Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? takes you to the heart of one of the most dividing questions in the Church today: how are the Holy Spirit’s miracles at work among God's people now? Is he still actively giving the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing that fill the book of Acts? Is he driving out demons when Christians command them to flee? Or are these events confined to the time of the early church and the apostles? This volume of the Counterpoints series provides an impartial format for comparing the four main positions on present-day miracles (including the history and distinctions between the three positions that affirm miraculous gifts) with voice also given to a large sector of open-but-cautious evangelicals: Cessationist: there are no miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit today. Pentecostal: gifts are intended for today, with certain nuances focused on baptism and speaking in tongues. Charismatic: gifts are intended for today and should be actively practiced. Third Wave: gifts are intended for today, with greater emphasis on baptism and less on tongues. This thought-provoking book will help Christians on every side of the miraculous gifts debate to better understand their own position and the positions of others. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.
Miraculous Gifts is a discussion of spiritual gifts in light of the basic differences between cessationalism and Pentecostalism. Many studies of this issue are written from a primarily theological perspective, and while theological arguments are valid, charismatics assert that this controversy concerns "biblical" gifts and miracles, and is therefore a matter of 'faith' to believe their claims, with theological arguments proving unsatisfactory. The fundamental question is, "Is this what the Bible discusses; is it biblical?" Miraculous Gifts attempts to answer that question by providing a biblically-based analysis of spiritual gifts in view of the charismatic controversy.
Tongues! Signs! Wonders! Are they operative in the church today? Samuel E. Waldron builds a systematic case for the complete cessation of the miraculous gifts as well as the offices of apostle and prophet. Building an insurmountable argument step by step, he shows that the Bible is quite clear on this issue. If you are struggling to come to grips with what the Bible says on this most important and oftentimes confusing topic, then this book is essential reading.
This thought-provoking book presents the four major views of miraculous gifts today and will help Christians on every side of the miraculous gifts debate to better understand their own position and the positions of others.
The Holy Spirit Wants to Work Through You! Because of division over these controversial questions, many Christians have embraced a major deception about the Holy Spirit—that He is no longer powerfully at work in the world today. Randy Clark has been an eyewitness to the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and a key participant in watching Him powerfully transform lives across the Earth. This easy-to-read guide equips everyday believers to understand and activate the Spirit’s power in their lives today. The Essential Guide to the Power of the Holy Spirit will help you: Discover the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are still in operation and available to you today Recognize an authentic move of God in your church, community, and life Understand how miracles, signs, and wonders play a key role in you sharing the Gospel To fulfill your destiny, you must unlock the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. He is God on the Earth and He wants to use you to release His Kingdom today!
Miraculous Gifts is a discussion of spiritual gifts in light of the basic differences between cessationalism and Pentecostalism. Many studies of this issue are written from a primarily theological perspective, and while theological arguments are valid, charismatics assert that this controversy concerns ÒbiblicalÓ gifts and miracles, and is therefore a matter of 'faith' to believe their claims, with theological arguments proving unsatisfactory. The fundamental question is, ÒIs this what the Bible discusses; is it biblical?Ó Miraculous Gifts attempts to answer that question by providing a biblically-based analysis of spiritual gifts in view of the charismatic controversy.
This collection of essays explores the legacy of the Reformation with regard to the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Following the five-hundredth anniversary of Luther's posting of his ninety-five theses, these essays consider this legacy with particular reference to the work of Martin Luther and John Calvin, as well as broader Reformation themes as they are related to pneumatology and the life of the church today. The contribution of this collection is to tease out and reflect on pneumatology historically but also to relate these findings to contemporary discussions, especially among scholars of pentecostal and charismatic Christianity. Together these essays invite readers to appreciate the contribution that the Protestant Reformation makes to life in the Holy Spirit today, as well as offering critical and constructive reflection on this theme. It is a timely and significant contribution to the discussions of the person and work of the Holy Spirit and the church.
