3.1 Schisms in the Pentecostal Movement

[Chris]

I do believe that there is some merit to the idea of Progressive Illumination. We have seen this throughout history, perhaps most notably with Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. I would suggest that Luther's view of the scriptures regarding justification by faith alone would fall under Progressive Illumination, as would the Pentecostal movement as a whole. The problem I discern with Progressive Illumination is that, as with signs and wonders, we can run the risk of focusing more on an experience or finding something new than on Jesus.

[Brandon]

With these issues I find myself in the camp that tongues or prophecy would be an initial physical evidence, but i wouldn't have issue with any of the spiritual gifts being an evidence. I haven't really taken a position on the Finished Work, and concerning the new issue i have historically baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Simply because that was prevalent in the circles and has become my habit. But recently upon thinking about this, even though in the gospels it says baptize in this manner and don't really have issue with others baptizing in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I personally understand the reasoning taken from Acts as well. Recently, while thinking upon this matter, I felt the Lord ask me "how do usually pray?" Not even taking heed that he was speaking to me about this issue. I quickly answered i pray "in the name of Jesus". Immediately He said," Why would baptism be any different?". So from now on I will be baptizing in the name of Jesus.

[Nicole]

Every freedom that the Lord gives us in this new-covenant life becomes a distraction, a point of pride, or even an idol when its not in its proper position as both secondary and submitted to the love and Lordship of Jesus. Paul said in 1 Corinthians, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” Only when we are in the love of God can we receive revelation of the mysteries of God and not become prideful and divisive!

[Nate]

Question 2: Where do you fall on the issues?

I think if I had to pick, I would call my self a finished work, trinitarian, non-only-evidence.

I think that the New Issue and the Only evidence may be bigger deals than the finished work debate. I find the only-evidence debate to be important because it sets out goals/requirements for believers. We want to be people who are full of the spirit and experience the baptism of the spirit, and wee especially want our ministers to be those people. I know plenty of people who I can say without a doubt are spirit-filled, spirit baptized people, who are qualified for ministry, but yet have never spoken in tongues.

The New Issue feels important to me also as it decides a lot of our language about who God is and it is important in a larger ecumenical sense. The New Issue creates a very large divide between Pentecostals, and the wider global church. This becomes important as we seek to have unity with our brothers and sisters across the world.