Colin Graham has been actively, engaged in Evangelism for the past 25 years, conducting fruitful Crusades throughout New Zealand and Australia. He trained at the N.Z. Bible Training Institute (now the Bible College of N.Z.). In 1966 he was invited to attend the World Congress on Evangelism in Berlin and in 1968 the Asia, South Pacific Congress on Evangelism in Singapore. He attended both as an observer. He has also visited U.S.A., Great Britain, Rome, the Holy Land and India, preaching in each country. Mr Graham is married with a family of four, the older members being actively involved in Christian youth activities. In addition to Crusade work Mr Graham is engaged in Youth Camps, Conventions and lectures on Evangelism at the N.Z. Assembly Bible School, Auckland. He fellowships and works with Christian Brethren Assemblies (Open Brethren). He is an Elder in his own local Church at Marton, N.Z.

Mr Graham has many friends in the Charismatic movement but feels they are mistaken in their views. He writes in a charitable way to help them and the Christian public at large. His motive is not controversy but clarity concerning what he feels the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit, Tongues, Healing and the Spirit-filled life.

We have been very encouraged by the response to our first printing of 6,000 copies. Letters on our files tell of help and blessing to God's people everywhere. Current orders and requests make it imperative for us to reprint the booklet. Some additions and slight alterations have been made.
 
 

We repeat that the booklet exists to teach the truths of God's Word in a day when confusion abounds. Every week we still hear from young Christians many led to Christ in our Crusades - wanting help on this subject because of approaches being made to them by those propagating the charismatic viewpoint.
 
 

We feel obligated to help all such, and it is largely for their sakes that there exists a continuous need for a booklet written in plain language for all to understand. This is our motive. We have no desire to attack or hurt any of our Christian friends in the charismatic movement. A glance at the list of books recommended on the back page will show that the views of the author are upheld by many recognised Bible teachers from various denominations and Christian groups.

These notes were written originally for group studies at the Marton Easter Camp Convention, New Zealand, 1972. They were studied by some 800 campers and day visitors. A panel discussed various points and questions arising from the notes. Since then requests have come from all over the country and from overseas to have the notes printed in booklet form. Many wish to use them in Bible Classes and Camps - others as a basis for group discussions or private study.

They are not intended as a personal attack on any group of Christians. They were written because of the confusion that abounds, and because many believers have asked for help on this subject.

Many converts won for Christ in our Gospel Crusades, have in recent times been subjected to strong pressures from people in the Charismatic movement. They have been given literature of a certain type, urged to attend meetings, tarry for the "baptism", go in for the "experience", speak in tongues, get anointed, etc. They have been told to pray for their elders and friends, that they may also get the "blessing". They have listened to words of pity and disparagement concerning those who do not go along with tongues, etc. All of this can be most upsetting to young Christians who want the best God has for them. The excitement and apparent "life" in the meetings as well as the personal testimonies have in some cases made an appeal to those who deplore the deadness and formality in some church gatherings. Naturally enough they have wondered if this movement has the answer to their own sense of defeat or ineffectiveness. It is largely for their benefit that these notes have been prepared. I have no desire to hurt anyone or to enter into controversy - I am too busy for that - but I feel I would be failing in my responsibility if I refused or neglected to give what to me is the plain teaching of the Bible on this subject. I have aimed to do so in a positive way, though sometimes it has been necessary to expose what I feel to be error. However it is apparent that Paul did the same in his writings, e.g. Galatians and Colossians.

The Charismatic movement which embraces all the different Pentecostal groups, and individuals with various Pentecostal beliefs within the established churches is NOT new. I have watched its sad history for 35 years. I know something of the division caused by it, in families and Evangelical Churches. I have attended meetings of various types, including a healing mission conducted by a world leader in this field. As a young Christian I was given a book on the "Baptism of the Spirit" which disturbed me. Fortunately I had a Godly, well-taught Bible Class leader, in whom I could confide. He was wise in his dealings with me. I still have his letter dated 6th April, 1937. It is a lengthy type-written document that analyses the error of the book, in the light of the Scriptures. The sound doctrine imparted to me at that time has stood me in good stead and kept me from being influenced by a movement which is now sweeping the world. Some of my unhappy experiences touching the movement, are recorded in the appendix of this booklet. Sufficient here to say, that what we are seeing today is not new. These people have always taught that the Baptism in the Spirit is an "experience" to be sought, and that tongues, healings, prophecies, etc., are for today. One has only to read Sir Robert Anderson's book, "Spirit Manifestations and the Gift of Tongues", to realise that 140 years ago, when the Assemblies known as Open or Christian Brethren commenced their witness, the Irvingite tongues visitation was in full force in London. Although it bore many marks of being inspired by the Holy Spirit, it disappeared in ignominy 10 years later, leaving its most ardent adherents completely disillusioned. The main difference today seems to be that members of the various groups are divided as to whether the tongue is a language or that of an angel. Also today it is customary, not to leave one's denomination in favour of a recognised Pentecostal group, but to remain within it and proselytise by meetings, literature and personal witnessing to the "experience" then say you are not "Pentecostal" but belong to such and such a Church. Resulting from this new practise, almost every denomination, Evangelical, Liberal and Roman Catholic alike has become infiltrated with divisive groups all contained within the broad scope of the Charismatic movement. These events have strong prophetic significance as will be seen in the Appendix.

Twenty years ago, the confusion of today was not experienced. Neither the Evangelical nor the Conformist Churches would countenance the phenomena. People who embraced these views left their Denomination and joined a Pentecostal group. People belonged where they believed - which surely is a right and honest principle to follow at all times.

In today's bewildering situation it is imperative that every Christian knows for himself what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit - and indeed all the great fundamental Doctrines of the faith. As an Evangelist my heart goes out to young people facing the present dilemma and I pray that these notes written in simple, non Theological language will assist them and Christians everywhere to discern the mind of God on this subject. I trust they will also help Christian workers and elders whose task it is to teach and shepherd the flock, remembering that a Shepherd has a duty both to protect the sheep and to provide good pasture for them. The answer to this and every other problem facing the Church lies in the clear unfolding of positive truth from the Word of God.

In conclusion, may I ask you the reader to approach these notes prayerfully, in humble dependence on God that He may teach you His truth as you "search the Scriptures" with the aid of the verses given to you in each section. May the Holy Spirit Himself use the studies to the blessing of all who read them - saving some from the errors that abound today and leading all into a fruitful Spirit filled life is my earnest and expectant prayer.

COLIN GRAHAM,
34 Pukepapa Road, Marton, N.Z.

We live in a day of confusion regarding the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of these studies will be to ask and answer some important questions from the Scriptures so that we will all be informed and be able to live a spirit filled life to the glory of God.
 

1. IS THE HOLY SPIRIT A PERSON OR AN INFLUENCE?

• Romans 8 v. 27 - "The mind of the Spirit" (intellect).
• Romans 15 v. 30 - "The love of the Spirit" (emotion).
• 1 Cor. 12 v. 11 - "Divides to every man, as He wills" (will).

• grieved - Ephesians 4 v. 30.
• lied unto - Acts 5 v. 3.
• blasphemed - Mark 3 v. 29.

2. IS HE GOD?

(b) HE POSSESSES THE ATTRIBUTES OF DEITY:
i. ETERNITY: Hebrews 9 v. 14 - This belongs to God alone.

ii. LIFE: Romans 8 v. 2; TRUTH: John 16 v. 13; HOLINESS: 1 Thess. 4 v. 8.

iii. OMNIPRESENCE: Present everywhere - Psalm 139 v. 7-13. John 14 v. 16-17 - He will be with all the Lord's people, simultaneously.

iv. OMNISCIENCE: All knowledge - 1 Cor. 2 v. 10.

v. OMNIPOTENCE: All Power - Genesis 1 v. 2, Luke 1 v. 35, Romans 15 v. 19.
 

(c) HE IS EQUAL WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON, and is joined with them in these verses: Matthew 28 v. 19; 2 Cor. 13 v. 14.
 

(d) HE DOES THE THINGS THAT ONLY GOD CAN DO:
(1) Creates - Job 33 v. 4.
(2) Regenerates - John 3 v. 5, Titus 3 v. 5.
 

(e) BLASPHEMY AGAINST HIM can never be forgiven: Matthew 12 v. 32.
 

3. WHAT ARE SOME OF HIS NAMES?

• Spirit of Truth - John 14 v. 17, 15 v. 26, 1 John 4 v. 6.
• Spirit of Life - Romans 8 v. 2.
• Spirit of Holiness - Romans 1 v. 4.
• Spirit of Wisdom - Isaiah 11 v. 2.
• Spirit of Grace - Hebrews 10 v. 29.
• Spirit of Glory - 1 Peter 4 v. 14.
• Spirit of God - 1 Cor. 3 v. 16.
• Spirit of Christ - Romans 8 v. 9.

4. WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO?

2. IN RELATION TO CHRIST:

(a) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1 v. 18.
(b) He was led by the Spirit. Matthew 4 v. 1.
(c) He was anointed by the Spirit for service. Acts 10 v. 38.
(d) He was crucified in the power of the Spirit. Hebrews 9 v. 14.
(e) He was raised by the power of the Spirit. Romans 8 v. 11.

3. IN RELATION TO THE WORLD:
Convicts of sin. John 16 v. 8-11.

4. IN RELATION TO THE BELIEVER:

(a) REGENERATES: John 3 v. 3-5.
(b) INDWELLS: 1 Cor. 6 v. 19. True of every believer however weak or imperfect. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. Romans 8 v. 9.
(c) SEALS: Eph. 1 v. 13, 14; Eph. 4 v. 30. This sealing stands for three things: A finished transaction, ownership and likeness to Christ! 2 Tim. 2 v. 19-21.
(d) INFILLS: Acts 2 v. 4; 4 v. 31; Eph. 5 v. 18. More about this later in our studies.
(e) EMPOWERS for service. Romans 8 v. 2.
(f) GUIDES: Acts 8 v. 26-29; 16 v. 6; 13 v. 2-4.
(g) ANOINTS - for knowledge and teaching. 1 John 2 v. 20, 27; 1 Cor. 2 v. 9-14; John 14 v. 26.

Note the anointing is spoken of as an accomplished fact to be enjoyed rather than something to be sought in Prayer.
 
 

5. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY THE TERM "THE BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT"?

There are seven references to the Baptism in the N.T. Four of them are parallel statements in the Gospels. (See Matthew 3 v. 11, Mark 1 v. 8, Luke 3 v. 16, John 1 v. 33). They refer to the prediction of John the Baptist concerning the promised Messiah and the fact that He would one day baptise believers in the Holy Spirit, e.g. MATTHEW 3 v. 11 "I indeed baptise you with (or in) water unto repentance, but He that cometh after me is mightier than I . . . He shall baptise you witht (in) the Holy Ghost".

NOTE, the baptiser is the Lord Jesus. The element into which He baptises is the Holy Spirit. In the case of John the Baptist, he was the baptiser and the element into which he baptised was water. Baptism in water, fire or the Spirit always requires four parts - a subject, an object, an element and a purpose. John was the subject, the people of Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about Jordon were the objects. The River Jordan was the element - the purpose was repentance.

With regard to the Holy Spirit Baptism, the subject is "Christ" - "He shall baptise", the object is "You", the element is the Holy Spirit, the purpose is the placing of believers in the one Body (the Church). 1 Cor. 12 v. 13: By (in) one Spirit have we all been baptised (IMMERSED) into one Body.

The baptism in the Spirit therefore has primarily to do with unity. The fullness which we shall discuss later, has to do with power - fruit in character, Galatians 5 v. 22, and fruit in service, Acts 1 v. 8.
 

6. WHEN DID THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKE PLACE?

STUDY THAT!

The Holy Spirit was not yet given - Christ had not ascended - been glorified. It was therefore expedient for them that He go away, otherwise the Holy Spirit would not have come. JOHN 16 v. 7.

In the O.T. and right until the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon certain people for certain work, e.g. Samson - JUDGES 14 v. 6 - but He had not come to dwell within believers and certainly the Church or "one body", 1 Cor. 12 v. 13, had not been formed. The Church was future when Christ spoke in MATTHEW 16 v. 18 - "Upon this Rock I will build my Church" - not I have built or I am building.

Joel prophesied "It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh."

Leaving the four references to the baptism, in the Gospels mentioned above, we come now to the 5th MENTION in Acts 1 v. 5. Read verses 1-9. Compare Luke 24 v. 45-53. Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the promise was fulfilled and the baptism took place. Acts 2 v. 1-4 (Note verses 16 and 17, Peter quoting from Joel's prophecy). This is the only day upon which the Holy Spirit could be given because it had been thus decreed as far back as Leviticus 23, where we find the meaning of "PENTECOST". In that chapter instructions are given regarding the seven annual festivals occurring at three times of the years. The first is the PASSOVER on 14 Abib, the first month of the Sacred Year. On this day the lamb was slain and on this day the crucifixion of Christ took place - it could occur on no other! Then followed the Feast of Unleavened Bread on 15 Abib (This represents obedience to God) - putting sin out of our lives - communion with Christ - a holy walk. The third feast was that of First Fruits, verses 10-14, typifying the Resurrection. The next feast of the Wave loaves was observed on the 50th day - Pentecost - for that is what the word 50th means. So when the Lord said, on the day of His ascension, "Ye shall be baptised in the Holy Ghost not many days hence", He meant in 10 days' time - 50 days after His resurrection. It could occur on no other, and it could never be repeated.

The SIXTH mention of the baptism is in Acts 11 v. 16. Here Peter quotes Christ's words of Acts 1 v. 5 and relates them to what happened at the conversion of Cornelius. He says (v. 15) the Holy Ghost fell on them (the Gentiles) as on us (the Jews) at the beginning. So this event had brought the Gentiles as well as the Jews into the Church. Read again 1 Cor. 12 v. 13. For by (in) one Spirit are we all baptised into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles.

The SEVENTH reference to the Baptism is 1 Cor. 12 v. 13, 14. This time we will quote the R.V. and note a number of things. "For in one Spirit were (past tense) we all baptised into one body (carnal and spiritual) whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), whether bond (slaves) or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit, for the body is not one member but many." Paul did not tell the carnal, sinful troublesome members of this church - nor us - to "seek" a baptism in the Spirit or to "tarry" for same. Rather does he put this event in the past as Historical Fact.

Dr Graham Scroggie in referring to the above seven references to the baptism, points out that they may be grouped as follows:

• PROPHETICALLY: Matthew 3 v. 11, Mark 1 v. 8, Luke 3 v. 16, John 1 v. 33, Acts 1 v. 5.

 
• HISTORICALLY: Acts 2 v. 1-4, 11 v. 15-17.

 
• DOCTRINALLY in retrospect: 1 Cor. 12 v. 13.

Our Christian faith rests on two historical facts, namely the atoning work of Christ on the Passover day and the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. These were foreshadowed in type (Lev 23), foretold in prophecy (Isaiah 53, Joel 2 v. 28, Matthew 3 v. 11), fulfilled in the N.T. (1 Peter 1 v. 18-20, 1 Cor. 12 v 13). They can never be repeated, Romans 6 v. 3, 4 teaches that every believer was united with Christ in His death on Calvary. It does not need the Crucifixion to be repeated for each believer to say "I have been crucified with Christ", Galatians 2 v. 20. Likewise each believer was potentially baptised into the body of Christ on the day of Pentecost. 1 Cor. 12 v. 13. It does not need the baptism to be repeated for the individual believer to affirm "I have been baptised into the one body of Christ". This leads us on to the next question.
 
 
 

7. IS IT SCRIPTURAL TO SEEK A BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT TODAY?

Before leaving this section we will make brief reference to the four groups in the Acts, who participated in the baptism. NOTE the baptism was always associated with groups and not individuals.

(1) The Jewish believers at Pentecost, Acts 2.

(2) The Gentile believers in the house of Cornelius, Acts 10. Because of the prejudice against the Gentiles on the part of the Jews, who regarded them as "dogs", God in His sovereignty bestowed on the Gentiles the same hallowed gift as the Jews had received at Pentecost, causing Peter to exclaim, "As I began to speak the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us, at the beginning . . . For as much as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us . . . What was I that I could withstand God." Acts 11 v. 15-18. This was one of the great mysteries entrusted to Paul for explanation - that henceforth the Gentiles would be fellow heirs with the Jews. Ephesians 3 v. 1-11.

(3) The Samaritan believers in Acts 8. The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. They held them in contempt. The only way to show that the old enmity was gone, and that they enjoyed equal standing in the Church with the Jews, was for the Apostles themselves to approve them. They did this by the laying on of hands (identification) whereupon "they received the Holy Ghost".

(4) John's Disciples, Acts 19 v. 1-7. They knew only the baptism of John - were not on Christian ground - had never heard of the Holy Spirit. They were disciples of John. Certainly their condition was different from the average Christian believer today and cannot be accepted as the pattern for us in regard to the receiving of the Holy Spirit. Paul had to tell them about believing in Christ Jesus, about being baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus and about the coming of the Holy Ghost. When Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they were incorporated into the "one body" of Christ.

These four classes embrace all the human race - there can be no others. They are unique and none matches believers today. Our experience is not that of those who lived in the transitional period of the Acts, but of those who lived later - who received Christ as we do, after the Holy Spirit was given. None of these received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, tarrying, or praying for the Spirit, but "having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise", Ephesians 1 v. 13 R.V.; "Born of the Spirit", John 3 v. 5; "You hath He quickened, who were dead", Eph. 2 v. 1; "It is the Spirit who quickeneth", John 6 v. 63; "Now He which . . . hath anointed us is God, who hath also sealed us and given us the earnest of the Spirit", 1 Cor. 1 v. 21, 22.

