Pentecostal – Charismatic Phenomenon in the Modern Church

Topics to be covered include:1. The source of authority: Scriptural Doctrine or experience2. Emotionalism in Christianity 3. The use of tongues and other phenomena in early church history4. A history of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement5. The “Full Gospel” teaching6. Biblical “tongues” and modern practice

Tongues in Acts The errors of the church at Corinth “prayer language” and the “tongues of angels”

7. Spirit baptism, the “second blessing,” and super-Christians.8. The exaltation of the Holy Spirit9. Signs, wonders, and miracles

Does God do miracles today?10.Health and healing

Is healing in the atonement?11.Wealth and prosperity

“Name it and claim it”12.Positive confession and Shamanism 13.The “little gods” teaching14.Visions and dreams15.Slaying in the Spirit16. “Visible” manifestations of the Spirit?

“holy laughter,” animal sounds, and other noises17.Does God still speak today?18.Spirit drunkenness19.Trips to heaven and hell20.The anointing of the Holy Spirit21.Modern “apostles and prophets”22.Catholic Charismatics23.Charismatic practices in cults and pagan religions24.Sinless perfectionism and the Holiness Movement.25.Can eternal life be lost? 26. “Oneness Pentecostalism” and “Jesus-only” baptism27.Prayer movements: contemplative, soaking, and others28.The use and abuse of music in modern worship29.Charismatic ecumenicalism 30.Dominion Theology and the Kingdom of God 31.Deliverance ministries: Are demons the cause of physical, emotional, and

spiritual problems?32.Women preachers and pastors

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WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS1 Peter 4:10 (NASB) As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

At West Side Baptist Church we believe that all spiritual gifts were given by Christ during His ascension (Ephesians 4:8) and that the Holy Spirit assigns these gifts as He desires (I Corinthians 12:11). It is through these grace gifts that God accomplishes His purposes by the means of the Holy Spirit Who uses the believer to accomplish these purposes.

However, there are both temporary and permanent spiritual gifts. We come to the conclusion that the temporary gifts have ceased based on an analysis of the purpose for these gifts from Scripture and not theological bias or experience-oriented conclusions.

In the first section of these studies on Church Age spiritual gifts, we saw that the temporary gifts ceased in 96 A.D. with the completion of the Canon of Scripture. The documentation of the timing for this ceasing of temporary gifts is found in I Corinthians 13:10 where the word “perfect” is in the neuter gender which refers to the completion of the Bible. In James 1:25 the Bible is referred to as the “perfect law of liberty”. These gifts were for the foundation of the Church during the apostolic era (A.D. 33-96) and not for its continuing function through time (Ephesians 2:20-21; Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 15:18-20).

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NASB) 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

The gifts that ceased were: Apostle, prophecy, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, miracles, healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, distinguishing of spirits, and the gift of faith.

Anyone claiming to have any or all of these gifts today is misinformed and / or deceived by false doctrine. If one claims to have some experience(s) that would validate these gifts, we do not necessarily question that person’s experience; but we do question, by the proper and accurate handling of the Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15), their interpretation of their experience as well as the source from which that experience came. Experience is never the test of biblical Truth. The Bible tests our experiences.

The permanent spiritual gifts still in use after A.D. 96 and which will last until the rapture of the church are: Evangelist, pastor-teacher, teacher, administration, exhortation or encouragement, giving, showing mercy, and helps. The purpose of these permanent gifts is to insure the cooperation and smooth function of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27–31; Romans 12).

Many teachings and practices of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement in the “church” today not only improperly understand the distinction between temporary and permanent gifts, but they go far beyond Scripture. They actually leading people into false, unbiblical forms of “worship,” practices, and belief: these are included in the “perverse things” of Acts 20:29-30. This study will consider these issues.

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1 Corinthians 13:8-13

1 Cor.

written Temple destroyed Bible completed Rapture 56 AD 70 AD 96 AD EternityKnow in part Mature knowledge Prophesy in part v.10 v.9 Tongues cease Prophecies caused Full knowledge on their own to cease v.12 v.8 v.8

Face to face Knowledge caused v.12 to cease v.8 Love never ends v.8

Faith, Hope, Love Abides v.13

Chart idea from Dr. John Brumett

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NASB) 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but

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THE CHURCH AGE

then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Why this study is critically important to you!This study is about how the operations of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts are not only misunderstood by many in the “church” today, but also how their teachings have twisted the Bible into outright deception. The previous study of Church Age Spiritual Gifts laid the groundwork for this study on False Church Age Spiritual Gifts.

Far too often people in the Church today follow a “Just be nice” and “Let’s all get along” philosophy that downplays or ignores the correct doctrinal teaching of the Scriptures. Others say “Doctrine divides” and that “unity” is before doctrine, so doctrine simply does not matter. Some go so far as to believe that one cannot know doctrinal truth; since there are so many opinions, we should just not worry about it. The result is an anemic, sickly Church that stands on doctrinal sand rather than the rock of Truth (Mat. 7:24-27).

At West Side we insist that the Bible is fully inspired by God and it alone is the test of all teaching, tradition, and experience. We also insist that the Bible was written to be understood clearly and accurately. We insist that if the proper rules of interpretation are followed believers can know truth from error. We insist that the believer must learn to discern truth from error. We insist that God gave us a brain to use; the first important and primary use of our brain is to learn the Word of God – yes, you can understand it and know the Truth! To say we “cannot” is either to doubt God or to be lazy! We insist that there is only one correct interpretation of any text and we insist that it is critically important that we discover the correct meaning based on the text alone.

Diversity of interpretation of any passage means one of the three following things:I am wrong in my handling of the textYou are wrong in the handling of the textWe both are wrong in our handling of the interpretation of the text

But this simply means we have to try to set aside any and all pre-conceived notions and study the text itself; follow the correct rules of interpretation; consider all the doctrinal implications of any conclusions; maintain the filling of the Holy Spirit; pray for wisdom and insight; study, study, study!

