Category Archives: Holy Spirit

Should Everyone Speak in Tongues?

Walking With Giants Posted on by

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?

Walking With Giants Posted on by

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

Walking With Giants Posted on by

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. …

Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Walking With Giants Posted on by

The Holy Spirit is symbolised in the New Testament by:-

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.…

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.…

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. …

John 14:16 – “Another Counselor” – sermon notes

Walking With Giants Posted on by

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.”

It is difficult for us to imagine the emotional turmoil of Jesus’ disciples at the time that these words were uttered.  Impressed by his wonderful teaching and amazing miracles, they had concluded that their beloved Master was indeed the longed-for Messiah, and he would sit on David’s throne, restore the kingdom to Israel, deliver God’s people from all their troubles, and subdue all nations. …

The gift of the Holy Spirit: now/not yet

Walking With Giants Posted on by

The gift of the Holy Spirit has a now/not yet aspect, as is seen in three New Testament metaphors:-

1.  Commercial.  The Holy Spirit is like the down-payment in a purchase.  He is both the first instalment and the guarantee that the full payment will follow.  2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:14.

2.  Agricultural.  The gift of the Sprit is like the harvesting of the first-fruits.  It is both the beginning of the harvest and the gurantee that the rest will follow. …

Quotes on the Holy Spirit

Walking With Giants Posted on by

1.  The first work of the Spirit is to make a man look upon sin as an enemy and to deal with sin as an enemy, to hate it as an enemy, to loathe it is an enemy and to arm against it as an enemy.  (Thomas Brooks)

2.  The Spirit never loosens where the Word binds; the Spirit never justifies where the Word condemns; the Spirit never approves where the Word disapproves; the Spirit never blesses where the Word curses. …