CHAPTER XX
SALVATION, SPIRIT AND TONGUES
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ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY DISCIPLES
RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF TONGUES.
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IS THE "INITIAL EVIDENCE" TEACHING REALLY NECESSARY TO PRESERVE
PENTECOSTAL REVIVAL?
AREN'T "TONGUES" JUST ANOTHER GIFT?
ARE OUR OPPONENTS CORRECT WHEN THEY SAY "EVIDENTIAL TONGUES"
WAS NOT TAUGHT BY PAUL?
IMPORTANCE OF THE SIGN //
HISTORICAL LESSONS // FIGHTING
GOD // "EVIDENTIAL TONGUES"
DISCOVERED // SPIRITUAL
EXPERIMENT PROVES THE TRUTH // LATTER RAIN
// ON TO AZUSA STREET // THE
COMPELLING EVIDENCE // HAVE TONGUES CEASED?
// REVIEWING THE BIBLE RECORD
// JERUSALEM -- ACTS 2:1-4 // SAMARIA
-- ACTS 8:14-21 // TESTIMONY TO SAMARITAN
TONGUES // MATTHEW HENRY // ADAM
CLARKE -- METHODIST // THOMAS SCOTT -- EPISCOPALIAN
// JOSEPH BENSON -- METHODIST // PHILLIP
SCHAFF -- REFORMED // LUTHERAN COMMENTARY
// ALBERT BARNES -- PRESBYTERIAN
// WILLIAM ROBERSTON // THE
EXPOSITORS GREEK NEW TESTAMENT // CAESAREA
// EPHESUS // DAMASCUS //
SUMMARY
IMPORTANCE OF THE "SIGN"
In his appendix A, "Salvation, the Spirit and Tongues," Dr. Boyd launches
his attack against the Pentecostal belief of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost
with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. In this section
he alienates himself not only from Oneness believers, but from Trinitarian
Pentecostals as well. For it is the common distinctive of all
Pentecostals, including the Assemblies of God, Church of God, Church of
God in Christ, Pentecostal Holiness Church etc., that the Baptism of believers
in the Holy Spirit is uniformly attested to by an utterance in tongues.
Donald Gee, the well known Bible scholar of the British Assemblies of God,
well remarked that it was the linking together of tongues with the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit which ignited the great worldwide Pentecostal
revival of Holy Ghost power. A revival that is still sweeping all
continents and gathering millions into its fold. Wherever tongues
are taught as something less than the initial evidence, the revival ceases
altogether, or becomes distorted. Without this "gateway" gift of
tongues functioning as a "sign" all other gifts eventually disappear, and
the church returns to sterility and coldness. Wherever this "sign"
is acknowledged and taught as the evidence of the Spirit's personal Baptism,
the revival continues and expands.
HISTORICAL LESSONS
History is filled with movements and revivals of spiritual gifts that "dead-ended"
because this vital link was not preached. The Camisards of France,
the Irvingites of England, the Methodists of America are all prime examples.
Without the Bible standard, eventually anything starts to "pass" as a "true
Baptism," and soon the whole thing dies out. On the other hand, when
"tongues" are taught to be a gift not for every baptized believer, but
just for a select few, an elite class develops who have this "exclusive
treasure" and the revival becomes distorted and fanaticism creeps in.
This happened among the Irvingites in England during the last century.
The health and vigor of the Pentecostal Movement, and its permanence, is
due to its refusal to abandon this scriptural standard.
FIGHTING GOD
In fighting the teaching Dr. Boyd is going for the very heart of the entire
Pentecostal Movement. He would like to single-handedly turn this
revival back. In this attempt, which is expressly doomed to failure,
he not only takes on the entire Pentecostal Movement, but God Himself,
as is found in the unenviable position of "resisting the Holy Ghost" and
"fighting against God."
"EVIDENTIAL TONGUES" DISCOVERED
The belief in "evidential tongues" came by way of direct revelation from
God, based on a careful survey of all Scriptures pertaining to it.
This first, of several revelations God gave to restore His church, occurred
in the year 1900 in Topeka, Kansas.
