Estimated Read Time: 8 min.

Supporting Text: Heb. 11; 12:1–2, Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4, Gal. 3, Heb. 11:6, Rev. 1:5, Rom. 8:18, Rom. 8:37–39.

Throughout the first ten chapters of Hebrews, the writer demonstrates the absolute superiority of Jesus Christ. Christ is superior to the angels, superior to Moses, superior to the Levitical priesthood, and now serves as our Great High Priest. Having established the supremacy of Christ, the author turns his attention to the believer's response. If Christ is who He claims to be, how then should we live?

Hebrews 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," answers that question by providing one example after another of men and women who simply believed God. Noah trusted God's warning before the rain ever fell. Abraham left his homeland without knowing where God was leading him. Moses chose the reproach of Christ over the treasures of Egypt. Rahab believed God's promise despite her past. Each life demonstrates what genuine faith looks like in practice.

When chapter 12 begins, the writer shifts from exposition to exhortation. The doctrinal foundation has been laid. Now he calls believers to live in light of everything they have just learned.

How should we live? We are to live by faith.

This truth echoes throughout the Scriptures. Genesis 15:6 declares that Abraham "believed the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Paul builds upon this same truth in Romans 4 and Galatians 3, showing that the Christian life begins, continues, and ends by faith.

Hebrews 11 reinforces this reality, even stating that without faith it is impossible to please God. Why? Because the one who comes to God "must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Faith begins by believing that God exists, that He is exactly who He has revealed Himself to be, and that He faithfully rewards those who seek Him.

It is that “seeking” that persistence that is important, but more that later.

It is important to remember that the original letter contained no chapter or verse divisions. Hebrews 12:1 is not the beginning of a new thought; it is the conclusion of everything the author has just written in chapter 11. The opening word, "Therefore," deliberately connects the examples of faith with the exhortation that follows.
The writer begins,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…”

But what exactly is this "great cloud of witnesses"?
The Greek word translated cloud (nephos) literally refers to a large, dense cloud mass covering the whole sky without definite shape. Metaphorically though, nephos describes a great mass of people. For instance, Homer used it to mean “a cloud of men”—such as “a cloud of footmen” or “a cloud of Trojans.

The word translated witnesses is martys, from which we derive our English word martyr. Originally, the word simply referred to someone who bore testimony. Because so many early Christians sealed that testimony with their own blood, the word eventually came to describe those who died for their faith.

In fact, Revelation repeatedly describes Jesus Himself as "the faithful witness" (Rev. 1:5). He perfectly testified to the truth of God, even unto death. Just as Christ faithfully maintained His testimony to the very end, so should every believer.

We understand what each of these words mean separately, but what do they mean together? What the text is saying is that we are surrounded by a mass of witnesses. You could think of it like a stadium where the athletes are surrounded by a great mass of people.

Knowing this, it could be argued that this means those in heaven (Those from Scripture and our Loved one) are cheering us on. However, I do not believe that is the primary emphasis of the passage. What the Writer is saying is that the testimony of those in the previous chapter continue to bear witness to the faithfulness of God.

Their lives (those of Hebrews 11) stand as enduring testimonies of God's faithfulness. They testify that God keeps His promises. They testify that faith is worth living by. They testify that obedience to God is never wasted.

Their witness continues to encourage believers today.

I believe this principle extends beyond Hebrews 11. While the immediate context refers to the Old Testament saints, we are likewise surrounded by faithful testimonies in our own generation. We have both read of and watched mature believers endure sickness, loss, persecution, disappointment, and hardship without abandoning Christ. Their lives remind us that God remains faithful today just as He was faithful then.

Interestingly, the central command of Hebrews 12:1-2 is not to admire the witnesses but to continue steadfastly.
The command is to continue steadfastly means that we are to persist in active, forward-moving faith despite every obstacle. The examples of chapter 11 are not given so that we will simply admire them; they are given so that we will imitate them.

Here is another way of saying it.

The same faith that brought you to Christ is the same faith by which you continue to live. It is the faith that enables you to walk in obedience, empowers you through the Holy Spirit, strengthens you to overcome sin, sustains you through suffering, and gives peace even in the face of death. The Christian life never moves beyond faith; it grows deeper in it.

Regardless of the troubles, trials, disappointments, or adversity that come against you, your calling remains the same: Think of what Paul said in Romans 8: 37-39:

Romans 8:37 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:38 – For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

Romans 8:39 – nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The believers of Hebrews 11 endured hardships that most of us can scarcely imagine. Some wandered in deserts. Others lived in caves. Many suffered persecution. Some gave their very lives. Yet they remained persuaded that God's promises were better than anything this present world could offer.

Their confidence was not rooted in present circumstances but in God's future reward.

The same should be true of us.

Our faith should be strengthened as we read their stories in Scripture. Likewise, we should be encouraged by the faithful believers God has placed in our own lives. We have watched them endure unimaginable trials, yet they continue trusting Christ. They still believe there is a God in heaven. They still believe He rewards those who diligently seek Him. They still believe that the promises of eternity far outweigh anything this present world can offer.

That is the witness surrounding us.

So here is the challenge.

Open the Scriptures and study the lives of those who walked before you. Watch how God sustained those people through impossible circumstances. Then look around your own church family. You will find believers who have endured grief, sickness, disappointment, persecution, and loss, yet continue to trust Christ.
Their testimony joins the testimony of Hebrews 11.

When your own race becomes difficult, remember that you are not the first believer to face hardship. Others have already run this course and proved God faithful.
With such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding you, plant your feet firmly once again and declare with confidence that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

Christian, take courage, and continue steadfastly in the Faith!

Estimated Read Time: 9 min

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 12:1, 1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 1 Corinthians 12:30, 1 Corinthians 14:5, Ephesians 4:11–13, Romans 12:3–8

At this point, it is more than obvious that my position is that of a charismatic (one who shares the conviction that all the charismatic gifts are for today and therefore should be pursued by believers). This is the opposite position of a cessationist (one who holds the belief that the charismatic gifts ceased when the New Testament was completed).

Scripture declares that the gifts are for the body, and both the testimonies of others and my own experience demonstrate that these gifts are undoubtedly in operation today.

Note: While both Charismatics and Pentecostals believe that the gifts of the Spirit are for today, they differ on one central issue: the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals hold that the initial evidence is speaking in other tongues, whereas Charismatics generally maintain that tongues are an evidence, but not the sole evidence.

Personal Note: I was raised within a Pentecostal tradition and operated from that theological position for most of my life. Were it not for 1 Corinthians 12:30 and 14:5, I would likely remain much more firmly committed to my original Pentecostal position.

First Corinthians 12 is generally the place we go when we begin discussing the gifts of the Spirit. There we find an explanation of nine spiritual gifts (which we will cover shortly). However, Romans 12 identifies seven additional gifts, and Ephesians 4 lists several more. This means there are far more than just nine spiritual gifts, but in this article we will focus only on the nine listed in 1 Corinthians 12.

Paul opens 1 Corinthians 12 with the following verse:

1 Corinthians 12:1 – Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

To gain a better understanding, let's break down the Greek words translated spiritual gifts.

• Spiritual (Pneumatikos) – That which pertains to or is characterized by the Spirit; that which belongs to the realm of the Spirit.
• Gift (Charisma) – A gracious gift; an expression of divine grace freely given apart from personal merit.

Spiritual gifts, then, are unmerited gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit.

We can extend this definition even further.

1 Corinthians 12:7 – To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Here Paul argues that the public manifestation of these gifts exists for the common good of the church rather than for self-affirmation, personal fulfillment, or status.

We see this same principle in Ephesians 4:11–13, where Paul explains that the gifts given to the body of Christ are intended to equip the saints for the work of ministry, promote the unity of the faith, deepen the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and bring believers to maturity.

Notice the consistent theme.

The gifts of the Spirit are given to individuals in order to build up the body.

We can now extend our definition:

Spiritual gifts are unmerited gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the Church.

As we move from defining spiritual gifts, we also need to understand what Paul says in verses 4–6.

1. Diversity of Gifts – There are many kinds of gifts, a point we have already introduced and will examine further.
2. Differences of Service – The same gifts may function in different areas of ministry and service.
3. Diversity of Activities – The Greek word refers to "activities" or "workings" (the source of our English word energy). In other words, God determines the measure of power or effectiveness with which a gift operates in an individual.

When it comes to spiritual gifts, God determines which gift or gifts a person receives. Those gifts may then be expressed through a variety of ministries, and each individual may experience different levels of power or effectiveness in exercising them.

