What are you usually doing at 9:00 in the morning of Saturday? On Sunday? On a weekday?
Text Graphic
God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
Compare Peter and the other disciples in John 18:25-27 and 20:19 with their actions here: What accounts for the great difference?
In what way is Luke 24:44-49 reflected in this sermon? Given the audience, why would Peter quote from the Old Testament?
What was the theme of Peter’s Pentecost sermon? What themes will we/should we emphasize?
What is the point Peter wants the people to understand about current events in Acts 2:15-18? How do you understand Acts 2:19-21? What tells you Joel's prophecy is coming true at this point?
Do you think the modern church keeps its focus on Christ in its teaching ministry? Did the last sermon you heard focus clearly on Christ?
How familiar were these people with the events of Jesus' life? How might they be dealing with the rumors of the empty tomb? Given that, why does Peter emphasize the resurrection in Acts 2:24, 31-32?
What are the implications of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus in Acts 2:24, 30-36? For the people? What would it mean to the people that Jesus is a spiritual King far greater than their greatest earthly king in Acts 2:35-36? How did the resurrection prove that Jesus is Christ and Lord?
What was the response to Peter’s presentation of the gospel? How did they indicate their change of attitude toward Christ? How would you put Peter's answer in Acts 2:38-40 in your own words to explain what it means to become a Christian? What is required? What is promised?
How much required knowledge and faith comes before one can be baptized?
How does the resurrection prove that Jesus is the Messiah? Remembering where these 3,000 came from in Acts 2:8-11, in what way is Acts 1:8 partially fulfilled here? What news will the people bring home with them?
I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
To repent and be baptized in Jesus' name means to turn away from all your sin and affirm allegiance to Jesus. Does that present a challenge to you? How have you experienced the reality of God's promises for answering his call?
From Peter's sermon, what facts about Jesus would be key for non-believers to understand in Acts 2:29-33?
When did you make your initial commitment to Christ? Who was influential in that process? What convinced you of your need for Christ? How is baptism the believer's wedding ceremony? How much more important is baptism?
What difference does it make that Jesus truly is reigning King over all? How does that truth affect your daily life?
When was the last time you seized an opportunity to witness for Jesus? What happened? Who stood with you at that time? How are you like Peter? Unlike him? What encourages you as you watch Peter? Why? Why is it important for the gospel message to be shared with everyone?
In what ways are you trying to encourage others to respond to the gospel? What is the best method for teaching the gospel to our contemporaries?
In what ways do you consider the Jerusalem church a model for us?
What is meant by the term “apostles’ teaching”? Why is their teaching critical to the life of the church? How does the teaching of the apostles extend to us?
Define the term “fellowship” in your own words. How is fellowship different from mere association?
What is the most meaningful thing to you about Christian fellowship? How has the fellowship of other believers had a positive impact on your spiritual life?
Why do you think the early church was so prayerful? How do you think today’s church compares with the first-century church in this matter of diligent prayer?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Series: Immeasurably
More “Revival & Revolution in Acts”
It sometimes takes something big and extraordinary to get our attention.
In the book of Acts, we see God establish and unleash the Church, and change
the world forever! With just a handful of eye-witnesses and a powerful story,
God did more than anyone could’ve imagined. And He still does today. It’s time
to open your eyes and see God do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.
Opening
Thoughts: What God did at Pentecost is a good reminder that we can be part of
an extraordinary spiritual awakening and revolution. What does revival look
like in our day, and how can we be part of it?
vDo You Believe God can still do immeasurably
more that we can ask or imagine?
vDoes God still act in visible ways?
vLuke 23:21 NIV - But they kept shouting,
"Crucify him! Crucify him!"
vActs 2:37 NIV - When the people heard this, they
were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers,
what shall we do?"
2 When the
day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly
a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the
whole house where they were sitting.3 They saw what
seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.4 All
of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit enabled them…
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will
pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your
young men will see visions,
your
old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will
pour out my Spirit in those days,
and
they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and
signs on the earth below,
blood
and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and
the moon to blood
before
the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the
name of the Lord will be saved.’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to
Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who
are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save
yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message
were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Summarize the main story: Describe the
events of the story in your own words.
vReview and
retell the story.
Reflections for applications:
v Could
this type of revival happen in our day?
oWhat would it look like?
vSpiritual
Revival: Gospel-centered
oActs 2:32 NIV - God has raised this Jesus to
life, and we are all witnesses of it.
§The message of the Cross will always be
foolishness to some, a stumbling block to others. But if our attention is on
the market reaction, we move away from the power of the Gospel. This
fearfulness to talk about the blood of Christ is an overreaction. Worse than
that it borders on heresy, distorting and deflating the power of the Good News --Jim Cymbala
vSpiritual
Revival: Spirit-led
oActs 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be
baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
o1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV - Do you not know that your
bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own;
§Presence
and Power of God in Us.
vSpiritual
Revival: Confession Based
o2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV - if my people, who are
called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their
sin and will heal their land.
Challenge to say this prayer
throughout the series: “God, help us dare to imagine what you can do, and give us the faith to
see when you do it.”
==============================
Digging Questions:
·How will you
respond to God’s “Revival”? What transformative move needs to be made?
·What do
these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
·What is
God calling us (me and you individually) to do?
Take Away Challenges
·What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage?
How will you apply it to your life this week?
·Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
·What is
God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or
actions need to be addressed or changed?
prophet A person that spoke for God. Sometimes prophets told about things that would happen in the future.
prophesy To speak for God. vision(s) Something like dreams used by God to speak to people.
David King of Israel about 1000 years before Christ.
place of death Literally, "Hades."
ancestors Literally, "fathers," meaning a person's parents, grandparents, and all the people they are descended from.
prophet A person that spoke for God. Sometimes prophets told about things that would happen in the future.
God promised ... like David See 2 Sam. 7:12,13 and Ps. 132:11.
place of death Literally, "Hades."
Christ The "anointed one" (Messiah) or chosen one of God.
Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.
until I put ... power Literally, "until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
apostles The men Jesus chose to be his special helpers.
baptized A Greek word meaning to be immersed, dipped, or buried briefly under water.
apostles The men Jesus chose to be his special helpers.
================
COSMIC SIGNS OF ACTS 2:19-20
—The big questions about these verses are;
1.When will these things happen:
2.Are these things literal or figurative?
—There are 6 major positions:
1.They are literally fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.
2.They refer to the literal destruction of Jerusalem,
yet to be in A.D. 70.
3.They reflect back to the cross in a literal way –
cf. Luke 23;44f.
4.Somehow they are figurative about speaking in tongues.
5.They are figurative about judgment/salvation during
any era—Isa. 13:9f; 34:1f; Eze. 32:7f, Amos 8:9; Matt. 24:29; Luke 21;25–26;
Rev. 6:12f.
6.They are literally fulfilled—some on the Day of Pentecost, and since
Pentecost is the beginning of the end, some at the return of Christ—2 Pet.
3:1–10; Matt. 24:29–31; Luke 21:11; Rev. 6:12f.
Note: Probably the best options are #5 and #6. The prophetic material can be used either literally
or figuratively.
================
A BIBLICAL STUDY OF BAPTISM
By
Mark E. Moore
I.What baptism is:
1.Immersion, not sprinkling
a.The Greek word means to dip or dunk,
to immerse.
b.Acts 8:38 demonstrates the mode of
baptism is immersion.
2.Sacrament, not symbol
a.A symbol is a picture of something
else. A sacrament is when the symbolic act on earth coincides with what is
actually taking place in heaven.
b.This is not man's work for God but
God's work in us.
c.Galatians 3:27 and Ephesians 4:5
illustrate this work God does in us through baptism.
3.A work of faith, an appeal to God
for a clean conscience
a.Faith without works is dead. A faith
that claims to believe in Jesus but doesn't do what he commands is bogus. So
what did Jesus tell us to do when we encounter him for the first time? He
commands us to be baptized.
b.I believe about baptism what many
"faith only" brothers believe about "The Sinner's Prayer."
When coming to Jesus we ask his forgiveness of sins through this enacted
prayer. It is more visual and therefore more memorable than a spoken prayer.
c.This is best described in 1 Peter
3:21.
4.The culmination of conversion
a.The NT includes a number of things
in the process of conversion including: hearing, faith, repentance, confession,
and baptism. All of these go together as a person is converted to Jesus. While
some passages mention only one or two elements, no passage intends to exclude
any of these from the process of conversion.
b.It belongs at conversion (Pentecost
[Acts 2:41], Samaritans [Acts 8:12], Eunuch [Acts 8:36], Cornelius [Acts
10:47–48], Lydia [Acts 16:15], Philippian Jailer [Acts 16:33], Paul [Acts 9:18;
22:16]).
c.It is in conjunction with water
(John 3:5–6; Titus 3:5–6, etc.).
d.It aligns us with the death, burial
and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12).
