“I’M LOOKING FOR A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH! THIS ISN’T A SPIRIT FILLED CHURCH!” Those were the agitated words of a first-time visitor to one of our Sunday morning assemblies in Chile. I had only asked for her name - instead I got an ear-full of disappointment.
I understood the source of her disappointment. The Pentecostal movement has spread like wildfire throughout South America; she had seen our church building and assumed it to be another gathering of those who come together to experience miraculous manifestations of the Spirit. During our assembly no one spoke in tongues, no one was healed and no visible miracles were witnessed.
I tried to explain to her that I had seen plenty of evidence of the Sprit’s presence during our time together: Jesus was worshipped as Lord, hearts were stirred, and we were in the company of Christians whose lives were characterized by the Spirit’s fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I too want to worship with a Spirit-filled church. Truth be told, I feel more sorry for those who deny the Spirit’s presence altogether than I do for those like that sincere first-time visitor who get too caught up in dramatic manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s presence. I’ve heard some make the claim that the Spirit doesn’t actually indwell God’s people and that a to be “filled with the Spirit” is just another way of saying “be filled with the Word of God”.
The Indwelling Spirit is a present reality for God’s people!
Look at what the Bible says:
- Ezekiel 36:27 “And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
- 2 Tim. 1:14 “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.“
- I Cor. 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God.”
- Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
I’m thankful for the power provided by the Spirit! Ministering power is provided through spiritual gifts given to individuals for the collective good; moral power enables us to obey God’s commands and live godly lives.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal 5:25