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There are many occurrences in the Bible involving hands being laid on another. Many erroneously believe this is a miraculous gift that results in physical healings. But, this is not what the Bible teaches. Laying on of hands was an apostolic gift in the early church which ceased upon completion of the New Testament. However,… Continue reading Laying on of Hands

What is the former and latter rain?  Many have used the ‘latter rain’ to flatter themselves that they have a special mission for God.  Notably, Pentecostals often call themselves the latter rain.  However, the true ‘former rain’ is the explosion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ started on the Day of Pentecost in the 1st… Continue reading Former and Latter Rain

In Acts 2, cloven tongues of fire sat on the heads of the 120 disciples. This occurred on the Day of Pentecost when the disciples were gathered in the upper room. The meaning is often misunderstood as representing signs and wonders and the passion of God’s people. But, the spiritual meaning is something different. It… Continue reading Cloven Tongues of Fire

Speaking in tongues was a spiritual gift in the Apostolic Church of the 1st century A.D. Today, speaking in tongues is very prevalent in Pentecostal churches and the Charismatic movement. However, this is a false gift. On the Day of Pentecost, speaking in tongues were known languages. Speaking in tongues was a gift that ceased… Continue reading Symbolism of Tongues

Speaking in tongues was a spiritual gift in the Apostolic Church of the 1st century A.D. Today, speaking in tongues is very prevalent in Pentecostal churches and the Charismatic movement. However, this is a false gift.  At the Day of Pentecost, speaking in tongues were known languages. This sign was used in order that the… Continue reading Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

In Acts 18-19, there is an important passage concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Apollos came to Ephesus, the ‘believers’ were only baptized in water, but were not ‘saved’ yet. But, when Paul arrived later, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and were saved by the power of God. This passage is… Continue reading Apollos, Paul and Baptism in the Holy Spirit

In Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer believed in Jesus Christ. However, he was not saved. Simon desired the Baptism of the Holy Spirit so that he could perform signs and wonders. This was evidence that he was indeed not saved. The example of Simon the Sorcerer continues to occur today. Many believe in Jesus Christ… Continue reading Simon the Sorcerer

An important plank of Pentecostal doctrine is that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs after salvation. One of their arguments to support this is that the disciples were already saved prior to their baptism in the Holy Spirit.  However, when the Bible is closely examined, we find that the disciples were ‘saved’ when they… Continue reading When were Jesus’ Disciples Saved?

Pentecostals / charismatics believe that only they can be ‘Filled with the Holy Spirit’. This is not correct. They believe that only they are ‘Baptized in the Holy Spirit’. Pentecostals and Charismatics understand this to be a higher level of being a Christian. In particular, they believe that Baptism in the Holy Spirit means to… Continue reading Filled with the Holy Spirit

Pentecostals and Charismatics usually believe that the meaning of ‘Baptism in Fire’ is that of an emotional / passionate desire for God. However, when the Bible is carefully examined, that is not a correct understanding. The Bible teaches that God’s people being in fire points to the trials they will endure as a Christian for… Continue reading Baptized in Fire