David L. Milner wrote:

> 
>         As to Spiritual Gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
> While my denomination does not specifically teach charismata, I have
> difficulty ignoring the fact that Paul spent a great deal of time
> discussing them.  I do feel that an AM from a Charismatic/Pentecostal
> background should feel free to speak to this issue in his DR group from
> his perspective.
> 
>         We need to be careful when we critique other people's experiences
> with God using our own as the criteria.  


I, a former luke-warm Presbyterian, and current American Baptist (Our
slogan: "We can dance!") am also a staunch believer in the Gifts of the
Spirit.  I have seen physical healing done (my wife's flat feet) by a
faithful man I know, I believe in discernment, and a host of other more,
shall we say, "showy" gifts.  God indeed reaches many people in many
ways...as long as all of them are Christ-centered.  If we ever begin
looking to the Fruits in exclusion of the Vine, if we begin to exclude
other Brothers and Sisters on the basis of what they publically exhibit,
we are dead as the dry bones.

   Sadly, while I believe wholly in the Gifts, I have seen more than one
congregation of people who are so gifted turn their Christian brothers
and sisters away as somehow "not qualifying" over such gifts.  The
obvious example that comes to mind is the gift of Tounges.  I do not
disparage the Gift in any way...but if someone says "you are not of God
because you do not exhibit this Gift" (or that Gift, or any Gift), then
we are falling victim to the devisiveness of the Dark One.

   You would think, bretheren, that in a age when Christians are openly
persecuted worldwide (and more subtly persecuted here in America) that
Christians could put aside our window dressings, our outward trappings,
our externals...and call each other family on the basis of the SPECIFIC
GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST!  Think what Christians could do, if we where to
ALL agree that Christ is foremost, and set the other disagreements
aside.

   So, let there be no devisiveness from ANY quarter, when it comes to
this Merry Band!  I may disagree with my brother, but as long as we
agree on a physically risen Christ as SOLE redeamer of mankind, and the
reality of the Trinity, I can agree to disagree like a gentleman.  No
other disagreement may push me from my fellows.  My expanded rules cite
Dwarves and Elves who walk as brothers in the Overlord.  May we all be
as close as they!

   I do become more and more convinced that we need to establish a "core
teaching" as it were, a specific set of basic rules, and then expand the
game with additional packets that butress the game to each denominations
"flavor".  Perhaps this will create a DragonRaid that can stand the
arrows of the nay-sayers!