I have had the same situatio with friends of mine. They claim these odd, un-biblical experiences and attribute them to the Holy Spirit. I believe, like you, that there is a strong possibility that in spite of "professions of faith", "altar calls", even "re-commitments to Christ", these folks may not have been adopted by God. Read that, He never knew them. Sounds harsh, and I don't pretend to be able to discern their state. Just saying...
Sometimes what’s blatant is a matter of perspective. We know, to our humility if we are cognizant, that we won’t be rid of the presence of all our sin — the repentance won’t be finished — until we get to glory with Jesus.
Brethren may see the sin clearly but also be unable to muster the grace to set the erring person right in love. Such brethren should also try being a bit more humble to see if that will gain them better effectiveness. A jillion published articles about fits of anger might not do as much good as one loving brother or sister coming in private.
I agree. That’s the problem with trying to discern someone’s salvation based on outward *signs*.
The whole tongues thing is a perfect example. I’ve attended Pentecostal churches and have heard from the pulpit that tongues is a sign for believers that they heave been filled with the Holy Spirit, (baptism with evidence...) and yet Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 14 that tongues is a sign for unbelievers, not believers.
I have had my own experience which I am sure was the filling of thee Holy Spirit (I can FReepmail details if you have the time) and all I can say that if someone needs to have evidence that what they experienced was from God, nothing happened. You cannot be touched by God like that and NOT know it. I certainly don’t need a *sign* to validate it.