PART 27 AM AN OVERCOMER

How can we recognize if a church is Spirit-filled?

27

Recognizing a Spirit-Filled Church

 

How is a believer able to perceive whether a church is Spirit-filled?

When we walk into an assembly where people have gathered to worship God, most of what’s going on will be similar to that of other churches. Music will be introduced, a message will be delivered, public prayer for various needs might be encouraged, financial giving is requested, and announcements will be made. Does this determine that a church is Spirit-filled? Not necessarily. Then what does?

Two things indicate whether a church assembly is Spirit-filled. The first is, have the attendees received the indwelling Spirit? Second is the content of the teachings.

Ephesians 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

What I’d like to do next is provide you with further clarity of what I just said. I’ve prepared a Spirit-filled church checklist to help us identify biblical truths that will assist the congregation to be built as a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. 

But before I do, you might wonder if any scriptural truth supports the second condition for a church body to be Spirit-filled. Let’s begin by turning our Bibles to the Book of Matthew.

 

Suggested Reading: Matthew 7:15-23

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Jesus was teaching His disciples. He warned them there would come forth false prophets (teachers of incorrect doctrine) who appear in sheep’s clothing (assume the appearance of sanctity and innocence¹⁹²), but within they are ravening wolves (they magnify themselves, not Jesus Christ; and their purpose is to exploit people, not to edify them).¹⁹³

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

And then, he tells us how we can distinguish them, i.e., by their fruits (true character; confession of the heart; “A man’s works,” says one, “are the tongue of his heart, and tell honestly whether he is inwardly corrupt or pure”¹⁹⁴). If a person’s teaching is guided or directed by the Holy Spirit, then the effects of these teachings in the lives of those who receive them will develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

    

What I’d like to introduce to you now are three things that reflect a Spirit-filled church.

The first pertains to the preaching of the gospel of Christ.

The second has to do with identifying sinful conduct and addressing it scripturally.

The third has to do with declaring sound doctrine pertaining to the Christian faith’s foundational and non-foundational truths.

Are you ready to find out what constitute such?

 

A CHECKLIST ON WHAT CONSTITUTES FOUNDATIONAL AND NON-FOUNDATIONAL TEACHINGS AND IDENTIFYING SINFUL CONDUCT

�-�What we should be able to recognize right away.

 

□Are those in leadership born-again, i.e., have they received the Holy Spirit?

Have they responded to the gospel of Christ, i.e., repenting (having a change of mind; to turn from one’s evil ways) of their sins to God the Father and believing in His Son Jesus as to Who He is and what He’s accomplished? If you’re not sure, ask them what constitutes salvation.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Indication that those in leadership are not saved:

Leadership claims that the receiving of the Holy Spirit is obtained by water baptism, good works, belief in someone other than Jesus, or obedience to the many dos and don’ts of the faith.

 

□Is the gospel of Christ proclaimed from the pulpit?

Is it declared at some point in the worship service?

Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

�-�What constitutes sinful thoughts, words, and actions and how do we equip believers to go on living [their] lives in the right way¹⁹⁵ should be clearly delineated from the pulpit?

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Galatians 6:2, 4 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

□Adultery - sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their lawful spouse.¹⁹⁶

□Fornication - prostitution; pornography; any kind of sexual sin or immoral acts.

□Uncleanness - unnatural practices; sodomy¹⁹⁷ (homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, pedophilia).

□Lasciviousness - to one who has an insolent contempt for public [opinion] and shamelessly outrages public decency¹⁹⁸ by an open display of sexual vices of all kinds.

Indication of false teaching on what constitutes sinful behavior:

Churches determine what sexual relationships are condoned based on cultural norms.

                   

�-�What are the foundational truths that leadership should adhere to and instruct the assembly in?

 

□The Trinity   

One God exists as three persons �" coequal, coinfinite, and coeternal �" all three possessing the essential nature.¹⁹⁹ Each member possesses the same divine attributes (sovereignty, righteousness, justice, love, eternal life, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, immutability, and veracity).

John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Colossians 1:13-15 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Indication of what the Trinity is not:

There’s only one God who doesn’t exist in three persons.

There are many gods, and there is a belief that any one of them will bring a person to heaven.

