I, Brother and Pastor Rob Coones, greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My intention with this writing is to challenge and encourage you in the Gospel of Christ. We will be going into a very controversial subject matter, which doesn’t need a denominational answer or one’s opinion. We need to consider the Scriptures. Let’s start by laying a scriptural foundation. Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” We have to go line upon line and precept upon precept.
The Scriptures teach one God; we understand God the Father (relative to the spirit realm), God the Son (relative to the soul realm; mediator between God and Man), and The Holy Ghost (relative to the body realm; the Spirit that comes back to us, the body of Christ). So, we say Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Yes, they are one. Just like you have a spirit, a soul, and a body, but you’re one.
We could go into an elaborate teaching on the Godhead, however, let’s stay with our subject matter of baptism. The reason I mentioned the Godhead is to get you to see the necessity of differentiation of dimensions. The Word of God reads in I John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” It also says in I John 5:8 “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” We will be using this as the foundation of our subject on baptism. Therefore, to understand baptism we must separate it into three dimensions: water baptism, blood (fire) baptism, and Spirit baptism.
Hebrews 6:1-3 says “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” I’m sorry to have to say that in many churches I find their teachings have truly neglected and misunderstood the doctrine of baptisms.
The last thing that Jesus said prior to His ascension is found in Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” We find this commandment being fulfilled by the early church in the book of Acts, because they went about baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
So, let’s dig a little deeper. The Word says that a wise man hears the end of the matter. My purpose here is not to convert you to a new denomination or sect of people (Trinity, Oneness, etc.). My calling is to preach and teach God’s Word and to defend it. So, let’s clarify the misunderstood doctrine of Baptism.
Some would say that it is not necessary to be baptized. So, let’s consider Jesus, as our example, being the Son of Man and the Son of God who made himself twain, both Lord and Christ. He still found it necessary to take the time to be baptized in water. This sounds like a good enough reason to consider? Amen.
Some go to Paul’s writings in I Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” They use this Scripture to justify that they don’t need to be baptized or to baptize. Let me say this in as nice of a way that I know, that is ignorance. The Bible says line upon line and precept upon precept; if you would back up a few verses and read what Paul said in I Corinthians 1:12-16. Paul wasn’t speaking against baptism. He said just prior to that statement that he baptized and even named the names of whom he had baptized.
Paul went on to say in the same passage of Scriptures that Christ sent him to preach the Gospel, and the Gospel that He sent him to preach commands us to be baptized for the remission of sin. Saints, we also need to consider what is said in Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Again, line upon line. Amen.
Now, let’s go to Matthew 28:16-20 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
We know that verse 16 establishes that the eleven disciples were there (Judas had already killed himself). Verse 17 tells us that some who doubted were there which is why Jesus spoke in a veil. We will now go to the book of Acts (actions of the church) and see how the disciples that were there fulfilled what Jesus had commanded them in verse 19; which the church world calls “The Great Commission.” Acts 2:38 “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.” Was Peter in error? We know he wasn’t. God forbid that we would even think like that. He was simply fulfilling “The Great Commission” that Jesus asked him to do in Matthew 28:19.
Many believe that the baptism in Acts 2:38 is speaking of Spirit baptism only. It is clear that it’s speaking of fulfilling water and Spirit baptism. You will see that it is not always in the order of water first. We will expound on this in just a moment.
Matthew 28:19 says in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Now, you noticed that I underlined name. It did not say names, it said name. The word Father isn’t a name; it’s a title. The word Son isn’t a name; it’s a title. The word Holy Ghost isn’t a name; it’s also a title. I can say that there are many fathers and sons; neither title has the authority nor the power to remit sin. Now, if He wanted us to baptize in titles He would have used the plural “names” but He said “in the name.”
The Bible says that there is no other name given among men that thou shall be saved; and that is the name, Jesus Christ. This is why Peter and others baptized in the name of Jesus Christ all through the book of Acts. You will not find Matthew 28:19 fulfilled any other way. The early church all baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. Saints, the most important thing that you must do is to have your sins remitted. There is nothing as vital. Scriptures to consider and to confirm this fact are: Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12-16, Acts 10:47-48, and Acts 19:5.
One might ask, “Where or how did this error or gross oversight come to be?” The Catholic Church at the Nicene Council in 321 AD changed the method of baptism from using the name of Jesus Christ, the way the Apostles fulfilled it in the book of Acts, to using titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Acts 4:10-12 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” We see that there is remission in no other name except Jesus’.
