BREATH OF LIFE
By Orlando Saer
Christian Focus. 142 pages. £7.99
ISBN 978 1 781 919 804
This is a short book of introduction to the subject of the Holy Spirit, written in a lively manner. en has reported on the growth in the gospel witness at Christchurch, Southampton, particularly in reaching out to students at the university nearby. In style and humour, this book is targeted especially at students.
Orlando Saer (the minister of Christchurch, Southampton) is not afraid of facing controversial subjects such as speaking in tongues, praying in the Spirit and second blessing. He bases his conclusions on biblical references, seeing the teaching in the context of verses that are often quoted in isolation.
Through the Bible
This book starts in Genesis and takes us through the Bible to show us the work of the Holy Spirit in the context of God’s plan to bring new life, new speech, new power and a new heart to mankind. He sums up the role of the Holy Spirit – to bring glory to Jesus as he transfers the truth from Jesus to the apostles. There is an exposition of 1 Corinthians 2 – the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit, the mind of God.
Baptism in the Spirit
He faces the statement of some Christians ‘The Spirit told me…’ with the reply ‘Of course he can, but it’s down to him if he wants to. Be discerning and be sensitive!’ On the subject of the baptism of the Spirit, the author points out that this is experienced by all Christians (Romans 8.9.) and we are all baptised by one Spirit (1 Corinthian 12.13.) In studying Acts we see that baptism with the Spirit and receiving the Spirit mean the same. We see that delay (conversion and Spirit coming) and drama (speaking in tongues) are connected with the three new spheres in the history of Acts.
‘Praying in the Spirit’ is not referring to tongues as some think, it is bringing all kinds of issues to God (Ephesians 6.18). The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, making sure his word shapes our prayers. ‘Be filled with the Spirit’ means we need to act towards God and our fellow Christians in such a way as to demonstrate that God is in control of our lives. For our relationships, the book quotes all the ‘one another’ texts in the epistles. On the subject of ‘signs and wonders’, he says we are limiting God to the occasional, extraordinary and spectacular, whereas the Spirit of God is seen daily: as he conquers ignorance and brings the knowledge of God to people; as he breaks the power of death to raise spiritual corpses to life; and as he overcomes cowardice so that Christians can speak about God with courage.
The Christian life
Here’s a quote: ‘Living a life that pleases God is hard, right? Wrong! It’s not hard, it’s impossible without the Spirit.’ The Spirit influences the decisions and instincts of the heart. In Romans 8, Paul encourages us to look for evidence of the Spirit working in our lives. The book then gives a series of eight questions to ask ourselves to bring us assurance, and keep us in step with the Spirit in his purpose, priorities and person.
Let me conclude with the comment on the back cover, from John Stevens of FIEC: ‘Cuts through the confusion and enables us to hear what the Bible has to say about the person and work of the Holy Spirit.’
