Pentecostal / Charismatic Errors Part 1 – Biblical vs Pentecostal Tongues
Audio teaching here GMFC Bible Study – Pentecostal Errors Part 1 – Biblical Versus Pentacostal Tougues 9-9-2017.mp3
Teaching and commentary below in green is by brother Aaron Carey up until line page break. You may reach him at [email protected]. Part 2 of this study named “Pentecostal / Charismatic Heresy – Emphasis on Divine Healing & Word of Faith” can be found here. And finally, click here to learn what the REAL WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is.
Study notes:
Rebuking Pentecostalism & the Wicked Charismatic Movement
Pentecost is the feast of the Jews. It’s very symbolic and divine for sure. The day of Pentecost was marvelous and we want to live a life filled with the Holy Spirit. With that said, what is wrong with the modern-day Pentecostal/Charismatic movement? MUCH!
Pentecostalism traces itself back no further than New Year’s Eve, 1899 in Topeka, KS. This is when a small group of people supposedly received a “Divine Revelation” for the first time ever recorded. Charles Parham was the leader.
5 or 6 years later was the wicked, godless & demonic Azusa Street “revival”, led by William Seymore. Many things out of line like occultists at the meeting, people kissing each other randomly that were not married, etc! There was no order whatsoever, out of line! Seymore invited Parham and even he did not approve the Azusa St “revival” himself!
So, what is modern the day “Pentecostalism” / “Charismatic” movement? Hang on, we will clearly rebuke it biblically here! Would you believe the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH is one of the driving forces behind this abomination? They sure are!
10 points in exposing this filth:
1) False “Tongues”
Some Pentecostals say you need to speak in “tongues” to be saved(to have the baptism of the Holy Spirit)! We can refute the entire movement by rebuking this ungodly gibberish!
The tongues (blabber) the Pentecostals/charismatics speak are NOT of God UNLESS they are verifiable language that others speak that is not your native tongue. Otherwise, they are NOT the tongues in the Book of Acts. Proof?
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled(the 12 Apostles most likely) with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his OWN LANGUAGE.
Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we every man IN OUR OWN TONGUE(native language), wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Act 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Act 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (The tongues/language was very convincing to them that they need to repent)!
It’s NOT a personal blabbering language that one can’t understand. It’s for a SIGN for them that believe NOT!
1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
1Co 14:22 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.
1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are MAD?
1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
1Co 14:26 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. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1Co 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:37 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.
1Co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
1Co 14:40 Let all things be done DECENTLY and in ORDER.
Peter is preaching to Cornelius who was diligent in inquiring of salvation:
Act 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 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.
Act 10:46 For they HEARD them speak with tongues(NOT GIBBERISH, A NATIVE JEWISH LANGUAGE), and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Act 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Act 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Act 11:3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them(GENTILES), as on us at the beginning.
Act 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Paul was already at Ephesus and had to back to Jerusalem then back to Ephesus:
Act 19:1 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,
Act 19:2 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.
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism(re:Acts 18:24-28).
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance(before the Holy Spirit is true repentance-another Calvinism killer), saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (A language that was understood. The only time in the bible the Holy Ghost came after laying of hands. It was for God’s purpose for that time. It was for a confirmation for the Jews, most likely. Irregardless, tongues was an ACTUAL language).
Act 19:7 And all the men were about twelve.
Act 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
There is no “angelic” prayer language that is gibberish! There is not way to prove what the blabberer is saying, it’s heresy.
1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
(No proof here that this is gibberish. In fact, its rebuked here. It’s crazy to draw a conclusion by this verse alone is proof of an unknown tongue).
That settles it. Pentecostal / Charismatic “tongues” are NOT the tongues in the Book of Acts!
2) False Pentecostal “Tongues” are a taught gibberish… always! It’s a learned behavior. It’s a pathetic substitute for real Pentecost tongues (languages). EVERYONE we have met has been TAUGHT BY MAN to speak in this ungodly BLAH…BLAH..GOOGLY…GAH! It’s NOT the legible tongues in the book of Acts to edify others.
