Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-07-17
sANcTIFIcATIoN OR HOLINESS

The great object I have in view in
writing this article it to prove by the
bible that the baptism of the Holy
Ghost is subsequent to our conversion
or regeneration. l am we'll aware
this question is hotly disputed, yes,
even by some of our most noted evan
gelists. But | am quite SURF if we
will lay aside u preconceived re-
ligious doctrines and abandon our sec
tartan principals, and our old dried
up creeds and take the plain simple
teaching of the bible there will be but
little chance for controversy.
Now readers, before you get
through reading this article don't lay
it aside and call it a new tangled no.
ton or hersey or fanaticism but take
your bible and follow me closely in
the references to which | shall invite
your attention. Examine them for
yourself, study them carefully and
prayfully and see whether the scales
don't fall from your eyes that have
so long hidden many wonderful
truths revealed in the scriptures.
Please, don't call me fanatic or dog
matte because | am fearless-even
of ecclesiastical criticism where ]
know | have the bible on my side.
Turn with me to Acts, 10; they were
disciples; they were baptized unto
Johns baptism. Paul did not ask
them whether they were converted
but whether they had received the
Holy Ghost since they believed? No
tice, when Paul laid his hands on
them. Dare you say they we're not
converted before Paul met them?
Again, turn with me to Acts 10
Here was a man who feared God with
all his house and prayed to God al
ways. He is called a devout man.. No
tice, the term "devout" is always ap-
piled to christians; never to sinners
God heard him when he prayed. So he
could not have been a sinner, for ovel
in John 9.31 we read "that God
hearth not sinners" 1t also says he
worked righteousness. Dare you say
he was not ~regenerated before Peter
began preaching to him when the
Holy Ghost fell on them?
Now, will you please turn with me
to- Avis s and 5. We find Philip a.
Samaria, land the people with n ac'
cord gave heed unto those things
which Philip spake." In the 9Th verse
it says. "there was great rejoicing
You know great rejoicing always fol
lows revival. Philip baptised then
both men and women. viii you say
they were not converted at this time +!
Then Peter and John came down from
Jerusalem and prayed for them, and
the Holy Ghost fell on them for "hs
(the Holy Ghost) had not yei
fallen upon any of them"
Many contend that the apostles were
not converted befor the day of Pea
Jicost. Jesus told them Ito tarry al
Jerusalem until they were enduec
with power from on high" Now
if they were not converted be
fore the day of Penticost, then the
endowment of power Or the baptism
of the Holy Ghost was there CONVEX
sion. If they were converted before
the day of Penticost then the endow-
ment of power or the baptism of the
Holy Ghost was subsequent to Their
conversion. If they were not converted
before the day of Penticost, Their
those people who advocate the bap.
tism of the Holy Ghost as a second
work of grace are preaching a false
doctrine and should be branched as
hereto and every church door should
be closed against them. If they were
converted before the day of Penticost
then those people who oppose the
baptism of the Holy Ghost as a sec
ond work of grace are teaching a false
doctrine and should be branded as
heretics and every church door should
be closed against them.
Now, Brother / propose to leave the
bible do its own talking, Matt. 16
and "a. Do you think a person is con
verted that is following Jesus; when
he denies himself when he takes up
his cross, as these apostles did; Matt
1928. Peter said Eve have forsak-
en- all and followed Thee, What did
they forsake? John Is, IS. Do you
think Jesus choose and ordained a lot
of sinners that were to bear fruit fol-
Him? John II, IA, 16. Jesus said
twice "they are not of the world even
as | am not of the world" He is
praying directly for the apostle. To
say they were not converted, at this
time, and then say they are not of
the world even as Jesus is not of the
world is surely a tangle. A clear
case of conglomeration, Luke, "a, 30.
He led them to Betheny and while he
was blessing them, He was taken up
into heaven, and they returned to
Jerusalem with great joy and were
continually in the temple blessing
and praising% God. Luke "a, 81, SO. !
wish every church in this country was
full of such christians.
l shall trouble you with but one
more reference of many more than
that l could give. Turn with me
please to Acts IS, "a, 25. This man
was eloquent, mighty in the scriptur-
es, instructed in the way of the Lord,
fervent in the spirit. (These are
qualifications that many of u minis
tiers do not possess to day. but knew
only the baptism of John. Brothers
what did he lack? l will leave you
ferret it out.
MARTIN SWITZER.