The pentecostal baptism : is it regeneration? A reply to the Rev. G. Campbell Morgan

Front matter

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Introduction

HaAvinc had the privilege of reading the MS. of “THE PENTECOSTAL Baptism: Is 1T REGENE- RATION?” I can speak of it in the highest terms as a most valuable and helpful work. In my opinion, it is thoroughly clear and Scriptural from first to last, and has evidently been written in the spirit of prayer, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God.

I cannot but thank God that Dr. Payne has Basti led to deal with the mistaken views, as I believe them to be, in certain parts of the Rev. Campbell Morgan’s work, “‘ The Spirit of God. Whilst I have the warmest admiration for Mr. Morgan, and, with the author of this book, cordially acknowledge the immense influence for good he has_ exerted amongst the Churches both in England and America, yet I am compelled to say, with others of my ministerial brethren, that I have been grieved again and again to find God’s_ people being misled and hindered in their spiritual life by statements it contains. Having read and benefited by other works of Dr. Payne, and knowing the good they have accomplished in others, I cannot but hope and pray that this new book may be owned of God in removing difficulties and misconceptions in the minds of those who

6 INTRODUCTION.

have erred from “the simplicity of Christ” in regard to the Pentecostal Blessing. F 3 Our brother’s long experience in Christian eae his knowledge of the Word of God, and the fact that he has made the subject of this book the one study of his life, qualify him, in a very real sense, for the task he has undertaken. He is supported in his views of the Spirit’s Anointing by thousands of the grandest men and women that have ever lived—saints of God, who entered into the secret of the Lord through long years of habitual communion with God. One wonders how our brother, Mr. Morgan, can hold and teach views that are out of harmony, not only with the Word of God, but the experience of vast numbers whose lives have adorned the Church of God and inspired the world from the beginning of the. Christian Era. ?

Perhaps there never was a time when the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit should be made known in all directions as at the present day. We are thankful to think that many of our leaders in Christian thought and service are of opinion that there is amongst the Churches an increasing hunger and thirst after the Pentecostal blessing. The late Hugh Price Hughes wrote some time ago: ‘“‘ Everyone conversant with the religious ‘signs of the times’ must be greatly impressed by the prominence which the Personality and work of the Holy ae

INTRODUCTION. 5

Spirit now secure in the experience and teaching of the living Christian Church. There has been growing up in all Churches a new hunger and thirst after personal righteousness, a newsense of the significance of the day of Pentecost, and a new yearning for the spiritual power then conferred upon the primitive Church.”

As Dr. Dale says, “The extent and variety of our Christian work require that we should receive a fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost.” This is the one thing needful, above all others, for the Church of God. That .great soul-winner, Charles C. Finney, said just before his death, “Ii I had strength of body to go through the Churches again, instead of preaching to sinners, I would preach to bring up the churches to the standard of holy living.’ Dr. Parker, not long ago, said very much the same thing: ‘“‘ What is wanted now is a mission to the Churches. The great soul I cry for, is the man who will set fire to the Church, and bring back our conscious need of the Holy Ghost.”

If all the members of our Churches were dedicated to God and filled with the Holy Spirit, Christian work would cease to be paralysed for lack of the men and money needed. Bazaars, soirées, concerts, and other worldly methods of raising funds for the carrying on of God’s work, would be no longer necessary. We should have a perpetual revival if we would only walk in God’s will, and surrender ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, to the domination of the Holy Ghost.

8 INTRODUCTION.

As Andrew Murray says, “The. Church: that puts this first, that in Apostolic fashion separates itself from the world and forsakes all trust in its own goodness or wisdom, to wait on the Power from Heaven—that Church will have conversions.”

God’s plan of saving the world is through His own Spirit-filled people. How can the Church reach the unconverted if its members are not baptised with the Spirit? And will not God’s people be kept from seeking this blessing, and settle down in a false contentment, if they are taught, as in Mr. Campbell Morgan’s book, that “ the Pentecostal Baptism is, in short, the blessing of Regeneration,” and that the words “« LBL lal until ye be clothed with power from on high ’ (Luke xxiv. 49) have no application to new-born souls at all,” with other statements equally misleading ? —

I trust that Dr. Payne’s book will have -the wide circulation it deserves, and that God will speed it on its way of scattering doubts and errors from ‘the minds of all who have been led astray. This work, apart from its reference to Mr. Morgan’s teaching, will be found to be most helpful in the spiritual life, and a great stimulus to all who are seeking after the fullness of God.

ERNEST GOODE.

PRB BA CE.

