Throughout
history there have been occasional incidents when an individual, or
groups of individuals, have spoken in this ecstatic utterance, but
this time was different. This time it sparked a movement that has
claimed to be "the largest and most important religious
movement to originate in the United States." The Origins of
the Pentecostal Movement, by Vinson Synan, Ph.D.
From its small
Midwestern beginnings it has become one of the largest religious
movements of our day. By 1993 the Pentecostal movement had become
"the largest family of Protestants in the world." Ibid.
According to the International Bulletin of Missionary Research, by
mid-1999 there were over 449,000,000 Pentecostals and Charismatics.
Unquestioningly, this has become a prominent force in our
contemporary religious world. There are "over 11,000
Pentecostal denominations throughout the world," and in the
1960's the charismatic movement had "spread to all of the 150
major Protestant families of the world," and had crossed the
gulf to include millions of Catholics as well. Ibid.
What has made
this one of the most rapidly growing religious movements in history?
Doctrines vastly vary, but there is one thing that the
Pentecostal/Charismatic movement has in
common--"tongue-speaking."
With such a
prominent and rapidly expanding movement, it is crucial to
investigate it, along with its common bond of
"tongue-speaking." If this movement is a great revival of
Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, surely we do not
want to miss being a part of it; but if this is a counterfeit
revival from the enemy, we must flee from it as if our lives were at
stake.
Does the Bible
predict such a revival to take place, or does it predict that there
will be a false revival? How can we tell if this movement is from
God? What is the gift of tongues? Is there a true gift of tongues?
Is there a false gift of tongues? What does God's Word say?
A True
Gift
We find
undeniable evidence in God's Word that there is a true gift of
tongues. No Bible believing Christian will question this fact. There
are three recorded instances when the gift of tongues was given to
the apostles and disciples. There is further reference to this gift
in one of Paul's epistles. (See I Corinthians.) The Bible speaks of
it as a true gift given by the Lord. There is a true gift of
tongues. So, the question becomes, is that which is currently
promoted and seen today as tongue-speaking, the true Biblical gift.
The heart of
the tongue-speaking movement's message is Acts 2. In the second
chapter of Acts is found the first instance when the Christian
church was given the gift of tongues. Because it is the first time
that anything like this is recorded in the Bible, great detail is
given. There is great elaboration, to make sure that we understand
exactly what this gift is and why it was given. Jesus, in His
departing words, had promised, "For John truly baptized with
water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days
from now." Acts 1:5. Again Jesus had foretold of the outpouring
of the Spirit at Pentecost, "But you shall receive power when
the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me
in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the
earth." Acts 1:8. With these precious promises given, the
disciples began to search their hearts and prepare for this
marvelous event. For ten days they continued in prayer and
humiliation that they might receive this gift promised by the Lord.
After spending
ten days on their knees, the Lord poured out His Spirit in answer to
their prayers. "Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come,
they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came
a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the
whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them
divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4.
After much
heart searching, confession, prayer and preparation, the Lord
abundantly fulfilled His Word. It was fulfilled in a very marked way
to give great impetus to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus.
There were only a few disciples and a commission to warn the entire
world, and so, for this reason, the Lord gave largely of His Spirit.
Obviously, the disciples received the true gift of tongues, but what
was this true gift?
"Now
there were dwelling in Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, from every
nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude
came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak
in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying
to one another, 'Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And
how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were
born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and
Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors
from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them
speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." Acts
2:5-11. What was the gift of tongues that the disciples received? It
was the ability to speak in other languages. A true miracle indeed!
It takes years to learn a language fluently, and even then there is
usually an accent; but not so when the true gift of tongues was
given. Instantaneously, the disciples were able to communicate with
those who spoke totally different languages than what the disciples
spoke. This was indeed a remarkable day.
It was the
feast of weeks, one of the required feasts for the Jewish males to
attend. The city of Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims from the
outlying areas, and it was at this time that God chose to pour out
His Spirit in a marked way. When the sound from the outpouring of
the Spirit was heard, the curious crowd came flocking together to
see what was happening. With thousands of people gathering around to
hear, the disciples began to speak, but this was no normal speech.
It was with the gift of tongues. It caused great confusion and
amazement. Never before had men been able to speak a language that
they had not learned. It caused such consternation to the wondering
crowd, that they enumerated the different languages that were spoken
and understood. There were fifteen total: Parthians, Medes, Elamites,
Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia,
Egypt, Libya, Rome, Cretans and Arabs. There is no question about
it; the gift of tongues was the ability to speak another language,
fluently, without ever having learned it.
Why was this
gift given? It was for the proclamation of the gospel. With such a
large number of Jews from all over the world in attendance, the
message could then spread with lightning speed. The Jews would hear
the gospel of Jesus and take it back to their homes. Then
Christianity would grow exponentially. The purpose of the outpouring
of the Spirit and the gift of tongues was not to give evidence that
they were baptized with the Spirit, but to spread the everlasting
gospel far and wide.
It is true
that the priests and rulers opposed this gift. This should not be
surprising, for they were the very ones who crucified our Lord and
Savior. They were the very ones who bribed the soldiers to silence
the testimony of the resurrection. Once again they hardened their
heart against the display of God's power, and attempted to attribute
this miracle to natural causes. They claimed that the disciples were
drunk with wine. (See Acts 2:13.) Peter quickly silences that
ludicrous objection by showing it to be a fulfillment of the Old
Testament Scriptures. "But this is what was spoken by the
prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh:" Acts 2:16, 17.
The manifestation of the Spirit was not vain babbling that could be
confused for a drunken man's speech; it was the perfectly understood
use of foreign languages&. everyone heard them speak in his own
language.... And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in
which we were born? We hear them speaking in our own tongues the
wonderful works of God." Acts 2:6, 8, 11. The preaching of the
disciples was not indiscernible babbling that was then deciphered by
the hearers; it was distinct languages spoken by the disciples under
the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the true gift of tongues.
In the New
Testament there are two usages of the word, tongues: 1) the physical
tongue in the mouth, or an object shaped like it and 2) languages.
There is generally no question about the body part which we call the
tongue. It is the fact that tongues mean known languages, that can
be misunderstood at times. "We hear them speaking in our own
tongues the wonderful works of God." "And have redeemed us
to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and
nation." "After these things I looked, and behold, a great
multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes,
peoples, and tongues standing before the throne and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands."
"And he said to me, 'You must prophesy again about many
peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.'" "Then those from
the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies
three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put
into graves." "And authority was given him over every
tribe, tongue, and nation." "Then I saw another angel
flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe,
tongue, and people" "And he said to me, 'The waters which
you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations,
and tongues.'" Acts 2:11; Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:9;
13:7; 14:6; 17:15. Over and over again, particularly in Revelation,
is the word "tongue" or "tongues" used, meaning
languages. When the apostles received the gift of tongues, it
enabled them to speak in other languages to be able to spread the
gospel, and tongues is repeatedly used by Bible writers meaning
languages. The true gift of tongues, then, is the God-given ability
to speak other languages.
A False Gift
The very fact
that there is something true, is usually an indicator that the devil
has counterfeited it, making something false, in order to deceive,
as well. This is true in the case of tongues. Not only can God give
the miraculous gift of speaking in other languages before unknown,
but the devil can also speak through people. "Now there was a
man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of
Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy
One of God.' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out
of him!' And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out
with a loud voice, he came out of him." Mark 1:23-26. Notice
that the unclean spirit "cried out" and then it records
what he said (vs. 23) and then, when Jesus rebuked the unclean
spirit, he "cried out with a loud voice." (vs. 26) The
unclean spirit was speaking through the possessed man. No one will
question that this was not the Lord speaking through this man. It
was an unclean spirit or demon speaking through him. Without
question, then, demons can counterfeit the gift of tongues and speak
through human beings. This is not just one isolated instance.
"And he cried out with a loud voice and said, 'What have I to
do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You, by God,
that You do not torment me.' For He said to him, 'Come out of the
man, unclean spirit!' Then He asked him, 'What is your name?' And he
answered, saying, 'My name is Legion; for we are many.' And he
begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. And
all the demons begged Him, saying, 'Send us to the swine, that we
may enter them.'" Mark 5:7-12. Once again demons can be seen
speaking through a man. It even says, "all the demons begged
Him." It cannot be misunderstood--demons have the ability to
speak through humans. There is a false gift of tongues.
The incident
recorded in Acts is the first time that the true gift of languages
was given, but for years previous to this, ecstatic utterances had
been observed and noted. These ecstatic utterances had nothing to do
with Christianity or the God of heaven, though. These ecstatic
utterances were found in the heathen religions of the day, but never
in the true religion of the God of heaven. An account of such
activity can be seen in a papyrus in the Moscow Museum, describing
an incident that occurred during the twenty-first dynasty in Egypt.
The story tells of a temple official who was going about his duties
in the temple when he became possessed, went into a frenzy, and
began to use ecstatic utterances. (See Ancient Near East Texts,
edited by James B. Pritchard, Princetown, New Jersey: Princetown
University Press, 1955, pg. 26)
The Greek
philosopher, Plato, also mentions this occurrence in the realms of
Paganism. He gives instances in which ecstatic utterances, praying,
and even healing, accompany this form of possession. "Virgil,
too, during the last century before Christ, described in Aeneid
(Virgil, 'Aeneid,' trans. James Rhoades, vol. XIII of Great Books of
the Western World, ed. R. M. Hutchins, Chicago: Encyclopedia
Britannica, Inc. 1952, book VI), activities of the Sybilline
priestess on the Island of Delos. He attributed her ecstatic tongues
to the result of her being spiritually unified with the god Apollo,
a state that enveloped her while she was meditating in the darkness
of a haunted cave, amidst the eerie sounds of the wind playing
strange music through the narrow crevices in the rocks.
"In
speaking of the Pythoness of Delphi, Chrysostom, the highly
acclaimed church father wrote, 'This same Pythoness then, is said,
being a female, to sit at times upon the tripod of Apollo astride,
and thus the evil spirit ascending from beneath and entering the
lower part of her body, fills the woman with madness, and she with
disheveled hair, begins to play the bacchanal and to foam at the
mouth, and thus being in a frenzy to utter the words of her
madness.'-Chrysostom, 'Homilies on the First Corinthians,' trans. T.
W. Chambers, in The Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, ed. Philip
Schaff (New York: The Christian Literature Company, 1889) vol. 12,
p. 170. (Italics supplied)" Charisma of the Spirit, Rene
Noorbergen, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1973.
From both the
Bible, and from history can be seen the evidence of a false ecstatic
utterance. These ecstatic utterances were known nearly one thousand
years before Pentecost, in the Pagan cultures of the world. The
Bible affirms that these instance are demons speaking through
humans. Surely there is need of being careful and not attributing
every supernatural manifestation to God, for the devil has power to
do this, too.
Test
the Spirits
There are some
that suppose, if there is a supernatural manifestation, then it must
be from God. This is actually one of the most dangerous views to
hold, for it opens up the mind to the manifold deceptions of the
devil. It has already been clearly seen that there have been, in
past times, supernatural manifestations among heathen religions, and
that demons can speak through human beings. With these instances
from history and God's Word, undoubtedly, the forces of evil can
work supernatural manifestations. For this reason, the Bible gives
us very clear warnings. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false
prophets have gone out into the world." I John 4:1. "Now
the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from
the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of
demons," I Timothy 4:1. If we believe that every spiritualistic
manifestation is from God, we will inevitably be deceived. The most
solemn warnings are given that there are many false prophets and,
for that reason, we cannot believe every spiritualistic
manifestation. Not only that, but this is a warning specifically
directed to our time, because Paul tells us that in the "latter
times" some are going to listen to these "deceiving
spirits" and to the "doctrines of demons." Clearly,
we must test every supernatural manifestation. Just because an
event, or an occurrence, such as ecstatic utterances, takes place,
does not mean that it is from God. The devil has the ability to
counterfeit the gift of tongues with these ecstatic utterances, just
as he has done in numerous Pagan cultures for thousands of years. If
we believe every supernatural occurrence, we will be deceived. We
must test the spirits, especially in the last days in which we live.
The question is, how do we test spiritualistic manifestations?
The
Tests
As I have
talked with some individuals regarding spiritual gifts, I have found
that the most frequently used test, is the test the Bible
specifically says not to use. When I have questioned individuals how
they know the gift they are believing in is true, the only answer
that can be given is that they just feel that this is true and
right. Feeling, is the very last factor in determining whether a
supernatural manifestation is from God or not. The devil can, and
is, playing upon the vacillating emotions of millions of sincere,
but deceived people today. "For such are false apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of
light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also
transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will
be according to their works." II Corinthians 11:13-15. We
cannot go by feelings! The devil himself can so disguise himself as
to appear as a glorious angel of light. The devil's agents can
appear to be ministers of righteousness. The absolute last test to
use is the test of feelings.
While talking
to other individuals, I have noticed another test that is frequently
used. They have substantiated their claim, that what they were doing
was from God, because of all miracles and healings that had
happened. Once again, we must investigate from the Bible to see
whether this is a valid test to use. "The coming of the lawless
one is according to the workings of Satan, with all power, signs,
and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those
who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth that
they might be saved." II Thessalonians 2:9-10. We are
specifically told that the anti-christ works after Satan's methods
with miracles, signs, etc. Certainly it is not safe to trust in
miracles. God, too, has the power to perform miracles, but this
cannot be used as a test whether a movement, or spiritualistic
manifestation, is from God. In fact, we are repeatedly warned that
the devil will work, especially through miracles in the last days,
"He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down
from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." "For they
are the spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the
kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the
battle of that great day of God Almighty." "The beast was
captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his
presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the
beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast, alive,
into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." Revelation
13:13; 16:14; 19:20. Obviously, the devil will work miracles, signs,
and wonders in the last days; and just because a movement has
miracles, does not mean that it is from God.
What are some
tests that we are to use in spiritualistic manifestations? The most
prominent of the What are some tests that we are to use in
spiritualistic manifestations? The most prominent of the tests is
found in Isaiah 8:19, 20. "And when they say to you, 'Seek
those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,' should
not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of
the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak
according to this word, it is because there is no light in
them." The most unequivocal statement is made that if the law
and the testimony are not adhered to, we are not to listen to them.
God's Spirit will always work and teach in accordance with His Law.
The Law is the foundation of God's government. It is a transcript of
His character, and God has declared that He will not alter it.
(Psalms 89:34; Luke 16:17.) If a spiritualistic manifestation is not
teaching according to God's Ten Commandment Law and the rest of
Bible, there is no light in it. The Scripture does not say, very
little light; it says NO light. It doesn't matter how good it may
feel, it doesn't matter how good it may look, it doesn't matter how
high the profession is if God's Law is not being upheld, there is
absolutely no light in it. It is a false, spiritualistic
manifestation from the devil. It cannot be trusted. This test,
alone, exposes the fallacy of hundreds of spiritualistic
manifestations; but there are more tests as well.
"There is
one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your
calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of
all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
Ephesians 4:4-6. God has only one Spirit. He does not have multiple
spirits. There is only one Spirit, one body, one faith, one baptism,
one God. There is only one true God, and he does not have multiple
truths; He only has one truth. Because He does not have multiple
truths, He does not have multiple bodies. Because He does not have
multiple bodies, He does not have multiple faiths and baptisms.
Because He does not have multiple faiths, creeds, etc., He does not
need multiple Spirits. There is only one Spirit that is going to
lead into one truth. Anything more than this would be confusion. God
has one true Spirit, who works through one body and faith.
The devil has
many counterfeit spirits that bridge all faiths and creeds, because
all that he is concerned about is deceiving the most people
possible. If a spiritualistic manifestation is a true manifestation
from God, it will only acknowledge one faith, etc., not multiple,
conflicting creeds.
God's Spirit
was given for a very specific purpose. The most important work of
the Holy Spirit is not to manifest itself in the gift of tongues, as
many people claim today. One of the most important functions of the
Holy Spirit is to lead God's people into all truth. "However,
when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all
truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He
hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." John
16:13. Jesus tells us that when the Comforter comes, He will guide
us into all truth. The job and function of the Holy Spirit is to
guide God's people into the truths of God's Word. This is such a
major part of the Holy Spirit's work, He is called the "Spirit
of Truth." John 14:17; 15:26. If there is a spiritualistic
manifestation, it will be for the purpose of leading and guiding
God's people into all truth. God gives the gift of prophecy to guide
His people into truth. God gives the gifts of pastors, evangelists,
apostles, etc. to teach His people the truth. God gives the gift of
tongues to be able to communicate the truth with those who would not
be able to otherwise understand.
Applying
the Tests
Does the
modern day tongue-speaking movement match these tests laid down in
God's Word nearly two thousand years ago? Does the modern day
tongue-speaking movement use feelings and miracles as a test of its
validity? Does the modern tongue-speaking movement teach people to
live according to all of God's Law? Does the modern tongue-speaking
movement lead into one body and one faith? Are the modern
spiritualistic manifestations of the tongue-speaking movement
leading God's people into the truths of the Word of God?
Does the
tongue-speaking movement of today lead people to keep all of God's
Law? The Law is taught and upheld for the most part, but is all of
it taught and upheld? "For whosoever shall keep the whole law,
and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10.
It is not enough to teach and live by most of the Law, it must be
all of the Law, for if we break one of the commandments, we are
guilty of all.
I was driving
by a large tongue-speaking church one day, and saw a most
interesting saying on the announcement board. It said, "The Ten
Commandments are not multiple choice." I thought that this was
a very good saying, and very true, but even though this slogan was
on their announcement board, they were not living by it. There is
one commandment that nearly all in the tongue-speaking movement are
breaking; the fourth commandment. The Bible says, "Remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all
thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy
God:" Exodus 20:8-10. Right in the heart of God's Law it says
that we are to work for six days, but then we are to keep the
seventh day (or Saturday, see Webster's Dictionary) holy. Almost
every tongue-speaking church does not obey this commandment. Most
may claim to teach and keep all of the other nine, but the Bible
says if we break one, we are guilty of all. Thus, even though there
may be a claim to keep the Law; it is only a claim, for the Bible
says that if we break one, we are guilty of all. (For more detail on
the subject of the Sabbath day see the book, The National Sunday
Law, available from Steps to Life.) "And when they shall say
unto you, 'Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto
wizards that peep, and that mutter:' should not a people seek unto
their God? For the living to the dead? To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:19, 20. If there is a
spiritualistic manifestation that does not teach according to God's
law, there is no light. It is even talking about speech. In verse
19, it says, "the wizards that peep and that mutter."
Perhaps these wizards were speaking with ecstatic utterances and
claimed it to be the gift of tongues, but the Bible is very clear
upon such manifestations. If God's Law (all of it) is not being
kept, there is absolutely no light whatsoever. God's Spirit will
always lead to obedience to all of the Law. It is the "spirits
of demons" (Revelation 16:14) that teach that it is all right
to break some, or one part, of the Law. God's true Spirit always
leads to obedience.
In fact, God's
true Spirit is only given to those who are obedient to begin with.
Jesus has never In fact, God's true Spirit is only given to those
who are obedient to begin with. Jesus has never promised to give His
Spirit to anyone who is disobeying God's Law. "If ye love Me,
keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give
you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the
Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him
not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him: for He dwelleth with you,
and shall be in you." John 14:15-17. Jesus tells us, if we keep
His commandments, He will send the Comforter. If we are not keeping
all of His commandments, there is no promise that we will receive
the Holy Spirit. God can only entrust His Spirit to those who are
faithfully keeping His commandments. This most precious gift of
God's spirit can only be given to those who can be trusted, and God
can only trust those who are living in obedience to all of His
commandments. "And we are His witnesses of these things; and so
is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey
Him." Acts 5:32.
