A native of Carthage, he was converted in A.D. 192.
In A Treatise on the Soul, Tertullian says, “For seeing that we acknowledge the spiritual charismata, or gifts, we too have merited the attainment of the prophetic gift.” 6
He goes on to tell of a woman in his congregation “whose lot it has been to be favored with sundry gifts of revelation.” According to Tertullian, she often experienced visitations from angels and from the Lord Himself. In addition, she often knew the secrets of people’s hearts and was able to give answers to some of their deepest needs, including physical healing. Tertullian says, “All her communications are examined with the most scrupulous care in order that Their truth may be probed: 7
In To Scapula, Tertullian relates specific instances of healing and deliverance from demonic oppression. He concludes, “And heaven knows how many distinguished men, to say nothing of the common people, have been cured either of devils or of their sicknesses.” 8
In Against Maricon, written to counter the heretic Marcion, Tertullian reveals both his acquaintance with speaking in tongues and his belief that the supernatural gifts of the Spirit were a sign of orthodoxy. This is obvious in his challenge to Marcion.
Let Marcion then exhibit, as gifts of his god, some prophets such as have not spoken by human sense, but with the Spirit of God, such as have predicted things to come and have made manifest the secrets of the heart; let him produce a psalm, a vision, a prayer—only let it be by the spirit, in an ecstasy, that is, in a rapture, whenever an interpretation of tongues has occurred to him. Now all these signs are forthcoming from my side without any difficulty. 9
In On Baptism, Tertullian supports a work of the Spirit in the believer subsequent to conversion. He writes, “Not that in the water we obtain the Spirit; but in the water we are cleansed and prepared for the Holy Spirit.” He also states that following baptism “the hand is laid on us, invoking and inviting the Holy Spirit through benediction” 10
6. Tertullian, A Treatise on the Soul, vol. 3 The Anti-Nicene Christian Library, 189.
7. Ibid., 188.
8. Tertullian, Apologetic Works, vol. 10 The Fathers of the Church, 121.
9. Terullian, Against Marcion, vol. 3 The Ante-Nicene Christian Library, 447.
10. Tertullian, On Baptism, vol. 3 The Ante-Nicene Christian Library, 672.
Eddie L Hyatt. 2000 Years Of Charismatic Christianity: A 21st century look at church history from a pentecostal/charismatic prospective