In addition the believer is indwelt by the Spirit, 1 Cor. 6 v. 19; baptised in the Spirit, 1 Cor. 12 v. 13. Note also, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His", Romans 8 v. 9.

The above is what Paul taught his converts - even the carnal Corinthians - and this is his teaching for us today.
 

8. WHAT IS THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT?

Whilst the baptism cannot be lost and is never repeated, the fullness can be lost and needs repeating. One baptism but many fillings is the teaching of Scripture. Thus we read of Peter being again filled in Acts 4 v. 8 following the experience of Acts 2 v. 4 and in Acts 4 v. 31 the whole company being again filled. Paul had similar experiences in Acts 9 v. 17, 13 v. 9. The fullness can be lost if we "grieve" the Spirit by unjudged sin in the life. Eph. 4 v. 30. Things like disobedience, telling lies, Eph. 4 v. 25, anger v. 26, stealing v. 28, bad language or careless use of slang v. 29, evil speaking, bitterness, wrath v. 31 - in fact anything of the flesh as mentioned in Galatians 5 v. 19-21 - immorality and uncleanness in thought and deed, drunkeness (including its seeds, moderate drinking), revellings and such like.

Again we are warned "Quench not the Spirit". 1 Thess. 5 v. 19. The thought is that of "putting out a fire". It is used this way in other connections. See Matt. 12 v. 20. Mark 9 v. 48. He is called the Spirit of Burning in Isaiah 4 v. 4. To quench the Spirit means to put out the Divine flame in our hearts, to grow cold - plain lukewarmness. This sin affects not only ourselves but others with whom we worship or do service. The opposite is Godly enthusiasm which is also contagious. The corporate actions of an Assembly through criticisms, divisions, formalism, worldly methods, can easily quench the Holy Spirit.
 

9. WHAT IS THE WAY BACK TO A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE?

(b) COMMITMENT to Christ as Lord. Romans 12 v. 1, 2; 1 Cor. 6 v. 19; 1 Peter 3 v. 15; John 20 v. 28.
This means:
(i) Lord of my heart or the unseen part of me. Intellect - my thinking and reading. Emotion - my moods, feelings, loving, hating, etc. Will - my choices and decisions. Is He Lord of these realms?
(ii) Lord of my body or the seen part of me. Eyes - what I look at. Hearing - what I listen to. Lips - what I say. Hands - what I do. Feet - where I go. Is He Lord of these? Is He Lord of my friendships, my habits, my time, my career, my money? Is there a rival to His Lordship?

(c) CLAIM the promises of His Word. 1 John 5 v. 14, 15.

The Christian life is the life of faith and faith is simply taking God at His Word. If I have honestly met God's conditions for a Spirit-filled life, the responsibility rests not with me but with God. I can with confidence rest on Him to do what He has promised.

W. P. Nicholson, the Irish Evangelist, tells how he once went for special electrical treatment. He was asked to sit on a chair while the Practitioner read the paper. After a while Mr Nicholson asked for the treatment to begin and was told he was being treated at that moment. He said he felt nothing, whereupon the doctor took a board with electric bulbs and placed it on Mr Nicholson's chest. Immediately the bulbs glowed with light and the doctor stated that there was enough power passing through Mr Nicholson's body to run a tram car on the street.

When using this story by way of illustration, the Evangelist would say, "You have all the power of God's Spirit in you but are unconscious of it, until a need arises and then it will be manifest for it is there all right."

That is why Paul was able to say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." It is right and proper to seek His power and infilling for special tasks, crises and service. Acts 4 v. 31, 33; Acts 7 v. 55-60.
 
 

10. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE?

Melody in the Heart: V. 19, 20. Read it. If you are disgruntled and complaining you are not living the spirit-filled life. On the other hand the experience of this verse does not indicate the surrender of self-control and the indulgence of unintelligible rhapsodies.

Melody in the Church: V. 21. Submitting yourselves one to another.

Melody in the Home: V. 24, 25. Submissive wives and loving husbands. Obedient children, Eph. 6 v. 1; wise parents, Eph. 6 v. 4.

Melody in the Business: Obedient, loyal servants, Eph. 6 v. 5; considerate masters, Eph. 6 v. 9.

Victory in the Battle: Eph. 6 v. 10- 18. Note the armour I must take (not make) and the things I must put on and do. The fruit of the Spirit is nine fold. Galatians 5 v. 22.

The spirit-filled life is one that is prayerful, practical, powerful. It can be mine IF I really want it, go in for it and meet with God's conditions.
 

11. TONGUES - ARE THEY FOR TODAY?

(1) In 2 Timothy 2 v. 15 we are exhorted to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

(2) God has divided time into seven periods or dispensations. In each He deals in a special way with people for a special purpose. Usually there is an overlapping as the dispensations change.

(3) In the case before us, we must distinguish between the Apostolic period and the Post-Apostolic period. The apostolic period is not the norm for Christian experience today, e.g. the dead were raised to life, prison doors miraculously opened, the shadow of an apostle falling on the sick healed them. These things do not happen today. Why not? Because the dispensation like previous ones was ushered in by miraculous but temporary signs. When the Canon of Holy Writ was completed, the need for Apostles, Prophets and miraculous attestations to the prophetic utterances ceased. The silence of the Epistles to same, proves this to be the case. Ephesians 2 v. 20 makes the definite statement that the Apostles and Prophets were in the Foundation of the Church - not in its superstructure. No foundation doctrine remained to be added.

(4) Miraculous signs were:
(a) Promised in Mark 16.
(b) Fulfilled and historically recorded in the Acts, and in Mark 16 v. 20.
(c) Regulated in 1 Corinthians.
(d) Not mentioned in the later Epistles.

(5) The signs or miracles of Mark 16, Acts and 1 Corinthians, all apply to the Apostolic period, as the dates of writings show.

(6) In 1 Corinthians at least five miraculous spectacular sign gifts were in operation; namely prophecy, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues.

(7) In contrast to the above we have in Ephesians 4 God's complete provision for the Post-Apostolic period of the last 1900 years. These are:
(a) The inspired record of all the teaching of the Apostles and Prophets as contained in the Scriptures.
(b) Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers - the permanent gifts. With the Ministry of the Apostles and Prophets in the foundation of the Church completed and preserved for us in the N.T. they were no longer necessary and therefore passed away. There have been no Apostles or Prophets in the N.T. sense, since its completion (except false ones - see Rev. 2 v. 2).

The Apostles of Christ had to have these credentials:
(a) Be a witness to the resurrection to give first hand evidence of same. Acts 1 v. 22; Acts 10 v. 39-41; 1 Cor. 15 v. 7-10.

(b) Be able to work miracles to show Christ had sent them. 2 Cor. 12 v. 12.

(c) Be directly chosen by the Lord Himself as the 12 were. Luke 6 v. 13. No modern Apostle can possibly have these qualifications. The words of the Apostles were authoritative and binding upon the Church for all time. See 2 Peter 3 v. 1-2, 1 Thess. 4 v. 8. All that was communicated to them by direct revelation and through their oral testimony in the Churches during their life was recorded in the written Word of God. No further legislation is required, no fuller instructions need be given - the Church is completely furnished till He come. It is fitting that ere the last Apostle (John) passed off the scene, the final message (the Book of Revelation) was given through him to the Churches of Christ, and how fitting his warning not to "add unto these things or take away from the words of this Book". Rev. 22 v. 18, 19.

A Prophet was one who received direct revelation of truth apart from the written word of Scripture. The solemn warning of Revelation 22 v. 18 shows God has revealed in the Scriptures all He will give in this dispensation. Every generation of Christians since the Apostles and Prophets has been given by the Risen Head of the Church, Evangelists to preach the Gospel, Pastors to shepherd the flock, Teachers to expound the word. These are the permanent gifts to the Church. Apostles and Prophets, in the "foundation", were temporary and belonged only to a limited period of Church history.

(8) The five references to tongues all occur in the Apostolic period, namely Acts 2, Acts 10, Acts 19, Mark 16, 1 Cor. 14, written A.D. 59. (Their purpose was to confirm the spoken word and claims of the Apostles. Read Heb. 2 v. 3, 4, Mark 16 v. 20. Note the word "confirming".) They do not occur in the great Doctrinal Epistles written later, Romans A.D. 60, Ephesians A.D. 64, Hebrews A.D. 64. Paul in his instruction to Timothy and Titus concerning the formation and function of the Churches, never mentions the gift, neither does he mention it as a provision for the "last days" in the same epistles.

(9) To understand why God ever gave the gift of Tongues, one must read carefully Isaiah 28 v. 11, "With men of other (R.V. STRANGE) tongues and other lips will I speak unto 'this people' (the Jews) and yet, for all that, will they not hear me, saith the Lord." Also Isaiah 6 v. 9, 10, and 1 Cor. 1 v. 22, "The Jews require a sign."

