If you knew how to be saved, you know how to tell somebody else how.
John MacArthur

Tongues not for today

Tongues not for today

TONGUES

I. Introduction If ÿsomeone ÿwere ÿto ask you to name the single ÿmost ÿimportant issue ÿfacing ÿEvangelical Christianity, ÿwhat would you ÿanswer? Assuredly there are many possible answers, but there is none more divisive or compelling than the Charismatic Movement. ÿNo ÿother issue ÿcrosses ÿover denominational lines, ÿÿreaching ÿeven ÿinto Christian ÿCults and Non-Christian religions, ÿor has ÿa ÿbroader global impact than the Charismatic movement. ÿIs it according to Scripture or not? Is it valid for this age or not? There can be no ÿunity ÿwithin the Body of Christ as long as Charismatics ÿand Non-Charismatics hold to different views. ÿBoth cannot be right. This ÿfile ÿwill ÿnot ÿexamine all ÿaspects ÿof ÿthe ÿCharismatic Movement ÿbut ÿwill ÿonly concern itself with ÿthe ÿ”Cornerstone” teaching–Tongues. Let me first state that I am not attacking anyone. ÿI ÿam a firm believer ÿthat there is only one interpretation for each ÿpassage of Scripture but often many applications. Therefore, the purpose of ÿthis file is to briefly examine the evidence and to allow the Word ÿof ÿGod ÿto declare the truth so we can put ÿto ÿdeath ÿthe divisions ÿamong us and get on with sharing the gospel to a ÿlost and dying world. God’s ÿWord ÿsays, ÿÿ”The righteous [saved] hate what ÿis ÿfalse” (Proverbs 13:5). God is a God of love but He hates sin and false teachings. ÿÿAs we approach this study we need to also love ÿthe truth and to hate and reject what is false.

II. Definition of Tongues Tongues ÿas ÿit is used in the Bible is the greek ÿword ÿ”glossa” which ÿhas the simple meaning, ÿ”an organ of speech; ÿÿlanguage.” The word “tongues” has become the general term used by the church for ÿthe ÿspiritual ÿgift ÿof the ability to speak ÿin ÿa ÿ”known language” ÿÿwithout having first learned the language. ÿÿIt ÿwas first ÿdisplayed on the day of Pentecost by the Disciples as each one ÿbegan to speak in a real language that he had not ÿacquired. These ÿlanguages could be understood by those from various ÿlands familiar ÿwith ÿthem. ÿÿIt was not ÿgibberish ÿbut ÿintelligible language. ÿÿIf ÿPentecost were to have happened today ÿthen ÿthe disciples ÿwould ÿhave spoken in ÿRussian, ÿÿChinese, ÿÿJapanese, German, etc. Most ÿCharismatics ÿwould agree that “tongues,” ÿas it ÿis ÿknown today, ÿÿis the act of speaking in an “unknown ÿlanguage.” ÿÿThe speaker begins uttering sounds that do not readily make any sense to ÿhim ÿbut can sometimes be interpreted by someone ÿhaving ÿthe gift ÿof interpretations. ÿTongues are spoken in both the Church and ÿin ÿthe ÿhome: ÿin the Church during certain ÿservices ÿwith someone ÿthere to give the interpretation and at home in ÿprivate prayer to God. Many Charismatics claim that the ability to speak in tongues is a sign of spiritual maturity and blessing.

III. History of Tongues Movement

  1. Tongues Began on Pentecost

They ÿwere ÿa “visible sign” ÿto the Jews that the ÿApostles ÿand believers were indwelled with the Holy Spirit. ÿThe tongues that were spoken were “known languages” ÿof the that day. ÿ(Acts 2:1- 13).

B. Tongues Spoken by Gentiles While ÿPaul was preaching the Gospel at the home of Cornelius the gentiles ÿwho heard the message began speaking in tongues ÿ(other known ÿlanguages) ÿand the Jewish believers who were present were astonished ÿthat even the Gentiles had received the Holy ÿSpirit. (Acts 10:23-48).

C. Tongues Listed as a Spiritual Gift Paul in writing to the Corinthian Church, ÿgives a listing of the valid Spiritual Gifts for that day and Tongues is the last listed (1 Cor 12:4-11).

D. Tongues Misused in The Church Paul rebukes the Corinthian Church for an apparent misuse of ÿthe Gift ÿof ÿTongues ÿin the Church and gives some guidance ÿon ÿthe proper use of the gift (1 Cor 14:1-40).

E. Tongues Declared to Someday “Be Stilled” The ÿScriptures reveal that a day would come when ÿtongues ÿwould “be stilled” (1 Cor 13:8). They would stop in and of themselves. That is, ÿno outside force would cause them to cease. ÿThe ÿverb translated ÿ”be stilled” ÿis the greek word “pauo” ÿwhich has the clear ÿmeaning ÿthat the activity will stop “in and ÿof ÿitself.” They will “be stilled” ÿby no external action or event; ÿÿrather, tongues will “die out” on their own.

F. Tongues Ceased to be Mentioned in Scripture The ÿgift ÿof tongues does not appear in Scripture ÿafter ÿPaul’s discussion ÿÿof ÿtheir ÿmisuse ÿin ÿhis ÿfirst ÿletter ÿÿto ÿÿthe Corinthians. ÿÿÿThere ÿÿis ÿÿone ÿÿother ÿÿmention ÿÿof ÿÿtongues chronologically in the Bible but appears in the textually unsound and ÿcontestable passages of Mark 16:9-20. ÿThese verses do ÿnot appear ÿin the two most reliable early manuscripts of the ÿgospel and most likely were added by a scribe. (Note: ÿThe following information listed in items G. ÿthrough ÿJ. was ÿextracted ÿfrom the book “The Truth ÿabout ÿTongues,” ÿÿJohn MacArthur, Word of Grace, pp. 15-18, 1984).

