
The TruthQuestions and Answers on "Why the Baptism of the holy Ghost is the New Birth"
The doctrine we teach is not "new", though it sounds new to many who have
hungered for truth for such a long time. It is the same "holy Ghost"
gospel preached by the prophets, by John the Baptist, by Jesus Christ, and
by Paul and the apostles.
The very foundation of our faith is this: Jesus Christ stated that a
person must be BORN AGAIN in order to see the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8).
We maintain that scriptures clearly teach that being born again (or born of the
spirit) is the same event as being baptized in the holy Ghost, with the
evidence of speaking in other tongues. It is ONLY through THIS spiritual
"birth experience" that a person is truly born again.
Yes, we know the "perplexity" this statement creates in the human heart.
It may be contrary to what we have learned. But is it better to keep
believing error, or to know and live in God's truth?
We have many tracts available that can give you in-depth information and
biblical proofs relating to the various topics discussed. But the purpose
of this tract is to answer questions most often asked by Christians. When
the truth contradicts the ways we have always known, a wise person
"searches out the truth" to see if it is so. We pray that this tract will
help you understand that it is better to "fear God" above men, and to hear
and obey what the Spirit is saying to the church! Let us now respond to
the most often asked questions.
Q) Are you saying that if a person does not speak in tongues that they are
not saved?
A) This question is actually two separate issues, and phrased in a way
that causes one to reject the truth of the gospel. The first issue is that
of salvation. The "get saved now" doctrine is not biblical. Nobody is
"saved" in this lifetime, only "converted." There is a difference between "salvation"
(which is glorification with Jesus upon his return) and "conversion" (which is being born
again through faith in Christ Jesus - or receiving the Spirit of God, the new birth
experience). Paul did not consider himself "saved" (Phil. 3:11-14), but taught that
salvation was a "future" HOPE to be realized upon receiving a glorified body (Rom.
8:24). The Bible clearly teaches that EVERYONE who disobeys God will be lost (1
Cor. 6:9). Friend, NOBODY is safe from the wrath that is coming upon the disobedient
(Rom. 1:18). Whether one has "prayed a prayer," "joined a church," or has even
"been baptized in the holy Ghost", the sinful and disobedient are being LOST!
The second issue is the necessity of speaking in tongues. Speaking in
tongues by the power of God was prophesied by the Old Testament prophets as
the sign of true "spiritual rest" (Isa. 28:11-12), and as the way God's
people must "call upon His name" (Zeph. 3:9). John the Baptist said
it was the very work which Jesus came to do (Luke 3:16). Paul said it was the
only way one could really say "Jesus is Lord" and have it count with God (1
Cor. 12:3). Tongues is a sign to the unbeliever of God's real presence (1
Cor. 14:22). Peter said it was evidence of God's holy Spirit being poured
out into the hearts of men (Acts 2:16-18). Jesus said it was the sign
which "follows them that believe" (Mark 16:17). If you have not
been baptized in the holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with other tongues, you
have not yet been born of the Spirit. Keep seeking, for you have not fully
repented and obeyed (Acts 2:38, 5:32). Most people will not have the faith
to believe this! "In the law it is written, with men of other tongues and
other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that they will
not hear me, saith the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:21). Teaching the new birth as
anything other than the baptism of the holy Ghost (evidenced by other
tongues), is a work of Satan to keep people from experiencing REAL life!
When the body of Christ receives any person as "born again" who has not
been baptized with the holy Ghost, this is sin, for we are guilty of
judging (this is "judging" someone to be right, when God has not declared
it so!). Misunderstanding this truth is perhaps the greatest cause of
confusion in the body of Christ in this hour of the church!
Q) How could the multitudes of sincere, Bible-believing people be wrong,
and so few people who believe what you preach be right?
A) It is amazing that we now believe the "multitudes" to be right when
Jesus said that the way to life is narrow and FEW be that find it (Matt.
7:14)! Moses said: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Ex.
23:2). Many times throughout history, the multitudes turned away from God
while only a small remnant walked in truth. In fact, the Bible predicts an
apostasy that would deceive almost EVERYONE (Matt. 24:24, 2 Thess. 2:3)!
So the answer is that the multitudes will be wrong . . . don't join them in
error!
Q) What about the great Christian leaders of past eras who did not speak
in tongues?
A) Firstly, we did not know them personally, and cannot be sure they
didn't! It is a fact that many wrote or alluded to having "supernatural
experiences." Secondly, we cannot judge these men to be right with God any
more than any other individual who must stand before God and give an
account. Though leaders of past times may be exalted by men, GOD will be
the final judge. A wise person does not worry about or compare himself to
others (2 Cor. 10:12). What matters now, is what the Spirit is saying to
the church, and to YOU!
