God Vs Religion – Pentecostal
The Pentecostal movement has its roots in the late 19th century, a time of indifference to traditional religion. Denominations that were known for being revivalist became complacent. Religious expression, such as congregational singing, spontaneous testimonies, prayer in unison, and sermons on simple biblical themes were replaced with formal worship services conducted by “reverends,” ministers trained in homiletic’s (preaching skills), influenced by higher biblical criticism. Lecture centers and elegant sanctuaries replaced camp meetings and wood-frame tabernacles.
As the large popular Protestant denominations became the churches of the upper-middle class, people of limited means began to feel out of place. They yearned to return to a “heart religion” that would satisfy their spiritual desires, their emotional, psychological, and physical needs. Pentecostalism began under the Holiness movement, which was a religious movement that arose in the 19th century, characterized by a doctrine of sanctification after salvation.
When And Who Founded The Church?
History of the Church:
Charles Fox Parham (1873-1929), was a director at Bethel Bible College, a small religious school in Topeka, Kansas. Influence by the Holiness movement (), he believed that complacent, churches needed to be revived by another outpouring of the Holy Spirit as it happened on the Day of Pentecost (Acts Chapter 2). He instructed his students to pray, fast, study the Scriptures, and, like the Apostles, await the blessing of the Holy Spirit coming down upon them as he did according to these verses. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:2-4.
Then on January 1, 1901, Agnes Oznam (1870–1937), while attending Bethel Bible College, under this instruction by Charles Fox Parham, proclaimed that he found himself speaking in an unknown tongue. Soon, others had the same experience, then Parham proclaimed what is known as the term, glossolalia, was the “initial evidence” that one had been truly baptized with the Holy Spirit. Parham and his students believed these to be signs of the times, and set out on an evangelical mission.
In 1903, their mission merely coming to an end as they faced much ridicule for their beliefs, but was revived when Parham started to practice faith healing, which was influenced by several Holiness churches, notably the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Faith healing became the focus of Pentecostalism.
By 1905, the movement became great in the American South and Southwest, especially in Texas, Alabama, and Florida. Parham was the first of Pentecostal evangelists (Mary B. Woodworth-Etter, Charles Price, Aimee Semple McPherson, including Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlman, and Benny Hinn) who taught that Christ’s atonement provides deliverance from sickness and is, therefore, the privilege of all who have the requisite faith.
In 1906, the Pentecostal movement spread abroad nationally and internationally, under a revival that took place at the Apostolic Faith Gospel Mission at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles. Its leader, William Seymour (1870-1922), a Holiness church pastor and former member of the African Methodist Episcopal church, had been learned of Parham’s teachings at a Bible school in Houston, Texas. Under Seymour’s guidance, the old frame building on Azusa Street became a great spiritual center for many years.
Spiritually energized and convinced that they had been charismatically endowed, men and women from Azusa and other Pentecostal churches began speaking in tongues. Pentecostal Christians believed they were linked only by an amorphous “spiritual union,” in part because no thought was given to forming a separate “Pentecostal” branch of the Christian church. They strove to transform their congregations into Spirit-filled communities like those described in the New Testament book Acts of the Apostles, fully expecting the prophetically promised “latter rain” from the Book of Joel (a pouring of the Holy Spirit, to fall upon their churches and make them wholly Pentecostal.
In 1913, R.E. McAlister (1880-1953), following Scripture for baptism found in Acts, rather than in The Gospel of Matthew, taught that water baptism in the early church was not done according to the familiar Trinitarian formula (i.e., in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) but in the name of Jesus Christ alone. McAlister’s teaching led to the Apostolic, or “Jesus Only,” movement. Among the Pentecostal churches that adhere to this non-Trinitarian theology are the United Pentecostal Church International and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. As the movement spread, however, Trinitarian Pentecostals banded together to prevent the spread of what they considered heresy.
What Does The Church Believe?
The Holiness Movement began in 1840, when a Methodist woman, also leader in the church, named Phoebe Palmer (1807-1884) began to hold revivals and teach the necessity of holiness, and how to keep it. Inspired by John Wesley’s Methodism, and the German Pietist movement, a movement within Lutheranism that combines its emphasis on biblical doctrine with the Reformed emphasis on individual piety and living a vigorous Christian life.
The Holiness movement teaches that a person can achieve perfect holiness, or sinless perfection, while on earth. This doctrine teaches “entire sanctification,” which usually comes after salvation, via a spiritual experience that those in the Holiness movement refer to as the “second work of grace” or the “second blessing.”
Being born again brings about salvation and forgiveness of one’s sins. A second act of grace is sanctification, in which God takes away the believer’s sinful nature so their sins are not only forgiven, but they stop sinning at all from then on. Holiness churches also tend to teach that salvation can be easily lost by sinning.