For example, two people may both possess the gift of healing, yet one may consistently minister more powerfully than the other. There is nothing wrong with the one who operates in the gift to a lesser degree. Rather, God, in His wisdom, has simply apportioned a greater measure of that gift's operation to the other individual.

The Spirit distributes His gifts as He wills. Every gift we receive is another expression of God's grace that we do not deserve.

Therefore, it should not matter if one person operates in a greater capacity than another. While we are different people, possessing different gifts, serving in different ways, and ministering with varying levels of power, one truth remains the same:
Every gift comes from the same Holy Spirit, whose purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ.

It should also be noted that these gifts are manifested at particular points in time. An individual may not continually operate in every gift.

The first two gifts are closely related. They are articulate utterances (the meaning behind the word word) that communicate God's knowledge or wisdom for the benefit of the church.

1. The Word of Knowledge
The Word of Knowledge is the Spirit-given ability to communicate divine understanding or knowledge. It is closely related to the Word of Wisdom but is primarily concerned with understanding God's truth.

2. The Word of Wisdom
The Word of Wisdom empowers a person to speak God's wisdom into a particular situation. It is the Spirit-given insight to apply God's truth practically. It is not merely intellectual brilliance or philosophical wisdom.

3. The Gift of Faith
The Gift of Faith is a special endowment of confidence for a specific task, distinct from saving faith. It is an extraordinary trust in God for particular situations.

4. Gifts of Healings
The Gifts of Healings involve various manifestations of healing that are distributed sovereignly by God. These include different kinds of illnesses and different expressions of healing. Not every healing is instantaneous or miraculous in the same manner.

5. The Working of Miracles
The Working of Miracles (literally, "workings of powers") includes miracles but extends beyond spectacular supernatural events. It may include divine judgments, exorcisms, mighty acts, and other manifestations of God's power.

6. Prophecy
Prophecy is Spirit-inspired speech that builds up, exhorts, comforts, teaches, warns, and applies God's truth to the church. It is not necessarily predictive, although predictive prophecy is possible. All prophecy is subject to evaluation and testing.

7. Discerning of Spirits
Discerning of Spirits is the Spirit-given ability to distinguish the genuine activity of the Holy Spirit from false spiritual claims, false prophecy, deception, and other spiritual influences. It is broader than merely detecting demonic activity.

8. Kinds of Tongues
Kinds of Tongues involve multiple species or forms of Spirit-inspired speech. Depending on the context, these may include foreign languages, heavenly language, ecstatic speech, prayer, praise, or worship.

9. Interpretation of Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues is the Spirit-enabled rendering of an unintelligible tongue into intelligible speech for the edification of the church. In some instances, it may also involve the speaker praying for the ability to understand and interpret his own utterance.

Estimated Read Time: 9 min

Supporting Text: Acts 2:1–13, Acts 8:14–19, Acts 9:1–19, Acts 10:44–48, Acts 19:1–7, 1 Cor. 13:1–13, 1 Cor. 14:1–40, Rom. 8:26–27, Eph. 6:18, Jude 20.

When you walk through the book of Acts, there are five occasions where people are initially baptized in the Holy Spirit. We mentioned these in the article on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Briefly, those passages are found in Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, and 19.

• Acts 2, 10, and 19 state that those who were filled with the Spirit spoke with other tongues.
• Acts 8 alludes to a physical manifestation occurring, more than likely the act of speaking in tongues being witnessed.
• Acts 9 records no mention of tongues. Instead, Paul's eyes are healed, and shortly afterward he begins preaching the Gospel. However, we do know from 1 Corinthians that Paul tells the Corinthian church that he speaks in other tongues as well (1 Cor. 14:18).

As you can tell, there is a clear majority of these cases where those who are initially filled with the Spirit speak with other tongues.

We have already covered tongues as the initial evidence of one being baptized in the Holy Spirit. If you haven't read that article, I encourage you to go back and read it. In this article, I want to focus on what speaking in other tongues actually is.

1 Corinthians 14:2 tells us:

"For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit." (1 Cor. 14:2)

Furthermore, in Acts 2 we find the use of two different Greek words regarding tongues.

1. Glōssa (Acts 2:4) — A language (specifically one unacquired). It emphasizes a mode of speech that the speaker has not learned through normal linguistic acquisition.
2. Dialektos (Acts 2:6) — The tongue or language peculiar to a particular people. It emphasizes the native, regional speech of each listener's homeland—Parthians hearing Parthian, Cretans hearing Cretan, and so forth.

The distinction between these terms matters. The disciples spoke in "other tongues" (glōssa) (Acts 2:4), while the multitude heard them speaking "in his own language" (dialektos) (Acts 2:6).

Therefore, speaking in other tongues, as the Spirit gives the utterance, means that the Christian begins speaking in a language unknown to him or her, yet one that is spoken somewhere else on this earth. This is supernatural, to say the least, as the speaker is, by faith, allowing the Spirit of God to flow through him and speak.

Paul writes:

"For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful." (1 Cor. 14:14)

"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also." (1 Cor. 14:15)

Paul states that when one speaks in tongues, the mind is unfruitful. In other words, the speaker does not know what he or she is saying. Simply put, the believer yields to the Spirit of God and actively speaks the words that the Spirit gives.

This can be viewed similarly to prophecy. When someone stands to proclaim the Word of God or deliver a word the Lord has revealed, he speaks with his own mouth what the Spirit has made known to him. The difference is that, in speaking with tongues, the words themselves are unknown to the speaker.
For the overthinkers out there, this may be a difficult concept. It requires allowing your desire for control within your mind to be set aside and permitting yourself to speak words that are unknown to you. Certainly, this is an act of faith that requires yielding even more control to the Spirit of God.
Maybe that is part of the point.

When you give your life to Jesus, you acknowledge that He is King and Lord of your life. You submit to His authority and seek to live according to His ways. When one is baptized in the Holy Spirit, there is a further yielding of control to the Spirit of God so that you may operate in His power rather than your own.

There is one more type of tongue that deserves mention.

I have dealt with the fact that speaking in other tongues ordinarily involves speaking a language spoken somewhere else on this earth. However, Paul writes:

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels..." (1 Cor. 13:1)

Apparently, speaking in the heavenly language of angels is also within the scope of Paul's discussion.

When I read the Scriptures, it seems that the operation of tongues was more commonplace in the first-century church than many people assume.
In addition to the passages already discussed, consider the following:

• Paul describes both praying with his spirit and singing with his spirit (1 Cor. 14:13–15).
• The Spirit intercedes for believers with groanings too deep for words, knowing the mind of the Spirit and interceding for the saints according to God's will (Rom. 8:26–27).
• We are instructed to pray at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication (Eph. 6:18).
• We are exhorted to pray in the Holy Spirit, building ourselves up in our most holy faith (Jude 20).

The operation of tongues in the believer appears to have been commonplace, as we are repeatedly encouraged throughout Scripture to worship in the Spirit and, more specifically, to pray in the Spirit.
Your personal prayer time should be where you most often exercise the gift of tongues.

This is the practice I lean into most today. During times of prayer, I allow the Spirit to pray through me. Likewise, during worship services, when everyone is praising the Lord in their own way, I will often sense the desire to speak in other tongues, and I simply yield to the Spirit, quietly praising God.

I do so knowing that those who spoke in tongues on the Day of Pentecost were declaring the mighty works of God (Acts 2:11).

Since I have begun speaking about the regulation of tongues in personal prayer and worship, I want to briefly address its operation within the public worship service. Again, we find this instruction in 1 Corinthians 14. I'll simply summarize Paul's teaching. 

 Paul teaches that while the one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, the one who prophesies builds up the church through encouragement, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:1–5). In fact, Paul says that although he desires all believers to speak with tongues, he would rather they prophesy because intelligible speech benefits the entire congregation unless the tongue is interpreted (1 Cor. 14:5). He then exhorts believers that, since they are eager for the manifestations of the Spirit, they should strive to excel in those gifts that build up the church (1 Cor. 14:12).

The point of the public worship service is the edification of the whole body, not merely one individual.

If you sense the leading of the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues during a service, remember that "the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets" (1 Cor. 14:32). In other words, the Holy Spirit empowers you, but He does not remove your self-control. You remain responsible for how and when the gift is exercised. Wisdom should always accompany spiritual gifts.

 Paul gives very practical instruction concerning public messages in tongues.

