I'm new to this arena. My testimony as a biblical-charismatic is about six years old now. And my testimony as one baptized in the Holy Spirit is about a year old now. My testimony there has been recounted by my friend Adrian Warnock on his website. My attempts to walk in it and understand it more are growing. It's difficult when you've been raised as a cessationist. (I thought it was ironic that the featured resources offered on Theopedia about cessationism are all from the dear brothers under whom I was taught at The Master's Seminary!)

My sermon preparation one day back in 2004 on Romans 1:16 led me to a theologically conclusive position on the charismatic and the power of God. This evidently built a foundation for me to experience this "baptism of the Holy Spirit." Now, God has moved me from a theological cessationist, to a theological continuationist, to a practical-wanna-be continuationist, and finally to a practical-real-deal continuationist.

No, I'm not a Pentecostal Charismaniac, who seeks signs and wonders and believes if you don't speak in tongues you're not a real Christian. I'm a biblical charismatic who believes that the same power of God can and often does accompany the same message of God in the gospel to further the same mission of world evangelization and church planting.

I believe signs and wonders accompany the gospel in evangelism, and that they also accompany the gospel in edification of believers. I believe the operation of these things is in the sovereign hand of God alone, and that I cannot manufacture them, nor do I want to. But I also believe that the gifts of the Spirit - including the miraculous, revelatory gifts like prophecy, tongues, words of knowledge, etc. - are within the grasp to control by the Christian who possesses these gifts.

I believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as it has come to be called, is available for all believers, sometimes at conversion, and sometimes after conversion. I believe that this baptism is clearly and essentially missional in its focus. I believe it provides a Spirit-driven power to the believer to do what Jesus told us to do when He commanded us to go to all the world and make disciples, preach the forgiveness of sins, both of which were interpreted and implemented by the disciples as planting churches. The baptism of the Spirit is essential for the success of this mission.

I believe that tongues will accompany this experience at some point, and that these tongues are a missional manifestation of the baptism of the Spirit. I believe that the Spirit gave the gift of tongues to reverse the curse of Babel in Genesis 11. What God created as a curse to make the people fulfill His will, He now reunites in one of the most spectacular displays of God's unifying and saving power on planet earth - the ministry of Jesus. Tongues is an arm of the mission in that ministry of Jesus.

For two Sundays in March 2010, I preached two messages at the behest of a few folks, who inquired to understand it better. That's much like asking a first-grader to teach kindergartners. For that's about as far ahead of them as I am on this subject. Nevertheless, I taught what I knew from Scripture, and from what I had experienced thus far. The following two links explain where I am at this point in my life with regard to these things. Critique them as you will, provide further insights where I had none, and point me in a better direction. I'm open.

I'm not open-but-cautious, mind you, as the cliche goes. And I'm not a charismatic with a seat-belt as one famous pastor is noted for saying. I prefer to say that I am a pentecostal-charismatic in a Jeep going 70 miles an hour with the front windshield down, my foot off the brake, and no seatbelt....but with an airbag which, upon releasing, says "God's Word" printed in large letters on it. I believe God would rather have me operate in faith and boldness and confidence and courage in these things, rather than with a hesitating, ambivalent, timid spirit. My caution comes from my brothers and sisters around me who point out where something might lead. And my theology comes from good ole' fashioned exegesis and hermeneutics, basic bible study and interpretation. I believe God wants us to drive fast in these things. If and when there might be an accident of some type (and we'll all have accidents in living our Christian lives and ministry), it is an opportunity to have our faces planted firmly into the airbag of God's Word once more to be guided freshly in a better direction. This means I praise God for grace. And I take advantage of it, but do not take it for granted.

With that said, here are the resources.

Why We Need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

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What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?


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For those desiring the gift of tongues, I'd give you two pieces of counsel. These comes from the Bible and from my own experience (which I measure against the experiences of others whom I have come to trust).

First, believe it's okay to seek the experience. There's nothing wrong with seeking this kind of experience, because it comes from the Lord. Some Christians will tell you that it is wrong to seek after experiences. The Bible says otherwise. "...earnestly desire the spiritual gifts...Now I want you all to speak in tongues..." (1 Cor. 14:1, 5).

Second, to seek after it, begin first seeking liberty. That's where the joy you are looking for is rooted in. And that joy-producing liberty is itself rooted in grace. The grace of God brings liberty. That grace removes condemnation, fear, doubt, and confusion. Grace liberates you to see beyond your current horizons to new possibilities and experiences you've yet to encounter. Jesus told his disciples that they would do greater works than His when the Spirit came (John 14:12). These greater works are only possible when you embrace and walk in the liberty of the Spirit that the Father gave you.

Third, expect it to receive it. Yes, I know what 1 Corinthians 12 says. And I've repeated this point in another post on this series. God is sovereign, and He gives His spiritual gifts to those whom He desires, when He desires. But some Christians seem to lean too far to the negative side, assuming God will probably not give it to them. For those like me who watched Winnie the Pooh when they were younger (or those who may watch it now with their kids), you'll be familiar with the character named Eyore, the pessimistic, always negative stuffed donkey. Everything is always wrong in Eyore's mind, and nothing will ever go right. In fact, if you even try, it will probably fail. And so there's this sort of "Eyore spirit" that can pervade Christians who pray to a good God not expecting Him to be good in His answer.


This must end! Once and for all. God is a good God...all the time...no matter what. And He desires to give good gifts to His children (Luke 11:12-13). Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights in whom there is no deceitfulness or changing of mind (James 1:17). So if He is this good God the Bible talks about, then He desires to be good to His children.

The point here is simple: if He is sovereign, then let HIM decide when He wants to sovereignly give you the gift of tongues. Your responsibility is to keep asking! Stop worrying about whether or not God will give it to you, and believe He is a good God and wants to give it to you. Let your requests be made known to God! And the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).

He wants you to be filled with joy. Remember His name, Jesus, means, He will save, rescue, and deliver His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21)! He is a liberator! If you are not a Christian, He wants to liberate you! And if you are a Christian, He already HAS liberated you. So dwell on that. Meditate on that. Eat, sleep, and drink the liberty you have been given in Jesus Christ. That is where He has expressed and reflected His goodness toward you the most. And that is where the Spirit is going to point your attention night and day...upon the goodness of God shown to you in Christ Jesus living, dying, rising again, ascending to heaven, and praying right now...all for you!

Oh, how He loves you!


Oh, how He loves you!


Oh, how He loves you!


Oh, how He loves you!


Oh, how He loves YOU!


Do not doubt His goodness toward you in this area of tongues, when God has already displayed His greatest goodness toward you in the area of liberation in and through Jesus. And conversely, if God should sovereignly determine to not bless you with this gift, then He has still already displayed that greatest goodness toward you, and you have all you need in Christ Jesus.

But continue to ask, seek, and knock!

It's a paradox, this continually asking for something that God alone will or will not sovereignly give. But God wants you to keep on asking and not worry about whether or not He's going to give it to you. That's why Jesus taught His disciples this invaluable lesson in Luke 11:5-13. Persistence in prayer is the key to prayer, according to Jesus.

You must believe that He desires for you to experience in deeper and more profound, impacting ways His goodness, His joy, His ecstasy and excitement...all through the liberty He has gained for you and given to you.

C-o-c-a-c-o-l-a. C-o-c-a-c-o-l-a! C-o-c-a-c-o-l-a!!