Q) What will happen to the churches all around the world that do not
believe this truth?
A) One great problem we must conquer is our Biblical misunderstanding as
to what the CHURCH is, and how one gets into it! Any church man builds
only proves that it does NOT belong to God! (Read Ps. 127:1). The REAL
church is God's PEOPLE (Greek=ekklesia or "called out ONES"). A building
is NOT the church. It is simply a building. A denomination is not the
church. It is an abomination to God because it divides the people of God who have the
Spirit of God (1 Cor. 1:10-13). God's church consists of those who are baptized with the
holy Ghost (Rom. 8:9-16), though they be scattered among man's many sects.
There is only one way to get into the true church, and that is to be
baptized into it through the holy Ghost: "For by one spirit are we all
baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13). Once you have been baptized with
the spirit, you are in! One cannot "join" the church, for God brings a
person in through this spiritual "baptism" (Gal. 3:27, 1 Pet. 3:21).
Therefore, a person can be part of "man's church" and NOT be part of God's.
And conversely, one can be accepted in God's church even if rejected by
"man's church." Actually "man's churches" are irrelevant to God, and are
not accepted nor recognized by Him unless they believe and walk in the
truth. In the end, all unbelievers will be cast out, regardless of their "denominational
affiliations".
Q) I go to a church that believes in the baptism of the holy Ghost, but does
not believe that it is necessary to be baptized in the holy Ghost to be
saved. Is that right?
A) No. It is an abomination of the worst kind, even worse than being one
who does not believe in the baptism of the holy Ghost at all! "For it had
been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than,
after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto
them" (1 Pet. 2:21).
True believers, (those whom God has judged worthy of receiving the holy
Ghost) are now joining in worship with "unbelievers" (those who do not have
or believe in the baptism of the spirit). The result is spiritual death:
"The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the
congregation of the dead" (Prov. 21:16).
Q) What about missionaries around the world that are not preaching this
truth?
A) Unless they lead people into truth they shall become the enemies of
God. Jesus was confronted with this same issue and he said: "Woe unto
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make
one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of
hell than yourselves" (Matt. 23:15). Missionaries find that the only
gospel that WORKS, brings people in contact with the "power of God's
Spirit" (through tongues, signs and wonders, and miracles). But if these
"proselytes" believe on Christ and receive the Spirit, and then follow
their leaders into error, they have simply become these missionaries' "children of hell",
further propagating wrong ideas about God. It "multiplies" wickedness, for the
blind can only lead the blind into "ditches." God must heal us all.
Q) You teach that one must be baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence
of speaking in other tongues to be "born again." Christianity does not
believe this. Are you saying that "all of Christianity" is deceived?
A) Yes. "Christianity" can be deceived and that should not shock us.
Years ago, reformers preached that the Catholic religion was "antichrist;"
later, Pentecostals preached that the "dead" denominational churches were
"antichrist." Both were partly correct, but the truth is that ANY RELIGION
that believes a person can worship God without the holy Ghost is
"antichrist:" What is "antichrist"? It is a spirit: "Hereby know ye the spirit of
God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And
every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of
God: and this is that spirit of antichrist whereof ye have heard that it
should come; and even now is it in the world." (1 John 4:2-3). Receiving
the doctrine that says a person has the holy Spirit WITHOUT the witness of
the holy Ghost (the SPIRIT which confesses through tongues that Jesus
Christ has come into the flesh), is receiving that spirit of antichrist.
This is the spirit of apostasy. "Anti" means "instead of." This
"antichrist spirit" sits in the hearts of God's spirit filled people (the
temple of God) and persuades them to receive as "saved" (or as right with
God), those who have nor REALLY received the spirit: "[the son of perdition
- or "antichrist", is he] who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that
is called God" (2 Thess. 2:4). Antichrist's spirit (his doctrine) is now
in God's temple and is actually worshipped "as God" (or "instead of God")
by those in Christianity! For this reason the Spirit is saying: "Come out
of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye
receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4).
Q) If this is the truth, why don't more people preach it and believe it?
A) There are probably many reasons, but the chief is that God's people do not have
enough of the love of God to REPENT. Another would be the fear of men. Many of God's Spirit-baptized children believe it, but are afraid to confess it before men. Walking in
faith causes every believer to suffer the reproach of Christ: "Let us go
forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach" (Heb.
13:13). This suffering is a promise. Persecution not only at the hands of
the world, but at the hands of God's own people who have rejected truth.
That is why the true church will find the greatest opposition comes from
those within men's religions who have the spirit! We do not expect more
people to believe the truth. That does not matter. What matters is that
we speak the truth to YOU, so that YOU can serve God acceptably, and with
fear. REPENT AND BELIEVE GOD!
Questions? Log onto the Internet, Click Here, |