"If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God." (1 Cor. 14:27–28)

If you are in a church where there is no interpretation, or if your church does not permit public messages in tongues, then do not loudly exercise the gift. Continue praying quietly to yourself and to God, exactly as Paul instructs.

 Paul places an entire chapter on love immediately before discussing the gifts of the Spirit, and that is not accidental.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Cor. 13:1)

Love must govern every spiritual gift. Paul concludes his discussion by reminding believers that all things should be done for edification and that "God is not a God of confusion but of peace" (1 Cor. 14:33). Unity, order, and love are always more important than demonstrating one's spirituality.

 Even with these regulations, Paul never discourages the legitimate use of tongues. In fact, he concludes his instruction by saying,

"So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." (1 Cor. 14:39)

The gift is to be welcomed, but it must always operate according to the biblical order God has established. When exercised in love, with interpretation, and for the edification of the church, the gift of tongues fulfills its proper place within the body of Christ.

Healing Beyond the Porch
At The Way Church, one of our goals is to continue the conversation beyond Sunday morning. While sermons are preached in a moment, the truths found in God's Word are meant to be carried into everyday life. Through this blog, we'll occasionally revisit messages from recent services, providing encouragement, reflection, and practical application for the week ahead.
Our series, Peace for the Battle Within, has been reminding us that healing is often more than a single moment. In the first message, we discovered that while salvation is instant, the healing of our souls is often a process. Last week, we were encouraged that a hurting mind is not a broken mind. It is healing in progress.
This week's message takes us one step further.
Eventually, healing requires movement.
That statement may sound simple, but it has profound implications. Most of us can identify seasons of pain that came suddenly. A difficult diagnosis. The loss of a loved one. A betrayal. A financial hardship. Those moments shake us, but over time they often begin to heal.

There is another kind of pain, however, that can become even more dangerous.
It is the pain we stop fighting.
The anxiety we quietly accept as "just the way I am."
The bitterness we justify because of what someone did to us.
The exhaustion we wear like a badge of honor.
The unhealthy habits we excuse because we've lived with them for so long.
Over time, what once felt abnormal slowly becomes familiar. We stop expecting freedom because we have adjusted to surviving. We no longer think of our struggle as something we experience. We begin thinking of it as part of our identity.
That is exactly why the account in John chapter 5 speaks so powerfully to us today.

The Question That Changes Everything
John tells us about a man who had been unable to walk for thirty-eight years. Think about that for a moment. Thirty-eight years is long enough for disappointment to become routine. It is long enough for hope to fade. It is long enough to stop imagining life could ever be different.
When Jesus approached him at the Pool of Bethesda, He asked what seems like a strange question.
"Do you want to get well?"
At first glance, the answer appears obvious. Of course he wanted to get well.
Yet instead of saying yes, the man immediately explained why he couldn't.
He had no one to help him into the pool. Others always got there first. The circumstances were against him.
His explanation made perfect sense.
Many of ours do too.
How often do we respond in similar ways? We tell ourselves we've already tried. We convince ourselves that change is impossible. We point to our past, our family history, our circumstances, or our failures as reasons why nothing can ever be different.
Sometimes those reasons are very real.
Jesus never minimized the man's suffering.
But He also refused to let the man's past determine his future.

Grace Always Makes the First Move
One detail from Sunday's message is worth sitting with a little longer.
The man never went looking for Jesus.
Jesus found him.
That is the story of the gospel from beginning to end.
God always makes the first move.
In the sermon we noted that Bethesda means "House of Grace." That is more than an interesting historical detail. It reminds us that every relationship with God begins the same way. Grace initiates.
We don't earn God's attention.
We don't deserve His kindness.
We don't heal ourselves so that He will love us.
He comes to us first.
But grace was never meant to leave us where it found us.
After Jesus met the man, He gave him a command that required faith.
"Get up. Pick up your mat. Walk."
The miracle came through God's power, but the man still had to respond.
That is why one of the central truths from this week's message is so important.
Grace initiates. Faith participates.
God supplies what only He can provide, but He often asks us to take the next faithful step.

When the Porch Becomes Comfortable
Perhaps the most challenging picture in this passage is not the pool.
It is the porch.
For thirty-eight years, the porch had become the man's world. It was familiar. Predictable. It required very little from him except waiting.
Sometimes our own porches are harder to leave than we realize.
The porch may be a pattern of negative thinking.
It may be an addiction we've learned to hide.
It may be constant busyness that keeps us distracted from what is really happening inside our hearts.
It may even be a diagnosis that has slowly become our identity instead of simply describing what we are experiencing.
During Sunday's message, we talked about the importance of recognizing that our struggles are real without allowing them to define who we are.
There is a difference between saying, "I struggle with anxiety," and believing, "Anxiety is who I am."
One describes a battle.
The other becomes an identity.
As followers of Christ, our identity is not rooted in our wounds. It is rooted in the One who calls us His own.

Faith Is Often Smaller Than We Think
One of the greatest misconceptions about faith is that it always looks dramatic.
Sometimes it does.
More often, it looks ordinary.
It looks like making the phone call you've been avoiding.
It looks like opening your Bible when you don't feel like reading.
It looks like showing up to church when staying home feels easier.
It looks like asking for help instead of pretending everything is fine.
It looks like forgiving one day before the emotions fully catch up.
Those steps may seem insignificant, but they are often where healing begins.
In Sunday's message, we were reminded that what we resist the hardest is often what we need the most. That truth can be uncomfortable because it requires humility. It asks us to stop making excuses and begin trusting God with the next step instead of demanding to see the entire journey.

Don't Stay Where Jesus Has Called You From
The beauty of John 5 is not simply that a man walked again. The beauty is that Jesus refused to leave him where He found him. The same Jesus still meets people in their pain today. He still walks toward those who feel forgotten. He still extends grace before we deserve it. He still asks difficult questions that expose what has kept us stuck. And He still invites us to move toward healing.
That invitation may look different for each of us. For one person, the next step may be having an honest conversation they've been avoiding. For someone else, it may be seeking wise counsel, laying down bitterness they've carried for years, or admitting they've grown comfortable on the porch. Whatever that step is, don't dismiss it because it seems small. Throughout Scripture, God often uses simple acts of obedience to accomplish profound transformation.
As we were reminded throughout this message, grace always makes the first move. God has already come near. He has already extended His love, His mercy, and His invitation to be made whole. The question is no longer whether He is willing to work. The question is whether we are willing to respond in faith.
The God who saved your soul is still committed to restoring your heart. His grace has already reached toward you. Now, by faith, take the next step. You don't have to have the entire journey figured out today. You simply have to trust the One who is calling you to get up, pick up your mat, and walk.

Estimated Read Time: 10 min.

Supporting Text: Acts 1:4–5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1–11, Acts 4:23–31, Acts 8:14–21, Acts 8:19, Acts 9:10–18, Acts 10:44–48, Acts 19:1–6, Luke 11:13, 1 Cor. 12:7–11, 1 Cor. 12:30, 1 Cor. 14:5, 1 Cor. 14:18.

If you read Acts 2:1–11, you will find that there is much in this text that occurred only once in Scripture. For instance, the sound of a rushing wind and the appearance of fire resting upon believers never occur again when people are filled with the Holy Spirit. There are, however, other accounts in the book of Acts that share similarities with the initial Acts 2 experience, particularly the speaking in other tongues (Acts 2, Acts 10, and Acts 19). Yet there are also a couple of occasions involving an initial filling of the Spirit where tongues are not explicitly mentioned (Acts 8 and Acts 9).

In this article, I will discuss the Pentecostal doctrine that the initial physical evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues. I will first present this view and then examine the arguments commonly raised against it.

I want to be transparent. I come from a Pentecostal background. I grew up hearing and learning from many great Pentecostal preachers, and I have both heard and personally delivered messages concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. I still maintain a sincere appreciation for many aspects of Pentecostal theology.

The traditional Pentecostal viewpoint possesses a strong biblical argument. In a moment, I will walk through that argument and the primary passages used to support it. However, after studying the whole counsel of Scripture, I no longer hold the position that every believer who is filled with the Spirit will necessarily speak in other tongues.

I still maintain a very high view of tongues. It is a biblical and valuable gift that I continue to operate in today. Additionally, in a future article, I will take the time to discuss the topic of tongues in greater detail so that you may have a fuller understanding of its purpose and operation.

One more thing before we proceed. While I believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a foundational doctrine, the question of what constitutes the evidence of that baptism is a secondary issue. Whether you believe that tongues are the evidence or whether you hold another view, all Christians are united by Jesus Christ. We are family, and we should be able to discuss these matters with grace, humility, and love.

