By: Russell R. Wisehart

One of the strongest, yet simplest proofs for the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues is the experience itself.

Many have tried to explain away this Pentecostal phenomenon. Libraries could be filled with the writings of those who have gone around in theological circles demonstrating what Pentecost was not, is not, and could not be.

But of the countless attempts by armchair theologians and others to explain away the Promise of the Father, not one, to my knowledge, has ever been able to attack it successfully from the standpoint of the actual experience. And yet, that the experience does exist is an undeniable and, to some, an uncomfortable fact. Like the rulers and elders in Jerusalem, who were embarrassed and amazed at Peter's anointed preaching (Acts 4), the opponents of the Pentecostal experience have often been grieved at this teaching. In many cases they have opposed the proponents of this doctrine because of its utter unacceptableness in their religious circles.

They attempt to explain away the fulfillment of Joel's Prophecies concerning the Pentecostal outpouring. They charge these unlearned and ignorant men to cease their babblings and act like sober, mature, intelligent men. Yet as they confer together concerning what they consider this distasteful conduct, they are increasingly aware of a nagging certainty. They cannot evade it. They close their eyes and stop their ears, but it is still there. It keeps returning until they must face the facts.

Despite their excellent sermonizing and their neat theological interpretations, despite their logical and reasonable explanations and their fine exegesis, here before them stands a man who has had a real experience with God and they cannot deny it.

What to do? Like the man born blind (John 9), the Spirit-baptized believer may be brought again and again before the religious leaders and asked to renounce his position. They should remember the former blind man's simple question, "How can one deny the Healer when the healing is definite and real?"

One outstanding, unquestionable fact had been established, even to the fear and chagrin of his own parents. This man had been totally blind; now he could see. We paraphrase the words of the once-blind man to say to those who would doubt the reality of the Pentecostal experience : "Why, herein is a marvelous thing. You say God does not fill individuals with the Holy Spirit today, and yet He has done it." Over and over again He has performed this miracle. He has included not only the unlearned and ignorant, but businessmen, professional men, persons in high places, college graduates, seminary students, and others whose hearts are open. Men of all walks of life and many denominations are experiencing the infilling of the Holy Spirit in these days. They testify, "We may not understand completely; we cannot explain it fully; but this one thing we know, that whereas once we were thirsty and hungry, now we are filled."

Hunger and thirst are important prerequisites for receiving the fullness of the Spirit. A hunger and a thirst for a deeper, fuller experience with God brings a spiritual reality into our lives we never knew existed--a new dimension we had never penetrated. "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink," Jesus said, speaking of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39).

The baptism of the Spirit cannot be explained. The experience cannot be coldly analyzed. It cannot be compressed into neat outline form. But for those who, with David, desire to fix their hearts upon the Lord, for those who desire to be "filled with all the fullness of God," to know the length and breadth and height of His love-for such "there is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad" the hungering, thirsting people of God.

The river of salvation flows from the very heart of God. The river of the Holy Spirit flows from the throne room of the Father. Jesus said, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7). Perhaps one reason no one has ever been able to eradicate this precious experience from the Church is that they have been unable to reach the heavenly source.

And so it shall always be. Men will continue to attack and to deemphasize. They will attempt to damage and destroy this doctrine. However, as Pentecostal believers continue to live in the Spirit, giving their lives for the cause of the gospel, those who oppose it will still have to ask themselves, in words not too far removed from those of the elders of Israel so long ago, "What shall we do to these men ! for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all . . . and we cannot deny it" (Acts 4:16).

How can anyone deny the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues when millions testify it is a real experience!

(The above material appeared in a September, 1974 issue of the Pentecostal Herald.)

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