Baptism is extremely important to Pentecostal Christians. In order to be received to the Kingdom of Heaven, Pentecostal Christians believe they must be baptized. Most Pentecostal churches will have classes before the actual baptism in order to teach candidates about the true meaning of living life with Christ. This event has its purpose to give the Christian a wonderful experience of God and power for ministry, especially witnessing to others. The evidence, or sign, of this baptism is speaking in tongues, understood by Pentecostals, not as the ability to speak in foreign languages without formal, as the account in Acts 2 details, but as the ability to speak an unknown, heavenly language only known to God.
Pentecostals also believe after they are saved, and water baptized, they are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world and warned that without holiness no one shall see the Lord. No one can live a holy life by their own power, but only through the Holy Spirit.
Pentecostals also believe in faith healing, meaning the touch of one who is filled with the Holy Spirit can heal a sickly person. God has made Himself known through the ages by miraculous healing, and has made special provisions in the age of grace to heal all who will come to Him in faith and obedience. Divine healing was purchased for us by the blood of Christ, especially by His stripes. Jesus went everywhere healing those who were sick, and He commanded His disciples to do the same. Mighty healing and miracles followed the disciples wherever the gospel was preached. There is no sickness or disease too hard for God. Any of us, our children, or our friends can be healed by the power of God.
Foot washing is recognized among many believers as a Christian practice, and the time, manner and frequency of its observance is left to the discretion of each local congregation.
What Does The Bible Say About This?
There are many inconsistencies with the Bible according to this religion that proclaims they got their doctrine from the Scriptures. First of all, salvation is by grace alone through our faith in Christ. Salvation is permanent, meaning it cannot be taken away if we sin again after we are saved.
Once we receive Christ as our Saviour, we are sanctified through Him, without works of any kind, which is what water baptism, fasting, and prayer are. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” – John 17:16-19.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9.
Receiving the Holy Spirit does not require water baptism, lots of prayer and fasting, or living a sin free life. We receive the Holy Spirit in us the second we receive Christ as our Saviour. “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” – Acts 10:44-48.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” – I Corinthians 3:16-17.
“him shall God destroy;” I pointed this our to show that, sin never destroys a saved soul, but it does bring death to the body. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;” – Mark 16:16-17.
“they shall speak with new tongues;” New tongues, meaning the understanding of God. God only gives this new language to those who are saved, and faithful to Him. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” – I Corinthians 2:12-14.
Speaking in tongues is not a sign that one is filled with the Holy Spirit, nor is it some strange language that no one, but them and God understands. It is just as it is described in Acts.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” – Acts 2:4-11.
In fact, if there is even one who speaks in an unknown tongue, they are to keep silent unless there is someone who is able to interpret it. “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” – I Corinthians 14:21-23,26-28.
Concerning faith healing, there is no doubt that God cannot heal every disease. There is no doubt that God we cannot all come together in prayer, fasting, and the anointing of oil upon someone and God can miraculously heal them through our faith. God does not give us the power to just touch someone and they be healed instantly from some disease, that is unless, He does it Himself, and it would not be by our own touching Him, but by the power of God.
The Apostles will tell you that. “And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” – Acts 3:11-12,16.
About Sin:
Sin is the transgression of the law, or commandments of God (I John 3:4). The guilt of sin has fallen upon all humanity from Adam until now (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:14) to all those who refuse to accept salvation as set forth in the Word of God.
What Does The Bible Say About This?
While the wages of sin is eternal death to those who are not saved, sin started well before God gave the Law. It started with Adam and Eve, when there was only one command, and no Word of God to know. “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” – Genesis 2:16-17.
“for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Of course, they did eat of the fruit, but they did not die physically that day, they died spiritually, and that death was passed down to his offspring, which we are. “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” – Genesis 3:14-19.
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,” When Jesus died on the cross, a sinless death, He removed the enmity that He had with man. When He was buried in the tomb, all the sin of the world was buried with Him. When He arose for the dead three days later, He removed the curse of death to the soul of all who believe in and receive Him.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” – Romans 5:12-15.
About The Bible:
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) presenting to us the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and constituting the Divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:21).
What Does The Bible Say About This?
The Bible, Word of God, God’s Word, the Law, the Scriptures, however you want to call it, is inspired, meaning He used men filled with the Holy Spirit to pen down His words and their testimonies. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” – II Timothy 3:16-17.
About Jesus:
Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God made flesh (John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16) He which was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8) the mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:7-11) and “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).
It took the shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:22), but God the Father was a Spirit and had no blood to shed. Thus He prepared a body of flesh and blood (Hebrews 10:5) and came to earth as a man in order to save us, for in Isaiah 43:11 He said, “Beside me there is no Saviour.” When He came in flesh the angels sang, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
What Does The Bible Say About This?
