Question: I’m a member of a fundamental Baptist church here in my country. We are taught to seek a close relationship with God our Father through Jesus Christ, and we believe we are sealed with the Holy Spirit since we gave our heart to God in repentance. However, I’ve been asked by "someone on the net" if we had "the promise" in our church. Can you send me information or links where I can study with more details about the charismatic and Pentecostal movement and their beliefs? Or maybe you can give me your opinion on this regard.

Blessings!

Alexander

Answer: Dear Alexander,

Some charismatics/Pentecostals believe and preach that unless one speaks in tongues that one has not received the second infilling of the Spirit – a deeper conversion, if you like. They believe that tongues-speaking is a sign of higher spirituality, etc. However, Pentecostal churches, and the Pentecostal Encyclopedia do not agree with this teaching – saying that tongues is simply a gift, and that it does not bestow superiority, etc.

Most Christians are cessationists – that is, in terms of the gift of tongues. They do not doubt that this gift existed in the New Testament, for the Bible is clear about that. They do believe for one reason or another, that God has decided not to give this gift today. Some of these same Christians believe the same thing about the laying on of hands for physical healing, another obvious New Testament practice.

These issues are not the core issues of the historic and orthodox Christian faith – they are peripheral, as long as we do not use them to divide the body of Christ. As Christians we can differ on such issues and still remain brothers in the faith.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht