Dr Paul Allen

Essentially, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a doorway leading from a natural realm into a supernatural realm of life and experience. The average Christian, although truly professing Christ, operates largely on his own power, making his own decisions, living by his own strength, and controlling his own life.  But through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Christian steps out of this natural realm into a realm where he can begin to experience the supernatural gifts and powers of God’s Holy Spirit. The initial evidence of entering this supernatural realm is the ability to speak in other tongues. (See Part II for a discussion of tongues.) But that is just the beginning. If all that happened to the 120 people at Pentecost had been that they began to speak in tongues, their experience would soon have been forgotten.  The same is true today. If all that happens to one receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit is that he speaks in tongues, then he is not forging ahead in faith into...

The baptism in the Holy Spirit always results in significant changes in the theology of those who receive it, for the overwhelming reality of the Holy Spirit tends to make many previously held beliefs and doctrines insignificant.  But we should remember that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to be equipped with power for Christian service, not a ticket to omniscience. At many points, Spirit-filled Christians differ. But they are 100 per cent in agreement on the importance and significance of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Even the apostles did not always agree. (See Acts 15; Galatians 2:1–15.) As great and wise as Paul was, he still admitted, “For now we see in a mirror dimly….Now I know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:12).  Yet, in spite of differences, there is a very precious fellowship and unity created among people baptised in the Holy Spirit. It is a unity born of the Holy Spirit and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Many of us believe it is in the charismatic movement that the...