Pneumatology. If that word sounds like a disease to you, chances are it is because it is one of the least emphasized elements of theology in the church today. Even in Reformed circles, where some of the finest systematic theology has been done, Pneumatology, or the study of the Person and the Work of the Holy Spirit, is scarcely discussed. Perhaps in an overreaction against some of the abuses of the charismatic movement, many in the Reformed movement have avoided discussing the subject altogether. However, to fail to articulate a robust doctrine of the Holy Spirit will sap the church of her strength, for it is the Holy Spirit, the divine, Third Person of the Trinity, who strengthens the church for service. As we approach this topic, we will consider three questions regarding the operation of the Holy Spirit today: 1) What is the Holy Spirit's normative function in the church today?, 2) How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? 3) Are the charismatic gifts (tongues, prophecy, knowledge, healing, resurrection, etc.) available for use in the church today? In this first article of a three part series, we begin by addressing the first question.
1) What is the Holy Spirit's normative function in the church today?
First, in considering the Holy Spirit's role in the church, we must examine the passage of Scripture that directly refers to the Spirit's operation: John 14:15-26. In this text, we learn three activities that the Holy Spirit performs among God's people.
The Spirit indwells
Look closely at verse 17. Christ says that the Spirit will dwell in believers. This is the first role of the Spirit and it occurs at regeneration. When God sovereignly brings a dead sinner to life, the Spirit then inhabits the believer. What a glorious comfort this is! How refreshing it is to know that the Spirit of God is the one who provides us with strength to combat sin in our lives.
The Spirit teaches
The second function mentioned in this passage is that the Spirit is our Divine Teacher. Notice, what the Spirit teaches the church is not apart from the external, objective Word but through the external, objective Word. This is because the context of this passage is that it is found in the series of the final words of Jesus recorded by the disciple John known as the Upper Room Discourse. Also, Jesus says explicitly that the Spirit will bring to remembrance all the things that he spoke (v.26). The Spirit works in tandum with the Scriptures. He does this by explaining and applying the words of Christ to our mind. We call this experience illumination. This does not diminish the work of the Holy Spirit, on the contrary, this serves to ensure that we cannot mistake elusive impressions for God's authoritative direction.
The Spirit reminds
The Spirit reminds God's people of God's revelation (v.26). Again, the Spirit's role of providing further revelation for the church has ceased, but his role in directing God's people back to the Word of God continues and will continue until the age to come. This means that the Holy Spirit is constantly at work in our lives for we need daily reminder of the Scriptures! Anyone who thinks that restricting the Spirit's work to operating through the text of the Bible downplays the role of the Spirit has not seriously considered the limitless depths of the written Word. How could reminding us and directing us back to such truth ever be limiting the extent of the Spirit's work unless your view of Scripture is not lofty enough?
This concludes our brief examination of the operation of the Spirit. In the next article, we will consider the oft-avoided question of how we grieve the Holy Spirit. Soli deo gloria!
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