II.What Baptism Does:
1.Baptism makes disciples — Matthew
28:19
a.Like circumcision of the O.T.
covenant, it is our entrance into the new covenant (Colossians 2:11–12).
b.Baptism is when we "put
on" Christ (Galatians 3:27).
2.Through repentance and baptism we
are granted forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
3.Through baptism we are promised the
Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
4.Baptism saves us as the culmination
of conversion (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21)
5.It serves as a ritual of remembrance
and community.
6.It alleviates guilt through God‘s
forgiveness and shame through being brought into the community.
III.Can a person be saved without
baptism?
1.It was not until Huldrych Zwingli
(c. 1523), that anyone divorced baptism from conversion. He did this for
theological (and political) reasons, especially a commitment to the sovereignty
of God.
2.Only God is the judge, but he judges
willful disobedience harshly.
3.If men can figure out a C-section,
where a baby would come into the world without passing through the normal birth
canal, I'm pretty sure God can too. However, neither a C-section nor an
unbaptized Christian is either natural or healthy.
================
CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS
In the boxes below, write in the verse numbers from the passage which specifically mention one of the elements of conversion. If an element is necessarily implied, place the verse number in brackets. Some boxes will be blank. Then, write a summary of what these passages teach about conversion. Also tell anything that surprised you as you did this exercise.
Text in Acts
Teaching
Repent
Believe
Obey
Baptism
Water
H.S.
Scripture
Miracles
Joy/Awe
God's
Choice
2:14–47
3:17–4:4
5:12–16
6:7
8:5–13
8:26–39
9:1–18
9:34–35
10:30–48
(11:18)
11:19–24
13:11–12
13:46–48
16:14–15
16:29–34
17:1–4
17:10–12
17:22–34
18:8
19:1–7
================
WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH?—PART 1: HISTORY
By Mark Moore
You may have them in your town. They may meet in a building
just up the street with a sign on it that says, "Christian
Church." So big deal? Other buildings have names like Baptist,
Methodist, or Lutheran. In fact, if you were to travel across North
America and Canada you could find some 219 different signs on Churches.
Some have such esoteric names as:
"Christadelphians," "Elim Fellowship,"
"Holy Ukrainian Autocephalic Church in Exile," and my personal
favorite, "True (Old Calendar) Orthodox Church of Greece (Synod of
Metropolitan Cyprian), American Exarchate." Frankly, it gets
nauseating. You would think that after 20 or 30 denominations, that
Christians would run out of things to fight about . . . but they don't.
So we ask again, "Why should one be interested in the Christian
Church?" Precisely because we are fed up with Denominations.
The group of people who label their churches "Christian
Church" have joined an alliance of Christians who realize that they are
not the only Christians, but they do want to be Christians only. These
folks are committed to allowing the Bible, and the Bible alone to be the only
rule of faith and practice for the church.
Man-made creeds and denominational hierarchies had no place in the
early church. Therefore, following the New Testament (NT) book of Acts,
we have put away these human inventions and simply tried to follow Jesus and
his Apostles.
This alliance goes back to the early 1800's. As the pioneers
were spreading across America's fruited plains, so were Denominational
schisms. A father-son team, by the name of Thomas and Alexander Campbell
got fed up with it (along with many others). They decided to drop
all denominational names, creeds, and authority structures and just be the
Church as it is described in the Bible.
Obviously this is an over-simplification. And our history as
a NT church has been checkered (as was the church of the NT). But the
basic concepts were both pure and popular. In fact, to date, there has
not been a faster growing religious movement in America than the Christian
Church. Baptists, Methodist, and Presbyterians were all enamored with the
possibility to follow only the Bible and Jesus as the head of the church. It
would not be accurate to say that they left their denominations, nor that they
started a new one. They simply dropped all divisive names and partisan
creeds to be the one body that Jesus prayed about (John 17:22–23).
Today, especially in larger cities, we find another resurgence to
drop denominational affiliation. But it has a different motivation.
Typically a church will find itself at odds with the denominational leadership,
not over doctrine, but over personality. So the church buys the building
and goes independent. But God never intended the church to be independent
from the universal body of Jesus. Nor did He intend for men to take power
positions and struggle for predominance.
Our call is not to individuality but to the universal body of Jesus.
Our call is not to the
"Right" denomination but to be nondenominational.
Simply put, our plea is to restore Jesus as the only head of the body and to
restore the church as described in the Bible.
If you take these pristine principles and transport them into the
real world, of course they will encounter difficulties. There will be
personality struggles, differences of opinion, and organizational
glitches. But our guiding principle has been this: In Scriptures,
unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, love.
WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH?—PART 2: UNITY
By Mark Moore
There are two main thrusts of the Independent Christian
Churches: (1) Allegiance to the Bible and (2) Unity of all believers in
Jesus. This article will deal with the issue of unity, the next will deal
with allegiance to the Bible.
Let's talk reality here. Can we really expect Christians to
be unified? That depends entirely on what kind of unity you are talking
about.
Doctrinal agreement—Throughout the history of the church, there
have been more divisions over the Eucharist (communion), than anything
else. Over a simple piece of bread and a bit of grape juice, there have
been at least 10 different arguments: One cup or many, juice or wine,
leavened or unleavened bread, once a week/month/year, transubstantiation or no,
etc. ad. nauseam. In fact, the famed book Foxe's Book of Martyrs tells of
more Christians killed by other Christians than by pagans. And many of those
deaths were because one believed differently about the Lord's Supper than
someone else. And the Eucharist is just one issue. We have fought
over Millennialism, the Canon, Inerrancy, Hermeneutics, Arminianism and a whole
bunch of other words that most people don't even want to learn how to spell.
Now, the likelihood of Christians agreeing on doctrine is pretty
nil. But the fact that we disagree does not mean that we must
dis-fellowship. Nor does it mean that doctrine is not essential.
There are certain doctrines that we can never afford to err in (e.g. the deity
and resurrection of Jesus). For these define what being a Christian is
all about. God gave us the Bible because He intended for us to understand
it and live by it. But on the other side of this dingy coin is the
unfortunate fact that most of what Christians have divided over is of no
interest to either the common man or God in heaven. Biblical unity is hardly
measured by doctrinal agreement on insignificant issues.
Organizational Unity—We have all heard that the church is not the
building but its people. Perhaps you have also heard that the church is
not an organization but an organism. That is true, but naive. The
church is also an organization with boards, trustees, bank accounts, title
deeds, and tax-exempt status. If we look for unity in the organism led by
Christ, we will undoubtedly find it. But organizational unity requires
that we loose our grip on the title deeds to the property. And even
harder, it requires that we abolish or at least ignore, the uniqueness that we
have worked so hard to create. "Churches" have labored
furiously to promote their idiosyncrasies. Their foundations are laid
with blood, sweat and pride. Organizational unity requires an end of that
uniqueness. Either we must all melt into one new organization which we call
can agree on, or one existing organization swallows up all the others.
Call me pessimistic, but that is not about to happen!
Humanitarian/Functional Unity— Perhaps we could find unity in
humanitarian efforts, or ecumenical co-services between churches. It is
unfortunate that more church organizations do not work cooperatively. We
could speak to Washington with a unified voice. Our corporate funds could
alleviate much human suffering without each church covering the same ground.
Think what more ecumenical cooperation could mean for world hunger, Bible
translations, legislative lobbies, etc. But two things stand in our
way. First, the prideful men who build and lead church organizations
clamor for credit. This is not only unfortunate, it is sinful.
Second, some feel that alliances with
organizations with different doctrine somehow compromises their
"pure doctrine." Now correct doctrine is essential to
individual salvation. It just seems sad that while we are preoccupied
straining at gnats and swallowing camels, the world suffers on a fast track to
destruction.
Spiritual Unity—A group may have spirit, but not The Spirit.
That is, no church has a 100% population of Spirit-filled members. Thus,
no church is The Church. Spiritual unity, then, is found only at the
individual level, not the corporate level. Two churches, even of
the same stripe, will not have spiritual unity. But two Christians,
from different groups can find spiritual unity. Even without agreeing on
all doctrinal points, two believers who find each other, find that they are
members of the one Church, led by the one Spirit, and committed to the one
Lord. Denominations are a sad, but perhaps necessary evil. But
Jesus' prayer has not gone unanswered: "I do not ask in behalf of these
alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may
all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may
be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me" (John 17:20–
21).
WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH?—PART 3: THE
BIBLE
By Mark Moore
As we pointed out in our last article, there are two main thrusts
of the Independent Christian Churches: (1) Allegiance to the Bible and
(2) Unity of all believers in Jesus. The last article dealt with the
issue of unity. This one will deal with allegiance to the Bible.
