Seven Views on Spirit Baptism
Chris Hefner
Pentecostal: subsequent to salvation; fundamental sign of Spirit baptism is speaking in tongues
Charismatic (Neo-Pentecostalism): subsequent to salvation; sign could be tongues or other sign gifts
Keswick: second experience after salvation; “Let go and let God"
Reformed Sealers: subsequent to salvation and is that event where the believer is sealed by the Spirit
Holiness: different ideas of perfection; conversion is one experience and Spirit baptism is for sanctification
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox: Spirit baptism occurs at confirmation
Reformed: Spirit baptism comes at conversion
What does the Bible teach about this doctrine?
Acts 1:8 serves as an outline for the book of Acts and when combined with Jesus’ statement about Peter having the keys of the kingdom, the other speaking in tongues passages make sense
Interpretive Keys to Tongues and the Sign Gifts:
Remember that the book of Acts is primarily descriptive not prescriptive
The challenge of biblical interpretation and gift application require encourage us to look at the text, not our predisposed experiences or doctrinal lenses to make sense of the Spirit’s sign gifts
Takeaways:
We should seek out the normative and biblical work of the Holy Spirit in our lives: empowerment for witness and fruit-filled sanctification
Because every believer is gifted, every believer should be serving to edify the body of Christ
We should seek Jesus, seek to glorify Jesus, and seek to adhere to biblical truth as opposed to seeking experiences as an end in themselves
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