The sermon emphasizes that understanding is the essential principle governing all church activities, particularly regarding spiritual gifts. It contrasts the limited value of speaking in tongues without interpretation with the superior edifying power of preaching and prophecy. The speaker argues that spiritual gifts are intended for the common good and must be exercised with clarity so that the congregation can comprehend and benefit. Additionally, the message highlights the necessity of order and self-control in worship, asserting that God is not the author of confusion. Ultimately, the central call is to prioritize clear proclamation of the Word over charismatic displays to ensure the church is properly built up.

The sermon explores the necessity of appealing to both the heart and the mind in Christian conversion, emphasizing that true faith requires the grace of God rather than mere emotionalism or intellectual assent. Drawing from Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 13, it defines divine utterance as the Holy Spirit's power enabling believers to speak with authority, a gift that remains vital despite the cessation of tongues. The speaker warns against quenching the Spirit through worldly distractions and encourages active obedience and prayer to maintain spiritual sensitivity. By contrasting superficial religious performance with genuine reliance on the Holy Ghost, the message urges listeners to hunger for righteousness and discern truth from error through Scripture. Ultimately, worship and testimony must center on glorifying God, relying on His power rather than human wisdom or emotional manipulation.

Title: The Feast Offerings of the Lord: Feed the Needy Scripture: Num. 28:26-31; Lev. 23:15-22; Acts 2:1-4 Speaker: Dr. Vic Borden Date: July 12, 2026

In the morning, we will be looking at how the fellowship of the Christian believers developed in the early New Testament church, following the apostle Peter's great Pentecostal Day sermon. In particular, we will consider "The Marks of the Church."

The sermon establishes the origin of the church at Pentecost, emphasizing that Spirit baptism is the exclusive mechanism for incorporating believers into the body of Christ. It analyzes Acts as a transitional narrative where Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles, and disciples of John all received the same spiritual experience, proving there is no distinction in salvation status among these groups. The teaching contrasts dispensational theology with covenant theology, arguing for a strict distinction between ethnic Israel and the church while affirming that believers partake in the blessings of Israel's covenants. It further defends the deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity and asserts that spiritual gifts like tongues were temporary signs for authentication during the apostolic era. The overarching theme is that God's primary purpose in history is to demonstrate His glory through these distinct redemptive acts.

1. the persons 2. the power 3. the preaching