1. Pentecost was an act of the risen, glorified Christ.
2. The Spirit came to replace Jesus' physical presence among his people. His task is to enlighten, teach, rebuke, sanctify and guide Christ's disciples.
3. The gift of tongues on the day of Pentecost was an indication that the language confusion of Babel will be overcome by the kingdom of God. The Spirit gives differing gifts to all believers for the building up of the body of Christ.
4. The Holy Spirit came as a witness to Christ and to enable the church to bear witness to him.
5. The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost was the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies such as Joel 2:28-32. As Peter said, "This is that which is spoken by Joel". (Acts 2:16).
6. The Spirit has come to convict the world of sin so that people see their need of Jesus.
7. The Holy Spirit was active under the old covenant, but Pentecost represents an abundant intensification of his work.
8. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are given experiential assurance that they are God's children as the love of their Father is poured into their hearts.
9. The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost was a unique event that inaugurated the new age of spiritual blessing. But Pentecost is a model for all subsequent outpourings of the Spirit. The Acts of the Apostles shows that the early church was repeatedly filled with the Spirit subsequent to Pentecost. Believers today should pray for an outpouring of the Spirit that will revive the church and awaken the world.
10. The great task of the Spirit is to glorify Christ. It is by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is revealed as Saviour and Lord. The acid test of the presence of the Spirit is not unusual phenomenon, but the exaltation of Jesus by the ministry of the Word of God.
2. The Spirit came to replace Jesus' physical presence among his people. His task is to enlighten, teach, rebuke, sanctify and guide Christ's disciples.
3. The gift of tongues on the day of Pentecost was an indication that the language confusion of Babel will be overcome by the kingdom of God. The Spirit gives differing gifts to all believers for the building up of the body of Christ.
4. The Holy Spirit came as a witness to Christ and to enable the church to bear witness to him.
5. The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost was the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies such as Joel 2:28-32. As Peter said, "This is that which is spoken by Joel". (Acts 2:16).
6. The Spirit has come to convict the world of sin so that people see their need of Jesus.
7. The Holy Spirit was active under the old covenant, but Pentecost represents an abundant intensification of his work.
8. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are given experiential assurance that they are God's children as the love of their Father is poured into their hearts.
9. The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost was a unique event that inaugurated the new age of spiritual blessing. But Pentecost is a model for all subsequent outpourings of the Spirit. The Acts of the Apostles shows that the early church was repeatedly filled with the Spirit subsequent to Pentecost. Believers today should pray for an outpouring of the Spirit that will revive the church and awaken the world.
10. The great task of the Spirit is to glorify Christ. It is by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is revealed as Saviour and Lord. The acid test of the presence of the Spirit is not unusual phenomenon, but the exaltation of Jesus by the ministry of the Word of God.
Thanks for these. They're a good reminder for me as I lead this morning's service. I've organised one demonstration of the Spirit's work (cooking hard maize seeds and transforming them into popcorn), but youv'e reminded me again of the need for the Spirit to bring His own demonstration by pointing us to Christ.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. I always enjoy reading your blog, and when I'm challenged by it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of these theses--and some of them are risky for someone as Reformed as you to say! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Michael, was it the experiential aspect of the Spirit's work in # 8 & 9 that you found so "risky" for a Reformed man?
ReplyDeleteYep. You know how SOME Calvinists are: Their Trinity is Father, Son, and Holy Scripture. They think that when the Holy Spirit inspired Holy Writ, the Spirit became trapped in there. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've known Calvinists who were definitely the "frozen chosen." Any sign of emotion is reserved for reprobates, don't you know.
I know what you mean. But to me cold Calvinism is a contradiction in terms. The Refomers had a strong doctrine of the witness of the Spirit and did not downplay the place of emotions in the Chritian life. Time would fail me to tell of the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards and the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists....
ReplyDeleteI love the balance of experiential Calvinism, and feel that it equates more fully with the sense of New Testament teaching on the Holy Spirit than many other schools of thought.
ReplyDeleteIt has been refreshing to read this post over Pentecost weekend.
Also, without bringing his name into every theological debate, what's your take on Lloyd-Jones perspective on the work of the Holy Spirit?
ReplyDeleteAndrew,
ReplyDeleteI broadly agree with Lloyd-Jones on the work of the Spirit. I suppose that it is partly due to his influence that I highlighted the experiential aspect of the Spirit's work in assurance and revival.