“The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
I love that last verse of Luther’s A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It’s a reminder that in Christ we not only receive the gift of salvation but also the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with the Spirit many gifts. It’s like living in a dark dungeon only to find yourself rescued and returned to your homeland…only to find your home also filled with gifts in every room. What grace.
In our study of Ephesians we paused for three weeks to examine Paul’s charge to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). We’re planning to continue growing our understanding of that over several prayer and worship nights, but I also wanted to provide some of my favorite resources on the Spirit and gifts. My hope is that these resources will stir your affections for the Lord and make you marvel all the the more at the many gifts he gives the church.
Best Paragraph(s)
Our Statement of Faith
https://webelieve.sovereigngrace.com/person-and-work-of-the-holy-spirit
https://webelieve.sovereigngrace.com/the-empowering-ministry-of-the-spirit
The statement of faith we share with our family of churches succinctly sums up what we believe about the Spirit and gifts. But even more than the statements, I love the footnotes. Walk through them yourself and allow the Scripture to shape your understanding of the Spirit.
Best Single Article
“The Spirit and the Gifts” (Mellinger)
We’ve talked about how we want to “lean forward with our Bible in hand” when it comes to the Spirit and gifts and I think Jared models that for us here. In just a handful of pages you’ll get an overview of why we believe all the spiritual gifts continue in the church today and how the gospel changes the way we use them.
Best Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology, Chs. 39,52-53
Grudem’s work is simple, straightforward and clear. This Systematic Theology should already have a place on your shelf and the work here demystifies spiritual gifts where appropriate, but also leaves appropriate biblical mystery intact. The best place to start if you want to go a bit deeper into the topic and want to learn to practice your own gifts rightly.
More Systematic Theology
Find yourself with questions about the Spirit on a deeper level? Or do you want to strengthen your own convictions? Do you want to learn to interact with other views of the Spirit? Some recommendations from Jeff Purswell:
Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views, ed. Wayne Grudem
The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today, Wayne Grudem
Showing the Spirit, D.A. Carson
The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, Max Turner, esp. chs. 10, 15
Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God, Gordon Fee
Best Scholarly Interaction
Showing the Spirit by D.A. Carson
Our Director of Theology Jeff Purswell writes: A masterful and clearly written exposition of these chapters, with much interaction with other views. Of immense help with these chapters, as well as with one’s own view of the Spirit and spiritual gifts.