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The Apostles' Doctrine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included in this article:
• Foreword
• Bible
• God
• Father
• Son
• Holy Ghost
• Sin
• Salvation
• Water Baptism
• Mode of Baptism
• Formula for Baptism
• Baptism of Holy Ghost
• Tongues
• Holiness
• Divine Healing
• Second Coming of Christ
• Resurrection
• Judgment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these
things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with
power from on high" (Luke 24:46-49).
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved" (Acts 4:12)
"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed" (Galatians 1:9).
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone"
(Ephesians 2:20).
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no
other doctrine" (I Timothy 1:3).
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).
Foreword
This booklet is being printed and distributed with a sincere prayer that it may strengthen and establish the believer and that it
may enlighten the thousands of perplexed and bewildered souls who are earnestly seeking, amid the maze of men's
traditions to find the true doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.
With sincerity we pray that God will grant the reader grace to accept the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.
We certainly do not want to miss heaven. Let us therefore heed the prophet's words: "Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask
for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16).
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, giving a true history of the creation of heaven, earth, and humanity and containing a
correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding heaven, earth, and the destiny of humanity. Moreover, there is no salvation
outside of what is taught in its pages.
God
There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. He has revealed
Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), in the son (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (indwelling Spirit).
Father
God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity by creation.
He is the First and the Last, and beside Him there is no God (Isaiah 44:6).
There was no God formed before Him; neither shall be there any after Him (Isaiah 43:10).
Son
Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God made
flesh (John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16);He which was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty
(Revelation 1:8);the mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:7-11) and
"I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).
It took shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:22), but God the Father was a Spirit and had
no blood to shed. Thus He prepared a body of flesh and blood (Hebrews 10:5)and came to earth as a man in order to save
us, for in Isaiah 43:11 He said, "Beside me there is no Saviour." When He came in flesh the angels sang, "For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is not a third person in the Godhead, but rather the Spirit of God (the Creator), the Spirit of the resurrected
Christ. The Holy Ghost comes to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who believes and obeys the gospel, as the
comforter, Sustainer, and keeper (John 14:16-26; Romans 8:9-11).
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the law, or commandments of God (I John 3:4). The guilt of sin has fallen upon all humanity from
Adam until now (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to all those who refuse to
accept salvation as set forth in the Word of God.
Salvation
Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament
experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Water Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of entering into the
kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See
John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).
Mode of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism
(Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down
"into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39).
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death
to sin], and be baptized [burial] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost [resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2).
Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.
Formula for Baptism
The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus.
Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He said name (singular) not names. As
previously explained, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. An
angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call
his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
The apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that the church of God was
established (the Day of Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations (Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:
5) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the
kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the
Spirit of God give utterance.
It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by
the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day
of Pentecost upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46;
19:6). "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall
call" (Acts 2:39).
Tongues
Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is the manifestation God has given as the definite,
indisputable, supernatural witness or sign of the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6).
It was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah as the rest and the refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12), foretold by Jesus as a sign that
would follow believers of the gospel (Mark 16:17), and experienced by Jews and Gentiles alike.
The gift of "divers kinds of tongues," mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians 12:1-12 and concerning which he gave regulations in
I Corinthians 14:1-40, is given by both for self-edification (I Corinthians 14:4) and for the edification of the church (I
Corinthians 14:27-28).
In church meetings the gift of tongues is used to give a public message, and it is to be interpreted. Since this gift can be
misused in public, it needs proper regulation (I Corinthians 14:23-28). Not all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is
different in function from tongues given by God as the initial witness of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (I Corinthians 14:39) and "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye
all" (I Corinthians 14:8). Who dares to teach or preach to the contrary?
Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker, as the Spirit gives utterance.
Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function: (1)speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the
baptism of the Holy Ghost and (2)the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians.
Holiness
After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11).
We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12) and warned that without holiness
no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
We must present ourselves as holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II
Corinthians 7:1), and separate ourselves from all worldliness (James 4:4).
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter 4:18).
