Why isn’t the Holy Spirit mentioned much?

[MennoSota]

Another way of not letting the Holy Spirit guide you and tell you. Bottom line is that the the Spirit should be allowed to operate freely in a service but most dont

Read what you wrote, 91. Do you imagine the Spirit can be stopped from acting freely? If the Spirit wills, the Spirit does.
Scripture says we can grieve the Spirit, but it never says we can keep the Spirit from acting freely.
Do you think the Spirit is grieved by "faith healers" claiming to heal in Jesus name? Do you think the Spirit is grieved by people working so hard to speak in tongues that they miss out on the opportunities God has already placed before them?
If we want to experience God, then experience Him in His Word and let what He tells us manifest itself in what we do. No one, outside of a little group, will be impressed with unintelligent babble. Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians. It is better to prophesy than to speak in tongues. What is prophesy? It is forth-telling the Word of God. Where is the Word? It's in the Bible. All that is ever needed is right there for us. Spend time in it and be filled by the Spirit.

 

[MennoSota]

Same difference, there should never be fear of anything in a church. There should only be Spirit filled Spirit led people doing as God wishes in His service.

What does that look like? Read Religious Affections. Jonathan Edwards lived through the greatest revival to ever touch North America. He has some great insight we can learn.

 

[psalms 91]

Read what you wrote, 91. Do you imagine the Spirit can be stopped from acting freely? If the Spirit wills, the Spirit does.
Scripture says we can grieve the Spirit, but it never says we can keep the Spirit from acting freely.
Do you think the Spirit is grieved by "faith healers" claiming to heal in Jesus name? Do you think the Spirit is grieved by people working so hard to speak in tongues that they miss out on the opportunities God has already placed before them?
If we want to experience God, then experience Him in His Word and let what He tells us manifest itself in what we do. No one, outside of a little group, will be impressed with unintelligent babble. Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians. It is better to prophesy than to speak in tongues. What is prophesy? It is forth-telling the Word of God. Where is the Word? It's in the Bible. All that is ever needed is right there for us. Spend time in it and be filled by the Spirit.

You ignore God speaking to people and having people prophesy. As for babble my understanding of toungues is that if toungues come forth in a service then there should be interpretation of toungues, in private is a different matter for the spirit can give us utterance when we know not what to pray for.

 

[psalms 91]

What does that look like? Read Religious Affections. Jonathan Edwards lived through the greatest revival to ever touch North America. He has some great insight we can learn.

That looks like what God says it will.

 

[TangledWeb]

One thing I’ve noticed in Evangelical churches is the lack of the mentioning of the Holy Spirit as much as the Father or the Son. This thought is brought on since a Bible someone I know criticized Eastern Orthodoxy for focusing more on the Holy Spirit than Jesus which doesn’t make sense because the Holy Trinity is 3 in one.

Why would your church be criticized for focusing more on the Holy Spirit?

 

[MennoSota]

You ignore God speaking to people and having people prophesy. As for babble my understanding of toungues is that if toungues come forth in a service then there should be interpretation of toungues, in private is a different matter for the spirit can give us utterance when we know not what to pray for.

God spoke in His word. It finished with the Apostles.
Mohammed claimed to receive a word from God. Joseph Smith claimed to receive a word from God. False prophet after false prophet has claimed an extraordinary word from God (as if God's Word in the Bible isn't sufficient).
I have been to many churches that promote speaking in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Spirit. In none of those churches did the leader stop and require an interpretation of the many people babbling in the service. I've seen people flopping in the aisle and wiggling around as they babble away. Honestly, it looks and feels like demon possession to me. The person calls attention to themselves in a display of "look at me being spiritual."
What value is tongues in private? A persin has no clue what s/he is saying to God so s/he can't even have a unity with the Spirit. It's all just for that person to feel prideful about some experience that doesn't require faith. Literally anyone can imitate it and no one would be the wiser. In fact, the others would be impressed with how "spiritual" the person is.
The Holy Spirit doesn't function that way. Look into God's word and see how the Spirit works from Genesis 1 to Revelation. His role is so much greater than babbling people claiming to be Spirit filled.

 

[MennoSota]

That looks like what God says it will.

Have you read Religious Affections? Please do so.

 

[MennoSota]

@ George
What does the OP say is the role and function of the Holy Spirit?

 

[psalms 91]

God spoke in His word. It finished with the Apostles.
Mohammed claimed to receive a word from God. Joseph Smith claimed to receive a word from God. False prophet after false prophet has claimed an extraordinary word from God (as if God's Word in the Bible isn't sufficient).
I have been to many churches that promote speaking in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Spirit. In none of those churches did the leader stop and require an interpretation of the many people babbling in the service. I've seen people flopping in the aisle and wiggling around as they babble away. Honestly, it looks and feels like demon possession to me. The person calls attention to themselves in a display of "look at me being spiritual."
What value is tongues in private? A persin has no clue what s/he is saying to God so s/he can't even have a unity with the Spirit. It's all just for that person to feel prideful about some experience that doesn't require faith. Literally anyone can imitate it and no one would be the wiser. In fact, the others would be impressed with how "spiritual" the person is.
The Holy Spirit doesn't function that way. Look into God's word and see how the Spirit works from Genesis 1 to Revelation. His role is so much greater than babbling people claiming to be Spirit filled.