3) You can be a faithful, spiritual Christian and NEVER speak in tongues (other tangible languages by the Holy Spirit) in your entire life.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28 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.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? DO ALL SPEAK WITH TOUGUES? do all interpret?
Receiving the Holy Spirit happens at CONVERSION!
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
The Pentecostal definition of what having the Holy Spirit is twisted!
Act 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The Pentecostals will try to use these verses to no avail…
There is NO record of tongues here and the Jews and Samaritans could naturally understand each other so tongues would be pointless here. Many who go around trying to get you to speak with demonic tongues are typically power-hungry “men of God”. Not true! Do NOT let these wolves lay hands on you!
Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Act 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
Act 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.
Act 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Act 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. (Philip was doing these to glorify God)
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (FALSE TEACHERS! Beware of people who want to lay hands on you! They most likely want your $$$.)
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Act 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
4) You can be a child of the devil even though you spoke in “tongues” a thousand times! You see unbelievers and even little children to speak in Pentecostal “tongues”. It’s a sad sight. They substitute really receiving the Holy Spirit for gibberish. They bastardize TRUE conversion with their “training” on how to speak in “tongues”. It’s sad as these people are now two-fold children of hell believing they are saved BUT are not as these are NOT the tongues spoken of in Acts.
5) When you pray, you MUST understand what you pray so says the Word of God!
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1Co 14:15 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.
Also, woman speak in Pentecostal / Charismatic churches all the time. An abomination! Men, one by one must speak with INTERPRETATION!
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
6) Tongues should NEVER be an unverifiable language (interpreted). A tape recording of the tongue should be easily clarified a a verifiable tongue (foreign language)!
1Co 14:26 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. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep SILENCE in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
7) If you are preaching the gospel to one in another language and there is no interpreter, then PRAY that God will give you a tongue (their native language). This is true biblical tongues!
8) Tongues were ALWAYS a sign to non-believers, not a personal “prayer language”.
1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and VAIN BABBLINGS babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and VAIN BABBLINGS: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
2Ti 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (If you are following something else, it is having a ungodly effect in your life! STOP THE VAIN BABBLINGS! The CANCER (false tongues) will eat away at you)!
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 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:
If it’s not an actual language, it’s a false tougue!
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Babblers get rebuked!
Act 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
The 2 words translated “tongue” in the Bible:
1. dialektos (from which comes “dialect”), which means “recognized language.”
2. glossa, “the tongue” – describes the speaking of a language for communication between people; always means “language.”
The ability to speak in tongues (i. e., in other languages – real languages) was a gift God gave to some so the Gospel could be preached to other nations (Acts 2:4-11; I Cor. 14:6-11).
The text specifically says the miracle was in the speaking (Acts 2:4). There is no mention of the miracle being in the hearing. The listing of specific countries and ethnic groups, vv. 9-11, proves that these utterances were known human languages.
“tongues” (Acts 2:4) – Greek glossais – refers to language (known languages spoken by people on earth).
The priestess who was called the Oracle of Delphi was said, when she became “divinely inspired,” to speak in tongues. This signaled, to those present, the presence of a supernatural spirit. This phenomenon is prevalent among other religions.
The arrival of tongues (Acts 2) was a sign that God was about to start working with the Gentiles (Isa. 28:11-12).
The 4 primary lists of the gifts in the New Testament:
Rom. 12:6-8
I Cor. 12:8-10
I Cor. 1:28
I Cor. 12:29-30
(They are mentioned in Eph. 4:11 and I Pet. 4:11.)
Rom. 12:6-8 – does not mention tongues at all. The last 3 lists (all in I Cor. 12) appear to list the gifts in some sort of order of importance. The intelligible communication gifts are at the top of the list, with prophecy having an important place. Tongues comes last in all 3 lists.
HOW ELSE IS THE GOSPEL EVER RECEIVED EXCEPT THROUGH CLEAR COMMUNICATION?
