holy Spirit so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Joh 3:16 The Holy Spirit is the eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Creator of all things by the Word.      What world is John speaking of?      The earth and all the people born into humanity.      The Holy Spirit is love and love is of the Holy Spirit.      The world was created by our Lord and it is good.     We know that man chose rebellion against the Holy Spirit and so humanity became evil.     But the Holy Spirit loves the people of this world and so He birthed Christ Jesus into the world to redeem it and us.      The Gospel is heard and those who are hungry are lead by the Holy Spirit to believe and receive the Truth.      The Truth sets us free from sin, from death and hell and brings us to Eternal Life by the infilling of the Holy Spirit.      Here is understanding:    → Everlasting Life is Eternal Life    → Eternal Life is union with the Holy Spirit.

For the Holy Spirit sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Joh 3:17 Condemnation is of Satan.     He tempted Eve to cause her to fall into condemnation.     He is our accuser.     He hates humanity.      But the Lord loves us and desires for us to be saved - to experience eternal, abundant life.

The disciples allowed their upbringing in the Law to override what they had heard and seen In Christ Jesus.   

Jesus was moved with compassion toward people.   Even those who were to crucify Him were forgiven by Him.   

Even the Holy Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. Joh 14:17 Jesus is the Truth.     His Spirit is the Spirit Of Truth.     The Spirit Of Truth is the Holy Spirit.     The Holy Spirit is God.      The Holy Spirit of Jesus was with them while He ministered on earth and His Holy Spirit would come to be in them on the day of Pentecost.      Why do people, including Christians, not receive the Holy Spirit, the Spirit Of Christ?     They cannot see Him.      No one can see the Holy Spirit and so men go about creating a god that they can see or at least visualize.      It is idolatry to try to visualize the Holy Spirit apart from His express image, Christ Jesus.     This is why we come to the Father ( Holy Spirit) in the name of Jesus.      We receive the Holy Spirit of Jesus by asking in faith just like we received remission of sins and were Born Again.     Both come by and through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus said His disciples knew the Holy Spirit it was late in His ministry - actually just before He was to be crucified.   

So, the ignorance of the Holy Spirit that the disciples had operated in earlier in His ministry had been replaced with knowledge of the Truth and the Holy Spirit.   

In order to know the Holy Spirit you must be knowledgeable of the Truth and have personal experience with Him.   

"That doesn`t sound like my friend Joe."

We have heard these kinds of comments made by people who receive an evil report about `Joe`.   They make such a statement from a personal knowledge of `Joe`.   

In order for us to know the Holy Spirit we must:
   → receive Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord
   → receive His Word as Truth
   → be filled with His Spirit Of Truth

As we meditate on His Word and fellowship with His Holy Spirit by Praying In The Spirit we grow in Grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus 2Pe 3:18 .   

This personal fellowship translates into Knowing The Spirit so that we can try the spirits to see if it is in fact, the Holy Spirit.   

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of the Holy Spirit: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1Jn 4:1 We test spirits by being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and by knowing the Word of the Lord.      Jesus 'knew all men' by the discernment of the Holy Spirit Joh 2:24.      Jesus treated people based on their spirit.      Those who had a humble, seeking spirit, He responded to their need Mat 11:28.      Those who had a proud or caniving spirit He resisted and rebuked Mat 23:13.

The most basic test from the Word is found in Gal 5:22,23 .   

But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Gal 5:22 When you walk in the Spirit you manifest the character of the Lord.

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Gal 5:23 Walking in the Spirit makes the Law a moot point.

But the Word is equally important because the Spirit Fruit can be feigned in order to deliver error.   

Study to show yourself approved unto the Lord, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 The Word must be rightly divided because of the gradations of revelation found in the different covenants.      The most profound distinction is between Law and Grace.      When studying the Word, we must understand the Old Testament in the context of the New Testament.     We search the Old Testament scriptures for evidence of Christ who brings salvation Joh 5:39.      When we study the New Testament we grow in Grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus 2Pe 3:18.      When you see the real object its shadow is no longer informative and should not be one's focus.      Furthermore, understanding that Jesus was an Old Testament prophet is critical to balance His commands with His provision of Grace through His death and resurrection.      We are to be workmen, meaning we have a job to do for the Kingdom Of God.     The Word Of The Lord is the tool we use to effect the Lord's will.     But having the true nature of the Holy Spirit in our minds is necessary for good fruit to manifest.      Our study of the Word reveals that we are already approved of the Lord.     We are Accepted In The Beloved.