“Woolly thinking” is a colloquialism meaning a confused mind. I am not sure whether it is a good title for this musing because it may be that there are many who are not so much confused but rather, unclear in their thinking as to what it means to be a Christian and part of God’s church. There is a lack of clarity of thought about these things and it is as though they are groping in a mist. The apostle Paul encouraged the Christians in Corinth saying that they should be mature in their thinking (1Corinthians 14:20). So, let me write some reflections that may help to clear our minds.
I cannot help but notice that there seems to be an evasion of serious thinking and what amounts to an unwillingness to accept and embrace Biblical terms that define the essentials of the faith. I am not at all sure that we can survive on a diet of neat little phrases and ‘cool’ sayings. “Jesus, broken heart specialist” is one I came across lately. It is true of course, and is a beginning, but there is so much more. First ponder a little on the path the church has taken the last fifty years or so.
Back in the 1960’s something remarkable happened, both in the USA and in most of the Westernized countries. There was an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit and it became known in those days as “the renewal movement.” Sometimes other terms were used to describe it, but the word “renewal” captured what was happening. Individual believers were being renewed by an experience of the Holy Spirit and this impacted their churches and led to the formation of many new churches also. These happenings included an emergence and emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit especially the gift of tongues. The Greek word ‘charism’ and its plural ‘charismata’ began to be used and so the title ‘renewal movement’ gradually became replaced by the phrase ‘charismatic movement’ and those who had been blessed in this way were known as ‘charismatics.’
[superquote]Sadly, the aberrations continue to cause offence and, particularly in the USA, the church at large tends to be split into two, the Evangelical’s who are anti-charismatic and those who define themselves as Charismatic churches.[/superquote]
Although there were (and continue to be) some pretty bizarre things and foolish imbalanced teachings peddled in this movement and these tarnished its reputation, the overall fruit has been a great refreshing to the church and, as some will know, the greatest growth in the church worldwide is occurring in the “Pentecostal/Charismatic” wing. Sadly, the aberrations continue to cause offence and, particularly in the USA, the church at large tends to be split into two, the Evangelical’s who are anti-charismatic and those who define themselves as Charismatic churches. Perhaps to some readers this seems a bit of useless over-generalizing; but is it? We visit many churches of both ‘wings’ and find, that so often, there is little difference between them.
[superquote]Where do we begin? Unashamedly we must go back to the scriptures, especially the book of Acts. [/superquote]
There is little clear manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit in the charismatic churches, the distinctive has almost disappeared and almost universally an unprecedented emphasis on music is replacing both the gifts and the exposition and preaching of the word of God. I suspect that this is part of what is leading to the ‘woolly thinking’ I am writing about. How can we begin to think maturely? Where do we begin? Unashamedly we must go back to the scriptures, especially the book of Acts. What happened when the church was born? In what terms did the apostles define in their writings their new experience of God the Holy Spirit and His workings in the churches? These are our scriptures and the writers are our first fathers and we must not be ashamed of the words they used to describe what God was doing.
Going back to the idea of the ‘renewal movement’ is it possible to be a church of Jesus Christ without the presence of the Holy Spirit? The answer is a firm “no.” So, we can say that the renewal movement was not bringing something new into the churches for the Spirit was already present but often only acknowledged in a cursory way. God used renewal to increase the awareness of the vital life that could come when the Holy Spirit is honored and to increase the expectations of what He can do in the midst. A true church is made up of men and women in whom the presence of the Holy Spirit leads to the proclamation by “life and lip” that Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. You cannot have church without the Spirit being present and the fruit of His presence and working was manifest in concrete ways in the book of Acts. Consider these things, Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and ascended sent the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32).