When Christ claimed to be the Messiah they asked for signs. John 6 v. 30, Matthew 12 v. 38-41. Signs were given them in the O.T. - they rejected God. Signs were given them in the Gospels - they rejected Christ. Signs (tongues and healing) were given them in the Acts - they rejected the Holy Spirit. God confirmed the Word with signs and wonders until Acts 28 A.D. 63, when finally He turned to the Gentiles (read Acts 28 v. 25-29 where Isaiah 6 v. 9, 10, is quoted). Prior to this the message was "to the Jew first", e.g. Romans 1 v. 17 written A.D. 60, but after Acts 28, A.D. 63, Jew and Gentile were treated alike and believers from both had been baptised into the one body.

1 Corinthians was written prior to Acts 28 and it was for the sake of the unbelieving Jews who visited that seaport city (Corinth), that tongues were given.

NOTE 1 Cor. 14 v. 21, 22 where Isaiah 28 v. 11, 12 is quoted as an explanation of tongues, "In the law it is written, with men of other tongues (STRANGE TONGUES R.V.) and other lips will I speak unto this people and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord, wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe but to them that believe not" (the Jew). Today the "tongues" movement has reversed God's order and treats what they think is the gift of tongues as a sign to believers and urge believers to seek same!

The purpose of signs in the case of both Christ and His Apostles was always to confirm the spoken word or claims made. See Mark 2 v. 5-12. NOTE the claim was to forgive sins v. 5 and 10, "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, He saith to the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, arise..."

Now read again Hebrews 2 v. 3, 4, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first (note when) began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him, God, also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and with divers (many) miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will" (Sovereignty). Mark 16 v. 20. "And they (the eleven, see v. 14) went forth and preached everywhere (past tense), the Lord working with them and confirming the Word with signs following ('By the signs that followed' R.V.). This is an historical record of what happened there and then in A.D. 33 to fulfill the Divine Plan and promise to "this people" Israel.

Are we to suppose now, that when an R.C. Priest speaks in tongues that God is confirming his doctrine (prayers to Mary, the Mass, a fresh sacrifice for sins, purgatory, penance, priest craft, etc.) - or when the Modernist speaks in tongues must we believe God is confirming his disbelief of the Virgin Birth, Blood Atonement, Bodily Resurrection and Bible Inspiration? RIDICULOUS! Surely this is proof that the whole thing is a delusion.

(10) Tongues are not the sign of a Spirit-filled life. They are not mentioned in those passages where the Spirit-filled life is described. Gal 5 v. 22, Eph. 5 v. 18, 6 v. 20. The Corinthians who had the gift were "carnal" - not spiritual! 1 Cor. 3 v. 3.

(11) We have shown above that tongues are not for today, but even in Apostolic times they had very limited use, e.g.
(a) They were the last and least of the gifts.

(b) Given to a limited number of people as is implied in Paul's question "Do all speak with tongues?" 1 Cor. 12 v. 30. Note the significant omissions. The 3,000 filled with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost - No Mention. The 5,000 later added to the Church, Stephen, Barnabas, the Lord Jesus Himself, John the Baptist.

(c) Given by the sovereign act of God, "dividing to every man (gifts) severally as He will." 1 Cor. 12 v. 11. At Pentecost the giving of the gift had nothing to do with the subjective attitude of the disciples, but had all to do with the sovereignty of God.

(d) The tongue used on the day of Pentecost was a known language intelligent, understandable, translatable - not a meaningless repetition of sounds and noises; c.f. Acts 2 v. 4 with verses 6, 8, 11 where the words "tongue" and "language" are used interchangeably. At least 15 nationalities were represented and said, "We do hear them speak in our own tongues (languages), the wonderful works of God. In the House of Cornelius the tongue was exactly the same as at Pentecost because Peter who was present on both occasions said so. Acts 10:44, 45. "The Holy Ghost fell on them (Gentiles) as on us (Jews) . . . God gave them the like gift as He did unto us." Acts 11:15, 17. The same language is also used to describe the tongue used by John's Disciples. c.f. Acts 19:6 with Acts 10:44, 45. In every case it was a language readily identified - a clear form of communication.

In Mark 16 they are referred to as "new" tongues (i.e. not known before to the speaker). In Acts 2 v. 4 as "other" tongues (i.e. different languages). In 1 Cor. 12 v. 12 as "divers kinds" of tongues and in v. 28 as "diversities of tongues". The use of the word "unknown" throughout Chapter 14 is not in the Greek N.T. nor the R.V. and should be omitted when reading the chapter.

In 1 Cor. 14 v. 19 Paul says, "I had rather speak five words with my understanding than 10,000 words (not gibberish) in a tongue." An interpreter was required. Jamieson, Faucett & Brown say, "Tongues must therefore mean languages, not ecstatic unintelligible rhapsodies." Dr Harry IRONSIDE believes the same in "What's The Answer", pages 102-103. On verse 18 J.F.B. says, "The oldest manuscripts have the singular 'in a tongue' (foreign)."

When God spoke from Heaven at the baptism of Jesus, it was in a language understood by all. He is not the author of confusion.

(e) There is no record of the gift having been given to women in Corinth.
There are prophets, but no prophetess in this Church. In 1 Cor. 14 the chapter that deals with tongues, it states, v. 34, "Let your women keep silence in the Churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak . . . it is a shame for women to speak in the Church."

It is foolish to argue that "speak" here means "chatter". That would suggest that men could chatter but not the women! But try substituting "chatter" for "speak" in verses 6, 18, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29 and you will see how foolish is this contention.

(f) No one was exhorted to seek this gift but they were told to desire other spiritual gifts, V5.

(g) In our day, those who seek the so-called gift of tongues seem to become occupied with it. They speak much of their "experience" and their "feelings". The results are usually subjective and often have very sad endings. Those who go in for the manifestations cannot be said to be more spiritual or more used of God than those who shun the phenomena. The world's greatest Christian leaders have been opposed to this movement which is a staggering thing, if as some say, speaking in tongues is the hallmark of the Spirit's fullness. However the important thing to remember is that "tongues" belonged to the Apostolic, transitional period and have since been withdrawn. Paul said they would cease. 1 Cor. 13 v. 8.

Remember also that certain events in God's calendar can never be repeated, e.g. the Flood, the giving of the Law, the Birth of Christ, His three years of Public Ministry, the Cross, the three days in the Tomb, the 40 days of the Post Resurrection period, the day of Pentecost, the Baptism in the Spirit, tarrying for same; in fact the entire Apostolic period to Acts 28 and the miraculous events that happened therein. It is not that God hasn't the power to repeat these events, but that in His sovereignty He is pleased not to do so, because His plans and purposes for the past era have been fulfilled and those for today are different.

Satan can counterfeit the gift of tongues. The Corinthians in their unsaved days were "swept along by impulses beyond (their) control in the orgies of dumb idols" (1 Cor. 12 v. 2, Way's translation), v. 3 suggests some had said Jesus was "accursed", while speaking in tongues. In order to protect the Church against possible Satanic deception, the Holy Spirit gave to some, in Apostolic times, "the discerning of Spirits" v. 10. John warns of this danger when he said, "Beloved, believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits, whether they are of God." 1 John 4 v. 1. How are we to try them? By the Word of God. "To the law and the testimony, if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8 v. 19, 20.

Note also the first part of verse 19, "and when they shall say unto you, seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto wizards that peep and that mutter . . ."

Satan has many ministers and they don't all preach modernism. God warns they are "transformed as the ministers of Righteousness". 2 Cor. 11 v. 14, 15.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood (men and women) but against wicked spirits in high places. Hence we are to put on the whole armour of God that we may withstand the wiles of the Devil. Eph. 6 v. 10-18. The armour includes the shield of faith, the sword of the Word of God. Every Spirit is not the Holy Spirit! When "tried" by the Word they are proved false and deceptive. If the Devil's counterfeit was obvious we would require no warning, but because of his wiles (cunning craftiness) we are warned many times to be on our guard. DON'T become one of his dupes!

Let us follow the example of the Church in Ephesus. Rev. 2 v. 2, and we will come to the same conclusion.

To end on a positive note, let us ever remember that the believer has everything now in Christ to enjoy and does not require Satan's counterfeit.

See Col. 2 v. 6, 10; 1 Cor. 1 v. 30, 31; John 16 v. 7; 1 Cor. 6 v. 19; Eph. 5 v. 18. "Jesus Christ is made to me all I need".

WHAT ABOUT HEALING?

Healers abound, who try to perform miracles like those described in the Bible. Some practice healing through noisy, tension filled dramatic gatherings; others in fashionable Churches, through small prayer services, making the sign of the Cross and anointing the sick with oil. Thousands of others visit shrines where special healing power is reported to be available; while many more are taught that sickness and death are only delusions of the mind which can be dispensed with, by proper thinking.

