Reinhard Bonnke - Baptism of the Holy Spirit
A great piece of a Bonnke talk on the precious baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We are commited to ‘power evangelism’, not just ‘power’; we are committed to ‘signs and wonders and church growth,’ not just ‘signs and wonders.’
— Todd Hunter
Authentic Pentecostalism
In early American Pentecostalism, there were no stars of the movement, just a bunch of passionate, prayerful believers. Being “slain in the Spirit” was not the goal of the meetings, but it was something far greater. These people were not chasing signs and wonders, but simply wanted to worship God and desperately desired to be filled by the Spirit to be a bold witness of Jesus Christ. Those who preached at these meetings or were led to speak rarely had motives of the flesh. There were no pressures to empty your wallets into the hands of the star speaker in order to receive blessing from God. In fact, the pioneer evangelists of the Pentecostal revival did not even take “offerings”. The explosion of Pentecostalism in the twentieth century was not because of how showy it was nor how manipulative, but because of the reality of lives being changed by the outpouring of the Spirit. The abundance of miracles in the Pentecostal revivals created stronger faith in believers, as well as grew their fear in God, and even brought people to conversion. There was something very authentic about early Pentecostalism.
Pentecostal revivals were often birthed out of a hunger for the Holy Spirit by simple, sincere people. Many of these people were confronted by the Pentecostal experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, without little to no knowledge of what this experience was. It is quite hard to trace the origins of Pentecostalism for the experience of the Spirit-baptism and tongues, as well as a revival of the other gifts of the Spirit, began occurring during the same era, sometimes even simultaneously, throughout the world. Though these occurrences were not totally new to the Church and have occurred throughout Church history, how the experience of being baptized by the Spirit with speaking in tongues became widespread so quickly, and how revivals with such occurrences were taking place basically simultaneously on a global level, is noteworthy and remarkable.
There was a beautiful spontaneity in Pentecostal meetings that somehow brought an order that can only be found by complete reliance on the Holy Spirit. There was a strong sense of unity, even though each was encouraged to participate as the Spirit led them. The worship was a great example of this. One moment everybody may be singing out of their hymnals, and the next moment everybody may break into spontaneous worship, with arms in their waving, clapping and stomping with rhythms that differed for each individual, and singing whatever song the Lord inspires their heart to sing, whether it be in their native tongue or a heavenly one. Somehow there was a harmony to it that seemed like a glimpse of the worship that shall be done in the coming Kingdom. I have had worship experiences similar to this, but none that compare to the testimonies of the praise and worship at the Azusa Street Revival, or the revivals that broke out in the countryside of North Carolina.
Spectacular miracles and manifestations often occurred in the meetings and revivals. Though the miraculous was frequent in their meetings, they were not the goal. Many came to the meetings simply to meet with God in worship and to be, as mentioned before, “filled by the Ghost” for the sake of empowerment to go forth and preach the Gospel. Pentecostalism was filled with expectancy, hunger, and a deep intimacy that is now lost in much of the western Church today, including modern Pentecostalism and their younger siblings in the subsequent charismatic movements/renewals. Worship often becomes a self-pleasing experience. Revival meetings often attract people who simply chase after signs and wonders. Though emotions are not at all to be despised, especially in the experience of God, emotionalism is, and it often marks modern Pentecostalism/charismaticism as distinct from their Protestant brethren. What has become of the Pentecostal-charismatic movements in the United States is honestly tragic, but I rejoice in the fact that the purity and holiness of early Pentecostalism remains in our brethren in the third world. I am glad that the movements that stirred up here fueled a generation to leave the comforts of America and to go forth ministering in love and in power all across the world. The missionary work of Pentecostals has brought millions into faith in Christ Jesus, and the power seen in the old tent meetings of middle America is still preserved, and perhaps even greater, in these indigenous Pentecostal churches. I am envious of the passion and faith our brothers and sisters in China, Mozambique, Nicaragua, etc., have. I want that for the American church.
My brothers and sisters who stand by me as a product of the Pentecostal-charismatic movements, and all who believe that Spirit has been pouring out in power since the day of Pentecost, let us become what our forefathers in the miraculous and powerful tradition of Pentecostal once were in regards to their humility, authenticity, holiness, and faith. Let not our expectancy keep us from discerning. Let our extravagant worship not become a tool to gain a spiritual high. Let not our honor of leaders and evangelists becomes idolatrous to the point where we excuse their grave sins. Let our desire to become a people of power not be distorted to a desire of becoming a superstar in the faith. Brothers and sisters, let us stand on the foundations of the pioneers of the Pentecostal tradition, but more than that, let us return to the prayerful, powerful, and intimate Church that is described in Acts.
Terry Virgo on being Reformed and Charismatic
Learning to pray for the sick is like learning to ride a bicycle. At first the parent runs alongside the wobbly child to prevent serious injury. But in time the child is ready to go out on his own; inevitably he returns from his early solo rides with skinned knees and elbows. Most parents do not become overly concerned about these accidents. Instead, they encourage their child to get back on his bicycle and try again, because soon he will ride smoothly and safely. Learning to pray for the sick is a similar process: the first solo experiences are usually messy, but in time they become quite enjoyable. I am more interested in ministry than neatness, so I provide a a place in which people know they are accepted and helped even when they fail. I do this by allowing time and space at my healing seminars and in other church gatherings for people to pray for the sick.
