THE MOVEMENT OF THE HOLY GHOST IN THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST

 

When God poured out the the Holy Ghost in Acts chapter 2 on about 120 believers, Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost told the multitude that had gather "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39). As long as God is still calling people to salvation, then they have the promise of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

Today, approx 20 million people claim to have received the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues. God is pouring out His Spirit upon all who believe on Him in faith, even in the denomination that calls itself "The Church of Christ". Yet, even from within this movement that denies God's promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, today many honest hearted souls are receiving this experience.

The following quotations are from some of the founding fathers of the movement which believes itself to be the Church of Christ.

J.W.McGarvey. Lard’s Quarterly. Vol.I, no. 4, June 1964

"The lover of truth should never be a dogmatist nor conclude that on any subject he has nothing more to learn. But he should stand ready whenever his conclusions, even those of which he is most confident are challenged on the basis of new reasons…I have for some years been convinced that the immersion in the Holy Spirit is not fully understood and that it needs investigation and discussion de novo".

Thomas Munnel. Lard’s Quarterly. Vol. II.2,Jan. 1865.

"All who have capacity enough to admit some of our views on this subject (i.e. "Church of Christ" theories on the Holy Spirit baptism) may have been erroneous will no doubt be benefited by reading up on the discussion. Those who are too weak to make such an admission would do well to spend their time in some other way".

I would encourage our friends who believe they are working with the Church of Christ to heed the admonitions of these early founders of their own movement. If they do they will be in good company. Scores are leaving denominationalism and receiving this New Testament baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many of those who were for years leaders in the denominational "Church of Christ" are receiving this experience.

Tom Roberts in the Gospel Guardian says that the number has now "almost reached epidemic proportions". (cf. Jan. 1971 Issue, p.8)

James D. Bales admits "There are cells of tongues speakers in more than one congregation" and that there are tongues speakers on their Bible school campuses. (Pat Boone and the Gift of Tongues)

James D. Bales also writes that "I have learned of cells of tongues speakers in congregations in different parts of the country and in some colleges maintained by the brethern". He asks "WHY?" (Pentecostalism In The Church, p.4)

Ben Franklin was considered by Firm Foundation publishers (a "Church of Christ" firm) to be the "greatest New Testament preacher of this century". He has now received the baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues. He has the following words to say to his former brethern:

"As I studied I became aware that mine and the brotherhood’s approach to the Holy Spirit question called for side-stepping certain passages, lifting others from their context, and building doctrine on assumptions."

"I came to realize that there was no passage of scripture, taken in its own context, which stated that the miraculous would cease when the original apostles died or the New Testament was written."

You would expect to hear this from a Pentecostal preacher, but this is from their own brotherhood. Ben Franklin has answered James Bales question of "WHY," and said it far better than this author ever could. It is hoped his brethern will take heed to those things which many of their former leaders are saying.

My prayer is that all of our "Church of Christ" friends who read this may join the growing company who are receiving the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit. Pat Boone expressed it in the following words: "Today, more and more devoted members of our beloved Church of Christ are discovering the reality of the Holy Spirit."

(Pat Boone. A New Song. Carol Stream, Ill.:Crearton House, 1970).

Testimonies of Church of Christ Ministers, Elders, and laymen who have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues,

                                

                                   Ben Franklin                                         Dean Dennis

                                   Pat Boone                                             Forrest H. Wells

                                   Donald R. Hurley                                 Dwyatt Gantt

                                   William R. Epperson                           W. L. Wilson

                                    Jim C. Noblitt                                       T. C. Wisenbaker

                                    Paul Logue                                           Curtis Lydic

                                    Lester E. Nichols, MD

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