It was in that year that Charles Parham opened up a "faith" Bible School
for people of all denominations who wished to study the Word. No
tuition was charged. The students depended upon God to supply their
needs. A mansion was rented in Topeka which was known locally as
"Stone's Folley." Due to the fact that Mr.. Stone "had not counted
the cost" before building, he was forced to leave his dream house unfinished.
One of the house's turrets was used as a "prayer tower" by the students.
This would become the second "Upper Room" in Church history.
Shortly before Christmas, the dean of the school, Rev. Parham, announced
that he was leaving on a short trip for the holidays, but he wished to
leave the students with an assignment. They were to search their
bibles and see if they could determine from scripture what was the true
and consistent evidence that a person had been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
A great searching of scriptures got under way, as the students combed through
their Bibles to find what was the sign or evidence of true Spirit Baptism.
When Parham returned he summoned the students together and asked for the
results of their research. With unanimous agreement they declared
that in the Book of Acts the consistent and irrefutable evidence of Spirit
baptism was the "speaking in unknown tongues." This was the evidence,
they declared, in "Bible days." But would it still be the evidence
for today? This they would soon find out.
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BETHEL BIBLE COLLEGE IN TOPEKA, KANSAS, WAS THE LOCATION
GOD CHOSE TO POUR OUT THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH "SIGNS FOLLOWING" IN EARLY 1901.
THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE PREDICTED LATTER RAIN.
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SPIRITUAL EXPERIMENT PROVES
THE TRUTH
On the New Years Watch Night Service, as the hour grew late, a sister Agnes
Ozman requested that hands be laid on her to receive the Baptism of the
Holy Ghost. This event occurred as the old 19th Century was departing
and the 20th Century was dawning. As soon as hands were laid on her
she began to fell the 'rivers of living water" flowing through her.
Immediately, she began to speak voluminously in other tongues. She
spoke in one language and then changed to another. So it went on
to the amazement of those present. She not only spoke in several
languages, she also wrote them down. This was subsequently analyzed
and proved authentic. Sister Ozman thereby became the first person
in the 20th Century to seek the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and receive it
with Bible evidence of unknown tongues. (Soon millions would follow
her into this experience). She was living proof that the same evidence
they had discovered in Acts was still operative. Soon others began
to seek and receive, including Rev. Parham. the appearance of flames
of fire over the heads of some students was also observed by more than
one reputable witness. This was a second Pentecost.
LATTER RAIN
The Bible, in James 5:7, speaks of an "early" and "latter" rain of
Holy Spirit power. This is drawn by analogy from the Palestinian
weather pattern. The purpose of the Latter Rain was to prepare the
grain for harvest; whereas the early rain was to establish the seed.
Between these two Rains occurred the dry season. The counterpart
in the spiritual realm is evident. The outpouring of the Hoy Ghost
in Apostolic times was the Early Rain, and it established and watered the
seed of Christianity. Then came the long dry spell of the Dark Ages,
when spiritual vitality was sapped and many false teachings crept in.
Then, starting in 1900, came the Latter Rain, a new and glorious outpouring
of the Holy Spirit to prepare the Church for the Harvest at the coming
of the Lord (Rev. 14:15). Joel also mentioned this great "outpouring
of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh" which was to occur before the "great
and notable day of the Lord come" (Acts 2:16-20).
ON TO AZUSA STREET
From the Topeka the revival spread to Houston and then on to Los Angeles,
where it received its greatest thrust. William Seymour, and African-American
preacher, brought this truth to the "City of the Angels" in the year
1901. He began meetings in a small cottage on Bonnie Brae Street.
After one powerful service in which the house slid off its moorings, they
decided to rent an old abandoned warehouse at 312 Azusa Street. In
this humble setting the Holy Spirit moved in the most amazing fashion.
The whole city was stirred. People came here not only from America,
but from all over the world. When it was "noised abroad" what was
happening at Azusa Street, missionaries, pastors, evangelists, and others
"packed up" and went to see for themselves. They promptly "received"
and went back to their respective fields of labour to spread the message.
Thus was birthed the great worldwide Pentecostal revival.
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FROM THIS HUMBLE BUILDING, AT 312 AZUSA STREET, LOS ANGELES,
A GREAT PENTECOSTAL REVIVAL SPREAD TO ALL THE WORLD IN THE EARLY TWENTIETH
CENTURY.