G. Early Church Fathers did not Mention Tongues as Valid in ÿTheir

Day

  1. Clement of Rome – wrote a letter to the Corinthians in 95 A.D. discussing ÿall ÿof their spiritual problems. ÿÿTongues ÿwere never mentioned.
  2. Justin Martyr – compiled a listing of spiritual gifts active in ÿhis time (A.D. ÿ100-165) ÿand did not include the gift ÿof tongues.
  3. Origen ÿ- never mentioned tongues and even argued ÿthat ÿthe “signs” ÿÿof ÿthe ÿApostolic Age were temporary ÿand ÿthat ÿno contemporary ÿChristian ÿexercised any of these ÿearly ÿ”sign” gifts. (A.D. 185-253).
  4. ÿChrysostom – writing on 1 Corinthians and the gift of tongues said, ÿ”This whole place is very obscure; but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by ÿthe cessation, being such as then used to occur, but now no longer take place.” (A.D. 347-407).
  5. Augustine – comments on Acts 2:4: “In the earliest times, ‘the Holy Ghost fell upon them that believed: ÿand they spake ÿwith tongues,’. . .These were signs adapted to the time. For there behooved ÿto be that betokening of the Holy Spirit. ÿ. ÿÿ.That thing was done for a betokening, and it passed away.”
  6. Supposed Occurrences of Tongues Since the Apostolic Age
  7. ÿÿMontanus ÿand ÿTertullian – During the period of ÿthe ÿearly church ÿthe ÿonly people who were reported to have ÿspoken ÿin tongues ÿÿwere ÿthe ÿfollowers ÿof ÿMontanus ÿand ÿTertullian. Montanus, ÿa ÿrecent convert, ÿclaimed to be the spokesman for the ÿHoly Spirit. ÿHe believed that Christ would soon set ÿup the ÿKingdom ÿin ÿthe city of Phrygia, ÿand tried ÿto ÿjustify speaking ÿin tongues as an occurrence of the end of ÿthe ÿage. Montanus ÿÿwas ÿÿexpelled ÿfrom ÿthe ÿchurch ÿas ÿa ÿÿheretic. Tertullian ÿwas a disciple of Montanus who advocated ÿspeaking in ÿtongues ÿas well. ÿHe lived from A.D. ÿ150-222. ÿÿ(After Montanus and Tertullian, ÿthe next eruption of tongues was not until the late seventeenth century.)
  8. The Cevenols – The gift of ecstatic utterance was claimed by a group ÿof ÿpersecuted Protestants in ÿsouthern ÿFrance ÿaround
  9. ÿThey believed that their little children, who knew only the local dialect, ÿwere able to speak in perfect french while in a trance. ÿThe group was soon discredited because of their night raids and military reprisals against their enemies. And because ÿall ÿtheir prophecies went ÿunfulfilled, ÿÿthey ÿwere branded ÿas ÿheretics ÿand ÿnot considered to ÿbe ÿa ÿpart ÿof Mainline Christianity.
  10. ÿÿThe ÿJansenists – Around 1731, ÿa ÿgroup of ÿRoman ÿCatholic reformers ÿcalled the Jansenists, ÿwere holding night meetings at ÿtheir leader’s tomb during which they supposedly spoke ÿin ecstatic languages.
  11. ÿÿThe Shakers – The Shakers were followers of Mother Ann ÿLee, who lived from 1736-1784. ÿShe regarded herself as the female equivalent of Jesus Christ–God in a female body. She founded the Shaker community in Troy, ÿNew York, ÿand claimed that she had received a revelation from God that sexual intercourse was corrupt. . .even within marriage. It is said that in order to teach ÿher ÿfollowers ÿto ÿmortify the ÿflesh ÿand ÿto ÿresist temptation, ÿÿshe ÿinstituted the practice of ÿmen ÿand ÿwomen dancing together in the nude while they spoke in tongues.
  12. ÿÿThe Irvingites – About 1830, ÿEdward Irving started a little group in London known as the Irvingites. ÿThis group began to speak in tongues but was soon discredited for several reasons: Their ÿrevelations ÿcontradicted Scripture, ÿtheir ÿprophecies went ÿunfulfilled, ÿÿtheir supposed healings were followed ÿby death, ÿÿthere were rumors of immorality, ÿand some ÿof ÿtheir leading members were accused of fraud.
  13. The Pentecostal Movement

Tongues became a part of mainline Christianity in 1901 ÿat Bethel Bible College in Topeka, ÿKansas. ÿAgnes Ozman received what she called ÿ”the baptism of the Holy Spirit” ÿaccompanied by speaking in tongues.

J. The Charismatic Movement In 1960, in Van Nuys, California, the modern Charismatic movement began in an Episcopalian church. ÿIt soon spread across mainline denominations of all kinds. Today ÿÿthe ÿTongues ÿmovement ÿhas ÿtaken ÿhold ÿin ÿnearly ÿall denominations. ÿÿThere are Evangelicals, ÿLutherans, ÿCatholics, Baptists, ÿMethodists, ÿPresbyterians, ÿand even Mormons claiming the ÿ”unity ÿof the Spirit” ÿthrough ÿthe ÿCharismatic ÿmovement. Never have we seen such a unifying of the separated denominations as we have seen in recent years. Though ÿthe ÿCharismatic Movement is widespread the ÿquestion ÿwe need ÿÿto ÿanswer ÿis, ÿÿ”Is ÿit ÿBiblical?”” ÿÿLets ÿbegin ÿour investigation with a look at the purpose of tongues.

