Tomorrow in Redeemer Ministry School

A.B. Simpson (1843 - 1919) was the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) in 1897.  He started off as a Presbyterian Pastor but decided to start his own church in 1881 with the purpose of Evangelizing all of New York City.

Simpson coined the term "fourfold gospel" to describe Jesus as Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.  He refused to accept any doctrine that claimed that the gifts of The Holy Spirit had ceased.  He viewed the book of Acts as a guide for how believers were to live.  He believed that speaking in tongues was "an expression of lofty spiritual feeling and intense moving of the heart."  It's interesting to me that he did not believe (rightly, in my opinion) that speaking in tongues was the initial evidence of baptism of The Holy Spirit and pointed out that speaking in tongues was last in Paul's list of spiritual gifts. In 1908 he expressed concern to church leaders that the doctrine of initial evidence caused people to focus too heavily on manifestations and minimize evangelism.

At the age of 37, troubled by heart problems and bad nerves, Simpson was told by a New York physician that his days were numbered.  Soon after that he heard the teaching of divine healing proponent Charles Cullis.  Convinced on the truth of divine healing after searching through the bible he began to seek an experience to match the theory. He was healed after a prolonged period of prayer and taught that physical healing was purchased for believer's on the cross.  His health remained strong for the next 35 years. 

He was a great promoter of world missions, fiery evangelist, revivalist and author. The thing that I find most compelling was his willingness to advocate and endorse that which he had not experienced yet. 

(  BTW - If a movie is ever made about his life, Gene Hackman is my choice).