There are a lot of questions that people ask in regards to the Bible and the many stories that it tells about the people of old. I have been asked many times why does God not send any more prophets today? Or, why does God not do the same works that He did back in the Biblical times, e.g. miracles, healing the sick, etc.? The questions are not easy to answer, except to a believer. Even among believers, we find the answer to these questions not so easy to accept, especially when we look around us, and find chaos and disorder in the world.
Some groups, sects, denominations, and/or organizations within Christendom claim that, despite popular belief, God is still doing all these works, and even greater works among the body of Christ [the Church]. Pentecostal/Charismatic (PC) are the names by which these groups are known. Most will claim to be affiliated to no group at all, while others will gladly call themselves Pentecostals. You can see them on TV, if you ever turn to your local Christian Television Network (e.g. TBN or Daystar Television or other). With followers in the thousands of thousands, their leaders are among the richest people in the U.S. You might recognize some of their names as the likes of Benny Hinn, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, John Hagee, Creflo Dollar, and many more.
The subject of discussion, however, is not about all these different aspects or areas of their teachings and beliefs; instead, it is to deal specifically with one of these, that is, the 'speaking in tongues.'
I do not seek to offend anyone with what I say in this post. I am simply stating what I have perceived, understood. So, if you feel offended in any way, I would like to ask you to please let me know in which manner I have offended you, so that I can explain myself better--if there is any explaining to do.
ORIGINS
Some of the most common passages used to support the belief in speaking in tongues are:
These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mk 16:17-8)
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
According some of their interpretations, a Christian cannot be called a Christian, unless he is endowed with the Spirit's gift of 'speaking in tongues.' They also take it seriously that a Christian must be followed by "all" the signs listed in Mark 16, or else he is not a true Christian. However, these are a minority among those who claim to have the gifts of the Spirit. These are the most extreme of them.
Although the less extreme groups don't make explicit claims about the need for the gifts of the Spirit, they hold to the belief that without the gifts of the Spirit, your spiritual life is weak. If one is a minister, preacher, or evangelist the ministry is weak, and is not as blessed as if one was endowed with such gifts.
To support their claim many use a passage from the Acts of the Apostles, where two of the followers of Christ meet with a disciple of John (the Baptist). In the account, the disciple of John, Apollos, was a man of great knowledge; he understood the Scriptures well and was eloquent in his speech. He debated with the Jews in the synagogues and was able to show them how Jesus was the promised Messiah. While Apollos debated the Jews, he was seen by Priscilla and Aquila, who took him aside and explained to him more (accurately) about the teachings of Christ, as it was passed down to them through the Apostles. (Acts 18:24-28)
The implied message here, as they interpret it, is that the baptism of John--by water, for the remission of sins--is only for salvation, but the power of the Holy Spirit can only be received through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. So, it was evident that Apollos was already 'saved', and he possessed a great amount of knowledge. But he was not yet baptized with the Holy Spirit, therefore, his ministry was not as good as that of the other disciples (of Christ).
There is a certain persuasion in the doctrine, and, as a consequence, many end up adopting it. As I said in the beginning of this post, many ask the question about why God would not do these works today, as He did then. So, when someone comes up and claims that God indeed does these things, and we see on TV all how these people seem to be fulfilling all these things, we become very much intrigued by it. We begin asking questions, we look for congregations where these things are practiced, and we even go to their conventions--whenever they are in town, or in a city near ours.
The reason why there is a lot of persuasion, however, is not necessarily because there is evidence that this doctrine is factual. Instead, the persuasiveness of the doctrine is in the emotions involved in it. It appeals to people's emotions. In a world that hungers for magic and miracles, anything to escape the harshness of the world in which we live will be accepted.
EXAMINING THE PASSAGES
Upon a close examination of the Scriptures that deal with speaking in tongues, we find that the Scriptural accounts are at variance with the way it is said to manifest itself today.
For example, Acts 2 states that those upon whom the 'tongues were poured' down, they began speaking with other 'languages' (tongues), as the Spirit gave them the ability to do so. At the time that this occurred, there were people of different nationalities, and so they spoke different languages. And when they came to see what was going on, they heard the disciples speaking in languages "known to them", their own natal languages. This, as it was later explained, was to fulfill the prophecy that God would give of His spirit to all mankind [*], and that they would prophesy and see visions (of God), and many other things.
