The Spirit vs. The Bible… Who Wins?

Read: Acts 2:14-36 (Peter’s Sermon Part 1)

The work of the Holy Spirit never “does away with” the word of God. We see this in Peter. On the heels of having just spoken in tongues (and presumably still doing so in some form or fashion since he is addressing a crowd filled with people speaking all different languages) Peter cites the scriptures in his opening address. This is how the word of God works: it is woven into our Spirit filled and directed lives. We never “outgrow” the bible. It is not replaced by Spirit driven language, rather the Spirit brings it to life. As Matthew Henry puts it: “Christ’s scholars never learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them.” When the Spirit and the scriptures are brought together it is dynamic… there is power… there are crowds… lives are forever changed.

This sort of ministry is needed now more than ever. What is it about this time that makes it so crucial? We are living in “the last days”. This is Peter’s answer as to what is going on: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…” (v.17, cf. Heb. 1:2) These last days are marked by God’s powerful communication with his people and with humanity. Look at what the last days are marked by:

“…your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below…” (v.17-19)

Visions. Dreams. Prophesy. Wonders in the heavens above. Signs on the earth below. This is not relegated to just a small handful of people. Why do you think it was being told to a group that represented “every nation under heaven” !?! (cf. v.2:7) The scope of what God is doing is massive. It encompasses the young and the old. Male and female. Rich and poor. (cf. servants) Remember that servants were a “lower class” in this cultural context, as were females, and female servants… well that was a whole other story. God is pouring out his Spirit and speaking to the broadest group of people you can imagine… literally EVERYONE. This includes YOU. Do you have your “last days mentality” ready? This is not about being some sort of “prepper” or some apocalyptic-dooms-day’er. It is quite the opposite. To live in the last days is to expect and experience the power and presence of the Lord. It is to be engaged with the Spirit of God. It means finding God at work in the least likely places, among the least likely people… like servants and the marginalized. It means ready the scriptures in tune with and in light of what the Holy Spirit is doing in you and through you. This is what the people of God are to look like!

In a way, I am afraid that God’s patience has lulled us to sleep. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) The urgency of the last days has given way to a sort of “hum-drum” existence for God’s people. Our expectations as to how God works have been watered down. We dismiss the ideas of Acts 2. Dreams and visions are tossed aside. Miracles are described away. We would rather claim a “natural” explanation” than embrace the supernatural. We have become divided as God's people. One group claims the Spirit, while the other group digs into the bible. WE NEED BOTH. You will never fully live out life in the Spirit apart from the text… and you will never engage and understand the text apart from the Spirit. The supernatural work of the Spirit brings the word of God to life. Look at how this crowd of 3000 is responding to the scriptures. It is not as if they had never seen or heard them before! The miraculous act of speaking in tongues was working hand in hand with the word of God to yield uncommon and new results. Which side are you on? What have you “discounted”? Have you traded being Spirit led for bible study? Have you traded God’s word in for a life of “just listening to the Spirit”? Have you traded both because you think in the last days all you need to say is “I love Jesus” and then go on doing whatever you want!?! In these last days, Christ is seeking those who function “in Spirit and in truth.” (cf. John 4:23-24) The Spirit of God with the truth of his word. Love you guys. - JDP