It is the Jewish Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost), a festival celebrating the harvest's firstfruits and also the giving of the Law. Some 120 of Jesus' disciples are together, expectantly waiting the coming of God's Spirit as Jesus had recently promised before he ascended to heaven. Suddenly supernatural manifestations fill the room -- a sound like a mighty wind, fire-like phenomena that separate and spread upon them all. Jesus' followers begin to speak in languages they have never learned, reciting the mighty deeds of God. Word spreads and a huge crowd quickly gathers. Some say these … [Read more...]
HOLINESS, PENTECOSTAL, CHARISMATIC
A gracEmail subscriber writes, following a gracEmail fun quiz on "Holiness, Pentecostals, Charismatics," asking what the similarities and differences are in those three groups. * * * John and Charles Wesley were present at a prayer meeting on Fetter Lane in London when, about 3:00 o'clock in the morning of January 1, 1739, the power of God was poured out in what later came to be known as "the Methodist Pentecost." In the beginning, the Methodists or Wesleyans were very expressive in their religious fervor (some others referred to them as "shouting Methodists") and deeply committed to "Bible … [Read more...]
MIRACULOUS SIGNS
Someone asks: "What is the point of the signs that Jesus says will follow those who believe (Mk. 16:17-18)? Is this promise still applicable today?" . . . In some manuscripts of Mark's Gospel, this promise is part of Jesus' parting commission to his followers before he went back to heaven. Jesus promises that "signs" will follow "those who believe" -- expelling demons, speaking with new tongues, healing the sick and immunity from snake-bite and poisonous drinks. Who are "those who believe" in this promise? When we consider the Apostles' own persistent unbelief and hardness of heart following … [Read more...]
SIGNS WITH EVANGELISM
Someone asks about the "signs" that Jesus said would accompany his gospel as it spreads through the world. Mark 16:17-18 mentions casting out demons, speaking with new tongues, healing the sick and immunity from snakebite and from poison. Do these things still happen today? * * * In the oldest Greek manuscripts, Mark 16 ends at verse 8. The rest of the chapter has some ancient textual authority, however, and it is consistent with other New Testament teaching. Anyone who quotes Mark 16:15-16 should accept verses 17-18 as equally genuine. Jesus is not here describing "Reverend Barnum's … [Read more...]
SIGNS WITH EVANGELISM
Someone asks about the "signs" that Jesus said would accompany his gospel as it spreads through the world. Mark 16:17-18 mentions casting out demons, speaking with new tongues, healing the sick and immunity from snakebite and from poison. Do these things still happen today? * * * In the oldest Greek manuscripts, Mark 16 ends at verse 8. The rest of the chapter has some ancient textual authority, however, and it is consistent with other New Testament teaching. Anyone who quotes Mark 16:15-16 should accept verses 17-18 as equally genuine. Jesus is not here describing "Reverend Barnum's … [Read more...]
WHAT IS THE GIFT OF TONGUES?
A gracEmail subscriber who goes to other countries to preach wishes that he had the gift of tongues, so he would not need a translator. A different subscriber asks what is meant by the New Testament gift of tongues. * * * Scripture speaks of supernaturally-empowered languages (glossai = tongues) both human and angelic (1 Cor. 13:1). We see examples of divinely-given human language at Pentecost (Acts 2), at Cornelius' house (Acts 10) and perhaps at Ephesus (Acts 19). Angelic language seemingly is a metaphor for a supernatural prayer vocabulary. This grace-gift (charisma), facilitates praise … [Read more...]
HEARING THE MASTER’S VOICE (2)
I recently reported briefly on the Jack Deere meeting on Friday evening, January 1997, at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Houston, at the conclusion of which the speaker invited persons with several specific sicknesses or infirmities to come to the altar for prayer that God would heal them. One preacher who read my report responded with a question, to which I replied, prompting another question and another answer. Because this questioning brother speaks for many believers these days, I share his questions and my answers, as follows. * * * Q: I'm admittedly skeptical. Did the people … [Read more...]
HEARING THE MASTER’S VOICE (1)
I had the pleasure this past weekend [January 1997] of attending a series of spiritual renewal meetings led by Dr. Jack Deere (author of Surprised by the Power of the Spirit and Surprised by the Voice of God), at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church here in Houston. Located in the heart of the posh River Oaks community, the epicenter of Houston's "old wealth," St. John's is a Christ-centered congregation led by Rector Larry Hall, who is a strong evangelical and a brother with a sweet Christlike spirit. I have had the privilege since 1982 of guest teaching adult Sunday School classes on … [Read more...]
DOES PRAYER EVEN MATTER?
A gracEmail subscriber writes: "Recently my dad died at age 62. A month later, my best friend died at age 37, leaving a widow and a three-year-old daughter. Many Christians in many places were praying for both men to survive and to be healed. It seems like God has an appointed day for our deaths. If so, what good does it do to pray?" * * * The question you raise is one of the oldest in recorded human history and also one of the most inexplicable. In a world where evil exists (and death is the ultimate earthly evil because it is both total and final so far as our present bodily existence is … [Read more...]
A PRAYER
Blessed Lord Jesus, Who, with contagious wholeness, touched the lepers; with glory imminent, washed the disciples feet; with a peasant lad's lunch satisfied the multitude; with a heart of compassion commanded stinking dead Lazarus to leave his grave alive again; Who, hearing on the cross the taunt "save yourself and us," and, knowing it had to be one or the other, chose to die that we might be saved; Mercifully accept our praise, our petitions and our intercessions for others: Please give to us all the faith, grace, love and hope that will make us more like you. May our … [Read more...]