purswell on being charismatic

Jeff Purswell, dean at Pastors College of Sovereign Grace Ministries, has some things to say on Charismatic theology. They seem worth listening to ...

No aspect of the Spirit’s work is more important than His role of applying the salvation purchased by Christ on the cross to our lives ... In addition to effecting regeneration and sanctification, the Holy Spirit also empowers believers for Christian witness and service. While all genuine believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at conversion, the New Testament indicates the importance of an ongoing, empowering work of the Spirit subsequent to conversion as well. Being indwelt by the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit are theologically distinct experiences. The Holy Spirit desires to fill each believer continually with increased power for Christian life and witness, and imparts his supernatural gifts for the edification of the Body and for various works of ministry in the world. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in the church of the first century are available today, are vital for the mission of the church, and are to be earnestly desired and practiced.

He then notes;

• The statement does not require one to hold to a baptism in the Spirit distinct from conversion.
• The statement certainly does not exclude such a distinct baptism in the Spirit.
• The statement simply declines to specify what a second experience of the Spirit (i.e., an experience apart from conversion) should be called.

Here are the essentials;

1. The Spirit’s primary work is to reveal the reality and presence of Christ for the glory of Christ (Jn 14.16-18, 23-26; 16:7-15)
2. The Spirit’s empowering work among believers is broad in its dimensions
3. The Spirit’s empowering work among believers is intended to be ongoing and continuous
4. The Spirit’s empowering work among believers has as its focus personal sanctification, spiritual illumination, service for mutual edification, and evangelistic witness. (Sanctification - 2 Co 3.17-18; Gal 5.16-18, 22-25: Illumination - 1 Co 2.12-16; 1 Jn 2.27: Edification - 1 Co 12.4-7; 14.12; Eph 5.18-21: Witness - Acts 1.8)
5. The Spirit’s empowering work among believers should include a discernibly dynamic dimension (Gal 3.1-6; 1 Co 12.13; Acts 8)
6. The Spirit’s empowering work among believers includes all the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in the church of the first century
7. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are vital for the mission of the church and are to be earnestly desired and practiced

I found this a helpful reminder that while I hold to the presence and power of the Spirit at work today, it's not all about signs and wonders.

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