I'm old enough to remember the start of the so-called Charismatic movement in Australia. Traditionally, the baptism and the gifts of the Spirit were the domain of Pentecostalism. I can understand why non Pentecostals were dubious. My experience led me to believe Pentecostals were weird.
About 3 years after I was saved and with more experiences, I realised that there was something to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit after all. What I had seen that bothered me was with people who had gone overboard. Many of the Pentecostals I met had become proud and contemptuous of those who had yet to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I could not argue with the obvious power that was lacking in traditional circles. I saw people being delivered from evil spirits. I saw miracles of healing. I had two healings in one day. The first was through a word of knowledge where the pastor described my symptoms to the letter. Then I prayed for a chronic condition that I'd suffered for years. I was full of faith because of the first healing.
It still took me 3 years to overcome my objections. Some tried to push me into it, well meaning but not at all helpful.
Christmas Eve 1974 was a significant time for many. Darwin was about to be smashed by a devastating cyclone and tornado. I did not know about it as I was on leave at the time. I remember it because that night I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was alone, no one pushed me, just me and Jesus. He is the Baptiser.
Some proponents seem to forget that the Holy Spirit is NOT Lord. His job is to empower us to witness to Jesus and the great salvation that He bought for us. This is the purpose of every spiritual gift and all revelation.
Some say that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. They base this on Paul's statement that tongues will end and prophecies will cease. (1 Corinthians 13) They claim that the "perfect" (verse 10) has come in the form of the final cannon of scripture.
Verse 12 says, "Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." I do not see God face to face by simply studying the Bible. So how anyone can claim that the perfect has come is a mystery to me. Lord Jesus is the Truth. He is the complete revelation of God. One day, we will see Lord Jesus face to face. All our questions will be answered, all confusion dissolved and we will know all things.
If the church was in complete unity, established in love, living in righteousness and holiness, then the cessasionists might have a point. I wish. There will be no need for gifts of prophecy in heaven. We will not need words of knowledge or wisdom there. There will be no need for miracles, healing or deliverance. Until that time, we need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts.
A word of caution. There is much that claims to be the Holy Spirit which is counterfeit. It is relatively easy to fake signs and wonders. Someone can speak out fine sounding words that are simply what they imagine in their minds. I've heard a demon speak, pretending to be a message in tongues. We need discernment. There is no need to fear. We do need to ask God to reveal the truth to us.
About 3 years after I was saved and with more experiences, I realised that there was something to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit after all. What I had seen that bothered me was with people who had gone overboard. Many of the Pentecostals I met had become proud and contemptuous of those who had yet to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I could not argue with the obvious power that was lacking in traditional circles. I saw people being delivered from evil spirits. I saw miracles of healing. I had two healings in one day. The first was through a word of knowledge where the pastor described my symptoms to the letter. Then I prayed for a chronic condition that I'd suffered for years. I was full of faith because of the first healing.
It still took me 3 years to overcome my objections. Some tried to push me into it, well meaning but not at all helpful.
Christmas Eve 1974 was a significant time for many. Darwin was about to be smashed by a devastating cyclone and tornado. I did not know about it as I was on leave at the time. I remember it because that night I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was alone, no one pushed me, just me and Jesus. He is the Baptiser.
Some proponents seem to forget that the Holy Spirit is NOT Lord. His job is to empower us to witness to Jesus and the great salvation that He bought for us. This is the purpose of every spiritual gift and all revelation.
Some say that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. They base this on Paul's statement that tongues will end and prophecies will cease. (1 Corinthians 13) They claim that the "perfect" (verse 10) has come in the form of the final cannon of scripture.
Verse 12 says, "Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." I do not see God face to face by simply studying the Bible. So how anyone can claim that the perfect has come is a mystery to me. Lord Jesus is the Truth. He is the complete revelation of God. One day, we will see Lord Jesus face to face. All our questions will be answered, all confusion dissolved and we will know all things.
If the church was in complete unity, established in love, living in righteousness and holiness, then the cessasionists might have a point. I wish. There will be no need for gifts of prophecy in heaven. We will not need words of knowledge or wisdom there. There will be no need for miracles, healing or deliverance. Until that time, we need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts.
A word of caution. There is much that claims to be the Holy Spirit which is counterfeit. It is relatively easy to fake signs and wonders. Someone can speak out fine sounding words that are simply what they imagine in their minds. I've heard a demon speak, pretending to be a message in tongues. We need discernment. There is no need to fear. We do need to ask God to reveal the truth to us.
