| "Thus it is written, and
thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third
day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his
name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of
these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but
tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
high" (Luke 24:46-49).
"But ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both
in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"
(Acts 2:38).
"Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved" (Acts 4:12)
"As we said before, so say I now again,
If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:9).
"And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone" (Ephesians 2:20).
"As I besought thee to abide still at
Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that
they teach no other doctrine" (I Timothy 1:3).
"All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).
Foreword
This booklet is being printed and
distributed with a sincere prayer that it may strengthen and establish
the believer and that it may enlighten the thousands of perplexed and
bewildered souls who are earnestly seeking, amid the maze of men's
traditions to find the true doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.
With sincerity we pray that God will
grant the reader grace to accept the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.
We certainly do not want to miss heaven.
Let us therefore heed the prophet's words: "Stand ye in the ways, and
see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,
and ye shall find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16).
The
Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God,
giving a true history of the creation of heaven, earth, and humanity and
containing a correct prophecy of the ages to come regarding heaven,
earth, and the destiny of humanity. Moreover, there is no salvation
outside of what is taught in its pages.
God
There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4).
He is the creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. He has
revealed Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), in the son
(Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (indwelling Spirit).
Father
God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the
Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity
by creation.
He is the First and the Last, and beside Him there is no God (Isaiah
44:6).
There was no God formed before Him; neither shall be there any after Him
(Isaiah 43:10).
Son
Jesus is the Son of God according to the
flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit
(Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the creator of all
things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God made flesh
(John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16);He which
was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8);the
mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, "He that
hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:7-11) and "I and my Father
are one" (John 10:30).
It took shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of the world
(Hebrews 9:22), but God the Father was a Spirit and had no blood to
shed. Thus He prepared a body of flesh and blood (Hebrews 10:5)and came
to earth as a man in order to save us, for in Isaiah 43:11 He said,
"Beside me there is no Saviour." When He came in flesh the angels sang,
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is
Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Holy
Ghost
The Holy Ghost is not a third person in
the Godhead, but rather the Spirit of God (the Creator), the Spirit of
the resurrected Christ. The Holy Ghost comes to dwell in the hearts and
lives of everyone who believes and obeys the gospel, as the comforter,
Sustainer, and keeper (John 14:16-26; Romans 8:9-11).
Sin
Sin is the transgression of the law, or
commandments of God (I John 3:4). The guilt of sin has fallen upon all
humanity from Adam until now (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is eternal
death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to all those who refuse to accept
salvation as set forth in the Word of God.
Salvation
Salvation consists of deliverance from
all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New
Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water
baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live
a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
Water Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New
Testament salvation and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of
entering into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ),
and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See
John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).
Mode of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by
immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism
(Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water"
(Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and
came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39).
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we
experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be
baptized [burial] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
[resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2).
Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be
substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.
Formula for Baptism
The name in which baptism is administered is
vitally important, and this name is Jesus.
Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He said
name (singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions
held by God. An angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the
New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew
1:21).
The apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and
from the day that the church of God was established (the Day of
Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations
(Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is
there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the
birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to
put someone into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ)
and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the
Spirit of God give utterance.
It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11),
foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of
Jesus, and promised by Him to His disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The
Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost upon the Jews
(Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the
Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). "The promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God
shall call" (Acts 2:39).
Tongues
- Speaking in other tongues as the
Spirit of God gives utterance is the manifestation God has given as
the definite, indisputable, supernatural witness or sign of the
baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6).
It was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah as the rest and the
refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12), foretold by Jesus as a sign that would
follow believers of the gospel (Mark 16:17), and experienced by Jews
and Gentiles alike.
- The gift of "divers kinds of
tongues," mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians 12:1-12 and concerning
which he gave regulations in I Corinthians 14:1-40, is given by both
for self-edification (I Corinthians 14:4) and for the edification of
the church (I Corinthians 14:27-28).
In church meetings the gift of tongues is used to give a public
message, and it is to be interpreted. Since this gift can be misused
in public, it needs proper regulation (I Corinthians 14:23-28). Not
all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is different in
function from tongues given by God as the initial witness of the
baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (I Corinthians 14:39)
and "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (I
Corinthians 14:8). Who dares to teach or preach to the contrary?
Speaking in tongues means speaking
miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker, as the Spirit gives
utterance. Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function:
(1)speaking in other tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of
the Holy Ghost and (2)the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians.
Holiness
After we are saved from sin, we are
commanded, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11).
We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world (Titus 2:12) and warned that without holiness no one shall see the
Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
We must present ourselves as holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II Corinthians
7:1), and separate ourselves from all worldliness (James 4:4).
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the
sinner appear? (I Peter 4:18).
No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy
Spirit. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you" (Acts 1:8).
