SPEAKING IN TOUNGUES AND THE MODERN CHARASMATIC MOVEMENT?
by (the late) Frank M. Walker
(minister of the Church of God, Seventh Day).
Written in the early 1980s.
Two Opposing Spirits In The World "Try the Spirits Whether They
Are of God"
Yes, there are two opposing spirits in the world; the true
Spirit of truth from God, and the false, seducing spirits from
Satan.
The Bible makes this point very plain. Satan is very
religious and does perform miracles to deceive, "if it were
possible, the very elect" (Matthew 24:24). Jesus and His apostles
repeatedly warned about the many false teachers that Satan would
use in these last days to deceive the people, and we are told
that many would follow those false prophets or teachers. That is
why John warned, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are
gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). This was given to you and
me, my dear Friends, to warn us to try every spirit. Every one of
those false teachers has a spirit, a seducing spirit posing as
the true Spirit of God as they craftily wrest the Scriptures to
teach their false doctrines of devils. (Read I Timothy 4:1-3).
Even in the Old Scriptures God warned Israel of such false
teachers among them, "Thus saith...the God of Israel; Let not
your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you,
deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be
dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my mame: I have
not sent them, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 29:8,9).
Last Days Deceivers With Many Followers
Paul warned, "But evil men and seducers shall was worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13). Again in
1 Timothy 4:13, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;..."
Then in 2 Thessalonians 2:3,8-11 Paul adds a most solemn warning
about the "Man of Sin" and his co-workers coming, "After the
working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(great miracles) And with all decelvableness in unrighteousness
in them that perish." Why perish? Why being deceived? "Because
they received "not the love of the truth" (God's Word, the Bible
- John 17:17; Psalm 119:165) "that they might be saved." Because
they had pleasure in unrighteousness, and did not stay with Bible
truth, "...God shall send them strong delusion that they should
believe a lie; That they all might be damned who believed not the
truth, (God's Word) but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Note
that Satanic power is used, with all signs and lying wonders, and
people believe those miracles, following traditions instead of
God's Word, the Bible.
Jesus foretold this very thing in Matthew 24:24. "For there
shall arise false Christs, and false prophets (ministers), and
shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were
possible, they would deceive the very elect." "Behold, I have
told you before" (verse 25). And in verses 11-13 He warned, "And
many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." The
majority will follow those false teachers as Peter also said (2
Peter 2:1-3). These are warnings given in love to safeguard God's
true people, lest they be deceived, too. Satan is going all out
to deceive in these last days.
Note another warning from Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15,
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan
himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no
great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers
of righteousness; whose end shall according to their works."
Miracles Not The Final Proof Of A Spirit Being From God
Many are being deceived by deceitful miracle workers today,
and in love for those dear ones we are giving these studies.
From the above texts it is plain that in these last days many
false teachers, including miracle workers with Satanic powers,
would arise and deceive many. Yes, there are miracles from God
and gifts of the Holy Spirit for the true Church today. But the
fact that a preacher manifests miraculous powers is not final
proof that such power and manifestations are gifts of the Holy
Spirit. Satan performs lying wonders, and counterfeits the gift
of tongues, as many charismatics admit. Then why do many accept
the manifestation of speaking in "tongues" under a power to be
the proof that such a person has "the baptism" of the Holy
Spirit?
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:15-27) Jesus warned,
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by
their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of
thistles?" Jesus calls those false teachers that come in His name
(Matthew 24:4,5,11,12) ravening wolves in sheep's clothing. To
follow them means death. Our lives are at stake, friends; that is
why we must try every spirit, whether it is of God, or not. Read
verses 17-20 carefully. Before God will give a person any of His
miraculous gifts, that person must become a "good tree" (new
creature in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17,18) and be filled with His
love (charity, 1 Corinthians 13:1; Romans 5:5) so that he
produces good fruits, or a life of holy, obedient living.
Continuing His warning in verses 21-27, Jesus said, "Not
every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which
is in heaven." This excludes all those false teachers regardless
of all their profession of faith and miracles, etc. Note Jesus'
Words, "Many (most professed Christians) will say to me in that
day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? (preachers)
and in thy name cast out devils? (false miracles) and in thy name
done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you." Jesus had no part in their ministry or miracles
in His name. "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." They had
the miracles, but did not obey all the will of God. Only those
who hear and obey Jesus' commandments love Him and will share in
His Kingdom (verses 24-27; John 14:15,21). And God gives His
Holy Spirit only to "them that obey Him" (Acts 5:32).
