Dr Paul Allen

From a Pentecostal perspective, including that of Donald Gee and other scholars, the issue is typically not that the Holy Spirit chooses not to baptize certain people, but rather that people themselves may face barriers to receiving. God’s Desire to Baptize All Believers The Pentecostal understanding is that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift available to all believers. Acts 2:39 says: "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." This suggests that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not limited to a select few but is meant for all who believe. Pentecostal theology teaches that God is not withholding the Holy Spirit but that some individuals struggle to receive due to certain hindrances. Human Barriers to Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit Instead of the Holy Spirit choosing not to baptize someone, Pentecostals believe that it is often human factors that delay or prevent receiving. These ca...

According to Donald Gee and other Pentecostal scholars, why do some people not receive Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues? Donald Gee, a well-known Pentecostal scholar, along with other Pentecostal theologians, identified several reasons why some people do not receive Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Some of these reasons include: 1. Lack of Understanding or Teaching Gee emphasized that some believers do not receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit because they have not been taught about it. Misconceptions, fear, or lack of biblical teaching can hinder faith and expectancy. 2. Unbelief or Doubt A common reason cited by Gee and other Pentecostal scholars is unbelief. If a person is sceptical about the experience or doubts that speaking in tongues is for today, they may struggle to receive. Faith is essential to receiving the Holy Spirit (Mark 11:24). 3. Fear or Overanalyzing the Experience Some individuals fear losing control or ...

Every Christian believer who seeks baptism in the Holy Spirit is eligible. The Holy Spirit is always willing to fulfil this promise, but most people are not.   “For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Him” (Acts 2:39 NRSV).  Every believer has the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to pursue a Spirit-filled life. The only conditions for receiving the promise are repentance and faith. Therefore, it is available to us today.  The Holy Spirit is willing, but we are the problem, not the Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit baptism signals entrance into the Spirit-filled life. Jesus demonstrated a sense of urgency for His disciples to receive all the Father promised. He said, “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 NRSV). Further, He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Sp...

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is after conversion. Why must this be? The baptism in the Holy Spirit is evidenced by speaking in tongues. How can this occur?  The doctrine of the conditions for the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the sustained Pentecostal effort to answer both these questions: to explain why spiritual baptism cannot usually accompany initial faith,  detailing the conditions that believers usually fail to meet at that time, and to announce how spiritual baptism can be brought to the crisis event where tongues will occur, detailing the conditions that, when fulfilled, will lead to the experience.  The doctrine of conditions, then, is actually a corollary of the doctrine of subsequence and a premise for the doctrine of evidence, and as such, occupies a cornerstone position in the edifice of the distinctive Pentecostal doctrine. Under the doctrine of conditions, it is regularly suggested that certain fundamental steps must be taken for the believer to be a suit...

  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 ...