A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine
spiritual gifts. Pentecostals likewise have always advocated
the laying on of hands, but this practice assumed
great significance with the Latter Rain people. In many
cases, they sought to obtain spiritual gifts through
prophecy and laying on of hands. They advocated human
initiative, citing I Timothy 4:14 and II Timothy 1:6.
Classical Pentecostals asserted that the spiritual gifts
were bestowed at God’s initiative and according to His
will. (See I Corinthians 12:11.)
3. Prophecy, particularly personal prophecy. Once
again, Pentecostals believe in prophecy, but the Latter
Rain adherents placed more emphasis on this gift and
commonly employed it to give instructions to the church,
the pastor, or individuals. Many people made important
decisions on the basis of personal prophecies. Some promoted
new teachings on the basis of direct revelations.
4. Identification of modern-day apostles and
prophets. Latter Rain people pointed to scriptural evidence
for modern-day apostles and prophets. (See I Corinthians
12:28; Ephesians 2:20; 4:11.) That concept in itself
was not objectionable, but problems came when they
attempted to identify who was and who was not an apostle
or a prophet. Further problems developed when selfdesignated
apostles and prophets sought to assert
spiritual authority over others and to give authoritative
pronouncements.
5. Fellowship with all professing Christians. The
Latter Rain people minimized doctrinal teachings and
standards of holiness, which were quite important to the
entire Pentecostal movement at that time. In essence,
they sought active fellowship with anyone who confessed
Christianity. Issues such as the Oneness-trinitarian con-
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