In the short space of this paper we cannot examine every case, but would state that the test of any healing must be the Scriptures and not the claims of men, or even actual cases which may not after all have been performed by God, but by some other power.

We would not limit God and we rejoice that He can heal when it is His sovereign will to do so. There are many Biblical instances of miraculous healing in the Old Testament performed by the Prophets, and in the New Testament by the Lord Jesus and His Apostles. Gifts of healing were given to others in Apostolic times in 1 Cor. 12 v. 9.

However we are convinced that there is a big difference between Divine healings as carried out in the Bible times and "faith" healing in our day. Modern healers usually claim that anyone can be healed of any sort of disease if the conditions they outline are followed. The basis of such healings are misapplied texts, "faith", and the assumption that Christ's work on Calvary atoned for our sicknesses as well as our sins. They say therefore that it is just as easy to be healed of bodily infirmity as it is to be healed of spiritual infirmity.

The purpose of this paper is to show the falsity of such claims, which have led to widespread confusion, disappointment, depression, deceit, division among God's people, departure from the faith (in some cases), deranged minds and even death itself.

Let us ask and answer several questions in relation to the subject.
 

1. WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC HEALING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

When He claimed to be the Bread of Life in John 6, He fed the 5,000 as confirmation.

When He claimed to forgive sins, He healed a palsied man to prove His claim. Matthew 9 v. 6.

When He claimed to be the Light of the World, He immediately gave sight to a blind man as proof. John 9 v. 5-7 and 16, 17.

When He claimed to be the Resurrection and the Life, He raised Lazarus. John 11 v. 25, 26, 43, 44. When Israel rejected Christ, the Apostles and the Holy Spirit signs, the nation was set aside and the signs were gradually withdrawn; c.f. Acts 28 v. 25-28, written in A.D. 63 with some who lived later and were not healed; e.g. Epaphroditus, Phil, 2 v. 24-30 (A.D. 64); Trophimus, 2 Tim. 4 v. 20 (A.D. 66); Timothy, 1 Tim. 5 v. 23 (A.D. 65); Paul, 2 Cor. 12 v. 8-10 (A.D. 60).

See other references to "signs" and their purpose in Matt. 12 v. 38-39, Mark 16 v. 20, Heb. 2 v. 3, 4. Note the word "confirming".
 

2. WHAT WERE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT PRIOR TO ACTS 28?

(b) COMPLETE: Perfect - not partial. Mark 6 v. 56, "As many as touched Him were made whole." Matthew 12 v. 13, A withered hand became instantly whole, like the other. Matthew 9 v. 30, The blind had their eyes opened. Matthew 9 v. 33, The dumb spake. Acts 3 v. 6-9, The lame man, now healed by Peter, entered the temple praising God.

(c) COMPREHENSIVE: They embraced all forms of diseases and all sorts of people - none rejected. Matthew 4 v. 23, "He healed all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." Luke 7 v. 21, "Infirmities . . . plagues and evil spirits." Matthew 12 v. 15, "Great multitudes and He healed them all." Ears cut off were restored - organic diseases banished - dead raised. These things do not happen with the modern healer.

(d) PERMANENT: There was no relapse.

(e) WITHOUT PREPARED ATMOSPHERE: Nothing worked up. A quiet calm dignity pervaded the scene - just the opposite of the clever hypnotic manipulations of today's healing meetings.
 

3. WAS FAITH ALWAYS REQUIRED ON THE PART OF THE PERSON HEALED?

4. IS SICKNESS ALWAYS THE RESULT OF SIN?

The important thing is that Job maintained the right attitude to God through it all and God blessed him doubly for it; c.f. Job 42 v. 12, 13.

Only the person involved knows whether or not God is speaking to him through some incident and no-one else has the right (as they do) to insinuate or state that the cause must be personal sin.
 

5. CAN CHRISTIANS "CLAIM" HEALING ON THE GROUND OF CHRIST'S ATONEMENT?

Christ bore the sickness of people, Matthew 8 v. 16, 17, and thus Matthew says He fulfilled Isaiah 53 v. 4 there and then during his lifetime and not on the Cross. The word "bear" in Matthew "BASTAZO" is the same as the Hebrew "NASA" in Isaiah and means "to bear sympathetically". The same word is used in Gal. 6 v. 2, "Bear ye one another's burdens."

However when Peter says, "He bare our sins in His own body on the tree", another word is used, "ANAPHERO", which means to bear in an atoning way a propitiatory sacrifice. 1 Peter 2 v. 24.

Thus the Holy Spirit has been careful to guide us into all truth by the use of different words in these respective verses.

The Lord Jesus made atonement for our sins. Sins need an atoning sacrifice. He did not make atonement for our sicknesses. Sicknesses need no atonement. Believers on the basis of the atonement and resurrection, can claim deliverance from the guilt and power of sin, but not from its consequences - sickness and death. This is yet future and will be realised at the Lord's coming. Romans 8 v. 18-23.
 

6. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MISAPPLIED TEXTS USED BY MODERN HEALERS?

(b) Mark 16 v. 18, "They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."

(c) James 5 v. 14-16, "Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed."

We are exhorted in 2 Tim. 2 v. 15 "to rightly divide the Word of Truth", and unless one can see the distinction between the Apostolic age and the Post-Apostolic period, he will never rightly understand these verses. God has divided time into seven periods or dispensations. The present one, that of "Grace", was ushered in by at least five spectacular miraculous sign gifts, namely:

(1) The gift of tongues or languages.

(2) The gift of interpretation of tongues.

(3) The gift of healing.

(4) The gift of miracles.

(5) The gift of prophecy. See 1 Cor. 12 v. 1-11.

These gifts were promised in Mark 16, fulfilled and historically recorded in Acts, regulated in 1 Corinthians (written during the Acts period, A.D. 59). Their main purpose was to confirm the words and claims of the Apostles, thus assuring the people of their genuine credentials. See Heb. 2 v. 3, 4. Apostles and Prophets were in the "foundation" of the building, which once laid, cannot be repeated. Eph. 2 v. 20. The gifts which attested them were no longer required and gradually passed away. This is confirmed by the fact that with the exception of Prophecy in Romans written A.D. 60, none of the gifts, not even prophecy, are mentioned in the later epistles.

Ephesians 4 gives us God's provision for the Post-Apostolic period, covering the last 1900 years - namely the ministry of the Apostles and Prophets, preserved for us in the New Testament and used by the Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers who have been raised up by God to serve the Church in every generation.

Consequently there are no Prophets and Apostles in the New Testament sense, with us today, nor any necessity for the signs which followed their ministry.

That the gift of healing as practised in the New Testament is not with us today, is confirmed by the failures at every "healing mission" and by the failure of the healer to practice all of Mark 16 v. 17, 18 - namely shake off a viper from his hand, as Paul did, and suffer no hurt - drink poisons, even unintentionally, and remain well - heal all He lays his hands on, which is the implication of the passage - cast out demons - speak intelligently in new tongues or languages? Can he cast his shadow over the sick and see them recover, "every one", as Peter did? Acts 5 v. 15, 16. That the gift was passing away even in the latter part of Paul's day, is indicated by those who did not receive a miraculous cure, namely:

EPAPHRODITUS: Phil. 2 v. 25-30.
Gravity - "Sick, nigh unto death."
Cause - Not sin, but "because for the work of Christ." Selfless, sacrificial service had led to exhaustion. Why didn't Paul heal him - or send for the elders and have him anointed - or send for a handkerchief?

TROPHIMUS - 2 Tim. 4 v. 20. "Trophimus have I left at Miletum, sick." Just when Paul needed his companionship he had to leave his faithful friend behind sick. Why not get someone, with the gift of healing, to lay his hands upon him, if that gift was still there in A.D. 66, or why not urge him to claim his healing through the atonement?

TIMOTHY - 1 Tim .5 v. 23. Paul says nothing about sin in his life - never sent him a handkerchief - never told him to "claim his healing" or to send for the elders and get anointed, etc. Instead he prescribes a medical remedy, which is surely therefore not in opposition to the mind of God. (Incidently Luke was termed the "beloved physician" and was never told to forsake his calling, or that it was contrary to Divine healing.)

PAUL - 2 Cor. 12 v. 7; Gal. 4 v. 13, 14. Pentecostalists sometimes say that Paul's "thorn" was not sickness, but he himself terms it "the infirmity of the flesh". It is the body which becomes infirm - not the soul. Why did he not claim his healing if it was in the atonement?
 

7. CAN JAMES 5 BE USED TODAY?

(1) The sick one is to take the initiative, "Let him call for the elders". It does not say that those who make a hobby of divine healing should go, without invitation, to him and urge him to accept healing, or reproach him if he does not.

(2) He is to call the elders of the Church - not some self-appointed busy-body who goes about with a pot of oil - or some woman peculiarly gifted in prayer or thinks she is.

