Biblical Pentecost Vs Charismatic Hoopla

"Filled with the Holy Ghost" is a familiar term in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Acts. On the Day of Pentecost they were "filled with the Holy Ghost." Peter said later that day, " . . . and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off . . ." (Acts 2:38-39). The devil has imitated this wonderful experience and some have rejected it, but every great revival has experienced a sovereign work of the Holy Ghost.

The current Charismatic revival makes much of being filled with the Holy Ghost. The experience they claim is promoted more like a drunken stupor than a baptism of the person called the Holy Spirit. Many solid churches in the past are moving into this insane claim of possession and impartation. How can people quickly discern the difference between a wonderful and sovereign work of God and this deception that is spreading like wildfire? I believe the Holy Spirit has given this unworthy servant a simple Biblical picture of the basic difference.

Possession Versus Lordship
Satan wants to possess his subjects and use them at his will. The Holy Ghost comes to manifest the Lordship of Jesus Christ over our lives. Satan will control your emotions and titillate your flesh with wild and uncontrolled excitement. The Holy Ghost is a guest at your house and will inspire you to worship and praise your Heavenly Father with sincere obedience. Let me explain as simply as possible the difference: Satan is a possessor, while our Father will inspire and anoint us.

Satan is a Possessor
Anytime a person becomes possessed and falls under a control beyond their own power, something is wrong. Satan offers his counterfeit spirits to keep people from the real and sovereign work of God. Any spirit that makes you act outside of Biblical conduct is to be rejected. There is absolutely no record of people acting like drunks in the New Testament church. The critics suggested that in the Book of Acts, but these men acted more intelligent when they were baptized in the Holy Ghost, not less intelligent. Remember that the Jews were overwhelmed because these "Spirit-filled" Galileans were speaking, "the wonderful works of God in languages they had never learned."

The Holy Ghost Wants Lordship for Jesus Christ
"The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet." (I Corinthians 14:32). On the Day of Pentecost the 120 disciples "began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them the utterance." He is a guest at our house and we yield to all His activities everytime He touches us. We are forbidden to act uncontrolled and out of order. He commands the church, "Let all things be done decently and in order." (I Corinthians 14:40). The order He commands is perfectly described in I Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14. Biblical Pentecost will make a church powerful, orderly, anointed, and soul winning. Charismatic nonsense will make a church giddy, wild, and worldly. Paw Creek is a Classical Pentecostal church and we soundly reject the devil’s substitute.