Quote:
Originally Posted by loran adkins
Why do we need initial evidence that someone has received the Holy Ghost?
There is nowhere in scripture that says there is initial evidence that everyone will have when they receive the Holy Ghost. Neither is there one verse that says everyone will speak in tongues when they receive the holy ghost. When we say everyone must speak in tongues we limit who can be saved by our own definition. We condemn to hell people that are better that many of us because they have not jumped through the hoops that we think you have to jump though because of our traditions.
|
Brother Loran, the above thinking can also be applied to all points of soteriology. When we read
John 3:8 in English we miss the meaning of what Jesus is telling Nicodemus in Greek. "The Spirit breathes where it wishes, and you hear its voice, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” With stammering lips and another tongue would He speak to his people. Pentecostals (those who became famous by tongue talking) sadly fail when it comes to explaining tongues, scripturally. Not all of them mind you, but there are those who took the cessationist understanding of
John 3:8 and taught it to their congregants.
Hey, even Nicodemus was amazed at what Jesus was saying in Greek.
"Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?"
Which Jesus could only reply to Nicodemus a Hellenized Judean leader, with; "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"
Brother Loren, Jesus made sure to let His followers know that the way is narrow, and the gate is tight, which leads to eternal life. Few will ever find it. I believe
Matthew 7:13-14 limits who can be saved by Jesus' definition. No one is condemning anyone to hell. We break the bread of life with them who are sincere searchers. Individuals who like Cornelius, the Ethiopian, and the Apostle Paul were all devoted to God. God leads them like a Good Shepard.
Brother Loren, no one is making anyone jump through hoops. I'll leave you with this, I know people who have never been to a Pentecostal church. But through seeking God they spoke with tongues, and then found us.
That's the kind of supernatural I love to see and hear.
Some joker climbing behind a pulpit and telling people their names, addresses, and where they left their car keys, is meaningless. Praying with a sincere repentant lover of Christ to see them filled with the Holy Ghost is a real miracle and wonder.