Expert: Scott Talbot - 7/8/2011

Question
Scott,
Hi! I am sorry to bother you again but I have 4 more important questions. As you probably can expect, I have been vigorously studying this Pentecostal movement and the history of it, and I tell you that I am scared for what passed as Christianity now. As I read new information every day, it is absolutely gross and chilling what I read about the history of Pentecostalism and those leaders who started the movement. Anyway, I have asked the Lord to forgive me for my association with Pentecostalism. I tell you that I have never been so convicted by the Holy Spirit in my entire life. So I don't want to take up your time, but if you don't mind can you graciously help me with 3 more questions and notably point me to Scriptures for references? Thank you. Here we go!
1. Charles Parham, the initiator and 1 of the leaders of the Pentecostal movement taught his students that baptism of the Holy Spirit is always evidenced by the speaking in tongues. Of course he cited the 3 examples in the book of Acts.
Aren't believers baptized by the Holy Spirit at conversion into the body of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13 and Ephesians 1: 13-14? I mean, that's what I can see from Scriptures..... I know that I can also conclude that the devil worked through this man to manipulate the Scriptures to his so called Bible 'scholars', so how else can I refute this concept that he taught; that the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is evidenced by the speaking in tongues?
2a)I have been taught ever since I was a young girl that I should ardently seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Again, when and how does the believer know that they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit (please support your answer with Scriptures so that I can write down as references). 2b) And if it is a gift, why should I then seek it???
3. In Acts 2: 38 (Satan's favorite Scripture), Peter tells them: 'and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' Now this idiot Charles Parham taught his students that they should ponder what the gift was, and that it had to be the gift of tongues. But elsewhere in Acts 8, that Simon sorcerer is rebuked by Peter because he wanted to buy the power of receiving the Holy Spirit by laying of his hands on others. Peter rebukes him stating that he cannot buy the gift of God with money. Okay, so is what these Pentecostals regarding as the gift of the Spirit (speaking in tongues) actually really a misinterpretation of Scriptures? After reading what Peter says to the Simon sorcerer in Acts 8 shouldn't it become evident that the gift of the Holy Spirit is actually GIVEN UPON SALVATION?
4.Sorry! Last but not least this same idiot asked his students to question what was the evidence that the early church had received the Holy Spirit. So what was the evidence that the early church received as a result of receiving the Spirit???? How can we compare that evidence that Parham was seeking, and told his supposed Bible 'scholars' to seek to the fruits of the Spirit as listed/outlined in Galatians.
I really need to refute these facts because my mom is a Pentecostal, as well as my sisters, and they are like the worst Christians that you can ever imagine (they are arrogant and have bad attitudes, and speaking of it, they do not have the fruits of the Spirit). I love to give presentations, so maybe I can use this to get them out of this movement as soon as possible. My conclusion is that Pentecostalism is nothing but the devil's scheme to infiltrate the church, to sidetrack believers, counteract the beliefs of undiscerning and unsuspecting Christians, AND prevent unbelievers from coming to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wouldn't/don't you agree?
Well, I am sorry for all of the questions and thank you again for your time.
Sincerely in Christ, Gabrielle
P.S. you know what Scott? This relieves me a lot, studying the history of Pentecostalism because I always wanted and prayed for a husband who was raised under or was a member of the Assemblies of God and now that I have learned that they were affiliated with the origins of the Pentecostal movement, I have completely changed my mind. Not to marriage, but to the type of individual who I want to marry. I will just humble myself and ask God to give me a man after his own heart, and who He knows shares the same beliefs that I do (and that is, that I am now no longer a Pentecostal!)AMEN!

Answer
Hi Gabrielle,

I would be happy to help you with these questions. Let's take a look:


Q:  1. Charles Parham, the initiator and 1 of the leaders of the Pentecostal movement taught his students that baptism of the Holy Spirit is always evidenced by the speaking in tongues. Of course he cited the 3 examples in the book of Acts.
Aren't believers baptized by the Holy Spirit at conversion into the body of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 12: 12-13 and Ephesians 1: 13-14? I mean, that's what I can see from Scriptures..... I know that I can also conclude that the devil worked through this man to manipulate the Scriptures to his so called Bible 'scholars', so how else can I refute this concept that he taught; that the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is evidenced by the speaking in tongues?

A:  Yes, believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion. Again, one must understand the purpose of tongues. As with any other miracle, it was a sign from God to authenticate His message at a time when new revelation was being given. Tongues are no longer needed today. Furthermore, nowhere in the Bible does Christ or any of the apostles instruct one to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or to speak in tongues.



Q:  2a)I have been taught ever since I was a young girl that I should ardently seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Again, when and how does the believer know that they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit (please support your answer with Scriptures so that I can write down as references).

A:  The Bible nowhere instructs the believer to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Rather, the Holy Spirit is given at the time of conversion in this dispensation. (See link at the end for further study.)



Q:  2b) And if it is a gift, why should I then seek it???

A:  Exactly right. In addition, why does one need a sign when the Bible clearly tells us that one has already received the Holy Spirit at conversion?



Q:  3. In Acts 2: 38 (Satan's favorite Scripture), Peter tells them: 'and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' Now this idiot Charles Parham taught his students that they should ponder what the gift was, and that it had to be the gift of tongues. But elsewhere in Acts 8, that Simon sorcerer is rebuked by Peter because he wanted to buy the power of receiving the Holy Spirit by laying of his hands on others. Peter rebukes him stating that he cannot buy the gift of God with money. Okay, so is what these Pentecostals regarding as the gift of the Spirit (speaking in tongues) actually really a misinterpretation of Scriptures? After reading what Peter says to the Simon sorcerer in Acts 8 shouldn't it become evident that the gift of the Holy Spirit is actually GIVEN UPON SALVATION?

A:  The gift of the Holy Spirit is THE HOLY SPIRIT. That's like saying "a gift of flowers." The flowers ARE the gift.



Q:  4.Sorry! Last but not least this same idiot asked his students to question what was the evidence that the early church had received the Holy Spirit. So what was the evidence that the early church received as a result of receiving the Spirit???? How can we compare that evidence that Parham was seeking, and told his supposed Bible 'scholars' to seek to the fruits of the Spirit as listed/outlined in Galatians.

A:  That evidence included 1) Miraculous signs (unknown languages, interpretation of languages, tongues of fire, rushing wind) to confirm something new; and 2) The clear statements of Christ and the apostles.


I found a pretty good web site that digs into these issues more deeply. I think you may find it helpful:  http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=264

Also, if you Google REFUTE TONGUES and other applicable phrases, you will likely find other good resources online.

Scott