Subject: TKO, does God operate differently today? |
Bible Note: Ok, I'm back. Now on to something of substance. Acts 8:13-24 does not say that the laying-on of hands by an apostle is the only way to receive the Holy Spirit. It just says that in this instance that's when it happened. It doesn't say that the laying-on of hands caused the Holy Spirit to be given. It says that in this case the gift of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by the laying-on of hands. I certainly don't have to admit that the Holy Spirit of today is in some way inferior to what he was in the first century. God is immutable; that includes the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12 makes very clear that gifts are given for building up the body of Christ. That work has not stopped, neither has the need for the gifts of the Spirit to do the work, neither has the giving of gifts. There is no passage anywhere in the Bible that says the Holy Spirit disappeared or changed and there is no passage in the Bible that says the gifts are no longer given. Until you can present some kind of biblical authority for this teaching, it is of no value to a Christian. I'm sorry you've never seen the Holy Spirit at work; I'm sorry you've never witnessed his gifts in action. I have. I know I have because the Bible describes the gifts and their purpose and I have seen the gifts applied to that purpose. The gifts are not meant to impress men so I have never desired to speak in tongues. God will equip me for what he wants me to do. If he needs me to speak in tongues, I'm sure I will. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |