In my previous two articles I argued that Africans long to hear from God and that God still speaks. This is the motivation behind believers gathering, from churches to crusades. They all have one motive: to hear from God. My first article demonstrated that God speaks in his word; and the second in his Word. Taken together, God has given us the Bible, his inspired word; and the Bible centres on his Son, the incarnate Word. But many still wonder. Does God speak today? Do we need to hear from the Spirit? Am I missing out by making so much of the Bible? This final article of the series argues that the Holy Spirit speaks, for he is living and active; that is, he uses God’s word to bring understanding, conviction and spiritual life.
We must understand how the Spirit takes God’s word of God and makes it a living voice.
The ground already covered in this series is important. We saw from Hebrews 1:1-2 that God speaks finally and ultimately through his Son. He is the climax and centre of God’s truth; we don’t need something more, someone else. Instead, in his providence God has preserved this word about the Son for us in the 66 books of your Bible. And the Spirit’s primary purpose is to make much of Christ through that Bible. God has not left us without a helper to help us understand what he wants us to: the Holy Spirit. If people dread reading the Bible, it’s only because they haven’t grasped that that’s precisely where the Spirit speaks.
In Africa we value communication and social relationships. Storytelling and oral traditions remain powerful. Therefore the spoken word carries great weight and authority. Therefore we must understand how the Holy Spirit takes the written word of God and makes it a living voice within the hearts of the believers (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The Holy Spirit Speaks Today
Because God has revealed himself ultimately through Christ, there is no saving revelation necessary beyond him. Christ is our all in all. He has sufficiently revealed God to us. However, at his ascension Christ didn’t leave his people as orphans. Before that time he promised his disciples: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). God fulfilled this promise through the sending of his Holy Spirit. “I will ask the Father,” Jesus says in the preaching verses, “and he will give you another helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17).
The Spirit takes what belongs to Christ and makes it known to believers.
What for? We get an answer a few chapters on. As Jesus explains, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13-14). Note the emphasis of the Spirit’s ministry. The Spirit doesn’t glorify himself. Nor does he introduce a novel or competing message. He takes what belongs to Christ and makes it known to believers. “He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).
The Spirit Doesn’t Replace the Word
So the Spirit doesn’t give new revelation. He opens our eyes to see what he has already inspired. He sheds the divine light on what is already written so that it becomes clear, personal and transformative. The Spirit opens our minds and softens our hearts to believe and obey the word of God.
The Spirit softens our hearts to believe the word of God.
This work of illumination also warns against turning Bible study into an academic exercise. It isn’t ultimately about the acquisition of information. The Holy Spirit works in the believers to open their minds and hearts to understand, embrace, and apply the Bible. He reveals the spiritual depths, which as we’ve already seen are in the end nothing more than the finished work of Christ.
Thankfully God hasn’t left us alone to interpret his word, with our limited understanding and within the self-seeking nature of sin. God has given us the wonderful helper, the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re under a tree in Maasai or Turkana land in Kenya or inhabit the modern spaces of Nairobi, the Spirit of God is always present to lead the believers to all truth.
Scripture and the Voice of God
It must be recognised that Africa’s desire for God and our spiritual sensitivity has left us vulnerable to emotionalism and manipulation. There is always a temptation to prioritise visions, dreams and personal prophecies above the Bible. But the Spirit inspired the scriptures and he faithfully interprets them for us.
God actively speaks to his Church through his written word by the Holy Spirit.
God’s word does speak to specific realities such as challenges of poverty, corruption, tribal conflicts and rapid modernisation; and the Spirit of God applies the word of God to these specific realities to specific hearts facing those circumstances or asking those questions. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, the Bible remains a historical document. But with his work of illumination it is the living word of God. God actively speaks to his Church through his written word by the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit doesn’t promote confusion or self-centredness. He magnifies Christ. He directs our attention to the purposes of God, which in turn deepens our love for the scripture, strengthens obedience to God and produces the fruits of righteousness.
More Than Your Emotions and Feelings
In Africa, worship is heartfelt and expressive. But it is good to understand that the Holy Spirit is not a mere strange feeling that rises during worship. He is not an atmosphere or an emotional surge. The Holy Spirit is God himself. He is eternal, all-knowing, and all-powerful. He speaks, guides, teaches and can be grieved. This is not an impersonal force or feeling. The Holy Spirit is the sovereign LORD God. Recognising that he is God, the Spirit deserves our reverence, obedience and worship.
The truest evidence of the Spirit’s presence is a steadfast faith in God.
This isn’t to suggest that his presence and work won’t be marked by joy and excitement. But the truest evidence of the Spirit’s presence in the life of a believer is a transformed character and steadfast faith in God.
DON’T HAVE PAYPAL TO SET UP A MONTHLY DONATION? If you would like to donate via Payfast – a secure payment gateway available to donors both inside and outside of Africa – please click here.
