INSTEAD OF "REACHING UP" - REACH OUT !
Some years ago, a preacher in his exuberance of trying to defend an untenable position regarding the Holy Spirit said, "Just reach up and take hold." It is indeed disturbing and unfortunate that many, like the preacher, ". . .have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom.10:2). No where in the word of God are we told that the Holy Spirit will directly lead the alien sinner or the Christian! A careful study of such passages as John chapters 14,15 and 16; Luke 24:46-49; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:4, 5, 8; Acts 2; Acts 8 as well as I Corinthians 12, 13, and 14 will reveal that miraculous gifts were LIMITED to the apostles and those who had the hands of an apostle laid on them.
Paul informs us, ". . .But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (I Cor.13:10). The reference to "that which is perfect" is the complete revealed word of God. Jude tells us that, "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). Therefore, the word of God has been once and for all delivered unto the saints!
One does not have to see a miracle to believe in Christ and His word. "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30-31). In the epistle to the Romans Paul lets us know how one receives faith, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.10:17).
Whether realized or not for one to affirm there must be miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit to produce faith today is evidence of a lack of faith in the divine word of God to create faith and to strengthen!
Instead of trying to "reach up and take hold" of the Holy Spirit, one would benefit more by studying the word the Holy Spirit gave (John 16:13; 2 Tim.2:15; 2 Tim.3:16-17), and by obeying the teachings therein (Matt.7:21; I Pet.1:22)! So instead of "reaching up"- REACH OUT TO THE WORD OF GOD!
- - -Ivie Powell