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Originally Posted by A_PoMo
David Reed makes much the same point that Fee makes in regards to Parham's reliance on an experiential hermeneutic and establishing this experiential hermeneutic in the New Issue camp. Obviously there are great problems with relying on 'experience' and 'feelings' as an interpretive tool as it leads to all sorts of variant interpretations and 'revelations'. Feelings and experience have their place, but they shouldn't be the litmus test for theologicial certitude. It's ironic that this idea of experiential theology seems to be at the heart of post-modernism as well.
Acts needs to be taken in the context of ALL scripture and should be interpreted in that light, not the other way around. Taken in context of the entire canon and the NT in particular it seems obvious that Acts is historical in nature was not meant to be primarily theological in nature, thus the doctrinal issues alluded to there should be explained in light of the rest of the Bible and the NT in particular. It should not be the focus of doctrinal formulation, imo.
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We must always bear in mind that the New Birth is an experiential, life changing encounter with the Mighty God in Jesus Christ. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the reception of the Living God into our lives, in the form of the Spirit of Christ making us "new creations." It IS an experiential hermeneutic. Much of what passes for theology today is merely an attempt to academically sidestep the obvious. "All Scripture," means all scripture, whether it's KJV, NIV, Greek or Russian. Only when we return to New Testament patterns, principles and priorities, will we again experience New Testament power. it's time to quit turning to trinitarian scholars in our search for Apostolic understanding. All you will find there are excuses and dry wells. Acts IS an historical record. It is the history of the New Birth experience and it's effects on the followers of Christ. it is our only reliable record of apostolic belief and practice. Acts is the "Pattern Church." All else, we are warned against by Paul as philosophy and traditions of man (doctrines of devils).