I'm not oneness Pentecostal... The Pentecostals that came down the Methodist church line aren't either. There are Pentecostal branches that believe that you are not saved unless you are filled with the Holy Ghost. But the Church of God, Pentecostal Holiness, Congregational Holiness, and Assembly of God denominations, that which came down the Methodist line, believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit can be attained with the speaking of tongues when you come to a place where you are ready for it. The people that I know that are oneness Pentecostal have very little E / c2 (Warmth, love, faith, hope, and charity). Oneness Pentecostals believe that unless you speak in tongues you have not been filled with the Holy Ghost and thus are going to hell.
So we have the Methodist doctrine...
Justification - Acquiring of faith
Salvation - The sinners prayer
Sanctification - A sweet spirit
Baptism in the Holy Spirit - With the speaking of tongues (for our empowerment)
Doctrines of the Holy Ghost and Speaking of Tongues - Smith Wigglesworth
For sixteen years Smith Wigglesworth preached that he had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, when in fact he had only received the anointing of the spirit. He explains that it was though he was on the outside of the Garden of Eden looking in. But after he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it was as though he had regained access to the Garden of Eden, with the Holy Spirit serving as the fiery sword keeping evil out while he tasted of the good of the Lord. Smith Wigglesworth believed that there were three variations of tongues:
- The initial tongues giving upon baptism.
- The tongues spoken in prayer not meant to be interpreted.
- The tongues given out with a purpose of being interpreted to your native language.
Smith Wigglesworth reminds his audience that since he left their presence, they do not know what he has done. He may have lost anointing or favor with God. He might be like people who have lived holy lives, preached sanctification, and their initial tongues were helpful; but they are now in a backslidden condition… A life not worthy of the language… Something got in the way. They have kept their language, but have lost their zeal and fire. Therefore Smith Wigglesworth Re-emphasizes…
- Go two days without growing… You have lost your vision!
- Go a week without growing… You are a backslider!
Smith Wigglesworth encourages people to grow daily into the kingdom. He said that he would rather hear Christians who knew not the power of God, but were growing; than hear people who received the fullness of the power of God, and were now self-satisfied. But of course he would rather hear those who knew the power of God, and kept their experience updated. Smith Wigglesworth also reemphasizes that, like the apostles, he did very little for the kingdom of God before he got the Holy Ghost... with the speaking in tongues... in a Pentecostal Church.
Smith Wigglesworth also emphasizes that the Giver is to be received before the gifts. Salvation always precedes sanctification, and sanctification will always precede the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification prepares the body for the Holy Spirit, and when the body is rightly prepared for the Holy Spirit, and then it is the work of Jesus to baptize with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then makes Jesus king in your life; you regard him as Lord and Master over all things, and you become submissive to him in all things. You are not afraid to say, “You are mine! I love you!”
Discernment, Sanctification, and Deception
Smith Wigglesworth, like his earlier Methodist mentors, believed discernment and sanctification as something that sweetens the spirit up, making people more spiritual and loving. His wife once testified that she knew Smith was sanctified when he quit complaining about his food. Wigglesworth states that we are sanctified so that nothing hinders us in the manifestation of the Glory of God. In this way we are robbed of all pride, evil, and freely led of the Spirit. Evil thoughts come from the unclean believer, the man who is not entirely sanctified.
Concerning discernment Wigglesworth states, “Most people think they have discernment; but if they would turn their discernment on themselves for twelve months, they would never want to ‘discern’ again. The gift of discernment is not criticism. I am satisfied that in Pentecostal circles today, our paramount need is more perfect love. I have found many notable people in the world whom I know personally, who have gotten to running another person down and finding fault. They are always fault finding and judging people outright. God save us from criticism! When we are pure in heart we only think about pure things.”
The difference between those being led by the Holy Spirit and those who are deceived by Satan is joy, gladness, and a good countenance instead of sadness, sorrow, and depression. Jesus comes with joy into the soul and lifts you higher and higher, it is the spirit who gives light. When satanic power begins to rule; then there is weariness, then people’s faces are like a tragedy, and then their eyes glare as though they have passed through a terrible trial. You are always right to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), if not you will be sure to be caught napping.