The Bible is clearly an amazing book. It speaks to
hundreds of controversial subjects with unmitigated unity. That, in
itself, is an amazing thing. I defy anyone to find even ten U.S. Senators
that would agree on five major issues of the day. But the Bible was
written on three continents over a span of 1600 years by some 40 different
authors with varied backgrounds. The authors included: king, politician,
shepherd, fisherman, military leaders, cup-bearer, prime minister, doctor, tax
collector, rabbi, etc. It even uses three different languages. (The
Old Testament was written in Hebrew, the New Testament in Greek, with a
smattering of Aramaic in both.) When we consider such diversity in its
production, and yet such unity in its content we can't help but suspect the
Bible's Divine authorship.
Not only was its production amazing, so has been its
distribution. The Bible was the first book printed after the invention of
Gutenberg's press in 1456. Since that date nearly three billion copies
have been printed by Bible Societies alone. That is equivalent to one
copy every three seconds, twenty-four hours a day for three hundred
years. This book has been translated more than any other and is now in
almost 3,000 languages. More than 95% of the world's population is able
to read the Bible in their native tongue. It has always been the #1 best
seller. Why? Because despite multiplied efforts to silence the
Bible and/or discredit its teachings, it still speaks with a "lion's
roar." It comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.
It is simply without parallel.
As a college professor, I read scores of books every year.
The more I read, the more marked becomes the difference between God's Word and
man's. These other books prick my curiosity. The Bible pierces my
soul. Man's words cause me to ask many noble questions. God's word
gives me answers. Contemporary literature helps me process this
world. The Scriptures propel me into eternity. There is simply no
comparison. This book, completed nearly 2,000 years ago, is as fresh as
today's news print—it is active and living as a two-edged sword (Heb
4:12).
But beyond being an amazing book which is personal, the Word of
God is also extremely practical. The firm stand of the Christian Church
is that the Bible is practical for the operation and institution of the Church
of Jesus Christ. That is, we have no need for human creeds or hierarchies
to run the church. If Christ is the head, that is sufficient. And if the
Bible is God's word, we need no other constitution and by-laws.
Now the Bible doesn't deal with each event of our contemporary
culture. It says nothing directly about the Right to Life or political
parties (e.g. Democrat vs. Republican). It does not deal with A.I.D.S. or
artificial insemination. So how can we be guided by the Bible in today's
world? The Bible provides for three necessary ingredients and Jesus
provides the fourth.
First, the Bible is full of Godly principles which guide our
lives. If it did deal with all the details of this world's economy, it
would be too big for any of us to read. But these broad principles touch
on literally every aspect of our human existence no matter when, where, or how
a person lives. Most people who don't know what God says about particular
issues are ignorant, not because the Bible is silent, but because they have not
bothered to read it.
Second, the Bible calls for the institution of Elders in
the local church— Godly leaders who help teach and relate the Bible to the
local church. Third, where there are matters of opinion, the Bible
teaches us to accept one another as Christ accepted us (Rom. 15:7). And
how did Jesus accept us? With forgiveness, gentleness, grace, and
generosity.
Finally, beyond the Bible, we have the contemporary voice of God
through the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. It is He who helps us
understand and apply God's eternal and divine Word today (1 Cor. 2). Such
a view of the Bible opens up for us the freedom to take it as our own.
But as always, with freedom comes the responsibility to diligently study and
live out the Word of God.
WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH?—PART 4:
BAPTISM By Mark Moore
Besides our commitment to the Bible and our commitment to unity,
the Independent Christian Churches have been identified by our view of
baptism. Here's the deal: We fully immerse individuals in water as
their initial step of faith when they believe in Jesus. We do this as a
declaration of their forgiveness of sins and a promise of their gift from
God—the Holy Spirit. Why? Because we sincerely believe that is what
the Bible teaches us to do. There are several questions people ask us
about our practice of baptism.
Why do you immerse rather than sprinkle? Because that was
what Jesus and the Apostles did. John the Baptist baptized where there
was "much water" (John 3:23). Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
"went down into the water" (Acts 8:38–39). And because baptism
is a picture of death, burial (Rom 6:5; Col 2:12), and resurrection (Rom 6:4),
immersion is the most appropriate form. In fact, the Greek word for
baptism [baptizo] means to immerse or to dip. And in the first few
centuries of the church it was the only form of baptism practiced by
Christians.
Why do you baptize people right when they confess their faith in
Jesus? Why not wait? In the book of Acts, the record of the birth
and growth of the church, everyone who was baptized did it at the point of
their conversion (e.g. Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:48; 16:33; 22:16, etc.).
Baptism is intended to be the starting point for the Christian. It is the
initial act of faith. It has been compared to new birth (Titus 3:5; John
3:5); clothing one's self with Christ (Gal 3:27); and an entrance rite, like
circumcision of the Jews (Col 2:11–12). We simply have no example of
baptism which properly took place at any other time than conversion.
Is baptism a necessary part of conversion? Let me begin
simply by quoting some Scriptures and then making application: —Matthew
28:19–20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age." —Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
—Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
—1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you
also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience
toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Baptism in no way earns your salvation. The very thought of
gaining heaven by getting wet is ridiculous. But baptism is the
appropriate expression of faith in God. We are all aware that "faith
without works is dead" (James 2:24– 26). So the question is not
"Should we respond to God's gracious gift of Christ?" but "How
should we respond to receive Christ?" When the Jews first asked this
question, the Apostle Peter gave the answer in Acts 2:38. And Jesus, in
his great commission designed baptism to be part of making disciples (see
Matthew 28:19–20 and Mark 16:16). Peter, in his letter, went so far as to
say, "Baptism now saves you . . ." Not that it earns merit, but
that it expresses faith. It is God's ordained gift by which we die to
ourselves and are wedded to Christ. Some have supplanted baptism with a
"prayer of faith" which is nowhere to be found in the Bible.
Baptism, however is riveted to the NT as God's invitation to come to
Christ.
Can someone be saved if they have not been baptized? In my
answer to this question you will notice a conspicuous absence of
Scripture. That is because the Bible neither asks nor answers this
question. The NT just assumes that every believer will accept this
beautiful gift from God at conversion. Therefore, we are left with my own
opinion, (of which I have many, free for the asking). But be
warned: This is the opinion of one man, not the eternal word of
God.
With that understanding, yes, I feel that person who truly
believes in Jesus and bears spiritual fruit, but never submits to baptism can
be saved. It is much like a "Caesarean-section." A child
has come into the world, without passing through the natural birth canal.
If man is clever enough to perform a Caesarean-section, I suppose that God is
too. However, it is both unnatural and unhealthy. God's design, yea
His command, is for every repentant believer to die to self and live to Christ
through Christian baptism.
================
Devotional Thoughts:
Church Growth
Flavil Yeakley in “Why Churches Grow” (pp 52 - 54) wrote: These data . . . demonstrate the importance of a personal relationship with individual Christians as a part of the total conversion process.” In his statistical study Yeakley selected 100 people (50 who dropped out after six months and 50 remaining as members after six months) after being baptized. 94% of those that dropped out developed four or less personal relationships with other members of the congregation. On the other hand, 90% of those remaining active members developed six or more personal relationships in the church.
Yeakley concludes: “These data suggest that when subjects formed personal relationships with members of the congregation, they were likely to remain faithful. When they did not form such personal relationships, they were likely to drop out of the church.”
Win Arn in “The Church Growth Ratio Book” (1990) quotes Yeakley’s study. Arn goes on to state that the first six months are the most crucial. “New members not integrated into a church within the first six-months could already be on their way out the back door.” Arn emphasizes that 75% - 85% of the persons who become inactive church members do so in the first year of their membership (pp 23 - 24).
Arn states that a church needs a small group for every 14 members – small intimate personal groups. These can be Bible study groups, prayer groups, fellowship groups, social groups, work groups, task groups, and mid-week house groups or even a 6:30 a.m. men’s group meeting at a local restaurant. Invite visitors and then get them involved in the work of the church. A higher percentage will become lasting members.
In conclusion (emphases mine): “And they CONTINUED STEADFASTLY in the apostle’s doctrine and FELLOWSHIP, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayer (Acts 2:42)
===============
In Support of Dreamers
from The Tyranny of the Rigid
On May 24, 1965, a thirteen-and-a-half-foot boat quietly slipped out of the marina at Falmouth, Massachusetts. Its destination? England. It would be the smallest craft ever to make the voyage. Its name? Tinkerbelle. Its pilot? Robert Manry, a copy editor for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, who felt ten years at the desk was enough boredom for a while, so he took a leave of absence to fulfill his secret dream.
Manry was afraid, not of the ocean, but of all those people who would try to talk him out of the trip. So he didn't share it with many, just some relatives and especially his wife, Virginia. She was his greatest source of support.
