Acts Review | Holy Spirit Handbook

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Slides:

What do we believe the Bible teaches about the ministry of the Holy Spirit here at The Chapel?

What is a cessationist?

- Cessationism is the view that the miraculous (or “apostolic” or “sign”) gifts have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age.

What is a continuationist?

- Continuationism is the belief that all the spiritual gifts, including healings, tongues, and miracles, are still in operation today, just as they were in the days of the early church.

What would a cessationist say?

1. The book of Acts is “descriptive, not prescriptive”

2. The epistles (which were authored after Acts) are used for the teaching of doctrine.

3. The (sign) gifts were primarily for the authentication of the apostles and the establishment of the church.

What would a cessationist say?

4. The (sign) gifts “ceased” after the apostles and the completion of the Bible:

Love never fails; but if [there are gifts of] prophecy, they will be done away; if [there are] tongues, they will cease; if [there is] knowledge, it will be done away. —1 Corinthians 13:8

What would a cessationist say?

5. That the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a one-time experience at conversion where believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, joined together in the Body of Christ, and given (the “non-miraculous) gifts.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. —1 Corinthians 12:13

What would a (Calvary Chapel) continuationist say?

1. The burden of proof falls on the cessationist.

The burden of proof falls on the cessationist.

- Acts happened!

Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” [He said,] “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” —Acts 1:4-5

The burden of proof falls on the cessationist.

- The “sign” gifts will cease…when we see Jesus again!

Love never fails; but if [there are gifts of] prophecy, they will be done away; if [there are] tongues, they will cease; if [there is] knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. —1 Corinthians 13:8-12

The burden of proof falls on the cessationist.

- The Holy Spirit “falls on” people after their conversion.

It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they [said] to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” … 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they [began] speaking with tongues and prophesying. —Acts 19:1-2, 6

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, —Ephesians 5:18

What would a (Calvary Chapel) continuationist say?

2. The Old Testament showed us a type:

* The judges

* Moses and the elders (Num. 11:24-25)

* Saul and David

* The prophets (Zech. 7:12 and 2 Peter 1:21)

What would a (Calvary Chapel) continuationist say?

3. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was prophesied in the Old Testament.

“It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. 29 “Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 “I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. 31 “The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. —Joel 2:28-30

What would a (Calvary Chapel) continuationist say?

4. Jesus serves as a model:

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” 23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age… Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan & was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness… 14 & Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, & news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. —Luke 3:21-23, 4:1, 14

What would a (Calvary Chapel) continuationist say?

5. About the Baptism of the Holy Spirit: “Another Calvary Chapel distinctive is the position concerning the Holy Spirit empowering the life of a believer that is distinct and separate from the indwelling of the Spirit that takes place at conversion.” (Chuck Smith - Calvary Distinctives)

What are some other distinctives of a Calvary Chapel view on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts?

- We stress that this baptism equips us for service (not salvation).

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

What are some other distinctives of a Calvary Chapel view on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts?

- We are a church that embraces a high degree of order.

But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. —1 Corinthians 14:40

What are some other distinctives of a Calvary Chapel view on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts?

- There is no single “manifestation” that indicates this baptism.

All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not [workers of] miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? —1 Corinthians 12:29

What do you expect?

- Unity

- Order

- Patience

- Mistakes

- Seeking

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. …13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” —Luke 11:9, 13