Extra

This is the portion of the lecture from Wednesday, February 13 that we did not have time to complete:

The Holy Spirit’s inspiration of the church is not just a general excitement or enthusiasm. The Holy Spirit provides very specific guidance and direction to the community:

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Acts 10:19-20 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Look, three men are searching for you. 20 Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them."

Acts 8:29 To Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it."

In Acts, the Holy Spirit
· Takes the place of the physical presence of Jesus
· Communicates through words, visions, prophecies
· Provides direct guidance to individuals and to the church community
· Selects and empowers leaders for the church
· Gives special abilities, courage, inspiration
· Confirms the reality of the Gospel through experience

From time to time in history there have been church groups or movements that have claimed a particular relationship with the Holy Spirit that is exclusive to them. These groups then argue that they are the only “real” or “authentic” Christians. The evidence of the Holy Spirit for a community might relate to belief in a charismatic leader (e.g. David Koresh of Waco, TX or Jim Jones of Guyana). Or the evidence of the Holy Spirit for a community might relate to special gifts (speaking in tongues is common, but there are also snake handlers and others).

There is a helpful test of the genuineness of a claim for the Holy Spirit: Is this a unifying power or a dividing one? The Holy Spirit unifies (e.g. Paul and the church; gentiles and Jews as followers of Jesus). The Holy Spirit does not divide or separate people apart from others (Branch Davidians).

Also, the Holy Spirit always works to extend the power of God into a wider community of people (e.g. the growth of the early church). The Holy Spirit does not create exclusive communities with limited membership or litmus tests for admittance (e.g. if you don’t speak in tongues, you can’t be one of us).