A Simple Definition
A Spirit-filled church is a church that actively welcomes and follows the leading of the Holy Spirit, including the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12–14, like prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, as a normal, expected part of daily life and the gathering of the saints.
Although most churches, regardless of their tradition within the Christian faith, would say they are led by the Spirit, the term “Spirit-filled” has become largely synonymous with Charismatic and Pentecostal traditions. These traditions find their roots in Acts 2 at the Day of Pentecost where the Spirit enabled the disciples in the upper room to speak in unknown tongues, signaling the beginning of the outpouring of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
Why It’s Important
The gifts of the Spirit were always an important component of the gospel message. The final two verses in the Gospel of Mark say that:
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Mark 16:19–20 ESV
You’ll notice that as the gospel was preached, the Lord used signs to confirm the message they preached. This would suggest that the gospel message was never meant to be separated from signs but that’s what is done when a church rejects the gifts of the Spirit. And just to show the pattern, here is another connection between the gospel proclamation and the necessity of the gifts of the Spirit, found in Hebrews:
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Hebrews 2:3–4 ESV
Again, gifts of the Spirit are a vital component to the proclamation of the gospel. But some have claimed that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer in operation, a belief called cessationism.
Cessationism
On the contrary to Spirit-filled is what would be called a cessationist church. Cessationism believes that these gifts, like those found throughout Acts and those referenced in 1 Corinthians 12–14 have ceased to exist today. A common Bible verse that is cited to back up this belief is right in the middle of Paul’s teaching on the gifts of the Spirit.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
1 Corinthians 13:8–10 ESV
When Paul says these things will pass away, he was clearly referring to the return of Christ. Some have argued that the perfect is referring to the canon of Scripture that was closed at 66 books. Just two chapters later, Paul begins speaking of the “perfect” that is to come, and it’s the return of Christ and the glorified bodies we are to receive when he returns.
Every gift of the Spirit is meant to deal with our limited knowledge and ability right now. We need healing because our bodies are broken from the effects of sin. We need prophecy because we do not know all things. When Christ returns, this will no longer be the case. We will all be healed, we will see things clearly and be full of knowledge. That’s Paul’s point. The gifts are temporary because they fix a temporary problem that will be eliminated at Christ’s return.
In the meantime we should seek these gifts because that’s exactly what they are: gifts!
Orderly Practice
One reason why some have adopted a belief that the gifts are no longer in operation is because they’ve seen them handled improperly. Spirit-filled does not mean chaotic. The Apostle Paul corrects the Corinthian church because of their mishandling of the gifts of the Spirit, but notice that he does not tell them to stop. The fix is not to quit the gifts, but to bring them back into order. Look at his instruction:
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 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. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
1 Corinthians 14:26–33 ESV
At Axess Church, we strive to make room for the Holy Spirit in an orderly fashion. We don’t want to quench the work of the Spirit because of over-regulation but we also don’t want to allow the Spirit to be dishonored by under-regulation and allowing people to freely operate in a carnal manner.
For a good example of how we believe the gifts are to be handled, watch this sermon on the operation of the gifts of the Spirit.
What to Expect at Axess Church
Every week at Axess Church, we start our time together with worship, we receive teaching from the Bible that equips us to live out the gospel, and we end with a time of response. You will witness people raising their hands, singing out loud, kneeling at their seats or at the altar, and people receiving prayer.
You will never be put on the spot or pressured into doing something. God does not force or pressure people into doing things, and neither do we. The altars are always open, but your participation is completely optional.
Conclusion
We believe in and pursue the operation of the gifts of the Spirit because we believe it is the biblical pattern that is set forth and the part of the promise that the forefathers of the faith looked forward to in eager anticipation. We understand that some have mishandled this beautiful gift to the church and that is why we strive to create an environment that is in line with the biblical practice.