However, as most of us who have come in contact with these groups (PC) would know, this is at odds with the way it is practiced today. Today, speaking in tongues is not 'understood' by anyone, not even the one who speaks it. There is no 'great noise like rushing wind,' nor is there any 'vision of tongues' moving around and above the people. And to explain this problem away, these groups will use other passages by Paul, in which he seems to explain more on the concept of speaking in tongues.
In the 1Corinthians 13, when writing about the need for love among the body of Christ, Paul also makes a statement in about speaking in tongues. In the first verse, he opens it like this "if I speak with the tongues of men and of angels." And then there is the other verse found in the fourteenth chapter, (verse 2), "For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries." Since Paul would seem to mention that there is such thing as the language of angels, they claim that indeed their speaking is not supposed to be understood by men. This would be more acceptable, however, if only they did follow the instructions found in the following chapters of the 1 Corinthians, where Paul explains how the congregation should allow these practices, and when it should not allow one or more of them.
Other than that one occurrence of such a thing as a 'language of angels,' there is no more support for the idea that speaking in tongues is done in the language of angels. As a matter of fact, in the fourteenth chapter (quoted above), Paul says that the language may not be known to the people there-present, therefore, making it profitless! if not accompanied by 'interpretation' (translation). The idea that this passage would be speaking of an angelic tongue is not supported, because later in the same chapter, (verses 10), he says that 'there are many languages in the world,' and they all have a meaning--therefore, making it clear that unless the spoken words are clear to the hearer, then it is pointless to speak in tongues; "For you will be speaking into the air." Also, if we looked back at the passage in the Acts of the Apostles, we can see that the 'languages' mentioned are actual human languages. If the people who could understand these languages had not been there, and, instead, only those who spoke one language were there, they would have considered the disciples to be crazy, or to be drunk. To them it would have been gibberish.
In light of these truths, Paul--as we believe he was inspired by the Spirit to write so--gives clear instructions about the use of these gifts, and their role in the spreading of the Gospel and edification of the congregation. In verses 23-28, of the fourteenth chapter, Paul writes:
Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
Once again, we see that the way these things are practiced today stand in opposite ends from the way it was instructed, and practiced back in those days. The passage above says that we are not allowed to speak all at the same time; we are not allowed to have more than two or three speakers per meeting; we are not allowed speak if there is no one to interpret; instead, we are instructed to keep silent, and perhaps wait till we get home, where we could do it privately.
Contrary to this, today we find that these congregations instruct their members to disregard whether or not someone is already speaking in tongues; they ask the entire congregation to speak (at the same time); they don't care to provide interpreters (for the edification of the congregation); they do not believe that anyone should lack the ability to speak, and do not believe that anyone should be prevented from speaking (in tongues, even when there is no understanding).
CONCLUSION
There was a time when I believed that these groups were truly gifted, and I always wondered how it would be to have these gifts. I used to watch them on TV, especially since my grandparents love to watch them speak (not in tongues). My grandmother once attended one of their crusades, and she claims to have been 'healed' from her illness--that is what she thought, as it turned out to be only for short period of time--and I had no reason to doubt this, at the time. (Also, she never mentioned receiving the gift of tongues, nor does she claim to have it.)
I then visited a number of Churches where these things were practiced, and I saw how everyone would begin speaking a bunch of strange sounds, and I could not understand what it was that they were doing. At that time, I was only aware of the gift of 'healing' part, but had no knowledge of the gift of tongues. I later learned more about it, from both the Scriptures, and the people who claimed to have these gifts. I even went to one of their crusades--I saw Rod Parsley, when he went to the Colliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.
As it turned out, I realized that this was all false. The Scriptures quoted above show clearly how these people are not doing what the Scriptures say. Sure, I will not say that these are all the Scriptures that deal with the subject, but I can say it with confidence, that none of the Scriptures that deal with the subject will support these groups' practices. Also, the particular Scriptures quoted from the 1 Corinthians are the most extensive of them all, and these are the only ones that give clear instructions about the use of gifts.