Trying The Spirits. How? By What Measure?
With so many warnings, and so many false teachers in the
last days, and with the command to "try the spirits" we must have
a sure way to try them "whether they are of God: Because many
false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
"Believe not every spirit, but try" them is the inspired command.
Our life eternal depends upon our doing just what is commanded.
How are we to try the spirits to see and know the true from
the false? In Isaiah 8:18-20 we have the answer in simple words.
In verse 18 the prophet said, "Behold, I and the children whom
the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel
from the Lord of hosts..." We say, "Amen," we need all the power
and equipment that God has available for our ministries today.
But in verse 19 a warning is given not to seek unto spirits "that
peep, and that mutter," but to seek unto God. Then in verse 20 is
given the true test of a spirit. "To the law and to the
testimony: If they speak not according to this word, it is
because there is no light In them." God's Holy Spirit will
operate in full accord with His Word, the Bible, always. The
Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the Word of the Holy
Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17) and God's
Spirit will not move a true prophet or teacher to act or speak
contrary to the Bible, or written Word of the Spirit. With this
thought in mind, we are ready to study more fully the operation
of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts, including "gift of
tongues" in the New Testament ministries.
Power For Witnessing - With the Gifts In Operation In New
Testament Times
Back to 1 Corinthians 14:1 to continue our study of the
place of those gifts of the Spirit in the Church and its
ministries. We found in Part 1 of this study that Paul in chapter
13 revealed "a more excellent way," showing that those gifts of
the Spirit, though important in their place, were not the
number one priority in a Christian's life - that charity, (or
agape, love) from God by His Spirit (Romans 5:5; Ephesians
3:16-20) must fill our hearts and direct us in full obedience;
if we did have those gifts so we could perform miracles, we are
nothing without that love. (Read again 1 Corinthians 12:31;
13:1.13 to refresh your mind on our former study.)(The former
study is not uploaded as it is basic truth Christianity, and many
other studies on this Website expound all that basic truth -
Keith Hunt).
Now let us read 1 Corinthians 14:1. "Follow after charity,"
(love from God, given by His Spirit, or Comforter, dwelling in
God's children, Romans 5:5; Ephesians 3:16-20). The first
priority is to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18),
walking in the Spirit, so that we do "not fulfill the lusts of
the flesh" (Galatians 5:16,25). The Comforter, or Holy Spirit,
within gives power over the lusts of the flesh, giving us the
power, "both to will and to do" God's will in full obedience
(Philippians 2:12,13; Romans 8:1-4). "The fruit of the Spirit is
in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9-11).
Verse 11 gives another rule of those led by (filled with) the
Spirit. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them."
Is this the rule in the modern charismatic leadership, with
over 500,000 Roman Catholics in full fellowship, and all very
loyal to their papal church traditions so opposed to Bible truth?
Is this the same Spirit that the apostles had in the Book of Acts
that caused them to reprove those Scribes and Pharisees for false
traditions, and to constantly warn against any change in the pure
gospel of Christ?
The Spirit of God guides into all truth, and reproves in
love those in error (John 16:7-13; 14:26; 2 Timothy 4:1, 2).
Sound Biblical doctrine was important to all New Testament
ministers (1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-4).
Back to our text in 1 Corinthians 14:1. "Follow after
charity" as first priority, and with that foundation, What? "And
desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." This
was a corrective epistle; there were problems in the Corinthian
Church, and here Paul is correcting a misunderstanding about the
use of the gift of tongues, as this chapter reveals. They were
zealous of spiritual gifts, as Paul said in verse 12.
"...Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye
may excel to the edifylng of the Church." Those spiritual gifts
are God-given tools to be used as needed in the ministry and work
of the Church. There is a purpose, a time, and a place for their
use. God does not play religion, but has divine purpose in all
things.
This is what Paul is teaching in chapters 12 and 14. In
verse 1 Paul says for them to "desire spiritual gifts, but rather
that ye may prophesy." In Chapter 12, verse 31, he said, "Covet
earnestly the beat gifts." Now in chapter 14, verse 1 he tells
them very plainly that the gift of prophecy is better by far in
their Church, than "tongues." Why? "For he that speaketh in an
unknown tongue (language not understood by the assembly) speaketh
not unto men, but unto God: (why?) for no man understandeth him
..."
