Connor Galyen Theology Questions

1. There is a clear distinction between Bird and Anderson as they approach baptism of the Holy Spirit. Both make strong points in their own theology on the Baptism of the Spirit. Lets begin with Anderson.
Anderson begins with the more traditional Pentecostal stance on Baptism of the Holy Spirit: that it is a secondary "baptism" through the Holy Spirit, subsequent to the initial water baptism and justification through proclaiming of one's faith in Jesus Christ. This new baptism is used for equipping believers to do a more profound and Spirit-led work of ministry and the initial physical manifestation of this baptism is the gift of speaking in tongues. Anderson's article is dedication to removing a stigma of the traditional Pentecostal belief on baptism of the Holy Spirit. He has a two-fold approach to this: He first starts an open rapport recognizing how Pentecostals can sometimes go overboard on their stance with this baptism and have the wrong theology or just avoid the conversation all together and then he tackles misconceptions that other denominations have with the traditional Pentecostal theology on baptism of the Holy Spirit by laying out their beliefs clearly and then identifying Scripture that aligns with these beliefs. In my opinion, Anderson's strongest point is when he clearly lays out the process in with Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs according to his beliefs and theology. He lists 9 steps, beginning with Justification through faith and ending with Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and then talks about how Baptism of the Spirit is meant to give "More power, more gifts, more miracle-working ability, and many other added dimensions of spiritual power...". This clear path can be backed with Scripture and explains many of the examples that are seen in Acts about the Baptism of the Spirit.
Bird takes another approach to this theology. He directly links salvation with the receiving of the Holy Spirit, not a supernatural equipping. He speaks on the subsequent order of the baptism in water, followed by the baptism of the Spirit: "This order of events, however, where an intermission is posited between new birth by the Spirit and baptism in the Spirit, is contestable". His main argument is directly against the subsequent events of baptism in water and baptism of the Spirit and argues that receiving the Holy Spirit occurs when we have come to faith. He says two points that I think are his strongest arguments. First, he speaks directly about Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He talks about Paul's writings on how "we have all been given one Spirit to drink". He points to this and states that Paul is referring to conversion as this same Spirit, that all members of the body have been saved and justified by the same Spirit. Next, his other strong point has to do with the baptism of the Holy Spirit being normative in the early church. He points to the inconsistency in which believers receive the Holy Spirit and the means by which it is manifested. Some people receive the Spirit in Holy Spirit baptism, and then are baptized in water. Others follow the Pentecostal method of subsequent baptisms. Bird points out that the reason there is such an inconsistency is because Spirit baptism and water baptism are the one and the same Baptism of Justification through Faith that only occurs when the Spirit of God enters the believer during true conversion

2. "Do you think we should worship the Holy Spirit?" Is there a stronger word than absolutely? As Trinitarian believers of the Godhead, the Three in One, worshiping the Spirit should be in the same breath as the Father and the Son. Bird does such a wonderful job of describing the roles of the Holy Spirit in the Christian faith. He speaks on how the Holy Spirit has a role in the church by vitalizing, empowering, purifying, revealing, and unifying. He also speaks to how the Holy Spirit is part of the promise of the gospel, is the great liberator of humanity, and is the empowerer of the gospel. Why should we worship the Spirit? Because we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit, the Third and Equally Divine Person of the Godhead, is the means to which the Gospel of Jesus Christ was spread. The Spirit has touched all of our hearts, individually, as we call upon Jesus as Lord and Savior. As we break free of the chains of sin and death, we can thank the Holy Spirit to the wonderful and painful experience of sanctification. The joy in the Lord, the overpowering feelings towards God, the feelings of swimming in an ocean of God's love, is done through the Holy Spirit. The wonderful Scriptures that were written so that we may know the living God and the things that Jesus has done throughout time and on Earth was inspired by the Holy Spirit to be written. The movement of the church, the miraculous healings, the life-transforming conversations, and the love of the whole world and the people in it by the believer is orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is absolutely to be worshiped, glorified, and called for with the upmost sincerity. The Holy Spirit being here on Earth is our divine connection to the One True God, shown as the Three in One, so that we may be with God, experience Him daily, and become more like Him. Hallelujah, Amen.

I agree with you on this. I LOVE what you said about the Spirit in the second question. I am with you. Good job roomie.