 

□The deity of Christ - The deity of the Holy Spirit - The deity of God the Father  

Each of them is a person of the Godhead, pre-existed time (being uncreated and eternal), is called God, a deity (having a divine nature), and has a different role in God the Father’s plan for mankind. Philippians 2:6; John 1:1, 14; Hebrew 1:8; John 15:26; Acts 5:1-4; John 4:34; John 5:16-18; 1 Corinthians 8:1-6

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

Colossians 1:13b, 15 … of his dear Son: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Indication of what the deity of Christ, the Holy Spirit and God the Father is not:

Jesus is a teacher, a prophet, someone who’s sent from God, but he’s not God incarnate (come in the flesh), a deity (having a divine nature).

The Holy Spirit is the life force of God. He’s not a person, one of the members of the Trinity. 

The Father is the supreme almighty god.

 

□The gospel of Christ                                   

The gospel is the good news that Christ, who’s the God-man, paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world and canceled their debt (providing forgiveness), thus satisfying the justice of God. 

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.           

                             

□Salvation                                   

It’s the response to the water of the gospel and the resulting indwelling Spirit by which a person is saved. The word water refers to the cleansing of the Word, the belief of the truth, i.e., of repentance and belief in God’s Son. John 15:3; Titus 3:5

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Indication of what salvation is not: There are other gods, who, if believed in, can make someone their son or daughter.

 

□The Atonement

Jesus is the atonement, the atoning sacrifice, a sin offering for the sins of the whole world that removed the penalty, the punishment upon the entire human race to satisfy the justice of God. God the Father made Christ sin for us, meaning He bore the suffering due to them in our stead.

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

This doesn’t imply universal salvation. Reconciliation means that the enmity between God and man, sin, which began the instant when Adam ate of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden, was placed on His Son.

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Indication of what the atonement of Christ is not: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross wasn’t efficacious (productive), i.e., it didn’t pay for and remove the debt owed to satisfy the justice of God the Father due to sin.

 

□Redemption

This word means deliverance, liberation from, or to let one go free. Deliverance from what? From the judgment of all our sins.         

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Indication of what redemption is not: People will go to hell because of sin.               

 

□The Blood

The blood is the payment, the price paid to divine justice, that provided redemption (deliverance from divine judgment for the sins of the whole world). The blood can also be referred to as the ransom required, i.e., Christ’s death on the cross (the giving of His life).

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

        

□Forgiveness of sin

Forgiveness of sin means to blot out, not to remember any longer, to throw a person’s sins behind one’s back, and to carry away our sins so that they might never again be seen. Along with the debt owed to God the Father being paid in full by the death of His Son, forgiveness (the cancellation and removal of the record) of sin was also provided.

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 

□The resurrection of Christ

After His physical death on the cross, His spirit went to a compartment of hell called Tartarus, where He preached to the fallen angels, who were imprisoned there. He remained in hell for three full days. When this time was fulfilled, the Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead, causing His spirit to re-enter His physical body, transforming it into a glorified body. He remained on the earth for forty days, witnessing His resurrection to over five hundred people. He ascended into heaven to be seated at the Father’s right hand. Romans 5:19; Romans 4:25; Ephesians 4:9-10; 1 Peter 3:18-20; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 6, 42, 44

Acts 13:33-34 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

Indication of what the resurrection of Christ is not: Jesus is a false Messiah who didn’t rise from the dead.

 

□There’s only one way to get to heaven.                 

There’s only one way to get to heaven: by the person of Christ. There’s no other name under heaven whereby someone can be saved.

Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Indication of the declarations that will prevent someone from going to heaven:

Members of any faith that believe in whoever they say God is will enter heaven upon physical death.

Obeying the dos and don’ts of any faith will earn favor with God.

 

□The Bible is true and without error

In the writings of the Apostle Paul, he declares that all Scripture, both the books of the Old and New Testament, were given by inspiration (the breathing upon by the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit). This guaranteed their accuracy and truthfulness.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

However, we must be careful not to assume that all translations are true and accurate. Whenever we attempt to study a verse, we should analyze it according to the original language (e.g., Hebrew, Koine Greek, or Aramaic) and context (historical setting).                         

 

□Eternal security

A believer’s salvation, which encompasses receiving the indwelling Spirit and additional benefits, is secure because it resides in the first person of the Godhead, the Father, who allowed it to be received unmeritoriously by those who repent and believe in His Son, Jesus.

John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Furthermore, a person is saved by grace through faith (believing the gospel). The word saved in Koine Greek is in the form of a perfect passive participle, which indicates that they accepted grace in the past with present continual results, i.e., they remain in a perpetual saved state.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Indication of false teachings which proclaim that a believer can lose their salvation:

Salvation can be lost due to a believer needing to be baptized in water.

A believer can lose their salvation due to habitually sinning.

