Is Pentecostalism Truly a Second-Blessing Movement?
Icon of the Pentecost (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The first objection that often arises with regard to Pentecostal theology is the emphasis it places on the empowering work of the Spirit in the life of the believer subsequent to salvation. This emphasis is often wrongly characterized by opponents as “second blessing” theology, without any qualification.4 Those who raise this concern are defending the biblical teaching that the believer receives the Spirit at salvation, and they are rejecting what they perceive to be a misguided view of the efficacy of salvation. Indeed, it is a common misunderstanding of Pentecostalism to charge that it denies the Spirit to non-Pentecostal believers. To my knowledge no classical Pentecostal holds the view that the Spirit is not received at salvation (which would clearly contradict Scripture). Those who believe in Christ also have the Spirit living within; if anyone does not have the Spirit, he or she is not of Christ at all. Moreover, thi