Traditional Pentecostal teaching regarding the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is often summarized as follows:

"The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct work of grace following salvation, and the initial physical evidence of receiving this baptism is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance."

The primary support for this position comes from Acts chapters 2, 10, and 19. In each of these accounts, those who receive the Holy Spirit are also recorded as speaking in tongues.

Therefore, of the five primary accounts in Acts that appear to describe an initial filling of the Holy Spirit, three explicitly mention speaking in tongues. This forms the foundation of the Pentecostal argument.

The question then becomes: What do we do with the other two accounts found in Acts chapters 8 and 9?

Acts 8 gives us the account of Simon the Sorcerer witnessing others receive the Holy Spirit. Upon seeing this phenomenon, Simon asks Peter for this power so that he too might lay hands on people and see them receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:19).

Peter immediately rebukes him, but it should be noted that Simon saw something observable. There was a visible or audible manifestation accompanying the reception of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, some argue that the experience may have been similar to Acts 2, where people spoke in tongues.

Some have also pointed to Acts 8:21, noting that in the Textus Receptus the word translated "matter" is logos, which can refer to speech or utterance. This has been used to suggest that speaking may have been involved. However, this argument is weakened by the fact that earlier manuscripts use the Greek word meris, meaning "part" or "portion." Therefore, the textual evidence for that argument is not particularly strong.

Acts 9 records Paul's reception of the Holy Spirit. In this account, tongues are not mentioned at all. The gifts that appear to be operating are prophecy through Ananias and the healing of Paul's blindness.

However, we later learn from 1 Corinthians 14:18 that Paul spoke in tongues extensively:

"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you."

Paul clearly spoke in tongues. The question is whether he received this gift at the moment recorded in Acts 9 or at some later point. Since Acts does not explicitly mention tongues, we cannot say with certainty.

As you can see, there are biblical arguments supporting the Pentecostal position, but there are also scriptural observations that raise questions about it.

Acts 9 records Paul's reception of the Holy Spirit. In this account, tongues are not mentioned at all. The gifts that appear to be operating are prophecy through Ananias and the healing of Paul's blindness.

However, we later learn from 1 Corinthians 14:18 that Paul spoke in tongues extensively:

"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you."

Paul clearly spoke in tongues. The question is whether he received this gift at the moment recorded in Acts 9 or at some later point. Since Acts does not explicitly mention tongues, we cannot say with certainty.

As you can see, there are biblical arguments supporting the Pentecostal position, but there are also scriptural observations that raise questions about it.

1 Corinthians 12:30 - Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Paul is clearly employing a rhetorical series of questions. The expected answer to each question is no. Therefore, when Paul asks, "Do all speak with tongues?" the anticipated answer is also no.

Some Pentecostal traditions argue that the tongues associated with Spirit baptism are different from the gift of tongues described in 1 Corinthians 12. However, the gift discussed in chapter 12 is further explained in chapter 14, where Paul discusses its use in both public and private settings. While there may be different uses of tongues, the same gift appears to be in operation.

This means that Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 12:30 may also apply to the discussion of Spirit baptism. Furthermore, Paul says:

"Now I want you all to speak in tongues..." (1 Cor. 14:5)

His desire that all would speak in tongues suggests that not all actually did.

How do you know that you have been filled with the Holy Spirit and are ready to be a witness for Jesus Christ?

First, if you begin speaking in tongues, I believe that is a clear indication that God has filled you with the Holy Spirit.

I remember when God filled me with the Holy Spirit at a youth conference. I felt fire come into my belly, and I spoke words in another tongue. Ever since then, that gift has continued to grow in my life, especially during personal times of worship and prayer.

Second, other gifts may manifest as well.

Acts 9 records both prophecy and healing in connection with Paul's experience. You may discover that God has given you a spiritual gift as a result of being filled with the Spirit. After all, it is the Spirit who distributes gifts according to His will (1 Cor. 12:7–11).

Third, many believers receive a boldness in proclaiming the Gospel.

Often, a believer asks God to fill them with the Holy Spirit and then discovers a newfound confidence to share Christ with others. What once seemed intimidating becomes natural through the power of God.

Acts 4:23–31 records believers being filled with the Holy Spirit, and after they were filled, they continued to speak the Word of God with boldness.

It is worth noting that Acts 4 appears to describe a second filling of the Holy Spirit. In other words, there is not merely one filling, but many fillings throughout the Christian life.

If God has filled you before, perhaps it is time to ask Him to fill you again.

If you are a Christian and have not yet received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, now is the time to ask.

In your prayer time, begin asking the Lord to fill you with the Holy Spirit.

This requires faith, just as salvation required faith. Remember that Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for and receive this promise (Acts 1:4–5, 8). Furthermore, Luke 11:13 assures us that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

This is not something God is withholding from you. Ask and receive by faith.

Do not become preoccupied with the evidence. The Holy Spirit distributes His gifts as He wills (1 Cor. 12:7–11). Furthermore, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not primarily about evidences. It is about being empowered to be a witness for Jesus Christ.

If you are seeking the Holy Spirit merely so that you can speak in tongues, your emphasis is misplaced. Instead, ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit because you desire to be His witness. As you seek Him, trust Him to provide whatever evidence and gifts He desires.

In the next article, we will begin discussing the Gifts of the Spirit.

Estimated Read Time: 5 min

Supporting Text: Matt. 3:16–17, Matt. 28:18–20, Luke 24:52–53, Acts 1:12–14, Acts 1:24–26, Heb. 10:25, Acts 2:1–4, Acts 2:16–21, Joel 2:28–32, Num. 11:24–29, Isa. 46:9–10, John 16:13, Acts 2:11, Acts 2:41–42.

The opening chapter of the book of Acts contains a command from Jesus to His disciples that they were to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Once they received this Spirit baptism (just as Christ had at His own baptism, Matt. 3:16–17), their witness for Jesus could begin.

In the last article "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit,"  I discussed the purpose of Spirit baptism. Its purpose is that you, the disciple of Jesus Christ, might become an empowered witness of the Gospel of which you have become a partaker.

Jesus knew that we would need both boldness and power in order to carry out this mission. The Great Commission would, at times, be perilous (Matt. 28:18–20). Therefore, He told His disciples to wait until they had been fully immersed in the Spirit of God, just as they had already been immersed into Christ.

From the Ascension until the Day of Pentecost, the disciples waited for the Promise of the Father—for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit. During that time, they were:

• Attending Temple services (Luke 24:52–53)
• Praying (Acts 1:12–14)
• Practicing apostolic governance (Acts 1:24–26)

These are the same things we should be doing today: attending church (Heb. 10:25), continuing in the Apostles' doctrine (biblical teaching), fellowshipping with other believers, and praying (Acts 2:42).

Finally, the Day of Pentecost arrived. While they were gathered in the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit came from heaven and filled the house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:1 - When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:2 - And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:3 - And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The text tells us that when the Holy Spirit came into the house, the following occurred:

• A sound from heaven, like a mighty rushing wind
• The sound filled the entire house where the disciples were gathered
• Divided tongues of fire appeared and rested upon each of them
• They were filled with the Holy Spirit
• They began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance

As you continue reading through the account of Pentecost, you will come to Acts 2:16–21, where the Holy Spirit brings to Peter's remembrance the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28–32), which foretold this very event.

This prophecy also marks the beginning of the period commonly referred to as "the Last Days"—the time between the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

In Joel's prophecy, we are told that when the Spirit is poured out upon all flesh—male and female, Jew and Gentile, slave and free—certain manifestations will occur. Those filled with the Spirit will:

• Prophesy
• Experience visions
• Dream dreams

The gifts of the Holy Spirit will be given to God's people (a subject we will discuss in a future lesson on the Gifts of the Spirit), and those filled with the Spirit will prophesy.
We can go back even further into the Old Testament and find a similar example in Numbers 11:24–29. In that passage, when the Spirit of God came upon the seventy elders, they began to prophesy.

But what does it mean to prophesy?

Prophecy has two primary aspects:

• Foretelling: The Spirit reveals knowledge concerning future events (Isa. 46:9–10; John 16:13).
• Forth-telling: The Spirit enables a person to proclaim the Word of God to a present audience (e.g., Acts 2:14-41). In its simplest form, this includes preaching and teaching the truth of Scripture.

Ultimately, this is what we see taking place on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:11 - "...we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."