In such a case no witnessing is done for no one understands
the message being given. As verse 9 says, "...except ye utter by
the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known
what is spoken? Ye shall speak into the air." On Pentecost in
Acts 2, those disciples who spoke in tongues were understood as
they preached the wonderful works of God. The gift of tongues was
a tool used to witness or teach God's Word to the people. More on
that later.
Gift of Prophecy Better Than "Tongues" In Local Church.
Why?
In the New Scriptures the meaning of the word "prophesy"
means to publicly expound or teach. Why is that gift of prophecy
better in the local assembly where all speak a common language?
Paul answers: "For he that prophesieth speaketh to men to
edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Those with the gift
of prophecy are used to edify the church and individuals
as the needs require. "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue
edifieth himself, but he that prophesieth edifieth the church"
(verses 3,4).
On Pentecost, the gift of tongues was not given for
self-edification, but for witnessing to others. When we
witness to others, we ourselves are edified as we do the work God
called us to do. Those spiritual tools, or gifts of the Spirit,
are given to work with to the glory of God, not to play with as a
child with a new toy.
"I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye
prophesied" (verse 5).
Why? "For greater is he that prophesieth than he that
speaketh in tongues, except he interpret, that the church may
receive edifying."
The first objective in an assembly of brethren is
edification of the Church. In such a place where all understand a
common language, the gift of prophecy is far better, or greater,
in God's work than the gift of tongues, is what Paul is teaching
with emphasis in verses 5-12.
In verse 6 Paul continues, "Now, brethren, if I came unto
you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I
shall speak by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or
by doctrine?" Paul could speak in many languages, some by
knowledge and some by the gift of tongues since he preached to
people of different nationalities, as he said in verse 18. "I
thank my God that I speak with tongues more than ye all."
Five Words Understood Worth More Than 10,000 In "An Unknown
Tongue..."
Before we continue this study, let Paul speak about the
importance of the instructions being given in these chapters. "If
any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the
commandments of the Lord" (verse 37).
This is serious, my Friends. What Paul is writing here are
the commandments of God, and any spirit that refuses to acknowledge
and obey them is not of God. (See also Isaiah 8:20).
Let us continue in verses 19,20, "Yet in the Church I had
rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I
might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown
tongue" (verse 19).
In verses 11-17 the divine rule that Paul obeyed included
our prayers, too. If we do not understand the words spoken, we
are barbarians to each other (verses 11-14). "What is it then? I
will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding
also: I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also." In whatever language Paul used, he could,
and did, pray in the Spirit; he did not have to pray in tongues
to pray in the Spirit. "The spirits of the prophets are subject
to the prophets" (verses 30-32). They can speak or keep silent as
the needs require, as these verses teach.
"Be not children in understanding:... Be men" [verse 20;
Ephesians 5:17]
Things were out of order, and a lot of misunderstanding in
that Church brought a strong rebuke in verse 20. "Brethren, be
not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children,
but in understanding be men." The margin for "men" says "perfect,
or of a ripe age." Ephesians 5:17 fits here. "Wherefore be ye not
unwise, but understanding what the will of God is." It was an
appeal for the offending ones to quit acting like children in the
use of the gifts of the Spirit but to find and understand the
will of God in this matter and be mature in obeying the rules in
their Church services.
In verses 23-25 Paul reasons further on this point. If the
whole Church came together into one place, "and all speak with
tongues" and people not understanding, unconverted, etc., hear,
"will they not say that ye are mad?" This is not an honor to God,
but a dishonor from such a meeting. But if all prophesy, teaching
the Word of truth in an orderly way, people are convicted of sin
and converted (verse 25).
Divine Rules Of Order Given
Now we come to some divine rules of order in the Church
services in verses 27-35. Verse 26 introduces those rules. "How
is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you
hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation,
hath an interpretation." Confusion and disorder? The answer, or
solution, "Let all things be done unto edifying" (of the Church).
This would bring order and get self out of the way. "Let all
things be done decently and in order" (verse 40). This is
important because, "God is not the author of confusion (margin:
tumult), but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" (verse
33). God was not the Author of that confusion and disorder in
their services, Satan was, and it raises a big question about the
tongues manifest in such meetings.
