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.

http://www.rochesterfirst.org/audio/Crisco_09_30_07.mp3

A Text version is also available here...

http://www.rochesterfirst.org/pdf/Why%20I%20Need%20the%20Baptism.pdf