To help us with the orientation to this critical topic, let’s look at this text to help us:

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Ephesians 4:1-16

Therefore I [based on the doctrinal teaching of c.1-3], the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk [conduct the whole of your thinking and living] in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, (Ephesians 4:1)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience [focused on people], showing tolerance [forbearing, to hold back or restrain, to bear with or have patience with in regard to the errors, shortcomings, faults, failures, or weaknesses of anyone, to bear or put up with; do not hold anything against] for one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2)

Ephesians 4:2 (AMP) Living as becomes you with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.

“Showing tolerance” (NASB update) does not mean what it has come to mean in the modern world, as the above definitions demonstrate. Tolerance in the world today has come to mean not only that you have a right to believe whatever you want to believe, but that your “truth” is just as right as my “truth.” This modern meaning denies the reality of absolute truth and thus denies the Bible. The word does not mean to allow or “tolerate” false teaching or doctrine (see vv. 4-6, 14.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4: the word translated “bear” is the same word; it is translated “put up with it” in the NKJV. In this last text it means the Corinthian believers were “tolerating” false teachers and not opposing false doctrine: for this Paul condemned them. Obviously, the Holy Spirit – writing through Paul – was not allowing false doctrine to go unchallenged with the Truth.

The thrust of the message is that as believers we are to have patience with the people in helping them come to knowledge of the truth, but love does not leave a person in error nor does it allow error to go unchallenged.

The present tense of “tolerance” or “bearing with” says, “Make this a lifestyle.” (see Colossians 3:13)

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“In [or in the sphere of] love”: Greek agape. This highest kind of love is doing what is best for the person loved, not necessarily what the person desires or wants (see Zodhiates). This is God-like kind of love. God is a God of Truth, His Word is Truth (John 17:17), and His love is always based on Truth. God always deals with us in both love and truth and we are to reflect Him. To allow false teaching and false teachers to go on as if it simply does not matter is to operate outside the sphere of biblical Christian love (see 4:13). This kind of love may have positive feelings of affection attached to it or it may not. The focus is not on feelings but on actions.

Keeping the unity is a difficult task!

To dwell above with saints we love,O that will be glory

But to dwell below with saints we know, Well, that's another story.

In the context, Paul indicates that we are to be patient with people no matter what their behavior or beliefs as we work to bring them to the truth: this is doing what is best for the person even if they do not desire it at the moment! The goal is to help them come to the Truth, not just be nice and get along!

Can you give some reasons why ‘Just be nice,” and “Let’s all get along,” is the preferred “theology” of most Christians today?

being diligent [make it a top priority, work hard at it, a determined effort] to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)

As believers we already have the internal spiritual unity of being in the Body of Christ, (the “one new man” Ephesians 2:15-16); that is why the text says “preserve the unity” not “create the unity.” Satan loves to disturb the unity of the Church through either personal issues or doctrinal falsehoods! We are to safeguard the unity we already have both interpersonally and doctrinally. The following quotes are from www.preceptaustin.org

The Puritan Thomas Brooks rightly stated...

Discord and division become no Christian. For wolves to worry the lambs is no wonder, but for one lamb to worry another, this is unnatural and monstrous."

The deadly effect of disunity is illustrated by the...

Two battleships met in the night and began to attack each other. In the conflict, a number of crewmen were severely wounded, and both vessels were damaged. As daylight broke, the sailors on the ships discovered to their amazement that both vessels flew the English flag.

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Many years earlier, just before the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the British naval hero Lord Nelson learned that an admiral and a captain in his fleet were not on good terms. Sending for the two men, he placed the hands of the admiral and the captain together. Then, looking them both in the face, he said, “Look—yonder is the enemy!”

There can be union without unity - You may tie the tails of a cat and a dog together by a rope and have union, but you surely don’t have unity!

There can be no unity of the Spirit (1) with unbelievers, and (2) with those who hold to false doctrine – vv. 13- 14 emphasize the unity of doctrine. Paul then proceeds to present a seven-fold unity (all are doctrinal truths!):

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)

“one Spirit”: In this study we will be asking a simple question: “Is this of God the Holy Spirit?”

1 JOHN 4:1 Mark 7:8

1 TIMOTHY 4:1 Matthew 12:33-37 with 7:15-23

What are the three possible “spirit” sources:1. _____________________________________2. _____________________________________3. _____________________________________

one Lord, one faith, one baptism [Spirit baptism, 1 Corinthians 12:13 – the placing into the Body of Christ], (Ephesians 4:5)

one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:6)

But to each one of us grace [grace gifts, spiritual gifts, capacity for service] was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. (Ephesians 4:7)

Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." (Ephesians 4:8)

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(Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? (Ephesians 4:9)

He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:10)

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, (Ephesians 4:11)

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building [spiritual strength training] up of the body of Christ; (Ephesians 4:12)

until we all attain [a goal] to the unity of the faith [the body of revealed doctrine, the content of the teaching], and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man [spiritual maturity of each saint], to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ [“the sum of the qualities that make Christ what He is” Wuest]. (Ephesians 4:13)

Ephesians 4:13 (AMP) [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

Wuest: until we all attain to the unity of the Faith and of the experiential, full, and precise knowledge of the Son of God, to a spiritually mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ,

NOTICE: the unity of the Spirit is to be maintained; the unity of doctrine is a goal to be achieved.

Robertson remarks that here "the faith" means

"the gospel, the faith system as in Gal 1:23; Jude 1:3, etc. Here the (phrase "the faith") means more than individual trust in Christ." (Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament)

See Acts 16:5

Approximately one-half of the 38 occurrences of the specific phrase "the faith" refer not to the ACT of believing but rather to WHAT is believed, the latter being the usage that the present context calls for. It follows that the specific meaning of this phrase is dependent on the context (the text that goes with the text in question). (from www.preceptaustin.org)

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Attain (2658) (katantao from katá = intensifies meaning + antáo = meet) means to happen to, with the implication of something definitive and final coming upon one. Katantao is used figuratively in this verse and means to arrive at a particular state, with the focus on the end point. One gets a sense of the meaning of katantao observing the repeated use in the book of Acts to describe travelers arriving at their destination. In this verse katantao conveys the thought of believers arriving at their "destinations" of "unity of the faith" and full knowledge of Christ, and ultimately mature man. (from www.preceptaustin.org)

Jude writes that we are to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" which is clearly not a reference to the believers' faith but to the whole body of revealed truth contained in the Scriptures, the objective truths which were to be believed, and the very truths which Jude warns were in danger of being distorted (Jude 1:3).

