Who has the correct view on this doctrine? Are any correct in their interpretation of the scriptures concerning the tongues question? God has a reason for everything He does, and so it is with the supernatural gift to speak in a foreign language. As we search the scriptures we will see at least four major reasons why God gave this gift to His people.
And we will also see how to discern whether this gift is from God or from some other source.
This Study Paper will help to shed some light on this most difficult question and put to rest some preconceived ideas that many hold as to Christian behaviour within and without congregational meetings of the saints.
The gift of tongues or languages is a very difficult subject. This one subject has caused no end of controversy and trouble within the Church. Some believe the ability to speak foreign languages is a gift of God, some think it is demon possession, some think it is the manifest-ation of an unstable emotional mind, while others just do not want to think about this subject at all, hoping it will somehow go away.
Let us consider a few questions:
1. Is there a logical biblical explanation for this question, or must we wait for the return of Christ for an answer? Yes, there is a logical biblical and physical explanation. And, No, we do not have to wait for Christ to return before we have an answer.
2. Are the accounts found it Acts chapter 2 and 1st Corinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14 speaking of the same subject? Perhaps they are not, since there is a contrast between these two accounts. These two separate references, when explained in context, will give some very interesting insight into the charismatic movement and the question of speaking in an unknown language.
There is no doubt that this subject is tricky and cannot be understood just with a casual gloss of the scriptures. Factors which complicate this subject are:
(1) Most who study it have a preconceived idea of what they want the outcome to be.
(2) We are dealing with a subject whose history has all but been lost, with the exception of the biblical account.
(3) Compounding the problem even more is that we are dealing with the writings of Paul, which are not easy to understand without an in-depth detailed bible study.
Study Note: As we go through the scriptures in Acts, 1st Corinthians and others, we will use the word "language (s)" in place of the word "tongue (s)" since the word language (s)more accurately translates the Greek word `glossa'. We will leave out the words "gift" and "unknown" where they do not appear in the original text in order to give a more correct rendering of what is being said. The King James Version of the Bible will be quoted unless otherwise noted.
Notice how the Holy Spirit was manifested when our Saviour received it:
"And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straight way out of the water, and lo, the heavens opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo, a voice from heaven, saying This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased" (Matt 3:16-17; see also Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23; John 1:28-34).
Here we see our Saviour receiving the Holy Spirit after baptism, with the attending signs. Note the Spirit descended as a dove and a voice from heaven proclaimed that He was the Son of God. As we will see, the only two things in common with some of the other accounts in Acts is that Jesus was baptized in water and He received the Holy Spirit.
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as a mighty rushing wind and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as a fire, and it sat upon each of them" (Acts 2:1-3).
Notice that these disciples were gathered in observance of the Day of Pentecost which is a commanded assembly and also one of God's Annual Festival Days. Notice also they were in harmony - "one accord." The proceedings within most charismatic churches are just the opposite of harmony-as they often exhibit chaos and confusion during the manifestation of speaking in tongues.
Next in the scripture we find the sound of a powerful windstorm and the appearance of fire touching each individual in the room. Nowhere in this age of the Church do we find these same events happening within the body of Christ, and nowhere do we find this exact situation repeated in scripture. This was a one-time event given for a special purpose on a very special occasion.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance. (The Jerusalem Bible offers an interesting translation of Acts 2:4 - "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.") 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" (Acts 2:4-6).
Notice there were no unknown or uncomprehensible languages spoken here. All of these languages were understandable, coherent speech and did not need a translator. Notice also that this miracle may not only have been of speaking a foreign language, but could also have been a miracle of hearing.
Not only were these Galileans speaking in other languages, they were speaking in the particular dialects of those present.
"And how hear we every man in our own tongue (Dialect=Strong's #1258) wherein we were born?" The Jerusalem Bible says "How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native languages?") Notice there were at least 17 different language groups referred to here in Acts 2. What was so astonishing to those present was the fact that each person heard the gospel spoken in his own particular language.
Again notice there was not only a miracle of speaking but a miracle of hearing as well. Notice further the numbers of people involved and the clarity with which the understanding was transmitted."...we do hear them speak in our tongue (language) the wonderful works of God. And they were amazed and were in doubt, saying one to another, What does this mean?" (Acts 2:11-12).
There is no doubt that those who spoke on this Day of Pentecost-both speakers and hearers-were the beneficiaries of a special miracle from God. There were no babblings, no unknown languages to decipher, no interpreters were needed-all those present understood clearly what was being said.
ACTS 2
What we see happening in Acts 2 is:
1. The dwelling place of God's Spirit being transferred from the temple building at Jerusalem to human temples (1 Cor 3:17; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16, and the consummation of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34 and Heb 8:10).
2. This transfer being evidenced by the tongues of fire and the miracle of languages for preaching the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, showing again that these were indeed holy people who had received the Spirit of God.
3. An event that was unique in all of history-the manifestation of the Comforter which Christ had promised to be given to those called to salvation. This same type of manifestation has not been recorded since.
CHRIST'S PROMISE: Mark 16:14-17
"Afterwards he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he had risen. And he said unto them, Go you into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved and he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new languages."
Many feel that verse 17 is saying that all who are Christians will speak in new languages.
However this is not the case as we will see. Christ was only speaking to the
eleven apostles and not to the disciples.
A close study of what was said would seem to indicate that Christ's statement was a general one when He said " these signs shall follow them." There does not seem to be anything in the original Greek that would indicate that these signs would be a part of each and every Christian's spiritual make up. The apostle Paul confirms this analysis in 1 Corinthians the twelfth chapter where he speaks of different spiritual powers given separately and individually.
Many also feel that the word "new" in verse 17 means a language that is unknown to us humans. However, this also is not the case. Here we find that the word "new" is `kainos'and denotes "...new, of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not new in time, recent, but new as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old.
The "new tongues" `kainos' of Mark 16:17 are the "other tongues" `heteros' of Acts 2:4.
These languages were "new and different," not in the sense that they had never been heard before, or that they were new to the hearers, for it is plain from verse 8 that this is not the case. They were new languages to the speakers, different than those in which they were accustomed to speak" (Vines p.791). What we find in Mark 16:14-18 is Christ stating that among those or attending those who truly believed in Him there would be tremendous miracles done as a witness to show that these were his followers. However, to truly believe Christ is more than just a superficial vocal pronouncement. To truly believe is to obey and have faith in his promises. True belief in Christ is a dynamic way of life, not the voicing of ethereal platitudes.
In Acts 2:14-21 Peter explains why the disciples were speaking in various languages. Quoting from the prophet Joel, Peter said: "And it will come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophecy" (Acts 2:16-18).
It is very interesting that this Greek word used for "prophecy" is the verb `propheteuo' and means "to be a prophet, to prophecy; it is used (a) with the primary meaning of telling forth the Divine counsels, (b) of foretelling the future" (Vine's, p 904).
The explanation of this word "prophecy" will help us to understand what was taking place in Acts and what was not taking place among those of the Corinthian Church as we study Paul's writings in 1 Corinthians 12-14.
We find in Acts 10 and 11 the same experience noted in Acts 2, only this time we find the miracle of languages being given to a non-Israelite. Cornelius was a Roman officer over a group of Italians (whether he was genetically Roman or Italian really does not matter-what does matter is that God was showing Peter and others by several separate miracles that He was also going to call some individuals outside of the nation of Israel to be among his Elect) (Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-18)
Note: It is unclear from the Greek whether the word "fell" is used literally or metaphorically. However, Peter does not say there was a sound of wind or the appearance of fire as mentioned in Acts 2, so it would seem the speaking of foreign languages was the only similarity between the two events.
In Acts 19:1-6 we find the apostle Paul in communication with those who had been baptized by John the Baptist. Paul baptizes them in the name of Christ and performs the ordinance of laying on of hands. Notice that after the laying on of hands these also spoke in languages and prophesied (Vine's, p. 904; Strong's # 4395).
Here again we see a miracle of intelligent, discernable languages used to show that God had given His Spirit to these individuals and separated them for a holy purpose.
