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The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Difference between revisions

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William Branham early in his ministry taught that the evidence of the baptism of the Holy spirit was not speaking in tongues. However, he changed his mind several times as to what he truly thought it was.  The questions is - Did he get it right?
William Branham early in his ministry taught that the evidence of the baptism of the Holy spirit was not speaking in tongues. However, he changed his mind several times as to what he truly thought it was.  The questions is - Did he get it right?


=What William Branham taught=
=What William Branham taught=


William Branham always taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was a "third work of grace" in a Christian's life, following justification and sanctification.
William Branham always taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was a "third work of grace" in a Christian's life, following justification and sanctification.  This is the traditional Pentecostal understanding of scripture.


Although he may have believed it early in his ministry, none of his recorded sermons indicate that he believed that the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues.  Rather, he initially taught that the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in a Christian was love.  He later changed this to a belief that it was the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.
Although he may have believed it early in his ministry, none of William Branham's recorded sermons indicate that he believed that the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues.  Rather, he initially taught that the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in a Christian was love.  He later changed this to a belief that it was the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.


However, starting in 1964, William Branham began teaching that the evidence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life was that they received the Word for the age in which they lived.  This was William Branham's indirect way of saying that if you didn't believe his message, you did not have the Holy Spirit.
However, starting in 1964, William Branham began teaching that the evidence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life was that they received the Word for the age in which they lived.  This was his way of saying that '''if you didn't believe what William Branham taught and believed him to be a prophet of God, you did not have the Holy Spirit.'''


=What the Bible teaches=
=The traditional Pentecostal understanding=
 
Does that Bible teach that believers should seek a “baptism in the Holy Spirit” after conversion?


First, there is a subjective testimony of the Holy Spirit within our hearts bearing witness that we are God’s children:
First, there is a subjective testimony of the Holy Spirit within our hearts bearing witness that we are God’s children:
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[[Category:Pentecostalism]]
[[Category:Pentecostalism]]
[[Category:Baptism]]
[[Category:Baptism]]
[[Category:Holy Spirit]]
[[Category:Unfinished articles]]