Now let us briefly consider those rules of order that Paul
gave - God's rules of order. "If any man speak in an unknown
tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by
course (one at a time); and let one interpret" (verse 27). No
more than three are to speak in tongues at one meeting and then
one at a time. If there is no interpreter, "let him keep silence
in the church" (verse 28). The object is to edify the church, and
if no one understands the tongue being spoken, there is no
edification; and God says to keep silent in the Church. Why not
seek for a gift that will edify and serve a better purpose than
tongues?
Those with the gift of prophecy are instructed that they may
speak "two or three" at one meeting in order as with tongues
(verses 29-32). "Ye may all prophesy one by one" is referring to
these with that gift and not to all the Church. Only certain ones
are given this gift (1 Corinthians 12:28-30).
Remember that these rules of order in the church services
are "the comandments of the Lord" (verses 32,33,37-40).
Modern Charismatic Spirit - Tried and Wanting! [1 John 4:1;
Isaiah 8:20]
Now, my dear Friends, let us in love apply 1 John 4:1;
Isaiah 8:20 to the modern charismatic spirit. John said,
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they be of God:" (why?) "because many false prophets are gone out
into the world." It is the only safe way to try every spirit by
the Word of God, the Bible, as Isaiah 8:20 says. If it is a true
Spirit from God, the test will do it no harm; instead, it will
verify the fact so that we can believe and have fellowship. Those
noble Bereans of Acts 17:10-12 "received the word with all
readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether
those things were so." Many of them believed because they found
Paul and Silas preached the truth. If this modem charismatic
spirit is true, their claims and conduct will stand the test of
scriptural investigation - honest investigation. Truth will stand
investigation. Dear Reader, are you willing to prayerfully make
this investigation with me and seek to rightly divide God's Word
of truth? (James 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15; John 5:39; 1 Thessa-
lonians 5:21).
Error Number 1 - Speaking In Tongues Is Initial, or Scriptural,
Evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
I quote from a book "The Presbyterians and the Baptism of
the Holy Spirit", page five, put out by Full Gospel Businessmen's
Fellowship International. "The scriptural evidence of the baptism
with the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues".
This is a foundation doctrine of the charismatic movement
since its start in 1900-1901 A.D. according to the records that I
read and what I have heard for over 50 years of ministry.
True or False? What Does the Bible Say? Acts 2:4-42
This is an error; their foundation was upon an error; but if
it is true, the modern charismatic tongues-speaking does not
harmonize with the Acts 2 account, as we will show in this
study. Do not misunderstand us in this statement. We believe that
there are honest people in the charismatic groups who are misled.
Yes, honest people can be misled for a season by false teachers.
Even honest teachers are sometimes misled until God sends them
more light of His Word. We believe that God's children must be
filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18,11; Ephesians
3:16-20), but those same people will be gird with trath, which is
God's Word, the Bible (John 17:17). They will be "speaking the
truth in love" as they grow in grace and in the knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15,16; 2 Peter 3:18). God's Holy
Spirit guides into all truth step by step as we are willing and
able to receive it. The Holy Spirit is never out of harmony with
the Holy Scriptures.
Now let us study Acts 2 - that initial outpouring of the
Holy Spirit. There were about 120 disciples of the Lord Jesus
there (Acts 1:15). They were not babes in Christ, but men whom
Jesus had called and trained to be His witnesses in preaching the
gospel far and wide. (Read Acts 1:4-8; Luke 24:46-49). They were
waiting at Jerusalem as Jesus commanded "until ye be endued with
power from on high." "And (they) were continually in the temple,
praising and blessing God. Amen" (Luke 24:49,53). "And ye shall
receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts
1:4, 5, 8). Jesus had ascended to heaven, and those disciples
were waiting for the promised power to renew their ministry for
Him. True, God's Holy Spirit is promised to all of God's
children, but what we see manifest on Pentecost is in those 120
ministers as they preached the Word of God in that initial
outpouring of God's Holy Spirit.
