Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral--Australian Catholic University, 2015) under the title: Pentecostal Spirit baptism : an analysis of meaning and function.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [247]-258) and index.

Introduction -- How Did We Get Here? -- Experience and Meaning -- Spirit Baptism and Cognitive Meaning -- Spirit Baptism and Effective Meaning -- Spirit Baptism and Constitutive Meaning -- Spirit Baptism and Communicative Meaning -- Testimonies of Pentecostal Spirit Baptism -- ag us Conversions and Spirit Baptisms 1979–20031 -- ag us Water Baptisms and Spirit Baptisms 1979–20121 -- acc Conversions and Spirit Baptisms 2005–20131 -- acc Water Baptisms and Spirit Baptisms 2005–20131 -- National Church Life Survey 1991–20111.

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The Pentecostal experience of Spirit baptism remains an important topic of discussion more than a century after the inception of the Pentecostal movement. In Spirit Baptism: The Pentecostal Experience in Theological Focus David Perry moves beyond traditional debates by focusing on the meaning and function of the experience within the Pentecostal community. Grounded in the Pentecostal experience itself, he explores the meaning of the experience in terms of its cognitive, effective, constitutive and communicative function. He demonstrates the enduring value of the experience of Spirit baptism to the Pentecostal community and emphasises what is centrally important – a powerful and transformative encounter with the Holy Spirit.