Should we be led by the Holy Spirit as Jesus and the Acts Church were?

RDKirk

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Have you personally experienced this or do you know people who have?

Yes. Small ways, but ways that demonstrated that "being led by the Spirit" is a real thing. If I were strong enough in my faith, maybe it would result in things much larger.

For instance, thirty years ago, when I was assigned to Washington DC by the Air Force, my wife and I committed to allow the Spirit to lead us to a local church rather than go by our own druthers and pre-conceived notions. Each Sunday we would visit a church, then we'd pray about it through the week, praying for a clear, decisive, unambiguous word from the Holy Spirit. We were going out on some limbs, because we were opening ourselves up to congregations unlike those we had been raised in...perhaps even with <shudder> white pastors.

But for a long time we got no such Spiritual confirmation, even though we visited some quite nice churches that appealed to us greatly.

Then one Sunday we attended National Church of God in Maryland just outside the Beltway. We prayed about it as usual. Finally, on the succeeding Friday night, during my evening prayer of praise, I got the words clear as crystal: "Tell them tomorrow that you want to join."

I told my wife, and then next morning at 9 a.m., figured the church office would be open, so I called them. The receptionist was polite, somewhat confused, and told me to come back Sunday and see one of the associate pastors who would be at the front after service.

Okay, so having done as I was instructed, I hung up the phone.

About an hour later, there was a knock at the door. It was one of the associate pastors from National. He said that it was his job to go through the visitor cards each Sunday and pay visits to the visitors as soon as possible afterward. He apologized profusely for it having taken until Saturday to get to us, but so many things had happened to him during the week that delayed him.

I told him I'd called the office earlier and asked if they'd gotten in touch with him (this was before cell phones). He said, no...he'd been on the road since early morning.

I then realized he was the one I was supposed to tell that we would join the church. This had been a preordained appointment.

And, indeed, our time in National (first time for us to have a white pastor...which we couldn't easily confess to our families) turned out to be fruitful and auspicious in many, many ways. Eventually, we heeded a request from that pastor to move to another tiny Church of God further out into rural Maryland, where we were the only black family in a congregation of rural white retired farmers. And that turned out to be fruitful and auspicious as well.

Our time in Washington DC was unique (sometimes cool, sometimes extremely scary) because DC is awash in evil spiritual influences. You can feel it as you cross the Beltway into the city, like going under a cloud.
 
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hislegacy

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The book of Acts includes several examples:

Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Acts 8:29

While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Acts 10:19-20

The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. Acts 11:12

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

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10

9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Acts 21:9-11​

In Luke 4:1 Jesus Himself is described as being led by the Holy Spirit:

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness. Luke 4:1​


Should we follow their example?

What is the alternative?
 
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cornopean

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I'm sure we all know plenty of people, ourselves included, who thought we were being nudged by the Holy Spirit, and it turned out that we were incorrect. Do you at least admit that this is a possibility?
 
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RDKirk

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I'm sure we all know plenty of people, ourselves included, who thought we were being nudged by the Holy Spirit, and it turned out that we were incorrect. Do you at least admit that this is a possibility?

The question is "Should we?"

I would think anyone claiming to be Spirit-filled/Charismatic could affirm, "Yes, we should" without suggesting that everyone always is.
 
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cornopean

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The question is "Should we?"

I would think anyone claiming to be Spirit-filled/Charismatic could affirm, "Yes, we should" without suggesting that everyone always is.
I agree and this drives us back to the written word of God where we never need to wonder if the Spirit is speaking to us.
 
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RDKirk

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I agree and this drives us back to the written word of God where we never need to wonder if the Spirit is speaking to us.

And yet, without the Spirit we see people interpreting the written word of God in directly opposing ways.
 
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cornopean

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So are you suggesting that it is simply a matter of our choice whether to communicate directly with the Spirit or not? Don't you think nearly every Christian would make this choice? Why then does the Spirit seem to work so much less directly now than he did in the New Testament times? If you are suggesting that Christians simply need to make the choice to listen to the Spirit, I have a hard time with that. That seems extremely unlikely.
 