They were all "with one accord in one place" on the Day of
Pentecost - no doubt in the Temple as Luke 24:53 says. Acts 2:1-4
pictures what happened that day. Speaking in tongues did not come
first as a supernatural manifestation. "...There came a sound
from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind." No, it was not a mighty
wind, but as the sound of such a wind, "filled all the house
where they were sitting" (verse 2). Another manifestation came.
"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and
it sat upon each of them" (verse 3). Here were two mighty
manifestations of God's presence through His Sprit. "And they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (verse 4). If the account
had stopped here, all those disciples would have known personally
that they had been baptized, or filled, with the Holy Spirit -
that promised power for witnessing or preaching the gospel.
In Acts 4:23-33 we have another manifestation of God's power
when the Disciples and Jerusalem Church "were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness." They
were praying for more power and boldness to witness or preach the
Word. "And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them
all" (verse 33). The miracle that came with this filling with the
Holy Spirit was "the place was shaken where they were assembled"
(verse 31). No tongues were needed here in their witnessing. Why
single out the gift of tongues as the one manifestation of God's
power as the initial evidence of God's people being baptized, or
filled, with the Holy Spirit when in Acts 2 there were two
manifestations of the arrival of the Holy Spirit of promise that
preceded the speaking in tongues?
"They ... began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave
them utterance"
Yes, in Acts 2:4, when those disciples were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, they "began to speak with other tongues as the
Spirit gave them utterance." Remember that they were being given
power for witnessing - for preaching and teaching the people. Did
they teach other people as they spoke in other tongues, or
languages; or was it, as our charismatic friends teach, the
initial evidence to those disciples that they had been baptized
with the Holy Spirit? As we read verses 5-12 the answer is
obvious: they were preaching the Word of God and were being
understood. "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout
men, out of every nation..." (verse 5). A multitude of these Jews
came to see and hear and "were confounded, because that every man
heard them speak in his own language" (verse 6). "And they were
all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, behold, are not
all these which speak Galileans?" They knew that those uneducated
Galileans did not know all those languages - they knew only their
own native tongue. And here was indeed a miracle, and they said,
"We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God"
(verses 7-11). Those Jews who had been reared in other nations,
devout men, were amazed to hear those Galileans preach to them in
their own native tongues as the "Spirit gave them utterance."
This is the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) in operation
as God ordained - a spiritual tool used in the ministry of the
Word to the glory of God. This gift would be needed as the gospel
went to every nation (Matthew 28:19, 20). Paul used it in his
ministry (1 Corinthians 14:18).
There is nothing in Acts 2:4-46 to indicate that henceforth
"speaking in tongues" was to be the initial evidence to any or
all who received "the gift of the Holy Ghost," or as our friends
emphasize it, "the baptism of the Holy Ghost." Being filled with
the Holy Spirit is the same as the baptism of the Spirit in
usage. (Compare Acts 1:5 with Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:18.) Speaking
in tongues was not given in Acts 2:4-12 as the evidence of their
baptism with the Holy Spirit, but as the spiritual gift, or tool,
to use in preaching the gospel to those Jews at that time.
To those whose hearts were touched, Peter said for them to
repent and be baptized, "And ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children,
and to all afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call"
(Acts2:37-39). "The gift of the Holy Ghost" is promised to all
whom God shall call, but not one word is said about the gift of
tongues being for all. Why make the Scriptures say something that
is not there?
Do All Speak With Tongues? Did They In The Book of Acts?
The Book of Acts gives us some 32 years of Church history.
In that inspired record, did all who received the gift of the
Holy Spirit speak with other tongues as in Acts 2? No, they did
not, as we will show. In Acts 8:5-17 we have the record of Philip
going to the City of Samaria and preaching the gospel with great
power, and many believed and were baptized. When the Apostles at
Jerusalem heard this, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. These
two Apostles prayed and laid hands on those new converts, "and
they received the Holy Ghost." Not a word is said about speaking
in tongues at this time when those Samaritans received the gift
of the Holy Spirit.
Another example is given in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus
in Acts 9. Jesus had met and stopped Saul on his way to Damascus.
Saul went on to Damascus a converted, but blind man as the
record says. God sent Ananias after three days that Saul should
be healed, filled with the Holy Spirit, and be baptized (verses
2.16). "And Ananias went his way, and entering into the house:
and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even
Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way ... hath sent me, that
thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy
Ghost" (verses 17-20). Saul was healed and filled with the Holy
Spirit, and baptized. Not a word is said about speaking in
tongues. "Stralghtway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that
he is the Son of God." God had called him to preach the gospel,
and when filled with the Holy Spirit power, he started preaching
Christ. No tongues were needed at that time and no tongues
(foreign) were given by the Spirit or used as the record shows.