God, through
the ages, has not been able to fully impart His Spirit on those who
are not living in obedience to Him. The gift of prophecy, or the
true gift of tongues, was not given to the Reformers such as Luther,
Melancthon, Calvin, Zwingle, or Wesley. These were all great men.
They were used by God, but God was leading them out of the Dark
Ages, step by step, and he could not reveal all of the light to them
immediately. They did not have the light on the Sabbath of the
fourth commandment, as we have today, and so they were not
accountable for what they did not know. Even though they were living
up to all the light they had, God could not give them fully of His
Spirit, because they were, unknowingly, disobeying one of His
commandments. It is the same way today. God does not pour His Spirit
upon those who are breaking one, or all, of the commandments. The
modern day tongue-speaking movement does not match up to these tests
given in God's word. It claims to have the gifts of the Spirit, but
God's Word says that is impossible. The modern movement does not
live in full obedience to God's Law, and thus it cannot have a true
manifestation of the gift of tongues.
Another test
that needs to be applied to determine whether the spirit is from
God, is found in Ephesians 4:4, 5, "There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord,
one faith, one baptism." There is only one true Spirit and one
true body, or church. (Ephesians 1:22, 23.) There are not multiple
spirits acceptable to God, and there are not multiple bodies. There
are not multiple baptisms. Does the modern tongue-speaking movement
ascribe to one body, one baptism, and one faith? Absolutely not.
According to some sources, there are over 15,000 different
denominations. Does this match with the Scriptural injunction of one
body? Of course not. Does the modern day tongue-speaking movement
have one faith? Quite the contrary. The charismatic movement has
bridged nearly all major denominations. Catholics, Baptists,
Episcopals, Methodists, and many others, all have associations with
the tongue-speaking movement. The charismatic movement has
infiltrated over one hundred and fifty of the major Protestant
denominations. Do these all agree in doctrine and faith? Absolutely
not. If all these bodies were agreed, they would become one body,
but there are divisions on nearly every point of belief. Some
believe that justification is based upon something that we have to
do, others strongly promote that we can be justified by faith alone.
Some believe that the Bible is our only rule of faith and doctrine,
others believe that the church is above the Bible. Despite all the
differences that exist, these same spiritualistic manifestations are
seen among all of them.
The Bible says
that there is "one baptism." Once again, in the different
bodies where this spiritualistic manifestation is found, there are
many different modes of baptism. Some believe in baptism by
immersion, some believe in baptism by pouring, others practice
baptism by sprinkling. Some believe in baptizing in the name of
Jesus, others baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Ghost, while still others immerse three times. Yet, even though
there are all of these different methods of baptism, the same spirit
is manifested among each. Each group claims to have the true gift of
the spirit, but the Bible says there is only one spirit and baptism.
This spirit is manifested regardless of what a group believes or
practices. It does not match with the Bible test. A spirit that
disregards all doctrinal differences, faiths, and baptism, cannot be
the true spirit. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye
are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one
baptism, One God and Father of all, Who is above, and through all,
and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6. God's one true Spirit will
only acknowledge one true faith and one true baptism. The modern day
tongue-speaking movement does not match this test, either.
Tongues
Throughout the Bible
There are only
three places in the whole Bible where the gift of tongues is
recorded as being given. (Acts 2:1-11; 10:44-48; 19:1-7.) It would
be well to study and look at all three instances in order to
understand the true gift of tongues, as recorded in the Bible.
The first of
the three instances, was on the day of Pentecost. As we previously
looked at this instance, we shall just briefly review it. This is
the instance that sets the precedent for all the other times when
the gift of tongues was given. "Now when this was noised
abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own language.... And how hear
we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born? Cretes and
Arabians, we do hear them speak in our own tongues, the wonderful
works of God." Acts 2:6, 8, 11.
The disciples
were miraculously given the ability to speak in other languages, but
not just babbling gibberish. They were given the ability to speak
the language of those to whom they were ministering. A remarkable
miracle indeed. There were thousands of people gathered at Jerusalem
at this time, speaking many different languages. The Lord desired
that the gospel would rapidly go to many different countries, in a
most miraculous manner. The gift of tongues was given as a sign to
unbelievers, given to spread the gospel rapidly. It was not given to
edify the believers, to grant them a special feeling, or as
unintelligible utterances. It was a gift that enabled them to speak
in the languages of their hearers.
