An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

man) occurring in Acts 2 were intended to occur today but they do not. He argues thatglossolalia is not a language. The individuals in Acts 2 were heard speaking their ownlanguage, meaning the language could be recognized, but according to Robbins (1995)glossolalia cannot be recognized as a language. Robbins implies that the manifestation ofthe Holy Spirit is not always authentic, drawing on Acts 8 where Simon Magus offersmoney to apostles Peter and John, to allow him to lay hands on people so that they canreceive the Holy Spirit. In response Peter proclaims: „Your money perish with you becauseyou thought the gift of God can be purchased.‟A more balanced approach is taken in the article by Richardson and Bowden (1999) in theSCM Dictionary of Christian Theology. They suggest that many theologians concludefrom diverse starting points that the self-transcendence of humanity is a genuineexperience of the Holy Spirit‟s „transcreative power.‟ They argue that it is clear that,despite cultural variations in practice and theological detail, there is a certain amount ofpower which is attributed to the Holy Spirit by most ministers, church members, churchattendees and those who study theology. The power of the Pastor as described in Ephesianshas a limited contribution to spiritual healing; without the power of the Holy Spirit therewould be no spiritual healing according to mainstream Christian teaching.5.4.1: The Holy Spirit as a Gift and Healing as a GiftThe believer is born of God, the source of all regeneration. Respondent 3 refused tobelieve that spiritual healing can be effected without the power of the Holy Spirit as one ofthe gifts of faith. He also suggests that healing takes place when the person listens to andhears from God. The respondent implies that miraculous powers are additional to thePower of the Holy Spirit.165