IV. The Purpose of the Gift of Tongues

  1. Confirming Sign Gift
    1. Chronology of Sign Gifts

During ÿthree ÿspecific periods of prophetic revelation, ÿÿthe period ÿof Moses and Joshua, ÿthe period of Elijah and Elisha, the period of Christ and the Apostles, God has accompanied His revelation by confirming miracles. ÿWe do not see ÿmiraculous events ÿoccurring ÿin ÿthe ÿBible apart ÿfrom ÿnew ÿScriptural revelation. ÿÿTongues ÿwere ÿpart of the many ÿmiracles ÿthat occurred during the time of Christ and the Apostles (A.D. ÿ28- 90). ÿThese miraculous gifts were to confirm the authenticity of ÿthe ÿmessages and preachers as being from God. ÿThe ÿlast recorded ÿmiracle in the Bible is found in Acts 28:7-10 ÿÿwith the healing of Publius’ father by the Apostle Paul. 2. Chronology of New Testament Tongues Tongues have their beginning at Pentecost, where the Disciples received ÿthe indwelling of the Holy Spirit and displayed ÿthe ability ÿto speak in known languages of their day ÿwhich ÿthey had ÿnever “learned” ÿbeforehand, ÿand this remains typical of the passages found in Acts. a. Acts 2:4 “All ÿof ÿthem [the Disciples] were filled ÿwith ÿthe ÿHoly Spirit ÿand began to speak in other tongues [languages] ÿas the Spirit enabled them.” It ÿis critical to understand that the gift of tongues ÿwas in ÿÿits ÿÿpurest ÿstate ÿhere ÿwithout ÿman’s ÿmisuse ÿÿor distortion. ÿÿLet’s note what the God-fearing Jews from ÿat least ÿ15 ÿdifferent nations had to say about the ÿtype ÿof “tongues” they heard that day, “Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘are ÿnot all these men who are speaking Galileans? ÿÿThen how ÿis ÿit ÿthat each of us hears them in his ÿown ÿnative language?. . ÿ.we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!'” ÿ(Acts 2:5-11). ÿTongues were unlearned known ÿlanguages ÿwhich ÿcould ÿbe understood ÿby ÿJews ÿof corresponding backgrounds. b. Acts 10:44-46 “While ÿPeter was still speaking these words [the ÿGospel], the Holy Spirit came on on all who heard the message. ÿThe circumcised ÿbelievers who had come [to Cornelius’ ÿÿhouse] with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had ÿbeen poured out even on the Gentiles. ÿFor they ÿheard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” Again as the confirming sign of the Gospel message ÿtongues are ÿspoken, ÿÿthis time by Gentiles, ÿas the ÿHoly ÿSpirit signifies ÿthe ÿequality ÿof Gentile ÿbelievers ÿwith ÿJews through their faith. c. Acts 19:6 “When Paul placed his hands on them, ÿthe Holy Spirit ÿcame on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” This ÿoccurred ÿin Ephesus, ÿa ÿGentile city in Asia ÿMinor after ÿdisciples of John the Baptist were instructed ÿabout the Lord Jesus. ÿAgain, ÿthe Holy Spirit confirms ÿthrough tongues ÿthat ÿthe ÿmessage was true and the ÿbelievers ÿof every background are equal by faith. d. 1 Corinthians 14 A ÿstudy ÿof ÿ1 Corinthians 14 ÿreveals ÿthat ÿspeaking ÿin tongues had already caused disturbances and disorder. Paul writes to try to straighten out the problem and lists ÿsome basic facts about the gift of tongues. In ÿCorinth ÿthe ÿmiracle ÿof ÿthe ÿgift ÿof ÿtongues ÿÿhad deteriorated ÿÿfrom ÿÿthat ÿseen ÿin ÿActs. ÿÿAs ÿÿPaul’s instructions ÿÿunfold ÿwe ÿsee ÿthat ÿtongues ÿwere ÿÿbeing counterfeited by unknown “mystery” ÿlanguages; that tongues were ÿbeing exalted above even prophecy; ÿthat tongues were being spoken without interpretation in the worship service; that ÿpraying in tongues had become common; ÿthat too ÿmany tongue ÿspeakers were vying for attention ÿduring ÿworship; and ÿthat ÿwomen ÿwere ÿtaking a dominant ÿrole ÿin ÿchurch through tongue speaking. ÿNo longer are tongues being used properly.

B. A Sign of Judgment for Israel In ÿ1 ÿCorinthians 14:21 ÿPaul quotes Isaiah 28:11,12 ÿand ÿsays, “Through ÿÿmen ÿof ÿstrange ÿtongues ÿand ÿthrough ÿthe ÿlips ÿof foreigners ÿI will speak to this people, ÿbut even then they will not ÿlisten to me.” ÿGod had spoken to Israel in clear ÿlanguage for ÿcenturies and yet she did not listen and ultimately executed her ÿown Messiah. ÿNow God shows that He has turned from the Jews to the Gentiles with the message of salvation. ÿHe gave the gift of tongues to Christians to serve as a rebuke against unbelieving Jews. ÿÿNowhere in the Bible is the gift of tongues mentioned as occurring apart from the presence of Jews.

