Owen Strachan: Addressing the Work of the Spirit

R.C. Sproul on the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Mike Riccardi: The Work of the Holy Spirit Today

  This message is from the 2024 Cessationist Conference: 

Sproul on the Spirit's Work in Illumination

Illumination is not to be confused with revelation. It is commonplace today to hear people speak about private revelations they claim to have received from the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit in illumination is not the supplying of new information or fresh revelations beyond those found in sacred Scripture.

Reformed Christianity emphatically denies that God is giving new normative revelation today. The Spirit is still working to illumine what is revealed in Scripture. The Spirit helps us to understand the Bible, to convict us of the truth of the Bible, and to apply that truth to our lives. He works with the Word and through the Word. His task is never to teach against the Word. It is therefore always necessary to test what we hear by the teaching of Scripture. The Scripture is the Spirit's book.

R.C. Sproul, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith: 100 Key Doctrines in Plain Language

Book Review: Holy Spirit: God of Order by Scott Aniol

The Holy Spirit is at work today in the church. There is no denying that. Every Bible believing Christian believes that, however there are disagreements with how the Spirt is working in today.

Charismatics believe that the Spirit is working through the various gifts along with signs and wonders. Cessationists believe that the Spirit is working but He is using the ordinary means of grace to regenerate one's heart and in sanctification. The Holy Spirit does continue to give gifts but does not work in signs and wonders as He did in the New Testament days.

How should Christians expect the Spirit to work in the church today? Scott Aniol addresses this in his latest book, Holy Spirit: God of Order. Why is the subtitle called, "God of Order?" The simple answer is that charismatics "demonstrate" the Spirit's work by having am experience where they lose control which goes against scripture. You never see anyone in the book of Acts lose control when the Spirit came upon them. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "the fruit of the Spirit is...self-control." 

Aniol begins the book with addressing if God is a God of disorder or order. He looks at charismatic theology in regard to the Holy Spirit and how He gifts the church for works of service. Aniol goes on to say how the Spirit works in creation, revelation, salvation, and our sanctification while using Scripture to support his teaching. 

The final chapter deals with worship. If you have ever seen a charismatic church, you know their worship services tend to get a little rowdy where it seems there is no self-control whatsoever. Worship is where we are filled with the Word, not our emotions. We are to build the body by our service to another and we are to receive the ordinary means of grace by hearing God's Word preached.

The issue of the work of the Holy Spirit as well as the gifts of the Spirit have become an increasing hot topic as of late. I am glad many are writing on the subject. Some I agree with, some I do not. I agree with Aniol's conclusions regarding the Holy Spirit and how He works in the church today, which is why I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.

Costi Hinn on Discerning the Voice of the Holy Spirit

A Discussion on the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is often confused with as a thing or impersonable force. Christians tend to think when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they are supposed to speak in tongues or start doing sporadic things they would normally not do such as jumping off pews.  

In this video, Burk Parsons and Sinclair Ferguson discuss who is the Holy Spirit and addressing the issue on why certain gifts of the Spirit have ceased:

Albert Martin: The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Tom Pennington on the Biblical Case for Cesstionism

Around The Web-December 20, 2019

Ten Ways Materialism Brings Us to Ruin by Randy Alcorn

What is Biblical Theology? by Andreas Köstenberger

Biblical Spirituality in Historical Perspective with Michael Haykin from The London Lyceum

9 Marks Journal: Complementarianism: A Moment of Reckoning

Allie Beth Stuckey on the G3 Podcast discussing life, faith, politics, and social justice

Ask Pastor John: How Do I Battle Subtle Temptations to Lust?

Gaining Victory Over Temptation by H.B. Charles, Jr.

God the Holy Spirit by Robert Letham

The Spirit Seals Us

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit plays a role in keeping God's people saved. In three passages he is God's seal, preserving believers until the last day. The Father is the seeker (2 Cor. 1:21-22) and seals believers "in him," that is, in Christ (Eph. 1:13). The Father seals us "with the promised Holy Spirit" (v.13), who is also the "guarantee of our inheritance" (v.14). God loves us, saves us, and gives us the Spirit with whom we were "sealed for the day of redemption" (4:30).

God graciously assures believers in Christ that we are safe in his care. He seals our union with Christ by giving us the Spirit who guarantees our ultimate salvation. Surely we should be more thankful, holy, and loving in light of such amazing grace.

