Informed by the word, inspired by the spirit
Is an expression of Baptist life that is “word and spirit” possible? I believe it is, writes Andy Glover - here are three responses I'm praying for this year
“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4,5
This past month I’ve been reflecting a little on what it means for Fresh Streams to be a “Word and Spirit” network.
During this time I read again a prophecy I was aware of but hadn’t seen in print for quite a few years, from Smith Wigglesworth. Wigglesworth was a well-known evangelist. He had humble beginnings in life, took up the trade of a plumber and was then powerfully used in a world-wide ministry of evangelism with miraculous healings and miracles accompanying the ministry of the word. He lived from 8 June 1859 to 12 March 1947.
Shortly before he died, he delivered the following prophecy:
During the next few decades there will be two distinct moves of the Holy Spirit across the church in Great Britain. The first move will affect every church that is open to receive it and will be characterised by a restoration of the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The second move of the Holy Spirit will result in people leaving historic churches and planting new churches.
In the duration of each of these moves, the people who are involved will say ‘This is the great revival’.
But the Lord says ‘No, neither is this the great revival but both are steps towards it. When the new church phase is on the wane, there will be evidenced in the churches something that has not been seen before: a coming together of those with an emphasis on the Word and those with an emphasis on the Spirit.
When the Word and the Spirit come together, there will be the biggest movement of the Holy Spirit that the nation, and indeed the world, has ever seen. It will mark the beginning of a revival that will eclipse anything that has been witnessed within these shores, even the Wesleyan and the Welsh revivals of former years. The outpouring of God’s Spirit will flow over from the UK to the mainland of Europe, and from there will begin a missionary move to the ends of the earth.
From its conception back in 2011 Fresh Streams has used “word and spirit”, to describe itself. Interestingly it was probably Rob Warner back in 1995 who encouraged Mainstream to adopt this same phrase to describe itself back then!
So what do we mean by Word and Spirit? This is what we wrote to describe, within our values, what Word and Spirit means to us; Deriving all we believe, teach and do from the Bible as the written Word of God, seeking to hear and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us individually and collectively and seeing his power released in and through the church and community.
As leaders we are prone to major on the Word and minor on the Spirit: it’s less risky! The Spirit’s power is not a fad, phase or fringe benefit, but foundational and fundamental to mission, discipleship and worship. We need the Spirit to infect, infuse, inspire and invigorate our churches, so we must preach the baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit and practise his presence without fear or favour, let or hindrance.
My continuing hope for Fresh Streams is for us to be a movement informed by the Word and inspired by the Spirit, where we exist in order to equip, inspire, connect, resource, and give courage to leaders and leadership teams as we serve together our churches and communities.
As we move in 2023 let me reflect on my hope of an expression of Baptist life that is “word and spirit”. Is it possible? I believe it is.
There are three responses I am praying for.
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First, that we will all see the urgent need for both the Word and the Spirit to come together as in the book of Acts. There needs to be both the Word and Spirit demonstrated in equal measure. We should be concerned for more of the Word and more of the Spirit with equal burden and vision.
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Secondly, that there will be very urgent praying as in the book of Acts. The early Church prayed in desperation because of the threats of the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:29-30). The urgency plus the presence of both the Word and Spirit is clearly obvious in this prayer. And that is when the “place” in which they were assembled was “shaken” – “and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (v31, ESV). We should be as threatened by the Church’s lack of power and influence today as the early Christians were threatened by the Sanhedrin 2,000 years ago.
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Thirdly, that both Word people and Spirit people will become vulnerable (not defensive) and admit their need. The problem with the Laodiceans in the book of Revelation was not only that they were lukewarm– “neither hot nor cold” – but that they saw no need in themselves. They were rich, enjoyed prosperity and felt that they “needed nothing” (Revelation 3:16-17).
You know the expression: “You can always tell a successful person, but you can’t tell them much” – so it is with a church that becomes unteachable.
When we are safely in our comfort zones we don’t usually welcome any notion that we should move outside them.
I truly believe that the Word and Spirit are coming together, and I believe Fresh Streams can be one such place where we see this happening. If Smith Wigglesworth has been quoted correctly, we are long overdue to see his 1947 prophecy fulfilled.
Image | Brett Jordan | Unsplash
The Revd Andy Glover is Team Leader of Fresh Streams and HBC Chester. This article originally appeared in the latest Fresh Streams newsletter, and is republished with permission
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Baptist Times, 13/02/2023