Andrew Gabriel: Simply Spirit-Filled

There are other important lessons that the reader can learn from this book. First, Gabriel points out that the lists of the gifts of the Spirit that we find in Scripture are not exhaustive. On page 129 the author says that what Paul wrote only describes “some of the ways the Spirit uses people and enables people to minister.” Second, Gabriel points out that it is difficult at times to identify which gift is in operation. This is in part because we do not have definitions of some gifts, such as the message of wisdom or the message of knowledge (page 133). A third point that Gabriel brings out, and that some Pentecostals/Charismatics need to hear, is that being spiritual does not mean that one needs to be strange (page 152).

The closing chapter of the book is also very helpful; in it the author identifies the marks of a Spirit-filled person. Contrary to what some Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians may think speaking in tongues is not the only evidence that a person is Spirit-filled (most Pentecostal groups say that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of being baptized, or filled, with the Holy Spirit, however, speaking in tongues is not the only evidence). This chapter may help broaden the perspective of some regarding being Spirit-filled.

Simply Spirit-Filled is easy to read, one need not have a theological degree to benefit from it. This book would be beneficial to a person who is skeptical of, or new to, the charismatic workings of the Spirit. It will provide them with a good foundation about these ministries of the Holy Spirit. This text will also be a help to the person who is familiar with the workings of the Spirit but who needs help in discerning what it biblically sound and what is not.

This book does not gloss over the fact that there are aberrant practices and beliefs in Spirit-filled gatherings. But neither does the book suggest that the corrective for this is to not use the gifts or to exclude some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As Gabriel says in the opening chapter “The Holy Spirit is not hazardous” (page 9).  Paul’s advice to the church in Thessalonica regarding the gifts of the Spirit was not to extinguish the Spirit but to test all things and hold on to the good (1 Thess. 5:19-21). That is exactly what Andrew Gabriel advocates in this book (page 131). I believe it is a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature about the charismatic activity of the Holy Spirit.

Reviewed by John Lathrop

 

Publisher’s page: https://www.thomasnelson.com/9780785223627/simply-spirit-filled/

 

Interview with Andrew Gabriel about Simply Spirit-Filled: https://www.andrewkgabriel.com/2019/02/12/video-simply-spirit-filled/

 

Tags: andrew, gabriel, simply, spiritfilled

Category: Spirit, Winter 2019