In Acts 19:1-8 we have another account. Paul found certain
disciples at the city of Ephesus, about twelve men, and he asked
if they had received the Holy Ghost yet, "since ye believed?"
They had heard nothing about the gift of the Holy Spirit because
they were baptized unto John's baptism of repentance "that they
should believe on him which should come after." Paul baptized
them "in the name of the Lord Jesus." After that he "laid his
hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with
tongues, and prophesied" (verses 2-7). Two gifts of the Spirit
were manifest among those twelve men when they received the gift
of the Holy Spirit; namely, tongues and prophecy (I Corinthians
12:8-10). The record does not say how many spoke with tongues, or
how many prophesied, or expounded the Holy Scriptures. Ephesus
was a large city, and no doubt the gift of tongues would be
needed at times in that Church as they preached the gospel.
Again, not all spoke with tongues. In Acts 10:34-48 Peter
was preaching to Cornelius, his household, and friends; and while
he was preaching, God "poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost"
(verses 44-46). "For they heard them speak with tongues, and
magnify God..." This was God's final assurance to Peter and other
Jewish brethren that came with him, that the Gentiles were also
acceptable, that truly God is no respector of persons. (read also
Acts 11:1-18). Whether all in this case spoke with tongues, the
record does not say, but it does say that Peter and his fellow
Jews heard them "speak with tongues, and magnify God." The
tongues spoken were understood, else they would not know that
they were magnifying God.
All Do Not Speak With Tongues?"
From the above evidence it is clearly shown that all who
received the gift, or baptism of the Holy Spirit did not speak in
tongues. Paul also makes a positive statement in 1 Corinthians
12:28-30. "And God hath set some in the Chinch, first apostles,
secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
Note that some, not all, are given those ministries and
gifts listed, and in verses 29,30 he makes it definite. "Are all
apostles?" (No is the implied answer to this and all questions
that follow.) "Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all
workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak
with tongues? Do all interpret?" The Holy Spirit is given to all
of God's children, but not one of those ministries, or nine gifts
of the Spirit, is given to all of His children. Since all do not
speak with tongues, as Paul plainly states, this again proves
that speaking in tongues is not the Scriptural evidence of being
filled with the Holy Spirit.
Thus with all this Bible evidence, we have shown that the
foundation doctrine of the charismatic movement is false, not
Scriptural.
Other Errors- Tongues A Sign to Unbelievers, Not The Believers,
etc.
Tongues are not a sign to the believer, "but to them that
believe not..." (1 Corinthians 14:22). Yes, Paul says, "Wherefore
tongues are for a sign," and he also said "not to them that
believe" - not to the believer. Why contradict the Holy
Scriptures and teach that speaking in tongues is the sign, or
evidence, to the believers, of the baptism of the Spirit? Tongues
in Acts 2 were a sign to those unbelieving Jews when they heard
those Galileans teaching them the Word of God in their native
tongues. This modem tongues-speaking does not fit the example in
Acts 2 at all. It is out of harmony with the Scriptures in almost
every count.
OBJECTION. "A vital purpose for speaking in tongues is that we
might edify ourselves" (see I Corinthians 14:4). (Quote from
"What Is The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?" by Full Gospel
Businessmen's Fellowship International).
ANSWER: There is only a part of this verse used as proof. I give
it as quoted, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth
himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the Church." This is
wresting the Scriptures to use the first half of this one verse
to prove that "a vital purpose for speaking in tongues" is
self-edification; when in the context Paul is teaching the very
opposite. In Acts 2 the purpose of speaking in tongues was not
self-edification, but it was a spiritual gift by which others
could be edified as they heard the gospel preached in their own
native tongues by men whom they knew did not know those languages
in which they spoke (1 Corinthians 14:21). Paul quotes from
Isaiah 28:11 to prove this very point. Read verses 18-20 again.
Yes, read carefully the whole chapter again and see if there is
anything in this context to prove that Paul was teaching that
speaking is tongues had a vital place in the Church for
self-edification. It is not there.
