Ministry News

Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Less Important Today?

Details: Tuesday, 22 September 2009 09:13

QUOTE: “There's been a cultural shift in the last 30 years. Sunday morning services used to be for believers, and Sunday night services were more evangelistic. Sunday night services have declined, and now the morning service is more for people to bring friends. If there has been a diminution of the gift, it's due to a cultural shift in society.” —Assemblies of God (AG) General Superintendent George O. Wood, on whether speaking in tongues is downplayed more today in corporate worship services than in the past. According to an AG study last year, 28 percent of pastors in the denomination strongly agree that their churches regularly use part of their corporate services to pray for people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Although 90 percent of those pastors say they regularly teach on the topic, only about half of those involved in AG churches claim to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. [christianitytoday.com, 9/21/09]

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Comments

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0 #23 Gary Leenhouts 2009-09-27 15:16

I think a lot of the respondents are in denial about the Assemblies. It has been "just another denomination" for decades. I know there are exceptions, but denominations are denominations. They all organize the Holy Spirit right out.

I attended a major Pentecostal Bible school that was full of A/G kids. I could not believe how many of my classmates had never been water baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit and had been raised in church their whole lives. And quite a few of them were preachers kids.

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0 #22 Naomi Wiley 2009-09-27 15:11

I am crying tears. Have we (the Assemblies of God fellowship) become just another denomination? Are we, as a majority, more interested in a cultural shift than the WORD of the living God? Without the Holy Ghost, what is there? We are told there was a time in scripture that Jesus wept. He must be weeping now.

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0 #21 Mikie 2009-09-27 05:40

Jesus stressed how important it was that he leave so that the Holy Spirit could come.
He has left you and I the Holy Spirit to be our helper, comforter, teacher, leader and to empower us to continue doing his work while here on earth. Notice that Jesus did not point them to a human Pastor, preacher or teacher when he gave his disciples these instructions. Jesus did not say to them or us to follow your Rabi (pastor or teacher) for he will be best qualified and credentialed to lead you and teach you in all things to come. Besides how can some one teach you to follow the Holy Spirit if he does not him self. You would be following clouds with out rain and continue to live a dryness of spirit to follow men and not the Holy Spirit. For one to reject Jesus words and instructions of receiving, submitting, and following the Holy Spirit is to reject Jesus him self. For us, its like Jesus telling the father no thanks father I'll do it my way. Read Gospel of John.

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0 #20 Dennis Steinmetz 2009-09-23 13:04

It should come as no surprise that the baptism of the Holy Spirit has declined since water baptism has declined as well. Perhaps the "sinner's prayer" isn't always enough. The great commission calls for water baptism. I believe that the frequent forsaking of water baptism, has led to the further erosion of power of the church. Maybe we should re-examine the doctrine of water Baptism, and preach it as a necessity. Getting all wet in front of the congregation isn't comfortable perhaps, but does that mean we should allow its neglect?

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+2 #19 Winston Sheng 2009-09-22 14:24

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the cornerstone of our faith.:

Apostle Paul says to the once spirit filled Christians: in Romans 8: 8-9 " So then , those in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, IF INDEED the Spirit of God dwells in you. NOW IF anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, HE IS NOT HIS."

Be blessed:

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+3 #18 Daniel Norris 2009-09-22 13:38

My last video blog... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBu-rICyG1k

Hits this to the core...

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+1 #17 Jean 2009-09-22 10:34

I praise the Lord for the comments. They each support the fact that in order to preach the Word of God one must be called by God. For when one is called by God he or she will preach the unadulterated word of God. And, the Word of God teaches that you must be born again of the water and Spirit to be saved. The water is the baptism, In Jesus Name, and the Spirit is being filled with the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God". Acts 5:32 "And we are his witnesses of these things;and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
And finally, John 3:34 "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him". Praise the Lord

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+1 #16 hilary 2009-09-22 09:50

the initial quote was regarding culture, and that ,this was to
blame, as I read this immediately flashed into my mind
Jeremiah 10:10 "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the sky though the nations are terrified by them. For the customs (culture) of the people are worthless!
It is quite obvious that we the "Church" need to operate in all the spiritual gifts of the Spirit, have we been informed that our God is :supernatural and that we as such are should be
operating in that eralm of the Spirit.????

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+1 #15 Mary Florio 2009-09-22 08:50

Jesus said " I will go away, but will give you "The Comforter" to help you, ie. we need the baptism of The Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues to enable us to walk the Christian walk on earth, no wonder some churches have no power today. We need a fresh, pure& holy baptism of the Holy Spirit BIG time in the church right now.

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+1 #14 Semi Meo 2009-09-22 08:49

There is only one Christian culture; the prime focus of every service should be the Great Commission. God the Holy Spirit attends all our corporate mid-week and Sunday services or smaller connect groups, hence, present and manifestation of Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Unless, of course we choose on our own convenience and volition to “departmentalise” the Gifts to suit what we perceive to be the direction of “anointing” of the particular hour. How dare we suppress other Gifts and attempting to dictate how God the Holy Spirit should work in our midst.

Or are we now embarrassed to speak in tongues due to continuous ridicule from secular world? Shame on us…and God help us to freely speak in tongues again at time , any where, all the time, every where…just as all other gifts abides!!

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