Jude 1:3 (NASB) Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

Jude 1:3 (AMP) Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God].

“contend earnestly”: (1864) epagonizomai: strive to fight for a cause; to fight for or in reference to something. The cause for which we fight is the content of Bible Doctrine.

“the knowledge of the Son of God”: the word “knowledge” is epignosis: full knowledge, complete, full grown. This word conveys the thought of a fuller, larger and thorough knowledge. Epignosis includes the idea of

an intimate and personal relationship. It is a knowledge that brings transformation in the way we think and live out our lives (Romans 12:2); this is a knowledge that is not only of the content of the doctrine, but a of a deeper relationship with, and similarity to, Jesus Christ as we live out the Truth.

While this goal is never completely achieved in this life, it will be so in the state of glorification to come. But the goal and the working toward this goal are to be a reality in our lives as believers.

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (Ephesians 4:14)

Ephesians 4:14 (AMP) So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of

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unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.

Wuest:  in order that we no longer may be immature ones, tossed to and fro and carried around in circles by every wind of teaching in the cunning adroitness of men, in craftiness which furthers the scheming deceitful art of error

“tossed here and there by waves”: “to be agitated mentally” or to have emotional instability, like a little boat in a storm at sea. This is one who runs their life, their decisions, and their actions on emotionalism and feelings rather than clear thinking based on doctrine. It is a strong sign of spiritual immaturity!

Children are emotionally and intellectually unstable. They lack knowledge, experience, and self-discipline. Bible Doctrine, learned and applied, bring maturity and stability in all our life – including our lives together in the Church as a whole.

“carried about by every wind of doctrine”: this is the issue with people who follow emotionalism rather than the content of Bible Doctrine. They get deceived easily by trickery and doctrinal error. Whoever gives them the next “spiritual high” is the one they follow just like being blown around by high winds, first one way than another.

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, (Ephesians 4:15)

“speaking the truth in love” is what this part of the spiritual gifts course is all about.

The absolute bottom-line to growing up spiritually is to speak – to be a follower of - the truth! This, of course, means one has to know that there is truth that must be believed and error that must be rejected.

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FalseDoctrine

The contrast between the “children” of verse 14 and the “mature man” of verse 13 – the one who is grown up, v.15 – is not between unbeliever and believer. The contrast is between Christians who are immature in their faith (children, babies) and those who are mature or at least maturing at a steady pace.

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)

This is the goal for our Church: “Fitted” doctrinally, “held together” (by the unity of the Holy Spirit which we work to maintain), which “every joint supplies” (mature and maturing individual believers), with a “proper working” (obedience to the imperatives of Scripture and operating in our spiritual gifts). The result? Growth both spiritually and numerically.

DELUSION: “I CAN HAVE A GOOD SPIRITUAL LIFE WITHOUT BEING COMMITTTED TO GOD’S PEOPLE

TRUTH: “I STEP CLOSER TO GOD AS I STRENGTHEN MY COMMITMENT TO

GOD’S PEOPLE”

Hebrews 5:12-14 (NASB) 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

The writer of Hebrews obviously desires these believers to move from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. The Greek word for “mature” here is teleios (5046) and refers to the completion of a goal: “goal, purpose. Finished, that which has reached its end, term, limit; hence, complete, wanting nothing.” (see James 1:4). When it refers to spiritual things it refers to being full-grown in the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), that is, knowing, believing, and acting on Bible Doctrine. It is seeing all of life from the Divine perspective of the Word of God.

Joseph Dillow writes in The Reign of the Servant Kings: “The problem with these Christians has apparently been a willful refusal to grow. They have had time to mature but have chosen not to. The carnal Christian is characterized by:

1. Refusal to grow for a period of time

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2. A lack of skill in the use of the ‘word of righteousness’

3. Able to absorb only milk and not solid food

4. Spiritual dullness due to a lack of ‘meat’” (p.317)

This study is about a vast deception abroad in the church today. It is a deception that has created great confusion among believers as well as deceiving many with a false gospel and a false Christian spirituality. It has made people think they are saved because of some experience rather than believing the truth that saves, the Message of Life; it has made people think that spirituality is related to fantastic experiences, weird happenings, and emotionalism.

If people are saved at all, it creates spiritual babies who run from one childish thing after another; children who cannot handle the meat of Doctrine and the careful study of the Book of books. The result has been the leading of many, many people into terrible false doctrines.

The result has been a not only a decrease in the study of Bible Doctrine but a real antagonism to Bible Doctrine. Truth, they say, is what you experience, not what one learns from the pages of the Bible.

It has increased division in many Bible believing churches and causing untold numbers of church splits.

It has opened many people up to teachings that are more closely related to Shamanism and spiritism that anything resembling biblical Christianity. The god they worship is far removed from the God of the Bible.

The cult of personality is strong – people follow a man or a woman without carefully comparing what they teach with the Word of God handled correctly.

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It has created unity with churches who deny many fundamental doctrines including the absolutely critical doctrine of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. It has substituted a unity based on feelings and experiences creating the opening for the one-world church of the anti-Christ.

Pope Paul VI with Pentecostal Church leadership, 1971. This ecumenical commonality with false religion and false churches continues today.

The Use of “Tongues” in the Modern Church Age

We will take our time and study this issue carefully. First let’s look at the Scriptures in Acts which record the events of tongues speaking in the early days of the church.

Acts 2:1-13 The Day of _________________________. Jews were speaking and _________ were the audience. All those involved were _______

According to Acts 2:6, 11, what did the listeners hear? “his own _________________ “ or dialektos (dialect) which refers to known ______________ languages. In verses 6-8 we are told what languages were being spoken. About this, Robert dean states: “Although sixteen regions are mentioned, careful study of the languages involved indicate that probably no more than eight or nine had extant languages” (“Three Arguments for the Cessation of Tongues” accessed at www.deanbible.com).

