Why does The Church shy away from Gifts of The Spirit?

Some say they died out with the apostles, and anything we see now is ‘strange fire’ from the devil! Try telling that to someone who’s just received their miracle!

Some only allow certain gifts to operate — tongues is okay, healing is dodgy, as it may offer false hope, prophecy is only allowed if pastor ‘approves’ what is being given — and don’t even mention Deliverance!

Finally there are those who only admit there is a Holy Spirit, because He’s part of the Trinity, otherwise He is completely ignored.

Church, we cannot cherry-pick those bits of The Bible we want to believe!

Either The Bible is God’s Word, or it’s not!

There is no halfway; no bits that are compulsory; no bits that are optional; and no bits that just fill up the page with writings that can be ignored!

There is nothing false in The Bible either! Some things are a sin no matter what spin we put on them.

Some things are abhorrent to God, no matter how much we deny it, or protest against it, or even persecute those who preach it.

I love what, and who, God loves. I believe the whole canon of Scripture — that means I believe The Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and I accept it because He inspired it and God does not lie.

The Church must no longer espouse the many unbiblical principles and views currently popular in many Churches, but which go against every principle of godly living.

Political Correctness, aka intolerance of any non-liberal view, must be defeated or ignored whatever the cost.

Biblical Truth and Principles must be taught whatever the cost and persecution.

Peter and John, in Acts 4:19, asked, “Which is right in Gods eyes, to obey Him, or to obey man?”

Yes, we are to obey the law of the land — insofar as it doesn’t compromise The Law of God.

I read this recently — I know the author well and I know his heart is totally for everything of God. He said this :-

“I believe in a Divine Creator — but that does not mean that I hate Evolutionists.
I believe Jesus is the Son of God, and that Salvation is only found in Him, but that does not make me Islamophobic.
I believe in Traditional Marriage as God’s design and intention for humanity, but that does not make me Homophobic
I believe in freedom of speech, so long as it is motivated by love, but that does not make me a bigot.”

Church, it’s time to step up and face our responsibility to preach the Gospel, to baptise the penitent, and to disciple new believers.

It’s also time to step up and present The Holy Spirit gifts as part of every day living. He is our Helper, and our friend. He loves nothing more than to demonstrate God’s Power and Goodness.

His love for every man, woman, and child is absolute. He hates not a single one of us, but He does hate our sin. That’s why Jesus came in the first place.

It is time for The Church to unite on these core values. I hate to say this but the separation of wheat and tales will first divide The Church, then Christians, then families — brother, sister, mother, and father. The Bible tells us all this! It’s not new!

All because The Church does not accept all of God’s Word, and will not, and cannot, receive The Holy Spirit and the gifts He brings for us.

The only reason His Gifts are ‘strange fire’ is because, to some, they are new and therefore strange, and because they go against everything they have been taught and know!

It’s time to grow up a bit and accept all of God’s Word — otherwise revival will pass some of us by!

 

~ Chris G. Bennett

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Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.

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