Full Gospel?

Back in the 70’s my grandpa was pretty active in a group called, “The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship.” He once took me to one of their meetings. I was only about 10 years old, but I can distinctly remember a room full of men with their hands raised and tears in their eyes.  Even as a kid I could tell there was something special going on.  I’ll never forget what I felt.

I could sense God was there…

There’s a distinct atmosphere when God’s Spirit moves in a group of people.  It’s unforgettable, and it wrecks you for ordinary religious activities. There’s a refreshing and uplifting that is life changing.  

The term “Full Gospel” simply refers to that belief that the Holy Spirit is still doing everything He was doing in the New Testament. Seems simple enough, right? 

Partially-Full-Gospel

There are many Christians, if not the majority in America, who firmly believe that the Holy Spirit has ceased doing certain things.  They assert that the canonization of the New Testament, and the end of the apostolic age, signaled a conclusion to most of the supernatural and miraculous works of the Holy Spirit.

While we banter and fuss over different views regarding the Holy Spirit, he’s pouring himself out on people all over the world.  Places where they may never have heard the label “full gospel,” are experiencing miraculous and supernatural things. Healings, deliverances, and many other works of the Holy Spirit are happening!  

When the Spirit comes

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness…And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:31, 33)

If anything is needed in our lives, and churches, it’s a shaking by God’s Spirit.  A shaking that rattles things loose that shouldn’t be there, and replaces them with a filling of God’s power. At the very least it will cause our hands to go up and our mouths to give praise.  But when the Holy Spirit comes we will be affected in a unforgettable way.

Just ask the 10 year old kid who went with his grandpa to a Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship meeting back in the day!