Exploring the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Legacy of Howard Carter

Howard Carter was a pioneer in the Pentecostal Christian faith. Born in Birmingham, England, he eventually took over the first Pentecostal Bible School in the city. In 1913,

Carter became the leader of the Crown Mission, a Pentecostal organization, and shortly afterwards he started leading a second church, leaving his regular job to do so. He later became a founding member of the Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland and served as vice chairman from 1929 to 1934 and chairman from 1934 to 1945.

In his later years, Carter moved to the United States and traveled extensively as a preacher until his death in Springfield, Missouri, in 1971.

Howard Carter wrote, "The importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the essential functioning of the Church of Jesus Christ cannot be overestimated. Without them, the Church lacks the spiritual equipment so necessary for an aggressive conflict with the powers of darkness; she is also deprived of the edifying enrichment derived from the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence and power in her midst. If a person is 'called' to be a son of God, that person is also a prospective recipient of the gifts of the Holy Spirit."

Howard Carter wrote one of his most famous books, "Questions and Answers on the Holy Spirit." Let's take a look.

Chapter 1: The Person of the Holy Spirit In this chapter, Carter explores the identity and purpose of the Holy Spirit, presenting a detailed discussion of Old and New Testament scriptures related to the Spirit. He emphasizes the principle that the Spirit of God is co-equal with the Father and the Son in the Trinity and how human beings can experience the presence and power of the Spirit in their lives.

Chapter 2: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit In this chapter, Carter discusses the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit, examining the scope of this experience in the life of the believer. He emphasizes how baptism is a source of power both for personal spiritual growth and for Christian service.

Chapter 3: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit In this chapter, Carter explains the doctrine of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He defines each of the nine gifts and discusses how they can be used in the church for upbuilding and edification. He also writes about the importance of understanding and using gifts responsibly and selflessly.

Chapter 4: The Fruit of the Holy Spirit In this chapter, Carter delves into the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control—discussing each of these qualities and their importance in a Christian life. He emphasizes how, through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can live a life that is pleasing to God.

Chapter 5: The Work of the Holy Spirit In this final chapter, Carter discusses the various works of the Holy Spirit, such as convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, enlightening the eyes of the understanding, and renewing the heart. He also talks about the Spirit's role in the work of redemption, sanctification, and edification. In addition, he briefly touches on the development of spiritual gifts in a believer's life.

Finally, the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the essential functioning of the Church of Jesus Christ cannot be overstated. Again, in his book, Questions and Answers on the Holy Spirit, Carter examines what it means to be a recipient of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He begins by exploring the identity and purpose of the Holy Spirit, stressing its co-equality with the Father and the Son in the Trinity. He then moves on to discuss the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit, explaining its scope and the source of power that it brings.

Next, he examines the nine gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows—including wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and more—and explains how they can be used in a church setting. Carter then goes on to further elucidate the fruit of the Holy Spirit—such as love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control—and their importance in a Christian walk.

Moreover, Carter discusses the various works of the Holy Spirit and its role in redemption, sanctification, and edification. In doing so, he emphasizes the essential role that the gifts of the Holy Spirit play in the functioning of the church. In conclusion, the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit cannot be overstated.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can live a life that is pleasing to God. Howard Carter addresses this by providing a comprehensive overview of the identity, activities, and functions of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing its co-equality within the Trinity and its role in Christian life. With the continuing guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church will remain a beacon of hope and faith for generations to come.

Your partner,
(c) Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com