What do you think about the belief in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues?
Sheila
Baptism of the Holy Spirit isn’t what some charismatics think it is Sheila. The word baptism means to be immersed or placed down into. That’s what happens when we’re saved and sealed at the time of our rebirth. We’re baptized (placed down into) the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. We have a spiritual baptism, which is us being placed into the Holy Spirit, and the natural baptism as an act of obedience to the Saviors ordinance of baptism. Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
The way the Pentecostal’s view baptism of the Holy Spirit isn’t the baptism at all, but the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. And the “way” they believe this hinges on us still being in the time of Pentecost, and we aren’t. That was a one day occurrence which was a sign of the newly forming church. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Do we still have the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on God’s people today? Sure we do, but not the way they see it at all.
As for tongues, lets look at the scriptures say about this. Yeah, tongues were a gift of the early church, but they where necessary at that time. But the gift of tongues were only given in part. In other words, it was a temporary thing needed for the infant church until the scriptures were perfect. The word perfect means complete or completed. At the time of Pentecost and most of the 1st century, the total and completed Word of God hadn’t arrived on the scene yet. 1st Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Now that the Word of God, the Bible has arrived, the tongues are no longer needed and are done away with. They’ve ceased.
A few weeks ago, I was conversing with a Middle Georgia Nazarene pastor. Bear in mind that the Nazarenes have, traditionally, rejected the Gift of Tongues, when you consider what I said to Rev. Don Hicks: Don is the second, of five Nazarene pastors, I’ve known. The first two adamantly rejected anything I offered. I never had opportunity to speak with the third one about this.
The fourth and fifth ones were attentive, when I asked what they understood and both of them admitted to knowning nothing. It wasn’t until the conversation I am mentioning, that I understood this: In Acts 1:8, He told His disciples that they would receive power, when the Holy Ghost had come upon them. He didn’t say they would be baptized…He said they would receive power.
The Pentecostals and charismatics are saying that you have evidence of the Baptism when you speak in tongues but I have evidence of the Gift of Word of Knowledge, in the Spring of 1978. I never (quote) “Spoke in the language of men and angels,” until 1980 … I had the Gift without any power, behind it, though!
What I think is obvious is that we have churches on many corner of most cities and a lot of those churches are filled with Christian weaklings. Why? Because so many of God’s people have rejected the power that is given by His Spirit, through tongues.
When it is rejected, the power, going with it, is nil. When God’s people accept it and learn to live according to His Word, functioning in the power of His Spirit, the ministry of the same Spirit will be ours to fulfill.
Another thought: No where in the Word of God, does it say someone MUST speak in the Tongues of Men and Angels, in order to be saved. If anyone says that,
they aren’t truthfully explaining the Word. Jesus said, “Lest a man is born again” (John 3:3) … NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS. Any denomination where they demand you must speak in tongues, in order to be saved is not truthfully teaching the Word.