Of a special note: Acts 8:14-17 Who is involved? _______________ Does it say anything about tongues being spoken? _____

Acts 10:34-48; 11:11-18 Who is involved? ____________ were speaking in tongues and __________ were present

Also note, which Apostle was present at all of the above three instances? _________________. This will be another important piece of information later but note the three people groups: Jews (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8), and Gentiles (Acts 10). There is nothing “accidental” about these three groups being specifically targeted for this work of the Holy Spirit through Peter.

If you want to do a little research and theological deduction, read Matthew 16:19 and see if you can make the connection! We’ll study it later when we work with the text some more.

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Acts 19:1-7 These were followers of John the Baptist (see v.3). That means they were ______. Who is speaking in tongues? _________. Who is present? _________, a Jew.

When later we discuss the purpose of tongues we will see why this emphasis on the presence of Jews and we will discover it is very, very critical to be aware of this historical fact.

Tongues are mentioned in Mark 16:15-20. Later Paul writes to the church at Corinth about “tongues” and other issues in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. These references, plus those in Acts, are the only instances of, and references to, “tongues” in the Bible.

“Tongues” is also called glossolalia coming from the Greek word glossa which is one of the words translated “tongue” or “tongues” in the Bible (for example Acts 2:4).

“No other references to a tongues experience appear later than those in Ephesus (Acts 19) and in Corinth about A.D. 55” (Richard C Schwab, Let The Bible Speak…About Tongues.”).

The single most distinguishing mark of those who participate in Pentecostal or Charismatic churches is an activity known as “speaking in tongues.” Whether or not what they practice is the same kind of “tongues” we see in Acts is a topic we will cover in much detail!

Pentecostal / Charismatic people believe that what they practice is (1) from the Holy Spirit, (2) it is a spiritual gift that is currently active in the modern church, (3) that the sounds they are making are a heavenly or angelic language (although they have not always believed this), (4) that it is a sign of an event subsequent to the reception of salvation and is most commonly referred to a the “baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ghost),” “the second work of grace,” or, an older term, the “second blessing.” Others don’t call this event the “baptism” but rather prefer to refer to it as the “filling” of the Holy Spirit, (5) that it is how God communicates with the church when the “tongues” are” interpreted,” and (6) it is a “private prayer language” that brings spiritual edification to the Christian.

Whatever it is called, they believe that this event bestows a new power to live the Christian life, power to evangelize more effectively, and that it enhances worship. It is a “something more” experience beyond salvation (phase one) that all believers should seek and experience. At the very least Pentecostals and Charismatics feel that this experience raises a person to a new spiritual level and gives them an increased spiritual awareness.

They also feel that this “something more” subsequent experience gives them a “deeper life” with Christ or feelings of being closer and more personally “in touch” with God. For some the “baptism of the Spirit” accompanied with “speaking in tongues” is evidence of salvation and that without this a person either is not saved or it is very unlikely they are.

Some also teach that “tongues” (as they are used today) is a sign of the nearness of the end of time.

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Some in the recent Charismatic movement have begun to de-emphasize the necessity of speaking in “tongues” for the believer to be at a higher spiritual level and have accepted other “evidences” of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Here is a doctrinal statement from a Pentecostal denomination and one from a non-denominational Charismatic church:

Assemblies of God: (www.ag.org from “Our Sixteen Fundamental Truths”)

WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]

WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.

A Charismatic church may be either non-denominational or a part of more traditional denominations. This statement is from a non-denominational church in Folsom, California called Victory Life Church (www.victorylife.org under ‘What We Believe”):

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOSTThe baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the New Birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance.

The following is from David W. Cloud’s book, The Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements: Their History and Error, p.257:

The view that tongues is a gift for every believer and that it is to be exercised today has been a part of the Pentecostal movement from its inception…Consider some quotes from Pentecostals and Charismatics:

“The distinctive doctrine of the Pentecostal churches is that speaking with tongues is the ‘initial evidence’ of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This

article of belief is now incorporated in the official doctrinal statements of practically all Pentecostal denominations” (Donald Gee, Now That You’ve Been Baptized in the Spirit, 1972, p. [not listed].

“Speaking in tongues is always manifested when people are baptized in the Holy Ghost” (Kenneth Hagin, Sr. Concerning Spiritual Gifts, 1974, p.71)

(David Cloud goes on to list many more quotes.)

Is it Truth these churches state or is it false? This is what we must determine in this study.

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If you have been exposed to Pentecostal / Charismatic teaching, what have you been taught about this subsequent “second work of grace” or “the baptism of the Holy Spirit,” and “speaking in tongues”? If you desire you can share any such experiences you have had.

Write down what some of the class shares:

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

The questions we will raise about anybodies experiences in this study do not deny the reality of the experience, but we will question how people interpret the experience. We will ask, “Is the experience Scriptural?” and “Is the Pentecostal / Charismatic teaching correct in its handling of the Scriptures on these issues?”

As we have said before, “Experience never determines truth.” We are on dangerous ground when we determine truth based on experiences rather than evaluate experiences based on Truth, the Word of God handled correctly.

“It has been said that the doctrines of the charismatic movement are either true, in which case the last 1900 years have been an age of tragic spiritual depravity, or these doctrines are false, in which case they represent a message of monumental arrogance, decrying the faith and experience of our forebears” (Masters and Whitcomb, The Charismatic Phenomenon, p.p. 8-9)

This study will lead us to discern between truth and error on the issue of “tongues.” The Word will be our guide. We will “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Only the Word of God, correctly handled, will allow us to learn to discern.

1 John 4:1 (NASB) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 (NLT) Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

What is the “Day of Pentecost”?

Acts 2:1 (NASB) When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

From Unger’s Bible Dictionary:

Pentecost (Gk. Pentekoste, “fiftieth,” i.e. “day”)The second of the three great annual festivals, the others being the Passover and Tabernacles….This festival

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is called (1) the feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10, 16; 2 Chron. 8;13), because it was celebrated seven complete weeks, or fifty days, after the Passover (Lev. 23:15-16); (2) the feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16), because it concluded the harvest of the later grains; and (3) the day of first fruits (Num. 28:26), because the first loaves made from new grain were then offered on the altar (Lev. 23;17….).