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THE COMPELLING EVIDENCE
What was the compelling evidence those Topeka Bible Students discovered
in Acts that forced them to conclude that "tongues" was the universal sign
of Spirit Baptism? A conclusion that caused them much persecution
and ostracism, but one which they never retracted?
Actually, as Carl Brumback has remarked, the evidence for tongues as
the sign is so overwhelming in Acts, that it would almost take a special
revelation to miss it!
In every case, without exception, when someone was baptized in the Holy
Spirit the Bible record indicated they spoke in tongues. There
are no exceptions! This is the uniform pattern. Are we
then being so "radical" if we insist on the same Biblical evidence for
today? If in every Bible case of water baptism, water is used, is
it "radical" to insist that water be used today? If in every case
of holy communion, bread and the fruit of the vine are used, is it so "radical"
to insist on those same elements today? The answer is apparent.
So if tongues are always the accompaniment of Spirit baptism, is it so
"radical" to insist on the same sign today?
HAVE TONGUES CEASED?
Men will go to any lengths to avoid this teaching, but in the end the record
stands. The old cavil that "tongues have ceased" has been exposed
over and over again. The Bible does not say "tongues have ceased,"
but rather says tongues "shall cease" (1 Cor. 13:8), future tense.
And it also tells us when this cessation shall occur; when that which is
"perfect" arrives and we see Christ "face to face" the Judge of all, and
our spirits are made "perfect" or complete, through resurrection.
Far from eliminating tongues, this verse guarantees them right up to the
resurrection! No wonder Paul could say that the church should
"come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:7).
REVIEWING THE BIBLE RECORD
Let us now consider each case individually in the Book of Acts.
JERUSALEM -- ACTS 2:1-4
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. " (Acts 2:4).
This is the initial outpouring on the day of Pentecost and they "all spoke."
Peter promised the same experience to all believers worldwide and though
generations in Acts 2:39.
SAMARIA -- ACTS 8:14-21
The next case is that of the Samaritans. It has been argued that
they did not speak in tongues. But the Bible record will indicate
they did. There was a great city wide revival under Phillip
in which many were converted and baptized in Jesus Name (Acts 8:5-8).
Many signs and wonders occurred in that revival (Acts 8:13). But
the new converts had not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost yet, and
this necessitated the Apostles making a special visit to Samaria.
When they arrived, they "prayed for them that they might receive the Holy
Ghost: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized
in the Name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:14-16). The first thing that
strikes us is, how did Phillip and the Apostles know they had not
received the Spirit? What evidence was lacking in their experience?
They had repented, they had joy, many were healed and delivered from demons.
What was the one missing element that tipped everyone off that the Holy
Ghost had not yet fallen?" If Phillip had been like most modern day
pastors he would have sent the Apostles packing back to Jerusalem, telling
them not to bother his "members," they already had the Spirit Baptism
in a quiet unobservable way, and didn't need any "signs" to prove it.
But there was a sign that Phillip and the Apostles were expecting:
"Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy
Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power,
that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost" (Acts
8:17-19). Simon, who was a practitioner of magic, saw something
amazing occur the minute the Apostles laid hands on the believers.
It was a sign so unique and unusual, something he had never seen before,
that he blasphemously attempted to buy this power from the Apostles so
he could duplicate the same sign through the laying on of his hands.
What was it he saw, if it was not the miracle of tongues? Remember,
Simon had already witnesses healings, exorcisms and many other "miracles
and signs" in the revival prior to this incident (Acts 8:7-9, 13).
He never offered money before for any of those things. This, however,
was something new; something which had not yet occurred in the revival.
It was the absence of that same element that prompted the Apostles
earlier to conclude the Samaritans had not yet received the Spirit Baptism.
What was this element? It was the sign of tongues.
The response of Peter to his impious offer was:
Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift
of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this
matter...
(Acts 8:20-21),
The Greek word for "matter" is "word" or "speech". This indicates
that the miracle Simon saw was "vocal," for he had no part in that "speech."