THE Rev. John Fletcher, in his ‘‘ Checks to Antinomianism,” when correcting the errors of certain writers, says, “‘ Now, we apprehend, that to debate such a question in a fair and friendly manner will rather edify than offend either the religious or the moral world. Fair arguments, plain Scriptures, honest appeals to conscience, and a close pursuit of ridiculous error, hunted down to their last recesses, will never displease enquirers after truth.” And he further states, “‘ The __voluntary humility made us reverence the very errors of the good men from which we differ.”

Personally, the writer feels greatly drawn towards our dear brother, both as a Christian and a fellowservant of Jesus Christ, and is persuaded to believe that he has only publicly voiced the views that are entertained and taught by a great many others. We also mention, when referring to a mistake or an error’ in doctrine, that it is not so much the person as the error to which we wish to call attention. But when statements are publicly made in opposition to revealed truth, then we feel it is a duty in the spirit of love and Christian sympathy publicly to correct them, even though in some cases, in order that the wrong person may not be suspected, it may involve the mention of

0) PREFACE.

aname. And the responsibility increases when the subject under consideration, as in the present case, next to the doctrine of the atonement, is the greatest subject on earth; for we are fully convinced that to all who are true believers on our Lord Jesus Christ, the Pentecostal Baptism either means everything or nothing.

Another special reason for the present work is, that the writer, with many others, has long felt that something written in a brief form showing the clear distinctions between the Person and Office of Jesus and that of the Holy Spirit, as well as distinguishing between the Spirit’s work in regeneration and the gift of the Holy Spirit Himself, would supply a great want, and by the blessing of God might be a means of help to many. Experience has also taught us that where the Word of Truth has been rightly divided so as to avoid any unnecessary appearance of separation, such distinction has greatly simplified things, and as a result many errors have been avoided. And while we have touched upon many important points of doctrine we have sought carefully, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to supply as much helpful thought as possible. And we sincerely pray that it may not only be a means of clearing away many difficulties, but that it may also prove a real spiritual uplift to thousands of souls.

THOS. "PAYA,

Chapter I

Several Distinctions showing the difference between the Gift and Mission of Jesus and that of the Holy Spirit ; also, to wit, that a definite Act of Faith is required to receive the Gift of the yea Ghost as well as the Gift of 7080s a

CHAPTER II. The Doctrine relating to Regeneration and the Pentecostal

Baptism explained; also truth about the Difference - between the Filling and the Baptism of the Spirit

CHAPTER ITI.

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit, and what the term or symbol implies ; Christ our r example | in the ec reaance of the Divine Anointing .. é ats ; Ly

Chapter IV

The Unction from the Holy One : a privilege of the highest importance because of the unspeakable blessings which follow es Ree ee: es

Chapter V

The Disciples experience Pre- and Post-Pentecost ; what were the special benefits which the Samaritans received as the result of the visit of the Apostles Peter and John, after the preaching of Philip? my:

Chapter VI

Some of the Benefits which Apollos and others derived from the Ministry of pone the Baptist before Pentecost —example of Aquilla and Priscilla; and Spiritual Revelations of the Life and Character of Jesus which took place under the preaching of the late Mr. Frank Crossley, of Star Hall, Manchester, and others ; Christ is always best known where the Holy Spirit 1 is most recognised and honoured.. Zs ; me, Sat

II ce

12 CONTENTS.

Chapter VII

The Effect of Paul’s visit to the Disciples at Ephesus, and the important question, ‘‘ Did ye receive the Holy Ghost when ye believed ?”’ elucidated. Also areply to the present-day critics with regard to the question, ‘‘ Is -the ‘ Spirit of Christ,’ without which we are none of His, equivalent with the Pentecostal Baptism ?”’

Different Administrations of the Spirit ; also the loss that many sustain through human limitations with regard

to Spiritual Operations and Manifestations ; Second Blessing—is it Scriptural ? ; abi a s

Chapter XI

A Reply to the Rev. Campbell Morgan’s assertion concerning praying for the Holy Spirit ; Antinomian views on this subject exposed .. ae vee ee z CHAPTER XII.

Witnesses to the experience of the Pentecostal Baptism, as given by Finney, Moody, Asa Mahan, Silas Henn, Canon Aitken, and others ; Apostolic preaching contrasted with the results of the present-day ministry

Chapter XIII

Divine Indwelling ; Testimonies of those who have distinct fellowship with the Triune God.. ‘i eA :

Chapter XIV

The Necessity of having a spiritual acquaintance with the Doctrine of the ever-blessed Trinity, that ther ehy Important Errors may be avoided