Saints, we pray in Jesus’ name, we cast out devils in Jesus’ name, and we lay hands on the sick in Jesus’ name. There is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. He is the Door, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the mediator between God and man. Don’t be ashamed of the name, “Jesus.”
We see here that the Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus. John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” So, if we baptize in the name of the Holy Ghost, we see that name is Jesus, amen.
Here Jesus comes in the name of His Father. John 5:43 “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” If we baptize in the name of the Father, that name is Jesus. Now, isn’t that simple? It’s a snare of the devil to get you down to the water hole and use titles: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Let’s go on a little more. If you were baptized in the name of titles, I would seek out a minister that believes in the Name of Jesus and the power in that name and be baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. You might say, “Well, I don’t think that is necessary.” My reply is, “Are you sure? You may be gambling with your soul.” Again, remember that Jesus took time to seek out John the Baptist. He is our example.
The ones that were baptized in water by John were re-baptized in the name of Jesus. Acts 19:4-5 reveals this to us. We can also read about the ones who were baptized in the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and how they went on to fulfill water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 10:46-48 “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Brothers and Sisters, this helps us to understand the importance of Jesus name baptism. We see the ones that had been filled with the Holy Ghost were commanded to be baptized in water, in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ. It is hard for me to understand that one would not find it necessary to be baptized in Jesus’ name.
Please prayerfully consider this, if you have been baptized in titles you need to be re-baptized. I was in another doctrine, and God by His grace, led me to this understanding. I was preaching the Gospel, seeing God work miracles, healing, and drawing people to the Kingdom of God. Nevertheless, I found it necessary to be re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin.
Do I think that I would have gone to Hell before I came to this revelation? I can answer by saying that sin is not imputed if there is no knowledge of it. But, I will also say that if I were to reject water baptism in the name of Jesus now, I would be in danger of hell fire. This is not the choice of denomination; this is the Word of God.
Pray that God will do to you like He did the Apostle Paul on the street called Straight and open up your understanding. Brother Paul went to Damascus and was baptized in the name of Jesus and the shucks came off his eyes. Yes, Paul was a very devout man of God. He thought he was right. But, he was in error. Do you have enough humility to consider the Word of God?
Let’s continue on in some thoughts on the methods of baptisms. I would like to say that when something dies it has to be buried. The Scriptures say that we are crucified with Christ and we are buried with Him in baptism. When someone dies, you don’t sprinkle dirt on them. You bury them deep in the dirt. What I’m saying is when you baptize someone in water you don’t sprinkle water on them, you submerge them.
Let’s examine another misunderstood subject, baptism for the dead. Paul speaks about baptism for the dead in I Corinthians 15:29-31 “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”
We know that some denominations have people stand in proxy for souls that have passed on and they are baptized for the dead. They use these Scriptures as a reference to confirm their teaching, which is a doctrine of error. If you notice in verse 31 Paul says, “I die daily,” and yes, he was baptized.
When we come to the understanding that we have been crucified with Christ, then we are dead. Paul also wrote in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” When we come to the understanding that we have been crucified with Christ, we are dead and we need to be buried. This is why we only baptize the dead. You don’t bury someone that is alive.
If a man or woman doesn’t have this understanding there is no need to baptize them, you will just be getting them wet. This is why we don’t baptize infants or babies. They don’t have enough understanding to mortify the deeds of their flesh and daily die out to self. You should wait for children to come to an age so they’ll have an understanding that they’ve made a decision for Jesus Christ and they know how to deny worldly things. One might ask, “What do you think the age should be?” Some refer to this as the “age of accountability.” Find a Spirit led minister who will counsel you and help you make a godly decision. I can say that I have refused to baptize some in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s etc. because they weren’t dead. Then on the other hand I have baptized children as young as 12 years old.
Hopefully, these thoughts will help you to understand that if you were baptized as a child or in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, you should consider being baptized in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We will start out with a brief explanation about blood and fire. If we go to the Scripture in Joel 2:31 “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” When the Scripture says, ‘The moon turns to blood,’ we understand this as being fire. In many cases in the Scriptures you see that blood and fire are interchangeable.
Now, if we go back to the Scriptures, we will see that Jesus fulfilled the baptism of blood on the cross of Calvary. We know that baptism means burial or immersion. Jesus was completely covered with blood, from the crown of thorns ripping into His skull; His back being plowed like a field, the nails in His hands and feet, and the piercing of the sword into His side. Again, He was completely and totally covered in blood.
