Dr Paul Allen

Holy Spirit Gifts and Power by Paul Walker Without a doubt, the Pentecostal revival of the early 1900s and the Charismatic renewal, which began in the late 1950s, constitute one of the most innovative and impactive spiritual renovations in history. But when we invest ligate this phenomenon, we must ask: 1) Why has this happened? 2) What is this doing? and 3) How can spiritual integrity be maintained?  Why Has This Happened? The first reason has been an evident need for renewal of mission and purpose throughout the church and among its individual members. Second, given this need for renewal, there has been a definite movement on the part of sincere believers to recover the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit, which transformed and empowered the early Christians. Emerging from this movement has been an inbreaking of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by speaking in tongues, among believers in every significant denomination, demonstrating that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a denominati...

Both words are in the plural, and again the suggestion is that many varieties of miracles or deeds of power are available. The word translated “miraculous powers” in 1 Corinthians 12:10 is the plural of the word “power” in Acts 1:8, but in the plural, it means deeds of mighty, supernatural power that go beyond anything man can do. They are direct divine interventions in the world of man and nature which are distinguished from healings. Palma points out that the word translated “miraculous powers” (“working of miracles,” KJV) is used almost exclusively of the activity of God (Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:14; Galatians 3:5; Philippians 3:21) or of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:7, 9; Ephesians 2:2). He suggests, therefore, that this gift is especially operative in connection with the conflict between God and Satan. These acts of power bringing defeat to Satan might include the judgment of blindness on Elymas (Acts 13:9–11) and the casting out of demons. Some take this gift as one for raising ...