The next
instance, when the gift of tongues was given, is found in Acts
10:44-48. "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost
fell on all them which heard the word. And they, of the
circumcision, which believed were astonished, as many as came with
Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of
the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God. Then answered Peter, 'Can any man forbid water, that these
should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well
as we?' And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the
Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." There was
very strong prejudice among the Christians toward the Gentiles. They
felt that the Jews were the favored people of God, and that it was
to the Jews alone that the gospel was to go. God, however, had other
plans. He had to teach them this in a most marked manner. The manner
that He chose, was to pour the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles, as
well as the Jews. Peter was divinely instructed to go to the house
of Cornelius, and as he was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
all. Were these ecstatic utterances given to bring an emotional
experience? Quite the contrary. The Jews "heard them speak with
tongues, and magnify God." (vs. 47) The Jews heard and
understood, or they would not have known that they were magnifying
God. Peter leaves no room for doubt as to what kind of manifestation
this was. "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on
them, as on us at the beginning,&Forasmuch then as God gave them
the like gift, as He did unto us," "And God, which knoweth
the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as
He did unto us;" Acts 11:15, 17; 15:8. Peter, explaining to the
other apostles and brethren, says that "the Holy Ghost fell on
them, as on us at the beginning." (vs. 15) How did it fall upon
the apostles at the beginning? Was it an ecstatic, unknown utterance
at the beginning? No, it was known languages, spoken to those who
understood those languages. How was it then at this instance? It was
just like at the beginning; known discernable languages, understood
by the listeners.
There were at
least two different nationalities represented here and thus, two
different languages, as well. There were the Jews, the Italians, and
perhaps others. "There was a certain man in Caesarea called
Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,"
Acts 10:1. This second instance gives no grounds for the ecstatic
utterances that we see today. It was the Biblical gift of the
ability to speak other languages.
The last
instance of the gift of tongues is found in Acts 19:1-7. "And
it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having
passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus: and finding
certain disciples, He said unto them, 'Have ye received the Holy
Ghost since ye believed?' And they said unto him, 'We have not so
much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.' And he said unto
them, 'Unto what then, were ye baptized?' And they said, 'Unto
John's baptism.' Then said Paul, 'John verily baptized with the
baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should
believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the
Lord, Jesus Christ. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the
Holy ghost came on them; and they spake with other tongues and
prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." The final
occurrence of the gift of tongues is here illustrating the
importance of re-baptism. The Lord gives His approval upon
re-baptism by pouring out His Spirit, and giving the gift of
tongues. This is the third time that Luke records this event, and he
does not elaborate on what the event was like, because he had
already elaborated at length two other times. There is nothing in
the passage, though, to indicate that it is the ecstatic utterances
that are claimed to be tongues today. Instead, the opposite is
indicated. It says, "they spake with other tongues." The
very fact that Luke records it as being other tongues, is a clue
that it is talking about other known languages, for that is always
what tongues means in this context.
Having looked
at every occurrence of the gift of tongues in the Bible, the only
conclusion to which we can come, is that tongue-speaking is the
miraculous gift of being able to speak another known language to
people with whom we would otherwise be unable to communicate. The
popular manifestation of ecstatic utterances are nowhere found in
the Bible, except in demon-possessed men.
There are
isolated instances when God has given the true gift of tongues to
people today, as well. There is one instance when a man, a
missionary to Africa, was pioneering a work among the people and was
holding evangelistic meetings. A large crowd had gathered to listen
to what the white missionary had to say. He had previously arranged
for a translator to assist him. He waited and waited, but the
translator did not show up. As it was getting late, the missionary
claimed the promises of God's Word, and went up to the platform to
speak. As he began to pray, he realized that he was speaking the
language of the people, which he had never studied before, and had
hardly even heard. He could understand perfectly what he was saying,
and so could everyone else, because God had given him the gift of
tongues. He went on with his meetings without a translator, and ever
afterward, he knew the language of the African tribe. This is the
true gift of tongues. It is not an emotional high. It is a gift
given to communicate with those who do not know the gospel. The Lord
is still working today, just as He worked at Pentecost, just not in
the way that most people think.
The
Deception
There are many
sincere and honest Christians who have spoken in the ecstatic
utterances of today. Many of these dear people do not know that this
is not the true gift, as spoken of in the Bible. They truly love the
Lord and have thought that this is what God desired. God condemns no
man for his honest ignorance. Man is judged by the light that he has
received and by the use he has made of that light. The Lord, in His
love, allows correction and instruction to come, because He loves
His dear people. (See Revelation 3:19.)
The modern
ecstatic utterances are actually very far from harmless. It is very
dangerous to submit ourselves to the working of a spirit that is not
from God. As I was teaching upon this very subject in Ghana, Africa,
I received some very interesting feedback from the group of people
with whom I was studying. One man told of an experience that he had
with a tongue-speaking church. He and a German friend were standing
outside of a church where the members were speaking with ecstatic
utterances. The dear people inside the church thought that they were
praising and worshipping God. They thought that they were filled
with the Holy Spirit and that they had received the true gift of
tongues. As the men standing outside visited with each other, the
German friend suddenly became very intent on what was going on
inside the church. He listened very carefully to what was being said
by those who thought that they were praising God with the gift of
tongues. He understood what they were saying, because they were
speaking in German. None of those inside the church knew German, and
they all thought that they were speaking in the "language of
heaven." They all thought that they were praising God.
Unfortunately, they were not praising or glorifying God. Unbeknownst
to them, they were saying, "All the big witches stand up and
all the little witches sit down."
If this were
the true gift of tongues would God be communicating to them about
witches? Would God inspire people to think that they were praising
God, while calling one another witches? No. Even though these people
thought that they were praising God, they were doing the opposite.