We are partakers with Jesus through His bloodshed and baptized into His death with Him at Calvary. Romans 6:3-5 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” The Word says that we were crucified with Him at Calvary and we are also resurrected with Him. Praise the Lord!
This is where we find eternal abundant life. Jesus is the Door, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other way into Life but by Him. We know the Word teaches that sin came into the world by one man and was abolished by one man. Romans 5:17 “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:20-22 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” So, we understand that sin entered into the world from the fall of man in the garden and it made us all partakers of death. Jesus came and abolished death and made us all partakers of life.
The blood of Jesus was not shed for willful sin. Many think that we can continue living a sinful life-style and just plead the blood of Jesus over our willful sin. This is gross error. The Word teaches us in Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Another Scripture to confirm this is Hebrews 10:26-27 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”
The Blood of Jesus washed away our sins which came into the world by the fall of man in the garden. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. Many make the mistake of thinking that they can continue on in willful sin and plead the blood of Jesus. Again, this is gross error. Brothers and Sisters, we have entered into a new covenant. Remember, one to water, one to blood, and another to Spirit. Let’s take a look at some allegories and some types and shadows to help us understand before we continue in the subject of willful sin.
If we look back to the water covenant; it was broken when they ate of the tree in the midst of the garden. It is at this point that we see another covenant introduced. The blood covenant was introduced when the blood of animals was spilled to cover Adam and Eve with coats of skin. This helps us to understand why God did not accept Cain’s offering of the fruit of the ground (relative to water life). With it being Cain’s first fruits you’d think it would have been pleasing to God, but it wasn’t. One might ask, “Why?” The answer is because the water covenant had been broken. Abel offered a blood sacrifice which is what was required, and God accepted it. We saw that the water covenant had been broken in the garden. The finishing of the water covenant was shown by the flood of Noah’s time.
Now, we understand this new covenant was a blood covenant, blood had been spilt all through the Old Testament. We know animals were sacrificed to roll sins back. We find an end of the blood covenant when Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, was made and accepted. Jesus was hung on the cross of Calvary. So, we know that there is now a new covenant that we have entered into; it is Spirit. This is why we pray in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, and worship God in Spirit. Our Spirit man has already been caught away with Christ; it is hid away with Him. Therefore, I explained all of this to help us comprehend what was said in Hebrews 10:26-27. We use these allegories to understand why the bloodshed of Jesus Christ does not cover willful sin.
We have entered into a new covenant. Just as Cain’s offering was not acceptable to God because there had already been another covenant established. So, one might think that I’m trying to say that the blood of Jesus was not accepted. That’s not at all what I’m saying. I’m saying that the blood of Jesus was accepted and that is what brought us into the new everlasting covenant with God, eternal life in Christ.
We are filled with the power of the Holy Ghost and we cannot sin according to I John 3:9 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” That is why we don’t continue to offer the blood. Amen! Please, don’t think that I’m trying to do away with the blood of Jesus. You will never enter into the Spirit covenant unless you come through the blood of Jesus. It would take much time to go into the depths of this. I’m trying to keep things simple and stay with the basics of the doctrine of baptism. I, like Paul, said I would like to speak unto you as spirituals but he went on to say that he found them carnal or natural minded. This is why the things of God are hid from many, because of the blindness of their carnal mind.
We will continue on with some thoughts of looking into the natural earth to see and understand a pattern for the physical earth or the earthen vessel. Let’s look at baptism in different dimensions and different powers. When we look to the natural earth we see that it was baptized in water with the flood of Noah’s time. Then, according to II Peter 3:7 “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” The next cleansing will be by fire when the earth is totally consumed. II Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
The earth will go through all three baptisms. It has been baptized in water already; we just read here that it will be baptized in fire also. We know that it will go through a metamorphosis, changing from terrestrial to celestial, which is the Spirit baptism to the natural earth or the transfiguration to the earth. If you learn to watch, God always works in patterns. Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” We are able to see patterns of the invisible (spirit) world by what is seen (physical).
