(1) THE DOCTRINE THAT INITAL RECEPTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AN EXPERIENCE OF DIVINE POWER
Paul teaches that the initial regenerating work of the Holy Spirit must not be accepted on the basis of reassuring theological 'talk" or expressed beliefs; rather it must be an actual experience of divine power. Believers are not told specifically how they can know that the Spirit has begun to dwell within them. But “miracles” are expected as corroborating evidence that believers have truly received the Holy Spirit:
“Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? DID YOU EXPERIENCE SO MUCH FOR NOTHING?..Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the Law or by believing what you heard (Galatians 3:4-5).”
Thus, Paul reminds Corinthian believers that their assurance of salvation is not based on faith that the Spirit has done His work in their lives, but on the recalled “demonstration of the Spirit and of power” confirming the Gospel when they first heard it preached:
“My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).”
Thus, saving faith is based not merely on correct theological “talk” or expressed doctrinal beliefs, but on the question of whether believers have actually had this life-changing experience of the Spirit’s power. Paul speaks harshly of those who minimize the essential experiential dimension of true faith:
“I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people, BUT THEIR POWER. For the kingdom of God depends not on talk, but on power (1 Corinthians 4:19-20).”
Churches that reduce faith to an intellectual trust and commitment without admitting the troubling subjectivity of whether and when they have received the Spirit should be avoided: “…holding to the outward form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid them! (2 Tim. 3:5).”
Paul teaches that the initial regenerating work of the Holy Spirit must not be accepted on the basis of reassuring theological 'talk" or expressed beliefs; rather it must be an actual experience of divine power. Believers are not told specifically how they can know that the Spirit has begun to dwell within them. But “miracles” are expected as corroborating evidence that believers have truly received the Holy Spirit:
“Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? DID YOU EXPERIENCE SO MUCH FOR NOTHING?..Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the Law or by believing what you heard (Galatians 3:4-5).”
Thus, Paul reminds Corinthian believers that their assurance of salvation is not based on faith that the Spirit has done His work in their lives, but on the recalled “demonstration of the Spirit and of power” confirming the Gospel when they first heard it preached:
“My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).”
Thus, saving faith is based not merely on correct theological “talk” or expressed doctrinal beliefs, but on the question of whether believers have actually had this life-changing experience of the Spirit’s power. Paul speaks harshly of those who minimize the essential experiential dimension of true faith:
“I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people, BUT THEIR POWER. For the kingdom of God depends not on talk, but on power (1 Corinthians 4:19-20).”
Churches that reduce faith to an intellectual trust and commitment without admitting the troubling subjectivity of whether and when they have received the Spirit should be avoided: “…holding to the outward form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid them! (2 Tim. 3:5).”
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