Adapted from the ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible

Around The Web-June 14, 2019

Bavink's previously unpublished work, Reformed Ethics, is now available

The Woke Tools of the SBC: A Review of Resolution 9 on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality by Josh Buice

God Does Not Need You…and That’s Good News! by Matthew Barrett

Bennett Rogers– A Tender Lion: The Life, Ministry, and Message of J.C. Ryle from Equipping You In Grace

An Eternal Perspective of Justice by Tom Buck

John Owen on the Work of the Holy Spirit in and on the Human Nature of Christ

The Dirty Dozen: Some Thoughts on Why We Stink at Evangelism by Sam Storms

Founders Event: Mature Manhood in an Immature Age

The Greatest Gift to Your Pastor by Ryan Vinten

Our Prayers Reveal Our Priorities by Alistair Begg

Around The Web-April 19, 2019

Kevin DeYoung's latest book, Grace: Defined and Defended, and other books celebrating the 400th anniversary the Canons of Dort are on sale

Salvation by Propitiation by Kevin DeYoung

Dealing with Lust by Joseph A Pipa, Jr

4 Reasons to Rejoice in the Doctrine of Election by Josh Buice

Why Christians Oppose Abortion: Theological and Sociological Reasons by Steve Bezner

Ask Pastor John: Where Was the Holy Spirit on Good Friday?

Homosexual Activism and the SBC by Tom Ascol

For Whom Did Christ Die? by Ryan McGraw

The Deity of the Holy Spirit

The deity of the Holy Spirit may be established from Scripture by a line of proof quite similar to that employed in connection with the Son:

(1) Divine names are given to Him, Exodus 17:7 (Hebrews 3:7-9); Acts 5:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16 (2 Peter 1:21).

(2) Divine perfections are ascribed to Him, such as omnipresence, Psalm 139:7-10, omniscience, Isaiah 40:13, 14 (comp. Romans 11:34); 1 Corinthians 2:10, 11, omnipotence, 1 Corinthians 12:11; Romans 15:19, and eternity, Hebrews 9:14 (?).

(3) Divine works are performed by Him, such as creation, Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4, providential renovation, Psalm 104:30, regeneration, John 3:5, 6; Titus 3:5, and the resurrection of the dead, Romans 8:11.

(4) Divine honour is also paid to Him, Matthew 28:19; Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 13:13.

Adapted from Louis Berkhof's Systematic Theology

Around The Web-November 28, 2018

Westminster Bookstore has a sale on the ESV Study Bible

Two Dividing Line episodes:

Beth Moore’s Racist Library and Open Phones

Responding to Justin Brierley’s Premier Christianity Article Against Reformed Theology

Learning to Preach from the Reformers by Joel Beeke

Sleep with Your Boots On by Jared C Wilson

False Teachers Out Themselves by Their Way of Life by Wyatt Graham

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel with Christopher Yuan from Equipping You In Grace

A discussion from the 2017 Ligonier conference: Did Old Testament believers possess the Holy Spirit the same way as the New Testament believers?

Book Review: Here In Spirit by Jonathan Dodson

When it comes to the Holy Spirit, Christians are divided. There are many reasons why. Some look at the Spirit as a impersonal force like something off Star Wars. Some look at the Spirit as a means to get the power of God meaning they can do some of the miraculous signs in the Bible such as raising the dead. As Jonathan Dodson puts it, the three words that can divide the church is "The Holy Spirit."

In his book, Here In Spirit, Dodson writes that the Holy Spirit is not only a person of the Trinity, but He (notice the Spirit is a person not a thing) is the one who connects us to the Father and the Son. The Son fills us with a life that is satisfying and creative. Yeah, when I saw that I had an idea where Dodson might be going. It seems that there were parts in this book where Dodson was going a little charismatic.

One thing Dodson said was the Spirit is the affection of God planted in our hearts. I do not recall seeing that in scripture. I know the Spirit is a seal (Ephesians 1:13-14) and helper (John 14:26), but I have never seen Him called affection of God anywhere in the Bible. Where did Dodson come up with that?

Remember that I wrote earlier that some look at the Spirit as an impersonal force? Dodson does teach in the book that the Spirit is not a force, He is a Person. He gives the attributes of the Spirit which I am glad Dodson did teach this in his book. A force has no attributes, no feelings. The Spirit does have them. The Spirit also has personal qualities such as speaking, teaching, and grieves, which a force or thing does not.

Dodson continues to teach on many things of the Spirit which includes how He is our companion as we go through this life. The Spirit is there to guide us and reminds of the things Christ taught us. I was a little struck when the last chapter of the book was titled, "The Future of The Spirit." Does the Holy Spirit have a future? The answer is yes. He does not go away when Jesus returns or when we gather in God's presence with the saints in heaven. One of the attributes Dodson showed his readers is that the Spirit is eternal based on John 14:16 and Hebrews 9:14.

There were a few issues I had with this book as well as points of agreement. There were times I felt Dodson was going a little charismatic as I mentioned earlier. I am don't think this would be my "go-to" book on the Holy Spirit, but it the church should not be afraid to talk about the Spirit. The church should have a good theology of the Holy Spirit, but it needs to be what God has revealed about Him in the Scriptures, not what we feel the Spirit is or does.

Thanks InterVarsity Press for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Supernatural Power for Everyday People by Jared C Wilson

The Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesian church to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). To many in the church today, this is looked on as if one had to be charismatic to be filled with the Spirit. Every believer is sealed with the Spirit yet many do not want to be filled with Him. Many don't want to depend on the Spirit because they don't understand what He does.

Every believer, no matter who you or what your position is in the church, can live a life where you can depend on the Spirit of God. This is the subject of Jared C Wilson's new book, Supernatural Power for Everyday People. Wilson writes that too many Christians are living life based on their won strength which you can tell by how run down they are. Wilson goes on to say the Bible teaches us that every believer has Someone they can depend on to go on in day-to-day living who happens to be closer than most people think. That Person is the Holy Spirit.

Notice, I said the Holy Spirit is a Person, which Wilson does address this issue in the book. The Holy Spirit is not an it. He is not a personal force. The Holy Spirit is a Person, the third part of the Trinity. Jesus mentions what the Spirit's job is in scripture and is always addressed as a Person, not a thing.

Wilson goes to mention the Spirit is there is guide us in everyday life and reminds us of what the Bible teaches us just as Jesus taught in the gospel of John. Wilson takes time to discuss prayer and how we can pray to God. He also mentions the Spirit intercedes for us as Romans 8:26 teaches us with groans that words cannot express. What I love about this book is Wilson echoes what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit and how the believer is to depend on Him based on the Bible.

Wilson does take time to address spiritual gifts, including the apostolic ones. He does give, what he believes, the Biblical reasons that the gifts of the Spirit such as tongues as other apostolic gifts are still used today rather than being ceased. He only deals with it in a few pages rather than a whole chapter or half the book in dealing with this issue.

Jared C Wilson is one of my favorite authors. I have enjoyed every book he has written. Supernatural Power for Everyday People is no exception. The point of this book was not make a case against cessionalists, those who believe the gifts of the Spirit has stopped, but to remind the believers that everyone of us have the Holy Spirit to depend on as we live in this world.

Thanks Booklook Bloggers for letting me review this book.

How the Holy Spirit Glorifies Christ

The Spirit illumines the Bible (the centrality of Christ)

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself...Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things (Luke 24:27; 44-48).

The Spirit empowers gospel preaching (proclamation of Christ)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The Spirit brings regeneration (new life in Christ)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:5-8).

The Spirit sanctifies the believer (transformation into the image of Christ)

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).

Adapted from the ESV Study Bible

Around The Web-May 19, 2017

Should Pastors Use Social Media? by Tony Reinke

Every Good Church Is Messy by Keith Welton

You Are Not The Story by H.B. Charles, Jr.

Five Truths About the Holy Spirit by Alistair Begg

The Mission of the Church is Eternal R.C. Sproul

Your Pain Has an Expiration Date by Ligon Duncan

What Rob Bell Gets Right and Wrong About the Bible by Collin Huber

Some people these days will say only God can judge them. Are they right?

Feel like your pastor is outdated. Send him to Swag Seminary.

Around The Web-April 1, 2016

3 Ways the Spirit Works in Us by Darrin Patrick

A Right Fear by Dave Jenkins

5 Ways "God's Not Dead" Fails Christians by Chris Williams

A sale for the popular Pillar NT Commentary Series is happen till April 6th.

How to Uncheapen Grace in Your Church by Jared C Wilson

Has Ken Ham Embraced Evolution? by Tim Challies

Sam Allberry answers the question, can you be a Christian without going to church?



Fasten your seat belts from this one. The man, the myth, the legend Scott Sterling and his face return for a championship volleyball game.