Therefore, we know that the physical earth, or I could say the earthen vessel (body), will do the same thing. We fulfill water, blood, and Spirit baptism. There is a baptism of fire for God’s elect, the sons of God, and then there is the baptism of fire for the children of this world. Fire baptism for the elect of God and fire baptism for the heathen, or the children of this world, are different. The baptism for the heathen, or children of the devil, will be being cast into the lake of fire. They will be totally submerged in the flames of Hell. This goes along with the Scripture in Hebrews chapter 10 where he speaks about the fiery indignation of God. Now, we know that the fiery indignation of God for the elect children is not to be baptized in the Lake of Fire, but it is to be baptized with the fire of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost to us, as God’s elect, is the fire that purges and cleanses us.
We have to remember that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit that dwelt in Jesus, which is the Spirit of the Father. Remember it is the Spirit of the Father that chastens us, and the very same Spirit that comforts us. You notice that I’m pointing out the role of a father. A father’s obligation is to teach, train, protect, discipline, and chasten. Thank God we have a heavenly Father. When we walk in ways that are unpleasing to God, He will chastise us with the fire of the Holy Ghost. Hebrews 12:5-9 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”
For whom the Lord loves He chastens. It goes on to say that if we are not chastened then we are bastard children, or I could say that we don’t have a heavenly Father. This is why, Brothers and Sisters, we need to fulfill the Word of God. He sent His Spirit back to us so that we can receive power to become the sons of God. He gave us power to come out of the world and be a separate people. This is why we need to receive the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Let’s go to our next segment of teaching, Spirit Baptism.
John the Baptist said that there is one that comes after him that he is not worthy to unlatch his shoes. He went on to say that Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Ghost and fire. I pray that you have ears to hear what the Spirit of God says about this matter. Most of my Pentecostal brothers and friends have their thoughts on Spirit baptism. I rejoice with them in their understanding, but I would like to dig a little deeper into this subject and challenge you.
Jesus said it is expedient to go back to the Father so He could send one back, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. The promise that Jesus made was and still is being fulfilled. Let’s read Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Let’s clarify something because many people use these same Scriptures as their foundation for false doctrine. There are doctrines of men and devils that have crept in and misinterpreted the Word. The Bible teaches us that the Word is not for private interpretation.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not just the ability to speak in tongues, prophesy, or cast out devils. The heathen, or the children of this world, can do that and they are not full of the Holy Ghost. Now bear with me, I’m not coming against the gifts of the Spirit. The Bible says that a wise man hears the end of the matter. Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” We have to establish that we need more evidence than just speaking in tongues, prophesying, or working in the gifts to vindicate the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Scriptures teach us that the gifts and calling are without repentance. Let me clarify the difference between the gift of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit. The gift of the Holy Ghost will only come through repentance, for it is the gift of eternal life. The gifts of the Spirit come without repentance and they fall on the just and on the unjust. I believe that if you want evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost, then what you need to look for is a person who walks in obedience to the Word of God.
Jesus told the disciples to go and tarry until they received power. You might ask, “Power for what?” Was it the power to speak in tongues? No. It was the power to come out of the world and be a separate people. The power to overcome not only the world, but also the god of this world. The power to be witnesses. Amen!
Yes, we saw in the Bible that when they were filled with the Holy Ghost they spoke in tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterance. I can go on to say that most people who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost in this day and hour speak in tongues. That doesn’t mean it gives us the right to say that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost. It also says that they appeared to be drunk on new wine early in the day. There were also cloven tongues of fire upon their heads. It also talked about a rushing mighty wind. Which of these do you want to use for evidence? Jesus said go and tarry until you are endued with power. He didn’t say until you speak in tongues.
I can say that I have seen people that do not have God’s Spirit speak in tongues and work in many of the gifts like healing, miracles, and word of knowledge, etc. We need to be careful when we teach that the initial evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues. I would like to encourage you to seek after the gifts of God: tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, miracles, discerning of spirits, faith, wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy. These gifts are for us, the Christians, to help us walk in the Spirit, to help us grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, and to help us in our fight against the prince of darkness. We need to desire all of the gifts of the Spirit.
My intention is that you see the dangers of teaching that the evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues. I am not speaking against the gifts of the Spirit. The Bible says in I Corinthians 14:5 “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” Prophecy is a more desirable or a greater gift than tongues. If speaking in tongues is the Holy Ghost, then that would mean that prophecy is greater than the Holy Ghost, and we know better than that! There is nothing greater than the Holy Ghost. How could there be anything more desirable or greater than the Holy Ghost? So we can’t say the gift of tongues is the evidence of the Holy Ghost.