The trip? Anything but pleasant. He spent sleepless nights trying to cross shipping lanes without getting run down and sunk. Weeks at sea caused his food to become tasteless. Loneliness, that age-old monster of the deep, led to terrifying hallucinations. His rudder broke three times. Storms swept him overboard, and had it not been for the rope he had knotted around his waist, he would never have been able to pull himself back on board. Finally, after seventy-eight days alone at sea, he sailed into Falmouth, England.
During those nights at the tiller, he had fantasized about what he would do once he arrived. He expected simply to check into a hotel, eat dinner alone, then the next morning see if, perhaps, the Associated Press might be interested in his story. Was he in for a surprise!
Word of his approach had spread far and wide. To his amazement, three hundred vessels, with horns blasting, escorted Tinkerbelle into port. Forty thousand people stood screaming and cheering him to shore. Robert Manry, copy editor turned dreamer, became an overnight hero.
His story has been told around the world. But Robert couldn't have done it alone. Standing on the dock was an even greater hero: Virginia. Refusing to be rigid when Robert's dream was taking shape, she allowed him freedom to pursue his dream.
Ministries cannot become great without dreamers who weary of only maintenance year in, year out. We need more Roberts who have the creativity and tenacity to break with boredom and try the unusual. But even more, we need the Virginias who won't allow rigidity to rule the roost.
-- Charles R. Swindoll in Leadership, Vol. 8, no. 4.
See: 1 Co 5:7; Ac 2:17; 1 Jn 2:8; Ro 6:4
#Creativity
#Adversity
#Companionship
#Encouragement
#Friendship
============= Unfortunate Little Flaw
On May 6, 1937, just over 60 years ago, the Zeppelin, Hindenburg, burst into flame above Lakehurst, New Jersey killing 36 of the 97 people aboard. The accident was attributed to burning hydrogen and effectively halted rigid-airship travel. After years of sleuthing, NASA engineer Addison Bain has theorized that the fire was started because the Zeppelins of that time were coated with a highly flammable outer coating and the ship caught fire in a highly charged electrical atmosphere. He called it an “unfortunate little flaw.” The Titanic also had an unfortunate little flaw. The “unsinkable” ship’s sulfurous, brittle steel broke rather than bending when it hit an iceberg. Modern steel would have bent. On April 14, 1912, this unfortunate little flaw cost the lives of 1513 crew and passengers. On January 28, 1986, seven people were killed in the disastrous explosion of the Challenger space shuttle. This was caused by an “unfortunate little flaw” in the O-ring seal in the solid fuel rocket attached to the Challenger’s right side which failed under the prevailing weather conditions. It may seem a small difference in the religious world when some teach a person is baptized because he or she has already been saved rather than to be saved. After all a person is baptized in either case. However, it is not in accordance with scriptural teaching concerning salvation to teach that a person is saved before baptism. (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Peter 3:21). If this “unfortunate little flaw” in religious teaching causes people to lose their souls, it is a far worse disaster than the Challenger, Titanic and Hinderburg all rolled into the same accident.
Willis Hood
#Salvation
============= Humor: Burglar and an Elderly Woman
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church services when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled, "Stop! Acts 2:38!" (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.)
The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done.
As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you."
"Scripture?" replied the burglar. "She said she had an ax and two 38's!"
============== The Old Lady and the Burglar
------------------------------------
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening service when she was startled by an intruder. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled "Stop, Acts 2:38."
The burglar quickly turned around and pointed his gun at her when she yelled again, "Stop, Acts 2:38."
Well this time the man stopped, dead in his tracks. The woman calmly called the Police and explained what she had done. As the Officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked him "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a Scripture to you."
"Scripture?" the burglar exclaimed, "I thought she said she had an axe and two 38s!"
1:15120 2:413,000 souls 2:47Adding Daily 4:4 5,000 men 5:14Multitudes constantly added 6:1 Disciples increasing in number 6:7 Disciples increased greatly with many priests 6:15 Numbers increasing daily 9:31Continued to increase in peace 11:21Large numbers believed and turned to the Lord 12:24The Word continued to grow and be multiplied 16:5Growing Daily 19:20The Word was growing mightily and prevailing 21:20Myriads = 10,000s 28:31Teaching continued on without hindrance
===================
THOUGHT QUESTIONS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
1.The Holy Spirit has his own unique personality.
2.A person can tell if they have H.S. by the special
gifts they have or feelings they get.
3.The tongues of the NT were human languages.
4.The H.S. did not indwell men until after Jesus'
Ascension.
5.The main job of the Holy Spirit is to work miracles in
people’s lives.
6.A person must have the Holy Spirit to be saved.
7.Speaking in tongues is the sign a person is baptized
in the Spirit.
8.The Holy Spirit works mostly in the lives of those who
are saved.
9.The Bible is a product of the Holy Spirit and thus the
primary means through which he speaks to people today, especially before they
are saved.
10.We know more about the Holy Spirit than we do about
God the Father or Jesus the Christ.
11.Just as Jesus was subject to the Father, so the Holy
Spirit is subject to both the Father and the Son.
12.The work of the Holy Spirit in the NT is essentially
different than His work in the O.T.
13.The works and miracles of the Spirit cannot be
imitated by men.
14.A person receives the Holy Spirit at the point of
baptism.
15.The Holy Spirit brings comfort and joy to those who
follow Christ.
16.The Holy Spirit was not understood as the Third Person
of the Trinity until after the ascension of Jesus.
17.The Holy Spirit does not differentiate between men and
women in salvation, communication, or gifting.
18.Once you have the Holy Spirit you will always have
him—it is not like he is leaving us or like we leak and need to be filled
anew.
19.The Holy Spirit can be known as an individual apart
from the Father and/or the Son.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON
TONGUES
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
By
Mark Moore
1.Who (or what), is the Holy Spirit?
2.How can we know if we have the Holy Spirit?Can we know if others have the Holy
Spirit?If so, how? (1 John 3:23–4:1)
3.Does one have to have the H.S. in his/her life in order to
be saved (Rom. 8:9)?
4.Is a supernatural experience with the Holy Spirit a sign of
a person being saved?
5.Is there a difference in how the Holy Spirit worked in the
O.T. and in the NT?
6.In what cities do we read about tongues?Do they have any similarities?
7.Should every believer expect to receive a spiritual
gift?Should every believer expect to
speak in tongues? (1 Cor. 12:7–11, 29–30)
8.Is there any evidence that tongues has passed away? (1 Cor.
13:8–10; Eph. 2:20) 9.What is the
"perfect" of 1 Cor. 13:10?
10.What is the
baptism of the Holy Spirit?Should
Christians expect to receive this today? (Acts 1:5; 2:1–4; 10:44–48; 11:15)
11.Who spoke in
tongues on the day of Pentecost?The 12
Apostles or the 120?Support your view
(Acts 1:5; 2:1, 7, 14, 37).
12.What is the
purpose of Biblical miracles?
13.Have other
religious groups claimed to speak in tongues?Can one speak in tongues without the Holy Spirit?
14.Is it
important whether or not a person believes in the gift of tongues?Is it a divisive issue in the church?
15.Is there
such a thing as "tongues of angels" or are all tongues human
languages? (1 Cor. 13:1)
16.What is the
purpose of tongues? (1 Cor. 14:22)
17.Is it
appropriate to have a "prayer language" or is tongues always to be a
public event? (1 Cor. 14:14–15)
18.Are tongues
today comparable to tongues of the NT?
19.Should one
"learn" how to speak in tongues?
20.Should one
pray for gifts of the Holy Spirit? (1 Cor. 12:32; 14:1, 39)
21.What are
possible sources of spiritual powers/works?
22.Is tongues
seen as a mature or immature gift in Scripture?
23.If tongues,
prophecy and knowledge have ceased as gifts (1 Cor. 13:10), what about the
other gifts (e.g. wisdom, faith, healing, miracles, distinguishing of spirits)?
24.What are the
purposes of spiritual gifts?
25.Is there a
hierarchy of spiritual gifts?Functions
in the church?Believers exercising
spiritual gifts? (1 Cor. 12:27–28)
26.Should we
desire or seek spiritual gifts? (1 Cor. 12:31; 14:1, 39)
27.Is the gift
of tongues intended to be private or public?
28.Is there a
limit to how many should speak in tongues in a service? (1 Cor. 14:27)
29.What is the
connection between one's emotions and the practice of spiritual gifts?
Who Is The Holy Spirit?
By
Mark Moore
I.The Person of the Holy Spirit
A.Personal attributes—personality
1.Mind/Knowledge (Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 2:11).
2.Affection or love (Romans 15:30).
3.Will (1 Cor. 12:11).
4.Can be grieved (Isaiah 63:10; Eph. 4:30).