God alone decides which gifts go where, and we cannot demand any particular one!
It is the fruits of the Spirit rather than the gifts which are a better indicator of one’s standing before God. (Matt. 7:15-19; 12:33-37; 13:24-30, 36-43; Mark 4:26-32; Luke 8:5-8, 11-15; 13:6-9; John 4:34-38; 15:1-8, 16; Rom. 7:4-6; Gal. 5:22-23).
I Cor. 14:27, 30 – sets a limit of no more than three persons being involved, and they are to speak in sequence – not all together! And before any worshiper decides to speak in tongues (something which the speaker has complete control over), he must ensure that an interpreter is available. (If you are going to be able to secure an interpreter, you already know you are going to speak in a known human language.)
THE RULE: NO INTERPRETER – NO TONGUE!
I Cor. 13:1 – Without love, tongues are meaningless.
Acts 19:1-6 – describes disciples of John the Baptist, and they were not looking forward to the coming of Christ. Paul undoubtedly explained to them about Christ before he baptized them.
I Cor. 1:12-13
Gal. 3:27
“There is only one baptism (Eph. 4:4-6) – not one in water and a later baptism of the Holy Spirit.
There is only one body of Christians – and they do not need to belong to any one denomination. There are no classes of Christians – no first and second class, with the first class having received a “second blessing.” (Placing oneself in a superior group demonstrates pride.)
Any assertion that tongues were intended as proof that one has received the Holy Spirit is completely unbiblical.
DO NOT SEEK THE GIFT OF TONGUES – If God has not chosen to freely give it, there is no reason to seek any particular gift.
“language” (Acts 2:6) – dialect. (On Pentecost, the apostles spoke not only another language, but even in a dialect that would be understood by those who spoke in that dialect.)
People whose languages were spoken on Pentecost:
1. Parthians
2. Medes
3. Elamites
4. Mesopotamians
5. Judeans
6. Cappadocians
7. Pontus
8. Asia
9. Phrygia
10. Pamphylia
11. Egyptians
12. Libyans
13. Cyrene
14. Romans
15. Jews
16. Cretans
17. Arabians
I Cor. 14:2 – refers to a known language, but unknown generally to the people hearing him. (For example, if all one speaks is English, Japanese is an unknown tongue to him, but God understands it; God understands all languages.)
Mark 13:23 – Jesus states that He had told us all things. There is, therefore, no new prophecy anyone can reveal today.
I Cor. 14:4 – A person who speaks an unknown language is only building himself up. A person who can reveal the truth in God’s Word to others builds them up.
“he interpret” (I Cor. 14:5) – one who can translate the language spoken so all can understand.
I Cor. 14:6-11 – states that, if you are trying to teach someone and not speaking their language, it is useless. (This passage is not speaking of the gift of tongues as in Acts 2, but just speaking in an everyday language.
I Cor. 14:12 – If you want a spiritual gift, seek to excel at building up the spiritual strength of your church.
I Cor. 14:13 – If the people you are teaching do not understand your language, pray that somehow they might get the message.
I Cor. 14:14 – If you pray in an unknown tongue (another language), it is unfruitful because the congregation does not understand it.
I Cor. 14:15-16 – How will the people know when to say “Amen” if the language of the prayer is not understood?
I Cor. 14:17-19 – Though it may be a good prayer, if the people don’t understand it, it is not helping them.
I Cor. 14:20 – We are not to act like children.
There are only 3 places in the book of Acts where people spoke in tongues:
1. Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11)
2. Caesarea (Acts 10:44-46)
3. Ephesus (Acts 19:1-6)
Acts 10:46 – Cornelius and his household (who were Romans) spoke in a tongue (their own language: Latin). (It is a psychological truth that, in moments of extreme delight or peril, a foreigner will exclaim in his native tongue rather than in a language he has more recently acquired.)
Acts 19:2 – These who had been baptized in John’s baptism said they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. (Evidently, the true message of John the Baptist had been lost as it was passed from disciple to disciple.)
Acts 19:7 – There were 12 men here baptized by Paul, and who spoke in tongues. Ephesus (Acts 19:1) was a great cosmopolitan city, made up of people from different parts of the Roman world. These men obviously spoke more than one language. (“Tongues,” v. 6, is plural.)
“unknown” (I Cor. 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, 27) – a word that does not appear in the original, but supplied by Bible translators to identify these tongues as foreign languages. (The Holy Spirit did not instruct Paul to write that the tongue was unknown.)
I Cor. 14:23-24 – speaks of the confusion of many people speaking in many different languages – mass confusion (I Cor. 14:33).
GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION! (I Cor. 14:33)
“unlearned” (I Cor. 14:24) – a word that shows that the languages were not supernatural, but a language that could be learned.
Acts 2:1-11 – the most important passage on the subject of tongues:
1. Because it is the first time tongues are discussed in the New Testament.
2. Because speaking in tongues was on a larger scale in Acts 2 than in either of the other cases (Acts 10:44-46; 19:1-6).
3. Because it is the only instance where we can be absolutely sure that speaking in tongues was a miraculous gift. (In Acts 10 and 19, the Bible simply says they “spake with tongues.” There is no hint that speaking in tongues in these two passages was a supernatural gift.)
Acts 2:4 – states that speaking in tongues was “as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The important thing on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) was not the speaking in tongues, but the conversion of 3000 sinners. (Speaking in tongues was only a means to an end.)
Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth mentions “divers kinds of tongues” (I Cor. 12:10). The church in Corinth is the only New Testament church that spoke in tongues. It is never mentioned in connection with any other New Testament church. Paul does not encourage the Christians at Corinth to speak in tongues, but to refrain from its use.
The difference in the tongues in Acts 2 and the tongues in I Cor. 14:
1. The tongues used on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) were not unknown to their hearers.
2. The tongues in I Cor. 14 were foreign languages not known by the people in the church.
Regulations in regard to speaking in tongues:
1. No tongues (foreign languages) were to be used in the church except when people present understood what was being said (I Cor. 14:27-28).
2. There should never be more than two or three in any service speaking in tongues (foreign languages) (I Cor. 14:27).
3. Only one person was to speak at a time (“by course,” I Cor. 14:27).
4. Any religious service where speaking in tongues caused confusion was clearly not of God (I Cor. 14:23).
5. The church is to speak in a language understood by the congregation (I Cor. 14:18-19).
“Let your women keep silent” (I Cor. 14:34) – The sight of frenzied women speaking in unknown tongues was common in Greco-Roman culture. The Greek goddess of love and beauty was worshiped with sexual orgies, and the temple prostitutes worked themselves into ecstatic frenzies, speaking in “tongues.” Anyone walking by a church meeting and hearing the women in a frenzy and speaking in tongues might think it was a colony of Aphrodite worshipers.
Reasons why speaking in tongues is not suited to public worship services:
1. It cannot be generally understood and therefore requires the services of an interpreter to be of any value.
2. It repels unbelievers and does not edify believers who cannot understand what is being said.
3. It leads unbelievers to conclude that those who speak in tongues are out of their mind (I Cor. 14:23).
4. It might lead the hearers to conclude that God is the author of confusion (since those who speak in tongues claim to do so by the power of the Holy Spirit).
5. It actually thwarts God’s purpose, which is that His witness should be understood by all.
There is not one single statement in which the Bible speaks of the gift of tongues as the evidence, or even part of the evidence, of being filled with the Holy Spirit!
Reasons that speaking in tongues is not the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit:
1. The Scriptures nowhere teach it.
2. There is another evidence of the fullness of the Holy Spirit: the power to witness (Acts 1:8).
3. There are examples in the Bible to those who are filled with the Holy Spirit but did not speak in tongues:
a. Jesus (Luke 3:21-22; Acts 10:38) – our example!
b. John the Baptist (Luke 1:15-16) – who, when filled with the Holy Spirit, would be a great soul winner (Luke 1:16).
c. The converts at Samaria (Acts 8:14-17).
d. Paul (Acts 9:17).
I Cor. 14:2 – simply means that a person who speaks in a foreign language is understood by no one but God (unless there is someone else present who understands that language). (This does not refer to a language known only to God.)
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SPECIAL PRAYER LANGUAGE!
Speaking in tongues is not a sign of spirituality. Only one church in the Bible spoke in tongues – the Church at Corinth. This was not a spiritual church (I Cor. 3:2-3). It was a carnal church:
1. They were not able to eat the strong meat of the Word and had to be fed on the milk of the Word (I Cor. 3:2).
2. Many of them were puffed up and offended by Paul (I Cor. 4:18).
3. There was fornication among them (I Cor. 5:1).
4. Church members were suing one another before unbelievers (I Cor. 6:6).
5. Some church members ate meat that had been offered to idols (I Cor. 8).
6. There were divisions and heresies at the Lord’s Supper, and some came to the communion drunk (I Cor. 11:17-22).
7. Some denied the resurrection (I Cor. 15:12).
GOD’S WORK IS DONE BY THOSE WHO ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT – WHICH OCCURS AT CONVERSION (BEING “BORN AGAIN” – BECOMING A “NEW CREATURE”).
glossolalia – from Greek glossa, “language” or “tongue,” and lalia, “speech”; speaking in languages.
glossology – the study and classification of languages and dialects.
“tongue” (Acts 2:26) – “speech.”
“new” (Mark 16:17) – Greek kainos, “new” or “different” (i. e., the languages were “new” to them – a different language).
“other” (Acts 2:4) – Greek heteros, “another”; “different” (i. e., another language).
“language” (Acts 2:6) – Greek dialektos, “languages.”
Acts 2:9-11 – identifies the languages the disciples spoke.
“tongue(s)” (Rev. 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:17; 14:6; 17:15) – in each instance, means one of the languages associated with the various nationalities.
In every place where the word “tongues” occurs in Scripture, it means “language.” (There is no warrant to change the meaning of the word in the book of I Corinthians.)
The tongues-speaking in the New Testament was in the native languages of hearing people.
Incoherent, unintelligible, incomprehensible babbling has more to do with the confusion (I Cor. 14:33) of Babel (Gen. 11:6-9) – and those were languages understood by the people to whom they were given!
The reasons God gave the gift (ministry) of speaking in tongues:
1. To communicate the Gospel message (I Cor. 14:22).
2. To confirm the gospel message (II Cor. 12:12).
“sign” (I Cor. 14:22) – Greek semeion – often associated with the conveying of a divinely-given message to unbelievers (John 20:30-31).
The signs (miracles) were never performed without purpose, but to confirm the message they communicated.
The true purpose of speaking in tongues (i. e., other languages): “for a sign . . . to them that believe not” (I Cor. 14:22). (To exercise such a gift when unbelievers are not present would be using it above the purpose for which it was given. The one to whom the gift was given was merely an instrument through whom God wanted to communicate His message.)
“men” (I Cor. 14:20) – Greek teleios, “mature.” (Paul here states to the Corinthian church that, in their misuse of speaking in tongues, they were showing immaturity.) (I Cor. 3:1)
NEGLECTING TO STUDY GOD’S WORD LEADS TO CONFUSION.
Speaking in tongues was no mark of spirituality, because the Corinthian church was unspiritual, having manifested carnality (I Cor. 3:1-3) and even gross sin (I Cor. 5:1).
The abuse of tongues-speaking in Corinth did not arise from the belief in speaking in tongues, but rather in the neglect of the Scriptures which teach its proper use.
I Cor. 14:21 – refers to Isa. 28:11 – Since the nation of Israel had failed to heed God’s message through their own prophets, the Lord said that, at a future time, they would hear His message through tongues (languages) other than their own.
“this people” (Isa. 28:11) – Israel.
The purpose of the gift of tongues: to communicate God’s message to Israel (Isa. 28:11; Acts 2:5, 22).
