On the Road to Emmaus

In recent days, a fresh wave of the Spirit’s presence has broken out at the International House of Prayer Missions Base in Kansas City (IHOP-KC) resulting in many supernatural healings, deep heart-felt experiences of the love of God, and a number of unusual manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s presence. It has been wonderful to partake of and I pray earnestly for its increase here and across our nation. If there is anything of which our nation lies in dire need, it is the life-giving, renewing and restorative presence of God’s Spirit hailing the advent of God’s Reign in our midst. In such, I am reminded of Jonathan Edwards’ excellent piece of writing, The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, in which he distills the consummation of his experience and insight from being a central leader in the First Great Awakening. He calls the people of God both to earnestly support the work of the Holy Spirit and to be as diligent as possible in avoiding all misconduct and error. It seems to me that many people excel in one or the other, either wholeheartedly embracing the move of the Spirit, while at times lacking in discernment, discretion and excellence, OR people are so diligent in keeping up their “discernment” and “excellence” that they frequently oppose the work of God’s Spirit (though rejecting a true work of God’s Spirit can hardly be called “discernment”). I am myself desiring to find the middle ground, a via media, so to speak, of which Edwards’ spoke—to wholeheartedly support the work of God’s Spirit, whatever it looks like, yet with the discernment, discretion, excellence and self-control that is becoming of God.

In light of what has been going on recently, and what is sure to happen more in the months, years and decades to come, I am here reproducing a significantly abridged version of this work in outline form. Here I mainly lay out basic indicators of 1) that which cannot be used to indicate a work is not from the Spirit of God and 2) the signs of a true work of the Spirit of God. I leave out all the additional explanation Edwards gives for each point. For these further explanations see the full work which is available for free at ccel.org.

From here to the end, all is directly excerpted from Edwards himself.

I. Negative Signs; or, What are not signs by which we are to judge of a work–and especially, What are not evidences that work is not from the Spirit of God.

1. Nothing can be certainly concluded from this, That a work is carried on in a way very unusual and extraordinary; provided the variety or difference be such, as may still be comprehended within the limits of Scripture rules.

2. A work is not to be judged by any effects on the bodies of people; such as tears, trembling, groans, loud outcries, agonies of body, or the failing of bodily strength. The influence persons are under is not to be judged of one way or other by such effects on the body; and the reason is because the Scripture nowhere gives us any such rule.

3. It is no argument that an operation on the minds of the people is not the work of the Spirit of God that it occasions a great deal of noise about religion. For though true religion be of a contrary nature to that of the Pharisees–which was ostentatious, and delighted to set itself forth to the view of people for their applause–yet such is human nature, that it is morally impossible there should be a great concern, strong affection and a general engagedness of mind amongst a people without causing a notable, visible and open commotion and alteration amongst that people.

4. It is no argument that an operation on the minds of the people is not the work of the Spirit of God that many who are the subjects of it have great impressions made on their imagination.

5. It is not argument that a work is not of the Spirit of God that some who are the subjects of it have been in a kind of ecstasy, wherein they have been carried beyond themselves, and have had their minds transported into a train of strong and pleasing imaginations, and a kind of visions, as though they were rapt up even to heaven and there saw glorious sights.

6. It is no sign that a work is not from the Spirit of God that example is a great means of it. It is surely no argument that an effect is not from God that means are used in producing it; for we know that it is God’s manner to make use of means in carrying on his work in the world, and it is no more an argument against the divinity of an effect, that this means is made us of, than if it was by any other means. It is agreeable to Scripture that persons should be influenced by one another’s good example (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:1; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7, etc.)

7. It is no sign that a work is not from the Spirit of God that many who seem to be the subjects of it are guilty of great imprudences and irregularities in their conduct. We are to consider that the end for which God pours out his Spirit is to make people holy, and not to make them politicians. It is no wonder that in a mixed multitude of all sorts–wise and unwise, young and old, or weak and strong natural abilities, under strong impressions of mind–there are many who behave themselves imprudently. There are but few who know how to conduct themselves under vehement affections of any kind…

8. Nor are many errors in judgment, and some delusions of Satan intermixed with the work, any argument that the work in general is not of the Spirit of God. However great a spiritual influence may be, it is not to be expected that the Spirit of God should be given now in the same manner as to the apostles, infallibly to guide them in points of Christian doctrine, so that what they taught might be relied on as a rule to the Christian Church. And if many delusions of Satan appear, at the same time that a great religious concern prevails, it is not an argument that the work in general is not the work of God. Yea, the same persons may be the subjects of much of the influences of the Spirit of God, and yet in some things be led away by the delusions of Satan, and this be no more of paradox than many other things that are true of real saints, in the present state, where grace dwells with so much corruption, and the new self and the old self subsist together in the same person; and the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil remain for a while together…

9. If some, who were thought to be wrought upon, fall away into gross errors, or scandalous practices, it is no argument that the work in general is not the work of the Spirit of God. An instance of this is Judas, who was one of the twelve apostles, and had long been constantly united to, and intimately conversant with, a company of truly experienced disciples, without being discovered or suspected till he discovered himself by his scandalous practice. He had been treated by Jesus himself, in all external things, as if he had truly been a disciples, even investing him with the character of apostles, sending him forth to preach the gospel, and enduing him with miraculous gifts of the Spirit.

10. It is no argument that a work is not from the Spirit of God that it seems to be promoted by ministers insisting very much on the terrors of God’s holy law, and that with a great deal of pathos and earnestness.

II. Positive Signs–What are distinguishing Scripture evidences of a work of the Spirit of God.

1. When the operation is such as to raise their esteem of that Jesus who was born of the Virgin, and was crucified without the gates of Jerusalem; and seems more to confirm and establish their minds in the truth of what the gospel declares to us of his being the Son of God and the Savior of humanity; it is a sure sign that it is from the Spirit of God (1 John 4:2-3; 1 Cor. 12:1).

2. When the spirit that is at work operates against the interests of Satan’s kingdom, which lies in encouraging and establishing sin, and cherishing people’s worldly lusts; this is a sure sign that it is a true, and not a false spirit. (1 John 4:4-5)

3. The spirit that operates in such a manner as to cause in people a greater regard to the Holy Scriptures, and establishes them more in their truth and divinity is certainly the Spirit of God.

4. If by observing the manner of the operation of a spirit that is at work among a people, we see that it operates as a spirit of truth, leading persons to truth, convincing them of those things that are true, we may safely determine that it is a right and true spirit.

5. If the spirit that is at work among a people operates as a spirit of love to God and people, it is a sure sign that it is the Spirit of God. (1 John 4:6 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God…)

III. Practical Inferences

1. From what has been said, I will venture to draw this inference, viz., that the extraordinary influence that has lately appeared causing an uncommon concern and engagedness of mind about the things of religion is undoubtedly, in general, from the Spirit of God.

2. Let us all be hence warned, by no means to oppose, or do anything in the least to clog or hinder the work; but on the contrary, do our utmost to promote it. Now Christ is come down from heaven in a remarkable and wonderful work of his Spirit, it becomes all his professed disciples to acknowledge him, and give him honor.

3. To apply myself to those who are the friends of this work, who have been partakers of it, and are zealous to promote it – Let me earnestly exhort such to give diligent heed to themselves to avoid all errors and misconduct, and whatever may darken and obscure the work; and to give no occasion to those who stand ready to reproach it. The apostle exhorts Titus to maintain a strict care and watch over himself, that both his preaching and behavior might be such as “could not be condemned; that he who was of the contrary part might be ashamed, having no evil thing to say to them,” Titus 2:7-8

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