(3) The elders are to pray over him in the quiet of the home, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Another translation is "Pray . . . having first anointed him with oil." Oil stands for: (a) Medical means, Luke 10 v. 34; (b) Sanctification of the person, i.e. setting him apart for God. Lev. 8 v. 10-12.

(4) Pray over him - pray for his physical healing.

(5) "The prayer of faith (i.e. on the part of the praying elders) shall save the sick."

(6) The Lord shall raise him up . . .

(7) If a backslider, he must confess his sins to God and his fault to those he has harmed or grieved, v. 16. All involved in the case must also do this if necessary. Where the prayer of faith is not given to the elders it cannot be God's will to heal - they are not to blame.

It was not God's will to remove the thorn from Paul, but He gave him grace sufficient to bear it. 2 Cor. 12 v. 9.

(8) It is not always necessary to send for the elders or have the anointing. See v. 13. "Is any among you suffering? Let him pray." These are the general directions for a sick believer - pray. Sending for the elders, anointing, etc., is for when the person is "without strength" (literal rendering); i.e. gravely ill. Paul did not send for the elders - he prayed for himself. 2 Cor. 12 v. 7-9.
 

8. BY WHAT MEANS CAN HEALING BE EFFECTED?

(b) MEDICAL: Matthew 9 v. 12; 1 Tim. 5 v. 23; Rev. 22 v. 2. Luke was "the beloved physician" and sometimes accompanied Paul.

(c) PSYCHOLOGICAL: It is considered that possibly 80 percent of all illness can be traced to tensions, emotional strain and distress. When the cause of these is removed, good health follows. Thus, peace with God and harmony within and with others, will always result in healthier, happier living.

(d) DIVINE: God is able to heal in answer to prayer if such is His will. Jas. 5 v. 14. So we are to pray for ourselves and for one another "that ye may be healed".
 

9. CAN THE WORK OF GOD BE COUNTERFEITED BY SATAN?

Miraculous acts of healing are frequently performed by heathen priests, spirit mediums and false cults.

Christ has warned of signs and wonders that deceive. Matt. 24 v. 24, 25. Paul reminds us of the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders with all deceivableness. Devil-empowered miracles are real. 2 Thess. 2 v. 9, 10; Rev. 13 v. 13-15.

Thus, as the coming of the Lord draws nigh we may expect signs and miracles to be performed, but the origin and nature of some is Satanic. Let us beware of the "wiles of the devil" as he comes to us as an "angel of light".

Let young Christians in particular heed the advice of Paul, as he wrote for the "last days" in 2 Timothy 3 v .14, "Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them."

We have sought to point out the errors of that which purports to be Divine healing today and to show it is not according to the New Testament. We have also sought to point out God's true way of deliverance. May He give us wisdom to avoid the counterfeits. However "attractive" and "spiritual" they may appear to be.

APPENDIX

As there is much division and disunity among the various groups within the Charismatic movement, it is not always easy to deal with their errors in a particular way. Usually each will claim to be right and say they don't hold this or that - they have the genuine tongue, etc. - it's the "other" group who are wrong or counterfeit. However, I want, this morning, to deal briefly with the Neo-Pentecostal view-point.
 

THE NEO-PENTECOSTAL VIEW

I do not feel that this contention can be substantiated from Scripture. It gives a lop-sided view of the sovereignty of God and of the purposes of God in relation to miracles and gifts. Let us ever remember that God in His sovereignty can both bestow and withold gifts.

The sign gifts were not merited or prayed for, but a sovereign God bestowed them at Pentecost and in Corinth (1 Cor. 12 v. 11). 1 Cor. 10 v. 11 says, "All these things happened unto them (Israel) for examples and they are written for our admonition and learning, upon whom the ends of the world are come." Clearly then, what happened to Israel has lessons for us.
 

TWO GREAT DISPENSATIONS

Miracles followed during the 40 years in the wilderness, e.g. The Manna - Bread from Heaven - Water from the rock - Fire by night - Cloud by day - Shoes and clothes that never wore out - Walls that fell flat at Jericho. However when Israel entered the promised land, the miracles ceased in the sovereignty of God (Joshua 5 v. 12). No prior notice was given. Suddenly there was no manna. Israel must now plough, sow and reap, build houses, dig wells, weave materials, make sandals - in fact, do everything in a normal way. How foolish it would have been for any man or group to say, "God didn't tell us the miracles would cease. I am not going to plough and sow. I believe God can feed us if we exercise faith. Let's get together in our homes and hold some secret prayer meetings. Let's tarry and seek the miraculous gifts we once enjoyed. God in His sovereignty can give them again." How absurd this would have been - how out of the mind and purposes of God. What havoc and discontent it would have produced. Yet this is exactly what we see happening today - people praying for manifestations God has in His sovereignty withdrawn.

Come now to the New Testament. Christ has been a carpenter for years, then His public ministry begins. God attests Who He is by miracles, like He did with Moses. In Acts 2 v. 22 Peter says, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and words and signs which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know."

Let us recall some of these supernatural events.

The Father's voice from Heaven at His baptism - the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him in the form of a dove - blind made to see - lepers healed - lame made to walk - dead raised to life. Then came the last and greatest miracle - His own resurrection, by which He was declared to be the Son of God (Rom. 1 v. 4). Fifty days later marked the day of Pentecost and the Lord's promise of the coming Holy Spirit was fulfilled. The Church dispensation was ushered in by miracles, a rushing mighty wind, tongues of fire, fifteen nationalities heard the message of God in their own tongue.
 

LAW AND GRACE INTRODUCED BY MIRACLES

V. 7 states the nature of the miracles - unclean spirits came out of them, many taken with the palsies and that were lame, were healed. These are not being repeated today. Even if they were, conversions do not take place today on the basis of miracles. c.f. Our Lord's words in Luke 16 v. 31, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets (the authenticated Word of God) neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" - the greatest miracle of all! Note well that statement. The greatest authority is the Proven Word of God. If men won't listen to it God has nothing further to say by way of miracles.

If God's earthly people needed miracles to authenticate Moses and the dispensation of Law, how much more the apostles - Jesus Christ had died in weakness, the disciples were ignorant and unlearned men. The death of Christ was a stumbling block to the Jews, they had expected a mighty king. It was foolishness to the Greeks, because all of their gods were powerful. The resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit, with the signs that followed, were all given to compel attention and confirm the authority of Christ, His apostles and His gospel (Hebrews 2 v. 4). In Romans 15 v. 18, 19, Paul says, "I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God . . . . I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." The mighty signs were to authenticate the gospel as being of God.

But these miraculous gifts soon passed away once their purpose was fulfilled. Within 40 years Paul lost the power to heal his own thorn, Trophimus, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Note also, that prison doors which opened miraculously to Peter at the beginning (Acts 12) were later closed to Paul.

Since that apostolic age, God in His sovereignty has not authenticated any of His mighty men with sign gifts, e.g. Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Whitfield, Moody, Torrey. Why? Because the signs have served their purpose and therefore have been withdrawn. Admittedly attempts have been made to revive them by all sorts of questionable means, but the results have been disheartening and divisive. As I said earlier, what we are seeing today is NOT new. Men of God in each generation have been confronted with these phenomena.
 

STATEMENTS BY CHRISTIAN LEADERS

Mr Harold St. John. "The sign gifts of 1 Cor. 12 v. 9, 10, 28-30, and the men gifts of Eph. 4 v. 11 are given as needed. Apostles and prophets, miracles, tongues and healings are not seen (today) nor have they been seen since Century One."

W. E. Vine, author of the Greek English Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, says in his commentary on 1 Cor. 12 and 13, page 168, "After the Scriptures were completed, these supernatural signs ceased. Attempts to renew them have been deceptive. The professed possession of them is attractive and imparts a glamour to a so-called 'movement' which claims these powers." Then Mr Vine quotes the Scriptures, "Many false prophets are gone out into the world" and Satan even "fashioneth himself into an angel of light".

Dr R. A. Torrey, the world renowned evangelist and Bible teacher who visited New Zealand in 1902, said, "It is a movement that everyone who believes and obeys the Word of God, should leave severely alone, except to expose, as there may be occasion, the gross errors and evils connected with it," (Although Torrey's book "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit" uses confusing terms and is not recommended, Torrey was opposed to the "movement" of his day.)

Dr Campbell Morgan, acknowledged world-wide as a careful, scholarly Bible teacher, says, "We must remember that these signs were initial, they were incomplete; they produced no final result. They were necessary to arrest the attention of Jerusalem. They were Divine, direct and positive, but they were transient, never repeated, because never needed. The Church of God, all over the world, is confronting a very subtle period, that of putting the Spirit of God in a place of prominence that is entirely unwarranted by New Testament teaching. The movement associated with the gift of tongues at the present time, has upon it the HALLMARK OF HELL. Let there be no mistake about this! The terror of it to my heart is that some of the sweetest saints of God, the very elect, are being deceived because they lack that fundamental intelligence of what the mission of the Spirit really is. If the emphasis of any movement is on the Spirit, know this, that according to the teaching of Christ, that movement is out of harmony with the work of the Spirit. The work of the Spirit is to reveal Christ. The Spirit is the hidden worker, making Christ Himself, the supreme and overwhelming consciousness of believing hearts, the one and only Saviour of man." Westminster Pulpit, volume 4, page 77.

