Today, I am starting a small number of blogs on the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. The word in Greek for a spiritual gift is χάρισμα/charisma – hence the word charismatic for gifts of this nature. In the New Testament there are 3 principal lists of such gifts, in Rom. 12, 1 Cor. 12-14 and Eph. 4.
MODERN CHARISMATIC HISTORY
The first major return/revival of such gifts to the Church in modern times, was the Pentecostal revival that started in Azusa Street, Los Angeles in the US, in 1906. Then the pentecostal experience spread to other more traditional churches in what is known as the Charismatic revival in the 1960/70s. The Catholic church was also touched by this renewal. Charismatic renewal refers to the fact that the spiritual gifts were rediscovered in churches, and that they began to lift church services and worship – and Christian lives, to higher levels.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
When we come to faith in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit. Some Christians (Pentecostals) believe that there is a subsequent experience to this, that God wants us to have, which they call Baptism in the Holy Spirit. We can read in the gospels that Jesus is the one who baptises in the Spirit, and in Acts it seems that baptism in the spirit, speaking in tongues and prophecy did follow after conversion (see e.g. Acts 8 or 19).
TERMINOLOGY?
During the charismatic revival in the 1970s, there was great theological discussion about whether such an experience, subsequent to conversion was to be sought after.
Pentecostals, who long had practiced spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues and so forth, had their traditional teaching that baptism in the Spirit did follow conversion.
Other churches, such as the Anglican Church in Britain, and the Lutheran in Norway, parts of which were being touched by the Pentecostal experience, were not happy with the Pentecostals´ explanation of the two experiences, salvation + Spirit baptism following.
They preferred to say that when you came to faith in Christ you received all the Holy Spirit there was; in 1 Cor. 12,13 we read of being baptised by one Spirit into one body. But, they said, subsequent to that, we need to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5,18).
IT’S THE EXPERIENCE, NOT THE TERMINOLOGY THAT MATTERS!
I read some of the literature that was written on this subject at that time. It seemed impossible to be certain of what terminology to use, being baptised with the Spirit or just filled with the Spirit. An unfortunate consequence of the former, was that Christians, who did not experience spirit baptism subsequent to salvation, felt that there was something wrong with them; they were a sort of Christian B team.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS – ESSENTIAL FOR THE HEALTH OF THE CHURCH
For this reason, and because I don’t think it really matters what terminology you use, I have chosen in my blogs to follow Paul in saying that when you were saved, you received the Spirit, full stop. Now, “Be filled with him!” (Eph. 5,18)
For the essential thing is for us to understand that the experience regularly, of being filled with Spirit, praying in tongues (see a later blog) and worshipping God in the Spirit, makes a whole lot of difference to the life and witness of the Christian, and to the life and witness of the Church.
In fact, reading Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4, leaves us in no doubt that spiritual gifts are essential for the life of the Church.
This is what several traditional churches, apart from the Pentecostals were starting to experience in the 1970s.
A FRESH MOVE OF THE SPIRIT TO UNITE US!
Now, 40-50 years on, it seems that the whole Church: Pentecostals, Lutherans, Methodists etc. – we are all in need of a fresh move of the Spirit, for the times we are living through – to unite us!
And the gifts of the Spirit are available to all Christians who want to be used by God, and who ask him for them.
Good teaching and encouragement in the Church, is necessary in this regard. Spiritual gifts are received, and work by faith. It has certainly been my experience that if they are never talked about or taught, the congregation will neither seek spiritual gifts, or know about them, let alone have the faith to ask for, and receive them
CONTROVERSY OVER CHARISMATICALLY LED CHURCHES
In recent years controversy and the misuse of power, has brought leadership in charismatic churches, and spiritual gifts in general, to some extent, into disrepute. It is true that wherever charismatically gifted people are allowed to lead churches, there is the danger that bad things can happen. But we need charismatically gifted people – read Eph. 4. Where proper safeguards are put in place, things can work really well.
CHARISMATIC PEOPLE IN ALL DENOMINATIONS.
It is not true that charismatic gifts and charismatic leadership are only to be found in Pentecostal or independent charismatic churches and fellowships. The list in Eph. 4, names apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers, and we hear these words often used in such churches. But several of these roles, though not all, are covered under different titles (bishops, priests, vicars etc.) in modern traditional churches, like the Lutheran here in Norway. Holy Spirit gifted people, whether in leadership or not, exist in all denominations.
BE GRATEFUL FOR GOOD CHARISMATIC LEADERS!
If you are under charismatic leadership now, you probably know about it. It’s not necessarily that this leader is naturally gifted, though they may be. It’s not necessarily that he or she has a long academic education, though they may have, and God just like with natural gifting, can put it to good use. But it is Holy Spirit gifting which makes the difference! Such leaders inspire faith, because they point us to Christ and the gospel.
As long as such leaders remember that they are there to serve Christ and the Church, the work which they are responsible for, will grow.
It’s when men or women are in leadership to promote personal interest, that people get hurt – and they can get really hurt!
Good leadership is very precious!
If you are lucky enough to have a good leader who inspires you to serve Christ, stay put – don’t go anywhere! That is, until you really feel that God has other plans for you, and it is time to move on.
In the next blog we will look at how God gifts each one of us in different ways, to equip us for the ways he wants us to serve him!
BE BLESSED!😊👌