Divine Healing
God has made Himself known through the
ages by miraculous healings and has made special provisions in the age
of grace to heal all who will come to Him in faith and obedience. Divine
healing was purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ, especially by
His stripes (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).
Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick (Matthew 4:23-24), and
He commanded His disciples to do the same (Matthew 10:8). He said
concerning those who believe the gospel, "They shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18). Mighty healings and miracles
followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached.
There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our
children, or our friends can be healed by the power of God.
"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
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" (James 5:14-16).
Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in
bodily form, just as He went away (Acts 1:11). He will catch away a holy
people (His bride, His church) who have accepted redemption through His
blood, by birth of water and of the Spirit, and who are found faithful
when He comes.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in
Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
"One shall be taken and the other left" (Luke 17:36). Will we be ready?
The signs of His coming are everywhere. The days of peril are here
indeed, with forms of godliness void of the power of God; society and
politics corrupted; and people's hearts filled with pride, blasphemies,
unholiness, love of evil, and love of pleasures (II Timothy 3:1-13).
These things, together with multitudes running to and fro, the increase
of knowledge (Daniel 12:4), the persecution of the Jews and their return
to Palestine (Luke 21:24), and scores of other things are starting signs
that Jesus' coming is drawing near.
Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, storms, floods, distress of
nations, perplexity, and people's hearts failing them for fear are
sounding the solemn alarm that Jesus' coming is at hand (Matthew 24:6;
Luke 21:25-28).
"Prepare to meet thy God" (Amos 4:12).
Resurrection
There will be a resurrection of all the
dead, both just and unjust.
"Marvel not this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in
graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done
good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto
the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29).
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and the sea
gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the
dead which were in them" (Revelation 20:12-13)> (See also Daniel 12:2; I
Corinthians 15:13-23.)
Judgment
"It is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). For this reason there will
be a resurrection for everyone. "For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in
his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II
Corinthians 5:10).
The eternal destiny of every soul shall be determined by a just God who
knows the secrets of everyone's heart. "And before him shall be gathered
all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd
divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his
right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them
on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world. . . .Then shall he
also say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . And these
shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life
eternal" (Matthew 25:32-34, 41, 46).
* * *
The law-the Word of God
The judge-the righteous God
To be judged-our souls
What will the sentence be?
* * *
Life's opportunities past!
Reaping day at last!
Two verdicts pend:
Life or death!
The following references show
plainly that speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Holy Ghost has
been given by God to earnest, God-fearing people down through the years.
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge, vol. 3, page 2369, "Tongues, Gift of": "A phenomenon of the
Apostolic age, technically known as the 'glossolalia.' In later time
analogies have been found for it in the 'speaking in tongues' of the
Camisards, Prophets of the Cevennes, Early Quakers and Methodists, 'Lasare'
in Sweden (1841-1843), converts in the Irish revival of 1859, and
particularly in the Catholic Apostolic (Irvingite) Church."
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge, vol. 2, page 1119, "Irving, Edward": "In 1830 the news was
spread abroad of the strange speaking with tongues which occurred in
widely separated parts of Scotland. In 1831 prophecy and tongues
appeared in Irving's church and Irving fell in with the movement,
heartily convinced of its spiritual basis and divine authority."
Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge, vol. 1, page 422, "Catholic Apostolic Church": "Pious
Presbyterian men and women believed that their organs of speech were
used by the Holy Spirit for the utterance of His thoughts and
attentions."
Encyclopaedia Britannica, New Werner
Edition, vol. 4, page 749, "Camisards": "Speaking in tongues,
accompanied by all kinds of miracles, was common among the Camisards and
Cevennes of Southern France in the 18th century. Children, under the
influence of supernatural power, spoke and prophesied in languages
unknown to them."
Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics,
edited by James Hastings, vol. 7, page 424: "In 1831 the gift of tongues
and prophecy appeared, it was believed in answer to fervent prayer,
among the members of Irving's congregation."
Butler, Christian Denominations of the
World, "Edward Irving (1792-1834)": "He proclaimed his conviction that
the gifts of the Holy Ghost, such as tongues, healing, etc., were
withheld only because of the want of faith, and ere long there were
several persons in his church who claimed the gift of tongues."
Abingdon Bible Commentary, page 1190:
"Scottish peasants spoke in tongues."
Webster's New International Dictionary,
2nd edition, page 1056, "Gift of Tongues": "A phenomenon experienced by
some of the Christian of New Testament times, the nature of which seems
to have been a kind of ecstatic utterance usually unintelligible to the
hearers and even to the speakers, therefore requiring interpretation;
glossolalia. Similar phenomena have in modern times been experienced by
some of the early Friends, Jansenists, Methodists, etc."
*Taken from the Word Aflame Press Tract
"The Apostles' Doctrine" #6103 |