“Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.” [2nd Timothy 2:15] 

The first verse of prophecy mentioned by Peter in explanation of the supernatural events occurring at Pentecost 2000 years ago are found in Joel 2:23-32. This is the word of prophecy that is the basis for the “Spirit” infilling/baptizing movement doctrine on down to our time, and to the return of Jesus Christ. It is the prophecy that Jesus Christ the Lord began to fill with meaning, and it is what John 7:37-39 had in view. 

It is understood from Scripture that to be born of the Spirit/spirit is one spiritual event while being baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit by Christ is another. The truth of this statement speaks to the command of Christ to His Disciples in Acts 1 that they should wait in Jerusalem “….for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” [Acts 1:4-5] 

That one may be born again but yet not be baptized in the Holy Spirit is also understood from Acts 8:16 with Paul’s encounter with disciples in Ephesus where he asked them “…..have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” It grows apparent to the one interested enough to search the Scriptures that one may be a born–again believer and even be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and yet be without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Although the separate events may be very close in time, as seen with Cornelius and family in Acts 10:44-48. And that for at least for some decades after Pentecost, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was still occurring. That it was recognizably the same as what was experienced at Pentecost 9-10 years prior, was proclaimed by Peter and the Jews who accompanied him to Cornelius’s house (Acts 11:15).  

Now in all three of these previous examples (the Day of Pentecost, then 10 years or so later with the events at Cornelius’s house, and then about 14 years later with Paul’s encounter with the disciples at Ephesus), the Scriptures declare the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by “tongues”.  Now in these 3 cases it is evident that each time the Holy Spirit fell upon them, “tongues” was a sign that followed. But what is not clear and conclusive is that in each and every time before and after that, that all who are baptized in the Holy Spirit spoke in tongues as evidence to their infilling. 

That tongues is not the only evidence or manifestation of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is clearly understood from Paul’s teachings on this subject in 1st Corinthians chapters 12,13 &14. Additionally, tongues are not given the great preeminence or significance that the Pentecostal or Charismatic tongues movements would give it. Seemingly, it is even contrary as tongues is listed next to last on the list of manifestations of the Spirit, and listed first in being contrasted negatively to Love being the more excellent means by which the Holy Spirit is manifested in baptismal evidence of growing spirituality (read 1st Corinthians 12:27 – 13:1). Speaking in ‘tongues’ is discouraged if not forbidden as an edifying means of ministry in the Church gathering, unless accompanied by interpretation. Spiritual gifts are to be desired secondary to obediently following after the manifestation of the Spirit in love. And that since love seeketh not her own, Scripture exhorts to seek those gifts that edify, and exhort, and comfort others as opposed to seeking and speaking in tongues as it relates to Church ministry (read 1st Corinthians 14:1-5). 

Now the question becomes: Is this Baptism of the Holy Spirit for today’s believer? And if so, is it the same? That the need for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit today just as it was then is hardly deniable. As to His manifesting, there are questions. 

Cessationism verses Continuationism  

Certainly many Christians believe Scripture declares the baptism of the Holy Spirit with gifts following continues just as it did on the Day of Pentecost, and will continue until “… when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (1st Corinthians 13:10) That “…perfect…” to come is understood to mean (at the very soonest) at the Lord’s Return or (at the latest) after the Millennial Kingdom. Charismatics and Pentecostals fall under this category.  

Cessationists argue that these sign and revelatory gifts were manifested in the New Testament for a specific purpose, upon which once accomplished these signs were withdrawn and no longer function. (They have ceased.) This position is called cessationism, and is claimed by its proponents to be the almost universal position of Christians until the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement started. It was started about 200 years ago by certain reckoning and about 119 years ago by others’ reckoning. Both Penetecostal and Charismatic movements are based on a belief that these gifts are still available today (albeit most have a misplaced understanding of tongues and wrongly emphasize their place and importance among the gifts). 

