Grace Chapel Community Church
307-347-3086
Our Beliefs:
Our Beliefs:
Four perspectives of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Cont.)
Convincing Evidence: The convincing evidence of the Spirit-filled life is holiness. Holy or righteous living includes a faithful study of the teachings of Jesus and a continual effort to live out the implications of those teachings day by day. The believer is not so spiritually conceited as to think that he or she is a perfect human being. The Holy Spirit is the source of power for holy living (John 16:5–16; Philippians 2:12–13). Paul sets the pattern of the Spirit-filled life in bold relief as he contrasts it with the sinful life. You will want to read about the "fruit of the Spirit" and the "acts of the sinful nature" as Paul compares them in Galatians 5:16–26.
It should be noted, also, that the Pentecostal outpouring in Acts 2 was more mission-centered than person-centered. The purpose was empowerment for the divine mission.
Church of God hymnist Charles W. Naylor expressed both the scriptural teaching and the experience of the Spirit-filled life:
Spirit holy in me dwelling, Ever work as Thou shalt choose;
All my ransomed powers and talents For thy purpose thou shalt use.
O how sweet is thy abiding! O how tender is the love
Thou dost shed abroad within me From the Father-heart above!
Thou hast cleansed me for thy temple, Garnished with Thy graces rare;
All my soul Thou art enriching By Thy fullness dwelling there.
In me now reveal Thy glory, Let Thy might be ever shown;
Keep me from the world's defilement, Sacred for Thyself alone.
Spirit holy, Spirit holy, All my being now possess;
Lead me, rule me, work within me, Through my life Thy will express.
The experience of the Spirit-filled life begins when the believer, the individual Christian, opens his or her life to the full work of God's Spirit in a conscious act of the will. From that point on, there is a growth in the Spirit, called by some "progressive sanctification," which produces an increasing awareness of oneness with God and effectiveness in Christian service.
Our Beliefs:
Our Beliefs:
