Robert.... as promised here is my response to your allegations regarding the "evidence" of one's receipt of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
First, allow me to inform you that I am one who trys to always be mindful of the consequences of the words I publish, whether written or oral, for I am fully aware of the fact that every idle word I utter must pass the scrutiny of our Lord. By our words we are to be either justified or condemned, and I choose that my words be placed in the former catergory rather than the latter. Having said this, I will tell you that I have given considerable thought to your words, and must tell you that I find them to be most grievous. Please continue reading what I have to say to you and hopefully you will understand why.
We find it written within the context of
Psalm 89:14 and
Psalm 97:2, in very explicit language, that God established "righteousness" as the fundamental guiding principle which dictates ALL aspects of His relationship with mankind. It might even be said God has decreed that this solitary principle would form the very foundation upon which His entire eternal kingdom would stand. Therefore, in consideration of this matter I believe it entirely appropriate, and altogether needful, that we pause to consider everything which the word "righteousness" encompasses.
A careful examination of the definition of this word reveals that at its most elementary meaning, "righteousness" signifies "equality of justice," or, in other words, "equal" treatment within the structure of the laws which God has set forth for His kingdom. This simply means that in every action which God has, or ever will undertake in relationships with mankind, His own established guiding principle of "righteousness" requires, yea, demands, that He always exercise "equality." Indeed, we witness the application of this “righteousness” at the beginning of God’s creation of man and his placement in the garden at Eden. Just as God created “evil” (see
Isaiah 45:7), and subjected the angelic beings to it in a trial of their loyalty to Him (with eternal punishment as the penalty for their willful disobedience), we also find that God created the means whereby man’s loyalty to Him might be tested as well. This trial of mankind's loyalty to God was instituted when He created and placed within the pristine confines of the garde, the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil," and forbid man from partaking of its fruits to satisfy the natural desires of his fleshly body for the fruit of the ground that it might be sustained. “Righteousness,” which is to say “equality of justice,” demanded this action by God directed toward man, and just as it happened with the angelic beings rebellion against His authority, man also reaped the punishment of death for his willful disobedience.
Keeping this God ordained guiding principle at the forefront of our thoughts as we continue our examination regarding the number of those who “spake in tongues” on that first day of Pentecost following the bodily ascension of our Lord to His throne located in the heavens, please take note of the following questions tendered of God through the inspired writings of the prophet Isaiah which directly relate to this matter: (see
Isaiah 28:9)
Whom shall he (God) teach knowledge?
And whom shall he (God) make to understand doctrine?
We find the answers within the context of this same passage:
…them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (This means, in a manner of speaking, those who have matured to the point of being able to amass facts pertaining to a particular matter, and then finalize a responsible conclusion thereto – something that a child simply cannot do!)
These things are followed by a detailed description of the manner, or mechanism through which God has decreed that one’s “knowledge” regarding the “doctrines” found within His written Word is achieved: (see
Isaiah 28:10)
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Now, please note special attention to the “means” through which God “speaks” to those whom He has taught “knowledge” and made to “understand doctrine:”
For with stammering lips AND another tongue (that is to say, “another language”) will he speak to THESE people, to whom he said, THIS (the means of “speaking in another tongue/language”) is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and THIS is the refreshing:
Does not these passages of Scripture explicitly assert that God has devised the means of speaking in tongues (i.e., another language), as the means of identifying those whom He has chosen as His own people? Is it not also proper to conclude that the speaking in tongues would be the universal/common sign which would be evidence of God’s seal of approval upon ALL those to whom He bestowed this honor? The answer, of course, must be a resounding yes!
How then is it possible for one to suggest/assert that ONLY the 12 chosen apostles were given this “sign” of approval on that occasion when the gift of the baptism of the Holy Ghost was first given to mankind as an ever-abiding presence within their mortal bodies? Would not such an allegation/assertion imply that ONLY the 12 apostles were accepted as adopted citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and that the remainder of the 120+ were not accepted? This is precisely what your statements concerning this matter appears to imply, therefore they MUST be refuted forthwith, for they are without scriptural support!
Either ALL who receive the wondrous gift of the baptism of the Holy Ghost WILL “speak in tongues,” or NONE will. And, when this marvellous gift was first given unto man, either ALL spake in tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance, or NONE did! It is truly that simple! Why? Because God’s own established guiding principle of righteousness demands it to be so! He CANNOT display a respect of persons by granting such an expression to one while denying it to all others, as your statements expressly allege.
I might also add that while there was a time in ages past, when there prevailed only one universal language (everyone commuincated in the same tongue), this was changed when mankind set out to construct the tower of Babel as a means of escape should God send forth another destructive flood upon the earth (this, of course, is something which He swore never to do again, but men seemed to be ignorant of that fact). So, would it not also seem entirely logical that God would employ the means of speaking in tongues as a unifying factor, just as He employed it as a disruptive one? I think so!
Now, with regards to your allegation that the 500+ people mentioned by apostle Paul in
I Corinthians 15:6, MUST be considered as members of the Church, I believe that your conclusion is amiss. Paul does NOT assert, or even intimate in the slightest degree, that these individuals are members of the Church as you allege. In fact, we find it noted in many instances within the writings of the books comprising the New Testament, wherein Paul, as well as Peter and others, employed the word brethren when referring to their fellow Israelite. Although it is possible (and probable) that many of this 500+ did, in fact, become members of the Church at some later point in time, Paul’s referral to this group was intended to stress the number of people who witnessed the risen Saviour after His bodily resurrection from the dead. Paul’s mention of these folks has absolutely nothing to do with their membership in the church, and for this reason there was NO need for him to take note of their having received the gift of the Holy Ghost as evidenced by “speaking in tongues.”
I feel compelled to inform you that the statement, wherein you assert that you are a “former Oneness Pentecostal,” is most grievous to me, especially so because I am a “former Trinitarian” (for 48+ years, in fact). Are you yet ignorant of the fact that the revelation of the true identity of our Lord Jesus is the very foundation upon which the entire church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood has been established? Did not Christ Jesus inform Peter that this important fact was the rock (that is to say, solid, unchanging principle) upon which His church would be built? How is it possible for one who has been granted such a revelation, turn 180 degrees and then refute it? Would not such an act represent one’s destruction of the very foundation upon which their entire faith in God was built? I have not been a participant in internet forums for very long, however, I must inform you that your statement in this regards is truly the most grievous that I have ever witnessed! I fear for you!
Oh yes! I am confident that you will reject the things I have written, but remember this..... your rejection will NOT be restricted solely towards me, but of even greater import, it will be of the pure words of the LORD Himself, and for that there is NO defense!
I urge you to repent, and do so quickly!
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