For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV
What exactly do I mean when I say I am committed to "Word and Power"? This is an important question because this is a phrase that if not defined carefully, can produce confusion. So I thought I would take the time to explain what I am trying to communicate. So let me take a little time to explain.
So what is "Word" about Word and Power? Basically, I am an ultra-conservative, Evangelical Christian. I believe in doctrinal absolutes. I believe that the Bible is God's Word and is inspired, infallible, and inerrant. I believe in the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way to be saved. I believe in expository preaching, preferably verse-by-verse. I believe that theology matters and that doctrinal ambiguity is a curse.
What is "Power" about Word and Power? That means that I am a biblical Charismatic. I believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit available in the first century are still available today. I deny the teaching of cessationism. But I am not simply a theoretical continuationist who doesn't make any effort to pray for and expect the gifts to function. I believe in a robust, expectant, and practicing Charismatic expression. I also believe that experience is a good thing, when it does not function above the Bible in a Christian's life. I believe that the presence of the Kingdom of God today means that believers can pray for, and expect God to work through signs and wonders.
I think that it has been a real tragedy that some churches are only committed to sound doctrine and substantive preaching, while functionally denying the power of the Spirit that is designed to accompany it (Acts 1:8). Similarly, I believe it is a tragedy that other churches seek for manifestations of the Spirit for their own sake. These churches devalue the preaching of the Gospel and Scripture. They are either indifferent to theology, or teach flaky and sub-biblical doctrines. I believe that God meant for these two elements to exist harmoniously and side-by-side (1 Thessalonians 1:4,5). Clearly though, the Word is primary. The power accompanies the Word, and never the other way around.
I think at this point I should also take some time to clarify what I do and do not mean when I use the word "Charismatic." What I DO mean by the word "charismatic" would include the following:
-The word "charismatic" is derived from the Greek word charismata or "grace gifts".
-All of the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit mentioned and/or described in the pages of the New Testament are still valid and operative today being sovereignly distributed by the Holy Spirit as He wills. These gifts include, but are not limited to apostles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking with tongues and interpretation, healings, and miracles (Acts 2:16-21; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Ephesians 4:11-16).
-These gifts, along with the more "non-spectacular" gifts (administration, helps, teaching, etc...), are given for the purpose of building up the Church and displaying God's glory in Her as She functions as a body (1 Corinthians 12-14).
-These gifts will only pass away after the return of Jesus to the earth and the bringing in of the perfect state and the full maturity of the Church (1 Corinthians 1:7; 13:8-13; Ephesians 4:11-16).
-I believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is theologically distinct from regeneration, or being born again. While all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, which brings about the New Birth and causes growth in holiness, the New Testament also describes a separate experience which should be sought by Christians for the purpose of empowering them for witness in fulfilling the Great Commission (Acts 1:6-8; 2:1-21, 39; 8:12-17; 19:1-6).
-This experience can either happen simultaneous to, or after conversion (Acts 10:44-48; 19:1-6).
-This experience of Spirit Baptism is usually (though not always) accompanied by some physical manifestation which can include speaking with tongues and prophesying.
-With the inauguration of the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus' first advent, and especially in His resurrection and ascension (which fulfills the covenant with David), believers can now be empowered to perform signs and wonders to witness to the power of the Christian faith and gain a hearing for the Gospel (John 14:12; Acts 3:1-26; Romans 15:17-19).
-The Gospels and the book of Acts can and should be taken as paradigms for ministry today. However, they should never be read and/or applied in such a way as to functionally nullify the teaching portions of the New Testament epistles.
-I believe that physical reactions do often accompany powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit. However, these phenomena must never draw attention to themselves, nor disrupt the order of the Church's gatherings, nor become the litmus test for discerning whether the Holy Spirit is really working. The fruit of the Spirit must be primary.
What I do NOT mean by charismatic:
-As mentioned before, I do not mean a primarily theoretical continuationism that is so afraid of excess that it quenches the Spirit. The gifts were given for a reason. God desires that we use them (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 14:1).
-I deny the "health, wealth, and prosperity" teaching. God does not promise perfect health or financial blessings to Christians who simply "positively confess" them.
-I deny that any gift of the Holy Spirit, but particularly prophecy, is intended to functionally usurp the sufficiency and finality of the Bible in the life of the Church or the individual Christian. The Bible and the Bible alone (sola scriptura) is the only infallible and final authority.
-I deny that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit teaching creates any kind of "two-class" Christianity where those Spirit baptized are more spiritual or more favored than those who are not.
-I deny that performing signs and wonders takes away the responsibility of Christians to maintain sound doctrine and live holy and loving lives.
-I deny that miracles or manifestations are the only evidence that the Spirit of God has moved. The Holy Spirit moves through a number of different avenues, especially through the preached Word of God, and in the Fruit of the Spirit, in addition to the miraculous.
