The Historical Event At The Day of Pentecost: The Then Or Now?

The Church today is made to believe that what happened at the day of Pentecost continues to take place today.  What transpired at the day of Pentecost was in fact actually took place, but to say that it remains to be a vibrant part of the Church today is not warranted in scripture (Acts 2:1-4).  It is true that many Charismatics and Pentecostal movement will utilize as a biblical proof text in regards to Hebrews 13:8 where it says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Their contention is that what happen than can happen Now as to that of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit so as to the Church experiencing the empowerment of the Spirit as evidence of speaking in tongues. Yet once again in Hebrews 13:8 does not warranted it in scripture. In Hebrews 13:8 it actually teaches that God is unchangeable in Who He is. 

   It is unfortunate that many Charismatics and Pentecostal movements are ignorant when it comes to basic Bible interpretation, historical and biblical theology. They place so much emphasis upon the work of the Holy Spirit but devalue the Person of Jesus Christ. The truth of the matter that the Holy Spirit witness Christ; Christ witness the Holy Spirit. Whenever there is a defective view of the Holy Spirit as to it gross misinterpretation that in turn it affects other areas of doctrine and theology. For example whenever a system of belief have a weak view of sin it also in turn deny The Fall of Man (Gen. 5:12-24).  The Charismatic movement because of its open door policy of "Free" Spirit worship, esotericism, pragmatism, and existentialism opens the door to all kinds of false doctrine and heresies.

   Throughout this article I will begin to (1) address the historical basis of what happened at the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). (2) The "continual" theory perpetuated by modern-day Pentecostalism (Col. 2:8). And (3) The extent and outcome of a defective and deflated view of scripture (2 Tim. 2:17-18).

   The historical basis of what happen at the day of Pentecost is that there were 120 followers of Christ who were filled with the Holy Spirit by which they spoke in divided tongues (Acts 2:3, 4). The "divided" tongues or language were distributed by the Holy Spirit to be understood by those who heard them speak in their native languages (Acts 2:6, 8, 11). The purpose of the 120 followers of Christ speaking in such diverse languages were to proclaim the gospel throughout the world (Acts 1:8). It was not some "gibberish" of tongues that was non-rational, brainless, and non-logical, but the diverse language spoken by the followers of Christ was in fact authentic and genuine. It was understood in such logical, rational way.  If it was not for the Spirit's enablement it would have been impossible for them reach those with the gospel in order to understand what they were saying.  The problematic stance of many Charismatics and Pentecostals today is their misunderstanding and misuse of tongues by which it has created such confusion and suspicion.  Speaking in tongues is not the true evidence of receiving the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues.  Every believer have been (1) baptism by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13). (2) Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). (3) Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 4:30). And (4) Filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). 

   The "continual" theory perpetuated by modern-day Pentecostalism is their misunderstanding of what happened at the day of Pentecost (Heb. 13:8).  Many Charismatics will contend that what happened at the day of Pentecost is applicable for the Church today.  The experience of what happened at the day of Pentecost is a once-for-all experience that can never be duplicated. There is an attempt on the part of many Charismatics and Pentecostal movement to make the experience of Pentecost their own experience without understanding the historical basis of the experience of what took place at the day of Pentecost yet alone its gross practice (Mk. 16:17-18).  Esotericism, superficiality, and pragmatism is at the heart of spiritual apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1) by which it opens the door to all kinds of false doctrine and heresies (2 Pet. 2:1). 

    Many Charismatics are ignorant of basic Bible interpretation, history, and biblical theology by which experience hold sway within the Church today.  There is such an anti-intellectual stance on the part of many Charismatics and Pentecostal leadership that frown upon higher learning and academic training (1 Jn. 2:24).  There is a tendency regarding many Charismatics to throw away their "minds" to get into the Spirit. They are keen, but clueless.  The Bible instructs believers to love God with our minds; not our spirit.  The infiltration of Gnosticism have in fact strip the Church of its nakedness whereby we witness to its skeletal remains (2 Tim. 2:17-18).

    The extent and outcome of a defective and deflated view of the Bible is to open the door to all kinds of subjectivism.  Many Charismatics have a low view of the authority and inspiration of the Bible as to its "progressive" revelation of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19-21).  According to many Charismatic leadership is that scripture is incomplete without such Revelation Knowledge.  In so many words the Bible is an open end Book by which there is much revelation to be added.  According to Revelation 22:18-19 is warranted that those who would add or take away from God's Word is to incur God's divine judgment.  The history of Gnosticism is to "unravel" God's divine mysteries so as to read "beyond" the mere words of scripture to seek some "higher" knowledge something that the institutional Church does not possess (Col. 2:18).  The "avenue" by which Gnostics attain salvation is through "knowledge" or "gnosis" absence of personal faith in Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:36).  Most Gnostics will contend that they possess such "higher" or "secret" knowledge as oppose to the Church possessing such earthly or Sense Rule Knowledge.  In order to turn the tables on the head of Gnostics in the professing church today is that they possess such "earthly" knowledge, but the Church possess such true "spiritual" knowledge (Col. 1:9-10).  Whenever the Church have such a defective and deflated view of the Bible is to cause people's faith to become spiritually shipwrecked by which we are witnessing to that in the professing church today.  Experience as oppose to biblical rational faith holds sway within the Church today by which many Charismatics have been led down a spiritual cliff.

    In order for the Church to avert such a crisis within Christianity is to return to a Christ-centered and biblical faith to guard itself against the infiltration of mysticism in the Church today (Col. 2:18, 19).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Reformed Church of Atlanta, Georgia.  He is also the president and Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? which is available at Amazon.com. He is also the Radio Host of, "Answer In Focus" Ministries that is aired throughout metro Atlanta and around the world. As a apologist, pastor-teacher, senior researcher/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and throughout the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of Atlanta, Georgia with there puppy "Little Baby."