Ellen G. White and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Through the 70 years of her ministry to the Adventist Church and the world, Ellen White closely tied in to the work of the Holy Spirit—so closely that the Spirit gave her 2,000 visions. She could declare, for example:CEESDAH 14.4

“While I was praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me.”—Early Writings, 14; and, half a century later, “The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy.”—Letter 92, 1900 (Notes and Papers, p. 94a).

She repeatedly spoke of being abundantly imbued by the Spirit, but there is no record of her ever speaking in an unknown tongue, or in any tongue but English. In a previous article, in which we examined four recorded experiences in the early history of the church in which speaking in tongues occurred, we found no word of commendation from Ellen White, but neither do we have any knowledge of her repudiating the demonstrations.CEESDAH 14.5

In connection with the experience of certain Sabbathkeepers in Portland, Maine, who were exercising what they called the “gift of tongues,” Ellen White characterized the utterances as “unmeaning gibberish ... unknown not only by man but by the Lord and all heaven,” and as being a false talking in tongues (see Testimonies for the Church 1:412). She wrote of certain Sabbathkeepers who seemed to be charmed as they gave “themselves up to wild, excitable feelings and make unintelligible sounds which they call the gift of tongues.” In this connection she wrote:CEESDAH 14.6

“Impressions and feelings are no sure evidence that a person is led by the Lord. Satan will, if he is unsuspected, give feelings and impressions.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:413.

At the same time through the years Ellen White made scores of references to the need of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and experiences in which the Spirit was poured out. The Comprehensive Index to the Writings of Ellen G. White carries 31 specific references to baptism of the Holy Spirit. In not one instance does she link the ecstatic speaking in tongues with the baptism of the Spirit, either historically or prophetically. In the statements referred to in the 29 pages of the Index devoted exclusively to the Holy Spirit she does not make one reference to ecstatic experiences as a sign that God has favored His people with His Spirit.CEESDAH 15.1

Evidence of the true baptism of the Spirit, she said often, would manifest itself in increased unity among believers and in new motivation and empowerment to spread the gospel message.CEESDAH 15.2