Dr Paul Allen

Dunn devotes a similar amount of space in Baptism to the writings of Paul as to those of Luke. He discusses every passage in the Pauline corpus that, in his opinion, alludes to conversion-initiation.2 Again he believes he is on strong ground, asserting that for Pentecostal views of Spirit baptism, “Paul seems to be more of an embarrassment than an asset, so that time and again expositions of this doctrine conveniently ignore him.”3  For Dunn, when Paul’s insights are duly noted, they “knock the Pentecostals’ case on the head” and cut “the ground away from under the feet of the Pentecostal.”4  Perhaps the “killer blow” to Pentecostal doctrine, in his view, is Romans 8:9. As he has written recently, “the nearest Paul comes to defining the term ‘Christian’ is in terms of having, that is, of having received the Spirit: ‘if anyone does not have the Spirit, he is not Christ’s’ (Rom. 8:9).”5  However, while I will refer to Romans 8:9 later in this chapter, I will actually take 1...

Pentecostal alternatives to Dunn’s thesis are not uniform. When the variations are studied, some varieties prove stronger than others. With respect to Christian initiation, Petts and Turner are more convincing than Stronstad.  With respect to what exactly the empowering of the Spirit was for, Stronstad and Shelton are more accurate than, on the one hand, Menzies, for his concept is too narrow, and, on the other hand, Turner, whose concept somewhat misrepresents what Luke wrote, about both “prior works” of the Spirit and the inception of salvation. The Pentecostal gift of the Spirit was linked programmatically to other aspects of Christian initiation (Acts 2:38, which must be allowed its full force).  However, this did not mean that the early steps of discipleship could not occur without it (e.g., in Acts 8:4–24). However anomalous the Samaritan episode was, it indicates clearly both the conceptual distinctions to be drawn between coming to faith in Christ and receiving the Sp...

Luke provided similar hints in his narration of the mission of the church after Pentecost. A particularly strong hint concerning the Spirit’s prior work comes at Acts 9:10–19. Ananias, a disciple and therefore presumably in receipt of the Spirit, had a vision in which he heard the Lord calling.  That Ananias should have a vision was in perfect accord with the explanation, given by Peter on the day of Pentecost with reference to Joel 2:28–32, that the arrival of the Spirit ushered in a plethora of prophetic activity including seeing visions (Acts 2:17). It is perhaps, then, a little more surprising to find Paul, at Acts 9:12, also having a vision.  Paul was only to receive the Spirit once Ananias had reached him (Acts 9:17). Yet prior to his Spirit reception, Paul was already the object of divine activity for which Luke elsewhere offered only one explanation: visions come by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17). 80 Acts 26:16–18 is consistent with this, for here Luke presented the voic...

QUESTION TO DICK HARFIELD: Who is the prophet referred to in Matthew? DICK HARFIELD'S RESPONSE: Matthew 2:23 refers to a prophet whose identity has long puzzled scholars because there is nothing in the Old Testament or even the Apocrypha that mentions a Nazarene. One popular suggestion is from Judges 13:5, where it says of Samson, "the child shall be a Nazirite." However, Matthew does not say ‘Nazirite ’, and the word has no known link to the town of Nazareth; moreover, Jesus was not a Nazirite and is never described as one. Some believe Isaiah 60:21-22 was the prophecy of which Matthew wrote, because the Hebrew for a small twig is netzer — presumably close enough to be a prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene, but not very plausible. I believe the real reason is closer to home, as you can read in The Mystery of the Nazarenes. We now know that Matthew’s Gospel was substantially based on Mark’s Gospel, the Greek manuscripts of which always refer to Jesus the Nazar...

Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.” I SAIAH 46:9-10 Adoration Lord, so much of life is unknown. I can see only bits and pieces. Uncertainties and confusion lurk around decisions, which at times make it difficult to know what to do and think. People offer their opinions, but they’re not You. Only You know all things to know. You are God. There is no other. No one like You exists. You declare the end from the beginning. You know the future before we get there. What You say will happen does happen. From ancient times to present times, You know all. Your purpose will be established, and You will accomplish all of Your good pleasure. I praise and worship You, for You are truly holy, loving, and all-knowing in every way. Confession Fathe...

May the Lord direct your hearts into the  love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. 2 T HESSALONIANS 3:5 Adoration Holy God, You always provide a light to direct me and guide me on the path You know is the best one for me to take. I lift Your name in praise, knowing I can depend on You to show the way. I honour You, for Your wisdom stretches into the future to guide and direct according to the best possible outcome for all. I love You, God, and I want to know how to follow You better. Let the glory due You overshadow the doubts that plague humanity's heart. Break through to show us the way toward life, peace, and love. May You receive the praise You deserve and bask in the love that is Yours as You guide us in the ways we should go. Confession Father, You know the way I am to go, which will lead me to fulfill the purpose You have established for me on earth. You know the path I should take and the decisions I should make that will enable me to live out my destiny. And yet,...