We have to get an understanding that the gifts are not the evidence of a Spirit filled life. We open ourselves up for deception of devils when we believe that. The Bible says that the rain falls on the just and on the unjust, and on the wheat and the tares. It is written in Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” You see there, it says that He will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. It didn’t say just on His children or His elect, it said all flesh.
I could go on to say, like Paul said, I probably speak in tongues more than any of you, but I can’t teach that it is the evidence of the Holy Ghost. Over the years I have witnessed many people that have received God’s Spirit, but did not receive the gift of speaking in tongues. They were hurt by the doctrine of tongues being the evidence of the Holy Ghost and some were even shipwrecked in their faith because they were being taught that they did not have God’s Spirit. Let’s teach people to seek and desire the gift of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit.
The Bible says in I Corinthians 14:22 “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” Tongues are a sign for the unbelievers. It didn’t say that it was for the believers or the Christians. This is why the Bible says that He is afraid of you who are seeking after a sign. So, I could ask why would the Church world or the Christians say that tongues are a sign or an evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I have witnessed men and women alike that live a sinful life-style and desire the things of the flesh and of this world, but they are under the doctrine that tongues are the evidence of the Holy Ghost. When they come to church and the rain falls on the just and the unjust they feel the rain and they speak in tongues and they prophesy. Because of the doctrine that tongues are the evidence of having the Holy Ghost, they feel justified and think that God gives them His Spirit when they live in willful sin. This is why I say that this doctrinal teaching is dangerous. It helps people to believe a lie and be damned.
We also need to be careful when we teach people that they have salvation without the gift of the Holy Ghost. It says in Romans 8:9 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Without His Spirit you are none of His. How could He say that you are none of His if you are born again? You must have God’s Spirit to be saved. So oftentimes the church world separates receiving God’s Spirit as a separate gift from salvation. We know that when we receive salvation that we receive the Spirit of Jesus, amen, that is the Holy Ghost.
Brothers and Sisters, the gifts of God are for us to exercise. Pray that God will grant you the gift of wisdom and discernment so you can try the spirit of what you have read in this teaching and see if it be of God. Many great men of God had to make changes and adjustments to their understanding of the Scriptures as they grew in the grace and knowledge of God. Unless you are one of those that the Bible speaks about in I Corinthians 8:1-3 “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” I hope and pray you are not one that thinks he knows something and knows nothing yet as he ought to know. Amen.
I’m just trying to help you perfect your doctrine. Pray and ask God to remove pride so you will be able to examine yourself like the Word commands us to do and see if you be in the faith. My intentions are to challenge you in the Scriptures and in doctrine. The Bible says that if they teach or preach any other doctrine than what Jesus preached, let them be accursed. I know that you want to be correct in doctrine.
Prayerfully consider, talk to the Lord, He will lead you into all truths. Again, I’m not trying to get you to come to some new denomination. This is neither Oneness doctrine nor Trinity doctrine. This is the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m not coming against the Trinity or the Oneness, but they both have biblical truths and errors in their doctrines. I’m not called to defend either one of them. I’m called to defend the Word of God.
This short little teaching can make a real difference in your life. It can help you get the religious blinders off your eyes so that you can see good when good comes. Follow the Lord. He will never leave you or forsake you. I thank you for taking your time to read this. I have made an attempt to keep things simple and short on this matter. We haven’t even scratched the surface of this subject. Pray that God will help you and open up your understanding. Be very careful what you decide to do, for if you reject it, it may be the Word of the Most High God that you are rejecting. You might be like the great Apostle Paul who thought he was right when he was persecuting the Church.
Over the years, I have witnessed many works that appeared to be of God come to an end after rejecting the doctrines on baptism. We need to make sure that we have fulfilled all three of these baptisms. One is relative to the body, one to the soul, and one to the spirit. Or we could say water, blood and spirit. Please, I ask you again to prayerfully consider this teaching. If you read this and don’t have a church home I encourage you to find a good church that teaches the Word of God and preaches the whole Bible. God will lead and guide you into all truth. Contact us, we would love to hear from you. Write us if you have any questions. We will pray and do our best to help you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Rob Coones
This message, along with other printed and audio teachings by our pastor, Bro. Rob Coones, are available on our web site, and published for free distribution. For more copies, write to the address below, and state how many tracts you can wisely use.
Christian Temple Ministerial Association
3844 Mount Gilead Church Road
Sophia, NC 27350-8820 USA