He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot
receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But
you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14.7
Having grown up in a distinctly non-charismatic, even non-evangelical church, I was amazed and attracted by the Christians I met at university who seemed to be living life much more faithfully and powerfully than I. That set me on a course of discovery- into books, churches, events, people-about the Holy Spirit. Suffice to say that 30 year journey has now seen me become a pastor in a pentecostal denomination.
Early experiences of the Holy Spirit saw me desperate to speak in tongues, and applying some crazy strategies to do so, seeing people 'filled' in charismatic meetings, and occasionally having some 'carpet-time' myself- slain in the Spirit flat out on the floor. Most memorably was the first time I was prayed for to that end, on a Christians in Sport cricket tour to Zimbabwe believe it or not!
Nowadays I'm still pursuing the Spirit-specifically a greater biblical understanding of Him through a Master's degree in Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology, and also daily and experientially as I learn to trust Him more as counsellor, comforter and guide. It's worrying how many Christians have a 'binitarian' faith- aware of God the Father and Jesus the Son, but unaware of the presence and power of the Spirit in their lives.
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