Let the reader be warned for his own good, by such statements. Wise people will profit from them.

In our own land of New Zealand, men like Robert Laidlaw, the author of "The Reason Why" whose spiritual worth and weight was acknowledged everywhere, warned against the neo-Pentecostal unequivocally that the Charismatic practices were not of God. His stand against them was particularly marked during the early 60's when men from overseas began to preach these things in private house meetings. I cannot believe that such a spiritual giant missed the mind of God on this score. He was utterly dedicated and ever open to the voice of the Spirit through the Word of God. Many at this Convention will remember his powerful messages and give God praise for the blessing received from them.

Similar comment could be made concerning Joseph Kemp, founder of the B.T.I. (now the Bible College of N.Z.) and many other worthy servants of God who have been used by Him in this country. Mr Kemp's booklet on the subject shows where he stood on this matter.
 

THE IRVINGITES

MISSIONARIES NOT GIVEN "TONGUES"

(a) In the last 150 years, tens of thousands of missionaries, at the call of the Holy Spirit, and in obedience to our Lord's command, have gone to the uttermost parts of the earth, to preach the Gospel to foreign speaking people; but there is not one authentic instance where the Holy Spirit has given any of His obedient self-sacrificing servants the gift of tongues (which He bestowed in His sovereignty at Pentecost) to enable these missionaries to preach at once in the language of the people to whom He the Holy Spirit, had called them to go. All have had to go through the same slow, arduous process of learning, word by word, spending one or two precious years, before they could intelligently present the Gospel to lost souls.
 

BIBLE TRANSLATORS NOT GIVEN "TONGUES"

Surely, therefore, it is a slander on the intelligence of the Holy Spirit, to suggest He would withhold this gift from those He calls to do His missionary and translating work, but induce others to indulge in unintelligible utterances in the privacy of their own room for their own gratification and for no practical use whatsoever.
 

WHAT DOES THE WORD "TONGUE" MEAN?

1. The word "Church" occurs at least nine times in this chapter. The whole setting is that of a church gathering - not of an individual in his room, on his own, exercising some gift.

2. The burden of the chapter is the edification or building up of the congregation.

3. The word "unknown" is in italics, and therefore not in the original. It should be simply read thus, "He that speaketh in a tongue", etc.

4. The word "tongue" is only translated in two ways and refers either to a language or the physical organ in one's mouth.

So what Paul is saying is this, "If you speak in a language unknown to others, without an interpreter, no man will understand you. God will, but men won't. Therefore your understanding (or communication) will be unfruitful. You will edify no one except yourself. If no interpreter is present you should remain silent, or pray that you may interpret to the profit of all." If you look back to 1 Cor. 12 v. 10, 11, you will see that in those apostolic times, along with the miraculous gift of languages, was the miraculous gift of interpretation. However, for the reasons advanced above, we believe these gifts have ceased. It is not that God has lost any of His power to repeat these events, but in His sovereignty He chooses not to do so, because His purpose in relation to them, has been fulfilled. He does not give manna from Heaven today, or any of the other signs given to "the Church in the wilderness", because these too have fulfilled His purposes, and in His sovereignty they have been withdrawn.

It would be the height of ignorance and folly to tarry for their renewal today and just as wrong to apply to our day the statement of 1 Cor. 14 v. 39, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" when tongues were for the Apostolic age alone. We must "rightly divide the Word of Truth", or end up in endless confusion, as many are doing today.
 

CAN MEN WITHSTAND GOD?

It is sometimes claimed that Neo-Pentecostal people speak in a heavenly language - an angel's tongue, based on 1 Cor. 13 v. 1. Please note that Paul never makes this claim. He uses the word "though" five times and gives five hypothetical cases in verses 1 to 3. This is the language of supposition, not of something which actually happened. E.g. He didn't understand all mysteries, nor possess all knowledge, or have all faith, nor bestow all his goods to feed the poor, nor give his body to be burned, nor speak with the tongues of angels. The word "though" should be read as "although" to give the proper understanding of these verses.
 

THE MAN WHO BLASPHEMED IN "TONGUES"

This terrible message was directed against me, for preaching the Gospel. But perhaps the saddest fact of all, was that the young man who spoke in the tongue, was a professing Christian who said he was delighted with my message. When the spirit came upon him, he felt he wanted to help me! Needless to say this incident is well authenticated. I have the names of all the people concerned and plenty of witnesses.

When I recounted this incident in Oamaru a Pentecostal pastor was present, and in private he said to me that it was obvious this tongue was of Satanic origin. But he hastened to assure me that his tongue was different. I asked by what law I could be expected to judge the truth of his claim. He said he just "knew" he was right.. What confusion! The man in Te Awamutu also "knew" and evidently was Godly and sincere.

It is not asserted that all tongues speaking is Satanic. Some are induced by hypnotic methods, e.g. many non-Christian hypnotists have put people into tongues. Some enter the experience as a result of emotional pressure, intense desire for the gift in private prayer or in special meetings designed for the purpose. Sometimes the "release" comes hours afterwards, apparently unexpectedly and is therefore thought to be of God. However the evidence submitted from the above incident ought to be a solemn warning that tongues can result from the influence of an evil spirit.
 

ROMANS 8 AND TONGUES?

In the first place Tongues are never mentioned anywhere in Romans, so that the Pentecostalist has no right to read into this verse something Paul never discusses in this letter. Certainly he never stated that the experience of believers in this verse is that of Tongues.

Secondly, the Apostle states the experience as something which is common to every believer - not a select few who have supposedly attained the so called "Second Blessing", "The Holy Spirit Baptism" or spoken in Tongues.

Thirdly, it is submitted that it is an insult to Godly men and women of all ages who have never spoken in Tongues to suggest that through some failure on their part they have missed out on something this verse is supposed to teach. Powerful preachers, soul winners, such as those referred to earlier ad infinitum, as well as persecuted Saints or those confined to a bed of sickness who because of their Spiritual reaction have been exhibits of the Grace of God, have all alike tasted the gracious ministry of the Holy Spirit indicated in this verse.

A study of the entire Chapter will show that every believer has the Holy Spirit - or else "He is none of His." V. 9. Provision has been made for his victory over sin, death and the flesh. V. 2, 3, 13. He is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 9, 11. He is a child of God and enjoys the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. 14, 15. He is assured of his Salvation by the witness of the Spirit within him. 16. In this life he awaits the redemption of his body which gets sick, suffers from infirmity and age and causes him to "groan" and long for his ultimate

Redemption at the Second Coming of Christ. 23. (At that moment "we shall all be changed" 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.) Likewise the whole Creation "groaneth and travaileth" awaiting the same Divine intervention. 22.

In the meantime the believer is subject to human limitation. He has the Blessed "Hope" within him with all its longings and desires yet unfulfilled. He cannot fully enter into their realisation while in the body. 24, 25. However the Holy Spirit helps his "infirmities" (weaknesses) - and his prayer life - knows his mind and heart and as the intercessor within He translates the Spiritual desires of the believer to the Father "according to the will of God". 26, 27. This I repeat is the common experience of every believer - it is not reserved for the Neo-Pentecostalist alone.

That this cannot possibly be a so called tongues experience is further proved by the assertion of the Apostle that the intercession of the Spirit is said to be with groanings that "cannot be uttered" - not are uttered! When a person cannot utter he is silent, not noisy and talkative.
 
 
 

IS THE GIFT OF "PROPHECY" WITH US TODAY?

THE "PROPHECY" THAT FAILED!

The following Sunday, another Pentecostal pastor in the city attempted to reply to the teaching I had given concerning Pentecostalism. I was unable to attend, but my wife did so and noted that out of the 30 present, 17 wore glasses, including the song leader. The pianist was a partial cripple and was brought up to the piano in a wheelchair! All this in a so-called Healing movement! How subtle is the delusion and how gullible are some Christians who cannot see the futility of such a thing and are "soft" towards it.

Claims to prophetic insight and God given prophetic messages, prove by their failure, that they are not of God. They are the work of Satan, disguised as an "angel of light". Read for yourself 2 Cor. 11 v. 13-15.

If the prophetic gift of the New Testament is with us today, then along with the Pentecostal "revelations", we must also admit the writings of Ellen G. White, the prophetess of Seventh Day Adventism, and those of Joseph Smith in the Mormon Bible.