— John Wimber
Things to ponder about praying for the sick
- God is not scared of AIDS, cancer, leprosy, etc. God’s power cannot be limited by any circumstance.
- More than healing, your goal is to love (1 Corinthians 13). Be willing to minister in whatever way is necessary. Flood the person being prayed on with love.
- The power of God can flow through people. Try your best to have physical contact, especially laying hands, when praying for the sick.
- Jesus did heal all the sick and there is no denying that there is none who walks quite in the power and authority as Jesus—but do not give up on swimming because you’re not as good as an olympian. You are called to pray for the sick and you will grow in effectiveness.
- Shouting is not necessary. It does prove anything to God or to the sickness.
- Listen to God for words of knowledge that may be necessary for deliverance/healing or for their boosting of the faith of the person being prayed on.
- It is not your power that is being displayed, it is all God’s. Do not let self-condemnation because you are not “holy” enough cripple your healing ministry.
- Remember God desires to heal more than you desire to heal.
- God is better than you can comprehend and his very nature is love.
- Follow Christ’s example: be willing to pray for all the sick.
meize asked: Hey, I was just curious to know how you came to know about your prophetic gifting? I have recently been realising my own gifting with that. It's crazy, cos these words totally come from God and I get emotions and feelings when I think about a certain thing/person etc. Uhm yeah, it's weird but I am sure a blessing!!
Hello! That is an interesting question. Your experience seems pretty legitimate! I want to shed some light on this beautiful gift and help you understand how to grow and experience the voice of God. It is a wonderful grace that we generously receive from the Holy Spirit and we need to take advantage of it. God is speaking, hallelujah!
I do believe that Pentecost brought a level of prophetic ability to all Christians, as it was a fulfillment of Scripture that the Spirit shall be poured out on all flesh and shall enable believers to dream, have visions, and prophesy. All believers are to hear the voice of God, whether it be through a still small voice or the loud and audible. I believe all Christians can even grow in their ability to hear the voice of God, as they grow in patience, discernment, and godly desire and pursuit. After all, Paul encourages believers to most actively pursue the gift of prophecy in their lives (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39).
I do not consider myself somebody who is especially gifted with a prophetic anointing, or a “prophet”, but I’ve had prophetic experiences that are undeniable. For me personally, I have been receiving words of knowledge about people ever since I was baptized by the Holy Spirit. A word of knowledge is information about a person or situation that God reveals to somebody. Often times, these words bless those ministering to others so they know how to minister or in order to reveal that God is truly using them for his ministry. I have been given details about the medical conditions of others, their family background, and traumatic childhood experiences, which helped me counsel, minister, and pray for those people. I have also been given words about a person that were kind of random but it was information that nobody knew. To the one being ministered to, this validated that God was working and I was not just throwing out nice, spiritual-sounding things to say. At first I thought I was just intuitive and that I just made brilliant assumptions. I kind of realized, though, that this began occurring after the Spirit rocked my world and that I am not that brilliant. As I began having faith that God desires to speak to me and began taking note of the small impressions on my heart, as well as constantly asking for more, I began to grow in my ability of hearing God’s voice.
There are people, though, who are especially gifted with prophetic. Many call these people “prophets”, but this word can be a bit unhelpful. Though I do believe the term “prophet” has it’s place and is a biblical term for a ministry for today, it can easily be misconstrued and used to glorify the prophet and not the Savior. Prophets, though, primarily operate in their prophetic anointing and serve the Church the most frequently with it, as compared to their other gifts. Often times these people bless the Church in corporate settings or are used to regularly minister to people with supernatural words from the Lord that “strengthen, encourage, and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3).
Here is my advice for you, as you are identifying your prophetic anointing and growing in your ability to hear God’s voice:
- Seek and pray constantly to hear God’s voice and pay attention to little signs, impressions, pictures, etc.
- Test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and discern with others, especially elders, if your prophetic word is from God.
- Make sure your words are aligned with Scripture and will build up others.
- Seek out the voice of God in small groups where you can take risks. A small group or a fellowship of close friends where people are understanding of the fact that you may misunderstand the revelations you receive is ideal for growing in the gift of prophecy. You can actively pursue the voice of God together, as well as discern and take steps together to hearing God’s voice.
- Prophesy out of love for God and his people (1 Corinthians 13).
I recommend Mike Bickle’s book “Growing In The Prophetic”, which is actually in .pdf form right here. Another great book that can help is “The Beginner’s Guide to the Gift of Prophecy” by Jack Deere. May you be used to reveal God’s glory through prophetic ministry!
Terry Virgo speaks on how one can be filled with the Holy Spirit
John Piper, Bill Johnson, Mark Driscoll, Michael Eaton, Terry Kreuger, Rob Rufus & Simon Murphy on the Holy Spirit.
How I long for a recovery of true biblical Christianity, where the apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Romans, also raised the dead! It seems that profound theology and great signs and wonders happily cohabited in Paul’s life and ministry.
— Terry Virgo
Whatever the expression - ‘baptism’ or ‘outpouring’ or otherwise - reference is thereby made to a dynamic movement of the Holy Spirit which results in a new sense of God’s Presence and power, various charismata becoming manifest and the emergence of a different style of life. These things are possible only through the event of the Spirit.
— J. Rodman Williams
Terry Virgo on why tongues is not the only evidence of the baptism of the Spirit
