All of us, I would hope, according to our degree of repentance, which is the sine qua non of our capacity to receive and hold the Holy Spirit... iow It is not an either-or question as you are framing it, but a matter of degree... And the fact is in the West that the preparation of the person to receive and hold the Holy Spirit varies from extremely weak to non-existent... [unlike the excellent preparation of Cornelius, btw]... Hence when the Holy Spirit comes, He comes into unrepentant non-preparation, and the prism of the self-not-denied gravely distorts the image projected through it...
The fact that the Apostolic Churches are so utterly alike from earliest times bears witness to their witness today...
The fact that western Churches are disintegrating bears another witness...
God Bless You, my Brother...
Arsenios
Firstly, after the rather extraordinary lengths you went to to try and disprove the words of Christ and Peter, I realised that fruitful, serious debate is utterly impossible between us.
Secondly, if you were filled with the holy spirit you would be able to understand the messages of the writers of the epistles, most of which sadly you do not. As i have many times previously mentioned, the reason for this is given by Christ to his disciples in john 16:12
Thirdly, the only churches growing in number in the UK are Charismatic / evangelical churches. I would be surprised if it is any different your side of the pond. People in desperate need, require the power of the gospel to meet their needs, the power is in the truth being preached, always was.
Fourthly, your church, IS NOT a true reflection of first century Christianity. You do not understand the meat of their Christianity, which is why you only really feel safe looking to the Gospels, not beyond them Back to john 16:12
Lastly, at the outset of our discussions i told you the true dividing line in Christendom was not according to denomination but the Holy Spirit. My discussions with you have resoundedly endorsed/proved that view correct( not that it needed proving)
You are one side of the dividing line and I am the other, and never the twain shall meet as it were