Does the Bible Teach a Subsequential Work of Salvation?

[Rev. Darryl Miller]

What does it meant by a "subsequential" work of salvation? Is speaking in tongues apart of the believer's salvation experience? What is the biblical basis in support of "second" blessings as it relates to the believer speaking in tongues? How is it apart of the cross of Christ in dying for the sins of the world? Is the Pentecostal "baptism" of the Spirit included in the resurrection and ascension of Christ? Is salvation a means of works whereby the believer is responsible in maintaining one's own salvation?

The "subsequential" work of salvation or "second blessing" is that of speaking in tongues following that of the believer's salvation experience by which they must "tarry" for the "gift" of the Holy Ghost.  But does the Bible teach it? There are many Charismatics and Pentecostal who utilize as their proof text Acts 1:5, 6-8; 2:1, 4 to support the fact that unless a person "speak" in tongues that they are not saved. Salvation is a free gift of God without any human works or merits. It is impossible for legalist in the professing church today to accept the fact that salvation is a free gift whereby the cross of Christ secures that of the believer's salvation experience. Speaking in tongues or "tarrying" for the Holy Spirit with the evidence of "speaking in tongues" or having such "power" is not apart of the cross of Christ. The idea that the Pentecostal experience of the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit follows that of a person being saved is foreign to the biblical context of scripture no matter what many Charismatic leadership will have the church to believe.

Christ's death on the cross provided salvation for those who place their trust in Christ in order to be saved (Rom. 10:9-10). Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone without any human works and accomplishments (Eph. 2:8-9).  The Pentecostal "baptism" of the Spirit is not included in the resurrection and ascension of Christ, but that of the believer's new life in Christ whereby the dead in Christ will experience such bodily resurrection as to appear in glory (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

Last, there are many believers who are taught that they are responsible in maintaining their salvation or to work out their salvation with fear and trembling by which Christ's secures the salvation of the believer. Their is the assurance and security of the believer's salvation based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross. Sin does not affect a person's salvation, but it affects one's own fellowship (1 Jn. 1:9). To teach living "free" from sin is to deceive one's own self (1 Jn. 1:8). Legalism, perfectionism, moral plank, and sacrilegious is the hallmark of apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1).