This book the fourth of four volumes "Spiritual Gifts For Today" deals with the Power Gifts; Faith, Healing, and Miracles. These are without doubt the most spectacular of all of the nine gifts of the Spirit. When functioning under the anointing of the Holy Spirit the results are outstanding though not always instant. Some questions may arise concerning THE POWER GIFTS SUCH AS: Is faith the same as the gift of Faith? Does God still heal multitudes as in the early church? Is the day of miracles past? These questions and many more are answered in "Spiritual Gifts for Today." Gerda Brown a seasoned teacher for 60 years proves that the power gifts are still necessary for the church and in the world today. The world is in great turmoil with murders, crime, and uprisings taking place daily in many countries, and it takes the Power Gifts both inside and outside of the church to make an impact for the better. The natural man cannot understand how it will come to pass but the Holy Spirit will, if we let him help us to enter into the territory of the miraculous."
If You Believe Miraculous Gifts Have Ceased, You’re in for a Big Surprise! What caused a former Dallas Seminary professor to believe that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are being given today? What convinced someone skeptical about miracles that God still speaks and heals? A dramatic change took place in Jack Deere’s life when he took a fresh look at the Scriptures. He discovered that his arguments against miraculous gifts were based more on prejudice and lack of personal experience than on the Bible. As soon as Deere became a seeker instead of a skeptic, the Holy Spirit revealed himself in new and surprising ways. In Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, Deere provides a strong biblical defense for the Spirit’s speaking and healing ministries today. He also describes several reliable cases of people who were miraculously healed or who heard God speak in an unmistakable way. Finally, he gives sound advice for using spiritual gifts in the church. Written in a popular style, with the care of a scholar but the passion of personal experience, this book explores: - The real reason Christians do not believe in miraculous gifts - Responding to Charismatic abuses - Were miracles meant to be temporary? - Why God still heals "‘Must’ reading for all Bible-believing Christians. I wish with all my heart I could place it in the hands of every conservative evangelical." - James Robison, Life Outreach International
The Bible teaches us that we are to be filled with God's Spirit and that God's presence and grace is manifested among his people as they serve, love, and minister to one another. Yet some of the gifts that God offers to his people aren't commonly seen in many churches today. Gifts of prophecy, healing, tongues, and other supernatural gifts of God seem to be absent, and many Christians are unsure how to cultivate an atmosphere where God's Spirit can work while remaining committed to the foundational truth of God's Word. How can Christians pursue and implement the miraculous gifts of the Spirit without falling into fanatical excess and splitting the church in the process? In Practicing the Power, pastor and author Sam Storms offers practical steps to understanding and exercising spiritual gifts in a way that remains grounded in the word and centered in the gospel. With examples drawn from his forty years of ministry as a pastor and teachers, Storms offers a guidebook that can help pastors, elders, and church members understand what changes are needed to see God move in supernatural power and to guard against excess and abuse of the spiritual gifts. If you long to see God's Spirit move in your church and life, and aren't sure why that isn't happening or where to begin, this book is for you.
What caused a former Dallas Seminary professor to believe that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are being given today? What convinced someone skeptical about miracles that God still speaks and heals? A dramatic change took place in Jack Deere’s life when he took a fresh look at the Scriptures. He discovered that his cherished arguments against miraculous gifts were based more on prejudice and a lack of personal experience than on the Bible. As soon as Deere became a seeker instead of a skeptic, the Holy Spirit revealed himself in new and surprising ways. In Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, Jack Deere provides a strong biblical defense for the Spirit’s speaking and healing ministries today. He also describes several reliable cases of people who were miraculously healed or who heard God speak in an unmistakable way. Finally, he gives sound advice for using spiritual gifts in the church. Written in popular style-with the care of a scholar but the passion of personal experience-this book is a vital resource for people on both sides of the debate about miraculous gifts.
Should Christianity's theological face remain largely European and North American in the twenty-first century in the wake of the expansion of Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America? The question about the theological face of Christianity cannot be ignored. For too long African, Asian, and Latin American theologians have been left out of mainstream theological discussions. Few standard textbooks on Christian theology acknowledge the unique contributions theologians from these continents have made to global Christianity. Introducing Christian Theologies: Voices from Global Christian Communities is a two-volume textbook that alters the predominantly European and North American theological face of Christianity by interacting with the voices of Christian communities from around the globe. Introducing Christian Theologies explores the works of key theologians from across the globe, highlighting their unique contributions to Christian theology and doctrine.
