There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. - Ephesians 4:4-7
It seems more and more in the church of Jesus Christ, we walk in disunity. We are called the Body of Christ, but it seems we present ourselves more like Mr. Potato Head. By that I mean, and I'm guilty of this too, we put ourselves more into packs and troops then think ourselves as the Church as a whole.
We want to divide ourselves by whether we are Reformed or not, whether we use drums in service or not or whether we vote on church issues or let the elders take care of it. While all these issue have there own degree of importance, some more the others, what we need to remember is that for believers on all sides of all these issues, the Lord will be an inexhaustible fountain of joy through the knowledge of Him.
John 17:3 says,
"And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." For every believer, this is true, we await an eternity of joy and wonder as we gaze upon the risen Lamb and sing to Him a new song! (Rev. 5:9-10)
No issue in the church today has been more discussed then the work of the Holy Spirit. We always hear churches and people draw lines over issues such as tongues, healing (and for the the super scholarly) the place of prophecy in the life of the Church.
I think for most of us three thoughts go through our minds as we read or think about the work of the Holy Spirit in believers. Some, from more traditional Baptist or Reformed backgrounds may have visions of people rolling on the floor babbling while the worship band repeats the same chorus yet ANOTHER time. If you are from a more Pentecostal background and know that while to those who are unfamiliar these things may seem odd, that they are an express of devotion to God. Or maybe you're like so many: caught in the middle scratching your head.
Over the history of the Church three main views have remained regarding the gifts. If you are from the more traditional background and see the more "miraculous" gifts (tongues etc...) then you are familiar with what is called "cessationism" which is the view gifts like that of the apostles ceassed after the 1st century. Or maybe you are more familiar with the Pentecostal experience (or something similar) then you would be familiar with the view called "Continuationism", which by virtue of the name means the belief that all the gifts of the Spirit available to the 1st century church are in use in the church today.
Lastly, and much more commonly there is a third view becoming popular in the church today, it's the view called "open but cautious". Which, in short, is the view that while the gifts of the Spirit may be available, whether for practical or other reasons are not actively sought after.
Regardless of your view (each of which will be fleshed out more over the coming chapters) you are in good company. Great men such as John Piper, Wayne Grudem, Martin Lloyd Johns, Sam Storms, and even Methodist preacher John Wesley have been sited as continuations. While men such as Charles Spurgeon, John Calvin, along with many of the other Reformers and even John MacArthur have been sited, or directed been quoted as cessationists. Even those of you who would consider themselves "open but cautious" have Richard Gaffin from Westminster Serminary and David Platt, author of the book "Radical" who once gave a theological principle I think should be clear as topics like this are discussed. "In essentials unity, In non-essentials, liberty" [1]
The fact that all of these great men of the faith have disagreed on this issue just shows how humble we need to be when approaching it. I know the temptation for the reader of this work will be to skip to the section on controversial issues of the Spirit. I understand that and appreciate those who wish to study the meat of the Word. But, let me encourage you, this work is not going to necessarily break any ground, but what I seek to do is bring a Biblical understanding and exaltation of the Person and Work of the Spirit of God. This book is not meant to be a systematic theology, but to give an introduction and to help new believers and remind long time believers, of the glorious Third Person of the Trinity.
So, let us come, in unity (Ephesians 4:4-7) around God in His nature and the Gospel and it's power (1 Cor. 15:1-11) and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! (John 4:24). "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14) As we set out to search the Scriptures let us also be humble in our attitude toward each other and toward doctrine. Let our prayer be, "Spirit of Truth, guide us into all truth!"
John 16:13 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