"Slain In The Spirit"? "Gift of Prayer Tongues"?
"Slain in the Spirit" is a common expression among many in
the charismatic groups. People get under "the power" (spirit?)
and fall or sink to the floor. In some meetings it takes only the
touch of certain preachers hands and they are "under the power."
About 1910-1912 A.D. when they first preached in our home town in
Oklahoma, as a boy I went with my father and mother, both good
Christians, (Dad was a preacher) to their services. It was a
common thing to see several during a meeting fall over in their
seats or on the floor, mostly women, and some had to be covered
for decency sake. This is entirely without Bible example in all
the New Testament record. Such a spirit power is dangerous and
should be avoided. The only thing that is slain when God's Sprit
comes in is the old men of sin (Romans 6:3-6; 8:13).
The gift of tongues as given and used in Acts 2 was not a
prayer tongue, and yet I read testimony after testimony in the
literature before me of priests and laymen being given their
prayer tongue, and this is their evidence of the Baptism of the
Holy Spirit. This again is an error and contrary to the
Scriptures as we have shown already. Read again Isaiah 8:20; 1
John 4:1.
Is Pope John's Prayer Being Answered? Is God Pouring Out His
Spirit In A New Pentecost In The Roman Catholic Church Today?
Over 500,000 Roman Catholic Charismatics believe it is true
because they, too, speak in tongues and have other miracles among
them, like the Protestant Charismatics. In a news report in the
Spokane Chronicle, Saturday, June 18, 1983, I quote article,
"Catholics With A Difference," (page 9), It was a Charismatic
Catholic Conference at Burien, Washington. "With eyes closed and
hands stretched to the heavens, hundreds of people joined in the
mysterious 'speaking in tongues...' People sobbed and hugged.
Dozens 'came forward' to have hands laid on them and ailments
healed. Rows and rows of people swayed back and forth..." "If the
scene had all the ingredients of a turn-of-the-century
Pentecostal tent revival, it was not. It was a gathering of Roman
Catholics..., a faith healing session...part of the eighth annual
Catholic Charismatic Conference..."
"It is estimated that more than 10 percent of the country's 52
million Roman Catholics call themselves charismatics."
Are these Roman Catholics truly born again? Are they coming
out of those false sacraments and rituals that can save no one?
Are they denouncing their loyalty to the papal Anti-Christ system
that the Bible condemns so strongly? Are they returning to the
Bible as the only authority for faith and Christian conduct?
Their charismatic priests and other leaders say repeatedly, as I
read their testimonies, that there is nothing in their traditions
opposed to receiving this charismatic renewal with the gifts of
tongues, etc. In fact, they become more loyal to their traditions
when they receive that Spirit and speak in tongues in most
cases - those false rituals that make void the gospel mean more
to them. God's Spirit says, "Come out of her my people, be not
partakers of her sins..." (Revelation 18:4-8). What spirit is
sealing them in, instead of calling them out?
Protestant Charrismatics Accept Roman Catholic Charismatics as
Spirit-filled Brethren!
I have before me a book, "The Acts of the Holy Spirit Among
the Catholics Today," and two other books with the same title,
except it is "Among the Episcopalians" and "Among the Lutherans,"
all published by the "Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship
International." This is a Protestant organization. In the
"Foreword" of all these books they tell us that today we are
seeing "another mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit
on people of all denominations..." Among others, they list,
Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians,
etc. They further tell us that it is at "The Fellowship's
conventions, rallies, and chapter meetings" that men from all
these (and others) are experiencing the baptism of the Holy
Spirit. This includes Catholic priests and other leaders, and
this book, "Acts of the Holy Spirit Among Catholics Today" has
the testimonies of priests and laymen how they received that
experience of speaking in tongues as "the evidence" of being
baptized with the Holy Spirit, usually with help in some prayer
and council meetings. Often it was a prayer tongue, and took much
help and practice, etc. How those Protestant helpers find all
those us-Scriptural methods used to produce their tongues
evidence in Acts 2 I do not know. Can you imagine those brethren
in Acts 2 being coached by others to "try, speak one word" so
they could get their evidence of the baptism of the Spirit?