It was at Passover when Christ died. Then for forty days He was on the earth:

Acts 1:3

After the Ascension (Acts 1:11) the disciples were waiting (Acts 1:13-14) as Christ had directed them (Acts 1:4). They waited for ten days for the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1) was fifty days from the Passover.

The name “Pentecostal” comes from their identification with the day of Pentecost and the supposed continuance of the events on this day. In other words, they take the historical events on the birthday of the church and make them normative for the church today. Let’s remind ourselves of something we learned in part one of this study on spiritual gifts:Arnold Fructenbaum, Ariel Ministries: From “The Ministries of the Holy Spirit”:

The Transitory Nature of the Book of Acts...The Book of Acts is a transitory book; it marks a transition between the Dispensation of Law and the Dispensation of Grace and, with it, a dispensational change in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts also emphasizes the apostolic authority of Peter and Paul….

The Danger of Deriving Doctrine from Historical AccountsAnother very important point to make is that doctrine must not be developed from historical accounts but from clear, positive, directive statements made in Scripture. The danger of deriving theology from historical accounts is the misconception that, because something happened in a certain way at a certain point in time, it must always happen in the same way….

Again, the Book of Acts is a historical book, which must be used to illustrate doctrine and not to formulate doctrine. For even during the history of the Book of Acts, the Holy Spirit did not come in any consistent way. In Acts 2, He came directly. In Acts 8, He came by the laying on of hands by Peter. In Acts 10, He came directly before they were baptized by water. In Acts 19, He came only after water baptism and by the laying on of hands by Paul. (www.ariel.org)

Who was in the upper room on the day of Pentecost?

Acts 1:12- 2:1

Because of the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, the Apostles were selecting a replacement Apostles. The number had to be twelve, the number the Lord had selected. Only the Apostles were involved in this decision (see 1:17, 21-26).

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There is a diversity of opinion as to exactly is referred to in Acts 2:1. Let’s just look at the text: First read 1:13 and then 1:22 – Who is the “us”? The _________________. Who does the “they” keep referring to in vv.23-26? The _______________

Antecedent: Grammar - a word or phrase to which a subsequent word refers. For example: “This Bible belongs to Mike and I’ll give it to him.” “Mike” is the antecedent to “him.” What is the nearest antecedent to the “they” of 2:1? The ___________________.

Now, it is possible that they “they” refers all the way back to the “upper room” gathering: Acts 1:13-15. But remember these facts:

they were gathered in an “upper room” (v.13) and these were not large places

this waiting time lasted for ten days so it is not likely that all 120 people stayed the entire time – they did not know how long they had to wait

It states that the Apostles were staying in the upper room (1:13)

the Lord’s command to wait was given to the Apostles (1:2-5)

the third person plural of 2:1 should be referring back to the final plural phrase of 1:26, “with the eleven apostles” (not 120) (see 1:13) who were selecting a replacement for Judas (it was not a democratic vote of the 120!). The activity of selection (vv.21-26) was done by the 11 Apostles (1:21-22 – “with us,” the Apostles).

the primary focus of the sign-gifts was to establish the Apostles and their message as those who would be the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20) and this was the birthday of the church (1 Corinthians 12:13) – however, others did speak in such languages later after the church was born (but only in the presence of Jews with the exception of what was happening in the church at Corinth. This will be discussed under the purpose for tongues.)

Together these lead me to the conviction that only the Apostles spoke in the unlearned, known languages (“tongues) on the day of Pentecost, not the 120 or anyone else. This applies also to the “tongues of fire” in 2:3.

A Summary: Three reasons for the “they” of 2:1 to be the 12 Apostles (counting Matthias)

1. A grammatical one: the nearest antecedent of “the eleven apostles”

2. A logical one: it does not seem logical that 120 people would be in this rather small area for about ten days

3. A theological one: the twelve Apostles are the key to the foundation of the church. It makes sense that they (not 120) would be singled out on this the birthday of the church

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Even if one accepts the premise that the full 120 were involved (which I don’t), the text says nothing about any of the others who came to faith alone in Christ alone that day – about 3,000 (2:41) - speaking spontaneously in these human languages.

What is the primary importance of the Day of Pentecost? It was the birthday of the Church.

Question: “How did the church become the church?” Let’s do a little research to discover the correct answers.

The church anticipated:

Matthew 16:13-18

v.18: “upon this rock”: Christ will build the church on Himself – Peter’s confession point to Who Christ is. The foundation of the church is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter’s confession is v.16.

1 Corinthians 3:11

“Church”: Greek “ekklesia”: literally meaning “the called-out from ones.”

Dennis Rokser, the pastor-teacher of Duluth Bible Church in Minnesota, states:

The Greek history of ekklesia is insightful in its meaning. Ancient Greece was comprised of self-governing city-states such as Athens and Sparta. When city-state business needed to be addressed, herald would declare in the market square…”The Ekklesia is in session in one hour.” In doing so, the people were being called out of the marketplace or out of their stores. They then made their way to the Areopagus where they would be involved as an assembly in governing the city-state. The group of people who were called out of their places of work in order to assemble together as a group were called “the

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ekklesia.” By the way, there were those who refused to close their stores and gather together with the rest. These were called the “idiotes.”

What is an “ekklesia” in a general sense? It is a summoned, autonomous, assembly of people, regardless of its nature. This is supported by its non-biblical Greek usage referring to an army, judges, religious groups, or political assemblies.

Dr. Earl Radmacher comments regarding the definition of ekklesia: ‘”The Greek background and the Hebrew background are both in agreement with regard to the root meaning, namely, an assembly, an autonomous, self-governing assembly.”

