Dr Paul Allen

  Tongues: Denominational Perspectives and Current Practices Christian denominations and movements have varying beliefs regarding tongues as initial evidence vs. tongues as a spiritual gift . Below is a comparison of major traditions and their teachings. A. Classical Pentecostal Denominations (Believe in Tongues as Initial Evidence) These groups originated from the Azusa Street Revival (1906) and emphasize tongues as the initial evidence of Spirit baptism. 1. Assemblies of God (AG) Official Belief: Spirit baptism is a distinct, post-salvation experience. Tongues is the initial physical evidence of Spirit baptism. Tongues in 1 Corinthians 12 is a separate gift given selectively. Key Document: Assemblies of God Position Paper on Baptism in the Holy Spirit Supporting Scripture: Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, 19:6 Theological Authorities: Stanley M. Horton, William W. Menzies 2. Church of God (Cleveland, TN) Similar to AG, but with a stronger emphasis on holiness living ...

  This deeper dive will analyze the historical, theological, and linguistic perspectives on this debate. We will also explore early church history, Greek word studies, and responses to common counterarguments. I. Deeper Biblical Analysis: Acts vs. Paul’s Letters The Pentecostal argument primarily relies on Acts , while the Evangelical/Charismatic argument relies on Paul’s letters (especially 1 Corinthians). Let's examine these sources in more depth. A. The Book of Acts: Is It Normative or Descriptive? 1. Pentecostal Argument: Acts Shows a Consistent Pattern Pentecostals argue that speaking in tongues is always present when people receive the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:1-4 (Pentecost) – Tongues is explicitly mentioned. Acts 10:44-46 (Cornelius) – Tongues is explicitly mentioned. Acts 19:1-6 (Ephesus) – Tongues is explicitly mentioned. Acts 8:14-17 (Samaritans) – Tongues is not mentioned explicitly, but something visible and audible happened (implied evidence). Conclu...

  Tongues: Initial Evidence of Spirit Baptism vs. Spiritual Gift This analysis explores both perspectives— tongues as initial evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and tongues as a spiritual gift —using biblical citations, theological arguments, and scholarly sources. I. Tongues as the Initial Evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit This position is primarily held by Classical Pentecostals (e.g., Assemblies of God, Church of God, Foursquare Church). It teaches that every believer baptized in the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues as the first outward sign . Biblical Evidence from Acts Pentecostals emphasize the Book of Acts as a pattern: Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and "began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." This was the first instance of Spirit baptism in the New Testament. Household of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-46) "The Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word...

The answer depends on theological interpretation. Some traditions emphasize tongues as a spiritual gift , while others see it as initial evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Let’s break it down biblically. 1. Tongues as a Spiritual Gift 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 lists speaking in tongues as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, alongside prophecy, healing, and discernment. Paul makes it clear that not all believers will speak in tongues : “Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” (1 Corinthians 12:30) – Implied answer: No. This suggests that tongues is one of many gifts, distributed as the Spirit wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), rather than something every believer must experience. 2. Tongues as Initial Evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit The Pentecostal view teaches that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, based on patterns in Acts : Acts 2:4 – The disciples at Pentecost “began to speak in other tong...

For the sake of convenience, the gifts will be considered in three groups.  First, gifts for the establishment of the church and for bringing it to a maturity where all the members can receive their own gifts and contribute to the up-building of the local body ( Ephesians 4:11–16). These are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers who are chosen by the Lord, taken captive by Him, and given as gifts to the Church , not just to some particular local church.  In each ministry more than an occasional manifestation of a gift of the Spirit is involved. Like the first apostles, these are mature, trained people, who were not sent out until they had gained experience under the great Teacher ( Jesus , then the Teacher Spirit, the Spirit of Truth ). Their ministry was not limited to one local church. They sooner or later moved on, because they were given to the Church as a whole. Second, gifts of the edification of the local body through individual members...

The ministry of the Spirit and His mighty deeds were the portion of the Early Church in lavish generosity (as the Greek indicates in Galatians 3:5; Philippians 1:19). The abundance of gifts and the wonderful way they fitted the needs of the Body shows that God’s way is always, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6). There is, however, no special order in which the Bible lists the gifts. Romans 12:6–8 begins with prophecy. First Corinthians 12:8–10 begins with the message of wisdom. The other three lists begin with apostles.  Some attempt to classify the gifts according to their natur e, such as gifts of revelation, gifts of power, and gifts of speaking.  Others distinguish between traveling gifts , such as apostles, teachers, and evangelists; and local gifts such as pastors, government, and helps. Or they divide them according to function, such as proclamation, teaching, service, and administration. These are all legi...

That's an excellent question because so much is at stake in the Christian faith in terms of the truthfulness of Scripture. The Bible is our primary source of information about Jesus and about all of those things we embrace as elements of our faith. Of course, if the Bible isn't true, then professing Christians are in serious trouble. I believe the Bible is true. I believe it is the Word of God. As Jesus Himself declared of the Scripture, "Your word is truth."  But why am I persuaded that the Bible is the truth? We need to ask a broader question first. How do we know that anything is true? We're asking a technical question in epistemology. How do we test claims of truth? There is a certain kind of truth that we test through observation, experimentation, eyewitness, examination, and scientific evidence. As far as the history of Jesus is concerned, as far as we know any history, we want to check the stories of Scripture using those means by which histor...

English: Church of the Holy Spirit in Munich - Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Spirit of Strength. Painter: Peter Horemans (1753) Deutsch: Heilig-Geist-Kirche (München) - Sieben Gaben des Heiligen Geistes: Der Geist der Stärke. Maler: Peter Horemans (1753) Latina: Spiritus fortitudinis (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all (1 Cor. 12:7). There has been an unprecedented interest in the person and work of the Holy Spirit . What a wonderful thing this is, not to be feared but to be embraced. Much of that interest has focused on the gifts of the Spirit. Chapters 12 through 14 of 1 Corinthians are an extended discussion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit . Much here is difficult to understand, but much is plain, too. It is clear that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers (12:7). These gifts include the word of wisdom , the word of knowledge , faith, healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning...