Hope For The Church Pt. 2

Hope For The Church Pt. 2

A There is a call to the Church

1 Paul encouraged the church at Galatia not to forsake the power of the Spirit for the works of the flesh.

1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Gal 3:1-5 (NASB)

a We have elevated man-made doctrine, systems, theories (like cessantionism) above Scripture.

b Romans 11.29 (NASB, TLB), “gifts” is the Greek charismata.

29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29 (NASB)

29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises. Romans 11:29 (TLB)

2 Paul warns us in 2 Tim. 3.5 (NASB, TLB) against dismissing the gifts/power of the Holy Spirit.

5 holding to a form of godliness , although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 2 Tim 3:5 (NASB)

5 They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that. 2 Tim 3:5 (TLB)

a I’m convinced the church needs all the gifts/power of God.

b Cessationism is an excuse for the church’s lake of power and the awful absence of Jesus’s presence.

B Each gift (1 Cor. 12.7-11) has its place in the body.

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,10 and to another the effecting of miracles , and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Cor 12:7-11 (NASB)

1 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 1 Cor 12:21 (NASB)

a Cessationism would mutilate the body of Christ by cutting off the supernatural gifts.

b Each gift has its place but what/which gifts are willing to make a place for.

2 The issue of the gifts has caused appalling ugliness/intolerance on both side of the controversy of Truth vs. Experience, Cessationists vs. Charismatics.

a The International Mission Board dismissed two of their most effective missionaries in the Pacific region from their posts following a “manifestation” of supernatural works of the Spirit in their churches. (The previous year led fifteen hundred souls to Christ.)

aa Vetting of missionaries to serve in the mission field, if a missionary has a prayer language he/she is automatically rejected from serving.

bb Trustees for the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) International Mission Board (IMB) have voted to bar new missionary candidates who practice a "private prayer language" from serving on the mission field. The trustees voted 50-15 for the new guidelines on November 15, during their meeting in Huntsville, Alabama. [...]

cc The Charismatic teacher of healing, F.F. Bosworth, Christ The Healer, (former AG) resigned from his own denomination because he didn’t embrace “evidential tongues.” (He believed you could be baptized in the Spirit without experiencing tongues.)

dd There are those who give testimony to a dynamic and life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit who have never spoken in tongues. Nevertheless it cannot be said that they are filled with the Spirit in the New Testament sense of the term. There is an essential link between that experience and speaking in other tongues, as pointed out above. (http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/baptmhs_faq_tongues.cfm#withoutspeaking)

b Even if there is disagreement, can there not be tolerance at least among those who hold to the inerrancy of Scripture?

aa Jesus rebuked the intolerance of His own followers (Mark 9.38-40.)

38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us."39 But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.40 "For he who is not against us is for us. Mark 9:38-40 (NASB)