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3.2 ACOP’s Response to the Schisms
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Other signs were casting out demons, healing the sick, handling snakes and drinking poison without harm coming to them. It’s important because the reason for baptism was the power to be a witness for Christ, and signs provide the witness/proof.
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Empowerment to witness to others about Jesus, healing, exorcism, and other miraculous signs are signs of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as well as speaking in tongues. These are important to the Pentecostal movement because these things advance the kingdom and point us back to Jesus. I think of the miracles I've seen and every time I think of them I give God praise. I think of those who I have been able to witness to and the impact it had on their lives and once again I give praise to God.
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Some of the other signs mentioned in Mark 16 include driving out demons, healing and not being harmed by snakes or poison. I believe that these are very important aspects of the Spirit-filled Christian's life as they exist to set people free from bondage and also instill courage in the believer.
Jesus also says in Acts 1, "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." It would appear that Jesus is linking the receiving of Power from the Holy Spirit with being his witnesses. Jesus wants us to go out and spread the good news, but he is telling us that we won't be alone – we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do so!
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Other evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit where healing the sick and drinking something poisonous and not being harmed according to the scripture. These things are important today to pentecostals because we believe that the move of the Holy Spirit at pentecost is an integral part to how we live out our faith today.
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