WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE MOST OF THE AMEC FOLK AFRAID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? THEY OFTEN RELATE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT AS AN IT OR SOMETHING OR JUST AVOIDS THE SITUATION ALL TOGETHER...IS IT NOT TAUGHT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE LIVING GOD HIMSELF THAT TEACHES US GUIDES,AND DIRECTS CONVICTS OUR HEARTS,WHEN WE'RE WRONG AND WE OFTEN CAUSES HIM TO GRIEVE ...ARE THEY NOT AWARE THAT THIS IS GOD?...EVERY SUNDAY THEY CONFESS THE APOSLES CREED AND LIVE AND REACT THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY CONFESSED....

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Answers

I feel AME's ARE AFRAID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BECAUSE: THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, THEY ARE AFRAID THE SPIRIT MAY CAUSE THEM TO DO JUST WHAT GOD SAID. I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND I LOVE BEING CLOSE TO GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL MAKE YOU DO AND SAY THE RIGHT THING WHERE IN SOME CASES YOU WOULD DO OTHERWISE. I LIVE FOR THE DAY WHEN THE AME CHURCH WILL PUT AWAY TRADITION AND GIVE INTO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

I hardly think any Christian fears the Holy Spirit. We all know and believe--as our creeds testify--that for two thousand years now we have Him, One God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. I daily seek His guidance, purpose, and will for my life. However, I greatly fear modern, corrupted ideas of who He is and what He does.

First, let me say that God is sovereign and doesn't need our permission to do whatever He chooses to do at any time or in any way. That being said let me site two examples of what I feel is a distorted or corrupted view.

The first is being "Slain in the Spirit" and the second is random speaking of tongues. I have diligently sought, and find no biblical reference to being slain in the Spirit. There are examples of being knocked to the ground but they refer to unbelievers such as Saul (Paul). John, a believer, on Patmos fell in fear for the Spendor and Glory of God, but he was not slain. The same is true of the shepherds at the birth of Christ. In each case they were told to have no fear.

There is not, and will never be any greater anointing than was manifest in Jesus our Lord. Scripture says He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Ghost". There is no account that any of them were slain.

According to the Scriptures the Spirit should convict(never a euphoric experience) and focus our attention on Jesus. When we see people lying on the floor--whether we admit it or not--our attention is first on the minister and then on the person on the floor. Jesus, therefore becomes an afterthought.

As for tongues, the Bible says they spake "as the Spirit gave them utterance", not as they were taught, sought, or chose to speak. Their message was always the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which was heard and understood in the hearer's own language. Saint Paul also warns that, in the church, this is for the sake of the unbeliever and should be limited to one or two and always with an interpreter

Since the Devil and demonic forces are very real beings who may, and do manifest themselves in spirit form, we need to exert extreme caution that what we do is always based in the Word of God. We must also take care that it does not put us or others in danger, confuse, corrupt or blaspheme His Name.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

Correction on e mail address. Sorry for the typo.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

Signs and wonders such as falling under the power or being slain in the spirit, healings, deliverances, are just what our Lord said they would be, signs and wonders. Before careful about judging. Remember the Pharacees and sadducees accused Jesus of casting out evil spirits by Beelzebub and what the Lord's response was.

Our Lord said he inhabits the praises of His people and as He looks over His dear children some need a touch that would cause some to fall under His power. Some of us He will heal. Sometimes as the preacher preaches the Lord will amplify something He says for me and my heart burns within. I seem to remember two people in the bible whom the Lord appeared to as they walked along and he talked with them. After they realized it was him he dissappeard and they said, "Did not our hearts burn within." That, in my opinion is a sign or wonder, the burning in our hearts.

The bible says also there were so many things that Jesus did they would not have the room to put all of it in His book, the bible. And those saints who are the blessed recipients of these signs and wonders have experenced much joy and peace and wholeness in thier beings.

We don't fear the Holy Spirit because we trust God who is stronger than our enemy. Even the Lord said he knows how to give good gifts to his children. Nothing he gives is corrupted. He said If we being evil know how to give good gifts to our children He knows how to give good gifts to us. If we ask for an egg He will not give us a scorpion. So I will take all he wants to give me and I'm not embarrased to ask Him for things I see that people in the bible have received. I have asked and have received.

When He convicts me of sin He is most loving and gracious, he has never made me feel ashamed but I am saddend I have hurt and disappointed him.

As for tonges the Lord still blesses His children today with that gift if they earnestly seek him for it and the enemy has used fear to keep the gift from many of God's people. But God said He has not given us the spirit of Fear. O ye of little faith. Trust God.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001