[superquote]This Holy Spirit Jesus had received from His Father and poured out on those looking to Him. This is the initiation of the church.[/superquote]
This Holy Spirit Jesus had received from His Father and poured out on those looking to Him. This is the initiation of the church. It is the dwelling place of God by the Spirit. Those people who are filled with the Spirit are repentant and “call on the Name of the Lord”(Acts 2:21). The infilling of the Spirit is called the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:15&16) and His outpouring results in water baptism (Acts 2:38). Those receiving the word of God, the reality of the Son by the coming of the Holy Spirit begin to spontaneously meet together with great joy (Acts 2:41). They are formed into coherent Christian assemblies that are built up by four distinct components; firstly they attend to the doctrine of the apostles, they constantly meet together in fellowship, breaking of bread and regular prayers (Acts 2:42).
The presence of the Spirit also brought power and gifts, the gift of tongues was included among these as were signs and wonders accomplished by the apostles (Acts 2:4&43). The reality of God in the midst of His people inspired godly fear in their hearts (Acts 2:43). There was nothing casual here! God among them changed their relationship to material goods significantly and they became an incredibly beneficent people (Acts 2:44&45). Joy and gladness became a significant hallmark of their communities and they became the evidence of the prophecy of Jesus as they witnessed to His Lordship first in Jerusalem and to other regions (Acts 1:8). I think that we can all agree that there was a complete package here. The gifts and ministries of the Spirit were not a ‘add on’ but an integral part of Christian experience.
[superquote]We need to ask ourselves whether our expectations have diminished. [/superquote]
[superquote]Has our particular history and tradition become a prison that limits our awareness and experience of what it means to be the dwelling place of God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22)?[/superquote]
The filling of the Spirit, the Spirit baptism and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are all differing terms describing the wonder of the coming of the Spirit and His continuing presence, as He became what we can reverently define as ‘the engine of the church.’ We need to ask ourselves whether our expectations have diminished. Our churches exist within a tradition; this is true of all churches, whether Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical or Charismatic. Has our particular history and tradition become a prison that limits our awareness and experience of what it means to be the dwelling place of God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22)? He and the gifts He brings are not occasional additions to church but are, in fact, fundamental to her life. No church should claim the right to either exclude the spontaneous life and ministry of the Spirit or arrogantly presume that they are that part of the church universal where the Spirit is really moving and He is nowhere else! The Spirit is ‘breathe’ and ‘wind’ (John 3:8).
In this regard there is something indefinable about Him. Something of mystery in His movements but the signs that He is present and working are indisputable as the history of the beginning of the church in Acts two indicates. Would it not be wonderful if all the churches acknowledged, accepted and sought His Leadership in their midst? Often He is merely assumed, “well, we suppose He is here but let us get on with our church program regardless,” is the attitude. Walking in and with the Holy Spirit is not an option either for us as an individual believer or as churches. What a transformation would occur if He were allowed prominence in imparting wisdom, revelation, gifts and ministries. The result would be changes in church worship patterns from the boring stereotypical rituals so prevalent in many quarters both Charismatic and non-charismatic to a spontaneity refreshing to everyone present and pleasing to God. Mission would not be so filled with techniques but with His vital quickening power carrying people forth into their communities and further afield.
[superquote]We must become awakened as to the reality of the Spirit’s presence in the midst. [/superquote]
[superquote]Christ and the Spirit are inseparable[/superquote]
We must become awakened as to the reality of the Spirit’s presence in the midst. The whole community must nurture fellowship with Him and the mark of that deepening of communion will be Jesus being glorified (John 16:14). Remember, no one term can possibly convey the reality of what it means to be truly converted to Christ. We can list some New Testament expressions remembering that being a Christian involves both Christ and the Spirit. It is impossible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit, or to be one without Christ being in us (Romans 8:9, Colossians 1:27). Christ and the Spirit are inseparable and through the ministry of the Godhead we are incorporated through repentance and faith in Christ, and the baptism in One Spirit into the one body that is Christ’s (1 Corinthians 12:13).
