Category Archives: Holy Spirit

Prophecy and authority

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According to the Network Participant’s Guide, the traits of a prophet are that s/he is discerning, compelling, uncompromising, outspoken, authoritative, convicting, and confronting. Phew! no wonder the gift of prophecy can sometimes seem too hot to handle! Such a set of traits raises important questions about the authority of the prophet, and how this relates to other kinds of authority within the church.  I’m going to argue that that the authority (and therefore the accountability) of the prophet is similar to the authority (and accountability) of the teacher.…

Spiritual gifts – why some people are cautious

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I wrote the following to some Christian friends, a number of whom wished their church to move in a more ‘charismatic’ direction.  It is a plea to listen carefully and patiently to those who are more cautious.

To many Christians, the whole discussion about spiritual gifts is simply debating the Blindingly Obvious: God has promised gifts, and it’s down to us to receive them joyfully and use them effectively.

But there are still people around who are cautious about some of the gifts.…

The gift of prophecy – historical notes

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I should like to offer a few bits of historical evidence regarding the prophetic gift. One point about this particular evidence is that it comes from the centre, not the fringe, of the evangelical tradition. I would also point out that these examples all relate to times of spiritual awakening (revival).

The Scottish reformer Robert Bruce was renowned for his extraordinary spiritual powers. He himself said,

‘There comes never thing to me, trouble or alteration, but He gives me warning before.’

…

What does it mean to be ‘Filled with the Holy Spirit’?

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Continuing this series of posts on questions about the Holy Spirit.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is both a free gift, 1 Thess 4:8, and a solemn responsibility, Eph 5:18. There are certain attitudes which open the way to the blessing of the Spirit. We are to ask, Lk 11:13, to thirst and drink, Jn 7:37, to repent, Acts 2:38, to obey, Acts 5:32, to have faith, Jn 7:39; Gal 3:1-5,14. On the other hand, certain negative attitudes can oppose the work of the Spirit.…

The work of the Holy Spirit

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(a) His work is often represented by symbols:-

1. Fire, Lk 3:16; Acts 2:3; 1 Thess 5:19. Warms, energises, purifies, illuminates, consumes, spreads.
2. Wind, Jn 3:8; Acts 2:2. Empowers, refreshes, independent, invisible.
3. Oil, Lk 4:18. Consecrates, comforts, heals.
4. Water, Jn 7:38. Cleansing, reviving, satisfying, fertilising, freeness, abundance.

(b) In the New Testament generally the Holy Spirit is active in:-

1. the definitive revelation of Christ to and through the New Testament writers.
2.…

Who is the Holy Spirit?

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I’d like to sketch an answer to this question under two headings:-

(a) His personality

This becomes clear in the NT, as in Jesus’ promise of ‘another Counsellor’, Jn 14:16, and the fact that the Spirit:-

1. Speaks, Acts 1:16; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 28:25.
2. Teaches, Jn 14:26.
3. Witnesses, Jn 15:26.
4. Searches, 1 Cor 2:11.
5. Determines, 1 Cor 12:11.
6. Intercedes, Rom 8:26f.
7. Is lied to, Acts 5:3.
8. Can be grieved, Eph 4:30.…

Should we pray to the Holy Spirit?

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This is another question about the Holy Spirit which has recently been posed to me.  Once again, I am reluctant to discuss such a ‘shy sovereign’, who is more to be experienced than analysed.  Nevertheless, I offer a few thoughts:-

The Bible does teach a certain order in the operations and activities of the members of the Trinity. For example, according to Jn 14:26, the Holy Spirit is sent by the Father in the name of the Son.…

Should Everyone Speak in Tongues?

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In earliest times, people spoke the same language. This unified language was used in rebellion against God in the building of the tower of Babel, Gen 11:1ff. God quelled this rebellion by confusing the people’s language and by scattering them over the face of the earth, Gen 11:9. In the future life, the unity of language will be restored in the praise and service of God, Rev 7:9-12; cf Zeph 3:9; 1 Cor 13:8. Some foretaste of this is found in the NT church in the miraculous gift of tongues at Pentecost, Acts 2:4,11.…

Are all the spiritual gifts for today?

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The New Testament has various lists of ‘charismata’ (spiritual gifts):-

Romans 12:6-8

1 Cor. 12:8-10

1 Cor. 12:28-30

Eph. 4:11

1 Peter 4:9-11
Prophecy Word of Wisdom Apostleship Apostleship Speaking
Serving Word of Knowledge Prophecy Prophecy Serving
Teaching Faith Teaching Evangelism
Exhortation Healings Miracles Pastor/Teacher
Giving Miracles Healing
Leading Prophecy Helping
Showing Mercy Discerning of Spirits Administrating
Tongues Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues Interpretation of Tongues

Nelson’s complete book of Bible maps & charts : Old and New Testaments.…

The Day of Pentecost

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There are at least four ways in which we may think of the day of Pentecost.

First, it was the final act of the saving ministry of Jesus before the parousia.  He who was born into our humanity, lived our life, died for our sins, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, now sent his Spirit to his people to constitute them his body and to work out in them what he had won for them. …