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About HOFCC Essential Reforms
About HOFCC Essential Reforms | The Essential Reforms of HOFCC |
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| HOFCC Core Beliefs | |
| Friday, 21 July 2006 | |
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Page 5 of 8 Reform #4: Charismatic in MinistryPart 1: The Gifts of the SpiritThis means we believe that the supernatural power and gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to operate in and through Christ’s church today. We are not "cessationists" like some who believe that the gifts "ceased" to operate after the first century."Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. ...But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. … the word of wisdom … the word of knowledge … faith …gifts of healing … effecting of miracles, … prophecy, …distinguishing of spirits, …tongues, … interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. ...For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, … and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. … (1 Cor. 12:4-13 & 31). In holding to our "Charismatic" position, however, we must make it clear that we are not agreeing with our brethren in the charismatic and Pentecostals denominations on several important points. We have reformed their misunderstandings as well as those of the cessationists. In what ways do we differ? The following is just a partial list for later elaboration: 1. All Christians are "baptized" by the Holy Spirit at new birth. 2. All Christians need to repeatedly "drink" of the Holy Spirit in order to continue to be "full of the Holy Spirit" and so move in His gifts. 3. Not all Christians will have the gift of "speaking in tongues." 4. It is the love of God in us for one another that is the trigger that releases the gifts to operate in meeting real needs with supernatural power. 5. Prophesy may quote and illuminate Scripture, but never add to it. 6. In all gatherings, the gifts must be "judged by the others." Part 2: Have the Gifts of the Spirit Ceased?We believe that the supernatural power and gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to operate in and through Christ’s church today. We disagree with "cessationists" who believe that spiritual gifts "ceased" to operate after the first century. But in holding to our "Charismatic" position, we also disagree with the majority of "charismatic" on some important points.Most Pentecostals and Charismatics teach that the "baptism in the Holy Spirit" is a "second blessing" which Christians may or may not receive after conversion. By their way of thinking there are two distinct groups of Christians in the church- those who have been "Spirit baptized" and those who have yet to be. Further confusion results when those who have been so "baptized" are referred to as being "Spirit-filled" as if there were no more of the Holy Spirit to be received! The Bible shows that these ideas are wrong. We believe that all Christians are "baptized" in the Holy Spirit at new birth into one, fully united, body of Christ. Paul writes in 1 Cor. 12:13, "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit." There are not two categories of Christians, but one. However, there will be varying degrees of "fullness" because that is the result how deeply and how often we "drink" of that "one Spirit." This is why Paul tells the Ephesians "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," (Eph. 5:18). Though the baptism in the Holy Spirit is universal and singular, being filled with the Holy Spirit is discretionary and progressive. We can choose to obey God by drinking in more and being ever more full of the Spirit as our Christian lives mature. These truths are crucial to our understanding of when and how the gifts of the Holy Spirit operate today.-- to be continued Part 3: Being Filled With the SpiritWe believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to operate in Christ’s church today and we also believe that all Christians are "baptized in the Holy Spirit" at new birth, whether or not there is any manifestation of a spiritual gift. However, as we have seen, there are varying degrees of "fullness" of the Spirit" depending on how deeply and how often one "drinks of that one Spirit." ( see 1 Cor. 12:13). So, Paul tells all Christians to "be filled with the Spirit," (Eph. 5:18). Therefore, though "the baptism in the Holy Spirit" is essential for every Christian (and happens only once), "being filled with the Holy Spirit" is repeated several times in the same individuals (See Acts 2:4 & 4:31).Careful examination of the relevant passages on the work of the Holy Spirit convinces us therefore that being full of the Spirit at any given time empowers us to be used of God in ministry. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 4:10-11). This includes not only what we call "manifestations" of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but also all other aspects of service. Being "full of the Spirit" was a prerequisite to holding the office of Deacon (Acts 6:3). Nothing has changed. We still need the Spirit. This being the case, what should we do? The answer is found in our Lord’s assurance in Luke 11:13. "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" In simple childlike faith, ask God for more of the Holy Spirit. Drink deeply of the same Spirit by which you were baptized at new birth. There is always more! -- to be continued Part 4: Baptized In V. Filled With the Holy Spirit?We have seen in the past few weeks that we believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to operate in Christ’s church today and that all Christians are "baptized in the Holy Spirit" at new birth. However, we also believe that all Christians need to continue to drink of and be filled with the Holy Spirit (See 1 Cor. 12:13 & Eph. 5:18) in order to serve by the strength that God supplies (See 1 Pet. 4:10-11). The primary biblical evidences of the Holy Spirit will be boldness in evangelism (Acts 2:4 & 4:31), one or more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-13) and over time, the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5: 22-23). We should all expect some combination of this wonderful evidence in our own experience as we continue to walk in and walk by the Holy Spirit.Have said this it is important that we address a common misunderstanding concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures do not support the idea that everyone who is baptized in the Holy Spirit (or even who is full of the Holy Spirit) will speak in tongues or prophesy. Though it is clear that many did so in the Book of Acts, we have Paul’s own instruction telling us there will be some who do not. In 1 Cor. 12: 4-13 he makes it clear that not everyone has the same gift. Later in 1 Cor. 12:29-30, Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions. "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" The only answer to each is "No, not all." Some have taught that the gift of tongues is available to all as a "prayer language," for use when "praying in the Spirit" (1 Cor. 14:14). Tongues may well be used in that way. However, that does not say that all will do so. Paul never teaches that all will have any one gift. -- to be continued Part 5: How Is a Gift of the Spirit Triggered?The biblical evidences of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives are 1.) a conviction of sin, righteousness and judgement in response to what we know of the moral law of God (John 16:7-11), 2.) the fruit of the Holy Spirit and especially love (John 13:35) & Gal 5: 22-23), 3.) supernatural power and boldness in evangelism (Acts 2:4 & 4:31) and finally, one or more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-13). We should all expect all of these evidences to appear in our experience. But how is a gift of the Holy Spirit normally triggered? Is the experience entirely of God and therefore beyond our influence? Or, is there some iniative we should take in order to be used by God in this way?The answer is twofold: First, "All these [gifts] are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills." (1 Cor. 12:11). God is sovereign in the distribution of the gifts. Secondly however, the means by which God distributes His gifts is by working in us to will and to do what pleases Him (Phil. 2:13) We are commanded to desire "the best gifts," and especially that we may prophesy (1Cor. 14:1). This work of God in us is described by Paul as "the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 5:5). God’s love in us is therefore the "trigger" that releases the gifts. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have aprophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1Cor. 13:1-2) So, in answer to our question, when God works in us to love one another as He commands, we can count on His power to be released supernaturally to meet one another’s needs. -- to be continued |
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