God forbid that we should ever fall into any such errors. With the completion of the New Testament there no longer was a need for prophets - but simply for men - Evangelists, Pastors, teachers - to proclaim what God has revealed. Ephesians 4 v. 11-16. Let us "cling to the Bible" as the one full and complete revelation of God. Perhaps we can sum it up this way - the Scriptures are the limit of revelation but there is no limit to what God can reveal through the Scriptures. In fact, the believer who lets the Word of Christ dwell in him richly, in Col. 3 v. 16, parallels with the Spirit-filled man of Eph. 5 v. 18-20. Both are found to be full of psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord. Could any experience be more wonderful and satisfying! Unfortunately this is not the experience of every Christian, but it can be, if you let the Word of Christ "remain as a rich treasure in your hearts" - Weymouth.
 

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Secondly we must never base our experience on that of others, but on the Word of God. If, as we have shown, the Baptism in the Spirit is an historical fact, never to be repeated, and nobody, since Pentecost, has been told to seek it or tarry for it, then plainly it is wrong to do so. If tongues and similar miraculous gifts have served the purpose for which God gave them and in His sovereignty He has withdrawn them, it is plainly wrong and dangerous to seek them today. No amount of "joyful" experiences can make it right to do so. Further, no "experience" can be right if it is not based on a sound Scriptural foundation.

Thirdly, I have noticed that usually when a person becomes involved in these things, his doctrinal ground begins to slide. I think of two men, who live in different cities of New Zealand. Both of them were once effective Gospel preachers and pillars in the Church. They became involved in Pentecostal practices. Soon they denied the Eternal security of the believer, then became doubtful about the sinless character of our Lord. Later they denied the Eternal punishment of the finally impenitent. Today they both believe in universalism. One runs a small "church" of his own, the other while still holding to his Pentecostal beliefs has left that group and linked himself with a well-known denomination in New Zealand. Seldom are these men ever heard of, yet they were once so full of spiritual potential.

Fourthly. The fruit of this movement as a whole, leaves much to be desired. I have seen it cause
(a) Division in Churches,
(b) Distress and Disunity in others,
(c) Disrespect for elders and church leaders who haven't got the "blessing" (in spite of the tremendous contribution they have made to the work of God in this country),
(d) Demon possession or influence as must have been the case with the man at Te Awamutu,
(e) Doctrinal error as in the case of the two men quoted above,
(f) Deceit, I don't want to be uncharitable but it puzzles me why some who indulge in tongues try to hide the fact or say they are not Pentecostal. Others hold meetings in secret, etc. Surely if a work is of God it will manifest His character - "LIGHT . . . no darkness at all" 1 John 1 v. 5, 6.
(g) Disturbed personality - no longer the same. In others a complete breakdown occurs, caused by constant emotional strain and excitement, or by utter despair when the cherished victory, power or healing is not realised.
 

"IT'S LIKE A DRUG"

Happily I know of many who have been truly delivered from the movement, but here was a couple addicted - hooked as if by a drug. One who has recently been delivered, said she found the tongue speaking in her room a "great emotional release". It offered her physical and psychic excitement, which she interpreted as spiritual. Now she finds her satisfaction in Christ alone as He is made increasingly real to her by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.
 

FASTEST GROWING MOVEMENT?

In addition to some evangelicals, it is common knowledge that R.C. Priests and liberal Protestants are speaking in tongues. "Time", the world's greatest weekly magazine, and "Eternity", a well known religious monthly magazine, frequently report the growth of tongues in various denominations. All are part of the Charismatic movement. Various Pentecostal leaders now have full acceptance in the Ecumenical movement and the World Council of Churches.
 

THE COMING WORLD CHURCH

Speaking of him for whom the apostate church and the Godless world are now preparing, 2 Thess. 2 v. 9, 10, 15, says: "Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders - and with all deceivableness . . . . Therefore brethren stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle."

Though the Antichrist will come from the pit, he will nevertheless "do great wonders so that he maketh fire come down from Heaven (not up from Hell - it will look as if it is of God) and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he has power to do."

While God describes the Anti-christ as "the man of sin", the world will see him as an "Angel of light and a minister of righteousness, as God manifest in the flesh" (2 Thess. 2 v. 4).
 

THE COMMON DENOMINATOR

MY FINAL APPEAL

These are far more wonderful than the ability to raise a dead body, which will die again in a few months or years. The greatest thrill of all is to sit down with the living Word of God in your hands, beside a man dead in trespasses and sins, on the way to an everlasting Hell, and see him literally born again - become alive in Christ with the life of God Himself imparted, to be to the everlasting praise of Christ now and for all eternity.

How tragic if we should become divided over a minor issue. May God unite us all on this mighty major issue of Evangelism, pastoral care and wholesome Bible teaching and grant us all individually to know the blessedness of the Spirit-filled life, as outlined earlier in our notes.

A PERSONAL WORD TO THE READER

The issues of this booklet are tremendous. If you want further help, write me a letter, or get in touch with a good Bible teacher not involved in the Charismatic movement. If you want further copies of this booklet for friends you wish to help, you can obtain these direct from us or from Christian Bookshops.

If you are not sure you are a Christian I pray you will settle that important matter now by taking the following steps:
 

• Acknowledge your sin to God and be willing to repent of it. Romans 3:23, Acts 17:30.

 
• Believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for you and Rose again. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

 
• Come in faith to Him, the Saviour, and commit your whole life to Him, trusting Him alone for Salvation. See Matthew 11:28, 29, John 6:37, Romans 10:13. Do this by means of a simple, sincere prayer.

(1) Don't rely on your feelings. Rest on God's Word. If you have received Christ you have "Become" a child of God. John 1:12. You have "Eternal" life. John 10:28. Remember - Union (relationship) with God your Father can't break. Communion (friendship) can, but is restored on confession of sin. 1 John 1:9. The Work of Christ for me makes me Safe (Hebrews 10:10). The Word of Christ to me makes me Sure. John 6:37, 10:9, 27-29, 14-6. Read through the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs before other Old Testament Books. Keep marking, memorising verses that help you. Obey them. Remember this is God's Word to you.

(2) Read your Bible every day - thoughtfully, slowly. Ask God to speak to you through it. Begin with John's Gospel. Mark or memorise 1:12, 3:16, 5:24.

(3) Pray every day. Simply talk to God your Father (reverently). He has promised to hear you. John 14:14. Thank Him for blessings. Tell Him your problems. Ask Him for help and strength. Say Grace for meals.

(4) Witness for Christ - by actions and words. Confess Him in Baptism. This is His command. Mark 16:15, 16, Acts 8:35-40, 40-48, Romans 6:4, John 14:15.

(5) Make friends with keen Christians. Their friendship will help you. God ordained Church fellowship for this reason. Attend as often as you can. Give a portion of your income to God's Work. 1 Corinthians 16:2, Philippians 4:15-19. Ask about the Lord's Supper where you can remember your Lord. Luke 22:19-20, Acts 2:41-42, 20:7, 1 Corinthians 11:26.

(6) Avoid anything that might hinder your Christian Progress. If in doubt ask yourself, "What would Christ do?" "Will it please or grieve Him?" "Can I pray about it and ask God to bless it?" If not, it's wrong. Proverbs 10:22. When tempted look for "the way of escape" and take it. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

(7) Serve Christ. Become involved in some definite work for God. Pray for your friends. Try to win them. If married bring up your family for God. Have reading and Prayer together each day. Make it interesting. If children are young read them a Bible Story book. The Holy Spirit indwells you - count on His help and power. 1 Corinthians 6:19, Philippians 4:13. Christ will reward you at His coming. Expect Him at any minute. Revelation 22:12. Set a goal before you. Philippians 1:21-23.

Read over these suggestions often. Practise them and with God's help success and fulfillment will be yours.

-COLIN GRAHAM.
Copyright 1972
Printed by G.P.H. Society Ltd.
P.O. Box 74, Palmerston North, N.Z.
(Please note that this book you are reading has long been out of print)

BOOKS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUTHOR

The Baptism and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
-Merrill F. Unger, Th.D., Ph.D., Professor Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.
-Van Kampen Press.

The Baptism and Fullness of the Holy Spirit
-John R. W. Stott, Rector of All Souls Anglican Church, London.
(A lucid and helpful booklet)
-I.V.F.

The Pentecostal Error
-Cyril H. Maskrey, former Apostolic Pastor.
-Light Publishing Company, Adelaide, Australia.

The Mission of the Holy Spirit
-H. A. Ironside, Litt. D., late Pastor Moody Memorial Church, Chicago.
-Loizeaux Brothers, New York.

Holiness - the false and the true
-H. A. Ironside.

The Other Comforter. 12 Studies on the Holy Spirit.
-Emmaus Bible Schools.
Box 1526, Palmerston North, N.Z.
25 Ray Road, Epping, N.S.W., Australia.
Box 980, Oak Park, Illinois 60303, U.S.A.

Miraculous Healing
-Henry W. Frost, D.D.
(Deals fully with the subject of Healing)
-Marshall, Morgan & Scott.

The Bible and Healing
-Robt. Auld.
(An excellent booklet by a widely read N.Z. Bible Teacher)
-G.P.H., Box 74, Palmerston North, NZ