At Pentecost, there were Jews from every nation in the world present (Acts 2:5), and they spoke many languages.
“they spoke in tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6) – their purpose of speaking in tongues: to prophesy – i. e., to communicate the Gospel message.
Acts 19:2 – These people at Ephesus considered themselves to be Christians because they had heard through Apollos (Acts 19:1) the message of John the Baptist. But they had not really yet accepted Christ; therefore, they had not yet been born again, and the Holy Spirit had not yet indwelt them.
There is a belief unto a salvation and a belief that does not result in salvation. The latter is a mere academic, intellectual belief that even Satan and the demons have (James 2:19).
The gift of speaking in tongues was used only in the transitional period between Law and Grace.
The apostles did not have the completed Word of God, God’s full and final revelation to man. Their message was confirmed by the sign gifts, including the gift of speaking in tongues (other languages). (II Cor. 12:12)
Now that we have the Scriptures, we do not need miracles to confirm God’s message.
(Luke 16:27-31)
Signs were for the Jews rather than for the Gentiles (I Cor. 1:22). The Jews repeatedly asked for a sign (Matt. 12:38; 16:1; John 2:18; 6:30). Ultimately, many Jews will be deceived into receiving the Antichrist by “signs and lying wonders” (II Thess. 2:9). (Heb. 2:3-4)
Christians do not need signs, because they have the Holy Scriptures and “walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7).
Whenever the gift of tongues was exercised, Jews were present, and tongues-speaking was used either to communicate the Gospel or to confirm to the Jews that the Gentiles were worthy of salvation. (Acts 10:45; 19:6; Mark 16:20)
IF ANYONE DENIES THE MESSAGE OF GOD’S WRITTEN WORD TODAY, THERE IS NO OTHER COURT OF APPEAL!
“gifts” (I Cor. 12:1) – a word that does not appear in the original.
“spiritual gifts” (I Cor. 12:1) – Greek pneumatica, literally “the spirituals.”
“I would not have you ignorant” (I Cor. 12:1) – does not refer to their ignorance about the existence of spiritual gifts (I Cor. 1:7), but of the right exercise of them.
Paul reminded the Corinthian church how easily they had been led astray (I Cor. 3:1; 12:2, 15). Their exercise of the gifts were self-induced by fleshly energy, not by the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures state emphatically that all saved persons have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:13).
I Cor. 12:29-31 – questions phrased so as to convey the expected answer “No.”
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an experience in the believer subsequent to salvation. Rather it is the act of the indwelling Holy Spirit which joins the believing sinner to the Body of Christ. There is no other means whereby one can become a member of the Church (Christ’s body).
THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT COME BY DEGREES. ONE IS EITHER INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT (AND THEREFORE SAVED) OR HE IS NOT (AND THEREFORE LOST).
“filled with” (Eph. 5:18) – “controlled by”; speaks of allowing the Holy Spirit to control one’s being and of being fully attuned to God’s will.
NOWHERE IN SCRIPTURE ARE BELIEVERS COMMANDED TO SPEAK IN TONGUES.
TO BE SPIRIT-FILLED IS TO BE SPIRIT-CONTROLLED.
Evidence of being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18-21):
1. A joyful heart.
2. A thankful heart.
3. A submissive heart.
The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23);
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Longsuffering
5. Gentleness
6. Goodness
7. Faith
8. Meekness
9. Temperance
(The person who is filled with the Spirit will manifest these fruits of the Spirit.) (Eph. 4:11)
John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:5), yet he performed no miracles and never spoke in tongues (John 10:41).
Those who seek signs, or sign-gifts, show their lack of faith. (I Cor. 14:22)
John 20:24-25 – Thomas demonstrates that he is weak in faith. (John 20:29)
All gifts are divinely bestowed, according to God’s will (I Cor. 12:4-11).
Tongues is the least of all the gifts.
“but covet” (I Cor. 12:31) – literally “you are coveting” or “you are desiring”; not an exhortation or a command, but a statement of fact: that they were selfishly desiring the more spectacular or demonstrative gifts; speaks of being self-seeking. (I Cor. 12:31; 13:1)
“edifieth himself” (I Cor. 14:4) – selfish.
“edifying the church” (I Cor. 14:12) – The gifts were given for the edification and profit of the entire Body of Christ, not merely one member. (I Cor. 12:7, 25; 13:5)
ONE’S EXPERIENCE IS NOT THE BASIS OF TRUTH. GOD’S WORD IS THE BASIS OF TRUTH.
Experience, which is related to emotions, can be deceptive.
A correct interpretation of God’s Word can never deceive.
I Cor. 12-14 – has as its subject spiritual gifts, with the main emphasis on tongues – because tongues was the one gift that the Corinthians were abusing. (Chapter 12 concludes with “tongues,” and chapter 13 begins with “tongues.”) Their behavior showed that they were lacking in love, and so in ch. 13 Paul dwells on love – which supersedes the gifts.
For a Christian to show off any gift that God has given manifests pride that is lacking in love.
“whether there be tongues, they shall cease” (I Cor. 13:8) – the gift of languages necessary to spread the Gospel before the written Word was completed. (When the Scriptures were complete, tongues would cease.) (Rev. 22:18)
“we know in part, and we prophesy in part” (I Cor. 13:9) – literally “in part we are knowing, and in part we are prophesying” – Paul here acknowledges the incomplete nature of the Scriptures in his day.
“perfect” (I Cor. 13:10) – in the neuter gender in the Greek; refers to the finished, or completed Word of God. (If it referred to Christ, it would be in the masculine gender.)
“done away” (I Cor. 13:10) – “rendered inoperative.” (The sign gifts would be done away with at the completion of the New Testament.)
“shall cease” (I Cor. 13:8) – Greek patio, which means “come to a complete halt.”
“spake” (I Cor. 13:11) – refers here to speaking in tongues, which is no longer necessary when one comes to Christian maturity. (“Tongues” in this sense, rather than known languages, is only for carnal babes in Christ – I Cor. 13:11; 14:20. Actually this idea of tongues is “baby talk.”)
Speaking in “tongues” (in the modern way):
1. Can be self-induced.
2. Can be group-induced.
3. Can be satanically-induced.
Since the creation of man, Satan’s insidious master plan has been to put a veil between God’s children and God’s inerrant Word.
“the tongues of man” (I Cor. 13:1) – refers to understandable human language.
The diversity of tongues is one of the fruits of sin (Gen. 11).
“the tongues . . . of angels” (I Cor. 13:1) – the medium by which angels communicate in heaven. (Paul does not say it is possible or desirable to speak with the tongues of angels. He says that, if it were possible, it is not, nor is any other sign, the mark of the Spirit of Christ.)
The mark of the Spirit of Christ: LOVE.
“said in his heart” (Gen. 17:17) – within himself, without expressing anything as to be heard and understood by any creature; but the omniscient God knew what he said. (There is no need for any other kind of secret language between God and man. God knows what is in our hearts.)
On the Day of Pentecost the Apostles, being filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke in a multitude of tongues, witnessing for the Lord; and even today the disciples of Christ, filled with His Spirit and love, go out to every nation and tongue and bring the Gospel of salvation. (Endowed with the gift of tongues as no other people, Israel is still mute as far as the carrying of the Gospel to the nations of the world is concerned.)
“ye shall be witnesses” (Acts 1:8) – the key to understanding the purpose of the “tongues.”
Pentecost represented the time when believers were empowered to spread the Gospel to the world. Therefore, the gift of tongues was given in order to speak to other peoples in their respective languages. The Apostle Thomas, for instance, was said to have gone to India, which means that he was given the gift of that language, and perhaps even some of the dialects of India. Many people today have the gift of language and can speak in several other languages. That gift, like any other gift, should be used to spread the Gospel and to glorify God.Part 2 of this study named
“Pentecostal / Charismatic Heresy – Emphasis on Divine Healing & Word of Faith” can be found here.
