#338 ASK Series# 5, Praying in the Spirit

#338 ASK Series# 5, Praying in the Spirit
By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

John 16:7, 13 “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. … However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;…”

“Comforter” (Parakletos):– called to one’s side
Para:– along side of, a close intimate relationship. {Parasite}
Kletos :– pleading with, speaking to, called to discharge an office. I am the Holy Spirit’s personal calling. He is to come along side me as my personal coach.

The Nicene Creed “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.”

Westminster Confession of Faith “The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, of the same substance and equal in power and glory, is, together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, loved, obeyed, and worshiped throughout all ages.”

Cessationism is the view that the “miracle gifts” of tongues and healing have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age. Most cessationists believe that, while God can and still does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs.

The year 367 was chosen as the terminal date for spiritual gifts because that year the canon of Scripture was declared to be complete. The argument is based on this verse: “But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” I Corinthians 13:8-10. The assumption is made that the expression “that which is perfect” refers to the completed Bible.

The Westminster Confession Of The Faith — Section 1 (Of The Holy Scriptures) “… those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.”

DR PETER MASTERS

From The Sword & Trowel (Magazine) 2011, issue 2 by Dr Peter Masters Metropolitan Tabernacle — London Reformed Baptist Seminary —
“The term cessationism comes from the great 17th-century confessions of faith, such as the Westminster and Baptist confessions. These both use the same word. Speaking about how God has revealed his will and committed it to the Scriptures, the confessions say, ‘Former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased’. This word does not actually come from the Bible, but the doctrine does.
Not only has revelation been completed and ceased, but so have the signs that revelation is in progress.
“When people say that cessationism (the ceasing of sign-gifts) cannot be proved from Scripture, they forget that the book of Acts says specifically that healings and other wonders were exclusive to the apostles, who have now passed away.”
“…the Bible plainly teaches that revelation is now complete. There can be no new revelation after the time of the apostles. We have already noted that in John 14.26 and in John 16.13 the Lord Jesus Christ says twice to the disciples that the Holy Spirit, when he comes, will lead them into all Truth.
“They would be the authors of New Testament books, and the authenticators of inspired New Testament books not from their own pens. Soon all the Truth would be revealed, and after the apostolic era there would be no more revelation of Scripture. The Word would be complete.”
“As revelation was completed in the time of the apostles, we see that the task of apostles and prophets is over. And if the gifts of revelation are ended, then so are the authenticating signs of inspired penmen.”

Acts 9:17-18 Ananias “And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight.”

Many who were not Apostles functioned in the gifts. — Stephen (Acts 6-7); Philip (Acts 8); Ananias (Acts 9); Church members in Antioch (Acts 13); Anonymous Converts in Ephesus (Acts 19:6); Philip’s Daughters Gift of Prophecy (Acts 21:8-9)

Continuationism is the belief that all the spiritual gifts, including healings, tongues, and miracles, are still in operation today, just as they were in the days of the early church. A continuationist believes that the spiritual gifts have “continued” …
“… unabated since the Day of Pentecost and that the demonstration of “signs, wonders, and miracles”, as witnessed in the apostolic era, should be a hallmark of today’s church as well.”

Romans 8:26-27 “… the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses…. but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Helps (Sunantilambanomai) :– to lay hold along with, to strive to obtain with others, help in obtaining to take hold with another. {compound word}
sun:– partnership, joint effort anti:– against, filled with rage lambano:– to take to oneself, to remove

Holy Spirit is called to Help you!
Position – He comes along side Passion – Filled with Holy rage Purpose – He permanently separates us from the weakness. Call on Holy Spirit to get involved in your circumstances.

3 Aspects Of Supernatural Partnership
1. Intercession:— “Huperentugchano” to make intercession for one.
huper :– on behalf en :– in, with Tugchano :– to hit the mark, to meet

2. Groanings :– “Stenagmos” to aspirate, to vent deep feelings.
Holy Spirit comes in and blows his top. Words can’t express the passion. His zeal begins to rub off on you.

3. Searching:– “Ereunao” to search a matter out.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 “…revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” Eureka:– i found it! Spirit brings into manifestation what is lacking.

1 Corinthians 14:15 (AMP) “I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding;…”
(NLT) “I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand.”

Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; …they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Praying in tongues is not an optional practice for believers. Praying in tongues cause us to engage the rhythms of heaven. Praying in tongues keeps us under and open heaven. Praying in tongues causes us to develop spiritual acuteness.

