Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:18-20
Everyone in the Sunday School class I was teaching seemed to agree with me when I spoke of speaking in tongues along with miracles, prophetic utterances and healing ceased being practiced early in Christian church history. At least they nodded their heads like they did—except one man. I could tell he wasn’t satisfied with my explanation.
I don’t remember his name but he had been an elder at the church where I was teaching and an administrator at the university until he and his family moved to Dallas. He was back in Portales for a brief visit to his old church and attended my Sunday School class that particular morning. After the class was over, he came up to me; extended his hand and I thought he was going to ask me a question or compliment me. But instead he looked me right in the eye and said, “Don, you did a fine job in the class until you came to the Holy Spirit and the Day of Pentecost—but I need to tell you something. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Wow!
Well, I have to admit that I became defensive and tried to debate my way out of his admonishment as we headed toward the morning service—but to no avail. He knew a lot more about God’s word than I did and I was uncomfortable with his boldness. I knew I better seek the Lord about this—and I did.
While we were going to school God provided a wonderful old two-story home for us to live in. It had a big old oak tree in the back yard and under that tree became my prayer closet. I spent a lot of time there, especially after being confronted about my knowledge and experience with the Holy Spirit. That’s where I went to God for help. “God, I know You are real and I know You have sealed me with Your Holy Spirit but You and I both know that I am dry and stale and have lost my excitement in serving you. My head and my heart knowledge about the Holy Spirit has been challenged and I need to know if that brother is right. Is there more? Show me, God if I am wrong because I want all of You that I can have.”
For over two weeks, that was my prayer almost every night. And then God suddenly answered me. I had just finished the same prayer when all of a sudden I sensed something was about to happen. I remained perfectly still—almost in fear. God’s presence was near. And then it happened. I was suddenly so overwhelmed with the love and power of God that it literally knocked me to my knees as I was holding on to the trunk of the tree. I was never out of control but the feeling that was invading my soul and mind was so strong that I didn’t want it to leave. I knew God was touching me at that moment and I was touching Him—my spirit with His Spirit. I began to speak to God in a different way, “mysteries by the Spirit”—Paul explained to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14:2). Afterwards, I felt fearless and a new passion for Him again. God had filled me with His Spirit once again. Over the years He has done that over and over.
Many Christians unfortunately have been taught that once they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at conversion—they are filled with the Spirit and remain that way. I believe that misunderstanding is why the church is so impotent at times. Paul’s instructions to the church at Ephesus, however, tells us otherwise. Let’s take a look at the Scripture and I will show you why I believe it is a wrong assumption. Maranatha!
TOMORROW: Charismata
