forget that ''Love your neighbor as yourself' (Leviticus 19:18) introduces a whole host of social concerns affecting both the individual and the community. In fact there is a sin offering for both individual and community (cf. Lev. 4: 13-21). In other words, the individual not only sins, but the community or nation also sins and must repent and make sacrifice. The baptism of the Holy Spirit links love with obedience, faith with work, salvation with judg"Love your ment. neighbor as Again, while the world is still mildly interested, we have got to make yourself" certain that we are "walking the talk," introduces a that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is whole host of empowering a vision that is worthy social concerns of Christ himself. Those well worn affecting both the words ftom the pen of John Wesley still haunt me on occasion: "I am not individual and the afraid that the people called Methodcommunity. ists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power."10 Nor do we want the power without the form. Oh, for balance! God give us both. May their tribe increase together!
Review Many have understood Wesley's views on the baptism in the Holy Spirit differently. Some associate Wesley's doctrine of entire sanctification (not the new birth) with Holy Spirit baptism. I believe that this cannot be supported in light of Wesley's own description of the new birth and in light of John Fletcher's description of the Holy Spirit's baptism. Again, they are so similar it suggests that one had influence upon the other. Even more important, with conversion the comer is turned. The believer is now being restored to an original righteousness that has implications for both persons and systems. The Spirit moves within the believer and the church with power and effect. The Law of sin and death is now the Law of the Spirit of life. At long last, grace is in control and obedience is our goal. 116