Three Pillars of Truth: Pillar Three – Spirit-dependent

June 10, 2025

This is the third and final pillar in the series. Here, I speak on subjects such as the New Birth, Trichotomy, Spiritual Baptism and Infilling, practical dependence on the Holy Spirit, gifts, manifestations, and ministries, as well as the dangers of division and misunderstanding. The final section is a conclusion to the whole series, emphasising how the three pillars of truth stand together as foundations for the Christian Faith.

You can find:

PILLAR 3 Part 1 Video HERE

PILLAR 3 Part 2 Video HERE

PILLAR 3 Q&A Video HERE

Read on for a summary of the transcript of the two videos, which captures just the gist of the teaching.

Finally, the TruthTalks Audio is HERE or at the very bottom of the page.

Summary of Transcript: Pillar Three: Spirit-Dependent

In this final part of the “Three Pillars of Truth” series, I focus on what it means to be Spirit-dependent. My aim isn’t to be dogmatic or try to dictate beliefs, but to encourage you to think deeply and perhaps differently about familiar topics.

The New Birth: Where Dependence Begins

For me, the most fundamental act of dependence on the Holy Spirit is the new birth. This is where spiritual life starts: the regeneration of a dead spirit, a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, unless we are born again – born of water and the Spirit – we cannot even perceive the kingdom of God. Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 1:23, emphasising that this birth is not physical but spiritual. In my understanding, the process begins with conviction (a work of the Spirit), leading to confession, then a sincere request for new birth, and finally, spiritual regeneration. This sequence is vital to my theology and experience.

Understanding Human Nature: Why Trichotomy Matters

I subscribe to a trichotomist view of human nature: we are body, soul, and spirit. The spirit is the part of us dead to God until new birth. This distinction is crucial because it guards against a “mind-based Christianity,” where faith is reduced to intellectual assent or cultural identity rather than spiritual transformation. I’ve seen too many people who identify as Christian but have never experienced the radical newness of being born again.

Spirit Baptism and Infilling: Power for Life and Ministry

The new birth is the Spirit’s work in making us alive to God, but the infilling, or baptism of the Holy Spirit, is about empowerment for Christian living and ministry. As Jesus promised in Acts 1, the Holy Spirit gives us power. I believe the disciples were born again when Jesus breathed on them before he ascended into Heaven, but the day of Pentecost was about receiving power for ministry.

Trichotomy best explains this: we need a living spirit to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This isn’t just theory for me; it’s shaped my ministry and my understanding of how God works in and through us.

Practical Dependence on the Spirit

I have experienced the Spirit’s guidance in life-changing decisions – leaving a secure corporate job to pastor a tiny church, for example. It wasn’t a whim; it was a clear conviction from the Holy Spirit, confirmed by my wife, others, and circumstances.
I know I can’t transform myself; only the Holy Spirit can bring true, eternal change.
Ministry without the Spirit’s power is empty. I’ve seen how sermons and church activities lack life-changing power unless they are Spirit-empowered.
The Holy Spirit also illuminates Scripture for me. Even after years of study, it’s often the Spirit who brings understanding, sometimes years later.
I can’t witness, minister, or even hope for resurrection apart from the Spirit’s power.

Gifts, Manifestations, and Ministries

There’s much confusion about spiritual gifts. I see a clear distinction between manifestations (Spirit-given actions for others’ benefit) and ministries (ongoing roles in the church). I don’t believe gifts are permanent possessions or badges of status. Instead, the Spirit gives as needed, for the common good. I’ve seen the dangers of pride and division when people focus on “their” gifts rather than on serving others in obedience to the Spirit’s prompting.

I’ve also learned that most of the gifts described in Scripture were manifested in Jesus’ ministry, except for tongues and interpretation, which are unique signs for the church.

A key concept is that the focus should never be on the manifestation itself, but on obedience to God and blessing others.

So, Pillar One dealt with being Bible-based, Pillar Two was about being Jesus-centred, and Pillar Three focused on being Spirit-dependent. All three of these concepts are interdependent and together form doctrinal pillars that uphold the truth.