5.Can be resisted (Acts 7:51).
6.Can be lied to (Acts 5:3).
7.Can be scorned (Hebrews 10:29).
8.Use of the masculine pronoun—He/Him, (John 15:26; 16:13–14)
even though PNEUMA is neuter.
B.Divine attributes
1.Eternal (Heb. 9:14).
2.Mind of God (1 Cor. 2:10–11).
3.Power of God (Luke 1:35; Acts 1:8; Micah 3:8; Judges 14:6).
4.Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7–10).
5.Omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10–11).
6.Spirit of Holiness (Rom. 1:40); of Grace (Heb. 10:29); Truth
(John 14:17; 16:13); of Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2); of Glory (1 Pet. 4:14); of Life
(Rom. 8:2); Eternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14).
7.Associated with the Trinity (Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
8.Identified with Jehovah (Compare Acts 28:25 with Isaiah
6:1–13; and Heb. 10:15–17 with Jer. 31:31–34; Acts 5:3–4).
II.The Work of the Holy Spirit A.Creation:
1.Creation (Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30).
2.Giving life (Genesis 2:7; Romans 8:11; John 6:63; John 3:5).
3.Regeneration (John 3:3–7; Titus 3:5).
B.Conviction
1.Working Miracles (Matt. 12:28; 1 Cor. 12:9–11).
2.Convicts (John 16:8–11).
3.Sanctification (2 Thess. 2:13; Rom. 15:16).
4.Restrains Sin (Inference from Gen. 6:3; Job; 2 Thess. 2:7)
through:
a.Scriptures
b.Individual Christians
c.Corporate
Church
d.Government instituted by God (Rom. 13:1–7) C.Communication
1.Authorship of Prophecies (2 Peter 1:21).
2.Speaks/Testifies (1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:7; John 15:26), esp.
about Jesus.
C.Repent and Be Baptized (Acts 2:38–39; 19:1–6; John
3:3–7;
New Birth—Titus 3:3–7; 1 Cor. 12:13)
D.Love (John 14:23)
E.Obey (Acts 5:32)
IV.Do you
Possession the Holy Spirit
A.Better question:Does
the Holy Spirit possess you?
B.Tests of the Spirit Possession:1 John 4:1
1.Believe in Jesus, 1 John 3:23
2.Love the brethren, 1 John 3:24
3.Produce the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:20–22
V.Important Observations
A.The word for spirit, both in the Hebrew (RUAH) and in the
Greek (PNEUMA) is the same word for "Wind" and "Breath".
B.It is often difficult to know whether to translate the word
with a capital or a small "S".That is, it is sometimes not certain whether a passage refers to the
Holy Spirit or the human spirit (e.g. Acts 19:21).
C.Another word for the Spirit is PARAKLETOS (from which we get
the word "Paraclete"—and no, this is not athletic apparel).Etymologically it means "to call along side
of."It can be translated as
"Helper, intercessor, mediator, strengthener."It is found in John 14:16, 26, 15:26; 16:7; 1
John 2:1.The KJV translation of the
word as "Comforter," is somewhat misleading.The H.S. does not come to make us feel warm
and comfortable, but He comes to strengthen us (which is what
"comfort" meant in 1611 when the KJV was translated).
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE THE
CHURCH
I.THE WORK OF
THE SPIRIT IN THE O.T.
A.Revelation to God's men (e.g. Abraham, Gen. 20:7;
Moses, Num. 12:8).
B.Revelation to Prophets (2 Pet. 1:21), through:
1.Spoken word (Ex. 19:9; 1 Sam. 3:1–14).
2.Dreams (Num. 12:6; Dan. 10:9; Jer. 31:26; Joel 2:28).
C."Coming Upon" to empower the recipient for a
special service (see handout "Holy Spirit Coming Upon"):
1.Prophets
2.Craftsmen
3.Judges
4.Military leaders
5.Workers of miracles
D.This reception of the H.S.:
1.Had no apparent spiritual qualities.
2.Was for a special call to service for a specific task.
3.Was temporary (1 Sam. 16:14; Psa 51:11).
E.There was nothing like NT indwelling in the O.T. (cf.
John 7:39; 14:17; 16:7).
II.THE WORK OF
THE SPIRIT WITH JESUS
"For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God
gives the Spirit without limit" (John 3:34).
A.Immaculate Conception, Luke 1:35 (cf. Gen 3:15; Isa
7:14; Matt. 1:18, 20–23).
B.Filled from Childhood, Luke 1:15 (Argument by
extension from John the Baptist).
C.Special filling at Baptism, Mark 1:10/Matt3:16/Luke 3:22/John 1:31–34.
D.Led him into the wilderness to be tempted, Mark
1:12/Matt 4:1/Luke 4:1.
E.In relation to Christ’s prophetic office (Matthew
12:18–21 from Isa 42:1–4 and Luke 4:21 in relation to Isaiah 61:21–2).
F.Empowerment for Ministry for preaching, Miracles (Luke
4:14, 18–19 [from Isa 61:1– 2), and exorcism (Matt 12:28).
G.Participated in raising Jesus (Rom 8:11; 1 Pet 3:18).
III.THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT WITH THE APOSTLES
A.The promise of inspiration (Mt. 10:18–19).
B.The promise of correct teaching (John 14:26; 15:26;
16:13).
C.The H.S. would replace the presence of Christ (John
16:5–7).
The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life of
the Christian
By
Mark Moore
I.Empowerment (this is
for evidence, not salvation and it‘s not granted to everyone).
A.Miracles
1.Immaculate Conception (Mt 1:18–20; Luke 1:35)
2.Baptism of the H.S. (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33;
Acts 1:5; 11:16); and Baptism in general (Mt 28:19; John 3:5–8; Acts 2:38
[although cf. Acts 8:15–17]; 19:2–3; 1 Cor 12:12)
5.Miracles which validated Jesus‘ ministry (Acts 5:32, He is
given to those who obey him; Heb 2:4), as well as Paul‘s ministry (Rom 15:19; 1
Cor 2:4), and the
Galatians‘ conversion (Gal 3:5)
B.Filled with the Spirit
1.John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
2.Elizabeth (Luke 1:41)
3.Zechariah (Luke 1:67)
4.Simeon (Luke 2:25–26)
5.Jesus (Luke 4:1, 14; Luke 10:21; John 3:34; Heb 9:14)
6.To those who ask (Luke 11:13)
7.The Apostles (John 20:22; Acts 1:8)
8.Peter (Acts 4:8)
9.Seven ―deacons‖ (Acts 6:3), especially Stephen (Acts 6:5;
7:55)
10.Saul (Acts
9:17; 13:9)
11.Barnabas
(Acts 11:24)
12.Disciples
(Acts 13:52)
II.Guidance (Rom 8:14;
Gal 5:18)
A.Physical movement
1.Jesus into the wilderness for temptations (Mt 4:1; Mk 1:12;
Luke 4:1)
2.Simeon into the Temple courts (Luke 2:27)
3.Philip to the Ethiopian (Acts 8:29) and then ―whisked‖ away
to Azotus (Acts 8:39)
4.Peter to the three messengers of Cornelius (Acts 10:19;
11:12)
5.Paul & Co hindered from going into Asia & Mysia
(Acts 16:6–7) and Paul was
―compelled‖ to go to Jerusalem (Acts
20:22)
B.Specific instructions (Acts 13:2, 4; 15:28; 20:23 &
21:4, 11; 1 Cor 2:10–14; Heb 9:8) or Spiritual wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17;
3:5; 1 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 1:11; Rev 14:13; 22:17). ―He who has an ear let him hear
what the Spirit says . . .‖ (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)
C.Preaching
1.Promise to the Apostles when they stand before authorities
(Mt 10:20; Mk 13:11; Luke 12:12)
2.General preparation for preaching (Acts 1:8; 4:8, 31; 6:10;
1 Th 1:5–6; 1 Pet 1:12)
D.Prophecy (Mt 22:43; Mk 12:36; Acts 1:16; 4:25; 28:25; Heb
3:7; 10:15; 2 Pet 1:21)
E.Counselor — the Spirit of truth (John 14:16–17; 14:26;
15:26; 16:13–15; Acts 1:2)
F.Provided encouragement to the church (Acts 9:31), strength
(Eph 3:16), and help (Php
1:19; 2 Tim
1:14), especially through corporate singing (Eph 5:18–19) G.Installs Elders in the church (Acts 20:28)
III.Validation
A.Of Jesus at his baptism (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Luke 3:22; John
1:32–33)
B.Of Jesus in his ministry and preaching (Mt 12:18 [cf. Isa
42:1–4]; Luke 4:18 [Isa
61:1–2]; Acts 10:38; 1 John 5:6–8)
and resurrection/ascension (Acts 2:33; Rom 1:4; 1 Tim 3:16)
C.Of the Gentiles (Acts 15:8)
D.Of Paul‘s honesty (Rom 9:1) and ministry (2 Cor 6:5)
IV.Transformation of the Christian
A.Conversion (Rom 1:29; Gal 3:14; Titus 3:5) and
sanctification (Rom 15:16; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 3:3; Eph 4:12; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pet
1:2), Sealing us as God‘s possession (2 Cor
1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:13), so that our
lives and confession align with the Spirit‘s (1 Cor 12:3; 1 John 4:2–3, 6)
B.New life (John 6:63; 7:38–39; Rom 8:11), even to Jesus at
the resurrection (1 Pet
3:18), and refreshment (Acts 3:19;
Isaiah 4:1–2; 44:1–5; 55:1–5)
C.We accept God‘s love and are filled with it (Rom 5:5; 15:30;
Col 1:8)
D.We live by the Spirit and not by the law or the flesh (Rom
7:6; 8:1–16; 2 Cor 3:3, 6, 8; Gal 3:2–3; 5:16–18; 5:25), being transformed into
God‘s spiritual nature (2 Cor 3:17– 18), as opposed to fleshly men who live by
natural instincts and not by the Spirit (Jude 1:19)
E.Confirmation that we are God‘s children (Rom 8:16–17; Gal
4:6) and thus grants us access to God (Eph 2:18)
F.Intercedes for us when we don‘t know how to pray (Rom
8:26–27; Jude 1:20)
G.The true nature of the kingdom is righteousness, peace and
joy in the H.S. (Rom 14:17*; 15:13)
H.The Spirit indwells our bodies (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Eph 2:22;
Php 2:1; Heb 6:4; 1 Pet 4:14; 1 John 3:24; 4:13) and unifies the body of Christ
(Eph 4:3–4); Through him we contact and worship God (Php 3:3)
I.He grants us spiritual gifts (Rom 12:6–8; 1 Cor 12:4, 7–12;
Eph 4:11–13), fruit (Gal 5:22–23), and armament (Eph 6:17–18)
V.Miscellaneous
A.Sins Against: Blasphemy of the H.S. (Mt 12:31–32; Mk 3:29;
Luke 12:10; Heb 10:29); and lying to the H.S. (Acts 5:3, 9); resisting the H.S.
