The necessity of exposing error is abundantly taught in Scripture (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-5; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 2.2; Tit. 1:10-11). Preachers of the gospel have the God-given responsibility to boldly speak out against all error, in the church and out! Therefore, I presently address myself to bringing indictments against Pentacostalism.

Pentecostal churches no no right to exist. They are a part of denominationalism, a state of religious division which is antagonistic toward the unity demanded in the New Testament. Denominationalism, of which Pentecostalism is a part, is the very opposite of all Christ prayed for in John 17:11,20-21. Hence, Pentecostalism is not authorized to exist, for it is a "plant which shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15:13).

Nowhere in the New Testament do you read of a "Pentecostal Church," "United Pentecostal Church," or "Pentecostal Holiness Church." These are not given in the New Testament Scriptures as designations for the church Jesus built (Matt. 16:18). Inasmuch as the New Testament church is never called by "Pentecostal Church," "United Pentecostal Church," or "Pentecostal Holiness Church" is proof defacto that to designate or describe the church as such is to fail "to speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:17). To fail to "speak where the Bible speaks, and to be silent where the Bible is silent" is sin!

Pentecostalism is a religion founded chiefly upon emotionalism, not Scripture! It is not uncommon to hear Pentecostals say, "I do not care what you say, I know what the Lord is doing for me," or "I do not care what the Bible says, I know what I feel in my heart." Some have even said, "I would not take a stack of Bibles for what I feel within my heart.", thus, Pentecostalism is a false religion of subjectivism, emotionalism, and dire ignorance of the Scriptures! Man has no right to trust in his own feelings apart from divine revelation (cf. Prov. 14:12; Isa. 55:8-9; Jer. 10:23). Wherever emotions rule, ignorance is usually very prominent. Pentecostalism stresses "personal testimonies," "preacher bear-say," and "inner feelings and leading of the Spirit" above and beyond the authoritative, inerrant, perfect, and inspired word of God (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jas. 1:25). Friends, mark this well, whenever people emphasize and depend on "personal testimonies" and "inner leadings of the Spirit," it will not be 30 days before they will not give the flutter of an eyelid or the snap of a finger for what the Bible says! This is why seventy-five per cent of a "true" Pentecostals repudiate plain Bible teaching without a troubled conscience!

Pentecostalism tends to involve the Holy Spirit in ridiculous contradictions (i.e. if Pentecostalism claims are true, which of course, they are not!). They claim to have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, one of the purposes of which was to guide the apostles "into all the truth" (Jn. 16:13; t4:25-26). Question: If Pentecostals actually possess the baptism in the Spirit, why do they teach and practice doctrines which the Holy Spirit through the apostles declared to be false and sinful, i.e., without divine authority? Why do they have mechanical accompaniment as music in worship when the Spirit through the apostles commands us to sing in worship (Matt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Jas. 5:13; Heb. 2:12)? If Pentecostals are truly guided by the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that guided the apostles, why do they not simply sing as the apostles taught the early church? Also, the Holy Spirit through the apostles guided the early church into a threefold work, viz. (1) evangelism (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-17), (2) benevolence (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 11:27-30), and edification (Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:11-16). Pentecostals have church-operated kindergartens, church financed picnics, kitchens, and other social arrangements. They have their busses, food, fun, and frolic. This is unscriptural; there is no Bible authority for it! It just seems so strange that the men and women in Pentecostalism who claim to have-been baptized in the Holy Spirit would be teaching and practicing things which the Holy Spirit through the apostles condemns!

Pentecostalism is to be indicted because its preachers are fraudulent in their claims to perform miracles. There is not a Pentecostal preacher on earth who can, by the power of God, perform a bonafide sign, wonder, or miracle! All such claims are deceptive and untrue. The Bible explicitly teaches that miracles have ceased, for their purpose has ended (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Eph. 4:11-16; Jas. 1:25; 2 Pet. 13; Jude 3)! Miracles served the purpose of confirming the word of God (Mk. 16:20; Jn. 20:30-3 1). Once all the word was confirmed, they ceased! Some of the less skillful Pentecostals will sometimes say, "I do not know how to answer the arguments of those who say miracles have ceased, but I will continue to testify regarding what the Lord is doing for me." This involves contradiction; if they have actually received the "baptism in the Holy Spirit," they would know how to answer the arguments of the adversaries! The Bible says so (Mk. 13:9-11).

It seems that Pentecostal preachers (along with other denominational preachers) are getting too wise (?) to have their doctrines examined under public scrutiny with the word of God! The reason: "The light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, lest his works should be reproved" (Jn. 3:19-20).

Guardian of Truth XXX: 7, p. 213
April 3, 1986