That is your belief not mine. I know for a fact that God speaks today not that you will believe that. I do not believe that anything God has done has ceased for today nor will I so I say carry on with your beliefs and I will with what I know to be true.

 

[psalms 91]

Have you read Religious Affections? Please do so.

I read the bible does that count? Why would I choose to read a book that goes against my beleifs although I have done so at times just so I could understand where people were coming from. I amtired of defending my beliefs as I have many times over the years as I have been on message boards for a long time. Truth is that I will not change your mind and you will not change mine. What you believe will not affect salvation at all it just limits how God can work and speak to you is all.

 

[Albion]

Same difference, there should never be fear of anything in a church. There should only be Spirit filled Spirit led people doing as God wishes in His service.

Sounds good, but it cannot be right that they do just anything, whether legitimate or not, Biblical or not...so long as they say "the Spirit led me to do it."

 

[MennoSota]

That is your belief not mine. I know for a fact that God speaks today not that you will believe that. I do not believe that anything God has done has ceased for today nor will I so I say carry on with your beliefs and I will with what I know to be true.

Of course God speaks. It's all there in the Bible.
If God still has prophets, then start adding to the canon of scripture like Muhammad and Smith have done. Otherwise be content with what God has already shared.

 

[psalms 91]

Of course God speaks. It's all there in the Bible.
If God still has prophets, then start adding to the canon of scripture like Muhammad and Smith have done. Otherwise be content with what God has already shared.

So you are saying there is no more prophecy and that God doesnt speak through His Holy Spirit anymore, does that sum up your position? If so then I will leave you to your belief and hope that God can show you the error.

 

[MennoSota]

I read the bible does that count? Why would I choose to read a book that goes against my beleifs although I have done so at times just so I could understand where people were coming from. I amtired of defending my beliefs as I have many times over the years as I have been on message boards for a long time. Truth is that I will not change your mind and you will not change mine. What you believe will not affect salvation at all it just limits how God can work and speak to you is all.

Do you imagine that Edwards, for whom there is no theological equal in North America, didn't read his Bible? 91, Edwards had a better understanding of the Holy Spirit than you or I will ever hope to have.
If Edwards book goes against what you believe (at this point you have no clue if it does or not) then it is highly likely that what you believe is not what the Bible teaches.

 

[psalms 91]

Sounds good, but it cannot be right that they do just anything, whether legitimate or not, Biblical or not...so long as they say "the Spirit led me to do it."

I think God cvan sort that out and deal with those whoabuse it also we should be able to discern what is genuine, we have the Holy Spirit do we not and He leads us into all truth which also means He will show us falsehood

 

[psalms 91]

Do you imagine that Edwards, for whom there is no theological equal in North America, didn't read his Bible? 91, Edwards had a better understanding of the Holy Spirit than you or I will ever hope to have.
If Edwards book goes against what you believe (at this point you have no clue if it does or not) then it is highly likely that what you believe is not what the Bible teaches.

While I dont have titles on hand at the moment I am sure any search on a site like Christian Book Distributors could turn up many books that would oppose his view. You see, most books are written with the denominational slant that they are taught so no I dont necessarily acccept them as accurate. I do look at movements like the Brownsville revival, the Toronto blessing, Azuza street and I look at what made them great and what transpired and then I see how God works. So yes, I will stack my beliefs against his any day.

 

[Albion]

I think God cvan sort that out and deal with those whoabuse it also we should be able to discern what is genuine, we have the Holy Spirit do we not and He leads us into all truth which also means He will show us falsehood

Leads us into all truth isn't exactly correct when put that way. The HS will lead THE CHURCH into all truth, and that doesn't mean that even it will not make mistakes along the way.

To say that whatever any body of Christians does is OK because God will sort it out strikes me as a really indefensible POV. You might as well say the same of any cult since the people in it probably think they are doing right, even when it is wrong.

 

[psalms 91]

Leads us into all truth isn't exactly correct when put that way. The HS will lead THE CHURCH into all truth, and that doesn't mean that even it will not make mistakes along the way.

To say that whatever any body of Christians does is OK because God will sort it out strikes me as a really indefensible POV. You might as well say the same of any cult since the people in it probably think they are doing right, even when it is wrong.

First, the Holy Spirit was given individually to all and second are you seriously saying that God makes mistakes? The Holy Spirit is but one of the three and the three of one so when you say it can make a mistake you are saying that God can

 

[Albion]

First, the Holy Spirit was given individually to all and second are you seriously saying that God makes mistakes?

I was referring to the particular Bible verse you chose to use (about the HS leading into all truth, etc.). That verse is not saying that whatever is done with sincerity is all right because 'God will sort things out.' And the HS leads the whole church, not just some congregation or other gathering, let alone lead some one way and the rest in a contrary way.

 

[MennoSota]

So you are saying there is no more prophecy and that God doesnt speak through His Holy Spirit anymore, does that sum up your position? If so then I will leave you to your belief and hope that God can show you the error.

I'm saying the Holy Spirit Illumines the Word of God in the Bible and through it gives counsel to us as we, moment-by-moment, walk in step with the Spirit.
I'm saying that God has said all we need to know and now we must live by faith, not by sight.