(Acts 7:51), and grieving the H.S. through gossip (Eph 4:30); or putting out
his fire (1 Th 5:19)
Each of these three terms refers to a particular aspect of
the Holy Spirit‘s interaction with us. Caution: Biblical terms are sometimes
slippery. They don‘t stay precisely where you put them and they often ooze over
into one another. In other words, these definitions do not have scientific
precision and will overlap to some degree into the others depending on the
passage you‘re in. However, the texts in which these terms are found still give
a general sense of their meaning.
I.Filling
To be filled with the Holy Spirit essentially means that a
person is empowered by the Holy Spirit –s/he is controlled by the Holy Spirit (Luke
1:15, 41, 67; 4:1; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 6:3; 7:55; 9:17; 11:24; 13:9, 52). In the
same way that a demoniac is possessed by a demon, so a
Christian
should be possessed by the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 2:9–3:4; Col 1:10; Gal 5:16;
Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19). The Bible describes this state as ―filled with the
Spirit.‖ This has implications as to how a Christian walks, behaves, and
speaks. In particular, the Holy Spirit is interested in empowering us to live
Godly lives and enabling us to speak boldly our witness for Christ. Quite
often, in fact, right after reading the phrase ―Filled with the Spirit‖ one
reads an account of a person proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
Being filled by the Spirit, however, doesn‘t necessarily
mean a person is saved, merely that s/he is used
by the Spirit to accomplish a particular task. The Spirit can empower unsaved
people to accomplish great things for God (case in point: Balaam). Thus a
non-Christian can be filled with the Holy Spirit and a Christian may not be.
For example, Paul urges Christians to be filled – assuming that they are not
fully filled – by being controlled by
the Spirit rather than by wine (Eph 5:18). Again, Peter, post-Pentecost, was
said to be filled afresh with the Spirit and thus empowered to proclaim the
gospel (Acts 4:8). In short, being filled means being empowered and this is not
equivalent to being saved.
II.Indwelling
of the Holy Spirit
This is the term that means a person is saved. It
describes the mystic union between a believer and the creator. Sometimes it is
referred to as the ―gift‖ of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37– 39; Acts 11:17; Rom
5:5; 1 Cor 2:12; 2 Cor 5:5), at others times it is called an ―anointing‖ (Luke
4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38; 2 Cor 1:21; 1 John 2:20, 27), or even a ―seal‖ (2 Cor
1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30). Whatever it is called, it is essential for salvation
(Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19). If we are not indwelt by God‘s Spirit, we are not saved.
A couple things need to be clarified here. First, the
indwelling of the Spirit is not an event that happens to us, but a relationship
between us and God. It is neither hocus-pocus, nor mechanical. It is not
something measured or weighed. It is the covenantal love we share with God
through the blood of Christ. While filling may be an event that happens to us
and then passes, indwelling is that permanent adoption into God‘s eternal
family.
Second, because many confuse indwelling with filling, they
talk in terms of being permanently filled with the Spirit. You‘ll sometimes
hear things like, ―You can‘t be more filled than being full – if you have the
Holy Spirit you have all of him.‖ or ―Christians must leak if they need to be
refilled with the Holy Spirit.‖ We should avoid such silly talk. It is
misleading to press the metaphor of the filling of the Holy Spirit into
physical descriptions. The Holy Spirit doesn‘t fill us in the same way water
fills a jar. Therefore, Christians can need fresh filling of the Holy Spirit.
Although we will never need a fresh indwelling – that is a permanent state
granted through God‘s grace.
III.Baptism of
the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit was originally prophesied by
John the Baptist (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5). Jesus
somehow inundates believers in the Spirit (as opposed to baptizing unbelievers
with fire). Now what exactly is this baptism? Here‘s what we know for sure. It
is identified twice in the book of Acts (2:1–4; 10:44–46; 11:16). Here we find
the Apostles‘ (cf. Acts 1:26; 2:1, 5, 7, 14, 37) and Cornelius‘ household
speaking in tongues as evidence of God‘s approval. At Pentecost, God was
validating the Apostles as spokesmen and witnesses of the Resurrection. At
Cornelius‘ house, God was validating the first Gentiles as bonafide prospects for conversion. In neither case was the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit equivalent to nor necessary for salvation. The Apostles were
already saved and Cornelius commenced to be baptized in water according to the
normal first-century practice of Christian conversion. Bottom line: The only
two times the NT identifies the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, it was not for
salvation but for approval. Traditionally, the Christian Church of the
Restoration Heritage has held that these two episodes alone constitute the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Could the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, however, refer to more
than just these two events? When John prophesies about this baptism (Mt 3:11),
he seems to promote it as an experience the whole crowd could receive by
accepting Jesus. Thus, our initial impulse is to look for a broad fulfillment
of this promise, not just two incidents. This has been the stance of the
Pentecostal church. They argue that a person is saved and sometime later has a
rather phenomenal "experience," in which s/he feels
"slain".Speaking in tongues,
which should be received by all believers, becomes proof of the baptism in the
Spirit. This is seen as the stage of maturity where a believer accepts his/her
full blessings in Christ. The problem with this view is that the Bible does not
support a two-stage conversion, nor does it indicate that a tongue is a gift
for every believer.
So how can the Baptism of the Holy Spirit apply to every
believer? Let us offer a third view. Every Christian receives the baptism in
the Holy Spirit, but it is not necessarily received with the supernatural Holy
Spirit phenomena.This takes place, for
the most part, at the moment of conversion and baptism, (consider Acts 8 and 19
as possible exceptions).As I am
baptized in water, Jesus, as the baptizer of the Spirit, inundates me in his
Spirit.I become immersed in God and
water.I come into Him and He comes into
me.Since water immersion is also
connected with the Spirit (Mt 3:11; John 3:5; Acts 1:5; 2:1–4; 10:44–46; 11:16;
19:1–6; Titus 3:5), that too may come under the umbrella of being baptized with
the Holy Spirit. Both 1 Corinthians 12:13[1]
and Ephesians 4:5 would support such a connection. We come into a relationship
with the Holy Spirit through the blood of Jesus. This is enacted by water
immersion (Rom 6:1–4; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12). Thus, ―The Baptism of the Holy
Spirit‖ is an umbrella term that specifically describes Pentecost and Cornelius
yet also appropriately describes what Jesus does to Christians at the point of
conversion.
