Friday, November 27, 2015

Of the Holy Spirit, killing and dying by fire

A picture of praying Christians (online)


I always have a sinking feeling when a prayer leader or cleric says pray for Holy Ghost fire to consume so and so problem or person or enemy. The feeling is from a dilemma as to what is right and what is proper or what is Biblical.
The little (it is an extensive little, by the way) I have read of the Bible does not say AT ANY POINT that Holy Ghost fire consumes. Neither are there instances of fire coming from the Holy Ghost burning up any body.
The first encounter with the Holy Spirit is in Acts of the Apostles: at the birth of the Church in Acts 2. Jesus had told his followers to wait for the Comforter, Teacher, Memory helper, etc, (John 14: 26 and in other parts of the scriptures). These are just a few of the many reference to the Holy Spirit in the Bible. But at NO SINGLE REFERENCE was mention made of His predilection for consuming people.

What I know of is that one of the stubborn prophets once called for fire from heaven to consume some senseless soldiers who kept repeating the mistake of the ones that went before them to arrest this man of God (2Kings 1:10). Earlier, in 1Kings 18, there was the battle of Mount Camel, where fire came down and consumed an altar of water-soaked offering.
If we have been blind to Bible's comparison of God's Almighty abilities because (metaphor) He is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4: 24), we should be calling on His tongue too: it is like a devouring fire in Isaiah 30: 27.
My little study of the Bible shows me that God can use ANYTHING. He used Moses' staff (Exodus 14), Aaron's rod (numbers 17), sound as that of a big army (2Kings 7), flood of Kishon (Judges 4), and so on.
Let me correct my claim in the third paragraph: the Holy Spirit was there in the beginning. Remember He was roaming the earth at creation. As God spoke, things took shape. It is that power that makes things be. THAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT.
He makes whatever you call on by faith manifests. He is why all your bottles of Olive oil becomes anointing oil; pure water becomes Holy Water; He even intercedes for us with groaning (Romans 8: 26).
THEREFORE, IT IS WRONG TO SEE HIM SOLELY AS A FIRE THAT CONSUMES. HE CAN MAKE YOUR FOOTMAT INTO YOUR ENEMY'S UNDOING OR MOVE DUST INTO BLINDING YOUR ATTACKERS. Just be sure you are not your own enemy!
It is great injustice to say Holy Ghost fire consumes only when it appeared as harmless tongues of fire on the heads of the Church member, filled the Apostles with boldness and made them speak in tongues (we will do this tongues thing another day) in Acts 2; appeared as a dove at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3: 16).
Apart from endangering the already warm planet with the steam from screams of “Holy Ghost Fire consume!” we are all in grave danger of misunderstanding a vital part of the Trinity.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Have your say