All of the above occurrences in the book of Acts have these things in common:
1. There is no indication that any of these individuals were seeking the experience of speaking in a language different than their own, as is done within charismatic groups.
2. The miracle was as much a witness for others as it was for the ones receiving this power.
3. This spiritual manifestation was bestowed on entire groups of believers, and not just on a single selected individual within these groups. There is absolutely no mention of any private or solitary manifestation of this miracle outside of an entire group of believers, except for the apostle Paul.
4. In each case it came unexpectedly and in the beginning of the person's Christian experience.
5. It was done to show that these people were indeed a part of the Elect and had received the Holy Spirit.
6. They all were inspired to prophecy with these divinely given languages with no interpreter or interpretation needed.
7. These were all extraordinary cases involving special circumstances for which there had been no prior precedent set.
The only other example of the Holy Spirit being given in the book of Acts is when Paul received it at the hand of Ananias. In this example it is simply stated that when Ananias laid his hand on Paul, Paul was healed of blindness and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:1-18).
Within the tongues movement there are many who believe that a person cannot have or will not receive the Holy Spirit unless he experiences speaking in unknown languages. Is this a biblical fact, or is it a false concept? Let us see if this doctrine will stand the test of the scriptures.
Many in the charismatic movement would have us believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit can only be received if one speaks in unknown languages. But this is not true as anyone can see if he studies the scriptures. Neither Christ nor Paul spoke in foreign languages upon receiving the Holy Spirit and no one can deny that they did receive it.
Some believe that in order to acquire the gift of the Holy Spirit one must beg, plead and agonize for it, but this belief is in total error. A careful search of the scriptures will show that the giving of the gift of the Holy Spirit is by the grace of God and not by the begging, pleading and agonizing of the recipient.
Christ said: "If you being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13).
The apostle Peter said: " ...Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38)
Also:
"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:32).
THE LAYING ON OF HANDS
The accounts of Acts 8:9-17, 9:1-18, 10 thru 11, and 19:16 all show that the ordinance of laying on of hands was honoured by God and the Holy Spirit was given to the repentant individual. These scriptures also show that nothing else is necessary after repentance and baptism for the receiving on of hands.
If all Christians must receive the Holy Spirit the same as they did on the Day of Pentecost, then why do we not see the tongues of fire appear upon those who supposedly receive this gift while speaking in these unknown languages? The simple answer is - if it were necessary, then it would be manifested. Since it is not manifested, it follows that it is not necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit.
GOD'S PLAN
Some believe Christ told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem of the Holy Spirit because they (the disciples) were not ready to receive this Spirit. However, this is not the case at all; just the opposite is true. The disciples were ready. It was God the Father and Jesus Christ who were not yet ready to give the Holy Spirit.
Most people are unaware that God has a plan that He follows and within this plan are certain bench marks in history which certain events are to happen. The Annual Festival Days are such bench marks for prophetic events past, present and future.
Notice that Christ, the supreme sacrifice, was crucified on the Passover, the day when a lamb was sacrificed for the sins of Israel. The Days of Unleavened Bread followed, picturing coming out of, overcoming and freedom from sin. Within these Days of Unleavened Bread is the Wave Sheaf offering which pictures the first of the firstfruits being presented to God. Following fifty days later was the Day of Pentecost which pictures the firstfruits of the harvest being offered to God, God the Father gave his Holy Spirit to those first chosen to be partakers of the New Covenant.
The disciples had to wait until the Day of Pentecost arrived, not because they were not ready, but because the precise time in God's plan for this event to take place had not yet arrived. Notice that the Day of Pentecost was fully come when the Holy spirit was given to those firstfruits of the harvest of humanity.
Although the manifestation of glossolalia among the ancients can be traced as far back as 1100 B.C. and is spoken of by Plato (429-347 B.C.) the modern glossolalia movement is said to have started in the early part of the twentieth century through the efforts of a Methodist minister Charles F. Parkham. At first it was found almost exclusively among the Pentecostal churches. However, this has now changed and one can find this "tongues speaking" in almost every professing Christian denomination, including the Catholic Church.
Prior to and since that momentous Day of Pentecost in 30 A.D., the activities of Christ and His disciples show them to be devoid of the current displays of the charismatic emotionalism and undecipherable babblings that attend these present-day charismatic groups. This fact alone should alert us to the discrepancies between the scriptures and this charismatic practice.
What then is to be said of this modern charismatic movement which says it is perpetuating the experience of the 30 A.D. Day of Pentecost? Paul's letter to the Corinthians has part of the answer, and the history of paganism has the rest of the answer, as further study shall show.
The Corinthian Church seems to have been a group of Christians with many problems. Both of Paul's letters to them contain strong correction, with the first being almost totally devoted to very strong correction and admonition, sprinkled liberally with seemingly sarcastic remarks about the Church's poor behaviour.
After Paul's salutation to the Corinthians, he began to categorize their problems. No other Church of God is corrected on as many points as this Church. This fact in itself should tell us something about the spiritual character, fibre and maturity of these people. This is not to say that they were not of the Elect - they absolutely were saints of God. However, they had a major problem in understanding how to conduct themselves and were truly babes in the faith.
It is apparent that many of those at Corinth thought themselves to be spiritual giants. However, Paul puts this wrong concept to rest early in his letter. "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto you were not able to hear it, neither yet are you able" (1 Cor 3:1-2).
Paul apparently thought he was being gently with his admonitions and probably was. However, it does make one wonder what he would have said if he had thought they could have taken mature adult spiritual correction. The chapters of 1 Corinthians show the majority in the Church at Corinth to be sectarian, carnal, immoral, unloving, poorly versed in the scriptures and undisciplined in worship.
Notice some of things that Paul admonished the Corinthians about: envying, strife, division of opinions and arguing, jealousies, immorality and incest, lawsuits, drunkenness, conceit, lack of Christian love, carnal mindedness, desecration of their body (i.e. the temple of God), intellectual vanity, misuse of spiritual gifts, disorderly and shameful conduct in and out of church meetings. This is by no means a complete list of the things that Paul was trying to show the Corinthian Church that should be corrected. Paul's overall message to those saints at Corinth was a call to repentance.-----to be contd.
Editors comment: We would like to thank Mr B. l. Cocherell of Answers Research & Education P.O. Box 612440, San José CA 95161 US, for permission to reproduce this slightly edited first part of THE Tongues Question .
Alex Cain
Letters to the Editor
Dear Mr Cain
Thank you for sending your monthly publication"Countdown", I do appreciate receiving it. I have been meaning to write for some time in request of "The Trechak letter" and thought I'd better got on with it now, thanks in advance.
M.E.
Canada
Ps Do you have anybody else on your mailing list from Canada? I'd be interested to know.
Editors comment. We do of course like receiving positive letters from readers from any part of the world and would ask our readers to responde to the letter writer by telling us if you would like to correspond. We have a similar reader in the Michigan area.
Having read and done articles on the Babylonian Mystery religion which is now almost finished. We thought it would be a good idea to buy a book that explains the CATHOLIC FAITH, to get it from the horses mouth so to speak and to find out exactly what they DO believe.
We will give credit where credit is due, the author has written a book on religion which if we didn't have the bible background which we did; we would be VERY persuaded that the Catholic Church is the one true church. This is because that he writes in a very silvery tongue and the author himself actually condemns the church for its own sins. On page 119 which covers the Christian Morality; he says This chapter may have been a disappointment to some readers, if they have been looking for a clear guide to Christian living. Such guides do not exist [Editors comment-try reading all the bible]. On page 179 he admits that there is no Trinitarian doctrine in the Old Testament. [Editors comment-neither is there in the NEW]
Apparently a Benedictine Monk was asked to describe the Trinity, (a three-personed God, page 186) so on page 183 this Benedictine Monk perceived `you must contemplate and contemplate and contemplate' he said `until your eyes bleed. And then you might be able to perceive some small truth.' page 183 of The Catholic faith by Roderick Strange Oxford University press. Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6DP England.