They had good intentions, but the sad fact was, they were speaking
through the spirits of demons and not through the Spirit of God. The
devil can speak through people today, just as he spoke through
people two thousand years ago, when Jesus was here on the earth. The
devil is deceiving people today, just as he did then, and it is no
less dangerous.
I
Corinthians 14
No study on
the gift of tongues would be complete without looking at the chapter
so frequently used to substantiate what is taught nowhere else in
the Bible. It is urged that the chapter of I Corinthians 14 teaches
these ecstatic utterances so prevalent today. With these beliefs, it
is important to study and understand this controversial chapter.
It is thought
that the Corinthian church is a model for what other tongue-speaking
churches should be. It would be well to look and see what Paul said
about this Corinthian church. Paul says that they are carnal and
that there is strife, envying and divisions among them. (See I
Corinthians 3:1-3.) There was such a severe case of fornication
among them, that it was even shocking to the Gentiles. (See I
Corinthians 5.3.) Brothers were going to the law and suing one
another. Paul severely rebuked them for this. (See I Corinthians
6:5-7.) They were doing wrong and defrauding their brethren. (See I
Corinthians 6:8.) Their women were not dressing as they should,
instead they were dressing like harlots. (See I Corinthians
11:1-16.) There were heresies among them. (See I Corinthians 11:19.)
They were defiling the Lord's supper, and for this cause some of
them had died. (See I Corinthians 11:20-22, 29, 30.) There was
confusion and disorder in the church. (See I Corinthians 14:33-40.)
There were false apostles and ministers among them. (See II
Corinthians 11:13-15.) "For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall
find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as
ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes,
backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: and lest, when I come
again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many
which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness
and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed."
II Corinthians 12:20, 21. "But I fear, lest by any means, as
the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should
be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that
cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another
gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with
him." II Corinthians 11:3, 4.
Paul made many
statements that were far from being complimentary regarding the
Corinthian church. Certainly, it is not a church to model after, but
a church that was in need of very strong rebukes. The climax being,
that Paul was afraid that they would receive another gospel and
another Jesus, or even that they might receive another spirit. So,
far from being an example of a church that was filled with the
Spirit, they were a church that was in grave danger of receiving a
counterfeit, false spirit. There can be no room for questions. This
was a church in very poor spiritual condition.
In order to
understand the fourteenth chapter, it is essential to look at it in
the context of chapters twelve and thirteen also. In the twelfth
chapter, Paul enumerates largely upon spiritual gifts. Far from
teaching that everyone must receive the gift of tongues, he states
quite the opposite. "For to one is given by the Spirit, the
word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing
by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another
prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds
of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these
worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as He will." I Corinthians 12:8-11. It is clearly
stated that one receives knowledge, another receives miracles,
another tongues, but every man does not receive every gift. Every
man does not even choose which gift he receives. It is the Spirit
that gives to every man as He (the Spirit) chooses. God knows
exactly what gift we need, and that is the one that He gives to us.
He does not leave it up to us to decide which gift we need. As God
is the one who gives the gift, God is the one who decides which gift
we receive. There are those that say that everyone must receive the
gift of tongues, but this is NOT what God's Word says. God's Word
says that everyone will receive a gift, but that there are,
"diversities of gifts." (See I Corinthians 12:4.) The
church is referred to as a body and the members of the church as
members of the body. (See I Corinthians 12:14-24.) A body would be
totally dysfunctional, if there were only one body part. Imagine, if
the only body part we had was the tongue! How absurd! The body could
not see, could not walk, could not feel, could not hear, could not
do anything, but incessantly babble away. Would God form such a
body? Of course not. Neither would God form such a church. A church,
solely with the gift of tongues, would be a useless church, but this
is the kind of church that many people desire. God's Word does not
approve. To say that everyone will receive the gift of tongues, is
flagrantly contradicting the Bible.
Although it is
claimed that the gift of tongues is the most important spiritual
gift, you will find, by comparing scripture with scripture, that is
just not the case. "And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that
miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of
tongues. Are all apostles? 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? But covet earnestly the best gifts:
and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." I Corinthians
12:28-31. Paul tells us that the first gift is apostles, second,
prophets, and so on. In fact, tongues is the absolute last. So, far
from being the most important of all spiritual gifts, tongues is the
least important of all the gifts. Then Paul says to covet earnestly
the best gifts. Is it tongues that we are to covet? Clearly not. The
gift that people are earnestly desiring today, is the gift that Paul
said was the least important, and the one that we are not to covet.
It is all the more important gifts that we are to
desire--apostleship, prophesy, etc., but not tongues. The gift of
tongues is regarded so low in the list of spiritual gifts, that in
the other places where a numerical listing of the gifts are given,
tongues is not even mentioned. (See Ephesians 4:11; I Corinthians
12:8-10.) To say that all must receive the gift of tongues, is
simply not Biblical, and to say that tongues is the most important
of the gifts is, likewise, doing injustice to the Word of God.