TESTIMONY TO SAMARITAN TONGUES
That tongues were the outward sign that Simon saw is the universal conclusion
of every major commentator and Bible scholar through centuries. Here
are their comments on the Samaritan reception.
MATTHEW HENRY
Commenting on the Samaritans before the Apostles arrived:
"They were none of them endued with the gift of tongues, then to have
been the most usual, immediate effect of the pouring our of the Spirit...
This was both an eminent sign to them that believed not, and of excellent
service to them that did..."
ADAM CLARKE -- METHODIST
"It was the miraculous gifts of the Spirit which were thus communicated
-- the speaking with different tongues..."
THOMAS SCOTT -- EPISCOPALIAN
Commenting on Simon's perverse desire to purchase the power of laying on
of hands:
"This he supposed would admirably serve his purpose.. enabling men
at his own will to speak foreign languages."
JOSEPH BENSON -- METHODIST
"These new converts spoke with tongues and performed other extraordinary
works."
PHILLIP SCHAFF -- REFORMED
"Outward miraculous gifts of some kind or other were plainly bestowed."
LUTHERAN COMMENTARY
"When Simon had seen the effects of the communication of the Holy Ghost,
speaking with tongues, and like."
ALBERT BARNES -- PRESBYTERIAN
"The phrase, 'Gift of the Holy Ghost...' signified not merely his ordinary
influence in converting sinners, but... the power of speaking in tongues."
WILLIAM ROBERTSON
"That prayer was answered by an outpouring of the Spirit, accompanied
by some of the manifestations which marked his coming at Pentecost."
THE EXPOSITORS GREEK NEW
TESTAMENT
Dr. Hort, who holds that the reception of the Holy Spirit is here explained
as in Acts 10:44 by reference to the manifestation of the gifts of tongues.
Thus we see from the context of Acts 8, Simon "saw" which so fascinated
him, something he had not seen previously, must have been the sign of tongues.
With this conclusion agree commentators and scholars from all denominations,
the original Greek of the passage, logical deduction, and comparative incidents
in Acts. If it wasn't tongues, what was it?
CAESAREA
In Acts the 10th Chapter is the conversion of the first Gentile believers,
Cornelius and his household. While Peter was preaching to them, "the
Holy Ghost fell on all them who heard the word" (Acts 10:44). The
Jews who accompanied Peter, though they opposed Gentile admission to the
church, could not deny that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost "for
they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God" (Acts 10:46).
It is apparent from this statement that tongues were recognized as the
indisputable sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism in Apostolic times -- a sign
which even those prejudiced Jews did not dare gainsay.
EPHESUS
In Acts 19, Paul met certain disciples of John the Baptist. After
updating them on the good news about Jesus Christ, whom John had foretold,
he re-baptized them in Jesus Name and "when Paul had laid his hands upon
them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied"
(Acts 19:6). This is almost 25 years after the day of Pentecost and
the same sign of tongues is being manifested when Spirit Baptism is bestowed.
It is mentioned in an almost casual way, thus indicating that this was
a normal and regular accompaniment, though supernatural in nature.
DAMASCUS
The conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus culminated in his reception
of the Holy Spirit Baptism at the house of Judas on Straight Street in
Damascus. Ananias, instructed by God, entered the house and putting
his hands on him said:
Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in
the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight,
and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
(Acts 9:17).
The narrative records Paul's healing and Baptism in water, but no further
information about his baptism of the Holy Ghost. Do we have any proof
he spoke in tongues? Yes. His own statement (if that will satisfy
our critics!). In 1 Cor 14:18 he says "I thank my God, I speak
with tongues more than ye all." When would he have begun the
exercise of this spiritual manifestation? At his Spirit Baptism,
just like everyone else we have observed in Acts. To argue otherwise
is a quibble and a delaying tactic. Paul received the Baptism of
the Spirit (Acts 9:17), and spoke with tongues (1 Cor 14:18). What
more needs to be said? This case again supports the principle
that all who are baptized in the Holy Spirit will speak in Tongues.
SUMMARY
These are the five recorded cases of persons actually receiving the Baptism
of the Holy Ghost in the New Testament Church. There are no other
cases recorded -- these are all! We will learn from these, or
not at all. There are no others to which we can appeal. The
Law of Moses only required two or three witnesses to establish a fact.