(“The Church, God’s Masterpiece”, part one, p.2. www.duluthbible.org)

In the New Testament books of Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation the ekklesia is used in two ways: (1) of a local assembly of believers and (2) of the universal Body of Christ which includes every believer who has received eternal life from the Day of Pentecost on, the time frame referred to as the Church Age. The Church Age ends with the rapture of the church.

Christ’s prophetic promise about the church: “I will build my church” – The person and work of Jesus Christ is the Foundation of the church, this called out assembly of believers; But, as He reveals in this Matthew passage, He will be the Builder of the church. When did this building start?

“will build”: Greek is “oikodomeso” a verb referring to a future, active, fact. In other words, the church had never been, was not then, but would be at some future point.

The Church Realized

What is the means by which the church starts (comes into existence)?

Matthew 3:11 – Luke 3:16-17 Jesus will baptize with (by the means) of the Holy Spirit

“with”: “by the means of” is the best understanding of the original. In other words, Jesus is the baptizer, the agent, while the Holy Spirit is the means by which he baptizes us into the Body of Christ, the church. This happens at the moment of faith alone in Christ alone when the Holy Spirit indwells us.

By the way, the “fire” mentioned here is not the “tongues of fire” in Acts 2. The “fire” of Matthew 3:11 is the coming judgment of the Tribulation period (Malachi 3:3-5 – Jesus Christ is the “purifier”). It may also refer to the judgment of all unbelievers in eternity.

What does this baptism do for the believer?

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

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“By one Spirit”: literally “by the means of one Spirit”; or by the means of the Holy Spirit. The church is the “body of Christ” and it is by the means of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we (believers, the object of the action of the agent) are placed into this body, the church.

The agent of baptism is not mentioned in this passage, it is assumed. When the word “by” or “with” the Spirit is properly understood, we see that the Spirit is the means.

Notice the past tense: “we were all baptized into one body” – at some point in the past this happened.

Notice the inclusive: “all” – not some! Not the “super Christians,” ALL. See Gal. 3:26-28

When is this baptism received? Romans 8:10 if you do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit you do not have eternal life: “none of His”; Romans 6:3-5 – This is Spirit baptism, not water baptism. If one has not been baptized by the means of the Holy Spirit then that person does not have eternal life. By Spirit baptism we have all become united with Christ.

The 1 Corinthians passage gives us the means by which we enter the body of Christ, the church. However, the Holy Spirit is not the one who performs the action – he is not the agent. Jesus Christ is the agent according to the Matthew 3:11 passage.

Next question: Is it possible for there to be two or even three Spirit baptisms?

Ephesians 4-6: How many baptisms? It cannot be any of the other baptisms of Scripture (there are seven) that could have this type of reference as “one baptism” except that which begins the Christian’s life in Christ; this is the baptism in the believer’s life that places him in the Body of Christ. This baptism alone unifies all those who have placed their faith in Christ. Plus, the context of Ephesians 3 – 4 is that of the Church, the “mystery” revealed to Paul (see 3:1-7; see also 4:11-16)

Merrill Unger states this truth in his work entitled The Baptism and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, p.119:

That the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5 is the baptism of the Spirit is demonstrated by the context. This passage deals with spiritual truths, not ritual ordnances. The apostle lists seven spiritual truths which form the doctrinal foundation for Christian unity: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.

Then on page 20, he writes:

Spirit baptism is the doctrinal basis for Christian unity. The great revelation of Ephesians is that Christian unity is not something man concocts and brings about by human strategy and ecumenical fervor. Christian oneness is a reality. God himself has brought about that unity, and His people are to recognize it as the teaching of His Word and realize it by appropriating faith. (End quote.)

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THE KEY DOCTRINE: There is no other event in the believer’s life that can be any form of Spirit baptism except that which begins the Christian’s life in Christ and places them into the Body of Christ, the church. Since there is only one baptism, and since Jesus is the baptizer (the agent of baptism), and this baptism happens at the

moment of faith alone in Christ alone, then there cannot be a second or subsequent baptism that could be referred to as a Spirit baptism or a ‘baptism of power” or anything else. This is why we say that the 1 Cor. 12:13 passage assumes the agent and the Holy Spirit is not the agent – because then there would be two baptisms! See the chart below on the “Seven baptisms of the Bible.” (Next page, unnumbered)

What then happened on the Day of Pentecost?

The Acts 2:1-11 passage does not refer to this event as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, in Acts 11:15-16 Peter refers to the Spirit’s baptism as that which happened to them “at the beginning” which could only refer to the day of Pentecost – the day of the beginning of the Church. Pentecost is when the promise of the Father was received (see and compare John 14:17, 15:26; Acts 1:4, 2:33).

In Matthew 16:18 and Acts 1:5 the church is future; in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 it is past. What happened in between is the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church!

BAPTISM BY THE MEANS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Is this a real baptism or a ritual baptism? ______ This is a spiritual real baptism that takes place at the moment of faith alone in Christ alone. Who does the baptizing? ___________ He is the agent. Who is the means of the baptism? _______ ________.

Christ is the ___________ using the _________ __________ to identify the believer with Himself. Who is the baptizer in 1 Corinthians 12:13-14? ____________

According to Ephesians 4:5, how many such spiritual baptisms by the means of the Holy Spirit are there? ______ (The ritual of water baptism is a picture of the spiritual baptism). Is the Holy Spirit ever the agent? _______

The sphere of that into which we are baptized is called “the Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 27). This is also called the ____________. (The sphere into which we are placed is not the Holy Spirit; it is the Body of Christ.) Galatians 3:26-28

_________ with __________

____ ___________

________________________

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______________________________

_________________________ or

______________________

________________ __________________

Saints = ______ __________ to Christ

A _____ of _______

An _____ of God

______________ in ______

Galatians 3: 26-28 (AMP) 26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. 27 For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. 28 There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

REVIEW OF PASSAGES: IS THE BAPTISM MENTIONED IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12:13 THE SAME BAPTISM SEEN IN MATHEW 3:11 AND ACTS 1:5?