From all their testimonies and the news items about them
that I read, those Charismatic Catholics devotedly attend Mass,
and hold to all their Roman Catholic traditions, and yet they are
accepted as Spirit-filled Christians by their Protestant brethren
who also have the same un-Scriptural evidence of speaking in
tongues. If those 500,000 Catholic Charismatics really were
filled with God's Spirit, as in Acts 2, they would turn the
Catholic Church upside down with Bible truth; papal authority and
traditions would be uprooted as gross errors and discarded. God's
Holy Spirit guides into all truth (John 16:13), and reproves of
sin (verses 7-11).
A Strong Delusion -- Satan's Counterfeit Gift of Tongues
Satan does cause people to speak in tongues, other tongues.
It happens to some spiritualists, and in some heathen religions
when certain ones get in a trance, or possessed by a spirit.
History traces tongues-speaking back some 1100 years B.C. In the
Garden of Eden Satan caused the serpent to talk. He is deceiving
people by a counterfeit today. To teach people that "speaking in
tongues" is the Scriptural evidence of being filled with the Holy
Spirit opens the floodgates for this great this great deception.
There is the true gift of tongues, and it has its place in
the ministry, but not as the evidence of the baptism of the Holy
Spirit.
God's Word is the truth (John 17:17; 8:32), and the Holy
Spirit is "the Spirit of truth" (John 14:16,17), and God's Spirit
always agrees with His Word, the Bible. In 2 Timothy 4:1-4 Paul
foretold our times when many would turn "away their ears from the
truth (Bible facts), and be turned unto fables." Also in 2
Thessalonians 2:8-12 we are told of Satanic deceptive power in
the last days working "with all power and signs and lying
wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness...", among
those who do not love the truth, or the Word of God more than
traditions. "And for this cause God shall send them strong
delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be
damned who believed not the truth (The Bible), but had pleasure
in unrighteousness." This miracle-working Charismatic spirit,
with its lying wonders among both Catholics and Protestants, is a
strong delusion to many today who reject Bible truth to follow
their Church traditions instead. They insist on going their own
way until, finally, God lets them believe a lie.
Jesus pictures many in that group, miracle workers included,
in Matthew 7:21-28. They expect to get into Christ's Kingdom, but
He says, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Yes, they claim
to have done many wonderful works in Jesus' name, but they failed
in full obedience, just as multitudes of professed Christians are
today, including many Charismatics.
"Beware The Christless Pentecost"
This headline was given by a prominent leader in the Full
Gospel movement. Take it for what it is worth. Honest people are
being misled in that movement, and same are waking up to the fact
that something is seriously wrong. God will not dwell in an
unclean temple (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). He does not give His Holy
Spirit to sinners (Acts 5:32). Once our vessel is clean, God will
give the Holy Spirit to us when we ask Him, and it does not take
long prayer sessions of weeks or months (Luke 11:11-13).
Brethren, do not go to the enemy's camp for consolation.
This is written in love, and God loves you all and does not want
any to perish (2 Peter 3:9).
..................
Entered on this Website February 2008
NOTE:
The Pentecostal Charasmatic movement is not only in the
Protestant and Roman Catholic churches, but is also among the 7th
Day Sabbath observing churches. I have attended some CoG,7Day
churches (not knowing they were "tongues"/"charasmatic" groups)
and have seen the "antics" unfold before my eyes. One group got
going and a lady right in front of me was swaying back and forth,
front to backwards, so much that I was sure she was going to hit
her head on the pew back-rest behind her. Her hat came off, and
when she turned around to pick it up her eyes were all glazed
over, as being in a state of "out of here and on planet Pluto."
In another 7th Day church, which was one story up in the
building, a lady was down at ground level shouting out to people
on the street. She made her way up stairs chanting and "in
tongues" - came down the center of the congregation, fell down
before the podium rolling on the floor, still chattering away in
so-called "tongues.
I hope these two studies have shown you the truth of the matter
on the gift of tongues and the false teachings that go under the
name of "tongues."
And if anyone wants to say the mumbo-jumbo talk they produce is
"the tongues of angels" (quoting 1 Cor.13:1) .... well Paul's
instructions still apply in church services, no interpreter ...
keep silent, and keep it to yourself at home. Then again how can
you prove the "tongue" is angel talk? Oh, it might indeed be ...
the talk from fallen angels, or demons in other words.
Study my study called "Tongues in Church Services" to find all
the ins and outs of Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 14.
Keith Hunt
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