© 19 Colin Melbourne Edited and annotated from The Pentecostal Evangel May 1922
Wigglesworth’s Challenge
For many years, I have thrown out the challenge; to any person, who can prove to me, that he has the Baptism, without speaking in tongues, as the Spirit gives utterance: To prove it by the word that he has been Baptised in the Holy Ghost without the Bible evidence.
But so far no one has accepted the challenge.
I only say this because so many were like I was, they have a rigid idea that they have received the Baptism without the Bible evidence.
The Lord Jesus wants those who preach the word, to have The Word in evidence.
The Unchanging Word
Don’t be misled by anything else. Have a Bible proof for all you have, and then you will be in a place where no man can move you.
A Joyful Telegram to Home
I was so full of joy that I wired home to say that I had received the Holy Ghost.
As soon as I got home, my boy came running up to me and said, “Father, have you received the Holy Ghost?” I said, “Yes, my boy!” He said, “Let’s hear you speak in tongues.”
But I could not.
Why?
I had received the Baptism in the Spirit with the speaking in tongues as the Bible evidence according to Acts 2:4, and had not received the Gift of tongues according to 1 Cor. 12. I had received the Giver of all Gifts.
At some time later, when I was helping some souls to seek and receive the Baptism of the Spirit, God gave me the Gift of Tongues, so that I could could speak at any time.
I could speak: But will not, no never! I must allow the Holy Ghost to use the Gift.
It should be so, so that we shall only have divine utterances by the Spirit. I would be very sorry to use a Gift, but the Giver has all power to use the whole nine Gifts.
The Scriptural Proof
I want to take you to the Scriptures to prove my position.
There are businessmen here, and they know that in cases of law, where there are two clear witnesses, they could win a case before any judge in Australia.
On the clear evidence of two witnesses any judge will give a verdict.
What has God given us?
Three clear witnesses on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: More than are necessary in law courts.
The first is in Acts 2:4 KJV;
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Here we have the original pattern.
And God gave to Peter an eternal word [Acts 4:16] that couples this experience with the promise that went before [Joel 2].
“This is that.” And God wants you to have that: Noting less than that.
He wants you to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit according to this original pattern.
Continue reading…
Smith Wigglesworth on The Bible Evidence of the Baptism in The Holy Spirit
© 19 Colin Melbourne Edited and annotated from The Pentecostal Evangel May 1922
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