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The Holy Spirit  /  Being Filled with the Holy Spirit  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 6
Chuck describes being raised with cessationism, not being convinced, and also never personally witnessing what he’d call genuine miracles; how should a church obey Matthew 7:22–23 (“many wonders… I never knew you”) while still obeying Ephesians 5:17–19 (“be filled with the Spirit”)—and what tests would you use to discern maturity when signs are claimed?
Another way to ask: How should a church take Jesus’ warning about “many wonders” seriously while still obeying “be filled with the Spirit”? When people claim signs or miracles, how would you test whether they are spiritually mature?

Direct Answer Chuck’s solution is to separate “being filled with the Spirit” from chasing miraculous signs: miracles are not a reliable proof of salvation, but God certainly wants believers to be filled with the Spirit and live obediently. To discern maturity when signs are claimed, his main test is whether people “do the Father’s will” and whether their lives align with holiness and Scripture.

Support from Transcript:

  • He explains his background: taught cessationism, “never terribly convinced,” yet “never seen personally” genuine miracles.
  • He cites Matthew 7:22–23: people claim prophecy, exorcism, “many wonders,” yet Jesus says, “I never knew you… you who practice lawlessness.”
  • He concludes: “there’s no guaranteed link” between miraculous ability and being saved.
  • He uses Balaam as an example: had “the gift of prophecy” but “loved the wages of wickedness.”
  • Still, he’s firm on Ephesians 5: “God wants us to be filled with the Holy Spirit… have more of the Holy Spirit in us.”
  • He later adds a Scripture-alignment test: the Spirit “is not going to be telling us something different than what the Scriptures say.”
Discussion Follow-ups When someone claims a sign, do you look first for obedience and humility, or for power? How can a church pursue fullness of the Spirit while refusing to be impressed by “wonders” alone?

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