THE NEGLECT OF THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH
| Format: Ms Word | 1-5 Chapters | Table of Content|
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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to look into how the Holy Spirit isn’t given enough credit in Nigerian modern churches. According to the classical dispensationalist, the apostolic age marked the end of the Holy Spirit’s activity. Prior to the end of the fourth century, during the reigns of Augustine and Chrysostom, this was the predominant view held by the church. Hippolytus, a Tertullian contemporary, was a prominent advocate for this viewpoint. Proponents of the Holy Spirit, like Michael Green, asserted with confidence that “speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, and exorcism did not end with the last apostle”. The truth solidly rooted in Scripture and the unequivocal message of Jesus Christ is that the Holy Spirit is still at work in the modern period. Pentecostals say that after conversion, but sometimes concurrently, there is a manifestation of supernatural ability, as demonstrated by the ability to speak in tongues while receiving inspiration from the Holy Spirit. This essay aims to further understanding of the role and purpose of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individual Christians and in the local church. This is meant to challenge the idea that the Holy Spirit is inferior and unappreciated. In-person, in-depth interviews as well as library resources were used to gather data.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Hippolytus, a Tertullian contemporary, was a leading proponent of this viewpoint and the first well-spoken spokesperson during the times of Augustine and Chrysostom. He believed that the last authentic prophecy to have come from the Holy Spirit was found in the apocalypse of Apostle John. As stated by Arthur, who is quoted in Asamoah, tongue speaking is a sign given to unbelievers rather than Christians as a gift of the Holy Spirit. It was never meant to be used just for believers; it was meant to persuade atheists as well. According to him, tongue-speaking, healing, and miracles were used to both strengthen believers and persuade nonbelievers. Nothing in the Bible suggests that the apostolic era’s miracles, healings, and deliverance would continue once the New Testament ministry is finished.
One of the most abandoned and underappreciated facets of Christian theology is the Holy Spirit. A dispensational understanding of the Holy Spirit’s confinement to the early church results from the rigorous puritanical regulation of behavior. In popular Christianity, the Holy Spirit is mostly associated with healing and miracles. The traditional dispensationalists persuade skeptics while maintaining their faith. According to him, tongue-speaking, healing, and miracles were used to both strengthen believers and persuade nonbelievers. Nothing in the Bible suggests that the apostolic era’s miracles, healings, and deliverance would continue once the New Testament ministry is finished.
The work of the Holy Spirit has not been given the credit He merits in Latin orthodoxy or the West. The Holy Spirit is linked to the Father and the Son in Western orthodoxy. The argument between the Greek East and Latin West during the Filioque period reflects this. Nonetheless, the Eastern Orthodox Church rejects the Holy Spirit’s procession from the Son and places the Holy Spirit exclusively under the authority of the Father. The nature and role of the Holy Spirit have been categorically and unequivocally denied. Uncertainty and dissent are prevalent on this matter about the Holy Spirit to an astonishing extent, even among those who claim to regard the prophetic, apostleic, and Christological teachings as authoritative.
Nonetheless, the Bible and Christ’s clear teachings both solidly support this reality.But fervent believers in the Holy Spirit, like Michael Green, boldly asserted, “It is just not true that prophecy, healing, exorcism, and speaking in tongues ceased with the last apostle.” The personality, roles, and functions of the Holy Spirit have consistently been considered equally with the atonement and justification by faith as the article of a standing or falling church, according to scholars like Calkins, wherever Christianity has been a living power. Some theologians support the idea that the church, both as an individual and as a whole, can be restored to its true nature through a critical understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit as the energizing force. This understanding can free the church from the apathy of formal rituals, uninspired orthodoxy, or purely secular activities.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The researcher observed that though some Pentecostal churches in Nigeria profess spirituality but there is a gross neglect of the place and role of the Holy Spirit in both their administrative and spiritual work-frame. Most of who only use human psychology and philosophy to organize programmes and church activities professing them to be by the leading of the Holy Spirit which is not. It is thus, very crucial to have a recall to this problem and proffer a probable solution.
1.3 Purpose of Study
The researcher suggests that, while people await Christ’s second coming, this work will serve as an eye-opener for both Pentecostal church members and ministers, enabling them to quickly see the importance of the ministry of the Holy Spirit and identify the missing piece.
1.4 Significance of the study
All Pentecostal ministers will greatly benefit from this study. to inspire people who have been demoralized by the influence of others and to reawaken individuals who have disregarded the role of the Holy Spirit. Everyone who longs to feel the Holy Spirit move like they did at Pentecost.The whole church should investigate whether the regular programs are truly guided by the Holy Spirit.As the guide and mentor of their ministries, the Holy Spirit should be the first priority for all aspiring ministers.
1.5 Limitation to the study
The researcher encountered several obstacles while working on this project, including a shortage of readily available resources, a lack of a laptop or other personal electronic device, internet-enabled phones, and money. Even more so is the hesitancy of a number of ministers to speak the truth about whether or not they have been guided by the Holy Spirit for a program.
1.6 Delimitation of the study.
The Pentecostal churches and their disregard for the Holy Spirit’s guidance are the main subjects of this study. Thus, only Pentecostal pastors and leaders are allowed to administer the questionnaire.
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