We will discuss specific evidences in greater detail in the next article, but the primary evidence we see here is believers operating in prophetic witness. Combined with the supernatural gift of tongues, these men and women began declaring the mighty works of God in languages they had never learned.

Peter then stood up in boldness and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result, three thousand people gave their lives to Christ because of what they both saw and heard (Acts 2:41).

Therefore, the greatest evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is a bold and confident witness of Jesus Christ that flows from both your mouth and your life. Those who are filled with the Spirit possess a bold faith, and they are not ashamed to proclaim it.

In the next article, we will begin a more detailed discussion concerning the specific evidences associated with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Estimated Read Time: 12 min.

Supporting Text: Acts 1:4–8, Matthew 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22, Luke 4:1, 14, 18, Acts 10:44–48, Acts 19:1–6, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthians 6:11, John 20:21–23, Mark 11:12–14, 20–24, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Matthew 3:11, Acts 10:38, Matthew 28:19–20, Luke 11:13, Acts 1:12–14.

Let's begin with Acts 1:4-5:

Acts 1:4-5 - [4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; [5]  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Luke records here, in the first chapter of the book of Acts, the last words of Jesus before His ascension. Certainly, when it comes to any man's last words, they are important. But even more important are the last words given by our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, before He ascended into heaven (where He remains until He returns).

He did not give words of prophecy regarding the future. Rather, He gave a command for the present. That command was to wait for the Promise of the Father and to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

These disciples, who had walked with Jesus for three and a half years, were now being commanded to do nothing (in regards to being a witness) for Him except wait until they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

This raises several questions:

• Were these disciples not already used by Jesus?
• Were they technically not saved until they received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost?
• What about the doctrine of a second work of grace that certain Christians (I am one of them) believe?

What Jesus is commanding here is for the disciples to undergo a similar experience to what He Himself experienced at His baptism in the Jordan (Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22).

Prior to that baptism, there is no record of public miracles or ministry from Christ. He lived in relative obscurity. It was at that event, when Jesus was water baptized and the Spirit came upon Him, that His public ministry and miracles began (Luke 4:1, 14, 18).

Jesus is God, but when He took on flesh, He lived as a man. As one pastor stated:

"He maintained the possession of His Deity; however, He laid aside the expression of it."
While Jesus ministered on this earth, everything He did was accomplished by and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now He commands His disciples to undergo a similar experience.

To be baptized simply means "to be immersed."

Our practice of water baptism illustrates this. When people give their lives to Jesus, they are soon baptized in water. There, they publicly confess Christ, and ministers baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19–20).

They are taken beneath the water and then raised up again.

This symbolizes the passing away of the old person and points toward resurrection life. It represents our salvation as we move from death into life.

We are immersed into the water just as we have been immersed into Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

At the moment a person accepts Christ, the Spirit of God immerses them into the body of Christ, allowing Him to take up residence within them.

At the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the reverse occurs.

Matthew 3:11 - I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Here, Jesus takes His people and immerses them fully into the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we see the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as a second and distinct work of grace that every believer should experience.

We see this again in Acts 19:5–6. There, Paul baptized believers in the name of the Lord Jesus, and then, one verse later, laid hands on them. They were then baptized in the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues.

On the subject of tongues, I will speak at length in a future article, but not in this one.

I am one of those who maintain that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a second and distinct work of grace.

Yes, both salvation and Spirit baptism can happen at the same time (Acts 10:44–48). However, there are other occasions where they are presented as distinct events (Acts 19:1–6).

Does this mean that a person does not receive the Holy Spirit until they are baptized in the Spirit?

The answer is no.

In the previous articles, we have seen that the Holy Spirit indwells a person from the moment they accept Jesus Christ as Savior. It is at that point that we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).

1 Corinthians 6:11 states:

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Clearly, the Holy Spirit is involved in salvation and begins to take up residence and work within us from the moment we accept Christ.

I would even argue that the disciples had already received the Holy Spirit prior to the command given in Acts 1. Consider John 20:21–23:

John 20:21–23 - Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.

Here we see Jesus, after His resurrection, breathing upon His disciples and telling them to receive the Holy Spirit.

Their reception of the Holy Spirit evidences that they are now in relationship with Christ and part of His body.

With this reception of the Holy Spirit comes authority (exousia), which is also granted to Christ's disciples. This authority enables Christians to operate within the authority delegated to them by God.

If the Word of God declares something, we may speak that Word with confidence. Jesus and the fig tree provide one example (Mark 11:12–14, 20–24), and commanding demonic spirits to leave is another.

However, I do want to add a caveat.

I do not believe that we can simply command whatever we desire and expect God's authority to automatically enforce our will. A Christian walking in humility is a servant of God.

Therefore, we must operate under His authority—the Word of God. When He opens our eyes to a situation, we may, by faith, speak according to His will. This authoritative speaking is then in line with the will of God.

• We speak as He speaks. We act as He acts.
• We are His servants.
• He is our Master, not our genie.

These disciples had already received the Holy Spirit. What, then, was the point of the Day of Pentecost?

When we read the first chapter of Acts, Jesus is not primarily speaking about receiving the Person of the Holy Spirit for the first time, but rather receiving power from the Holy Spirit.
The emphasis is not on receiving the Spirit Himself, but on receiving the power that accompanies being baptized in the Spirit.

That reception of power comes through being baptized into Him.

By now, we understand that to be baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be fully immersed in the Holy Spirit. We also understand that this is a second work of grace that occurs after a person gives their life to Jesus Christ. This means that the only prerequisite for being baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be saved.

But what is the purpose? Why should a believer seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Acts 1:8 tells us:

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

The purpose of Spirit baptism is that we might be empowered as God's witnesses of Jesus Christ on the earth so that others may also come to know Him.

But what is a witness?

The Greek word translated "witness" is martys, from which we derive the English word martyr. Martyrs are those who have proven the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ, even unto death. Their words and their lives testify to the victory of Christ.
When believers proclaim the Gospel, there should be a power associated with that proclamation—not merely authority.

Earlier, we spoke about authority. Every Christian is able to, and should, operate in the authority given to them by Christ. However, there is also power that Jesus desires to give to every one of His children. Not only does He desire to give it, but He commands us to receive it.

Read Acts 1:4–5 and 1:8 again. This command was given by Jesus to His disciples, and by extension, it applies to us as well. They were instructed to wait until they received power from God.

The word translated "power" is dunamis, from which we derive the English word dynamite. It refers to inherent power, miraculous power, or mighty works.

This is the same power that Jesus operated in throughout His earthly ministry when He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead (Luke 4:14, 18; Acts 10:38).

As Christians, we need to operate in both God's authority and His power. When those two things work together, we are able to properly fulfill our role as witnesses and carry out the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19–20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Before we do this, however, we must be filled with the Spirit.

I have already stated this, but it bears repeating: this is a command given by Jesus.
As I bring this article to a close, I want to address what we are to do in order to obey this command and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

First, we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Salvation is the prerequisite. God does not fill someone who is unwilling to enter into relationship with Him.
Second, we must ask.

Luke 11:13 - If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
It really is that simple.

If you have given your life to Jesus and are reading this article, begin asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit.

Now let's focus on the concept of waiting.

Waiting is not passive; it is active.

The disciples (not just the Twelve) spent the days following Christ's ascension waiting for the Promise of the Father. What did that waiting look like?

Where Did They Wait?

They waited where Christ told them to wait.

They remained in Jerusalem and gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:12–13).
How Did They Wait?

They waited in unity and prayer.

Acts 1:14 tells us that they continued together in prayer. This likely included both private and corporate prayer.

They were actively fellowshipping, praying, worshiping, gathering together, and living in obedience to the Scriptures while they waited.

We should do the same.

We should be actively involved in the church where God has planted us. We should be fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ, living lives aligned with the Word of God, and continually asking the Lord to baptize us in the Holy Spirit.

We do this knowing that this is the very promise Christ commanded His disciples to wait for. We also do it knowing that when God fills us with His Spirit, He empowers us to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ so that others may come to know Him as Lord and Savior.
Begin waiting for the Promise of the Spirit.

While you wait, ask God to fill you.

Expect the Holy Spirit to come upon you, knowing that when He does, God will use you and demonstrate His power through the ministry He has called you to fulfill.

Estimated Read Time: 8 min.

