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Development of ACOP Doctrine
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I think Acts 4:13 could be used to describe the early Pentecostals because as it was said in the video the early Pentecostals were usually very poor and that would mean they could nt afford the education to earn the Scriptures. They would have had to relay on the Holy Spirit downloading wisdom and speaking truths to their hearts as I am sure John ad Peter were experiencing in that verse. I think this verse still should describe Pentecostals today. We do now have the luxury of accessible education and many of us know the Scriptures, but having wisdom imparted fro the Holy Spirit can help us to properly understand the Scriptures well.
My understanding of Baptism in the Spirit lines up with this video. It has always been encouraged in my Christian circles growing up, it came after accepting Jesus into your heart, and it was a defining moment in my own understanding of the Holy Spirit.
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The verse was used to describe the early Pentecostals, as they also did not have special training in the scriptures, and some came from poor and racially marginalized communities. For the most part, modern Pentecostals now attain a certain level of ministry training prior to engaging in vocational ministry, however, it seems to be less regulated when compared to some other denominations. As an example, some denominations require a minimum of an MDiv prior to Ordination, whereas some Pentecostal ministers may have a 2 or 3-year diploma. Many Pentecostal ministers have also chosen to earn post-graduate degrees, but generally it seems as though that would be more of a preference, as opposed to a strict denominational requirement. So, all of that to say that I do think the verse still describes some Pentecostals and Pentecostal denominations today, but perhaps not to the extent that it did in the early 1900’s.
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The early Pentecostals were similar to Peter and John. They were ordinary people with no special training in the Scripture and it was also evident they had an encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit that people recognized. Pentecostals today have better access to education, however, the encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit remains the same.
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The early Pentecostals are easily described as bold, they were willing to do something new and follow what they believed Holy Spirit was calling them to. I think that in some ways today’s Pentecostal members could be described as bold. In some ways we are not bold enough. There is comfort in staying the status quo and it’s easy to get stuck there.
My understanding of the Baptism of Holy Spirit was jaded by popular cultures depiction in movies and books. As I have been committed to learning and growing in my faith I realize more and more what was not true and what is true in how Holy Spirit works.
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