I am not a charismatic Christian as that word is usually defined in theological discussions. In the Christian theological context that means I have not experienced the Holy Spirit in the way that he expresses himself to me by speaking in tongues, or, for some persons, a special event that may include evidence of language ecstasy and may be identified by some as a second work of grace. The first work in this context relates to redemption through the personal confession of sin and the fixing of faith on the work of Jesus Christ in his substitutionary crucifixion and resurrection. Although I am not Pentecostal, I have devoted friends who are, and we fellowship well in shared Christian faith and ministry. When faced with the accusation that alleged charismatics have faked their experience, my response is that persons I have known, and within the context of my beliefs, have faked any positions. We should not test genuine truth or meaning of anything by counterfeits. My Pentecostal friends are effective in maintaining commitment to Christ and Scripture.
Those relating to the understanding (interpretation of Scripture and experience) that I hold for the meaning of the Holy Spirit for Christians hold: 1) -that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity of God, is granted to the penitent on reception of Christ as Savior; 2) – that anything promised of Christ, and achieved in the spiritual growth of the Christian, is accomplished through the agency of the Holy Spirit; 3) – that the Holy Spirit achieves spiritual growth and service to God in the individual through growth in righteousness and service related to God’s revelation of morality and service, most commonly found in the ripening of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians. This belongs in our perception as part of the mystery of God. The obedience of the Christian to Scripture assists to determine, even measure, the effectiveness of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. This is not to question the effectiveness and authority of the Spirit, but varies in a Christian’s performance as the person embraces spiritual development (growth) for life. Failure to choose life (spiritual life), seen in the degree of failure to deal with carnality, is to dilute or lose the participation of the Holy Spirit to work in and through that person. Such a person creates situations and follows conducts that may even negate to others their faith claims. The disciple Peter, at the fire before the crucifixion, is an illustration in point before Pentecost; and Diotrophes after (3 John 9). It is vital for greatest effectiveness that individual Christians acknowledge specifically that the Holy Spirit is invited to minister the life of Christ in believers.
Critics and friends of Christianity, of the church, of variant practices related to the Christian context tend to miss the difference between intellectual Christianity which may ignore the Holy Spirit and spiritual Christianity requiring the Holy Spirit. To become a biblical Christian one must regard the Holy Spirit. The expectation from God is that the person will choose, with spiritual aid received, that he or she will follow the Christian life as God’s defines it, and as the Holy Spirit assists in making it effective. This is important to life and ministry and is a means of persuasion that others may also decide to follow through a living, personal faith in the redemption of Christ. The Holy Spirit ought to be acknowledged as the person achieving in and for the Christian the fulfillment of the Apostolic promise of Christ to send him for purpose.
What about ecstatic experience representing itself in tongues differing from one’s native language? Demonstration is not the important factor. God tends to provide for us that we need, and look for, in grace. I have never felt that I wanted or needed a charismatic experience of tongues although I have felt special ecstasy of my faith on occasions. My charismatic friends would agree with me that the point is to live the Spirit-filled life, and leave the evidence of the committed experience to God. Once past the debated evidence of initiation, evangelical Christians are agreed that effective spiritual life emanates from the work and life of the Holy Spirit in the functioning of the Christian, and creating a sensitivity that favors in belief and conduct the holiness of God. That careful Christian life is not easy, even for those who acknowledge and appropriate the Holy Spirit for life. That presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian assists all that the individual is supposed to be and do as a Christian. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020