THE GREEK CONSTUCTION OF ALL FOUR OF THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES IS PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL (Chart source: www.middletownbiblechurch.org; modified by Pastor David). What does this demonstrate? There is only one Spirit baptism for the church age and this is what happened on the Day of Pentecost. This is what first formed the church – the same church there is today, the same church which will continue to grow until the rapture. All these passages refer to the same baptism:

Passage Greek Construction

Matthew 3:11 (see the parallel passages in mark 1:8, Luke 3;16, John 1:33)

He (Christ – the agent) will (future) baptize you with (in; by the means of) the Holy Spirit (the means)

Acts 1:5 You will be (still future) baptized (by Christ - the agent Matthew 3:11) with (in; by the means of) the Holy Spirit (the means)

Acts 11:16 You will (future tense, but Peter is referring to a past prediction which is now

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fulfilled – Acts 11:15: “at the beginning”) be baptized (by Christ – the agent Matthew 3:11) with (in; by the means of) the Holy Spirit (the means)

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by (with; by the means of) one Spirit (the means) we were (past tense) all (not some) baptized (by Christ – the agent Matthew 3:11) into one body (the body of Christ, the church)

WHEN DID THE CHURCH BEGIN?

Because of the confusing answers to this question, we have to briefly deal with the issue of when the church began. It is by the means of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that the Lord Jesus Christ is building His church, the Body of Christ.

Walvoord writes in The Church in Prophecy, p.22:

On the Day of Pentecost, the prophecy of Christ that they would be baptized by the Spirit “not many days hence” (Acts 1:5) was fulfilled and with this the New Testament church formally began. The apostle Peter later referred to this as “at the beginning” (Acts 11:15), when the Lord’s prophecy of the baptism of the Spirit was fulfilled (Acts 11:16). Not only were they baptized with the Spirit, but as Acts 2:4 testified, ‘They were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” With the advent of the Spirit, three thousand souls were added (Acts 2:41), and the body of believers from then on was characterized as the church.”

It is especially critical to note that the Acts 1:5 passage states the baptism would be “not many days from now.” What came within a few days? Pentecost!

“Pentecost represents an unrepeated and unrepeatable event” (Merrill Unger, The baptism and Gifts of the holy Spirit, p.62).

Acts 5:14 the NASB is not as clear as the NKJV and the Amplified that the believers were added to the Lord – this is the baptism by the means of the Holy Spirit:

Acts 5:14 (NKJV) And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Acts 5:14 (AMP) More and more there were being added to the Lord those who believed [those who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him joined and gathered with them], crowds both of men and of women,

Consider the following:

Titus 3:5-6

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The pouring out of the Holy Spirit is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that happens at the moment eternal life is received by faith alone. The “washing of regeneration” is the new birth or the reception of the new nature which is your eternal life. The “renewing by the Holy Spirit” is the power for daily living into spiritual growth and Christlikeness (spiritual advancement from babyhood to maturity). The Holy Spirit is called the “helper” for our spiritual life (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; Romans 8:26; 1 John 2:1 where He is called our “advocate” when believers sin.)

This is again seen in John:

John 7:38-39

Jesus’ glorification was His ascension to the father’s House or the third heaven. A few days later, on Pentecost, the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49 and Acts 2:4) was given – the Holy Spirit now indwelt the believer (John 14:17)

This baptism by the means of the Holy Spirit and the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit was never a part of the life of any believer before, Jewish or otherwise. When did this happen? The Day of Pentecost – the initial event that formed the one and only church!

The following is from the article “When Did the Church Begin” by George Zeller found at www.middletownbiblecnurch.org):

Pentecost is a day that is especially marked out because Peter refers to it as “the beginning” (Acts 11:15). This is highly significant. Pentecost, according to Peter, was the beginning of something. No other day in the book of Acts is referred to “the beginning” except Pentecost. What began on this day? What first happened on this day? According to Acts 11;15, Pentecost is the day when the Holy Spirit first came (the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning”). According to Acts 11:16, Pentecost was the day when Spirit baptism first took place. Spirit baptism is that unique work of God whereby believers are baptized or placed into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Since Spirit baptism first began on the day of Pentecost, then this must be the day when the body of Christ, the church, was formed.

This church, which included Jews and Gentile proselytes (but they were still of Gentile origin, not Jewish linage) (Acts 2:10) formed at this day is the same church, formed by the same baptism by the means of the Holy Spirit that exists today. It is not some other church before the church of today – the baptism is identical.

Ephesians 4:4-6

How many bodies (of Christ) are there? ________, not two or more. The “one baptism,” as we have seen, forms “one body.” There are not two or more baptisms and there are not two or more church bodies – only one which began at Pentecost which consists of both Jew and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ.

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What are the various opinions about when the church began and what do we watch for to avoid doctrinal confusion? If a person is wrong in this area it can – and often does – result in confusion in other areas of doctrine.

Reformed / Covenant Theology: the church is made up of all of God’s people through all the ages. Some in this camp would say the church began with Israel. All of these believe that Israel was replaced by the Church in the plan of God and that Israel has no literal promises that will yet be fulfilled in the future. Presbyterian Churches, Reformed Churches, Christian Church, are the main names associated with this theology.Landmarkism (some Baptists). They are known as “Landmarkers” or the “Baptist Bride”. Sometimes they choose to call themselves Historic Baptists. Sometimes they are referred to as Missionary Baptists. Today the largest group is known as the American Baptist Association (not the American Baptist Convention): they believe the church began with John the Baptist.

Some claim the church began with the apostles during Christ’s ministry on earth.

Ultra-dispensationalists (also called “Hyper-Dispensationalism” or “Bullingerism.”): the church began with the special revelation of the “mystery of the church” and the “gospel of grace” to the Apostle Paul. These place the start of the church at Acts 28. What happened at Pentecost was only a Jewish church that was replaced by a predominantly Gentile church under the ministry of Paul. They believe that the spirit baptism at Pentecost (by Christ) is different from the spirit baptism (by the Holy Spirit as the agent) of the believer today. These reject both believer’s water baptism and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and do not believe the Great Commission is for today. They also believe that Israel not the Church is the bride of Christ.

