The most common way the Spirit speaks in the book of Acts (other than in and through Scripture) is through the church. For instance, Acts 13:2 records, “While [the church was] 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.’”
God gave the church specific insight into what Saul and Barnabas were to do. Throughout his life Paul received instructions about where to go and what to do through members of the church, and he gave similar words of instruction to Timothy. Perhaps we need to find afresh that indicates that God still speaks in this way—to us, his children through the church.
In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit is seen as a source of guidance and power, working within the church to lead its members and direct its activities. Christians also believe that they can learn to hear God's voice, often through the Holy Spirit's guidance. This process of discernment involves prayer, listening, and seeking to understand the Holy Spirit's leading.
David Platt in his book, Radical, has a chapter entitled, "Beginning at the End of Ourselves -- The Importance of Relying on God's Power. He explores the idea of “Dependent on Ourselves or Desperate for His Spirit?”. He writes, “This is where I am most convicted as a pastor that I am part of a system that has created a whole host of means and methods, plans and strategies for doing church that require little if any power from God. I am frightened by the reality that the church I lead can carry on most of our activities never realising that the Holy Spirit of God is virtually absent from the picture.”
Come Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant that by the same Holy Spirit
we may be truly wise
and ever enjoy His consolations,
Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment