Page 123 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT

The Holy Spirit does not promote Himself or draw will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Mt.
attention to Himself. He came to promote and glorify 3:12)
the Lord Jesus Christ. Nowhere in the New Testament This could not be plainer. The baptism with fire
do we find the apostles praying to the Holy Spirit or refers to the day when Christ will return and visit
worshipping the Holy Spirit or inviting the Holy Spirit to unbelievers with everlasting punishment in the lake of
come into their midst or in any other way promoting or fire. Compare Is. 66:15-16; Mal. 3:2-4:1; 1 Th. 1:9-11;
seeking the Spirit Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ taught and Re. 19-20.
us to pray to the Father, not to the Holy Spirit (Mt. 6:6, The Scriptures warn that the baptism of fire is
9; Jn. 16:23). Christ’s own prayers were always eternal torment. We can praise God that because of the
addressed to the Father (Mt. 11:25; 26:39; Jn. 11:41; blood of Christ no born again Christian will ever be
12:28; 14:16; 17:1). The apostle Paul taught us to pray baptized by fire.
to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ by the The word “fire” is used 83 times in the New
Holy Spirit (Ro. 1:8; 7:25). The Holy Spirit promotes Testament, and in the vast majority of instances it refers
the Lord Jesus Christ and focuses the believer’s attention to judgment by fire in hell. In only one verse is fire”
upon Christ. The believer does not even receive the Holy used in connection with the Holy Spirit’s ministration to
Spirit by seeking the Holy Spirit; he receives the Holy saved people in this present life, and that is the “cloven
Spirit by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ep. 1:12-14). tongues like as of fire” in Acts 2:3. To claim that this
8. WE REJECT THE PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC verse is a fulfillment of the baptism with fire of Mt.
MOVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE FALSE DOCTRINE 3:11-12 is to ignore the plain context of that passage
ABOUT THE “BAPTISM OF FIRE.” and is also to ignore the consistent biblical usage of fire
Since its inception the Pentecostal movement has as a term of judgment.
held various doctrines pertaining to a baptism of fire for 9. WE REJECT THE PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC
Christians. Some Pentecostal groups have even named MOVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE FALSE DOCTRINE THAT
themselves such things as “Fire Baptized Holy Ghost” TONGUES SPEAKING IS FOR TODAY.
people. In his history of the Assemblies of God Carl The view that tongues is a gift for every believer and
Brumback observes: “Many shades of Protestantism that it is to be exercised today has been an integral part
lurked in the background of these men and women, but of the Pentecostal movement from its inception.
now they formed a sort of ‘United Denominations,’ fused Tongues-speaking, according to most Pentecostals and
by a baptism of fire into a single Pentecostal body” (Like Charismatics, has a three-fold purpose: First, it is a sign
a River: The Early Years of the Assemblies of God, p. 13). of the “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” In this capacity it is a
This idea of being baptized by the Holy Spirit and sign both to the believer himself as well as to those who
fire is also seen in the titles of books about the are observing. Second, it is a means whereby God
Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, such as that by communicates to the church. This allegedly occurs as
Ralph Martin entitled Fire on the Earth published in the messages of tongues are interpreted. Third, it is a
1976. The Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship hosts “private prayer language” whereby the user edifies
“Catch the Fire” conferences. One of Toronto’s favorite himself. Under this category the private edification is
songs is “A Festival of Joy” by Toronto Airport worship said to produce a wide assortment of benefits, including
leader Jeremy Sinnott. It calls upon God to “let fire fill encouragement during spiritual trials, physical healing,
this place.” Another Toronto favorite is “Let It Burn” by spiritual guidance, even a sleep aid!
David Ruis. Consider some quotes from Pentecostals and
The concept of being baptized by the Holy Spirit and Charismatics:
fire comes from the prophecy of John in Matthew 3:11. “The distinctive doctrine of the Pentecostal churches is
Pentecostals have taken this prophecy and applied it that speaking with tongues is the ‘initial evidence’ of
to themselves, but like many other Pentecostal- the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This article of belief is
Charismatic doctrines, this one ignores the context of now incorporated in the official doctrinal schedules of
the Scriptures and thus results in error. John the Baptist practically all Pentecostal denominations” (Donald
was speaking to the Jews when he quoted this prophecy. Gee, Now That You’ve Been Baptized in the Spirit,
Those that believed were indeed baptized with the Holy 1972).
Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but the baptism of fire is “God took the baptism in the Holy Spirit out of the
not a promise of blessing for the believer, but a warning of theoretical by giving the believer an undeniable
judgment for the unbeliever. John explains this in the physical evidence when the believer was filled. That
evidence is speaking with other tongues. ... The fact is
following verse: those who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit will speak
“Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge in tongues” (Charles Crabtree, “How Practical Is the
his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he Pentecostal Lifestyle?”, Questions and Answers about

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