Category: Denominational Studies

Holy Ghost Baptism – Article 1

How often have you heard someone claim they have received “Holy Ghost Baptism?” Very sincere people claim that over and over again — but there is something very troubling about such claims. There are so many discrepancies between what one can read in the Bible and the variety of these personal testimonials that it is impossible to accept all the claims that are made.

The basis for claiming reception of Holy Ghost baptism varies according to who makes the claim. Generally, those of the so-called “Pentecostal” persuasion claim that Holy Ghost baptism accompanies their conversion, in one way or another. Some of them affirm that it is essential to salvation; others deny it. Some Pentecostals urge their converts to seek the baptism of the Holy Ghost in their lives, and nearly all of them affirm that the evidence of it is the ability to speak in what they call “tongues.”

Continue reading “Pentecostalism – Holy Ghost Baptism I”

Rom. 4:1-25; Gen. 15:6; James 2:23; Gal.3:6

Introduction:

1. Imputed Righteousness is clearly taught in the passages we have read. That is not an issue.

2. The question is whether such imputation of Righteousness is mediate or immediate–by means or on conditions or without means and unconditionally. Same as studying operation of the Spirit.

3. It will by my purpose to show that the sinner who has faith in Christ is declared righteous by our Maker. This will involve the study of the two words which make up the subject: Imputed and Righteousness.

4. I also would like to introduce some historical material which should give a good background for such a study.

Continue reading “Calvinism – The Truth about Imputed Righteousness”

The theories and speculations with respect to the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion are numerous and varied. Doctrinal issues in denominationalism these days are unheard of, but formerly, Baptists and Presbyterians were known to preach and defend their doctrine of the immediate and direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the sinner. The root of this concept sprang from the sectarian seeds sown by John Calvin, the great reformer. He argued that the sinner was born in sin and totally depraved, inclined completely to evil, and incapable of doing any good at all. From this he argued that only the power of God could “burn out” the Adamic sin in the “unregenerate.” So, no matter how much a sinner wanted salvation, it was impossible unless and until God sent the Holy Spirit directly to the sinner. This meant the Holy Spirit’s operation was direct and without any medium, such as the Word of God.

Continue reading “Calvinism – Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit”

by Franklin T. Puckett; Calico Rock, Arkansas

If the doctrine of “inherited total depravity” be true, and man is totally dead in sin, unable to do anything for himself (cannot hear, cannot believe, cannot obey) until God operates on him, then God is a respecter of persons. It places the complete responsibility upon God for the damnation of every soul who is lost, and makes God alone to be the direct author of every lost soul’s ruin. If the whole of mankind is totally depraved, so completely dead that not one individual can hear, think, say, or do one single thing pleasing to God until and unless God “operates” upon him, then God alone is responsible for every man on whom he does not operate.

Continue reading “Calvinism – Refuting the Total Depravity Arguments”

by Franklin T. Puckett, Calico Rock, Arkansas

Growing out of the false doctrine of “inherited total depravity” are a number of popular errors. One of these errors is the doctrine of a second work of grace, what some are pleased to call entire sanctification. Certain Holiness groups teach this doctrine. It is their contention that salvation is the first work of grace, and sanctification is the second. They hold that when one is saved, he is forgiven of his past or alien sins, and this is the first work of grace; then. notwithstanding the fact that he has been forgiven, the Adamic taint of sin is still clinging to him, and before he can live free from sin he must have that Old Adamic taint eradicated from his nature. They teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit destroys this original taint, and that such baptism comes only to the children of God. This is sanctification, as they see it, or the second work of grace. Until we receive this second gift we will continue to sin, after we receive it we will be lifted above sin and live in perfection. It becomes then impossible for us to commit sin.

Continue reading “Calvinism – Inherited Depravity and its Fruit”

A theory that is very closely associated with the theory of foreordination and predestination is the doctrine of hereditary total depravity. Many honest and sincere people have been led to believe that since the fall of Adam every living soul is born with a corrupt nature, that is to say that every person on earth is born under condemnation of heaven. Regarding this theory one creed states that all persons are “born positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse” (J. M. Pendlton, Art. 3, in Church Manual designed for Baptist Churches). It is affirmed that those who sin, and there are none who do not sin, bear evidence that all men have a corrupt nature. According to this theory, if Adam had a corrupt nature he must have inherited it from his father. Now, since Adam was a “son of God,” that would make God corrupt m nature. This is a mistake!

Continue reading “Calvinism – Total Hereditary Depravity”