Supporting Text: John 14:18, John 16:13–15, 2 Peter 1:21, John 14:26, Mark 13:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 John 2:27, Hebrews 10:25, Proverbs 3:5–6, John 16:7–11, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 1:9, John 16:14, 1 John 4:1, John 16:13, Isaiah 46:10, Hebrews 11:7, Acts 13:2.

In the Greek, the word for "Comforter" is Paraklētos, which means advocate, helper, or comforter—the One called alongside another to help.

in the previous article "The Holy Spirit & Salvation" In the Greek, the word for "Comforter" is Paraklētos, which means advocate, helper, or comforter—the One called alongside another to help.

John 16 not only describes the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing us unto Christ but it also describes what He will do in our lives after accepting Christ.

John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:14 - He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

John 16:15 - All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The first thing we are told is that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and that He will guide us into all truth. That truth is the Word of God—the Scriptures—which He gave unto mankind (2 Pet. 1:21). Not only will He guide you through it, but He will also bring it to your remembrance (John 14:26).

Furthermore, Jesus, speaking of the persecution that would come, tells His disciples in Mark 13:11 that when they are delivered up, they should not be anxious about what they are to say. Rather, the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak.

Now, I do not believe these verses mean that you never have to read the Bible because God will supernaturally give you everything you need. Throughout Scripture we find numerous admonitions to study and know God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15). As Christians, we should place ourselves before the Scriptures and seek to understand them.

The Holy Spirit gave us this Book, and He will guide us through it, bring it to our remembrance, and teach it to us (1 John 2:27).

Note: Part of that teaching comes not only through personal study but also through being part of a local church where the Holy Spirit uses pastors, teachers, and other ministries to instruct believers in the truth. Ensure that you do not forsake assembling together with other believers (Heb. 10:25).

As the Spirit of Truth reveals these things to us, we should yield to what He is showing us (Prov. 3:5–6).

Following the promise that He will lead us into all truth, we encounter two additional things that the Holy Spirit will do. For simplicity, I am going to present these as three things that the Spirit speaks to believers about.

The first thing the Spirit will speak to you about is you.

If we back up in John 16 to verses 7–11, we see the subject of conviction that we discussed in the previous lesson. However, that work continues in the life of the believer.
Philippians 1:6 tells us:

"He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Even though we are in Christ and have been justified, we are not yet perfect. We will still fail. This is evident in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches us to ask the Father for forgiveness and for help in overcoming temptation. Additionally, 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we fail, we should confess our sins unto Christ and receive His forgiveness.

The Holy Spirit will continue to convict us of sin and bring those things to our attention so that they may be cleansed and forgiven. When this happens—and it will happen—do not grieve the Holy Spirit through resistance. Instead, yield to Him, confess your sin, and be cleansed.

As we saw in Philippians 1:6, this is a work that will continue in us until the Lord returns and we receive our glorified bodies, which will no longer possess a sin nature.

The second thing the Spirit will speak to you about is Christ.

Jesus said:

"He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you." -- John 16:14

The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us. Everything that He reveals ultimately glorifies Jesus.
Here I want to emphasize a word of caution. The Spirit will indeed speak to you, but you also have your own thoughts, and evil spirits can seek to influence you either directly or through others. For this reason, John tells us in 1 John 4:1 to test the spirits to determine whether they are from God.

What the Spirit speaks will always conform to the Word of God—the Scriptures He inspired. Both Scripture and the Spirit will always point us toward Christ and glorify Him.

Finally, the Spirit will speak to you about things to come.

In other words, He may reveal things concerning the future. This may occur in a corporate sense or in a personal sense. It may come through dreams, visions, direct impressions upon your spirit, or through bringing Scripture to your remembrance.

Throughout Scripture and church history, we find many examples of God revealing future events to His people. In fact, this is one of the ways God identifies Himself as God.

Isaiah 46:10 - declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose."

Additionally, this is something that the Spirit has spoken to me about personally as well.
Years ago, a great fear came upon me concerning my place of employment. During that season, the Spirit brought Hebrews 11:7 to my remembrance:

Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

As that verse continued to weigh upon my heart, I felt the Spirit compel me to apply for another position. That was ultimately the position I ended up in. A few months later, I discovered that my former boss had been let go from that employer. When I asked him whether I would have been affected, he told me that I would have been let go as well.

In that situation, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, brought the Word to my remembrance, and, in yielding to Him, I entered into a season of blessing rather than difficulty. God is so good!

The Holy Spirit is active in our lives. He speaks to us through His Word, and He also speaks to our spirit (Acts 13:2; John 16:13).

Do not grieve Him. Open the Scriptures often. Ask the Spirit to speak, guide, and direct you.

There is so much more that the Holy Spirit desires to do in and through the life of the believer. That is what we will begin to explore next. He is calling us to be witnesses for Christ and to glorify Him, just as He glorifies Christ.

To do that, however, we must be completely immersed in Him.

Next time, we will discuss the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Estimated Read Time: 7 min.

Supporting Text: Zech. 4:6, John 16:8–11, John 3:19–20, Rom. 1:17–32, Eph. 2:1–10, Rom. 4:3, Gal. 3:6, Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:1–10, John 6:44, John 14:18–23, Lev. 9:22–24, Exod. 40:34–38, 2 Chron. 7:1–3, Acts 2:3–4, Matt. 3:11, 1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19, 1 John 1:9, Rom. 8:1–2.

Zechariah 4:6 illustrates a principle seen throughout Scripture: God's work is accomplished not through human strength but through the power of His Spirit.. He is the executor of God's will on the earth. There is no greater work involving the Holy Spirit than that of salvation. In this lesson we will examine the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation. In our next study we will explore His continuing work of sanctification in the life of the believer.

Let's turn to the Gospel of John.

John 16:8 - And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

John 16:9 - Concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;

John 16:10 - Concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;

John 16:11 - Concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Here, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the Holy Spirit and specifically how He operates in the process of salvation. We are told that one of the primary aspects of His ministry is to convict.

To convict means to expose, reprove, and convince. The Holy Spirit exposes the world's unbelief and convinces people of the truth concerning Christ and His finished work. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit does this in three different ways:

1. Of Sin – People are convicted of sin because they do not believe in Jesus. It is mankind's love for sin over Christ that prevents them from accepting Him (Jn. 3:19-20, Rom. 1, Eph. 2). When a person desires sin more than Christ, they ultimately reject Him.
2. Of Righteousness - People are convicted concerning righteousness because Christ is perfectly righteous. Who He is and what He accomplished was fully accepted by God the Father. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags and is unacceptable before God. The Father accepts us only through His Son (Rom. 1:17, 4:3, Gal. 3:6).
3. Of Judgment: [Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:1-10] - Those who do not accept Christ—who took God's judgment upon Himself for us—will instead receive God's judgment themselves

In John 6:44, Jesus tells us that no man can come to Him unless the Father who sent Him draws him. This means that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, through the Gospel of Jesus

Christ, to convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. When we draw near to God for salvation, it is because we are being drawn by the Holy Spirit.
Those who reject this message of love and grace remain in a state of condemnation and judgment. Those who accept the Gospel not only receive Christ but also receive the Holy Spirit.

John 14:18-20 tells us the following:

John 14:18 - “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:19 - Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

John 14:20 - In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

When we respond favorably to the Gospel, the Holy Spirit does not leave us alone. As Jesus stated, we are not left as orphans. Rather, He comes to make us His dwelling place.

John 14:23 - Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Throughout the Old Testament, divine fire often accompanied sacrifices accepted by God and was followed by God's presence dwelling among His people

At the inauguration of the Tabernacle, fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat upon the altar (Lev. 9:22–24). Following this, the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle (Exod. 40:34–38). We see this pattern repeated at the dedication of Solomon's Temple. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the Temple (2 Chron. 7:1–3).

If you turn to chapter two of the book of Acts, you will see that when the Holy Spirit descended on the Day of Pentecost and filled those gathered in the upper room, an interesting event occurred. (And no, I am not focusing on the tongues here—we will discuss that in a later blog.)

What I do want to focus on is the fire:

Acts 2:3 - And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Just as in the Old Testament, fire fell where the sacrifice had been accepted, and that became the place where God's presence dwelt (Matt. 3:11).

The fire at Pentecost was a unique, one-time event that demonstrated that the sacrifice of Christ was acceptable to God. It also revealed that anyone who accepts Christ is accepted by God, and God—the Holy Spirit—makes His home within them. The appearance of fire at Pentecost points us back to this imagery and reminds us that Christ's sacrifice has been accepted and that God now dwells within His people through the Holy Spirit.

The believer becomes a temple not made with hands (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).

If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, all you must do is call upon Him. Confess your sin, ask Him to forgive you, and place your faith in Him as Savior and Lord.
When you do this, you become acceptable to God through Christ, and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 8:1-2 – [1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

In our next article, we will examine how the Holy Spirit continues His work within the believer, conforming us into the image of Christ through the process of sanctification.

Estimated Read Time: 12 min.

Supporting Text: Gen. 1:1; Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:24; Gen. 11:7; Deut. 6:4; Job 33:4; Isa. 6:3; Isa. 11:2; Isa. 48:16; Isa. 63:10; Zech. 4:6; Matt. 3:16–17; Matt. 28:19; Luke 1:35; Acts 7:51; Acts 13:2; Rom. 8:26–27; Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19–20; Heb. 9:14; 2 Pet. 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:21; Rev. 4:5.

The nature of God can truly be an enigma (something or someone that is mysterious, puzzling, or impossible to understand). I know that He is the Creator of the Universe (Gen. 1:1) and that He is love. I know that He demonstrated that love by taking on flesh to live among us and then die on the Cross for our sin. Certainly, there are things that we can know about God. He provides us with knowledge of who He is and the love that He has for us through Scripture. When we accept Him as our Savior, we can then experience firsthand the love and peace that He offers.

Still, there is so much about God that I do not understand. Then again, how can the finite (the limited) ever completely understand the infinite (the unlimited)? When it comes down to it, that is what makes Him God and me a man.

One of the most fascinating aspects of God is that He is Triune, meaning that He is one God in three persons. We call this the Trinity, the collective name given to the three persons of the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You may be asking, "How can God be one, yet three?" While no illustration perfectly captures the Trinity, a few examples can help us grasp the concept at a basic level. You could think of it like a three-leaf clover. It is one object, yet it has three distinct leaves. Or, for a more technical example, water exists as one substance while appearing in multiple states of matter (e.g., liquid, solid, and gas).

Rather than relying on illustrations alone, we must ultimately look to Scripture itself to understand how God has revealed His nature. Let us first examine what Scripture reveals about the nature of God, and then we will briefly look at the Creeds (formal, concise statements of the shared beliefs of a religious community). From there, we will specifically begin looking at the third person of the Trinity whom we know as the Holy Spirit.

Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV): Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

As you can see from Deuteronomy 6:4, Scripture declares that the LORD (Jehovah) is one. But what does "one" mean in this context? Is it completely one in the way we often think? The Hebrew word used is echad, meaning properly united, that is, one. We find the first use of echad back in Genesis 2:24, where it is declared that man and woman are to become "one flesh." This not only defines an intimate physical union but also a unified covenantal relationship. This means that echad carries the sense of a "unified singularity."
We see a similar concept in the first name used for God in Scripture:

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Here, the word for God is Elohim. Grammatically, this presents us with a plural form that functions as a singular.

While diving into a word study can be immensely helpful, it is not always necessary. There are many places throughout Scripture where we can see the concept of the Triune Godhead revealed.

Genesis 1:26 - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 11:7 - Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.”

Genesis 19:24 - Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven.

There are additional Old Testament (OT) passages that point to this reality, such as those found in the book of Isaiah. For instance, Isaiah 6:3 makes a threefold declaration that God is "Holy, Holy, Holy." Even more striking, however, is Isaiah 48:16:

Isaiah 48:16 - Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit.

We also find numerous passages in the New Testament (NT) such as:
 
Matthew 3:16-17 - And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

John 16:13-15 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Note: Even though 1 John 5:7 is the most explicit trinitarian claim in Scripture I will omit it, as it was not found in the first two editions of Erasmus' text. The simple reason is that none of the Greek manuscripts of 1 John that Erasmus examined contained it. He found it only in the Latin Vulgate. Edward Lee and Diego López de Zúñiga attacked him for not including the passage and accused him of encouraging Arianism. Erasmus responded by saying that if he had found it in even one of the Greek manuscripts, he would have added it.

From reading these Scriptures, you can see that the word Trinity is not explicitly found in the biblical text. The term later developed through the earliest expressions of creedal formulations regarding Trinitarian doctrine, beginning with the baptismal formula, which itself is rooted in Scripture (Matt. 28:19).

The Old Roman Creed emerged by the end of the second century as a summary of Christian doctrine for baptismal candidates. It followed a Trinitarian pattern that included the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In AD 381, the Council of Constantinople revised the Nicene Creed (AD 325) and adopted a statement affirming the deity of the Holy Spirit.
The Athanasian Creed then emerged between AD 381 and 428. It contains one of the clearest statements on both the Trinity and the Incarnation, affirming that "The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; and yet there are not three Gods, but one God."

Regardless of the later development of these creeds, which helped categorize and articulate the doctrine of the Trinity, the teaching itself was already present in Scripture, as we have seen.

Certainly Scripture declares that the Holy Spirit is God. Scripture declares He was:
 

• Created Man: Job 33:4
• involved in the Incarnation: Luke 1:3
• The Atonement: Hebrews 9:14
• Inspired the Scriptures: 2 Peter 1:21
• We partake of His Nature: 2 Peter 1:4

In Isaiah 11:2, we encounter the sevenfold description of the Spirit, which is further reflected in the imagery of Revelation 4:5, where the "seven spirits" are before the throne of God, where the Father and the Son are present.

Furthermore, we know that He is not merely a force of God, but a distinct Person who speaks of His own accord:

Acts 13:2 - While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

He can also be grieved:

Ephesians 4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Isaiah 63:10 - But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

He can be quenched
 
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 - [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies,
He can be resisted:
 
Acts 7:51 - “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

He can be blasphemed:
 
Mark 3:29 - but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—

He will also pray for and through you:
 
Romans 8:26-27 - [26] Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Regarding  the Trinity D.R. McConnell stated the following:
 
"The Father’s exclusive role is as the Source of Creation; the Son’s exclusive role is as the Agent of Creation, and the role of the Holy Spirit is that of Executor."

McConnell went on to say,
 
"The creation is from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit."
We can then view the Trinity as follows:

1. God the FatherThe Source
2. God the SonThe Agent
3. God the Holy SpiritThe Executor

We can also see this in Zechariah 4:6:

Zechariah 4:6 - Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

Simply put, the Holy Spirit is the enabler of the work of God.

In the OT, the Holy Spirit empowered the miracles performed through Moses and Aaron during the Exodus. He provided strength to Caleb, Samson, David, and David’s mighty men. He gave visions and wisdom to Daniel. He stirred the hearts of the people of Israel to give toward the building of the Tabernacle.

The role of the Holy Spirit is to be the divine Executor and Power of God, ensuring that the will of God is accomplished. That is what we see throughout the Old Testament. It is what we see throughout the New Testament, especially in the book of Acts, which predominantly records the working of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. And it is what we continue to see today.

In the next article we will learn about the Role of the Holy Spirit in our Salvation.

We often talk about two kinds of seasons in the Christian life.

There are difficult seasons when everything seems to be falling apart. The diagnosis comes. The relationship breaks. The anxiety overwhelms. The grief settles in. In those moments, we cling to God's promises and desperately seek His help.

Then there are the breakthrough seasons. The prayers are answered. The burden lifts. Joy returns. We celebrate what God has done and tell stories of His faithfulness.
But what about the seasons in between?

• What about the days when you're not falling apart, yet you're not fully healed either?
• What about the place where you're making progress but still carrying pain?

Many believers find themselves living in that middle ground.

You are no longer where you used to be. The darkness is not as dark as it once was. The anxiety is not as overwhelming. The wound is not as fresh. Yet there are still moments when you wonder why healing seems to be taking so long.

If that is where you find yourself today, there is something important you need to know:
God works in the middle.

We live in a culture that values immediate outcomes. We want quick answers, fast solutions, and overnight transformation.

Yet much of God's work in our lives happens differently.

Scripture is filled with stories of growth, maturity, and restoration that unfolded over time. Seeds become harvests. Children become adults. Disciples become leaders. Faith is developed through testing and perseverance.
The same is often true for healing.

Sometimes God performs a miracle in a moment. Other times He leads us through a process that stretches our faith and deepens our dependence on Him.
Neither approach reflects a lack of God's power.

Both reveal His wisdom.

The danger comes when we assume that slow progress means God is absent.
Nothing could be further from the truth.

One of the enemy's favorite tactics is discouragement.

He whispers things like:

• "You should be over this by now."
• "You're not changing."
• "Nothing is getting better."
• "You'll always struggle with this."

