January 2012 New Horizons

Facing the Charismatic Challenge

by George W. Knight III

One of the most important differences between the Reformed, and the Pentecostals and some charismatics, is the belief of the latter that the book of Acts is our guide for the special gifts and that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as it appears in Acts, occurs as a special act subsequent to regeneration by the Spirit. They cite Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41) and the events involving the Samaritans (Acts 8:14–25), Cornelius (Acts 10:1–11:18), and John’s disciples in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–7). They claim that in these passages people who are already regarded as disciples are then baptized by the Holy Spirit, and that this is the model for the Christian today. However, there was a unique reason for the timing of the baptism by the Holy Spirit in each case, and thus these passages do not provide a general model that we should try to emulate today. Pentecost (Acts 2) The Pentecost experience itself fulfills Jesus’ words to his disciples that they would receive “the promise of the ... Read more

Pentecost and True Spirituality

by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.

What is spirituality, true spirituality? What is it that makes a person genuinely “spiritual”? How do you recognize such a person? How can you tell if you are spiritual? Ours is a time very much preoccupied with questions like these. Oprah Winfrey’s great popularity is apparently explained in large part because she has convinced many that she has found true spirituality—by freeing herself, she believes, from her repressive Christian upbringing—and she is ready to share with you how you can find it for yourself. The interest of screen star Richard Gere and others in the Dalai Lama runs much deeper than a concern for the freedom and political rights of the Tibetan people. Many are drawn to him as a religious leader because they believe he embodies and knows the way to authentic spirituality. When we inquire into the specifics of contemporary claims like these, the answers forthcoming tend to be fairly vague, but a couple of things come through quite clearly: spirituality is personal ... Read more

Are Charismatic Gifts for Today?

by David W. King

We speak of “charismatic gifts” because Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, speaks of the charismata (the Greek plural of charisma , meaning “free and gracious gift”) given by the Holy Spirit. These are miraculous gifts, not possessed by any person apart from the Spirit’s giving them. “Charismatic” Christians claim that they receive and use charismatic gifts. Other Christians believe that the Holy Spirit stopped giving miraculous gifts after the time of the apostles, and that modern-day “charismatics” are wrong. Obviously when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, the Spirit was giving these gifts. Is there any biblical reason to believe he stopped giving them and has not started doing so again? Charismatic gifts passed from the life of the church after the age of the apostles. Down through the centuries, groups here and there have claimed power to prophesy and work miracles—all of them promoting false, unbiblical teachings of one sort or another. The modern Pentecostal movement began in the ... Read more

Trusting God in Illness

To: JuneMcrea@ustel.com From: pam.garrish4@eglobus.com Hi June, You don’t know me, but, according to your sister Rose, you’ve been praying for me for several weeks. I have lots of questions about breast cancer. Rose suggested I e-mail you directly. So, you’re OK now? Really? It seems as if a lot of people know someone who has survived breast cancer. I had my mastectomy last week. I also had the beginning of breast reconstruction—a breast implant. Who would have pictured someone as “down home” as me with an implant? That’s for self-absorbed actresses, not moms. But I’m told that the implant will help give me a sense of normalcy, even if it clearly isn’t normal. The surgeon says that one of the lymph nodes in my armpit shows some cancer, so I’m scheduled for chemo to wipe the cancer out. How bad is chemo? Thanks for your help. Pam *     *     *     *     * To: ... Read more