In other words the Catholic Church does not believe in the Trinity doctrine at all, they just THINK they believe. Because if they have to concentrate that much on that type of God then they simply have just lost sight of the true God if they had any idea of what God was like in the first place. In fact in the Gay Byrne Late Late show recently some Fathers openly admitted that the Catholic Church was in a crises (apparently it always is). We are not surprised; and to think Britain's National Church is hell bent on joining it.
The question of, is Satan really in charge of the world? came up in the feast. The reason for the question is because as everyone knows the sun still keeps coming up in the morning and going down at night. The grass still keeps growing and needs cutting and life appears to just keep going on.
It is because, Luke 4:6,7; and Matt 4:8,9; doesn't actually SAY that Satan is in Charge; it just infers it. But if you read Is 14:12-18 and Ezek 28:17-19, this shows it to be so. In harsh reality there is nearly always a WAR going on in some part of the world today, drug abuse (Opium) is rife worldwide and national DEBTS are increasing.
Referring to the "Mystery of the Ages" Copyright 1985 pages 290 -292, Mr Armstrong `believed' that God was using him to go through the electronic media (reference Ambassador Report June 1995) the electronic media being the `open door' that God was using Mr Armstrong in proclaiming the Gospel. The question is, is the electronic media, or the television programs, the Open Door?
Referring to Rev 1-3. Specifically to the Key of David part or "the identity of nations". Was Mr Armstrong the only one to understand the concept of the Identity of Nations. Meaning was Mr Armstrong ALONE the only one who knew who was sitting on David's throne then in 1985? The Answer is an unresounding NO. Allen, (Destiny publishers) and the British Israelites knew about this subject even before Mr A was a twinkle in his earthly fathers eye, as did the Seventh Day Adventists and others; Refer Ambassador Report 1977 (90 page document). P.O. Box 60068, Pasadena CA 91116 USA.
Was the "Open Door" the electronic media?. Well the answer to that is really in Rev 1:3,7 where it says that the person to have the KEY of the open door is the one that openeth and no one shutteth and the one that shutteth and no one openeth.
Mr Armstrong infers page 290 "Mystery of the Ages" bottom paragraph that "HE" Mr A was the human leader that was to lead the Church, prepare the Church for Christs second coming. BUT using his own words `It is revealed in Malachi 3:1-5 and 4:4-6 that God would raise up one in the power and spirit of Elijah, shortly prior to the SECOND Coming of Christ.
Point one at the time of Malachie, Christ had not come for the first time let alone the second.
Point 2 It was Christ, after Malachi was written that STARTED the restoration by his dying and being resurrected after he had kept the law perfectly. It will be Christ when he will comes the second time that will restore ALL things because he has the power to do it.
A door is an instrument that will normally separate one STATE from another. In Mr A's case it was using the EM to send HIS VERSION of the gospel to the outside world. Hoping to bring those people into his Mr Armstrong's version of the Church. But God has a different set up.
Using CHRISTS own words in John 10:9 : HE said I AM THE DOOR.
In Rev 3:8 I know thy works, behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.--verse 12 AND HE SHALL go no more out.--out from where? The Kingdom of God.
Christ IS the door and with him one can go from the earthly physical state to the heavenly or Kingdom of god. When Christ separate the sheep from the goats. Then he himself being the door will close the door to the kingdom. Leaving without, the dogs and liars etc.
The GOSPEL or good news that Christ brought was that when he had died and was resurrected he would at a future date re MARRY the tribes of Israel.
Germany free next year 1996
In the next few days we will be entering into 1996, it has come to our attention that GERMANY will be free to send her armed air force to any part of the world that she sees fit, in the interests of peace of course.
Now assuming that Christ comes back in 1999 in the Autumn thereof and we are to be in the place of safety a time, times and half a time; or 3 and 1/2 years. That could possible mean that the persecution of the Church would have to start this 25 Pagan holiday. This would allow three months of being persecuted, and going to the place of safety just about the Passover time.
At this point in time we don't think this is so, as Germany is not yet ready (or is she?) to attack Palestinian Israel, followed by Britain as per bible prophecy.
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