When this takes place we are made part of the New Man (Ephesians 2:15) and are given a new heredity having been made new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). We enter into the privileges of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:24) and the New Jerusalem is our home place (Revelation 21:2). We have entered into New Life through a New Birth accomplished by the word and Spirit (1 Peter 1:23, John 3:3 &5). The early Christians did not only expect the dynamic presence of the Spirit in matters of church life in gifts and ministries but experienced His transforming power in their persons. The Spirit demonstrated His energy in the renewing of the human personality into the likeness of Christ; this was their experience. I am sure (if you have stuck with me thus far) you will agree that there was no ‘woolly thinking’ as to what had taken place among them. But let us clarify our thinking Biblically even more by taking a look at what occurred in the Acts chapter ten.
The book of Acts is a historical narrative written by a highly intelligent doctor trained to observe and diagnose. In chapter two Doctor Luke begins where God began, in the matter of the pouring out His Spirit in Jerusalem. He then shows the spread of the action of God from that center outward into Judea, Samaria (Acts 8) and further afield so that we find God’s apostle freely sharing the word of God’s grace in Rome, seat of the pagan power at the end of the narrative (Acts 2:30-31). What progress in thirty or so years! On five occasions we read of the giving of the Spirit, these are found in Acts chapters two, eight, nine, ten and nineteen. On three of those occasions the laying on of hands to impart the Spirit is mentioned but the other two involve no such human intervention or participation, the Holy Spirit came from God direct.
This is important. No possible avenue of manipulation or human interference. If we may say so, these two particular outpourings were “pure God.” The first was in Acts two and we have already looked a good deal at what occurred when God poured out and those of the Jewish nation were baptized in the Holy Spirit into God’s church. Peter preached that day, but there was no laying on of hands and, significantly it was the same in Acts ten. God used the same messenger Peter but he laid hands on no one. God the Father seemed to almost interrupt his sermon and as soon as he came to the mention of forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ God poured out upon the waiting Gentile listeners (Acts 10:43&44). What is intriguing about this incredibly important event is the attention that is given to it by the apostles.
[superquote]Do you see how all these terms describe one great initiatory experience into the things of God? They do not refer to first, second, third or tenth blessing, but the authentic action of God when He comes to a soul.[/superquote]
Initially it seemed to shock them (Acts 10:45), they were still very much ‘Jewish’ in their understanding. Whatever had God done being so beneficent to the Gentiles? Let’s bring together the terms used to describe what happened that day. “The Holy Spirit fell on all those that heard the word” (Acts 10:44). “On the Gentiles was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:45). They had “received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:47) and we must note that as this occurred they “spoke with tongues and magnified God” (Acts 10:46). “They were baptized in water in the Name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). News of this reached the church in Jerusalem and caused a furor and Peter had to carefully explain what had happened. He said “the Holy Spirit fell on them as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). He described this event as their “baptism in the Holy Spirit” (Acts 11:16). The identical nature of what God had done in the household of Cornelius and what had occurred in the upper room in Jerusalem (Acts 2) is repeatedly emphasized. God had made no difference between Jew and Gentile; He had given them all the same gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:17).
This news pacified the hearts of those confused by what had taken place and there was a public acknowledgement that Gentiles had been born of God and had “received the gift of repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). Do you see how all these terms describe one great initiatory experience into the things of God? They do not refer to first, second, third or tenth blessing, but the authentic action of God when He comes to a soul. Yet, there is more because the whole matter came up again some time later and Peter gives a further clear account of what had occurred. “The Gentiles heard the word of God and believed” (Acts 15:7) and God bore their faith witness by giving them the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:8) and Peter adds these significant words “purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9). When the Spirit was given they received pure hearts, they were baptized in the Spirit, they were given repentance unto new life (birth) and so, identically to the Jewish believers Gentiles were now among those who “believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved” (Acts 15:11).
There is immensity here, testimony to the true and ideal Christian initiation that God wants to give us. It seems to me that many of us have received this piecemeal; a little here and a little there, a first blessing and a second and so on. Perhaps this is due to wrong or inadequate teaching. But, we should have no doubt as to the intention of God for His church. Purity of heart, liberty in the gifts of the Spirit, new birth, empowerment unto service, all this and much more is included in the gift of the Spirit’s presence in the church. May the truth of God’s word eradicate our woolly thinking and quicken our appetites to enter into all He has given.