A Believers 3-Fold Ministry In Tongues
1. Ministry To God “…speaks to God.” 1 Cor 14:2 2. Ministry To Your Self “…edifieth himself…” 1 Cor 14:4
2. Ministry To Others “…let one interpret.” 1 Cor 14:27

Benefits Of Tongue Talking
1. Call Forth Spiritual Truth 1 Corinthians 14:2 “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”

1 Corinthians 14:18 “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.”
Is there a purpose to speak in tongues more? — How did this affect Paul’s ministry?
Mysteries:– (mystērion) hidden thing, secret, mystery
a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated not to ordinary mortals
b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding
c) a hidden purpose or counsel

Vine Expository Dictionary Mysteries:– that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by divine revelation, and is made known … to those only who are illumined by the Spirit.

2 Peter 3:15-16 “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand,…”

1 Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

2. Keep Commandment Of God
1 Corinthians 14:15 “I will pray with my spirit,…”
1 Corinthians 14:37 “…what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.”
Jude 20 “…pray in the Holy Spirit.”

3. Charge Up Your Faith
Jude 20 “…build yourselves up in your most holy faith…”
1 Corinthians 14:4 “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;…”

4. Bring Your Tongue Under Subjection
James 3:8 “But the tongue can no man tame…”

5. Ease In The Glory Realm
Ephesians 5:18-19 “…but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,…”

6.Give Glory To God
1 Corinthians 14:17 “For you indeed give thanks well,…”
Acts 2:11 “…speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

7. Manifestation Of The Spirit’s Embrace
Acts 10:45-46 “on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. … heard them speak with tongues,…”

8. Fulfill The Great Commission In Power
Mark 16:15-17 “Go ye into all the world …they shall speak with new tongues;”
1 Corinthians 14:22 “Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers;…”

9. Helps You Proclaim And Call Into Manifestation The Perfect Will Of God
Romans 8:27 “He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Charles Carrin “Tongues is the only spiritual gift deliberately designed to attack man’s ego and pride; it exposes insincerity, self-centeredness, falsity, and other negative traits in believers….”
“…Because of its unique attack on the human intellect, tongues remains the eternal “watch guard” at the gate. In a very calculated way this gift protects the other gifts from exploitation. The Holy Spirit will not allow us to choose one charisma and reject another.”

How Do I Speak In Tongues?
1. Accept the promise of the Holy Spirit. 2. Ask For The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit.
2. Confess That You Have Received the Holy Spirit 4. Act On Your Confession Faith.

EXTRA NOTES
REFUTE CESSATIONISM

1 Corinthians 13:8-11
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (NKJV)

Why are twisted Scriptures so dangerous?
We have a high regard for Scriptures. In our bylaws and on our website one of our declared beliefs is: “The divine inspiration and authority of Holy Scripture.” We believe the Bible is the Word of God. It is imperative that we deal with it as accurately as possible.

When we believe the Bible is saying something that it’s not we have the potential to develop destructive patterns of behaviour cause real misunderstanding and even pain. If we encourage people believe that the Bible communicates God’s will we better be sure we interpret the Word with accuracy. If we have a wrong understanding of Scripture it can be used by the devil smuggle other lies into our minds. The devil loves to distort our image of God.

What Is The Source Of The Twisting?
1. Human Error 2. Tradition Of Man 3. Satanic Deception

What Is The Proper Way To Interpret Scriptures?
Definition, Usage, Context, History, Logic, Genre, and Reliance upon Holy Spirit.

It is a book about Jesus. Get a revelation of how much He loves you and realize who you are in Him.
Have a relationship with the Living Word not just the written Word!

Cessationism

Cessationism is the view that the “miracle gifts” of tongues and healing have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age. Most cessationists believe that, while God can and still does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs.

The Westminster Confession Of The Faith — Section 1 (Of The Holy Scriptures) “… those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.”

From The Sword & Trowel 2011, issue 2 by Dr Peter Masters
“The term cessationism comes from the great 17th-century confessions of faith, such as the Westminster and Baptist confessions. These both use the same word. Speaking about how God has revealed his will and committed it to the Scriptures, the confessions say, ‘Former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased’. This word does not actually come from the Bible, but the doctrine does.
Not only has revelation been completed and ceased, but so have the signs that revelation is in progress.

“When people say that cessationism (the ceasing of sign-gifts) cannot be proved from Scripture, they forget that the book of Acts says specifically that healings and other wonders were exclusive to the apostles, who have now passed away.”

“…the Bible plainly teaches that revelation is now complete. There can be no new revelation after the time of the apostles. We have already noted that in John 14.26 and in John 16.13 the Lord Jesus Christ says twice to the disciples that the Holy Spirit, when he comes, will lead them into all Truth.
“They would be the authors of New Testament books, and the authenticators of inspired New Testament books not from their own pens. Soon all the Truth would be revealed, and after the apostolic era there would be no more revelation of Scripture. The Word would be complete.”

