This is often a controversial subject among some denominations. I meet many people through my association with Living Waters Canada who are surprised that a "Spirit Filled" Pentecostal is so involved with Ray Comfort's ministry. I have come to find that many people completely misunderstand what our doctrinal position is on the Holy Spirit and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

For starters, we as mainstream Pentecostals do not believe that one must have the baptism of the H.S to be saved. Nor do we believe that speaking in tongues is essential to salvation. Nor do we believe that those who have not received this baptism are not sealed with the Holy Spirit at conversion. We believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a SECONDARY baptism and experience. We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is biblical and beneficial for all believers, and therefore we teach that it is a good and healthy secondary aspect of the Christian life. It is not my belief that we who have the Holy Spirit baptism are more spiritual than other believers, that many immature Christians have unfortunately misrepresented this aspect of the Pentecostal church. I am posting a link to an audio message by my good friend and mentor, Pastor Richard Crisco (from Assemlies of God) who presents this teaching in a very clear and practical way. Please take the time to listen to this wonderful presentation.

It's amazing how doctrine affects the way we ultimately live out our faith. If our view of God's character is wrong, our understanding of the gospel will be limited and in some cases distorted. On the subject of the Atonement there have been two opposing view points flying around. One is correct while the other is a serious defection from sound doctrine and bblical truth. The Doctrine of Penal Substitution is not a theory, it is a non-negotiable essential of Christian doctrine. This is the biblical view that Christ received our deserved punishment in order to satisfy the justice of God. The contrary position limits the character of God to one dimension (His mercy) while ignoring another dimension (His Wrath).

The following article was written by Brannon Howse from Christian Worldview Ministries. It is an excellent article for anyone who desires a Christian upbringing for their kids.

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE

THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL VS CHRISTIANITY

Those who pedal the prosperity gospel are what the Bible refers to as those who use “godliness as a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:5 says we should “withdraw ourselves from them.” That is because they are false teachers. Their goal is to get you excited about becoming rich in this present world.

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit… Riches profit not on the day of Judgment, but righteousness delivers from death.”

The word “prosper” can only be found three times in the whole New Testament (KJV). One time it refers to making donations for Paul’s ministry, another in regard to Pauls journey, and the other one is A rebuke issued to To the Church in Laodicea…

MODERN DAY JUDGMENT -- DOES GOD STILL DO IT?

Many Christians view the Judgment of God as dispensational. They think that we are living in a time of "grace" and that God no longer acts as He did in Old Testament times. Some believe He is holding back all judgment until the final day of Judgment. This of course is erroneous. There are certain conditions that warrant His immediate attention. I assure you, He continues to extend His wrath on a daily basis...

Psalm 7:11 God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.

We can find several occasions where God unleashed immediate judgment in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts. One man was killed for taking credit for miracles, two people were struck down for lying to the Holy Spirit, and a warning was served to those who would dare to engage in Homosexual behavior.

DON’T CHANGE THE WORLD!

I keep hearing Christians say, “Let’s change the world…” or “Let’s make the world a better place…” I think that initiative is actually counter to the gospel’s objective. Let me explain…

I’ve been checking in and watching the news all week. Tonight I heard students grieving over how this horrible and terrifying incident in Virginia has so disrupted their peace of mind. For those in their graduating year, this grim ordeal will be the final reminder of their University life.

I tried to envision what it was probably like before this all happened and how students would have preferred to end the year… some enjoying life as they pursued their dreams, some no doubt into partying and living life to the full. I imagine many students returned from a spring break filled with drunken revelry and immoral behavior prior to this incident… and I’m sure they were looking forward to more of it. But this terrible occasion as brought all that to an end for now, replaced by a season of grief and turmoil.

School Shootings — The Missing Link

As familiar as they seem, it still horrifies us when we hear that another school shooting is taking place. Yesterday’s shooting at Virginia Tech U is now the worst ever in US history. Only a few months ago it happened in Montreal. This is not just happening in North America, it has become a worldwide epidemic with an unprescedented rise in the mid-90’s (See stats here). Since 1996 there have been 48 School shootings, the majority of them committed by students. The average age of school shooters is 13-18, in one incident, the student was 12, the youngest school shooter was 6 years old. There is no question that this trend has a common denominator. Something is causing this and it’s not just video games. The problem is compounding but there is one missing link that I doubt will be targeted in the media’s quest to find answers.

JESUS HIGHWAY SIGNS

John 7:7 ” The world… hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.

I just returned from a spring break getaway with my wife and 3 kids. We hit the highway and travelled west through Ontario, stopping in at Niagara Falls for a few days. On our way back, I noticed several Christian signs on different highways, some are well manufactured and intentionally errected, some even appear on billboards, and some are just amaturely spray painted on rocks. I suppose it’s a familiar thing that is expected and doesn’t usually grab my attention so much. However, this time, something struck me after seeing about 3 or 4 of them on a single highway. I noticed that they always have this kind of theme… “Jesus Forgives!” or “God Loves You!”. Some of these signs have been there for years, it doesn’t appear that anyone has tried to remove them or tamper with them, and I thought about that…. and I wondered how long they would remain if they said something like “God Is Angry With The Wicked Everyday.” or in the words of Jesus, “Unless You Repent You Will Perish”. Probably wouldn’t even last long on a remote dirt side-road. But “God Loves You” is high up in the air on every major highway for years.

PLEASING GOD -- MOTIVATION FOR MINISTRY

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

What must our motivation for Ministry (particularly evangelism) be? Or what is it that drives us as Christians?

Is it that feeling of satisfaction, that we did something good for someone? Do we want to leave a legacy so that people will remember our great accolades and all we did for God?

Is it Love and concern for our fellow man?

Changing Seasons - Self destruction

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...

Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.

We're undergoing a seasonal transition right now. Everything is going crazy. Winter is trying to stay, but summer wants in and the wind and the rain and everything else is bursting forth to do its thing. One day we have warm sunny weather, the next day it's a blizzard. It's chaotic, yet necessary. And we're all anticipating the final result... summer.

The Christian will undergo many seasons and many trials in the process of change and transformation. "Dead to self and alive in Christ" requires the absolute destruction of self.