In essence, those who sought to be “Spirit-filled” Christians were split between two camps: one which put more emphasis on the personal, sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost – and another which focused on supernatural gifts that empowered men for ministry. Holiness people stated that God's cleansing and conviction of the heart were more important than any phenomenal sign or wonder, while the Pentecostals said that the infilling of the Holy Spirit was marked by such ecstatic manifestations. As a result, many Holiness believers did not take part in the revival God was sending. Those who did gradually began to give up their beliefs about instantaneous, dramatic purification.

     I believe that a period is coming in history when these two segments of Christ's body will once again be joined together. No longer will Holiness folks view the miraculous demonstrations of God's power as unimportant. At the same time, Pentecostals and Charismatics will come to recognize the supernatural nature of holiness in a much clearer way. Luke 3:16 promises us that Christ “will baptize [us] with the Holy Spirit and with fire,” and as I have said in the past, a certain level of meaning will come to us from this Scripture that we have not fully understood yet.

     There are two intense, equally necessary dimensions to the Spirit-filled experience. When the Lord overwhelms us with His presence He does so not only to give us exciting mystical experiences – but also to give us greater revelation and grace to walk in purity. This is why many individuals cry or shake when God's hand comes upon them. Christ is helping us to overcome any issues that will hinder us from continuing on the path He has for us – while at the same time imparting to us an anointing to do great exploits for His namesake.

     The King James Bible reads in 1 Corinthians 2:13, “we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” God is about to unveil some truths to those of us in boths circles concerning this baptism in Spirit and fire, by helping us compare the different results (godliness and miracles) with one another. We will see how similarly the Holy Ghost produces both effects with His presence, and as a result be able to accept both aspects of His glory more deeply. We will truly realize how naturally we can flow in the gifts of the Spirit, and how miraculously fast we can enter into new measures of holiness.

     The impact of this great reconciliation will be enormous. The Charismatics will have a severe decrease in extremism and immorality within their midst, while churches that have rejected the renewal of God's Spirit will gradually begin to open up to it in ways we have never before witnessed. Together, we will see a fresh Pentecost come to the nations – with the former and the latter rains falling in one season (Joel 2:23)!