Word and Spirit

Acts 2:42-47 paints perhaps the most breath-taking, awe-inspiring picture of New Testament church life. There are at least 10 key elements that comprised their life together first of which was a devotion to the apostle’s teaching, essentially Scripture as we know it. Now for those of us who are more on the charismatic side (the “without a seatbelt” version), we should pay very close attention. One of the first passions birthed in the heart of one who has just been baptized in the Holy Spirit, should be a red-hot devotion to Scripture. Not a casual assent to where you quote (or misquote) random verses, but to be devoted to it…dedicated to it…faithful to it.  

I think this is a beautiful picture of Word and Spirit. Clearly the Word teaches us about the Holy Spirit and how we can be clothed with power from upon high (Joel 2; John 14, 16; Luke 24; Acts 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 & 19 to name a few spots). To be faithful to Scripture, you can’t disregard the present day empowerment of the Holy Spirit. On the same token, if you love what the Holy Spirit does and are experiencing continual fillings of the Holy Spirit, you will find yourself loving Scripture more and more. A passion for Scripture and a passion for the Holy Spirit absolutely go together. This is what the early church found to be true. It confuses me, actually, that people try to separate the two. For example, in one aisle you have the word camp and in the other aisle you have the spirit camp and somehow they are diametrically apposed to one another. On the contrary, they are on the same team!  

So if you are all word and no spirit (you know what I mean), try living out a bit more of what the Bible says. I challenge you to read Acts 8, 9, 10 and 19 in one setting and ask yourself, “Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit automatic? Is it a gradual experience?” If you’re more on the spirit side and give little attention to the reading and study of scripture, I challenge you to read John 14 and 16 as well as Acts 1 and 2 and ask yourself, “What is the purpose and effect of being filled with the Holy Spirit? Am I experiencing these things?”