Gifts of the
Holy Spirit
By Mark E. Moore
I.Definition
A.Words used to describe it
1.Pneumatikon—Things
pertaining to the Spirit
2.Charismaton—Gift, that
which is given (Rom. 1:11; 5:15–16; 6:23; 11:29; 12:6; 1 Cor. 1:7; 7:7; 12:4,
9, 28, 30–31; 2 Cor. 1:11; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; 1 Pet. 4:10).
B."Extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain
Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of
which is due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy
Spirit," Thayer, Greek/English Lexicon,
p. 667.
II.Description
A.The greatest gift of God is salvation in Jesus (Rom.
5:15–16; 6:23).
B.Given by God through the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:6–7), and
sometimes through the laying on of hands of the Apostles (Acts 6:6 [cf. 6:8
& 8:6]; Acts 8:17–19; 19:6; Rom. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:6) or even the laying on of
the hands of the Elders (1 Tim. 4:14), [Note:The gift in this case was not identified as a gift of the Spirit]. C."God's gifts and his call are irrevocable," (Rom.
11:29).
D.The gifts are like parts of a body, each has a different
gift which is to be used for the benefit of the whole (Rom. 12:4–6; 1 Cor.
12:4–31).They are to be used for
serving others (1 Cor. 12:7; 14:26; 1 Pet. 4:10), not primarily for pleasing oneself.
E.There is a hierarchy of gifts (1 Cor. 12:28, 31; 14:5, 19)
but all gifts are important (1 Cor. 12:14–26).
F.We are to seek greater gifts (1 Cor. 12:31).Love is greater than all gifts (1 Cor. 13).
G.Everyone has some spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7, 11, 27).
III.List of
Gifts
[NOTE:Numbers 1–10 do not involve the miraculous in
terms of altering natural events.Numbers 11–16 do involve the miraculous and some Christians, therefore,
have questioned whether they still exist, based on 1 Cor. 13:8–10 and Eph.
2:20–22.]
A.Teaching (Rom. 12:7;
1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11), the explanation and application of truth.
B.Ministering (Rom. 12:7;
1 Cor. 12:28), helping people by meeting their needs; it is expressed in a
multitude of ways.
C.Administration (Rom. 12:8;
1 Cor. 12:28), Oversight and execution of church affairs.
D.Evangelist (Eph.
4:11), special ability at presenting the gospel to the unsaved.It appears to be a leadership office of the
church (Acts 21:8; 2 Tim. 4:5).Note:
This does not remove each Christian's responsibility to share his faith.
E.Pastor (Eph.
4:11), that is, a shepherd who cares for, protects, leads and feeds the flock.
F.Exhortation (Rom.
12:8), involves encouragement, comfort, admonishment and entreaty.It is "practical preaching" which
calls for action.
G.Giving (Rom.
12:8), a special ability and willingness to use temporal means for the good of
the church.
H.Mercy (Rom.
12:8), providing comfort for sick, afflicted, outcasts, etc.
I.Faith (1 Cor.
12:9), the ability to take God at his word, to trust him in daily needs and
trials.
J.Discerning
Spirits (1 Cor. 12:10), this is apparently insight into another's
spirit— motives, attitude, purpose.The
ability, through the H.S. to distinguish whether a person is honest or
deceitful, good or bad, pure or impure.
K.Apostle (1 Cor.
12:28; Eph. 2:20; 4:11), one sent out with a commission.
1.Primary reference to the 12 only (Mat. 10:2; Acts 1:20–26),
who would sit on 12 thrones and judge the 12 tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30), and
whose names will be written on the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem (Rev.
22:14).
2.Paul was a special Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13).
3.Others are also called apostles who received a special
commission from the church—Barnabas (Acts 14:14); James (Gal. 1:19; 1 Cor.
15:7); Apollos (1 Cor.
4:6, 9); Sylvanus and Timothy (1
Thess. 1:1; 2:6); Andronicus and Junia (Rom.
16:7); Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25, in
Gk.); Unnamed brothers (2 Cor. 8:23, in Gk.).These, however, are not likely the gift of Apostleship.
L.Prophecy (Rom. 12:6;
1 Cor. 12:10, 28; 14:1–40), speaking forth a message directly received from
God.
M.Miracles (1 Cor.
12:28), the ability to altar natural events.This is the first of the "lesser" gifts according to (a) the
word order and (b) the word "then" (epeita). N.Healing
(1
Cor. 12:9, 28, 30), the ability to restore health to a person's body.
O.Tongues (1 Cor.
12:28), the ability to speak in a language which one has never studied or
learned.
P.Interpretation
of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10, 30; 14:26–28), the ability to translate an
unlearned language into your native language.
The Passing
Away of the Miraculous
I.Preliminary Considerations
A.Just because Jesus is the same "Yesterday, Today and
Forever," (Heb. 13:8), does not always mean that He works in the same way,
especially in different dispensations.We can see from Biblical history that this is not so.
B.The Clustering of Miracles
1.Miracles are not evenly spread throughout geography and
time, but more like clusters surrounding certain people in time.
2.Three great periods of miraculous manifestations:
a.Moses
b.Elijah and Elisha
c.Jesus and His Apostles
C.Purpose of Miracles
1.To validate the messenger, especially at times of new
revelation.
2.To show compassion (although this is less common).
D.Historically one can trace the lapse of the miraculous gifts
after the Apostolic age.This is not to
say that God does not or cannot do miracles, but only that the gift to perform
them at will appeared to have ceased.
II.1 Cor. 13:8–10, exegetical considerations:
A."Pass Away" (KATARGEO),
used 3X's in the 3 verses means something like "to bring to no
effect" or "to render powerless."The word "Cease" (PAUO), means
"to rest" or "to stop."Neither word indicates an obliteration of the gifts so that they no
longer exist, but simply a cessation of their active use. B.presentation of God's truth.
C.perfect (presumably also relating to knowledge), comes.
D.who would be expressed with a masculine, not a neuter.
E.or "mature."
III.Three
Theories of the Perfect:
A.The Canonical Scriptures 1.Strengths:
a.It fits the context of partial knowledge.
b.It accounts for the historical decline of spiritual
phenomenon between the 3rd and 17th centuries.
c.It matches the use of "Mirror" (v. 12) with James
1:23 in relation to the Word.
2.Weaknesses:
a.The concept of NT canon was probably foreign to Paul.
b.Only three spiritual gifts are mentioned as passing
away.You still have to explain the
other gifts.
c.The two words for "Pass away" and
"Cease" do not indicate obliteration but inactivity.
B.Maturity of the Church:This may be of an individual church maturing in love, or of the Church
universal maturing in its doctrine and apostolic foundations (cf. Eph. 2:20).
1.Strengths:
a.It fits the definition of the word "maturity" (cf.
Mt. 5:48; 19:21; 1 Cor. 2:6; 14:20; Phil. 3:15; Col. 1:28; 4:12; James 1:4; 3:2).
b.It fits the broader context of 1 Cor. 12–14.See also Eph. 2:20; 4:11–16.
c.Also fits well the historical decline of the gifts.
d.This can be seen in conjunction with theory #1.
2.Weaknesses:
a.Maturity of individual churches does not practically happen.
b.Church maturity does not fit as well the immediate context,
especially vv.
11–12.
C.End Times
1.Strengths:
a.Fits well the context of vv. 11–12.
b.The word for "end times" is similar but not
exact.The normal word for end times is TELEIOS, not TELEION.
2.Weaknesses:
a.Discussion of eschatology seems out of place here.
b.To say that these would pass when Jesus comes seems to be
axiomatic—a self-evident truth.
IV.Paradoxes of
Tongues:
A.A passage on love has become one of the most divisive texts
for the modern church.
B.Tongues is the least of the gifts (1 Cor. 12:10, 27–31;
14:5), and yet the most desired (at least the most practiced) of the
charismata.
C.Spiritual gifts have not made their possessors more
spiritual.
D.Because the experience of tongues is subjective, the
argument will never be won.
[1]All
seven uses of the phrase ―baptism in/of‖ the Spirit are in the dative case. 1
Cor. 12:13 uses the same words as well as the same grammar as John the Baptist
in speaking of Spirit baptism. Thus it appears that Paul and John are talking
about the same thing.
===========
1 CORINTHIANS 13:8–10: THREE INTERPRETATIONS OF PERFECT
By Mark Moore
THEORY:
The Scriptures
Maturity of the Church
End Times
STRENGTH:
—Fits the context of
partial knowledge.
—Accounts for the
historical decline of
spiritual phenomenon
between the 3rd and 17th
centuries.
—Matches the use of
mirror (v. 12) with James
1:23.
—Fits the definition of the
word (cf. Mt. 5:48; 19:21; 1
Cor. 2:6; 14:20; Phil. 3:15;
Col. 1:28; 4:12; Ja 1:4; 3:2)
—Fits the broader context
of 1 Corinthians 12–14.
