INTRODUCTION

    A. There can be no doubt that Pentecostals affirm a commitment to the
          infallibility of the Bible.

    B. An examination of their teachings and practices, however, places that
         claim in doubt.

    C. In the hands of their competent leaders, their doctrines may appear to
         be well defended.

    D. In this study we will set out and respond to a number of the most
         obvious fallacies among them.

        1. Our study will in no manner exhaust the number of fallacious claims
            made and doctrines taught.
        2. Neo-Pentecostals claim that the Bible validates their experiences,
            while in reality it is the other way around—first comes an
            “experience,” which in their minds is an assurance of salvation and the
            truth of the Bible.

DISCUSSION

  I. “TONGUES.”

    A. Almost without exception Pentecostals affirm that tongue speaking is an
         “ecstatic utterance,” or, as some would define it, “angelic language.”

    B. They, however, admit that the tongues of Acts 2 was a foreign and
         intelligent speech, they maintain that the tongues of Mark 16:17 and 1
         Corinthians 12, 13, and 14 were “unknown.”

    C. While some among them claim to have spoken in a foreign tongue,
         objective examinations have shown the claims spurious.

    D. The Bible clearly affirms that “assurance” of salvation is known through
         obedience (1 John 2:3).

    E. Tongues of the New Testament, says Paul, were given by the Holy Spirit
        (1 Corinthians 12:10).

    F. 1 Corinthians 13 and the “duration” of speaking in a miraculous tongue.
 
 
 

  II. PENTECOSTALS AND THE STEPS OF SALVATION.

    A. As do many protestants, Pentecostals (with one exception) begin the
         process of salvation with the requirement of “repentance,” move next to
         “faith,” and then to what they term “receiving Christ,” and finally to
         “confession with the mouth.”

    B. “Water baptism,” (say most Pentecostals) and “church membership”
         have no relationship to salvation.

    C. The Bible affirms that the process of conversion begins with faith that is
         imparted by hearing word of Christ (Romans 10:13-17; Acts 2:29-37;
        Romans 5:1,2; Acts 18:8).

    D. Upon hearing the word “faith” becomes the first step (Acts 16:31,32).

    E. Those who “heard and believed” were, in Bible conversions, instructed
         to “repent.”

    F. Confession with the mouth, in the conversion of the eunuch, preceded
         baptism (Acts 8:37,38; Romans 10:8-10).

    G. In His worldwide commission, Jesus placed baptism in the plan (Mark
        16:15,16; John 3:5).

  III. PENTECOSTALS AND SANCTIFICATION.

    A. “Sanctification,” in their view, is an “experience” subsequent to
         justification.

    B. This “experience” has for the past century been viewed by Pentecostals
        as baptism in the Holy Spirit.

    C. The Bible teaches that we are sanctified “by the truth,” the word of God
         (John 17:17,19).

    D. The Bible also teaches that one is sanctified “by faith,” and that such
         sanctification is the result of being “in Christ” (Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians
         1:2).

    E. The Bible teaches that we are sanctified by the blood of Christ
        (Hebrews 10:29).

    F. Gentiles are said to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16).

    G. We are said to be called “by the gospel” unto sanctification of the Spirit
         and belief of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13,14).

    H. We are sanctified with the “washing of water” by the word (Ephesians
         5:26; 1 Cor-inthians 6:11).

    I. By “purging” one’s self from dishonorable practices, fleeing youthful lusts,
       etc., we maintain our sanctification, and are meet for the Master’s use (2
       Timothy 2:20-22).
 

  IV. PENTECOSTALS AND HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM.

    A. Pentecostals believe they have received a baptism in the Spirit
         subsequent to conversion, and that the “experience” corresponds to the
         “filling” of Acts 2.

    B. Recipients of a baptismal measure of the Spirit in the New Testament
         age possessed the ability to recall and confirm the things taught them by
         the Lord (John 14:26; 16:13; Hebrews 2:3,4).
 

  V. PENTECOSTALS AND PREMILLENNIALISM.

    A. Pentecostals teach classic premillennialism.

    B. They teach that Christ is to return to planet Earth to set up the Messianic
         Kingdom.  They fail to recognize that the kingdom was “set up” (past
         tense) as promised by the Messiah (Matthew 4:17; Mark 9:1).

    C. They teach that Christ will come again to occupy the throne of David in
         old Jerusalem.  They fail to recognize that Christ is already sitting upon
         David’s throne (Acts 2:29-36).