Category Archives: Church

Charismatic questions

Walking With Giants Posted on by

A few thoughts on a couple of questions relating to the charismata (‘spiritual gifts’):-

1. How many charismata?

It is unreasonable to suppose that the lists of gifts mentioned in Scripture are exhaustive. It is, however, reasonable to suppose that these lists are indicative. In other words, it is reasonable to say that ‘there are probably more than 15 charismata’, but less reasonable to inflate that number to as many as 150 or even 500.

One can readily think of charismata that might have been included in the biblical lists, but for some reason were not (e.g.…

Wanted: Christian leaders

Walking With Giants Posted on by

We live in a world, writes John Stott, that is desperate for effective leadership. At the global level, there are massive nuclear arsenals, widespread violations of human rights, frightening environmental and energy crises, and North-Sough economic inequality. Morally, we are aware of forces at work that are undermining the stability of marriage and the family, challenging sexual mores and roles, and providing what is virtually abortion on demand. Spiritually, there is the spread of materialism and the corresponding loss of any transcendent reality.…

John Wesley on ‘a catholic spirit’

Walking With Giants Posted on by

Here’s a fine comment from John Wesley on Christian unity.  By ‘catholic spirit’, Wesley meant what we today would call an ‘inclusive’ attitude towards Christians of other ‘traditions’.  By ‘speculative latitudinarianism’, he meant doctrinal indifference.  So to the quote:-

‘A catholic spirit is not speculative latitudinarianism.  It is not an indifference to all opinions: this is the spawn of hell, not the offspring of heaven.  This unsettledness of thought, this being “driven to and fro, and tossed about with every wind of doctrine,” is a great curse, not a blessing; an irreconcilable enemy, not a friend, to true catholicism. 

…

Baptism

Walking With Giants Posted on by

Baptism is one of those areas of Christian doctrine and practice where sincere believers can differ.  Baptists will not agree with everything that follows, but I hope we won’t fall out about it.

1.  Meaning

One of two sacraments: an outward sign of inward grace (Augustine).  The outward sign of baptism speaks especially of the inward work of the Holy Spirit.

(a) A symbol of the Gospel.  Baptism with water is a symbolic washing, or cleansing. …

Acts 2:41-47 – The marks of a Spirit-filled church – sermon notes

Walking With Giants Posted on by

What a tragedy that precious truths of God are trampled over by the muddy boots of controversy!  What it means to be a Spirit-filled church is just such a truth.  But here we see:-

1.  The church’s inward life

(a) ‘They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.’

The Spirit-filled church is a well-instructed church.

Mt 28:20 ‘…teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you.’

Jn 8:31 ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.’…

Pentecostalism, baptism in the Spirit and revival

Walking With Giants Posted on by

The 20th century was marked by the emergence of a cluster of renewal movements, including the Pentecostal movement, the neo-Pentecostal (charismatic) movement, and the restorationist (‘house-church’) movement.  There is no denying the vitality and appeal of these developments.  But an important question presents itself to the student of revivals.  It is this:  To what extent, if at all, do these movements represent genuine revivals?

A number of popular writers on revival stride unswervingly through this issue by including accounts of such-like movements among their descriptions of revival, without pausing to consider whether this is a proper thing to do. …

Problems associated with revival

Walking With Giants Posted on by

Having considered in general terms the mixture of good and evil which occurs in revival, we must now mention some of the specific problems which may occur.  These are of two kinds: extrinsic and intrinsic.

A. Extrinsic problems

Some of the problems which can occur in connection with revivals are extrinsic, in that they originate in those who are outside the stream of revival and who are opposers of the work.

1.  The first problem to be noted is that of resistance to change. …

The kingdom of God

Walking With Giants Posted on by

The kingdom defined

Graham Goldsworthy (Gospel and Kingdom, 47) has defined the kingdom of God as:

(a) God’s people
(b) in God’s place
(c) under God’s rule

Examples:

(a) Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
(b) The descendents of the patriarchs in the promised land
(c) The Israelites in the united kingdom of David and Solomon

Along similar lines, we may say that the kingdom of God (or similar expression) is God’s kingly rule manifested in the lives of his people, Lk 17:21, effecting their salvation, Mar 10:28-29. …

The miraculous element in revival (II)

Walking With Giants Posted on by

A descriptive account has been given in the previous chapter of occurrences which seem to contain a miraculous element.  Now the question arises as to what construction we should put on these occurrences.  In other words, are we warranted to accept that there may be a miraculous element in revival?

As previously noted, those who have a ‘reformed’ understanding of revival have tended to view with suspicion allegedly miraculous phenomena.  But there have been others who have taken a more positive approach. …