See also Eph. 2:20; 4:11–
16.
—Also fits well the
historical decline of Gifts.
—Fits well the context of
vv. 11–12.
—Word use is similar but
not exact. The normal
word of end times is
TELEIOS.
WEAKNESS:
—The concept of NT canon
was probably foreign to
Paul.
—Only three spiritual gifts
are mentioned as passing
away
—The two words for "pass
away" and "cease" do not
indicate death but
inactivity.
—Maturity of the church
does not practically
happen.
—Church maturity does
not fit as well the
immediate context,
especially vv. 11–12.
—Escatology seems out of
place here.
—To say that these would
pass when Jesus comes
seems to be a self-
supporting axiom.
PROPONENTS:
Seth Wilson
Hodges
Gromacki
Paul Butler
Mark Moore
Mark Scott
Lenski
Clarke
Charismatics
===========
HOLY SPIRIT COMING UPON
By
Mark Moore
I.IN
RELATION TO PROPHECY:
1.Moses (Numbers 11:17, 29)
2.70 Elders (Numbers 11:25)
3.Balaam (Numbers 24:2)
4.Saul (1 Sam. 10:6, 10; 11:6; 19:23)
a.Evil spirit also came on him (1 Sam.
16:16, 23; 18:10; 19:9).
b.He prophecied after the evil spirit (1
Sam. 19:23).
5.Saul's men (1 sam. 19:20)
6.Amasai (1 Chronicles 12:18)
7.Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1)
8.Jahaziel (2 Chronicles 20:14)
9.Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20)
10.Ezekiel (Ezekiel 11:5)
11.Micah (Micah 3:8)
12.Simeon (Luke 2:25)
13.Bezalel (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), in
relation to manual talents.
3.Baptism of the H.S. (Mt. 3:11; Acts
1:5, 8; 2:1–4; 10:44–48; 11:15)
4.Extra empowerment of Christians (Act
4:8, 31)
The following
passages seem to indicate that indwelling is something different that the
empowerment of "Coming Upon" or being "Filled With":John 7:38–39; 14:16–17; Acts 2:38–39; Romans
8:9, 14–16; 1 Cor. 2:12; 6:19; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Gal. 3:14; 1 John 3:24.
THE
GIFT OF TONGUES
By
Mark Moore
I.Description
1.Definition
a.Heterais
glossais—Other tongues.This was the normal Greek phrase for foreign languages.
b.It was the ability to speak in a
language which one had never studied (1 Cor. 12:28).
2.Supposed Difference between Acts and 1
Corinthians:
a.Different direction:Acts was public declaring; 1 Cor. 14:2, 28
"Does not speak to men but to God."However, this is still in the context of the public assembly with
unbelievers present (1 Cor. 14:22–23).
b.Different Character:Acts did not need an interpreter, the
Corinthians did.This may be easily
explained by the church setting and the languages available.
c.Different Purpose:Acts, tongues are evidential; 1 Cor. they are
for edification of the church (1 Cor 14:12–13).However, 1 Cor. 14:4, 22 clearly state that tongues was evidential.
d.The same terminology is used for both
Acts and 1 Cor. to refer to tongues— HETERAIS
GLOSSAIS.
b.It is one of the signs that Jesus said
would accompany those who believed (Mark 16:17).NOTE: The credibility of this text has been
highly questioned by Bible Scholars.
c.Tongues were recorded in four cities in
the Bible:
NOTE:All four cities were multi-cultural,
multi-lingual centers.
d.The content of Tongues was "the
wonders of God" (Acts 2:11) and praises to God (Acts 10:46).
e.They appear to be human languages (Acts
2:8–11; 1 Cor. 14:10).The only mention
of an Angelic Tongues is in Paul's hypothetical and hyperbolic question of 1 Cor.
13:1.
f.Not every believer should expect to
speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12:7–11, 29–30).The questions of vv. 29–30 are phrased with a particular Greek
construction which expects a negative answer.
g.Paul would have liked all the
Corinthians to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 14:5).
h.We should not hinder the speaking of
tongues (1 Cor. 14:39).
i.Tongues is a sign for unbelievers (1
Cor. 14:22).
j.Although 1 Cor. 14:14 indicates that
tongues may be expressed as a prayer, the context is clear that this is a
public and not a private prayer (1 Cor. 14:14–17).
k.Tongues edify the individual whereas
prophecy edifies the church (1 Cor. 14:4).
l.Two or three at the most should speak
in a tongue and then one at a time, and only with an interpreter (1 Cor.
14:27–28).
m.All should be done orderly and properly
(1 Cor. 14:23, 40).
n.At some point in time tongues did/will
cease (1 Cor. 13:8–10).
II.Limitations
1.At Pentecost, it appears that only the
12 spoke in tongues (Acts 1:5; 2:1, 7, 14, 37).
2.Five understandable words in the church
are better than 10,000 unintelligible words (1 Cor. 14:19).
3.Many other religious groups have spoken
in tongues.This is NOT a phenomenon
unique to Christianity.Furthermore,
this gift is easily manufactured and manipulated apart from any spiritual activity.
4.There are three sources of spiritual
power:God, Satan, Man.Tongues can be spiritually produced by all
three.
5.Tongues have been, since the days of
Corinth, a divisive gift, although God did not intend it to be.CAUTION:The blame for such divisions can be equally laid at the feet of both
those who practice tongues and those who do not.
III.The Differences between the Modern Use
of Tongues and the Early Church:
1.Today tongues are used more privately
than publicly.
2.Tongues are used primarily in prayer
rather than in preaching.
3.Tongues is used primarily among
believers rather than unbelievers (cf. 1 Cor. 14:22)
4.Often many will speak in tongues at
once rather than one at a time (1 Cor. 14:27) 5.Often
more than two or three will speak in a service (1 Cor. 14:27)
6.Often there is no interpreter for the
tongue (1 Cor. 14:28).
7.In some circles, tongues are taught,
rather than being received directly by the Spirit.
8.In some circles, everyone is
encouraged, and in radical cases, expected to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12:7–11,
29–30).
What We Know For Sure About Tongues
By
Mark Moore
1.Tongues was the ability to speak in a language which one had
never studied (1 Cor. 12:28). It is only mentioned in Mk. 16:17–18; Acts
2:1–13; 10:44–48; 19:1–7; 1 Cor. 12–14; and was only practiced in Jerusalem,
Caesarea, Ephesus and Corinth, all major metropolitan and multi cultural
cities. It is one of the easiest gifts to imitate and, in fact, is found in
religions around the world from the most ancient times to the present.
2.Tongues appears to be human languages, not angelic (Acts
2:8–11; 1 Cor 14:10). Heteraisglossais was the normal Greek phrase for
foreign languages. 1 Cor 13:1 is hyperbolic and hypothetical. In other words,
Paul is clearly exaggerating in this text to make a point. There is no evidence
that Paul ever spoke in a non-human language.
3.All Spiritual Gifts are for the building up of the body.
This is true for tongues as well. Thus, we can assume that Paul (and the Holy
Spirit), intend for tongues to build up the body (1 Cor 14:1–8 [14:14–16, even
praying or singing in a tongue is clearly to be interpreted for the benefit of
the body]). Paul‘s statement that tongues edify the individual (1 Cor 14:4) is
not meant as a compliment.
4.Not every believer should expect to speak in tongues (1 Cor.
12:7–11, 29–30).The questions of vv.
29–30, in Greek are constructed so as to expect a negative answer.
5.We should not forbid the speaking in tongues; Paul would
have liked all the Corinthians to speak in tongues (1 Cor 14:5, 39).
6.Glossolalia is a lesser
gift (1 Cor 12:27–30) which Paul said would pass away (1 Cor 13:8– 10).
7.Uninterpreted glossolalia
contributed to confusion in the Corinthian church (1 Cor 14:6– 17, 23). Five
understandable words were better than 10,000 words of glossolalia without interpretation (14:19).
8.There are parameters to speaking in tongues (1 Cor
14:27–28): (a) 2–3 max in one service, (b) must be interpreted, (c) must not be
done all at once so as to create confusion.
9.Tongues is a sign for unbelievers (1 Cor 14:22, cf. Acts 2),
but without prophecy (or clear preaching), it will not lead unbelievers to
repentance (1 Cor 14:22–25, cf. Acts 2). Verse 22 seems to contradict vv.
23–25. In light of the quotation from Isaiah 28:11–12, in which Israel‘s
priests are compared to babbling drunkards, this can hardly be seen as a
commendation. It seems like a backhanded compliment: Although tongues are
supposed to be a sign for unbelievers, left uninterpreted, they only cause
confusion outside the church as well as in.
10.Tongues appear most during periods of revival, particularly
in protest to rationalism, and are most prominent among the poor and socially
disenfranchised.
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