02-24-2012, 09:50 AM
Thirdwoe Wrote:Q: Are there any known, now, or in the past, among the Church of the East, either leaders or laymen, who claim/claimed to have/had this spiritual gift? And if not, what is the current official teaching about it, as witnessed to be operating among the Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians?
According to the teaching of [Russian] Orthodox Church Outside Russia, charismatic and pentecostal "churches" are in heresy. They have nothing to do with the Church of God, His Grace or Christ Himself. There's no other special kind of baptism in the Holy Spirit apart from the one in the water. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. It served as a preparatory stage (The Holy Spirit was not yet given) for the baptism in the Holy Spirit which is done likewise by triple immersion in water. (Acts 10:47, 2:38, 8:39; Matt 28:19, 3:16; John 1:33, 3:5; 1st John 5:6, 5:8)
if you know russian language, visit this page:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.omolenko.com/1072.html">http://www.omolenko.com/1072.html</a><!-- m -->
Father Oleg is a pastor of a former OCOR [not a KGB agent, OK? there're a lot of them in Orthodox Chruches around the world though, especially in US] who currently lives somewhere around Torronto in Canada.
We can argue forever about who fell into heresy vs. who didn't, so it all really boils down to the these facts:
-whether you trust the Word of God in the form of Holy Scriptures (a choice)
-whether you are a person of open mind (a trait)
-whether you stand in the Grace to discern good from evil (a gift)
and may God help you.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
(Proverbs 11:2)
Even though Paul says "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy" (Corinthians 14:1). Russian Eastern Orthodox Church fathers (among whom is St. Ignaty Brianchaninov) of 19th century has warned us that passion for working miracles and desiring FLASHY spiritual gifts in our latter times were the first symptoms of gracelessness. Such an one is altogether "a natural man", will be the first to follow antichrist when he comes.
Arkady. Russia.