Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Discernment

What does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teach about the baptism with the Holy Ghost?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a significant Christian doctrine that results in various manifestations or "gifts of the Spirit." He distinguishes between subjective, personal manifestations and more visible, objective ones that can be seen by others. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this baptism is a real experience but must be approached with discernment, as he states: "We are told not to believe every spirit, but to test and to prove the spirits whether they are of God. We are told to prove all things and to hold fast that which is good. We are told at the same time not to quench the spirit."

How should Christians test spiritual manifestations according to Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should test spiritual manifestations through:

1. Using reason and understanding: "We must use our reason and understanding. And of course, we must pay heed to the teaching of the scripture itself."

2. Comparing with Scripture: "Nothing is more dangerous than to put a wedge between the word and the spirit, to emphasize either one at the expense of the other. It is the spirit and the word, the spirit upon the word and the spirit in us as we read the word."

3. Examining claims of new revelation: "Anything that claims to be a fresh revelation should always be regarded as being clearly wrong. The revelation is full in the New Testament."

4. Checking for consistency with biblical teaching: "Anything which is obviously contrary to the teaching of the scripture is to be rejected."

5. Being wary of the merely spectacular: "Anything that is merely spectacular, something that is indicative of a fanaticism, is always to be queried and examined very carefully."

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about prophesying future events?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that foretelling future events is possible through the Holy Spirit, but he urges extreme caution about such claims:

"Foretelling of the future is possible. The Holy Spirit can enable men to do this... We mustn't rule this out. It is always possible. As God gave the gift of prophecy to the prophets in the Old Testament, this is always a possibility, and we mustn't exclude it. All I'm saying is that we must be extremely cautious, because this is a rare phenomenon."

He also provides a biblical test for prophecy: "The test of the prophet ultimately is, does what he has prophesied actually come to pass?" If the prophecy fails, "then you know he's not a true prophet. It's not a word from God."

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about personal leadings of the Holy Spirit?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents a balanced view on personal leadings:

1. He acknowledges their reality: "There is no question but that God's people can look for and expect leadings, guidance, indications of what they are meant to do."

2. He provides biblical examples: "You remember how Philip the evangelist was told to go down to a certain tract of country... You get a still more specific one at the beginning of chapter 13 in the acts... the Holy Ghost said, separate me, Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them."

3. But he warns against waiting for constant direct guidance: "If we find ourselves getting into a state or a condition... of others who are beginning to claim special and immediate guidance over practically everything they do, I think we're entitled to have our suspicions aroused."

4. He suggests a balance: "Normally guidance is given to us through the general teaching of the scriptures and through our own faculties and powers. If we are christians, the Holy Spirit is in us, and he affects and influences and heightens all our faculties. That, plus the teaching of the scripture, is the normal way of guidance. Anything I say beyond that by way of direct leading is exceptional."

What cautions does Lloyd-Jones give about speaking in tongues?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges caution about speaking in tongues, particularly regarding the power of suggestion:

1. He notes that it often appears only where it's been discussed: "Speaking with tongues... only tends to appear when it is talked about or preached about, or when it is in some shape or form suggested."

2. He cites an example from a Congo revival: "In the stations where the people had never heard about speaking in tongues, there was no speaking in tongues. It only happened... where they were spoken about."

3. He questions instances where it occurs only through certain individuals: "If you find that people tend to speak in tongues only as the result of a contact with a particular person, a particular preacher, or a particular teacher, again, I say your suspicions should be aroused."

4. He emphasizes the sovereignty of the Spirit: "If the gift of speaking in tongues is something that is given by the Holy Spirit himself in his sovereignty and in his lordship, if he is the giver, well, then I say he can give it whenever he likes. He can withhold it whenever he likes."