In Spirit And In Truth

In previous messages I have noted that the book known as the Acts of the Apostles is often neglected in our studies of the scriptures. There is another side, however of which many of you might be aware. It is also a fact that some churches and individuals might tend to over emphasize the importance of the book of Acts in general. I am talking of course of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. I can speak fairly confidently on these movements as my mother was part of a family whose parents and siblings were predominantly Pentecostal in their doctrine. While our family was among those who took all of the bible seriously, I know that many have properly earned their reputation of being fanatical and overly emotional.

To this day I continue to meet and have discussions with those who place their personal experiences over the written Word of God. In some cases their views have been harmless and in other cases they can cause great confusion in the church. It is the extreme cases that often cause extreme reactions from leaders and those who trust in them. It is often difficult to have a rational conversation on this topic because of the harm that has come from both sides of the controversy. At one point even I became so discouraged by some of the strange teachings and practices of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches that I distanced myself from them for over 10 years.

On the other hand, in the more conservative congregations I have seen an unhealthy reaction to these excesses. The spontaneity and enthusiasm found in the early church is often lost in the desire to maintain full control and “respectability” in our gatherings. The freedom to openly share our testimonies, experiences and to enjoy the supernatural gifts together is severely restricted. A bias against the supernatural aspects of life in Christ cannot help but cloud some minds from understanding the Scriptures in their proper context.

There is a solution to this dilemma. In Acts we see great emotion, enthusiasm, demonstrations of the power of the Holy Spirit, AND a tremendous interest and devotion to wholesome, profitable and instructional teaching from the Word of God.

In the first chapter Jesus spent a considerable amount of time continuing to teach His disciples about the Kingdom of God. As you might remember from the four gospels, Jesus laid heavy emphasis on heart issues: humility, love, faith and faithfulness, holiness, righteousness and the absolute sovereignty of God. These and other important principles were communicated in His parables of the Kingdom of God. Later, when the power of the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and into them, His followers were filled with Kingdom Life! The Word instructed them and the Spirit empowered them!

They never left the foundation that was laid for them by the inspired words of their scriptures which were clarified to them by Jesus Himself. When people were drawn to them by the supernatural signs and wonders, they always used them to point to the Scriptures. In these Scriptures they revealed that Jesus had come as the real purpose of all things. The Holy Spirit in fact led them back to the Scriptures every time!

The Scriptures themselves are of supernatural origen. It was the apostle Paul who wrote:

2 Timothy 3:16-17:
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
NASU

Peter also wrote these words:

2 Peter 1:20-2:1:
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
NIV

Many times Jesus Himself affirmed the divine origin of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. Prophecy after prophecy were fulfilled in Him, and He made this bold statement:

Matthew 5:18:
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
NIV

Christians of all ages have believed in the divine inspiration of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures. The Scriptures themselves testify of the strange and unsettling circumstances under which some of the writings came into being. And yet, many modern Christians want no part in anything that cannot be explained in terms of human logic. In fact, some of the groups most committed to the supernatural origin of the Scriptures are the most dogmatic in declaring that God no longer works in His people through signs, miracles and gifts of the Spirit today! I find that contradiction strangely unreasonable.

The believers in the First Century were not perfect, but they were not so foolish as to abandon the very power that they recieved from both believing the Good News of salvation and teachings about the Kingdom of God, and from receiving every supernatural gift that He has offered unto them!