Let the Bible Speak
about PENTECOSTALISM

INTRODUCTION

Pentecostalism is a rapidly spreading movement. Its members now number in the millions around the world. The very fact of its existence has kept many sincere people from finding simple New Testament Christianity. They hAve been taken in by this movement which had its beginning some 1900 years after the establishment of the church of the New Testament.

Pentecostalism is not taught in the Word of God. As a matter of fact, it contradicts the Bible at many critical points. It is the purpose of this tract to show those contradictions and thus help the reader to see the difference between Pentecostalism and New Testament Christianity.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. Pentecostals teach that the Holy Spirit operates directly upon the heart of the sinner today.

   The Bible teaches that one is converted when he obeys the gospel which has already been revealed by the Spirit. (2 Thess. 1:7-9). (1 Cor. 2). Observe every case of conversion in the book of Acts.

2. Pentecostals teach that the Holy Spirit operates directly upon the Christian, giving him leading, guidance and direction separate and apart from the Bible.

   The Bible teaches that the Scriptures are complete and will completely furnish us unto every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17), (2 Pet. 1:3).

3. Pentecostals teach that the written Word of God without a direct operation of the Holy Spirit is powerless.

   The Bible teaches that as it is, it is able to save and sanctify man as he is. (Heb. 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:13; Rom. 1:16).

HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM

1. Pentecostals teach that Holy Spirit baptism is available for Christians today.

   The Bible teaches that the promise of Holy Spirit baptism was fulfilled on Pentecost and at the household of Cornelius. (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2, 10, 11).

2. Pentecostals teach that there are at least two baptisms available today; water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism.

   The Bible teaches that there is one baptism (Eph. 4: 5), and that one baptism is in water (Acts 10:47) and is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). If the ONE baptism of Eph. 4:5 is Holy Spirit baptism, then there is no forgiveness of sins today. (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21). This point alone should cause all sincere seekers of salvation to reject Pentecostalism.

3. Pentecostals teach there is a continuing need for Holy Spirit baptism.

   The Bible teaches that man's every spiritual need is provided in Christ (Eph. 1:3) and in the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. Pentecostals teach that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to Christians today.

   The Bible teaches that the gifts of the Spirit were temporary (1 Cor. 13:8) and that when the revelation of God was completed they were done away (1 Cor. 13:9-12).

2. Some Pentecostals teach that "tongues" are senseless jabbering.

   The New Testament teaches that they are known languages.

3. Pentecostals emphasize speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues above other gifts of the Spirit.

   The Bible teaches that in the New Testament times each gift served a special purpose (1 Cor. I2-14). Paul warned against emphasizing tongues above prophecy in the assembly of the saints. (1 Cor. 14:1-5).

4. Pentecostals give little time to the gift of prophecy.

   The Bible shows the importance of prophecy in the New Testament church. (1 Cor. 14:1-5).

5. Pentecostals claim to perform miracles and healings.

   The New Testament teaches that miracles and healings were generally done to confirm the word (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:4) and that the miracles of Christ were done to make men believe he was the Son of God. (John 29:30-31). Experience also shows the claims of Pentecostals to fall far short. They cannot raise the dead (Matt. 9), strike blind those who oppose their work (Acts 13), get their tax money miraculously from the mouth of a fish (Matt. 17:27), drink poison without getting sick or dying (Mk. 16:18), stop storms (Matt. 8:26), and other things which were done in New Testament times.

6. Pentecostals contend for "laying on of hands" today.

   The Bible teaches that the gifts measure in the first century church was given by the laying on of the APOSTLES hands (Acts 8:18, 19:1-6; Rom. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:5-6) and was limited to them. When the last Apostle died and the last one on whom they had laid their hands died then the spiritual gifts ceased.

SOME CONSEQUENCES OF PENTECOSTALISM

1. Pentecostalism causes one to reject the power of God's written word.

   Yet the Bible: (a) is God's power to save (Romans 1:16), (b) produces faith (Rom.10:17), (c) has power to convert (Psa. 19:7), (d) is powerful to beget (1 Pet. 1:22-23), (e) has power to make us free from sin (John 8:32), (f) has power to give us light (Psa. 119:105.)

2. Pentecostalism causes one to become spiritually lopsided.

   Those who become involved in it can think of little other than speaking in tongues, Holy Spirit baptism, etc. This causes them to neglect everything else and thus they become spiritually lopsided.

3. Pentecostalism causes one to be filled with spiritual arrogance.

   There is an air of superiority among those who claim to have experienced the so-called baptism of the Spirit over those who have had no such experience.

4. Claiming to be spiritual, Pentecostalism causes the carnal problem of division.
   

   The true Pentecostal is never satisfied to keep his experience to himself. He must share it with others, It has caused trouble wherever it has gone.

5. Pentecostalism causes one to reject the teaching of the New Testament concerning:

   salvation, the church, sanctification, and other subjects which are essential to salvation.

6. Pentecostalism will cause one to lose his soul.

   To accept false teaching is to go in error. (2 Tim. 3:7-9; 1 Tim. 6:3-6; 2 Pet. 2.) To go into error is to be lost. (2 Pet. 2:20-22.)

CONCLUSION