Quote:
Originally Posted by hollandmin  Brother, If you have taken any time to see what this position has done to numerous people your stance would probably be a little different. I have had the unfortunate pleassure of dealing with this on numerous occations and seen the devistation of those who just couldn''t be "baptised in the holy spirit" from this Pentecostal point of view. People who feel that they just arn't loved by God and feel as though they're are 2nd class Christians. |
Exactly. What's devastating isn't so much the charasmatic doctrine of tongues...it's the class-system the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit creates (as if the baptism of the Holy Spirit doesn't occur at conversion).
I grew up in Wesleyan Holiness (entire sanctification/perfectionsim)...that taught a subsequent baptism...hence I gravitated toward Charasmatic Christianity post-conversion.
I'll tell you from experience:
It makes salvation about works. It's a theology of despair. People are constantly evaluating if they've have dealt with their sin enough to get this special baptism. I remember begging God day after day for it...I remember doing this to the point of tears.
Rather than this doctrinal innovation contributing to sanctification, it gives rise to others lording over the 2nd class Christian.
I wish I had something I could refer you to, Rev Holland...for me, the doctrine lost it's grip after my understanding of God's sovereignty grew more and more.