We live in a day of practicality in which the devices we purchase and the gadgets we operate are meant to make the mundane things of life exciting and effortless. We want to be bedazzled by how the complexities of life can become rudimentary with the addition of a handheld mechanism. All these things are accomplished without any strenuous work in regards to our mental capacity. With just a click of a button we have the world at our fingertips!
Hyper-Charasmatic Movement:
In the post-modern era we tend to navigate our spiritual well-being in a similar fashion. We want to see the Gospel manifested in real and practical ways and rightly so! Yet what we must be careful of is the tendency in allowing the societal or cultural norms of our world to dictate the spiritual interpretation of our faith. For instance, do the Hmong people interpret the biblical scope of spirituality through their animistic background? Similarly, does the western world, in its anti-spiritual bent, negate the reality of the spiritual realm? Despite our dichotomous dilemma, a careful rendition of the Scriptural data should bring a balance to the current development.Within influential streams there is a consensus that the Gospel is not merely of intellectual ascent, but must be coupled with a manifestation of power. I do not necessarily disagree with this perspective. My only concern is how the term power is defined. When we attach hyper-charismatic definition (healing, tongues, deliverance, etc.) to these ideologies we tend to, in my estimation, blind ourselves to the biblical message of the text.
"Within influential streams there is a consensus that the Gospel is not merely of intellectual ascent, but must be coupled with a manifestation of power."
My purpose, then, is to convey the notion that the biblical text does not necessarily define the manifestation of the Gospel with an over-Hollywoodized appeal, but exemplifies, as its central component, a transformative portrayal of genuine faith.
Transformation:
With a careful analysis the Apostle Paul writes from a post-resurrection and post-Pentacost vantage point. His epistles are filled with exhortations, commendations, and admonitions to the body of believers. Yet what is interesting to point out is the fact that Paul, who found himself "caught up to the third heaven" (2 Cor. 12:2), speaks little of signs and wonders in comparison to the regenerative fruit that is to mark the life of the believers. My argument is not to negate the supernatural, but rather to align ourselves to the biblical definition of it.
Gospel Power:Some have argued that in order for the Gospel to be powerful there must be a demonstration that accompanies the proclamation of the Word. What is used as a proof-text to affirm this notion is 1 Corinthians 4:20, "For the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power." Case closed, right?
Not so fast!
Context is king. How is Paul defining the word power? How was the term used previously? Answering these questions will grant us access into his thought pattern. 1 Corinthians 2 will give us a clear indication of what the apostle means by power. Paul is adamant that the Gospel he preaches is not based on "lofty speech or wisdom" (1 Cor. 2:1). Furthermore, he reemphasizes this notion by saying, "my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:4-5). There it is! But, honestly, that does not give us a clear definition of how the apostle is defining the term. Here is a key: keep reading!
Paul goes on to specify that God has imparted a wisdom through the apostles which is prescribed by the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:6-12). This wisdom—the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ—the apostles have imparted with "words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual" (1 Cor. 2:13). He goes on to add that the "natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).
Therefore, the power that Paul is alluding to is not a power of signs and wonder per se, but rather the power of regeneration. The power that draws dead hearts to Himself in faith through the effectual work of the Holy Spirit. The miraculous sign, if you want to use that terminology, is the conversion of unbelief to belief; darkness to light; death to life. The manifestation of the Gospel is the power of true heart conversion!
"The manifestation of the Gospel
is the power of true heart
conversion!"
Gospel manifestation, then, is not merely rooted in signs of healing, tongues, or deliverance; but is grounded in belief that is rooted in the transforming work of God.
Endurance in Suffering:
Upon further examination, the text indicates that conversion was not the only power in sight—though it is the basis—rather the transformed heart that manifest itself in fruitful endurance through suffering is also in view. The Apostle Paul is addressing his opponents who question the authenticity of his apostolic ministry and, in turn, the Gospel to which he preaches. Paul goes on to say, "Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people, but their power. For the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" (1 Cor. 4:18-20). Paul wants to see the converting power of their gospel.
Yet the fascinating thing about Paul's powerful Gospel is its ability to transform their hearts in such a way as to have them suffer joyfully for it's sake. They embodied a treasuring of the Gospel that far exceeds any notion of prosperity, material gain, or comfort. Paul depicts this notion by saying, "We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we are disrepute. The present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things" (1 Cor. 4:10-13). The manifestation of the Gospel is the treasuring of God beyond all comfort, possession, and right.
"The manifestation of the Gospel
is the treasuring of God beyond all comfort, possession, and right."
This theme runs throughout the New Testament. Jesus Himself resounds this message in the beatitudes by saying, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12). The Apostles in the book of Acts began "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name" (Acts 5:41). Other epistles sought to encourage the believers to "recall the former day when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward" (Heb. 10:32-35). The steadfastness of faith is a mark of genuine Gospel power!
Paraenesis:
It is astonishing to note that majority of the New Testament is written as an exhortation for believers to maintain their grip on the Christian faith. The admonition that is placed within the epistles is to remind the saints "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called," (Eph. 4:1). Paul's emphasis is that their life be in step with the proclamation of the Gospel. Simply put, the manifestation of Christ should be evident in the life of the organic church. The Apostle John accounts that whoever "believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments" (1 Jn. 5:1-2). The manifestation of the Gospel, according to John, is a genuine affection toward the saints that is deeply rooted in the commandments of God.
The Apostle Paul, who—if any—embodies the grounds for a hyper-charismatic outlook, charges the saints to "[let] love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord" (Rom. 12:9-11). All of this in the context of "the renewal of your mind" (Rom. 12:2). Again, the manifestation of the Gospel is an authentic treasuring of Jesus that expresses itself in profound ways through the ordinary confines of life. The exhortations given through the New Testament epistles are objective evidences for Gospel centered living among the saints.
"Again, the manifestation of the Gospel is an authentic treasuring of Jesus that expresses
itself in profound ways through the
ordinary confines of life."
Former Days:In the letter to the church of Philippi Paul refutes the false doctrines that are being presented by "the dogs" (Phil. 3:2). The grounds of his argument is not based upon his apostolic authority in terms of signs and wonders, but rather the righteousness that is found in Christ (Phil. 3:7-8). His conversion from Judaism, in which he was a man of rank, was the basis to show the valuable worth of God's transforming power in Christ Jesus. For Paul the manifestation of the Gospel is played out in his miraculous conversion from Judaism to full submission in Christ. The Apostle Paul "[counts] everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Phil. 3:7-8).
The manifestation of the Gospel in the life of the organic church does not fundamentally consist of dramatic displays of signs and wonders, though God can operate in such a manner, but is rooted in the transformation of life that is lived for His glory. Yes, the Gospel is not merely intellectualism that is confined to the institution or academy. Yet the Gospel is also not restricted to a display of power from the standpoint of majestic presentation. The manifestation of the Gospel finds it's footing in the transformed life that is grounded in conversion, propelled through love, and marked with perseverance. This life is expressed in the confines of everyday living which seeks to make much of Him through ordinary means.
What is supernatural in the scope of the New Testament is dead men coming to life through the proclamation of the Gospel!
____________________________________________________________________________
McYoung Yang is the husband to Debbie Yang and the father to McCayden (8), McCoy (7), McColsen (4), and DeYoung (1). He graduated from Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, MN with a Youth Ministry degree and has served as a Youth Pastor in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota for over 8 years. He is currently studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY for his Masters of Divinity. He hopes to use his training to serve the local church in living life through the Gospel lens.
