In our previous blog, we looked at what it meant to be a church which is built upon the Word of God. In this post, we will look at what it means to be a Spirit-filled church.
The tension between Word and Spirit is not new. John Calvin
once wrote:
We are assailed by two sects, which
seem to differ most widely from each other. For what similitude is there in
appearance between the Pope and the Anabaptists? And yet, that you may see that
Satan never transforms himself so cunningly, as not in some measure to betray
himself, the principal weapon with which they both assail us is the same. For
when they boast extravagantly of the Spirit, the tendency certainly is to sink
and bury the Word of God, that they may make room for their own falsehoods.
And you, Sadolet, by stumbling on the very threshold, have paid the penalty of that affront which you offered to the Holy Spirit, when you separated him from the Word. For, as if those who seek the way of God were standing where two ways meet, and destitute of any certain sign, you are forced to introduce them as hesitating whether it be more expedient to follow the authority of the Church, or to listen to those whom you call the inventors of new dogmas. Had you known, or been unwilling to disguise the fact, that the Spirit goes before the Church, to enlighten her in understanding the Word, while the Word itself is like the Lydian Stone, by which she tests all doctrines, would you have taken refuge in that most perplexing and thorny question?
Learn, then, by your own experience, that it is no less unreasonable to boast of the Spirit without the Word, than it would be absurd to bring forward the Word itself without the Spirit.
- John Calvin, Reply to Sadoleto
(1539)
Within protestant and evangelical Christianity, we (rightly)
place a lot of emphasis on the words of scripture. We emphasise that the
content of our gospel is very important. There are false gospels. We need to
know the essential marks of the true gospel. The New Testament places an
emphasis on the importance and accuracy of the scriptures. Yet the New
Testament does not teach that words alone are sufficient. Not even scripture
words. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church: “our gospel came to you not
simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep
conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” 1 Thess. 1:5
This is such an essential point, here we see that New
Testament evangelism involves BOTH a proclamation of truth and a manifestation
of power. True gospel preaching is not just a revelation of truth, it is a
manifestation of God’s presence.
If we seek to be faithful, to not only the Word, we need to
engage fully with the whole scriptural revelation of the Holy Spirit. Further,
we need to not only know the truths in our minds, we need to experience the
reality of the Spirit in our lives.
So what do we mean by embracing the person and ministry of
the Holy Spirit?
Regeneration
Firstly, we believe the Christian life starts with the Holy
Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who draws us to Christ, and it is the Holy Spirit
who reveals to us our sins, and it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to see
that Christ is the solution to our sins. The Holy Spirit is the one who enables
us to repent and believe. And the Holy Spirit also assures us of our salvation.
Jesus
replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they
are born again.” John 3:3
Spirit
filled?
Becoming a believer is only the start. We need the Holy
Spirit to live the lives Jesus calls us to live. To be a believer in Christ is
to be on mission, and Jesus gave us the essential criteria for effective
mission: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
ends of the earth.”
The gifts
of the Holy Spirit
What then
shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of
you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a
tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the
church may be built up. 1 Cor. 14:26
The gifts of the Holy Spirit, are given by God for the strengthening
of the church, the manifestation of his power and glory, and for the fulfilment
of the mission of God. There is nothing in scripture that suggests the gifts of
the Holy Spirit were only for the early Church, or even the original apostles. The
gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to help us grow into the fullness of Christ.
The essential place of the Holy Spirit can be seen in our
statement of faith.
2. The utter depravity of human
nature, the necessity for repentance and
regeneration and the eternal doom of the finally impenitent (i.e.
unrepentant). Gen 3:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; Acts 2:38; 17:30, John 5:28-29; Daniel
12:2; Romans 2:7, 6:23; 1 John 1:1-2
5. The baptism of the Holy Ghost for believers with signs following. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; and Galatians 5:22
6. The nine gifts of the Holy Ghost
for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church, which is the body
of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
8. The divine inspiration and
authority of the Holy Scriptures. 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
It is the Holy Spirit who makes regeneration possible, it is
the Holy Spirit who fills us and empowers us for mission, it is the Holy Spirit
who manifests his presence with signs and gifts and it is the Holy Spirit who inspires
the scriptures.
We’ve not even scratched the surface of what it means to be a
Spirit-filled church. Time could be spent reflecting on the importance of the
Holy Spirit in worship. Jesus said true worship must be in “Spirit and truth”.
Worship, at its core is an encounter with the Holy Spirit who brings us into
the presence of the triune God.
If we neglect the Holy Spirit, we ultimately don’t have true Christianity.
The Spirit is the presence of Christ on the earth and in the church.
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