Here we have five. What do we learn from these "on the scene reports"
of Spirit Baptism? The recipients varied: Jews, Samaritans,
Gentiles. the locations varied: Jerusalem, Ephesus, Ceasarea,
Samaria, Damascus. The preachers varied: Peter, Phillip, Paul,
Ananias. The numbers varied: one hundred twenty, twelve, one.
Relation to water baptism varied: sometimes before, sometimes after
water baptism. Even the years varied: 33 A.D. to 56 A.D.
But one thing never varied, no, not in one case, for they all spoke
with tongues! Tongues is the one consistent thread weaving them
all together. There are no exceptions to this rule, no matter what
else may have varied in God's providence, all received and all spoke.
If one wishes to conform to a New Testament experience of Spirit Baptism,
he cannot do it without the sign of tongues. No wonder St. Chrysostom,
a favorite Catholic Church Father of Neo-Trinitarians, concluded:
"Whoever was baptized in Apostolic days, he straightway spoke with
tongues; they at once received the Spirit, not that they saw the Spirit,
for he is invisible, but God's grace bestowed some sensible proof of his
enemy. It thus made manifest to them that they were without that
it was the Spirit in the very person speaking."
Enemies of tongues as the Bible evidence, often argue that "tongues were
used to preach the Gospel to foreign nations." They say they are
not needed today because we have radio, T.V., and modern translations.
This argument is completely without biblical support. Not once were
tongues used to "preach" the Gospel. At Pentecost, Peter preached
to the crowd in their standard Aramaic language. The tongues the
multitude heard on that day only announced "the wonderful works of God"
(Acts 2:11). Salvation was preached by Peter after the tongues ceased
(Acts 2:14). The Samaritans spoke in tongues when Peter and John
laid hands on them. Were these Samaritans preaching the Gospel to
the Apostles Peter and John? The idea is ridiculous. Cornelius
and family spoke with tongues "while Peter yet spoke." Was the ignorant
Roman Cornelius preaching the Gospel to Apostle Peter? Of course
not! Paul laid hands on the Ephesians in Acts 19 and they "spake
with tongues and prophesied." Were these Ephesians preaching salvation
to Paul? Just to state it reveals the folly of such a notion.
There is not one single case in the entire New Testament that shows anyone
preaching the gospel "in tongues" to sinners. In fact, Paul says
just the opposite!
For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto
men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit
he speaketh mysteries.
(1 Cor. 14:2)
The Bible says that tongue speaking is not for the purpose of "speaking
to men," and the excuse-making preachers say it is! Who shall
we believe?
It is also argued that seeing we now have the Bible, gifts like tongues
or prophecy are no longer needed. The implication being that the
early church received doctrinal instruction through "tongues" because there
was no Bible. This idea is also ludicrous. The early Church
never received doctrine through "tongues." That was not the purpose
of the gift of tongues or prophecy -- then or now. These vocal gifts
were for "praying" (1 Cor. 14:14-15), "singing" (1 Cor 14:15), "blessing"
(1 Cor 14:16), edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor 14:3).
Any teaching of doctrine was done by the Apostles, in the natural language,
not tongues (1 Cor 14:19). Any "revelation" (1 Cor 14:6) given by
prophecy or tongues was of a local, personal, and nondoctrinal nature.
Paul was given a prophecy of his forthcoming imprisonment (Acts 21:10),
believers were warned of a coming famine (Acts 11:28), two brethren were
set aside for missionary work (Acts 13:2). No New Testament doctrinal
truth was ever brought forth by tongues or prophecy. It was not the
purpose of these gifts. They were not substitutes for the Bible!
Well, we are asked, without a complete New Testament in written form, how
were the early Christians guided in doctrinal truth? Not by tongues!
They had the living Apostles themselves. Paul and Peter and James
and all the other Apostles were the official teachers of New Testament
Truth, and remained so until the New Testament was complete.
Christ prayed concerning his Apostles:
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word
(John 17:20).
And this is because Christ "had given commandments unto the Apostles
whom he had chosen" (Acts 1:2). The Bible did not replace tongues,
because tongues were never a substitute for the Bible.