C. Tongues were a Sign for Unbelievers The ÿgift ÿof ÿtongues ÿwas never ÿintended ÿfor ÿChristians ÿfor themselves; ÿÿit ÿwas ÿintended as a sign ÿfor ÿthe ÿunbelievers, “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers ” ÿ(1 Cor 14:22). ÿThe Jews of that time were brought up to have “faith in signs.” ÿThus Jesus said in Matthew 12:39, ÿ”A ÿwicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign. ÿ. .” And Paul writes in 1 Cor 1:22, “Jews demand miraculous signs. . .” ÿThe accounts of ÿtongues ÿin ÿthe ÿScriptures ÿtook place ÿin ÿthe ÿcities ÿof Jerusalem, ÿÿCaesarea, ÿEphesus and Corinth, ÿwhich all had large Jewish populations. Through the gift of tongues God signified to the ÿJews that His blessing and power was upon those who ÿclaimed Christ as Savior and Lord.

V. Doctrine of Tongues

  1. Biblical Teachings
    1. The Gift of Tongues Will Be Stilled – 1 Cor 13:8

The Bible says, ÿ”Where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; ÿwhere there is knowledge, ÿit will pass away” (1 Cor 13:8). A ÿcareful study of the Greek reveals that the three verbs used here, ÿÿ”cease, stilled, ÿÿand pass” ÿare not the same greek words. ÿThe ÿtwo words ÿtranslated ÿ”cease and pass” ÿare the same ÿgreek ÿword (katargeo) ÿÿand carry with them the meaning “that the ÿaction they ÿdescribe ÿwill stop as a result of an outside ÿforce ÿor event.” ÿÿHowever, ÿÿthe ÿword translated ÿ”stilled” ÿÿ(pauo) referring ÿto tongues has the clear meaning that the ÿactivity will stop “in and of itself.” Therefore, ÿÿprophecies and knowledge are classed together and will be terminated when “something” acts on them. ÿTongues is separate ÿand will “be stilled” ÿnot by an external action ÿor event; ÿrather, ÿtongues are to “die out” ÿon their own. ÿÿAn analogy could be to view the three gifts as three fires. ÿThe fires ÿof ÿprophecies and knowledge will ÿbe ÿextinguished ÿby “someone” ÿÿwith ÿa fire extinguisher or a ÿbucket ÿof ÿwater. However, ÿthe fire of tongues will “go out” all by itself with no ÿexternal action needed. ÿThe context of the passage ÿeven reveals ÿanother ÿdistinction about the three, ÿ”For ÿwe ÿknow [knowledge] ÿin ÿpart ÿand we prophesy ÿ[prophecy] ÿin ÿpart.” Tongues ÿare ÿnot mentioned, ÿand prophecy and ÿknowledge ÿare shown ÿto be less than complete, ÿ”know in part; ÿprophesy ÿin part.” ÿThe very next verse says, “but when perfection comes, the ÿimperfect disappears.” ÿNotice that the ÿ”imperfect” ÿÿis something ÿnot complete, ÿsomething that ÿlacks ÿcompleteness, i.e., ÿÿprophecy ÿand ÿknowledge. ÿThey ÿdisappear ÿwhen ÿthe “perfection comes.” Whatever this perfection is it was future to Paul day. So ÿtongues were expected to “die out” ÿat some time future to the ÿPaul’s ÿwritings. ÿÿThis leads one ÿto ÿunderstand ÿthat tongues ÿwould ÿat some point in history no longer be ÿneeded. After ÿChapter 14 ÿin the book of 1 Corinthians the mention of Tongues disappears from Scripture. 2. Tongues can be Counterfeited – 1 Cor 12:3, 14:2 “Therefore I tell you that no one speaking who is speaking ÿby the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus be cursed,’ and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3). “Anyone ÿwho speaks in a tongue does not speak to men ÿbut ÿto God. ÿIndeed no one understands him; ÿhe utters mysteries with his spirit” (1 Cor 14:2). This ÿcannot be the true gift of tongues that we saw in Acts 2 where ÿthe Disciples spoke to men (foreign ÿGod-fearing ÿJews) praising God and edified others, not themselves. Paul is here exposing ÿa ÿfalse ÿtongue movement had ÿthat ÿhad ÿarisen ÿin Corinth. 3. To Prophesy is Better than Tongues – 1 Cor 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather ÿhave you prophesy. ÿHe who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, ÿunless he interprets, ÿso that the church may be edified.” It ÿwas ÿthe Apostle’s desire that all the ÿCorinthians ÿspeak with ÿthe true gift of tongues, ÿbut he would rather that they preach ÿÿGod’s ÿWord ÿin ÿtheir ÿnatural ÿlanguage ÿ(Gift ÿÿof Prophecy). 4. Tongues without Interpretation is Forbidden – 1 Cor 14:6-13 This Scripture states that whenever someone speaks in a tongue there ÿÿmust ÿÿbe ÿan ÿinterpretation ÿwhich ÿÿprovides ÿÿsome revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or word of instruction to the church. 5. Praying in a Tongue is Condemned – 1 Cor 14:14-17 Here ÿScripture says that when a person prays in a tongue ÿhis spirit ÿprays but his mind is unfruitful. ÿPaul says “no” ÿto this ÿtype ÿof ÿpraying and says we must pray ÿwith ÿboth ÿour spirit ÿand our minds. ÿThis is simply praying in a ÿlanguage that ÿis intelligible to our minds and to others who may ÿhear us. 6. Limited Number to Speak Tongues in Church – 1 Cor 14:26-28 Again Scripture teaches that if the true gift of tongues is to be ÿused ÿin the church a maximum of only ÿthree ÿpersons ÿmay speak and then only one at a time. There must also be someone who can interpret what was spoken. 7. Women Not to Speak in Tongues in the Church – 1 Cor 14:33-35 Here ÿGod clearly forbids women from having a “speaking ÿrole” in the formal church service. Tongues are not to be spoken by them. ÿThe context and intensity of the restrictions are such that ÿwoman are not to have any leadership role in the ÿchurch service, ÿÿbecause ÿwomen ÿare ÿnever ÿto ÿexercise ÿspiritual authority over men (1 ÿTim 2:12). ÿIn fact, ÿScripture states that ÿif they have questions they are to wait to discuss ÿthem until they are at home with their husbands. 8. Do Not Forbid Speaking in Tongues – 1 Cor 14:39 Paul ÿclearly states that the church is not to forbid speaking in tongues. However, it must understood that his statement is in ÿregards ÿto ÿthe ÿtrue gift of tongues ÿas ÿmanifested ÿon Pentecost and in accordance with the guidance Paul had related in the previous 38 verses. Also, we must remember that no one must ÿforbid ÿthe speaking in tongues as long as the ÿgift ÿis valid; ÿbut, ÿif it is determined that the gift of tongues has ceased ÿas a spiritual gift then the church must forbid ÿusing them.

