As to the newspaper article concerning the local revival, it was described as "holy laughter." The accompanying picture showed fifteen or so people stretched out on the floor of the church, laying on their back, laughing and giggling.

I don't know why but the picture reminded me of another picture, some months earlier, of several members of a cult who had committed suicide as they attempted to escape the bondage of their body. I don't really see much in common with the revival except the people were laying on their back and were seeking to escape the pain of existence.

I just don't know what to make of the revival. For myself, I used to (when I was in Bible school) lay on my back and enjoy the Presence of God. No one touched me or caused me to fall over, I would go down to the tabernacle of the old Berean Bible Institute (Assembly of God) and pray in the sawdust. Those were wonderful, wild days for me.

But somehow what I saw in the picture did not bless me. It made me think of James: "What does it profit, my brothers?" Anyway there is little emphasis in the New Testament of people "falling under the power."

Maybe this is of God, I don't know. But I don't see how laying on the carpet is helping with the problem of immorality or child molestation any more than the urging of the ministry to forgive the President contributes to the solution.

Do you see constructive solutions here?

The article quoted the presiding minister of the revival as emphasizing that the Holy Spirit is God the same as Jesus is God. I know this is true. We are baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, being God, exercises sovereignty as He will. "Separate to me Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them."

But I see where this is going, and it is the wrong direction. We are not to serve or worship the Spirit of God as we do Jesus. We are not to pray to the Holy Spirit or try to use the Holy Spirit to bless us or give us power. There is not one instance in the Scriptures, of which I am aware, that suggests we are to pray to the Spirit of God or try to use the Spirit of God to do Christian work.

There is death in the pot. I believe this to be the hallmark of the False Prophet—this seeking to direct the Spirit of God by the mind of well intentioned religious man.

God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him!

It is correct to ask God or Jesus for the Holy Spirit, but never to pray to the Spirit Himself. Can you understand what I am saying? Search the Scriptures and assure yourself.

To be continued.