No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
Divine Healing
God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings and has made special provisions in the age of grace
to heal all who will come to Him in faith and obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ,
especially by His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).
Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick (Matthew 4:23-24), and He commanded His disciples to do the same
(Matthew 10:8). He said concerning those who believe the gospel, "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover"
(Mark 16:18). Mighty healings and miracles followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached.
There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our children, or our friends can be healed by the power of God.
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him , anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:14-16).
Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11). He will catch away a holy people (His
bride, His church) who have accepted redemption through His blood, by birth of water and of the Spirit, and who are found
faithful when He comes.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,
to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
"One shall be taken and the other left" (Luke 17:36). Will we be ready?
The signs of His coming are everywhere. The days of peril are here indeed, with forms of godliness void of the power of God;
society and politics corrupted; and people's hearts filled with pride, blasphemies, unholiness, love of evil, and love of
pleasures (II Timothy 3:1-13). These things, together with multitudes running to and fro, the increase of knowledge (Daniel 12:
4), the persecution of the Jews and their return to Palestine (Luke 21:24), and scores of other things are starting signs that
Jesus' coming is drawing near.
Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, storms, floods, distress of nations, perplexity, and people's hearts failing them
for fear are sounding the solemn alarm that Jesus' coming is at hand (Matthew 24:6; Luke 21:25-28).
"Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12).
Resurrection
There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.
"Marvel not this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that
have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-
29).
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and
hell delivered up the dead which were in them" (Revelation 20:12-13)> (See also Daniel 12:2; I Corinthians 15:13-23.)
Judgment
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this reason there will be a resurrection
for everyone. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his
body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).
The eternal destiny of every soul shall be determined by a just God who knows the secrets of everyone's heart. "And before
him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the
goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right
hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. . . .Then shall
he also say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels. . . . And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:32-34, 41,
46).
* * *
The law-the Word of God
The judge-the righteous God
To be judged-our souls
What will the sentence be?
* * *
Life's opportunities past!
Reaping day at last!
Two verdicts pend:
Life or death!
The following references show plainly that speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Holy Ghost has been given by God to
earnest, God-fearing people down through the years.
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. 3, page 2369, "Tongues, Gift of": "A phenomenon of the Apostolic
age, technically known as the 'glossolalia.' In later time analogies have been found for it in the 'speaking in tongues' of the
Camisards, Prophets of the Cevennes, Early Quakers and Methodists, 'Lasare' in Sweden (1841-1843), converts in the Irish
revival of 1859, and particularly in the Catholic Apostolic (Irvingite) Church."
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. 2, page 1119, "Irving, Edward": "In 1830 the news was spread
abroad of the strange speaking with tongues which occurred in widely separated parts of Scotland. In 1831 prophecy and
tongues appeared in Irving's church and Irving fell in with the movement, heartily convinced of its spiritual basis and divine
authority."
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. 1, page 422, "Catholic Apostolic Church": "Pious Presbyterian men
and women believed that their organs of speech were used by the Holy Spirit for the utterance of His thoughts and
attentions."
Encyclopaedia Britannica, New Werner Edition, vol. 4, page 749, "Camisards": "Speaking in tongues, accompanied by all
kinds of miracles, was common among the Camisards and Cevennes of Southern France in the 18th century. Children, under
the influence of supernatural power, spoke and prophesied in languages unknown to them."
Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, edited by James Hastings, vol. 7, page 424: "In 1831 the gift of tongues and prophecy
appeared, it was believed in answer to fervent prayer, among the members of Irving's congregation."
Butler, Christian Denominations of the World, "Edward Irving (1792-1834)": "He proclaimed his conviction that the gifts of the
Holy Ghost, such as tongues, healing, etc., were withheld only because of the want of faith, and ere long there were several
persons in his church who claimed the gift of tongues."
Abingdon Bible Commentary, page 1190: "Scottish peasants spoke in tongues."
Webster's New International Dictionary, 2nd edition, page 1056, "Gift of Tongues": "A phenomenon experienced by some of
the Christian of New Testament times, the nature of which seems to have been a kind of ecstatic utterance usually
unintelligible to the hearers and even to the speakers, therefore requiring interpretation; glossolalia. Similar phenomena
have in modern times been experienced by some of the early Friends, Jansenists, Methodists, etc."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included in this article:
• Foreword
• Bible
• God
• Father
• Son
• Holy Ghost
• Sin
• Salvation
• Water Baptism
• Mode of Baptism
• Formula for Baptism
• Baptism of Holy Ghost
• Tongues
• Holiness
• Divine Healing
• Second Coming of Christ
• Resurrection
• Judgment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these
things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with
power from on high" (Luke 24:46-49).
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved" (Acts 4:12)
"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed" (Galatians 1:9).
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone"
(Ephesians 2:20).
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no
other doctrine" (I Timothy 1:3).
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).
Foreword
This booklet is being printed and distributed with a sincere prayer that it may strengthen and establish the believer and that it
may enlighten the thousands of perplexed and bewildered souls who are earnestly seeking, amid the maze of men's
traditions to find the true doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.
With sincerity we pray that God will grant the reader grace to accept the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.
We certainly do not want to miss heaven. Let us therefore heed the prophet's words: "Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask
for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16).
The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, giving a true history of the creation of heaven, earth, and humanity and containing a
correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding heaven, earth, and the destiny of humanity. Moreover, there is no salvation
outside of what is taught in its pages.
God
There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. He has revealed
Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), in the son (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (indwelling Spirit).
Father
God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity by creation.
He is the First and the Last, and beside Him there is no God (Isaiah 44:6).
There was no God formed before Him; neither shall be there any after Him (Isaiah 43:10).
Son
Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God made
flesh (John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16);He which was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty
(Revelation 1:8);the mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:7-11) and
"I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).
It took shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:22), but God the Father was a Spirit and had
no blood to shed. Thus He prepared a body of flesh and blood (Hebrews 10:5)and came to earth as a man in order to save
us, for in Isaiah 43:11 He said, "Beside me there is no Saviour." When He came in flesh the angels sang, "For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is not a third person in the Godhead, but rather the Spirit of God (the Creator), the Spirit of the resurrected
Christ. The Holy Ghost comes to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who believes and obeys the gospel, as the
comforter, Sustainer, and keeper (John 14:16-26; Romans 8:9-11).
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the law, or commandments of God (I John 3:4). The guilt of sin has fallen upon all humanity from
Adam until now (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to all those who refuse to
accept salvation as set forth in the Word of God.
Salvation
Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament
experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Water Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of entering into the
kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See
John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).
Mode of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism
(Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down
"into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39).
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death
to sin], and be baptized [burial] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost [resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2).
Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.
Formula for Baptism
The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus.
Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He said name (singular) not names. As
previously explained, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. An
angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call
his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
The apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that the church of God was
established (the Day of Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations (Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:
5) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the
kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the
Spirit of God give utterance.
It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by
the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to His disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day
of Pentecost upon the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46;
19:6). "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall
call" (Acts 2:39).
Tongues
Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is the manifestation God has given as the definite,
indisputable, supernatural witness or sign of the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6).
It was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah as the rest and the refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12), foretold by Jesus as a sign that
would follow believers of the gospel (Mark 16:17), and experienced by Jews and Gentiles alike.
The gift of "divers kinds of tongues," mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians 12:1-12 and concerning which he gave regulations in
I Corinthians 14:1-40, is given by both for self-edification (I Corinthians 14:4) and for the edification of the church (I
Corinthians 14:27-28).
In church meetings the gift of tongues is used to give a public message, and it is to be interpreted. Since this gift can be
misused in public, it needs proper regulation (I Corinthians 14:23-28). Not all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is
different in function from tongues given by God as the initial witness of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (I Corinthians 14:39) and "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye
all" (I Corinthians 14:8). Who dares to teach or preach to the contrary?
Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker, as the Spirit gives utterance.
Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function: (1)speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the
baptism of the Holy Ghost and (2)the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians.
Holiness
After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11).
We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12) and warned that without holiness
no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
We must present ourselves as holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II
Corinthians 7:1), and separate ourselves from all worldliness (James 4:4).
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter 4:18).
No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
Divine Healing
God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healings and has made special provisions in the age of grace
to heal all who will come to Him in faith and obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ,
especially by His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).
Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick (Matthew 4:23-24), and He commanded His disciples to do the same
(Matthew 10:8). He said concerning those who believe the gospel, "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover"
(Mark 16:18). Mighty healings and miracles followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached.
There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our children, or our friends can be healed by the power of God.
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him , anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:14-16).
Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11). He will catch away a holy people (His
bride, His church) who have accepted redemption through His blood, by birth of water and of the Spirit, and who are found
faithful when He comes.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,
to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
"One shall be taken and the other left" (Luke 17:36). Will we be ready?
The signs of His coming are everywhere. The days of peril are here indeed, with forms of godliness void of the power of God;
society and politics corrupted; and people's hearts filled with pride, blasphemies, unholiness, love of evil, and love of
pleasures (II Timothy 3:1-13). These things, together with multitudes running to and fro, the increase of knowledge (Daniel 12:
4), the persecution of the Jews and their return to Palestine (Luke 21:24), and scores of other things are starting signs that
Jesus' coming is drawing near.
Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, storms, floods, distress of nations, perplexity, and people's hearts failing them
for fear are sounding the solemn alarm that Jesus' coming is at hand (Matthew 24:6; Luke 21:25-28).
"Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12).
Resurrection
There will be a resurrection of all the dead, both just and unjust.
"Marvel not this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that
have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-
29).
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and
hell delivered up the dead which were in them" (Revelation 20:12-13)> (See also Daniel 12:2; I Corinthians 15:13-23.)
Judgment
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this reason there will be a resurrection
for everyone. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his
body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Corinthians 5:10).
The eternal destiny of every soul shall be determined by a just God who knows the secrets of everyone's heart. "And before
him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the
goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right
hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. . . .Then shall
he also say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels. . . . And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:32-34, 41,
46).
* * *
The law-the Word of God
The judge-the righteous God
To be judged-our souls
What will the sentence be?
* * *
Life's opportunities past!
Reaping day at last!
Two verdicts pend:
Life or death!
The following references show plainly that speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Holy Ghost has been given by God to
earnest, God-fearing people down through the years.
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. 3, page 2369, "Tongues, Gift of": "A phenomenon of the Apostolic
age, technically known as the 'glossolalia.' In later time analogies have been found for it in the 'speaking in tongues' of the
Camisards, Prophets of the Cevennes, Early Quakers and Methodists, 'Lasare' in Sweden (1841-1843), converts in the Irish
revival of 1859, and particularly in the Catholic Apostolic (Irvingite) Church."
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. 2, page 1119, "Irving, Edward": "In 1830 the news was spread
abroad of the strange speaking with tongues which occurred in widely separated parts of Scotland. In 1831 prophecy and
tongues appeared in Irving's church and Irving fell in with the movement, heartily convinced of its spiritual basis and divine
authority."
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. 1, page 422, "Catholic Apostolic Church": "Pious Presbyterian men
and women believed that their organs of speech were used by the Holy Spirit for the utterance of His thoughts and
attentions."
Encyclopaedia Britannica, New Werner Edition, vol. 4, page 749, "Camisards": "Speaking in tongues, accompanied by all
kinds of miracles, was common among the Camisards and Cevennes of Southern France in the 18th century. Children, under
the influence of supernatural power, spoke and prophesied in languages unknown to them."
Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, edited by James Hastings, vol. 7, page 424: "In 1831 the gift of tongues and prophecy
appeared, it was believed in answer to fervent prayer, among the members of Irving's congregation."
Butler, Christian Denominations of the World, "Edward Irving (1792-1834)": "He proclaimed his conviction that the gifts of the
Holy Ghost, such as tongues, healing, etc., were withheld only because of the want of faith, and ere long there were several
persons in his church who claimed the gift of tongues."
Abingdon Bible Commentary, page 1190: "Scottish peasants spoke in tongues."
Webster's New International Dictionary, 2nd edition, page 1056, "Gift of Tongues": "A phenomenon experienced by some of
the Christian of New Testament times, the nature of which seems to have been a kind of ecstatic utterance usually
unintelligible to the hearers and even to the speakers, therefore requiring interpretation; glossolalia. Similar phenomena
have in modern times been experienced by some of the early Friends, Jansenists, Methodists, etc."
Why Did God Choose Tongues?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included in this article:
• Introduction
• The Sovereignty of God
• An Immediate, External Evidence
• A Uniform Evidence
• A Symbol of Complete Control
• Humanity's Greatest Expression
• Conclusion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
He was a deacon in a fashionable church, but he did not believe in the Pentecostal doctrine relative to the baptism of the
Holy Ghost. Yet he had been exposed to that belief through members of his immediate family. One night, at the close of an
Evangelistic service in an Apostolic church, he went forward to pray and was overwhelmingly filled with the Spirit of God. He
spoke in other tongues fluently and was so inundated in the Spirit that even hours later he could not speak English.
Definitely, this was a biblical experience accompanied not only by speaking in another tongue, but also by the joy and peace
of the Holy Ghost.
Millions have experienced this same baptism in the Spirit. Wherever this message is proclaimed, the question is asked, "Why
did God choose speaking in tongues as the initial, physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost?" There may be many
answers to this question, and perhaps we do not know them all. Several key points are apparent, however.
The Sovereignty of God
First, we must recognize that God is not accountable to us for what He chooses to do. Isaiah asked, "Who hath directed the
Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught
him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:13-14). We
have no license to question God's ways or to dispute His actions. His purposes are supreme, His promises sure, His
performances sane and sensible. The following passages of Scripture, when studied prayerfully with a hungry heart and an
open mind, show that there is a definite connection between speaking in tongues and the baptism of the Holy Ghost: Isaiah
28:11-12; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6; Romans 8:15-16; Galatians 4:6.
Why did God choose blood as the basis for atonement? Why did God choose water as the element in baptism? Why did God
choose gold as the overlaying metal for the ark of the covenant? Why did God choose stone as the material upon which to
record the Ten Commandments? Why did God choose Jerusalem as the site for the Temple? Why did God choose dust out
of which to form mankind? There is divine purpose behind these choices, although we may not understand all the reasons.
We certainly cannot deny or disavow God's sovereign right to do as He pleases and to choose what He wishes.
An Immediate, External Evidence
One vital reason why God chose other tongues as the initial sign of receiving the Holy Ghost is that speaking in tongues is an
immediate, external evidence. There are many other evidences of the operation of the Spirit of God in a person's life, but it is
a matter of time before they are manifest. For example, the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 follows in the
wake of the spiritual infilling.
Peter and the six Jewish Christians who went with him to Caesarea knew that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost, not
because of longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, or temperance, but because they heard them speak with tongues and
magnify God (Acts 10:46). Peter specifically pointed to speaking in tongues as the irrefutable evidence (Acts 10:46-47).
Speaking in tongues is an outward, external evidence, instantly observable and heard. By contrast, peace, joy,
righteousness, and spiritual fruit are inward, internal results of the infilling that become evident with the passing of time.
A Uniform Evidence
Another reason why God chose other tongues as the initial sign of receiving the Spirit is that speaking in tongues is a uniform
evidence. It applies to everyone, regardless of race, culture, or language.
Some people quote I Corinthians 12:30 in an attempt to prove that not all speak in tongues when they are filled with the
Spirit: "Do all speak with tongues?" However, this verse refers to the gift of tongues, that is, speaking a public message in
tongues to be interpreted for the congregation, which is a spiritual gift that a person may exercise subsequent to the infilling
of the Spirit. Though both tongues as the inital evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and tongues as a later spiritual gift
are the same in essence, they are different in administration and operation. For example, the regulations regarding the gift of
tongues in I Corinthians 14:27-28 did not apply to the conversion accounts in Acts, where many people spoke in tongues
simultaneously, without interpretation, as the sign of being filled with the Spirit.
Some people may question this distinction between the initial use of tongues at the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the later
use of tongues as a spiritual gift in a Christian's life. But the same distinction is apparent with regard to faith. To be saved,
everyone must have faith (John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8). Yet I Corinthians 12:9 reveals that there is a special,
supernatural gift of faith that can operate in a Spirit-filled person's life over and beyond the faith necessary for salvation.
Saving faith and the spiritual gift of faith are the same in essence but different in administration and operation.
In speaking about the birth of the Spirit, Jesus emphasized the uniformity of the experience: "The wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is
born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Moreover, Jesus placed emphasis upon the accompanying sound, not on sight or feeling. The
sound of the wind blowing is evidence of its presence.
Some people conclude that Jesus referred only to "the sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind" on the Day of
Pentecost. But this sound of wind is never mentioned again in the later accounts of receiving the Holy Ghost, while speaking
in tongues is. Speaking in tongues by itself caused the Jewish Christians to recognize that the experience of the Gentiles at
Caesarea was identical to theirs on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 10:44-47; 11:15-17). Hence, the important, conclusive
evidence of the Spirit's manifestation at Pentecost was speaking in other tongues. The sound of wind was impersonal, but the
speaking was personal. Speaking in tongues was the first evidence of each individual infilling.
At Caesarea all who heard the Word were filled, and all who heard the Word spoke in tongues. If some of them had not
spoken in tongues, would the Jewish Christians have accepted their experiences? Clearly not. All twelve men mentioned in
Acts 19:6 had a uniform experience. If ten of the twelve had spoken in tongues and the other two had not, would Paul have
believed that the two had received the Holy Ghost just as the ten? Certainly not. Paul would not have accepted their
experience if they have failed to exhibit the uniform evidence.
A Symbol of Complete Control
Speaking in tongues symbolizes God's complete control of the believer. Perhaps this is one of the strongest reasons why
God chose speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This symbolism becomes apparent
when we study James 3, which provides more information on the tongue than any other chapter in the New Testament.
First, the tongue is capable of defiling the whole body. If so, is it incredible to claim that the tongue is also capable of
symbolizing the sanctification of the whole body?
Second, though the tongue is a smaller member, it has never been tamed by humanity. It is the most unruly member of the
body. If so, is it not necessary for the tongue to be tamed before the whole body can be consecrated to God? James
illustrates the importance of the tongue by comparing it to the bit in a horse's mouth, which gives the rider complete control
over the horse, and to the helm of a large ship, which gives the pilot full command of the vessel. In other words, whoever
controls the tongue of a person controls him. And a person cannot tame his tongue by himself; only God can tame it for him.
According to Matthew 12:29, before someone can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, he must first bind the
strong man. The strong man of our house is the tongue. We can tame every member of the body but this one. When God
tames a person's tongue, that person comes under God's full control. He is in the hands of the Almighty. He has been
conquered by Christ, endued with a spiritual force from on high, and empowered for God's service.
Humanity's Greatest Expression
The tongue provides the greatest expressions of the human spirit. We humans are spiritual and emotional beings, and as
such we must give expression to our emotions. The ability and power to coordinate thought and tongue into intelligent
speech is one of our highest prerogatives, elevating us above the beasts of the field. This ability makes us superior to the
rest of God's creation on earth, and it is the most distinguishing feature of our being.
The tongue becomes the vehicle of expression for the spirit. All of the emotions--such as love, hate, anger, sorrow, joy,
happiness, relief, serenity--are communicated through the tongue. The tongue is the gate way to the heart, feelings,
attitudes, and spirit.
Conclusion
In light of these truths, it is not difficult to see why God has chosen speaking in tongues to express the greatest, most
wonderful experience that we mortal humans can receive. In the baptism of the Holy Ghost, His Spirit and our spirit become
one. He uses our tongue and voice to express this union. It is a wonder of wonders, chosen not by humans, but by God, the
sovereign ruler of the universe.
Why fight against Him? Believe His Word, accept what He says, and you too can be baptized with the Holy Ghost, for God will
give the Holy Spirit to all who repent and ask in faith (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38-39).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included in this article:
• Introduction
• The Sovereignty of God
• An Immediate, External Evidence
• A Uniform Evidence
• A Symbol of Complete Control
• Humanity's Greatest Expression
• Conclusion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
He was a deacon in a fashionable church, but he did not believe in the Pentecostal doctrine relative to the baptism of the
Holy Ghost. Yet he had been exposed to that belief through members of his immediate family. One night, at the close of an
Evangelistic service in an Apostolic church, he went forward to pray and was overwhelmingly filled with the Spirit of God. He
spoke in other tongues fluently and was so inundated in the Spirit that even hours later he could not speak English.
Definitely, this was a biblical experience accompanied not only by speaking in another tongue, but also by the joy and peace
of the Holy Ghost.
Millions have experienced this same baptism in the Spirit. Wherever this message is proclaimed, the question is asked, "Why
did God choose speaking in tongues as the initial, physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost?" There may be many
answers to this question, and perhaps we do not know them all. Several key points are apparent, however.
The Sovereignty of God
First, we must recognize that God is not accountable to us for what He chooses to do. Isaiah asked, "Who hath directed the
Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught
him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:13-14). We
have no license to question God's ways or to dispute His actions. His purposes are supreme, His promises sure, His
performances sane and sensible. The following passages of Scripture, when studied prayerfully with a hungry heart and an
open mind, show that there is a definite connection between speaking in tongues and the baptism of the Holy Ghost: Isaiah
28:11-12; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6; Romans 8:15-16; Galatians 4:6.
Why did God choose blood as the basis for atonement? Why did God choose water as the element in baptism? Why did God
choose gold as the overlaying metal for the ark of the covenant? Why did God choose stone as the material upon which to
record the Ten Commandments? Why did God choose Jerusalem as the site for the Temple? Why did God choose dust out
of which to form mankind? There is divine purpose behind these choices, although we may not understand all the reasons.
We certainly cannot deny or disavow God's sovereign right to do as He pleases and to choose what He wishes.
An Immediate, External Evidence
One vital reason why God chose other tongues as the initial sign of receiving the Holy Ghost is that speaking in tongues is an
immediate, external evidence. There are many other evidences of the operation of the Spirit of God in a person's life, but it is
a matter of time before they are manifest. For example, the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 follows in the
wake of the spiritual infilling.
Peter and the six Jewish Christians who went with him to Caesarea knew that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost, not
because of longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, or temperance, but because they heard them speak with tongues and
magnify God (Acts 10:46). Peter specifically pointed to speaking in tongues as the irrefutable evidence (Acts 10:46-47).
Speaking in tongues is an outward, external evidence, instantly observable and heard. By contrast, peace, joy,
righteousness, and spiritual fruit are inward, internal results of the infilling that become evident with the passing of time.
A Uniform Evidence
Another reason why God chose other tongues as the initial sign of receiving the Spirit is that speaking in tongues is a uniform
evidence. It applies to everyone, regardless of race, culture, or language.
Some people quote I Corinthians 12:30 in an attempt to prove that not all speak in tongues when they are filled with the
Spirit: "Do all speak with tongues?" However, this verse refers to the gift of tongues, that is, speaking a public message in
tongues to be interpreted for the congregation, which is a spiritual gift that a person may exercise subsequent to the infilling
of the Spirit. Though both tongues as the inital evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and tongues as a later spiritual gift
are the same in essence, they are different in administration and operation. For example, the regulations regarding the gift of
tongues in I Corinthians 14:27-28 did not apply to the conversion accounts in Acts, where many people spoke in tongues
simultaneously, without interpretation, as the sign of being filled with the Spirit.
Some people may question this distinction between the initial use of tongues at the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the later
use of tongues as a spiritual gift in a Christian's life. But the same distinction is apparent with regard to faith. To be saved,
everyone must have faith (John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8). Yet I Corinthians 12:9 reveals that there is a special,
supernatural gift of faith that can operate in a Spirit-filled person's life over and beyond the faith necessary for salvation.
Saving faith and the spiritual gift of faith are the same in essence but different in administration and operation.
In speaking about the birth of the Spirit, Jesus emphasized the uniformity of the experience: "The wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is
born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Moreover, Jesus placed emphasis upon the accompanying sound, not on sight or feeling. The
sound of the wind blowing is evidence of its presence.
Some people conclude that Jesus referred only to "the sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind" on the Day of
Pentecost. But this sound of wind is never mentioned again in the later accounts of receiving the Holy Ghost, while speaking
in tongues is. Speaking in tongues by itself caused the Jewish Christians to recognize that the experience of the Gentiles at
Caesarea was identical to theirs on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 10:44-47; 11:15-17). Hence, the important, conclusive
evidence of the Spirit's manifestation at Pentecost was speaking in other tongues. The sound of wind was impersonal, but the
speaking was personal. Speaking in tongues was the first evidence of each individual infilling.
At Caesarea all who heard the Word were filled, and all who heard the Word spoke in tongues. If some of them had not
spoken in tongues, would the Jewish Christians have accepted their experiences? Clearly not. All twelve men mentioned in
Acts 19:6 had a uniform experience. If ten of the twelve had spoken in tongues and the other two had not, would Paul have
believed that the two had received the Holy Ghost just as the ten? Certainly not. Paul would not have accepted their
experience if they have failed to exhibit the uniform evidence.
A Symbol of Complete Control
Speaking in tongues symbolizes God's complete control of the believer. Perhaps this is one of the strongest reasons why
God chose speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This symbolism becomes apparent
when we study James 3, which provides more information on the tongue than any other chapter in the New Testament.
First, the tongue is capable of defiling the whole body. If so, is it incredible to claim that the tongue is also capable of
symbolizing the sanctification of the whole body?
Second, though the tongue is a smaller member, it has never been tamed by humanity. It is the most unruly member of the
body. If so, is it not necessary for the tongue to be tamed before the whole body can be consecrated to God? James
illustrates the importance of the tongue by comparing it to the bit in a horse's mouth, which gives the rider complete control
over the horse, and to the helm of a large ship, which gives the pilot full command of the vessel. In other words, whoever
controls the tongue of a person controls him. And a person cannot tame his tongue by himself; only God can tame it for him.
According to Matthew 12:29, before someone can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, he must first bind the
strong man. The strong man of our house is the tongue. We can tame every member of the body but this one. When God
tames a person's tongue, that person comes under God's full control. He is in the hands of the Almighty. He has been
conquered by Christ, endued with a spiritual force from on high, and empowered for God's service.
Humanity's Greatest Expression
The tongue provides the greatest expressions of the human spirit. We humans are spiritual and emotional beings, and as
such we must give expression to our emotions. The ability and power to coordinate thought and tongue into intelligent
speech is one of our highest prerogatives, elevating us above the beasts of the field. This ability makes us superior to the
rest of God's creation on earth, and it is the most distinguishing feature of our being.
The tongue becomes the vehicle of expression for the spirit. All of the emotions--such as love, hate, anger, sorrow, joy,
happiness, relief, serenity--are communicated through the tongue. The tongue is the gate way to the heart, feelings,
attitudes, and spirit.
Conclusion
In light of these truths, it is not difficult to see why God has chosen speaking in tongues to express the greatest, most
wonderful experience that we mortal humans can receive. In the baptism of the Holy Ghost, His Spirit and our spirit become
one. He uses our tongue and voice to express this union. It is a wonder of wonders, chosen not by humans, but by God, the
sovereign ruler of the universe.
Why fight against Him? Believe His Word, accept what He says, and you too can be baptized with the Holy Ghost, for God will
give the Holy Spirit to all who repent and ask in faith (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38-39).
