Dr Paul Allen

Does the Holy Spirit Choose Not to Baptize People, or Are People the Problem? From a Pentecostal perspective, including that of Donald Gee and other scholars, the issue is not that the Holy Spirit chooses not to baptize certain people but that individuals may encounter personal barriers to receiving. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a promise available to all believers, not a selective gift withheld by God. God’s Desire to Baptize All Believers Pentecostals believe Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift available to all who believe in Christ. Acts 2:39 states: "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (NIV) This verse supports the view that Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not limited to a select few but is meant for all believers. Scholars such as Donald Gee emphasize that God does not withhold the Holy Spirit arbitrarily; rather, the responsibility often lies with the individual (Gee, Pentecost , 1932). Human B...

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 ...

  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...