So, it is concluded that, although these people would seem to be doing all these great works, and to be truly gifted with the powers of the Spirit, they are not finding their support in the Scriptures. Other than the fact that they use terms found in the Scriptures, and are similar in a way, these teachings are not Biblical.
Some groups, sects, denominations, and/or organizations within Christendom claim that, despite popular belief, God is still doing all these works, and even greater works among the body of Christ [the Church]. Pentecostal/Charismatic (PC) are the names by which these groups are known. Most will claim to be affiliated to no group at all, while others will gladly call themselves Pentecostals. You can see them on TV, if you ever turn to your local Christian Television Network (e.g. TBN or Daystar Television or other). With followers in the thousands of thousands, their leaders are among the richest people in the U.S. You might recognize some of their names as the likes of Benny Hinn, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, John Hagee, Creflo Dollar, and many more.
The subject of discussion, however, is not about all these different aspects or areas of their teachings and beliefs; instead, it is to deal specifically with one of these, that is, the 'speaking in tongues.'
I do not seek to offend anyone with what I say in this post. I am simply stating what I have perceived, understood. So, if you feel offended in any way, I would like to ask you to please let me know in which manner I have offended you, so that I can explain myself better--if there is any explaining to do.
ORIGINS
Some of the most common passages used to support the belief in speaking in tongues are:
These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (Mk 16:17-8)
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
According some of their interpretations, a Christian cannot be called a Christian, unless he is endowed with the Spirit's gift of 'speaking in tongues.' They also take it seriously that a Christian must be followed by "all" the signs listed in Mark 16, or else he is not a true Christian. However, these are a minority among those who claim to have the gifts of the Spirit. These are the most extreme of them.
Although the less extreme groups don't make explicit claims about the need for the gifts of the Spirit, they hold to the belief that without the gifts of the Spirit, your spiritual life is weak. If one is a minister, preacher, or evangelist the ministry is weak, and is not as blessed as if one was endowed with such gifts.
To support their claim many use a passage from the Acts of the Apostles, where two of the followers of Christ meet with a disciple of John (the Baptist). In the account, the disciple of John, Apollos, was a man of great knowledge; he understood the Scriptures well and was eloquent in his speech. He debated with the Jews in the synagogues and was able to show them how Jesus was the promised Messiah. While Apollos debated the Jews, he was seen by Priscilla and Aquila, who took him aside and explained to him more (accurately) about the teachings of Christ, as it was passed down to them through the Apostles. (Acts 18:24-28)
The implied message here, as they interpret it, is that the baptism of John--by water, for the remission of sins--is only for salvation, but the power of the Holy Spirit can only be received through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. So, it was evident that Apollos was already 'saved', and he possessed a great amount of knowledge. But he was not yet baptized with the Holy Spirit, therefore, his ministry was not as good as that of the other disciples (of Christ).
There is a certain persuasion in the doctrine, and, as a consequence, many end up adopting it. As I said in the beginning of this post, many ask the question about why God would not do these works today, as He did then. So, when someone comes up and claims that God indeed does these things, and we see on TV all how these people seem to be fulfilling all these things, we become very much intrigued by it. We begin asking questions, we look for congregations where these things are practiced, and we even go to their conventions--whenever they are in town, or in a city near ours.
The reason why there is a lot of persuasion, however, is not necessarily because there is evidence that this doctrine is factual. Instead, the persuasiveness of the doctrine is in the emotions involved in it. It appeals to people's emotions. In a world that hungers for magic and miracles, anything to escape the harshness of the world in which we live will be accepted.
EXAMINING THE PASSAGES
Upon a close examination of the Scriptures that deal with speaking in tongues, we find that the Scriptural accounts are at variance with the way it is said to manifest itself today.
For example, Acts 2 states that those upon whom the 'tongues were poured' down, they began speaking with other 'languages' (tongues), as the Spirit gave them the ability to do so. At the time that this occurred, there were people of different nationalities, and so they spoke different languages. And when they came to see what was going on, they heard the disciples speaking in languages "known to them", their own natal languages. This, as it was later explained, was to fulfill the prophecy that God would give of His spirit to all mankind [*], and that they would prophesy and see visions (of God), and many other things.
However, as most of us who have come in contact with these groups (PC) would know, this is at odds with the way it is practiced today. Today, speaking in tongues is not 'understood' by anyone, not even the one who speaks it. There is no 'great noise like rushing wind,' nor is there any 'vision of tongues' moving around and above the people. And to explain this problem away, these groups will use other passages by Paul, in which he seems to explain more on the concept of speaking in tongues.
In the 1Corinthians 13, when writing about the need for love among the body of Christ, Paul also makes a statement in about speaking in tongues. In the first verse, he opens it like this "if I speak with the tongues of men and of angels." And then there is the other verse found in the fourteenth chapter, (verse 2), "For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries." Since Paul would seem to mention that there is such thing as the language of angels, they claim that indeed their speaking is not supposed to be understood by men. This would be more acceptable, however, if only they did follow the instructions found in the following chapters of the 1 Corinthians, where Paul explains how the congregation should allow these practices, and when it should not allow one or more of them.
Other than that one occurrence of such a thing as a 'language of angels,' there is no more support for the idea that speaking in tongues is done in the language of angels. As a matter of fact, in the fourteenth chapter (quoted above), Paul says that the language may not be known to the people there-present, therefore, making it profitless! if not accompanied by 'interpretation' (translation). The idea that this passage would be speaking of an angelic tongue is not supported, because later in the same chapter, (verses 10), he says that 'there are many languages in the world,' and they all have a meaning--therefore, making it clear that unless the spoken words are clear to the hearer, then it is pointless to speak in tongues; "For you will be speaking into the air." Also, if we looked back at the passage in the Acts of the Apostles, we can see that the 'languages' mentioned are actual human languages. If the people who could understand these languages had not been there, and, instead, only those who spoke one language were there, they would have considered the disciples to be crazy, or to be drunk. To them it would have been gibberish.
In light of these truths, Paul--as we believe he was inspired by the Spirit to write so--gives clear instructions about the use of these gifts, and their role in the spreading of the Gospel and edification of the congregation. In verses 23-28, of the fourteenth chapter, Paul writes:
Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
Once again, we see that the way these things are practiced today stand in opposite ends from the way it was instructed, and practiced back in those days. The passage above says that we are not allowed to speak all at the same time; we are not allowed to have more than two or three speakers per meeting; we are not allowed speak if there is no one to interpret; instead, we are instructed to keep silent, and perhaps wait till we get home, where we could do it privately.
Contrary to this, today we find that these congregations instruct their members to disregard whether or not someone is already speaking in tongues; they ask the entire congregation to speak (at the same time); they don't care to provide interpreters (for the edification of the congregation); they do not believe that anyone should lack the ability to speak, and do not believe that anyone should be prevented from speaking (in tongues, even when there is no understanding).
CONCLUSION
There was a time when I believed that these groups were truly gifted, and I always wondered how it would be to have these gifts. I used to watch them on TV, especially since my grandparents love to watch them speak (not in tongues). My grandmother once attended one of their crusades, and she claims to have been 'healed' from her illness--that is what she thought, as it turned out to be only for short period of time--and I had no reason to doubt this, at the time. (Also, she never mentioned receiving the gift of tongues, nor does she claim to have it.)
I then visited a number of Churches where these things were practiced, and I saw how everyone would begin speaking a bunch of strange sounds, and I could not understand what it was that they were doing. At that time, I was only aware of the gift of 'healing' part, but had no knowledge of the gift of tongues. I later learned more about it, from both the Scriptures, and the people who claimed to have these gifts. I even went to one of their crusades--I saw Rod Parsley, when he went to the Colliseum in Jacksonville, Florida.
As it turned out, I realized that this was all false. The Scriptures quoted above show clearly how these people are not doing what the Scriptures say. Sure, I will not say that these are all the Scriptures that deal with the subject, but I can say it with confidence, that none of the Scriptures that deal with the subject will support these groups' practices. Also, the particular Scriptures quoted from the 1 Corinthians are the most extensive of them all, and these are the only ones that give clear instructions about the use of gifts.
So, it is concluded that, although these people would seem to be doing all these great works, and to be truly gifted with the powers of the Spirit, they are not finding their support in the Scriptures. Other than the fact that they use terms found in the Scriptures, and are similar in a way, these teachings are not Biblical.
