Pentecostal Discussions

Baptism in Spirit - Elitism part 2

by Shane Clifton

Josh Dowton has asked a question that is worth pursuing - "what exactly is the work of the Spirit in believers who do not claim the Pentecostal experience of Baptism in the Spirit?"

Wow - how do i answer? I would start by the affirmation (perhaps surprising to some pentecostals) that the Spirit is doing the same sort of radically diverse things in all Christians - pentecostal and non-pentecostal alike. So, rather than focus on what the Spirit is doing in Pentecostals and not doing in non-Pentecostals, i would like to leave the matter much more open (after-all, the Spirit "blows where it wishes" - and we need to be careful that our identifications of that Spirit do not end up confining the Spirit).

Baptism in the Spirit - an elitist doctrine?

by Shane Clifton

FOR A FULLER EXPLANATION OF FOLLOWING DISCUSSION, SEE: Shane Clifton, "The Spirit and doctrinal development: a functional analysis of the traditional pentecostal doctrine of the baptism in the holy Spirit" - Pneuma 29 (2007): 4-22

The traditional pentecostal doctrine of Baptism in the Spirit (at least as worded in Australia) says:

We believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the bestowing of the believer with power to be an effective witness for Christ. This experience is distinct from, and subsequent to, the new birth; is received by faith, and is accompanied by the manifestation of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, as the initial physical evidence – Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 5, 8; 2:1-4; 8:16-19; 11:14-17; 19:1-7.

There are a number of ways to critically reflect upon this doctrine - but for this purpose, i would like to avoid the traditional biblical debates (which have been widely addressed elsewhere).  Instead i would like to consider some more practical critiques.

Apologies

Well, i discovered last year that blogging was hard work and, sadly, i did not have the energy to keep it up.  My apology for those who kept coming back to the site and hoping for more.  I am, however, going to try again - perhaps hesitatingly and a little bit slowly (if i drip feed the blog then perhaps i can keep it up).

On a different note, I realise that boasting is a sin - in which case i ask for your forgiveness (for the second time this post).  I am excited to announce that i have recently had two journal articles published in international pentecostal journals.

The Spirit and doctrinal development: a functional analysis of the traditional pentecostal doctrine of the baptism in the holy Spirit - Pneuma 29 (2007): 4-22

Pentecostal ecclesiology: a methodological proposal for a diverse movement - Journal of Pentecostal Theology 15/2 (2007): 215-234.

I am under copyright restriction in respect to these articles - so cannot publish them the details on this blog - but i might, in the next little while, give you a taster of a few ideas (so that you have a look at the journal!).