Yet when we stop and look honestly at our lives, we often discover evidence of God's work that we have overlooked.

• Maybe you still battle anxiety, but you are no longer controlled by it.
• Maybe you still carry grief, but it no longer defines every moment of your day.
• Maybe forgiveness is still difficult, but your heart is softer than it used to be.
• Maybe you're not fully healed, but you're not where you once were.

That matters.

Too many people dismiss the work God is doing because they are focused on how far they still have to go.

God sees every step.

• Every act of obedience.
• Every prayer.
• Every moment you choose faith over fear.
• Every time you get back up after falling down.

Progress may not feel dramatic, but it is evidence that God is still working

One of the greatest mistakes we make is believing we must carry every burden alone.
Pain has a way of pushing people into isolation.

• We withdraw.
• We hide.
• We convince ourselves that nobody understands.
• We tell ourselves that asking for help would somehow make us weak.

Yet God designed us for community.

Throughout Scripture, people are constantly helping one another carry burdens, strengthen faith, and point each other back to God.

There are seasons when we are the ones being carried.

There are other seasons when we are the ones helping carry someone else.
Both are sacred.

The church was never intended to be a place where people pretend they have everything together. It was designed to be a family where people walk together through victories, failures, grief, healing, and growth.

• Sometimes one conversation changes everything.
• Sometimes one prayer gives someone enough strength to keep going.
• Sometimes one friend helps another person take the next step toward healing.

Never underestimate what God can do through ordinary people who simply choose to show up for one another.

One of the most beautiful truths of the gospel is that Jesus never waits for people to have everything figured out before He meets them.

• He meets us in our confusion.
• He meets us in our doubts.
• He meets us in our weakness.
• He meets us in our unfinished places.

So many people believe they must reach a certain level of healing before they can truly experience God's love.

The opposite is true.

God's love is what carries us through the healing process.

• He does not stand at the finish line waiting for us to arrive.
• He walks beside us every step of the journey.
• His presence is not reserved for people who have it all together.
• His presence is often most evident to those who know they desperately need Him.

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Perhaps the greatest encouragement for anyone in the middle is this:
God is not finished.

• The fact that you're still growing means He's still working.
• The fact that you're still seeking Him means He's still drawing you.
• The fact that you're still standing means His grace is still sustaining you.

Healing may take longer than you expected. Growth may feel slower than you hoped. But God's faithfulness is not measured by your timeline. The same God who began the work is the God who will continue it.

So if you find yourself somewhere between the pain and the breakthrough, don't lose heart.

Trust the process.

• Lean into community.
• Stay close to Jesus.
• And remember this truth:
• You are not stuck.
• You are healing.
• You are not forgotten.
• You are being formed.
• You are not finished.
• You are healing in progress.

At The Way Church, one of our goals is to continue the conversation beyond Sunday morning. While sermons are preached in a moment, the truths found in God's Word are meant to be carried into everyday life. Through this blog, we'll occasionally revisit messages from recent services, providing encouragement, reflection, and practical application for the week ahead.

Our newest series, Peace for the Battle Within, begins with a truth that many believers need to hear: Sometimes the greatest battles we face are not around us, they're within us.

There is a tension many Christians experience but few talk about openly.
We know God is good. We believe His promises. We trust Jesus with our eternity. Yet there are seasons when anxiety creeps in, fear lingers, grief overwhelms, or exhaustion settles deep within us. We find ourselves wondering how we can love God so deeply while still struggling so much internally.

For many believers, that question carries an unspoken fear. If I am really trusting God, why do I still feel this way?

During the opening message of Peace for the Battle Within, we explored a truth that can bring tremendous freedom. Struggling emotionally does not necessarily mean you are failing spiritually.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul reminds us that God created us as spirit, soul, and body. We often focus on our physical health and our spiritual condition, but sometimes neglect the soul, the place where our thoughts, emotions, fears, memories, and inner struggles reside. Yet God cares deeply about every part of who we are.

When we place our faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven, our relationship with God is restored, and we become new creations. Salvation is immediate. It is a gift of grace that transforms our standing before God in an instant.

What often takes longer is the healing of our minds, emotions, and inner wounds.

This is why one of the central ideas from the message was so important: salvation is instant, but sanctification is a process.

Romans 12:2 tells us that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Notice that Scripture doesn't describe this as a one-time event. It is an ongoing work of God within us. He saves us in a moment, but He continues shaping, healing, and renewing us throughout our lives.

Understanding that truth changes the way we view our struggles.
It means a Christian can genuinely love Jesus and still battle anxiety.
A believer can trust God and still wrestle with fear.
A faithful follower of Christ can experience grief, depression, discouragement, or emotional exhaustion without somehow becoming a spiritual failure.

The Bible is filled with examples of this reality. Elijah witnessed miraculous displays of God's power and later found himself overwhelmed and exhausted. David, a man after God's own heart, often cried out to God from places of fear and despair. Jeremiah carried such sorrow that he became known as the weeping prophet. Even Psalm 88 records the painful honesty of a faithful man who felt surrounded by darkness.

Their stories remind us that emotional struggles are not evidence of God's absence. They are reminders that we live in a broken world and still need God's healing touch.
One of the most encouraging moments from the message came from Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you."
The Hebrew word behind that trust carries the idea of leaning your full weight upon something. It paints a picture of complete dependence. Many of us spend years trying to carry burdens that God never intended us to bear alone. We lean on our own strength, our own understanding, and our own ability to hold everything together until eventually the weight becomes too much.

God offers another way.

He invites us to rest our full weight upon Him.

That does not mean every struggle disappears overnight. It does mean we no longer carry those struggles alone.

The message also challenged us to remember that healing often begins with honesty. God is not intimidated by our fears, our questions, or our pain. Throughout Scripture, we see people bringing their deepest struggles directly to Him. The Psalms are filled with raw prayers because God values honesty more than appearances.

Sometimes healing begins with an honest prayer.
Sometimes it begins with a conversation.
Sometimes it begins with asking for help.
Whether that help comes through a trusted friend, a pastor, a counselor, a doctor, or a church family walking alongside you, seeking help is not weakness. It is often one of the most courageous steps a person can take.

If there is one takeaway from this first message, it is this: God is not finished with you yet.
He cares about your spirit.
He cares about your soul.
He cares about your body.

And whatever battle may be taking place within you right now, His peace is still available.
You may not need to have everything figured out today. You may not even know what the full path toward healing looks like.

But you can take one step.
One honest prayer.
One conversation.
One act of surrender.
One decision to trust God with the weight you've been carrying.

Because the God who began a good work in you is still faithfully working, and He has no intention of leaving you where you are.

Welcome to The Way Blog!
There is something special about gathering together on a Sunday morning.

For an hour or so each week, we worship together, open God's Word together, pray together, and encourage one another in our walk with Christ. Those moments matter. They strengthen our faith and remind us that we were never meant to follow Jesus alone.
But if we're honest, life doesn't stop when the service ends.

By Monday morning, many of us are back at work, taking care of our families, facing challenges, making decisions, carrying burdens, and navigating a world that constantly pulls for our attention. The questions we wrestle with, the struggles we face, and the truths we're trying to apply don't simply disappear when we walk out the church doors.

That's one of the reasons we're launching The Way Blog.

Our goal is simple: to create another opportunity to help people grow in their faith throughout the week.

These blog posts won't replace gathering together as the church. Nothing can replace worshiping together, studying God's Word together, and building relationships face-to-face. Instead, these articles will serve as an extension of those moments. Sometimes they will expand on a recent sermon. Sometimes they will address questions people are asking. Other times they may provide practical encouragement, biblical insight, or reflections on what God is teaching us as a church family.

At The Way Church, we believe faith was never intended to be confined to a church building or limited to a single day of the week. Following Jesus is a daily journey.

It's learning to trust God when life doesn't make sense. It's finding peace in difficult seasons. It's raising families that honor Christ. It's loving people well. It's learning from our failures. It's growing through challenges. It's discovering that God's grace is sufficient for every season of life.

We also believe that God's Word is timeless. While the world changes rapidly, the truth of Scripture remains steady. People still need hope. They still need purpose. They still need forgiveness. They still need to know that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.
Our prayer is that these blog posts become another tool God uses to encourage, challenge, and strengthen people in their walk with Him.

Whether you're a longtime member of The Way Church, someone who recently started attending, or even someone who simply found this page while searching for answers, we're glad you're here.

And we're excited to walk that journey together.