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RDKirk

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So are you suggesting that it is simply a matter of our choice whether to communicate directly with the Spirit or not? Don't you think nearly every Christian would make this choice? Why then does the Spirit seem to work so much less directly now than he did in the New Testament times? If you are suggesting that Christians simply need to make the choice to listen to the Spirit, I have a hard time with that. That seems extremely unlikely.

Truly making the choice is hard. The choice isn't true unless in our hearts we are truly willing to go where He leads, without looking back (like Lot's wife). We have to really mean it, without trying to fool ourselves (which we often do) and without trying to fool God (which we can't do). The priorities of our flesh, which we are oh, so used to obeying, get in the way. It's hard to say, "I'll follow you, Lord," without an "unless" popping up in the backs of our minds.

That's hard. That's really hard. Even when we know what to do and want to do it, it's hard. It's like a pole vaulter trying to stay above the bar all the time. It's a place most of us can reach only momentarily.
 
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TruthSeek3r

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What is the alternative?

What is the alternative to being led by the Holy Spirit as Jesus and the Apostles were??
I suppose the alternative would be to not reach their level of sensitivity to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and simply settle for making decisions based on our own subjective judgment.

The problem with this is that our subjective judgment is more likely than not not aligned with God's will. Even the Apostle Paul was stopped in his tracks by the Holy Spirit when he was about to preach the gospel in a region the Holy Spirit didn't want him to preach in at that moment:

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10 ESV)​
 
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sunlover1

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IF you're a son of God you'll be led by the Spirit of God.
We make things kind of complicated.
God spoke in times past to the OT kings and prophets etc.
Then God spoke through Jesus (emmanuel)
Jesus said He had to leave because it would be better for us,
in that He'd send His Spirit who would ... JOHN 16
Say/Speak/Tell/Declare = being led :)
Mind blowing! Here's a bit of it:
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;
for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak;
and He will tell you things to come. 14He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is
Mine and declare it to you. 15All things that the Father has are Mine.
Therefore I said that He [c]will take of Mine and declare it to you.
 
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jiminpa

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So are you suggesting that it is simply a matter of our choice whether to communicate directly with the Spirit or not? Don't you think nearly every Christian would make this choice?
No, quite the opposite, mostly, which answers your next question.
Why then does the Spirit seem to work so much less directly now than he did in the New Testament times? If you are suggesting that Christians simply need to make the choice to listen to the Spirit, I have a hard time with that. That seems extremely unlikely.
What does the Bible say? You admitted that it doesn't say God works any less now when His people are willing for Him to do so than He did when the Bible was written. There is your answer.

You and I may not like it, but there's a reason why people have built these unbiblical doctrines that the Holy Spirit is on a very extended vacation, and none of those reasons are because it's easy to pick up your cross and follow Jesus.
 
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ByTheSpirit

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So are you suggesting that it is simply a matter of our choice whether to communicate directly with the Spirit or not? Don't you think nearly every Christian would make this choice? Why then does the Spirit seem to work so much less directly now than he did in the New Testament times? If you are suggesting that Christians simply need to make the choice to listen to the Spirit, I have a hard time with that. That seems extremely unlikely.

Yet that is exactly what is needed. Lots of Christians think that the only way God speaks any more is through the pages of a printed book. Which the Bible is great and I'm not knocking it, but there is so much more to the Christian life than just that.

Imagine your father has gone away on a long trip. He writes you a letter from time to time. Yes you are going to absolutely read that letter and cherish it. Every word. But why not pick up the phone and call him and talk to him?

It really is that easy for people who have the Holy Spirit. Talk to him and give him time to talk back. But that brings on a whole new series of questions that need to be answered.
 
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ARBITER01

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Yet that is exactly what is needed. Lots of Christians think that the only way God speaks any more is through the pages of a printed book. Which the Bible is great and I'm not knocking it, but there is so much more to the Christian life than just that.

An older Christian lady once pointed out to me that some people compromise the power of GOD for the opinions of men. She was absolutely right.

If a Christian does not foster a relationship with the GODHEAD, but instead builds their foundation on the opinions of men, they severely limit themselves with GOD. He can't operate in true power though them because they will most likely be polluted with pride.
 
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