B. Charismatic Teachings

  1. Tongues Valid Gift of Spirit Today

Charismatics ÿwill ÿclaim ÿone of ÿtwo ÿexplanations ÿfor ÿthe current tongues movement; a. Tongues Never Ceased Charismatics ÿtrace ÿtheir roots back to Pentecost ÿthrough the historical, heretical incidents. b. Tongues Started Up Again “And afterward, ÿI ÿwill pour out my Spirit on all ÿpeople. Your ÿsons and daughters will prophesy, ÿyour old men ÿwill dream dreams, your young men will see visions. ÿEven on my servants, ÿboth men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days” (Joel 2:28,29). Using ÿJoel the Charismatics maintain that tongues, ÿÿwhich did ÿcease, ÿÿhave started up again because these ÿare ÿthe “last days.” ÿHowever, ÿthe content of this passage refers to the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31), or the Second Coming of Christ. Also, Joel’s prophecy did not mention tongues as part of the outpouring of the Spirit ÿin the last days. ÿIt is true that at Pentecost Peter ÿquoted Joel 2 to explain the outpouring of the Spirit, yet because of the correct interpretation of Joel, ÿhe cannot have been referring to the Millennial Kingdom. Rather, he was saying that ÿthe Jews at Pentecost were merely glimpsing ÿsome ÿof the ÿpower ÿthat will occur in the Kingdom ÿafter ÿChrist’s return 2. Tongues are Universally Available Charismatics ÿteach ÿthat tongues are one of the gifts of ÿthe Spirit ÿavailable to anyone who has been Baptized in the ÿHoly Spirit ÿ(Luke 11:13, ÿActs 2:39). ÿThis baptism is ÿnot ÿjust conversion but a “second blessing” ÿsubsequent to ÿconversion. This ÿconcept denies Scripture which states that all believers have received the Holy Spirit upon conversion (Acts 2:38). ÿA second ÿfilling ÿof the Spirit is a Biblical concept, ÿÿbut ÿa second baptism is not. Also, Paul writes in 1 Cor 12:29, that not all have the gift of tongues. 3. Tongues Will Edify You “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. . .” (1 Cor 14:4). Charismatics ÿteach that anyone who speaks in a tongue does so for his own benefit, ÿyet the Bible says tongues were given to edify ÿothers, ÿas can be understood by the ÿcommandment ÿthat interpreters ÿmust be present whenever tongues were spoken ÿ(1 Cor 14:5). ÿFurthermore, Paul also says in 1 Cor 10:24 ÿthat, “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” 4. Tongues are Valid as a Prayer Language Charismatics ÿquote ÿseveral ÿpassages to ÿsupport ÿa ÿtongues prayer language; ÿ”I will pray with my spirit. ÿ. ÿ.” ÿ(1 ÿCor 14:15). ÿ”For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God” ÿ(1 Cor 14:2). ÿ”If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels. . .” (1 Cor 13:1). The ÿcontext ÿof the 1 Corinthians 14 ÿpassages refer ÿto ÿthe misuse of tongues. ÿ1 Cor 14:15 goes on to say, ÿ”I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind,” ÿstressing one’s need to be aware of what one is saying in prayer as well as being led by the Spirit. ÿThe passage in 1 Cor 13:1 ÿabout the “tongue of angels” ÿis widely regarded as being hyperbole, or Paul’s exaggeration of exotic speech without love, ÿbecause this ÿexpression is found nowhere else in Scripture. ÿWe ÿare never told about an angelic language or even that men are able to speak in an angelic tongue.

VI. Dangers of the Tongues Movement

  1. Creates Disrespect for Scripture
    1. Disregards Scripture
      1. Ecumenical Movement

This movement, which claims a oneness of the Spirit between Christians, ÿnon-Christians, heretics and the orthodox, ÿis against ÿclear Biblical injunctions (1 ÿCor 14:38; ÿ2 ÿÿCor 6:14,15). It makes the basis for Christian fellowship to be experience, not doctrine and common practice. b. Women Speaking The Bible teaches that a woman’s role is submissive, ÿÿthat is, she is not to take pre-eminence in the worship service. Yet, often it is the women who speak tongues in Charismatic meetings. c. Vain Repetitions The Bible commands that Christians pray without using “many words” ÿ(Matthew 6:7). ÿYet Charismatics use repetition of words as the main tool for acquiring the gift of tongues. As an example of this, ÿa ÿLutheran minister announced at a Missionary ÿÿConference ÿthat ÿhe ÿwas, ÿÿ”a ÿspirit-filled minister, and that the Lord has commissioned me to speak at the conference.” ÿHe was refused the opportunity to ÿspeak and ÿthen ÿstarted ÿcounter meetings to ÿwhich ÿhe ÿinvited people. ÿAbout 40 missionaries went along, ÿsome merely out of curiosity. ÿAt the meeting the minister had spoken ÿand sung ÿÿin ÿÿtongues ÿÿfor ÿa ÿlong ÿtime ÿÿwithout ÿÿanyone interpreting. ÿÿOne of the missionaries had the courage to ask ÿhim personally how one could receive this gift. ÿÿThe answer ÿwas typical, ÿand it showed the kind of ÿ”spiritual gift” ÿÿthe minister had. ÿHe said, ÿ”You must think of ÿa short prayer, perhaps the phrase ‘Lord help me,’ and repeat this prayer five to eight hundred times. ÿThen your tongue and consciousness will get used to it and suddenly you will speak in ‘tongues.'” 2. Distorts Scripture a. “Open Your Mouth” Charismatics ÿbelieve ÿthat if you “pray to ÿreceive ÿJesus Christ ÿas your Savior” ÿthen you can begin to manifest the gifts ÿof ÿthe Holy Spirit. ÿThe first one is usually ÿthe gift of tongues. They say, “By faith, ÿopen your mouth and begin ÿto ÿspeak whatever new words or sounds that come ÿto you ÿ(p.14, ÿ”Receive All God Has To Give,” ÿWoman’s ÿAglow Fellowship, ÿ1971, Lynnwood, WA.) ÿThe proof text they use is ÿPsalm 81:10b, ÿ”Open your mouth wide, ÿand I will ÿfill it.” The clear context of that verse has nothing at all to do ÿwith God putting words or strange sounds in our mouths; rather, ÿÿGod refers to the fact that He brought Israel ÿup out ÿof ÿEgypt (Psalm 81:10a), ÿand will provide ÿher ÿwith food, ÿÿ”you would be fed with the finest of ÿwheat; ÿÿwith honey from the rock I would satisfy you (Psalm 81:16). The ÿCharismatics ÿstate, ÿ”Speaking in tongues ÿ(your ÿnew spiritual language) begins with an act of the will. . ÿ.YOU MUST ÿCHOOSE TO SPEAK. ÿ. ÿ. ÿGOD WILL GIVE THE ÿUTTERANCE” (p.14, ÿÿ”Receive ÿAll ÿGod Has To ÿGive,” ÿÿWoman’s ÿAglow Fellowship, ÿÿ1971, ÿÿLynnwood, ÿWA.). ÿThey ÿare ÿclearly advocating a “private prayer language” used when conversing with ÿGod. ÿJesus said, ÿ”When you pray, ÿdo not ÿkeep ÿon babbling ÿlike pagans, ÿfor they think they will ÿbe ÿheard because ÿof ÿtheir ÿmany words…..This is how ÿyou ÿshould pray: ‘Our Father in Heaven. . . ‘”(Matthew 6:7-9). The ÿÿword ÿtranslated ÿ”babbling” ÿÿis ÿthe ÿÿgreek ÿÿword “battalogeo” ÿÿÿwhich ÿliterally ÿmeans ÿto ÿspeak ÿwith ÿa stammering, ÿstuttering gibberish (much like the pagans did to their gods). ÿJesus even gives an example how to ÿpray, “Our Father. . .,” notice that it is in the language of the people, not a “spiritual prayer language.” b. Train Yourself to Speak in Tongues Charismatics teach that one must must learn his or her ÿnew language ÿand ÿtrain ÿoneself to speak in ÿtongues ÿthrough repetition. ÿÿThis ÿis not the type of language we see ÿat Pentecost, ÿÿnor ÿdo we see the disciples urging others ÿto seek ÿthe ÿgift ÿby any means. ÿYet we ÿfind ÿCharismatics urging ÿothers ÿto ÿdo this. ÿFor example, ÿa ÿÿwoman ÿwho belonged ÿto the Charismatic movement was the leader ÿof ÿa girl’s class. ÿShe herself spoke in tongues and wanted the girls ÿto ÿlearn how to pray and sing in tongues ÿas ÿwell. She ÿexplained to those members of the class ÿwho ÿfollowed her unquestionably, ÿthat one could be prepared to ÿreceive the ÿgift of tongues by the constant repetition of ÿcertain phrases ÿout loud. ÿShe would speak and the ÿothers ÿwould repeat ÿin chorus after her. ÿAnd, ÿin fact, ÿa ÿfew weeks later some of the girls could speak in tongues. c. Slain in the Spirit? In California, ÿa ÿwoman went to a meeting held by a member of ÿthe ÿtongues ÿmovement. ÿThe speaker spoke ÿabout ÿthe necessity ÿof the gift of tongues, ÿand in an after-meeting she allowed hands to be laid on her in order to receive the Baptism ÿof ÿthe ÿHoly Spirit and the gift of ÿspeaking ÿin tongues. ÿÿAt that moment she fell down unconscious. ÿÿOn coming ÿround ÿagain she found herself lying on ÿthe ÿfloor with ÿÿher ÿÿmouth ÿstill ÿopening ÿand ÿÿshutting ÿÿitself automatically ÿwithout ÿa ÿword being ÿuttered. ÿÿShe ÿwas terribly frightened. ÿStanding around her were some of the people ÿwho ÿwere ÿfollowers of this ÿevangelist ÿand ÿthey exclaimed, “O sister, you have really spoken wonderfully in tongues. Now you have the Holy Spirit.” But the victim of this so-called baptism of the Holy Spirit was cured. ÿÿShe never again returned to this group of tongues speakers. B. Discourages Spirituality 1. Tongues Replace the Bible? Charismatics ÿclaim to adhere strictly to the Bible but ÿin practice ÿscrutinize ÿScripture ÿthrough ÿtheir ÿÿemotional experiences. ÿÿThis ÿcan ÿand does ÿlead ÿto ÿan ÿeventual disregard ÿof ÿthe Bible in preference to their ÿsubjective revelations. ÿÿÿFor ÿinstance, ÿÿat ÿa ÿBible ÿcollege ÿthe Charismatic ÿmovement ÿbroke ÿout ÿwith ÿa ÿnumber ÿof ÿthe professors and students speaking in tongues. A student who was ÿdeeply involved in this new movement declared that ÿhe did ÿnot need to read the Bible anymore, ÿGod ÿthe ÿFather would himself appear and speak to him. ÿHowever, six other students ÿwho ÿhad ÿfirst sought ÿthis ÿ”second ÿblessing,” discounted it when they felt something weird was going on. 2. The Second Blessing Brings Joy? Charismatics teach that the “second blessing” is the source for ÿthe ÿChristian ÿjoy. ÿYet, ÿbecause of ÿthe ÿ”letdown effect” of loss of euphoria or of never having acquired the “second blessing” ÿsome Christians are not finding any ÿjoy at all. ÿAs an example, another Bible college is the scene where ÿa ÿwoman ÿstudent wanted the ÿbaptism ÿof ÿthe ÿHoly Spirit. ÿÿShe had hands laid on her by a preacher ÿfrom ÿa Charismatic church. ÿBut because the expected blessing did not come, the girl went another five times within that week to ÿhave hands laid on her. ÿShe then experienced ÿa ÿwarm feeling that she regarded as the second blessing. ÿAnd the result? ÿÿShe no longer finds it a joy to be a ÿChristian. Today she has slipped so far that she completely disregards praying and reading God’s word. 3. Give me Tongues or I die A doctor’s daughter had been influenced by some friends who spoke ÿin ÿtongues. ÿShe then began to pray for ÿthe ÿgift herself. For weeks she begged earnestly for this so-called proof of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. ÿWhen her ÿprayer went ÿunanswered, ÿÿin ÿdesperation ÿshe ÿtried ÿto ÿcommit suicide. C. Creates Division 1. Churches Some missionaries went to a conference and were praying and fasting so as to receive a new blessing. ÿAfter a few days speaking in tongues broke out among the group. Then all 18 were seized by it and they called it the “second blessing.” After the conference they returned to their churches. They explained to their congregations that to prove one had ÿthe baptism ÿof ÿthe Holy Spirit it was necessary to ÿspeak ÿin tongues. ÿTheir followers asked, ÿ”Well, ÿwhich is ÿright, what ÿyou ÿtold ÿus originally or what you are ÿtelling ÿus now?” ÿThere was such confusion that all 18 ÿchurches ÿwere ruined by splits over the doctrine of tongues. 2. Individuals Two ÿChristian ÿfriends had been believers for ÿsome ÿyears when ÿone day they were invited to the meeting of a ÿtongue speaking ÿgroup. ÿThe atmosphere of the ÿmeeting ÿaffected them ÿso ÿmuch that afterwards they prayed for ÿthe ÿsecond blessing ÿof ÿthe ÿbaptism ÿof ÿthe ÿHoly ÿSpirit. ÿÿAfter intensive prayer it was as if something hot came over them. They ÿfelt ÿvery ÿexcited inside. ÿFor a ÿfew ÿweeks ÿthey revelled in this new experience, ÿbut slowly these waves of feeling abated. ÿOne of the individuals lost all desire to read ÿthe ÿBible ÿand ÿto ÿpray. ÿÿHe ÿthen ÿexamined ÿhis experience in the light of the Scriptures and realized that it ÿwas not of God. ÿHe repented and denounced it and ÿgot back ÿhis ÿoriginal ÿassurance and peace ÿwith ÿGod. ÿÿHis friend, ÿÿon the other hand, ÿcontinued in these “tongues.” Today ÿhe ÿwill ÿnot even consider the ÿidea ÿof ÿgoing ÿon further as a Christian: tongues destroyed him. D. Preaches False Doctrine (leading to possible false professions) 1. A Tongue Speaking Prophetess A ÿwoman ÿwas converted and for the first few years ÿwas ÿa faithful ÿfollower of Jesus and lived a well balanced life. Then one day she listen to an evangelist who told her ÿthat unless ÿshe ÿspoke ÿin ÿtongues she had ÿnot ÿreceived ÿthe baptism ÿof ÿthe Holy Spirit. ÿThe woman then ÿsought ÿthe laying on of hands. ÿSince then she has spoken in ÿtongues and ÿhas ÿled ÿother Christians to speak in ÿtongues ÿalso, bringing ÿthem ÿinto ÿa similar experience as ÿhers. ÿÿShe believes ÿthat she is a prophetess of God with the gift ÿof discernment. ÿÿIt is her practice to look directly at non- Charismatic ÿChristians ÿand say, ÿ”I can see in your ÿeyes that you have not received the Holy Spirit.” She also uses the ÿÿlaying ÿon ÿof ÿher ÿhands ÿfor ÿhealings ÿÿand ÿÿfor conversions. ÿThis type of conversion means that people do not have to recognize, confess, and repent of their sin and surrender their lives to Christ through faith; ÿall that is necessary ÿis that this prophetess lays her hands on ÿthem. By ÿher ÿdeception she is unwittingly ÿcondemning ÿmany ÿto believe that they can be saved without Christ. 2. No Tongues then No Baptism Charismatics ÿteach that tongues are the sign of ÿspiritual blessing ÿand ÿproof of salvation. ÿThis teaching ÿmay ÿbe damaging to unsuspecting mature Christians and also to more recent converts. ÿFor example, ÿa ÿstudent in college ÿwas invited to Charismatic Church by his friends. ÿThe message had ÿthe ÿusual slant: ÿonly the person who has ÿspoken ÿin tongues ÿhas been baptized by the Holy Spirit, ÿi.e., ÿÿhas truly been saved. ÿThe student prayed for this gift. Some days ÿlater ÿone of the speakers from the church ÿlaid ÿhis hands ÿon him. ÿHe then experienced a warm sensation going through him and began to speak in tongues. ÿHe had no idea what ÿhe was really praying at the time, ÿbut he ÿfelt ÿhis emotions being stirred up. After ÿa few weeks the student no longer had any desire ÿto read ÿhis Bible or to pray, ÿand his original assurance ÿof salvation disappeared. ÿIt was only after he had denounced this ÿexperience which he had had that he received back the assurance of salvation and peace with God. E. Blasphemes Holy Spirit 1. Exalts the Holy Spirit above other members of the Trinity. 2. Challenges Holy Spirit’s work at conversion, i.e., ÿsays we need a “Second Blessing.” 3. Attributes Satan’s counterfeit tongue to the Holy Spirit. F. Turns Off Unbeliever 1. Behavior in Church Service “So ÿif the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in ÿtongues, ÿÿand ÿsome ÿwho do ÿnot ÿunderstand ÿor ÿsome unbelievers come in, will they say that you are out of your mind?” (1 Cor 14:23). 2. Witness is Compromised The ÿscandalous ÿbehavior of some Charismatic leaders, ÿÿas evidenced ÿÿin ÿthe ÿrecent ÿPTL ÿClub ÿand ÿOral ÿÿRoberts controversies, ÿhas brought great discredit to the Name and Work ÿof ÿJesus Christ. ÿIt has ÿcreated ÿsuspicion ÿamong unbelievers ÿand many now question the creditability of all Christians and Church leaders.

VII. Conclusion The Tongues of the Charismatic movement are not Scriptural. ÿThe Bible ÿmust be disregarded or reinterpreted to support the claims of its proponents. ÿHistory does not support the movement, ÿÿnor does the outworking of its practitioners. ÿAnd since there is no Scriptural ÿbasis ÿfor the tongues movement we see today ÿwe ÿcan only conclude that the source is not God. Emotionalism certainly plays an enormous part of the movement, ÿbut since Christians and non-Christians alike share in this experience the source must ÿbe Satanic. ÿThus Satan has presented the Church and the world with another ÿlie, ÿÿa ÿcounterfeit of what was ÿauthentic ÿamong ÿ1st Century believers, ÿto discredit her and to neutralize her ÿpower of prayer and effective witness. ÿ1 ÿJohn 2:21 ÿreminds us that, “no ÿlie comes from the truth,” ÿand the Gospel of John says that the ÿfalse ÿteacher, ÿ”comes only to steal and kill and ÿdestroy” (John 10:10). We ÿmay well ask, ÿ”If it is not Scriptural, ÿand is ÿSatanically inspired, ÿÿwhy ÿis it so popular among both Christians and ÿnon- Christians alike?” Dr. John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church, ÿin his book, ÿ”The Truth About Tongues,” ÿsuggests ÿfive reasons for its popularity; (1) Spiritual Hunger – people want to be Spiritual and are told this is the proper way; ÿ(2) ÿSpiritual Expression ÿ- ÿpeople ÿare seeking a way ÿto ÿexpress ÿthemselves spiritually ÿbecause ÿthey ÿdon’t feel involved at ÿchurch; ÿÿ(3) Instant ÿSpirituality ÿ- since tongues is considered ÿa ÿsign ÿof spiritual maturity, those who seek external affirmation will seek this; (4) A Reaction to Society – in response to a “cold” society a person can feel involved in something supernatural; ÿ(5) A Need for ÿAcceptance ÿand Security – a drive to be “in” ÿÿor ÿsuperior brings ÿpeople ÿto a place where they can belong and ÿ”have ÿit.” Why ÿspeak ÿout against the Charismatics? ÿWe must ÿbecause ÿthe Charismatic ÿMovement ÿmust ÿbe seen for what it ÿis, ÿÿa ÿÿfalse teaching ÿthat is not of the Truth, ÿJesus Christ. ÿIt does ÿnot bring glory to God, but rather–dishonor. Yet, for those who would be brave enough to speak out against the Charismatics there are criticisms and charges that, ÿ”you are not loving and you cause division.” It is really the opposite. ÿThe above ÿexamples ÿshow vividly that the Charismatic movement ÿdoes tremendous ÿharm to the church. ÿSome would argue that since the Charismatics ÿpreach the same gospel as the ÿfundamentalists ÿwhy bother ÿthem over this issue. ÿThe answer is because ÿGod ÿcares about false doctrine and its impact in the mission of the church. In ÿthe Book of Revelation, ÿJesus is judging the churches and He tells Pergamum that she is doing some things right but that there is some false teaching in her midst. ÿJesus does not say, “Well, since ÿyou ÿdo ÿsome ÿthings right ÿI ÿwill ÿoverlook ÿthe ÿfalse teaching.” ÿNo, in fact, ÿHe says He will come and fight against them if they do not correct the problem. We need to correct this problem ÿamong ÿus before we find our Lord fighting ÿagainst ÿHis own. God’s Word declares that, “The Righteous Hate that which is false.” May we all be like our Master and hate what He hates, but ÿlove ÿwhat He loves–the people caught in the net ÿof ÿfalse doctrine–The Charismatic.

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 115
Galveston, IN 46932
Modem (317)452-1535
April 7, 1987