Civil War

Is baptism in the Holy Spirit the same as being born again? Does God speak directly into the spirit of a person through any other means than the Bible? Can Christians be affected by evil spirits, and if so, can and should they be delivered from them? Does God heal people miraculously today - in their bodies and minds? For some Christians the answers to these questions seem obvious. The things spoken of are parts of their own and their church's daily walk. For some Christians these things are deceptions which may distract from the essentials of the gospel. Sincere - and even passionate - Christians can sincerely and passionately hold views which are poles apart. The author of this book is a family doctor in country N.S.W. in Australia. "I have been a Christian for over 30 years - for almost all of that time in a charismatic experience. However, for much of that time I have been involved with a conservative evangelical church, and have heard its teaching at some length and depth. In this book I am defending Charismatic/Pentecostal beliefs, but I think and hope I am doing so by looking honestly at what the Bible says." In trying to understand these sometimes controversial but always important issues, both through an examination of the Bible and a critique of writings of some influential anti-charismatic evangelicals, this book has a number of aims. One is to demonstrate to evangelicals that Pentecostal Christian beliefs are biblical and true. Another is to provide some ammunition for charismatics to use when they are attacked, and when they begin to wonder, "What if this is just hype'." A third is to seek to understand what could be the spiritual motives for wanting these manifestations of the Holy Spirit not to be seen in the church.