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Show #16, p. 3 Dom Gregory also traces the fascinating history of how and when the two baptisms came to be separated in time, and how "all the effects of both Baptism in water and Baptism in the Spirit came to be ascribed to the reception of Baptism in water alone." Further, he statesl "The tendency throughout the Middle Ages is therefore to leave less and less theological content of its own to Confirmation and to make of it simply a 'strengthening' of graces already received adequately for salvation in Baptism. How different all this is from the Scriptural teaching concerning the 'Baptism of the: Spirit' which 'seals' a man to eternity and for which 'Baptism in water' is only a preliminary, needs 'no comment." I have included these obser:vations and conclusions of such a generally esteemed priest and scholar as Dom Gregory Dix in the belief that they present a sound scriptural and historical basis on which to evaluate, from the intellectual standpoint, present-day Pentecostal Claims. Is the "Pentecostal movement" just one more anti-establishment freakout? If it is, of course you can take it or leave it alone (and, on the w~ole, you'd much better leave it alone!) or is it indeed a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to restrain the Enemy (see 2 Thessalonians ,2:6,7), and to enable us more effectively to witness to the love and glory of Jesus Christ and preach the gospel with signs following (Mark l6Il7-20)? If this is so, then certain objections turn out to be untenable, such as, "Well, that's no doubt very nice for Tom, 'Dick or Harry, but it's really not for me"--which would be tantamount to saying, "Thanks, God, but I know what's good for me better than you do"-~or; "I just don't like those emotional, tongue-speaking Pentecostals" ,":,-aside from the fact that a reserved, Anglican-type dignity was not exactly an outstanding characteristic of those first-century charismatics, let's at least give the Holy Spirit credit for being intelligentJ he comes into people as they are, and in the mode in which, culturally, they are most receptive to him; and it is not necessary to go into a trance, or have some sort of seizure, in order to pray and praise God in the special language the Holy Spirit gives you! Praying and praising in tongues, and prophesying, can and shOuld be controlled by one's own spirit of charity and seemliness. Another thing I if this is merely a man-made movement, then obviously "Pentecosta1s" should restrain themselves from trying to make everYone else "think their way"; but if it is indeed a new outpouring of OUr Lord the Holy Spirit, then they would be failing in their mission if they did not ~ry to show us, by the changed direction of their lives, by manifesting the fruits of the Spirit, 'as well as verbally, that this is really God's way. Do please bear this in mind, shOUld you feel turned-off by some "wild-eyed Pentecostal". No one is perfect yet, and being Spirit-filled does not, unhappily, guarantee 'instant r.,()liness'. Just take a look at those Spirit-filled but rather badly-behaved Corin.thians ••• Paul never questioned that, in spite of their erring ways, all the gifts of the Spirit were available to them; he just insisted that they must minister them in lave, and that all must be done "decently and in order." We all must tread the Way of Purgation to reach the Celestial City, and getting filled with the Spirit provides no copout from that. I would here like to add a word to those who have received the full blessing of Pentecost and to those who have not as yet--please be understanding and loving towards each other. Life in the Spirit can be a very abundant, often exuberant, life indeed, so "quench not the Spirit", the Giver of Life, in either yourselves or in others. This can cause great harm. As the Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery at Pecos, New Mexico, likes to quotel Impression without ~ression equals depression! So how does one determine the validity of the new Pentecost? One way is by the witness of people we know and trust who have had this experience. But, as John Sherrill ("They Speak With Other Tongues") found out, it must ultimately resolve itself into an act of perfect trust and submission to God's loving care for us, coupled with an overwhelming desire to know Jesus even more intimately than we have ever known him; for he is truly the "Joy of man's desiring", and in him we live, move and have our being. NO amount of intellectualizing can either prove or disprove the experience of Pentecost. It is not a head-tripJ it is essentially a heart-trip. Like swimming, you can only know what it's like by getting into the water! |