Looking at the
fourteenth chapter, Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for their
abuse of the gift of tongues. To then take this chapter, which is
designed to correct the inappropriate use of the gift of tongues,
and base our practice upon it, is simply not consistent. Paul
repeatedly urges to "let all things be done decently and in
order." I Corinthians 14:40. Apparently, things were not being
done in an orderly fashion, and Paul is striving to get them done
that way. Prophesy is clearly more desirable than the gift of
tongues, for he says, "follow after charity, and desire
spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." I
Corinthians 14:1. Paul is not teaching that it is appropriate to
have these unintelligible ecstatic utterances that are in our world
today, for he says, "And even things without life giving sound,
whether pipe or harp, except they have a distinction in the sounds,
how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet
give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So
likewise ye, except ye utter, by the tongue, words easy to be
understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak
into the air." I Corinthians 14:7-9.
If what we are
saying is not understood by the congregation, we are speaking to the
air, and we might as well not even be talking. "Therefore if I
know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh,
barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me."
I Corinthians 14:11. It does absolutely no good for us to speak with
one another, if we don't know each other's language.
I have been in
the situation many times where I did not know another person's
language, and they did not know mine. You are, in reality, speaking
to the air. You are simply wasting your breath. I have also sat in
church, many times, without a clue as to what the speaker was
saying, for it was in a totally different language. I have had
occasion to think of Paul's statements here and realize how true
they are. "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." I Corinthians
14:19.
How much
clearer could it be? There is no value in speaking without you, or
the congregation, understanding what you are saying. The entire
point of speaking is teaching. Unknown babbling does not accomplish
this. It is also important to note, that the word unknown is
a supplied word. You will notice that it is in italics.
That means that it was put in by the translators. There is
absolutely no reference to it in the original Greek. It simply says
that he would rather speak five words that he and the audience
understood, than ten thousand words in a tongue or another language.
Another
important point to remember, is that the gift of tongues is not for
church members. The gift of tongues is given as a sign for
unbelievers. "Wherefore, tongues are for a sign, not to them
that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth
not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." I
Corinthians 14:22.
It would be
easy to go on and on, looking at points that disprove the modern
tongue-speaking movement, but we have looked at enough to clearly
see that Paul is rebuking and chastising the believers for their
misuse of tongues. He is not teaching that this is something we
should desire. He is not teaching that we should speak without
understanding. He is not advocating this emotional babbling that is
permeating our world today. He is correcting an abuse that had
become a problem of large degree in the Corinthian church.
Fire
From Heaven
We have seen
that. although there are thousands of people who fully believe that
the modern day ecstatic utterances are the true pentecostal gift of
tongues, this is not the Biblical gift of tongues. Just because
there are large numbers, does not mean that it is correct. We must
test and weigh every belief and doctrine by the unfailing Word of
God. Although there may be many sincere people in the
tongue-speaking movement, the Lord is calling His true people out.
It has even
been prophesied that this would occur shortly before the end.
"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down
from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And deceiveth them
that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had
power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on
the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had
the wound by the sword, and did live." Revelation 13:13, 14.
The Lord
predicted that there was going to be a power that would arise and
bring down fire from heaven. These wonders and signs, that this
beast would do, would lead the world to receive the mark of the
beast. Undoubtedly, this is not from God. What is the fire from
heaven? The Holy Spirit has repeatedly been represented by fire
throughout the Bible. (See Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:1-4.) In Acts 2, not
only was the Holy Spirit represented by fire, but also the gift of
tongues. Could there possibly be another revival, a revival based
upon a false holy spirit that would lead to the enforcing of the
mark of the beast? Could it be, that this great false revival would
claim to have the gift of tongues? We are seeing the fulfillment of
Bible prophecy today. There is a movement that claims to have the
gift of the Spirit, but it does not match any of the Bible tests
whatsoever.
Our only
safety, in these last days in which we live, is to be firmly
grounded in the truth from God's Word. Every other foundation will
fail us. "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan
with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And
for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should
believe the lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the
truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." II Thessalonians
2:9-12.
When the anti-christ
is fully revealed, there will be great signs and miracles. If we are
relying upon signs and feelings now, we will be deceived at that
day. The only way that we can be safe, is to diligently study the
Word of God and strive to live by every word. When it conflicts with
what we may have previously believed, the real test comes. Do we
believe the Word of God or are we going to follow the way that we
have always gone. Jesus has foretold the mournful words to those who
have followed feeling, instead of the Word of God. "Not every
one that saith to me , 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in Thy Name? And in Thy Name have cast out devils? And in Thy Name
done many wonderful works?' And then will I profess unto them, 'I
never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.'"
Matthew 7:21-23. There are going to be many who have prophesied,
many who have cast out devils, many who have done miracles, many who
have claimed to speak in tongues, but Jesus says, 'I never knew
you.' We must be following our Father's will and keeping His
commandments. (See John 14:15, 21; 15:10.)
The
tongue-speaking movement of today does not do this. God's call to
those inside this movement, and all other movements which are
breaking God's law, is found in Revelation 18:4. "And I heard
another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, that
ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her
plagues." Will you heed the call?
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Copyright ©
1999 by Steps to Life
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Published by:
Steps to Life
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