Jesus said it this way, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:5-8,13-15.
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,” This means mankind, since we are born from Adam, we are born or water, and not of the Spirit. It was not impossible to be saved before Christ’s passion, blood has always been necessary for the remission of sin, Jesus made it permanent for every believer. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” – Romans 3:24-26.
About Salvation:
Salvation is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross and through Holy Spirit conviction. Godly sorrow works repentance and makes possible the experience of the new birth, and Christ formed within us is the gift of eternal life (2 Corinthians 7:10; Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Man is a free moral agent and can at any time after the new birth experience turn away from God and die in a state of sin, with the consequences of hell to look forward to.
Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41).
What Does The Bible Say About This?
First of all, salvation of ones soul is by grace alone through ones faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross as the remission or payment of sin. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” – Romans 3:24-26.
Second, once you accept Christ as your Saviour, your salvation cannot be revoked if you engage in sin after you are saved. We are saved by grace, not works! “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9. Of course, sin will lead to premature death, but that has nothing to do your soul, that is solely your flesh. “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” – I John 5:16-18.
Now, if one has proclaimed Christ as their Saviour then decide they do not believe in Him, and renounces their faith, then they were never saved to begin with. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32-32. You must believe until the end in order to be saved. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” – Matthew 24:12-13.
Third, Salvation is by grace alone through our faith in Jesus Christ, period. There is nothing more we need to do to be saved. NO water Baptism. NO obedience to the Law. NO living a godly life. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9.
Finally, Water baptism and living a godly does not bring the Holy Spirit upon you, Jesus does that solely upon Your faith in Him. The second you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour you receive the Holy Spirit into your soul. That means you are born again with the Spirit of God in you as soon as you call on Christ as your Saviour. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 2:37-38.
“and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” This is not water baptism, this is spiritual baptism. When you receive Christ as your Saviour you are baptized spiritually with the Holy Spirit. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” – Romans 8:1-2,8-10.
About The Trinity:
We believe there is but one true and living God, who is everlasting, infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; that He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and Preserver of all things (Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16). In the unity of this Godhead, there are three persons of one individual essence, who are co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal; namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16, 17; 28:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1,2, 18; 10:33; 14:26; 15:26; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14).
What Does The Bible Say About This?
God is three persons in one, meaning God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit). He is omnipotent and omnipresent, giving Him the ability to be all three persons at the same time. If we want to go into terms that give us visuals, think of man who has is in a family and is married with children of his own.
1. He is a father to his children.
2. He is a son to his parents.
3. He is a husband to his wife.
All three of these represent three different people, yet he is the same person.
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” – I John 5:6-8.
The Word is Jesus Christ Himself.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” – John 1:1,14-17.
About Heaven:
Most Pentecostals believe the descriptions of heaven given in the Bible should be taken literally, including those that refer to streets of gold and mansions being prepared for believers. According to Pentecostal teaching, heaven is the eternal home of all who have received salvation; all who have truly given their hearts to Christ, not just Pentecostals, will obtain heaven. Pentecostals believe that those who go to heaven will be completely sanctified (made holy) when they arrive and that heaven will be a place with no shadows, sickness, death, disease or sorrow. A few Pentecostal denominations disagree with the mainline teachings about heaven, hell and salvation. In order to received to the Kingdom of Heaven, Pentecostal Christians must be baptized.
What Does The Bible Say About This?
Heaven is the place for all saved souls to dwell, you do not need to be water baptized to go to heaven. We are granted the Kingdom of Heaven upon our physical death solely upon our faith in Christ, period. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5.
About Hell:
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the Lake of Fire, and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the gospel or for repentance (Hebrews 9:27). The Lake of Fire is literal (Revelation 19:20). The terms “eternal” and “everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned (Matthew 25:41-46) in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence, as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). For this reason there will be a resurrection for everyone. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10).
What Does The Bible Say About This?
The Lake of Fire does exist, but the souls of those who are not saved are not in the Lake of Fire right now, they are in hell. “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” – II Peter 2:4-9.
The Lake of Fire is the second death. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8.
and place Satan, all unbelievers, and those who never received Christ will spend eternity upon Judgment Day. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:12-15.
About Baptism:
Baptism in water is by immersion, a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39). The following recommendation regarding the water baptism formula is adopted: “On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3:11), is a gift from God, as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation of time, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:16, 17; Acts 1:8; 2:38, 39; 10:44-48). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is accompanied by speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4).
What Does The Bible Say About This?
Water baptism is a profession of our faith in Christ, it does not save us nor is required in addition to our salvation. However, we do need a spiritual baptism. The second we believe in and receive Christ as our Saviour we are baptized in Him, redeemed forever. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;” – Colossians 2:12-13.
Resources: Britanica.com, prca.org, upci.org, pcg.org