Justin: I wonder why Eve looks confused? Why do I feel this tension? But this can be an awesome chance to bear testimony. I want to testify of truth. “Yes. We believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, and another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that a man would draw nearer to God by abiding by its principles than by any other book. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. He was the first Prophet of the Restoration. We now have living prophets and apostles on the earth in our day.”
Eve: Who’s this Joseph Smith? I’ve heard a lot of stories where Jesus has appeared to people and they get saved. I remember the cover story ‘When Muslims see Jesus’ in September 2011 Charisma magazine about thousands of Muslims converting to Christianity after encountering Jesus in dreams or visions. And Christ-centered TV is always highlighting different ministries of men and women who are modern day prophets, prophetesses and apostles; they speak to Jesus. I’m grateful for these women and men who hear from the Lord, and I’m grateful for their teachings. … In fact, I met the Holy Ghost through Benny Hinn. How sad about Benny’s wrecked marriage … His ministry blessed me so much, I’ve got to pray for him… And he was introduced to the Holy Spirit through Kathryn Kuhlman. I remember that day when the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon me, and I’ve never been the same since. Thank God we live in an age when the Lord talks to each of us personally. Thank God He gives us apostles and prophets and prophetesses and evangelists and pastors and teachers today, just like the New Testament church … But why does Justin talk about this Joseph Smith and not about what Jesus and the Holy Spirit are doing? He must not know Them at all. I guess I can’t even talk to him about the Holy Spirit, if he doesn’t even know Jesus. I do know you can tell what people worship by what they talk about. Maybe he does worship Joseph Smith. That’s SICK!! I’m starting to feel real upset here. OK, take a deep breath …Maybe we can start back at the beginning of our conversation … “You said you went to the temple over the weekend. Is that where you go and worship?” Maybe he’s more like the Jewish people who think you have to go to a certain place to worship. I wonder how you worship if you don’t know Jesus? Maybe he’s felt the Holy Spirit drawing him, as he keeps sincerely searching and trying to find God. Dear God, please help me to help Justin find Christ! I don’t want him going to hell!
Justin: Eve seems confused. Remember Gordon B. Hinckley taught about establishing common ground. She asked about worship. I can talk about worship. “Yes. We worship at the temple. We also worship in our chapels on a weekly basis. Every week, we partake of the sacrament to remember Christ’s Atonement.”
Eve: I give up. At least he thinks about Jesus once a week. That’s a start. But he hasn’t even talked about getting born again, or the power of the Holy Spirit. Justin obviously can’t know the Holy Spirit at all, if Justin keeps talking about the things that Justin is doing, and doesn’t focus on what God’s done, and is doing. Justin hasn’t yet given any glory to God! Oops, I’d better be sure that I am giving glory to the Lord! “Worship is where I really feel the Lord; His Power and His Majesty, and I know that He’s close to me and working in my life. I had a wonderful time over the weekend too. We had an incredible worship service at church. The Presence of the Lord was all over the place.” I feel this spiritual drawing to Justin even though he is so far from You, Lord. Maybe he’s ready to start being open to You in his life. Help me, Lord. “Can I ask you a question again? Where do you think you will go when you die?”
Justin: Eve seems so sincere. Why does there seem to be this brick wall between us? Lord, help me as I bear testimony. “Heaven. That’s what I’m hoping for, and also to be reunited with my family and loved ones in God’s presence.”
Eve: Hoping? He’s only hoping? Oh dear God, he has no hope …
Justin: “…I know that because of the merits of Christ, the Atonement provides so that I can be exalted and be with my family together forever in the Celestial Kingdom, if I am faithful and endure to the end.”
Eve: Exalted??!! Only Jesus is exalted!! Why would Justin want to push God the Father off the throne and rule in His place? I’m starting to feel furious here. Calm down. Love is the only way. There is no way Justin understands the magnitude of what Jesus did for us. No wonder he has to talk about enduring to the end; without Christ, he’s lost. Oh Lord, that’s horrible. He has no hope and no joy. All he has is his family to cling to, he doesn’t even know Jesus. That’s so sad.
Justin: “Oh, I guess lunch is over. I really enjoyed talking with you, Eve. I’d like to talk again sometime. And if you’re interested, I’d love to invite you over to meet with the missionaries from our church. They’d be glad to answer any questions that you might have.” Lord, I’ll fast for Eve this coming up Fast Sunday, that she can begin to understand the truths of the Restoration.
Eve: “Oh, well, thanks. I enjoyed talking with you too, Justin. See you later.” (She gets up to leave). Missionaries! How can they have missionaries? They have nothing to share but a religion of dead works and bondage, with no hope. Justin doesn’t know Jesus. He isn’t born again. He has no concept of the freedom that’s available in Christ. All he has is a nice family, but that can’t save him. … I wish I had a nice family. Mine’s a wreck. Justin must have ‘nice family’ genes. But I am so grateful, Lord, for You, that I can know You. Thank you, Lord, for saving me. Please help me reach Justin for You. Thanks, Lord. I love You. Amen.
The purpose of this book is to help overcome the language barrier that was illustrated in this Chapter.
Chapter Three: Holy Spirit, Please Come (in Power)!
or
Inviting the Spirit
Our firm belief is that one of the main stumbling blocks to communication and Christ-centered fellowship between Spirit-filled Christians and Latter-day Saints is strongly held differing views on the proper and best ways to invite the Holy Spirit into a situation.
In American culture, there’s an unwritten protocol on the proper and best way to invite someone (in this analogy, an important person) to a gathering or a party. The older generation feels that the most honoring way is to send a written invitation. If a 70 year-old were holding a birthday party, and he wanted to invite a friend who was a King, then mailing an invitation is considered the most respectful way. Spending time on engraving and proper printing is viewed as honorable. If the king was a close friend, a phone call announcing the upcoming party would also be socially acceptable, as long as it was always followed by a written invitation. For a 70 year-old, making only the phone call would not be sufficient.
For a 20 year-old, these ideas may not be applicable. The invitation may be extended in a variety of ways. First, the person giving the party may Twitter his friends. Then he may post it on Facebook, providing an opportunity for those invited to RSVP. For a formal event, an email may be sent to all advising the details of the party. If the King were to be invited, a personal phone call may also be in order, as a final reminder, recognizing that he is a very busy person.
The 70 year-old may feel his views of the proper way to invite the King were the best and only way; a well thought-out written invitation would be proper and best. Facebook and email may be considered the best way for the 20 year-old. Then as an afterthought, a written invitation or phone call may also be considered proper.
This analogy is applicable when considering the differing opinions between Latter-day Saints and Spirit-filled Christians on the proper way to invite our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit into a meeting or gathering. The chart below is an attempt to explain these varying views, so that both LDS and SFC can understand that the Holy Spirit is being invited into a conversation or situation.
Unfortunately, when one group assumes that their favorite way to invite the Holy Spirit is understood by all, additional barriers will occur. For example, Latter-day Saints often bear testimony to invite the Holy Spirit. Bearing testimony