Holy Spirit Visitation

Good subject! I would think it is not only possible but commanded in Ephesians. The early church experienced it in Acts over and over again.

 

I have seen similar... But, I tend to operate with much caution when we begin talking about movement of the Holy Spirit. There is so much that can be falsified, counterfeited, or otherwise (like drummed-up emotions) that attributing a movement of the Holy Spirit can sometimes be difficult.

Concerning the testimonies of some of the persons you cite above, I too have read them and more... In some cases, I find a person who thought that they were "saved" because of their religious affiliation finally coming to a place where God justifies and adopts them into life. In other cases, the testimony is not quite so clear and it is open for interpretation.

In Wesley's case, for instance, what might be seen as a true conversion from "religion" to "salvation" was seen by him as a "second blessing" of the Spirit, and he went on to write an entire theological doctrine concerning this second blessing that has largely effected a lot of people. I believe that his theology is incorrect, and that stemming from his misinterpretation of the actions of the Holy Spirit.

Note again, I am no cessationist, and I fully avow the power, right, authority, and ability of the Holy Spirit to do whatsoever He does, I also know that in many a case, the Spirit did not truly move the way that some have suggested, and that they have been taken in by an effective counterfeit.

 

I understand what you mean by the possibility of counterfeit. And we need to check out whatever happens against the Word of God. But part of the problem with that is that we end up acting like the Holy Spirit is the red headed step child. I know you're not saying that, but I am afraid that we have been watching for counterfeits, that we end up dismissing the real work of God.

You're probably more of a church history buff then I am, but great church advances have always been met with a great awakening of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Here's something from John Rice about how great soul winners were filled with the Spirit.

 

I understand about Finney... but some of the great founders of Fundamentalism talked more about the Holy Spirit than we do.

Glad you liked it.

One funny story. I heard this about Dr. Rice, and John of Japan may know if it's a true story. He once prayed in a meetng and he directed his prayer to the Holy Spirit. One young preacher, according to the story, took him to task afterwards because according to the young preacher, we were only to speak to God the Father in our prayers. According to the story Dr. Rice said something like, "Son, if you knew the Trinity as well as I know the trinity, you could pray to any of them." Like I said, I am not sure if this is a urban legend or not, but I once heard it from someone who said he was there when it happened.

 

I agree that advances in the Kingdom are led by the Holy Spirit. But, many of what we might call advances have proven over time to be anything but.

The Toronto Blessing, for instance, or the Brownsville Revival... Both completely counterfeit in my (and many other) eyes. Barking like a dog, holy laughter, slaying in the Spirit, false healings, etc... All demagoguery and not of the God of the Bible.

 

My goodness YES!!

 

In every age and most every religion there seem to be special people with special connections to a spiritual world but most of us fake it.