Lack of good works indicates that the believer was an imposter, i.e., not saved.

             

�-�What are those non-foundational teachings that will help us grow spiritually?

 

□Doctrine of alcohol

Alcohol is allowed to be consumed, albeit in moderation. The words not given to much wine mean to indulge in small quantities.

1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Indication of a misinterpretation of Scriptures pertaining to drinking alcohol:

Drinking alcohol isn’t allowed under any circumstances.

Gatherings of family, friends, or church members shouldn’t provide alcoholic beverages.

 

□Doctrine of giving financially

Giving financially is based on a believer’s free will. This could be termed ‘grace giving,’ which is never coerced or pressured. The mandate to give a certain percentage of one’s income, 10%, the tithe was one of the many regulations for the Jews under the institution of the Mosaic Law. It no longer applies to believers in the New Testament church.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Indication of what doesn’t constitute financial giving in the New Testament church:

Believers must give 10% of their income to the church so that God won’t be denied His due.

Church members must give whatever they own (e.g., cars, real estate, etc.) if leadership proclaims God told them to ask for it.

 

□Doctrine of a head covering

Women were instructed to have their heads covered because of its sinful cultural significance at the time. This no longer applies.

1 Corinthians 11:4-7 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

Indication of a misunderstanding of what clothes Christians are allowed to wear.

Women should have their heads covered.

Men aren’t allowed to wear a head covering.

Those in leadership must put on attire which indicates they’re in church authority.

 

□Doctrine of good works

The receiving of the Holy Spirit is the confirmation of salvation. The manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit evidences godliness to others. Godliness is the basis or motivation for good works. However, good works aren’t necessarily evidence of godliness. 1 John 3:24b; Matthew 12:33; Hebrews 5:9

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

□Doctrine of spiritual growth

Spiritual growth is learning how to be filled with the Spirit. What steps need to be taken for this to be a reality in our lives will be the three conditions contained below.

Ephesians 5:18b …but be filled with the Spirit;

Indication of what doesn’t constitute spiritual growth:

By increasingly partaking in the elements of communion.

Obeying the dos and don’ts of church leadership.

 

1: The doctrine of addressing sin

Teachings about what sin is and how to manage it should be presented.

If a believer sins against another believer and admits guilt but repentance isn’t evident (e.g., no changes in their behavior; no reparation), then they’re not to be forgiven.

Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Scripture tells us that sins which are committed by one believer toward another that aren’t egregious ones known by the assembly of believers nor are of a criminal nature should be handled privately.

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

For a sin a believer witnesses being committed by a fellow believer, they’d provide correction and recovery.

Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Sins of a criminal felony nature should be reported a.s.a.p. to law enforcement.

1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

Publicly known sin should be addressed immediately before those in the assembly appointed to handle it.

1 Corinthians 5:1,7  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Minor offenses involving civil court issues in small claims court should be handled by someone in the church whose life evidences the graces of the Spirit and expertise in the situation.

1 Corinthians 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

Indication of the unsuitable ways to address a fellow believer’s sin:

Don’t get involved; it’s none of my business.

If they confess but don’t repent still, forgive them.

Let God address it.

 

2: The doctrine of confessing sin

Confessing sin to God the Father removes chastisement (discipline), restores fellowship with Him, and restores the filling of the Spirit. If we sin against another person, we should go to them and resolve the issue by admitting wrong and witnessing a change in words and actions, which could involve making restitution.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Indication of the inappropriate way to confess sin:

Confession of sin should be made before someone in leadership who’ll make a petition to God for us.

 

3: The doctrine of recovery from sin, i.e., the renewing of the mind

This process of spiritual growth starts with recognizing areas of weakness or human strength that entice us to sin and making a concerted effort to learn about God’s perspective or how He’d have us think in any of these areas. As we memorize, meditate upon, and apply God’s prescription (Word) for our lives, this will activate the anointing (the Holy Spirit), who’ll provide us with spiritual discernment so that we won’t be deceived by false thinking and teaching. If the assembly of believers follows this strategy, the Spirit’s presence will impact or subdue the lusts of our sinful nature that try to obtain or remain in control when we gather together. 1 John 2:27; Isaiah 10:27

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Indication of a misunderstanding of how to stop sinning:

Confessing sins to someone in leadership.

Stop practicing sinful behavior.

Get involved in church functions.

This list isn’t the end-all, but at least it provides us with an awareness of what kind of behaviors shouldn’t be condoned, along with the foundational and non-foundational doctrines of the faith. We have one closing section, i.e., final thoughts.