Introduction to Seminar on Gifts of the Spirit

October 15th, 2009

As a missionary for 15 years before coming to pastor Freedom House Church I’ve had the privilege of living and ministering extensively outside of America. Without exception, churches with the most explosive growth are those that permit the Gifts of the Spirit to function in their assemblies. They not only include Pentecostal and Charismatic persuasions but the full spectrum of Christendom.  I’ve personally ministered from Catholic to Anglican, Baptist to Methodist and a full range of mainline evangelical churches in between. In fact outside the western world these churches would be completely obsolete without the gifts in operation.
 
The western church is in great need for sound teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit.  Many believers that express simple interest much less belief in the gifts are automatically marginalized as “charismatic’s” as if that was a cuss word. Unfortunately this rhetoric against the gifts is in vogue and the characteristic attitude of the western churches world view which is not in harmony with the 1st century church. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “desire the gifts” not mock, ridicule or scoff at the gifts (or those who believe in them). And what is further shocking is Paul writes this to a church that was morally contemptible!
 
Any honest assessment of the gospels will lead one to the conclusion that Jesus in His 3 years of ministry moved mightily in the Gifts of the Spirit and that Jesus trained and commissioned his disciples to move in the same resurrection power He did. In fact even the most basic and casual read through of the book of Acts will reveal a church that moved powerfully in the gifts.
 
The good news is there are a growing number of believers that are not content with the status quo within current Christianity of the western world view. And doing the very same works Jesus did doesn’t make one a charismatic it simply makes one a Christian.
 
I pray that in this seminar on the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” that God will enlighten your understanding as well as activate the gifts inside you.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Robert Burbatt
Senior Pastor

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