What’s Wrong with Songs that Worship the Holy Spirit?
(Part 1: Questions People Ask About the Holy Spirit)
There are not a lot of worship songs directed to the Holy Spirit. The Bible never says we would worship the Holy Spirit, but is it okay?
Category Archives: Holy Spirit
What Questions do you (or Others) Have About the Holy Spirit?
I am writing a series on my blog called called “Questions People Ask about the Holy Spirit” (#HSQuestions). You can see current posts in the series here. Can you help me out by submitting your questions below? Thanks! (Feel free to share a link to this form with other people as well!)
Should Pentecostals talk about the Spirit on Pentecost Sunday?
Pentecost Sunday is coming soon. Did you even know? If you are Pentecostal, probably not. Yet, I have heard some Pentecostals complain when their pastor hasn’t mentioned Pentecost on Pentecost Sunday. Is this a problem? Not Liturgical Most Pentecostal churches I know aren’t liturgical. The closest they come to following the liturgical calendar is celebrating Christmas and Easter. […]
3 Ways People Misunderstand Tongues as “Initial Evidence” of Spirit Baptism
Classical Pentecostals typically affirm that “the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.”[1] I frequently encounter Christians, including those from Pentecostal churches, who misunderstand the intent of the “initial evidence” doctrine. Some people object to the initial evidence doctrine by saying that there […]
PAOC Clergy on Tongues and Spirit Baptism: Changing Views
Yesterday I had a journal article published: “Changing Conceptions of Speaking in Tongues and Spirit Baptism Among Canadian Pentecostal Clergy,” with Adam Stewart and Kevin Shanahan. Canadian Journal of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity 7 (2016): 1-24. In the same volume, you can find responses to my article from PAOC General Superintendent David Wells, Randy Holm, and Van Johnson, […]
My Two New Publications on the Holy Spirit
This past week I received a publication notice for my article, “The Holy Spirit and Eschatology—with Implications for Ministry and the Doctrine of Spirit Baptism,” in the Journal of Pentecostal Theology (vol. 25.2, 2016, pages 203-221). In the article I first outline the biblical connection between the Holy Spirit and eschatology, I then explain how this can shape one’s understanding […]
Reflections on the PAOC book, “NEXUS: Where Theology and Mission Meet”
In December 2015 the PAOC released another small book. Overall, I was encouraged by the key theme running through this book—theology and mission must and do meet. However, I will focus here on some specific points that stuck with me. Pentecostals and Experience There is no doubt that at the core of Pentecostalism are experiences […]
Pentecost: More than Acts 1:8
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8). For some Christians, this text is all that defines Pentecost. However, Pentecost was a fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies. Hence, to properly understand the significance of Pentecost, one must begin with the Old Testament expectations of the future coming of the […]
The Spirit of Power and Love: Jonathan Edwards and Pentecostals on the Spirit (and Holiness)
SPIRIT AS LOVE Jonathan Edwards’s can assist Pentecostals to further develop their understanding of the Holy Spirit. Edwards believes that Scripture confirms his view that the Spirit is the love of God. 1 John 4:8 states that “God is love,” which implies, for Edwards, that “the divine nature and essence does subsist in love.” […]
There is No Such Thing as Spiritual Gifts (Kind of)
Have you ever read a book or heard a sermon on the so-called “spiritual gifts.” There is actually no such thing. Go ahead. Search your Bible. You won’t find the phrase “spiritual gifts” anywhere. Okay. You found it? But it isn’t in the original Greek language (the language that the New Testament was first written […]