This topic has come up recently and I wanted to put a little teaching up here on the blog for those interested in pursuing this more.
As I’ve mentioned before, I was raised in a very conservative, evangelical fellowship, so the baptism of the Holy Spirit wasn’t ever really discussed unless we were making fun of those pesky Charismatics or Pentecostals. I got older and knew some of these brothers on my own and went to their meetings, and what I saw never really convinced me that there was more to it than I had previously believed. In fact, most of the charismatic meetings I attended only confirmed my convictions.
Time went on, and I would say that the division between the two groups, charismatic and evangelical, discouraged me more than any other since it hinged on something like speaking in tongues for both groups. It was honestly one of the major reasons for backing out of fellowship altogether for a while.
Then I met Larry Trammell, where a lot of things changed for me, mostly because I found someone I could relate to who didn’t make minor things major things. He cared most whether or not I loved God and worshipped Him and loved others. He was truly non-denominational, unlike most who attempt that moniker, even though some things that happend in those meetings at his home would be considered charismatic (although I’ve learned that much of the freedom he taught even stretches that group in its own way).
Over the course of the years before I met Larry Trammell, I was prayed over at various times to be “filled with the Spirit.” I was an open minded young guy, and I was ready for whatever, but nothing ever really happened. It wasn’t until one Tuesday night at the Trammells that someone laid hands on me, prophesied and something really happened. I didn’t speak in tongues, but the feeling was unmistakable. Something happened. Something was different. My reaction was yelling out in joy a few times, if you’re curious at all.
So as I get into this, I know that there are those who are strictly against anything to do with this teaching. I understand. I was once there, too. No judgment on my part. Just skip the rest of the series. There are others who know intimately what I’ll be teaching on and have their own experiences. Leave a little story or something in the comments if you feel so led.
There are others that are possibly just curious and open to whatever God really has, regardless of how they were raised or taught before. Read what I say checking on the scriptures and the witness of the Spirit inside you already. You’ll be led correctly, I have no doubt.
Before I get into it, let me say that I know this has the potential to be controversial to some, and I am so thankful that I am a part of fellowships that have not made this an issue or doctrine to be “in” or “out.” Those with more conservative evangelical pasts and those with more charismatic pasts have just loved one another and received the gifts from each other that are already there without judment. Just as Larry Trammell blessed me fourteen years ago, you would have done the same if a frustrated young man with long hair had graced your door.
Peace.
Yeah…the baptism of the Holy Spirit is mostly designed to empower the believer to become victorious in life and live out a good witness. The issue of tongues is one of the least important issues at hand, and yet we argue about it as if it were the key to life and death….