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The biblical account of Pentecost in the second chapter of the book of Acts describes the sound of a mighty rushing wind and "divided tongues like fire" coming to rest on the apostles. [46] The text further describes that "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages".
Clearly it is not a long step from this to the "Holy Spirit" of Christian theology, the "Lord and Giver of life", visibly manifested as tongues of fire at Pentecost and ever since associated – in the Christian as in the Stoic mind – with the ideas of vital fire and beneficent warmth. [11]
The flame is a reminder of Pentecost when witnesses were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw "tongues, as of fire" . The two tongues of a single flame represent the two works of grace taught in Methodism: the (1) New Birth and (2) entire sanctification ; they may also be understood to represent the union of two denominations (the ...
The modern so-called gift of tongues, is unscriptural and cannot be taken as a sign of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Jesus said, "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign." Therefore, to hold or teach that speaking in an unknown tongue is the evidence of a work of grace in the heart, is to Biblical for the following reasons:
The book of Acts describes the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles at Pentecost in the form of a wind and tongues of fire resting over the apostles' heads. Based on that account, the Holy Spirit is sometimes symbolized by a flame. [4]
Fire – symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit's actions. In the form of tongues "as of fire", the Holy Spirit rested on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost. [135] [138] Cloud and light – The Spirit comes upon the Virgin Mary and "overshadows" her, so that she might conceive and give birth to Jesus.
Simpson believed that Pentecostal tongues speaking was a legitimate manifestation of the Holy Spirit, but he did not believe it was a necessary evidence of Spirit baptism. This view on speaking in tongues ultimately led to what became known as the "Alliance position" articulated by A. W. Tozer as "seek not—forbid not". [72]
If a distinction is intended then 1 Corinthians 14:10 "There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning" may imply that "tongues of men" were intelligible, whereas 1 Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit."