They were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other tongues
as the Spirit gave them utterance…
You will make me full of gladness
with Your presence.
–Acts 2:4, 28 (ESV)–
If I speak in the tongues
of men and of angels.
–1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)–
The one who speaks in a
tongue builds up himself.
–1 Corinthians 14:4 (ESV)–
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but the one who does the will
of my Father who is in heaven.
On that day many will say to me,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and cast out demons in your name,
and do many mighty works in your name?’
And then will I declare to them,
‘I never knew you; depart from me,
you workers of lawlessness.’”
–Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)–
—
Dr. John R. Rice (IFB) and E. S. Williams (AG) both teach that the Holy Spirit does more than regenerate a believer: Christians can experience a definite, subsequent fullness or empowerment of the Holy Spirit for Christian service and evangelism. This fits the Biblical pattern of the disciples, who were already believers before Christ commanded them to “tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Jesus likewise told them, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8), and the disciples were subsequently “all filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:4). Williams presents this within a distinctly Pentecostal framework: Spirit baptism is a distinct experience associated with supernatural empowerment and gifts of the Spirit, including tongues as the initial physical evidence. He would therefore emphasize passages such as Acts 2:4, where “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,” and Acts 10:44-46, where Gentile believers received the Holy Ghost and “heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”
Dr. Rice likewise strongly emphasizes a definite post-conversion experience of Spirit fullness and power, particularly for soul winning, boldness, prayer, and evangelistic effectiveness, but he does not make tongues the necessary evidence. His emphasis fits the repeated Biblical connection between Spirit empowerment and witnessing: “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8); “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31); and Paul prayed that believers would be “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). Dr. Rice therefore represents a revivalist evangelistic ministry, Spirit-empowerment position, whereas Williams represents a classical Pentecostal position, though both would be agreed on Spirit baptism as power, energy, and boldness for evangelistic ministry. Their common ground is substantial: both expect genuine Holy Spirit fullness and divine power beyond a merely intellectual Christianity, especially for evangelistic ministry. Their principal difference is that Williams connects Spirit baptism with the Pentecostal doctrine of tongues, while Dr. Rice stresses the Spirit’s power to live, witness, pray, and win souls without making tongues required.
Dr. French Arrington, Christian Doctrine, vol. 3 (Pathway Press, 1994), p. 150ff.
E. S. Williams, Systematic Theology, vol. 3 (Gospel Publishing House, 1953), chs. 6-9.
P. C. Nelson, Bible Doctrines (Gospel Publishing House, 1948), ch. 8.
Harold Horton, The Gifts of the Spirit (Gospel Publishing House, 1934).
Dr. John R. Rice, Great Soul Winners Were Filled with the Holy Spirit (SLP, 1949).
—. False Doctrines Answered (SLP, 1970), ch. 5.1-4.
John Sherrill, They Speak with Other Tongues (Chosen Books, 2018).
Jeff Doles, Miracles and Manifestations (Walking Barefoot Ministries, 2008).
WesleyGospel, “Azusa Street Revival Eyewitness Accounts.”
—. “Tongues As Evidence of Holy Spirit Baptism.”
Tommy Welchel, True Stories of the Miracles of Azusa Street (Destiny Image, 2013).
Drs. Stanley Burgess and Eduard van der Maas, The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (Zondervan, 2005).