“As revelation was completed in the time of the apostles, we see that the task of apostles and prophets is over. And if the gifts of revelation are ended, then so are the authenticating signs of inspired penmen.”

They need to explain away the failure of the church to manifest the power of God. If you accept their explanation then you receive their failure.

We Are Continuationists:

Continuationism is the belief that all the spiritual gifts, including healings, tongues, and miracles, are still in operation today, just as they were in the days of the early church. A continuationist believes that the spiritual gifts have “continued” unabated since the Day of Pentecost and that the demonstration of “signs, wonders, and miracles”, as witnessed in the apostolic era, should be a hallmark of today’s church as well.

Proof that revelation and spiritual gifts did not end with the first Apostles:

1. The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost on the whole group in the upper room. Acts 2
2. This promise was to everyone who “was a far off.” Acts 2:39 WE ARE PROOF!!!
3. Common and wide spread in the NT — Samaria (Acts 8), Caesarea (Acts 10), Antioch (Acts 13), Ephesus (Acts 19)
4. Many who were not Apostles functioned in the gifts. — Stephen (Acts 6-7); Philip (Acts 8); Ananias (Acts 9); church members in Antioch (Acts 13); anonymous converts in Ephesus (Acts 19:6); (8) women at Caesarea (Acts 21:8-9)
5. 1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”
6. 1 Corinthians 13:10 “But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”
7. Ephesians 4:11-13 “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”
8. Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[a] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Why is it so important that we see the supernatural?

Romans 15:19 “They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 12:31 “But earnestly desire (covet KJV) the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” (NKJV)

Ask someone who’s is blind, cancer, (Amy and Jesse) Aids, …….

James 5:14-15 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”

Not so I can have faith in God but so that I can manifest the fulness that God has for us!

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 “I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NLT)

How Do I Develop Something That Is Supernaturally Powered?

Two basic problems to overcome:
1. Its not some magical random thing that pops in every once and a while.
2. Its not something mechanical that is manifest if you follow the proper steps or equation.

1 Corinthians 14:12 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”

Eight Disciplines That Position You For Excelling In Spiritual Gifts:

1. Believe They Are For Today
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

2. Believe They Are For You
1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

3. Ask For The Gifts
James 4:2b “Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.”
Don’t be passive. The motivation is love of others. I want to give spiritual favours away. God desires your partnership.

4. Study The Gifts
Colossians 4:17 “And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (NKJV) “Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.” (MSG)
Study the gifts in the Bible — In books — In Biographies (Lake, Kuhlman, Osborne, A.B. Simpson, Bosworth)

5. Surround Yourself With Gifted People
Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise,…” You are like your friends. Seek out a mentor. Seek feedback on your attempts.

6. Get Baptized In His Love
1 Corinthians 13:3b “…but have not love, it profits me nothing.” Sons of Sceva got no results. Simon the Sorcerer was rebuked. Our motive must match the heart of Jesus.

7. Be Confident In Christ
Matthew 8:16-17 “and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.” It is still His will to manifest!!!

John 9:3-4 “Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me…” Don’t assign blame manifest the GLORY!!!

8. Release Your Faith
Acts 4:29-30 “…and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

Power for healing is found only in the finished work of the cross. He is good!!!
Not my goodness.
Not the goodness of the person in need.

Acts 3:12, 16 “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? … And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

John 5:19 “ Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.”

John 15 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

God’s power is manifest through relationship not through rote formula!!!

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Don’t be afraid of messing up or not getting results. Operate with confidence in who you are!!!

Hebrews 10:35 “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.”

Questions

1. What is the doctrine of cessation? Where does it come from? What scripture do they use to support their MAN MADE doctrine? How would you refute this doctrine now?

2. Why do you think people willingly embrace this doctrine? What happens to you when you don’t see result in an area of your faith?

3. Should all the gifts of the Spirit be in operation now? What do you believe that?

4. Why is it important for miracles to be manifest today? Can we really present the full gospel without a manifestation of the power of God?

5. What stands out to you in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9?

6. Should every believer operate in power gifts? Do you operate in power gifts? What is the main hindrance to people manifesting the gifts?

7. What does it mean to excel in the gifts? Why did Jesus want to heal the blind man in John 9? What does God heal people? What does God use us to heal people?

8. In what area do you need to be encouraged to manifest spiritual gifts?

9. How tight do you have to be with Jesus for Him to use you? How do you know if you are tight enough?

338 ASK Series# 5, Praying In The Spirit, PowerPoint Slides