Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
There are many Christians who believe that the gifts of the Spirit described in 1 Corinthians 12 ended, either with the death of the apostles or the completion of the New Testament (they are not sure which). Instead of just accepting their assertion, I tend to request some biblical support for this. While I understand … Read More “Does 1 Corinthians 13 teach Cessationism?” »
Acts 15:22-35 Introduction When you are reading a story, one of the important steps for understanding is identifying the major characters. This is true whether you are reading William Shakespeare or reading a Superman comic book. It is also true when reading history. I have an interest in reading both ancient history and the history … Read More “The Acts of the Holy Spirit” »
Acts 7:54-60 Introduction Have you ever thought about what it will be like when you die? I don’t mean passing into the afterlife but in the hours and minutes leading up to it. I know that sounds morbid and yet it is something we will all experience. I have spent time with a lot of … Read More “Filled With the Holy Spirit” »
Acts 7:51-53 Introduction Have you ever been having a conversation with someone and you realize that you have come to a crossroads? You can see the next thing that you plan to say in your mind. You know that if you say that, there is no going back. Not only will it change the direction … Read More “Resisting the Holy Spirit” »
Most of my recent sermons can be found here. However, this sermon was one that I recently preached at Walmer Road Baptist Church and I thought I would share it here. Acts 2:1-21 Introduction I am the pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church. But I am not a lifelong Baptist. In fact I have been … Read More “Being a Pentecostal Christian” »
I recently did a Twitter poll about speaking in tongues and to whom it is available. These were the results. Speaking in tongues is available to: — Stephen Bedard (@SJBedard) July 7, 2018 The results were pretty consistent for the whole duration of the poll. Two-thirds of the respondents stated that tongues were not available … Read More “Is Speaking in Tongues Still For Today?” »
There are those within the church who are critical of Christian apologetics who point out its limitations. They will argue that presenting an apologetic for Christianity will not result in the person becoming a Christian. It is argued that people become followers of Jesus only by the calling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore apologetic arguments … Read More “Apologetics Will Not Make Anyone a Christian” »
I am currently working on my thesis for my Doctor of Ministry degree at Acadia Divinity College. But this is not my first thesis. Fifteen years ago I wrote a thesis for my Master of Theology degree at McMaster Divinity College, called “The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament: Defining the People … Read More “The Outpouring of The Holy Spirit in the New Testament” »
I sometimes joke that I believe cessationism died with the apostles. While I am amused by the statement, it often does not get the reaction I am looking for. The truth is that there are many people who hold to cessationism, the belief that spiritual gifts are not for today. At the same time, charismatics … Read More “Are Spiritual Gifts for Today?” »
A devotion based on Romans 8:15. In this passage, Paul is describing the identity of the Christian. One of the things essential for the Christian is the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is not an idle entity. According to Paul, one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to testify to our adoption … Read More “Devotions: Romans” »
I have noticed that there is a deep suspicion by charismatics towards Baptists when it comes to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I heard it in the preaching at the Pentecostal church that I used to attend. I saw it at the (predominately Baptist) seminary that I studied at. Being Pentecostal at the time, … Read More “Baptists and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit” »
A devotion based on Zechariah 4:6. Zechariah was prophesying during a very dark time for Judah. The nation had been destroyed. Although the exile was technically over and people were coming back, the situation was not good. Many people looked to Zerubbabel, a descendant of David but not a king. How could one man make … Read More “Devotions: Zechariah” »
A devotion based on Haggai 2:5. The context of this passage was a very difficult time for Judah. Although the exile was technically over, things were not as prosperous as people had hoped. The Temple was still in ruins and things were not looking good for it to be rebuilt. The two main leaders were … Read More “Devotions: Haggai” »
Soon after I became a Christian, I moved from the Anglican church I had been raised in to a Pentecostal church. This was a good move for me. I naturally lean toward an intellectual faith and I needed the push to experience God. I am so thankful for my experience within the Pentecostal church. It … Read More “Why I am No Longer a Pentecostal… But Still Am” »
A devotion based on Joel 2:28. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was closely connected with prophecy. Prophecy was closely connected with authority. That authority was limited to a very small number. Far back in the Old Testament, Joshua caught a group of people prophesying by the power of the Spirit. Jealous for his … Read More “Devotions: Joel” »
If you do not know what the Johannine Comma is, I will explain it to you (hint: it is not John’s punctuation). The best way to understand it is to compare 1 John in the KJV and a modern translation. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the … Read More “The Johannine Comma and the Trinity” »
People often point out that the trinity is not in the Bible. What they really mean by this is that the word ‘trinity’ is not in the Bible. The basic concept of the trinity is in the New Testament though. Here are three passages where the idea of the trinity is beginning to emerge. “Go … Read More “The Trinity in the New Testament” »
Romans 8 Introduction What is Christianity all about? Is Christianity all about bad news or about good news? I have seen descriptions of churches that were completely about what they were against and not at all about what they are for. It is easy to tear things down and much harder to build things back … Read More “Abundance of Blessings” »
What is the Holy Spirit? Is it, as Jehovah’s Witnesses claim, just the power of God, or is the Spirit a divine person within the Godhead? Here is a verse to take into account: “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the … Read More “Blasphemy Against the Spirit and Personhood” »
I normally am challenged on why I believe in the divinity of Jesus but it is fair to ask why I believe in the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Is it not possible that the Spirit is just the non-personal power of God? Well, the Spirit is described in ways that you would not expect … Read More “The Divinity of the Holy Spirit” »
In the Oct. 1 2010 issue of the Watchtower there is an article entitled “What is the Holy Spirit?” One of the main purposes of this article is to demonstrate that the Spirit is not a person. Here are some responses. The article points out that in Acts 2:1-4 that people are filled with the … Read More “Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Holy Spirit” »
Very often in discussions on the Trinity the focus is on the divinity of Jesus. Yet we have to remember that there is a Holy Spirit in there as well. In reading the Shepherd of Hermas, a very early text (mid second century), I came across this verse: “The preexistent holy spirit, which created the … Read More “Early Evidence for the Trinity” »
