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    What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? A Crucial Consideration of the Ministry and Message of John the Baptist
    What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? A Crucial Consideration of the Ministry and Message of John the Baptist
    What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? A Crucial Consideration of the Ministry and Message of John the Baptist
    Ebook91 pages1 hour

    What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? A Crucial Consideration of the Ministry and Message of John the Baptist

    By Jan Blonk

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    A much-needed and crucial consideration!

    Luke wrote that John the Baptist was “filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” What was John’s message and practical advice to his audience? Whatever it was, it was an expression of being filled with God’s Spirit.

    Since the Bible is our final authority regarding all matters of doctrine and practical living, we must resort to God’s word in order to find out what it means to be filled with God’s Spirit. What are the obvious ingredients of a Spirit-filled ministry and message?

    "What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?" examines John’s ministry and message as a Biblical expression of being filled with God’s Spirit. While it certainly isn’t an exhaustive treatment, it will give you clear indicators that will help you test everything and hold fast to what is good.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJan Blonk
    Release dateJan 15, 2020
    ISBN9780463162071
    What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? A Crucial Consideration of the Ministry and Message of John the Baptist
    Author

    Jan Blonk

    Are you looking for Christ-centered devotionals, encouraging your faith and walk with Jesus?As a writer, I love to take a Bible verse and dive into its truth and application, especially how it relates to and testifies of Jesus. The Bible is the grand testimony of the person and work of Jesus Christ. He said: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (John 5:39).The goal in all my devotional writing is to explore His beauty, excellence, and glory, for the Christian life is about growing in "the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).I was born and raised in the Netherlands. My Dutch name, Jan, is the equivalent to John and is pronounced "yawn." When I was 19, I entered the U.S. and volunteered at Times Square Church for one year, working on the Raven Truck and at The Upper Room, reaching out to the homeless.When I returned home, I started my external undergraduate degree program with Global University (at that time known as ICI University), while working at the Salvation Army at a homeless shelter in Rotterdam.In 2001, I had the opportunity to pursue my graduate degree program on a work scholarship in Florida. I taught various Biblical and theological subjects at the seminary for six years.I got married to Rachel in 2007 and we have two children. We reside in the Daytona Beach area and attend Christ Community Church.All my books are used as a fundraiser for the spread of the gospel. The featured ministry receives 75% of the royalties: www.thecauseofchrist.com

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      What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit? A Crucial Consideration of the Ministry and Message of John the Baptist - Jan Blonk

      INTRODUCTION

      I have a rather colorful denominational background for which I’m grateful. God isn’t boxed into a particular denomination. The story goes: while Peter was leading a group of newly arrived believers around in heaven, he told them to be quiet at one particular door, because the Christians from that denomination believed they were the only ones in glory.

      Charles Spurgeon, who passionately held to the five points of Calvinism, once said: Far be it for me to imagine that Zion contains none but Calvinistic Christians within her walls, or that there are none saved who do not hold our views.

      George Whitefield and John Wesley held opposing views on the doctrine of election. Yet, both did great exploits for Christ and His kingdom. In an article entitled, Faith of Our Fathers: Scenes from Church History, we read about them: Although the relationship between the two men was thus strained, their love and respect for each other was never quenched. It was John Wesley, who was to outlive Whitefield by twenty-one years, who gave him the most generous tribute as he gently chided his friend who asked, ‘Do you think we shall see Mr. Whitefield in heaven?’ Wesley replied, ‘No, sir, I fear not. Mr. Whitefield will be so near the Throne and we at such distance we shall hardly get sight of him.’

      That is the right attitude we should have when dealing with theologically controversial subjects. The command to count others more significant than yourself (Phil. 2:3) is still part of God’s will when we relate to believers in Christ who hold to different or opposing views.

      Throughout my colorful denominational background, I have come to the position of holding to reformed theology and believing in the continuation of the gifts of the Spirit. Fortunately for me, quite a few respected preachers and theologians are known for that same combination to a lesser or greater degree, like Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Piper, Wayne Grudem, D.A. Carson, Sam Storms, etc.

      That brings me to the reason for this book: while I do believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that doesn’t mean that I just automatically accept anything that’s claimed as coming from the Holy Spirit. Far from it! There’s so much out there that’s promoted as inspired by the Holy Spirit that is either way out in left field or not even part of the game. Thus, the main question that this book attempts to address is: what does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What are the ingredients?

      It’s an extremely sobering reality that Christians can be so deceived that they believe they are rich, have prospered, and are in need of nothing, while not realizing that they are, according to Jesus, wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17). Before we quickly think of others that way, it will do us well to say with the disciples: Is it I? (Mark 14:19).

      Importantly, though, while Jesus strongly rebuked the church in Laodicea, He did it from love: Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. In the next verse, He expressed His desire to have genuine fellowship with these Christ-less believers: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (Rev. 3:19-20). Isn’t that astounding and an expression of His grace and mercy, which we should take to heart?

      Since there’s nothing new under the sun, we can also consider the sobering story of Ahab and the four hundred prophets. They prophesied prosperity and victory, while only one hated prophet expressed God’s truth, which was His coming judgment (see 1 Kings 22:1-40).

      Whenever we encounter significant theological differences, we should take Paul’s rule to heart: For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation (Gal. 6:15). When we encounter Christians with different theological convictions, our main rule should be to recognize them as a brothers and sisters in Christ, those for whom He died.

      If someone is a new creation, we’re called to love the brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17) and be genuine in doing so. Obviously, that also includes speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), since a passion for God’s truth and authentic love for others go hand in hand.

      Additionally, we must take Peter’s warning to heart: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words (2 Peter 2:1-3).

      Thus, we must resort to the Scriptures as our final (and only!) authority. The Bible is God’s word with respect to all matters of doctrine and practice. That includes all theological convictions and Holy Spirit inspired claims. Everything must be tested by God’s word.

      We shouldn’t, however, presume that we are the final arbitrator and have the only correct interpretation of the Scriptures. Rather, we should approach God’s word with humility and pray with David: "Lead me in your truth and teach

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