Author's Preface

Author’s Preface

Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you

in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins;

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 (ASV)

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Are churches of Christ in trouble over the Holy Spirit?  There are two viewpoints within our fellowships.  Some believe that we are indwelt by the Spirit of God; that the Holy Spirit resides in our hearts—personally, directly, literally, and actually.  But others deny the indwelling.  Sometimes the denial is outright.  It may be acknowledged that there actually is a “third member of the Godhead” known as the Holy Spirit, however some will say that He does not indwell us—personally, directly, literally, and actually.  

Some would deny that there is any meaningful difference between the two perspectives.  In fact, some see a fundamental “agreement” between them:  “Both sides believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they just disagree over how the Spirit indwells.”  The real issue may be nothing more than semantics—with each side using peculiar language (a mere “shibboleth”) that is unfamiliar to the other side.  With this communication barrier between them, they just imagine there is a real disagreement when, in reality, they are both sharing a lot of common ground in their beliefs.

Another analysis of the conflict is to admit that the two sides have serious differences in their belief systems, but then suggest that the two beliefs can co-exist in complete compatibility in church fellowship.  In other words, this issue is seen as essentially inconsequential.  The apostle Paul discussed issues that were simply “matters of opinion” (rather than “matters of faith”), and this Holy Spirit debate is seen as one of these.

Still others may feel that all matters of Bible belief are trivial.  The truest concerns of the church are all social, while matters of theology are meaningless.  You can believe what you want about God, and Satan, and angels, and demons, and miracles.  Or, you can believe none of it.  What really matters is that we love one another.  Others, of course, see theological matters having priority over those that are social.  In any conflict situation, people are driven—in varying strengths—by two factors:

·        Low regard for both principles and people (so they simply avoid conflict).

·        High regard for people, but low regard for principles (as long as people are kept together, they will comply without fussing over principles).

·        High regard for principles, but low regard for people (so they enter conflict as s competition and expect to win, even if people get hurt).

·        Moderate regard for both people and principles (to hold some minimal concern in each area brings a conflict style of compromise).

·        High regard both for people and for principles (they insist that keeping people together requires building relationships on solid principles).

Each of these conflict styles[1] is appropriate under certain circumstances.  However, each of them—with the exception of the last one—may also be quite inappropriate in certain circumstances.  As you read this book, you will be challenged to place appropriate value on both the people and on the principles involved in this matter of the Holy Spirit within our churches of Christ. 

If we all can come to agreement on our valuation of Bible beliefs and of love for Christians, we will find ourselves in a strong position to move forward together.  Otherwise, if our values are fundamentally different, it will be undeniably plain that churches of Christ really are in trouble over the Holy Spirit.

The American Restoration Movement

The discussion that follows assumes as valid—and even as crucial—the goal that has driven the American Restoration Movement since it began in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries:  uniting Christians from all denominations in a fellowship joined in complete unity by going back-to-the-Bible to find a suitable platform on which such unity may be built.  This has been the goal and the dream that has driven the unique identity of churches of Christ across many decades and a few centuries. 

Although arising in relatively late in history, our “non-denominational” stance finds its first impulse in the NT, where the “church of Christ” is launched on a journey through the centuries.  When the church began her journey, unity of fellowship characterized the entire membership.  This is our true heritage in churches of Christ (we did not originate only in the 1700’s or 1800’s).

But what began well, led to the “denominationalism” that began with a departure from Biblical foundations by Catholicism and ended with the rise of Protestantism (which “protested” against Catholiciscm).  The indivisible church of the NT became the indivisible Catholicism (for a period of centuries), which became a Christendom divided into more Protestant “denominations” than can be counted.  Anyone with an eye for Christian unity will see this as a monstrous problem.

Although some will refuse to recognize any problem with denominational Christianity, it has led to divisions that prevent Christians from worshiping and cooperating together.  Each denomination retains an exclusive identity, that marks out “one of us” from “one of them.”  Each group tends to have its own set of peculiar beliefs (formerly expressed in “creeds”), that further reinforce the separation between one believer and another.  Not only is it obvious that “all” of these differing beliefs cannot be true and valid reflections of the NT revelation in the Bible, but some of the issues have direct implications for salvation.  If these issues are not gotten right, someone is going to lose his/her salvation!

Churches of Christ have responded to this recent history that has generated a fractured and fragmented fellowship.  We want—and are willing to work—to
“restore” the unity of the church that Jesus died to save.  This is the reason we call ourselves the “Restoration Movement.”  Such unity is important to us because it is important to our Lord.  This book advocates Restoration as a noble and worthy goal for those who wear the name of Christ Jesus.

The Holy Spirit and Restoration

The Holy Spirit is vitally important to the work of “restoration.”  In the first place, the Christianity we seek to restore has the Spirit as its power source.  Without this power, we cannot succeed.  In the second place, the issue has to potential to divide our fellowship.  That is to say, it may oppose our essential goal and dream, rather than advance it!  Restoration itself hangs in the balance. 

The issue discussed in this book is, therefore, an “internal issue” for our fellowship, for churches of Christ, for the American Restoration Movement.  But note carefully that it is also an “external issue” that has ramifications for our relations with those outside of our fellowship.  As we seek to enter undivided union with believers from denominational backgrounds, by going “back-to-the-Bible”, this issue could well become a “sticking point” in that process!

For example, the big sticking point, historically, has been disagreement over baptism as a factor in Christian conversion and salvation.  What happens if we are able to resolve this conundrum (as we will discuss, it looks like tremendous progress is being made here, even as we speak)?  What happens if those, who were on opposite sides of the baptism-issue but now agree, are ready to take the next step towards securing unity together in Christ?  What happens if our denominational friends (who assuredly believe in the indwelling Spirit) discover that we in churches of Christ (or, at least, some of us) do not share their beliefs?  Will we be able to take the “next step” together?  Or will this issue, if unresolved now, then be a “sticking point” that derails the big dream of Restorationism, just at the time when God seemed to have finally made our dream a reality?  I hope every reader shares with me a sense of dread at such failure.

There are precious people in the balance; there are precious principles of belief and conviction in the balance.  This book is a challenge to embrace them both.  It dares to challenge us with a terribly vital question:  Are churches of Christ in trouble over the Holy  Spirit?

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[1] An excellent analysis of church conflict based on these two factors is offered by James Hinkle and Tim Woodroof, Among Friends:  You can help make your church a warmer place (Colorado Springs, CO:  NavPress, 1989), pp. 125-146.