Sola Scriptura (Latin: by scripture alone) is a theological doctrine held by some Christian denominations that the Christian scriptures are the sole source of authority for Christian faith and practice. Whereas Prima scriptura is the Christian doctrine that canonized scripture is “first” or “above all” other sources of divine revelation. Implicitly, this view acknowledges that, besides canonical scripture, there are other guides for what a believer should believe and how he should live. Such other guides being the created order, traditions, charismatic gifts, mystical insight, angelic visitations, conscience, common sense, the views of experts, the spirit of the times or something else. Prima scriptura suggests that ways of knowing or understanding God and His will that do not originate from canonized scripture are perhaps helpful in interpreting that scripture, but testable by the canon and correctable by it, if they seem to contradict the scriptures. The Roman Catholic Church officially regards tradition and scripture as equal, as interpreted by the Roman magisterium.  (The magisterium is the official teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church, especially as exercised by bishops or the Pope.) The Roman Catholic Church describes this as “one common source … with two distinct modes of transmission”,  while some Protestant authors call it “a dual source of revelation”. Typically, Christians have not taken the time to determine the Scriptural basis for their beliefs beyond the cursory or what they are told or are accustomed to. Especially if being regenerated (born-again) in one denominational environment, it is difficult to step back and question its doctrines especially in a Prima scriptura environment. Of course this lends itself to deception. 

So what is “tongues” from a Biblical standpoint? It is speaking in a language unknown to the speaker, the utterance being given by or through the spirit in the gift of the power of the Spirit. It is the mind of the spirit/Spirit as opposed to the mind of the intellect or body. This practice was/is prohibited in the Church setting in that it does not edify the group and may tend to confusion when the unlearned are present (1st Corinthians 14:24-28). That the speaking accompanied by the interpreting of a tongue language is permissible in a Church setting, as it would be edifying to the hearer, is put forth by Paul in 1st Corinthians 14:5. Otherwise it is stated clearly that for one to speak in an unknown tongue is to speak by the spirit to God, and to edify oneself. Most likely to be understood in the same sense that Jude encourages one so baptized to pray…. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”  [Jude verse 20] 

And it is possibly the understanding that is being conveyed by Paul in Romans 8:26…. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  

But is this Scriptural experience of the Book of Acts the same as the “Tongues Movement” or the modern–day “Charismatic Movement”, or modern–day Pentecostalism?  What are the primary beliefs of these movements? 1) that “tongues” is the only evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and is so represented in Scripture. 2) that once someone has uttered any unintelligible words they are immediately declared baptized by the Holy Spirit. But does the Word of God actually give this prominence to speaking in tongues? Does the Word of God give the prominence of “physical healing” which is also fundamental to the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements? The Modern–day Pentecostalism and Charismatic movements can be traced back to the early 1800’s to a man whose name was Edward Irving. He was a man who taught, if not introduced, the doctrine that denied the sinlessness of Jesus Christ at birth, saying He was born with a sin nature, having a carnal nature over which He overcame through His life and finished upon the Cross. 

The Call of the Lord today is to repent from the immaturity of a life centered around the gifts of the Spirit and devote oneself to loving faith in obedience to His Word. Study the Word to show yourself approved. Abandon the delusion, the spirit of darkness and blindness of the “faith movement” and the “charismatic movement” that emphasizes the gifts, especially tongues and physical healing, and return to your first love of Christ. Seek and devote yourself to His service in a conscious effort to manifest the fruits of the Spirit in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and to be conformed to His likeness as true witnesses. Consider that the all–inclusive reason for the giving of the Holy Spirit was that disciples might be qualified to be bold and effective witnesses of Jesus Christ as Lord! “Ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses.” [Acts 1:8]  This speaks to the work of the Holy Spirit upon our carnal souls as we willingly and intelligently choose to follow Christ’s moral commandments. To not be deceived by the feel–good messengers of satan, who would have us believe our righteousness (for rewards) is imputed through Christ’s Righteousness, that God wants us to be happy and blessed financially and walk in Divine health. These siren voices proclaim “fear not, doubt not, confess and believe” along with their false reasoning that “God would not let someone so sincere as you be led astray.” That the Holy Spirit’s Pentecostal Work is being done worldwide, there is no doubt. But that there are other spirits abounding the Scriptures warn us. “Beloved believe not every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” [1st John 4:1] 

Are you blinded to what is being said here? Are you rejecting it because you are thinking that “one outside the movement or experience cannot judge, as they don’t get it, because only one who has the experience would know.” Think of what is being said. This is effectively denying the possibility to prove the spirits whether they be of God unless we first “believe” them? They who have been deceived into the hyper–faith, prosperity, health, success, tongues messages find it very difficult to submit to careful examination of what they are believing, as first they consider themselves more spiritual than those who question them and secondly, it could be construed as doubting God’s Word. And so they are therefore hyper–sensitive to criticism and often easily offended and defensive. It is a spirit that fears the light in that it resents discussion and inquiry concerning itself. It is dogmatically assertive and refuses to admit possibility of error. 

Winston Churchill: “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.”