Mid-Acts dispensationalists: (“O’Hairites”) the church began in either Acts 9 or13 or somewhere between these chapters. These believe the same thing as the Ultra-dispensationalists about Pentecost and the two spirit baptisms. The result of these last two belief systems is that the four Gospels, Hebrews, and other books do not apply to the Church today. They basically, with some variation, only accept the thirteen books of Romans through Philemon as being written to the church of today. These also state that there are two different gospels (some say there are four different “gospels”!) of salvation: one for Jewish people (the Gospel of the Kingdom) and one for the Gentiles (the gospel of grace). These reject believer’s water baptism but celebrate the Lord’s Supper and do not believe the Great Commission is for today. They also believe that Israel not the Church is the Bride of Christ. The group names associated with this approach are: Grace Mission, Grace Gospel Fellowship, and the Berean Bible Society. They publish The Berean Searchlight and Truth magazines.

Just to clarify: Dispensationalism rejects both of the last two improper variations of dispensational understanding. These are to be rejected “strictly on biblical evidence, for this is the evidence on which any school of thought ought to be judged. And on this basis ultradispensationalism is rejected” (Charles Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, p.204). Ryrie includes with this the stance of the Mid-Acts dispensationalists.

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On the authority of Scripture let me state this without hesitation: all of the above are incorrect and mishandle the Scriptures even if they seem to be very expert at Bible exposition. Sometimes they move around Scripture so much that it seems as if they are adept at handling the Scripture yet in reality they are picking and choosing Scriptures without proper context and thus make it not only hard to follow but making themselves seem skillful. While many of these may have many things wherein they are correct in their doctrine, in this area they are incorrect and often it does lead to other false teaching.

We cannot take time to deal in detail with each wrong position in this study because our focus is on the Pentecostal / Charismatic misunderstanding of the events on the Day of Pentecost, especially their understanding of the continuing use of “tongues” in the church today. Some aspects of these erroneous positions will be covered as we go.

THE CHURCH IS EXPANDED BY THE MEANS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Jews were used to being the special people of God. But the church was not just a Jewish group – it was to include from all the nations of the world (Matthew 28:19). All ethnicities are to be united together in one church – remember 1 Corinthians 12:13: “all”! Piece by piece God demonstrated this to the Jews.

David W. Cloud writes:

Though Pentecost was never repeated, the reception of the Holy Spirit was in three parts in the book of Acts: for the Jews (Acts 2), for the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17), for the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-47). The special coming of the Holy Spirit beyond the day of Pentecost upon the Samaritans and the Gentiles was to demonstrate to the Jews that God was doing a new thing and was creating a spiritual entity composed of Jews and Gentiles.

(The Pentecostal-Charismatic Movements: The History and Error, p.241)

The Samaritans: Acts 8:4-8, 14-17, 25

Since the Samaritans were considered no more than “half-Jews” and they practiced what in reality was a paganized form of the Jewish religion, they were despised. You can read the story about how the Samaritans came to be in 2 Kings 17:5-6, 24-29.

The result of this animosity is that the Jews would have nothing to do with the Samaritans:

John 4:9, 8:48

Of course, the Samaritans didn’t care for the Jews either!

Four things were accomplished by this reception of the Holy Spirit by the Samaritans at a time after they had believed:

1. It demonstrated to the Jews that God loved those whom they had hated

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2. It demonstrated that these people were equal to the Jews in the new entity of the Church

3. It demonstrated to the Samaritans that salvation came form the Jews through the Jewish Messiah and not from their religion – the Holy Spirit was received by them through the ministry of Jewish Apostles, the leaders of the Church.

4. It demonstrated to the Samaritans that they had to submit to the authority of the Apostles as the leaders of the Church

NOTICE: there is no mention of any tongues being spoken here; probably there was as the text says in v.18 that the man Simon “saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money.” It seems probable that this “seeing” was the spontaneous speaking of human languages or “tongues.”

NOTICE: just because there was a delay in their reception of the Holy Spirit does not set a pattern for the entire Church Age. This event accomplished some specific purposes in the historical plan of God for the Church.

NOTICE: Jews were present at this event

NOTICE: the apostles laid hands on them (a revolting act to both groups!)

NOTICE: there was a delay between belief Jesus and the reception of the Holy Spirit

The Gentiles: Acts 10

The Gentiles were despised by the Jews at least as much, if not more, than the Samaritans although they did not avoid them like the Samaritans.

Throughout Acts 10 God is demonstrating the Peter, the Jew, that the Jewish dispensation with all it s laws and regulations was over. God was doing something new and different and it had to be accepted by the Jewish Church leaders. Acts 10 shows how the Gentile is to be included as an equal partner with the Jews in the Church God is building.

Look at how Peter resists this in verses 9-15! “Not so, Lord!”

Now observe verses 44-47and 11:16-18. It was the sign of tongues that convinced these doubting Jews that God had included the Gentiles in the Body of Christ, the Church.

NOTICE: Jews were present

NOTICE: Peter connects this event with the Day of Pentecost

NOTICE: This also has a specific purpose which is seen in the response of both Peter and the other Jews; this historical event does not set a pattern for the Church today.

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NOTICE: there was no laying on of hands

NOTICE: there was no delay from the moment of belief to the reception of the Holy Spirit

NOTICE: “tongues” (human languages) are spoken

This three-fold coming together of representative of the entire world fulfilled in the same specific order what Christ said:

Acts 1:8 (NASB) but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles – all were now a part of the Body of Christ on an equal footing without any ethnic superiority or divisions. So the Church remains today. Remember our mentioning of Peter and the keys of the Kingdom in Matthew 16:19?

Matthew 16:19 (NASB) "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."

Peter had been present at the entrance of all three groups into the Church.

Where does Acts 19:1-7 fit in?

The disciples of John at Ephesus and the Apostle Paul

This is the last occasion of speaking in tongues in Acts and the last place where a delay in the reception of the Holy Spirit is seen.

The Baptism of John was a call for people to change the way they were thinking and to publically identify with the coming Messiah – the One whom John the Baptist later pointed to as the Messiah, the Lamb of God. This was Jesus Christ. It is very possible that these men had been not baptized by John the Baptist himself but rather by one of

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