Dear Sir,
My name is Joseph. I am a teenage Christian who is sincerely interested to know more about the truth of God. I firmly believe that when helping others, one should always go by the Gods word, the Bible. I did a little research on the topic of speaking in tongues and found it quite interesting. Please allow me to share it with you and hopefully you may aid me to a better understanding according and in line with the bible. Thanks for your help. Would really appreciate it. Enjoy reading.
Speaking in Tongues
It is the special ability given through holy spirit to some disciples in the early Christian Congregation that enables them to preach or glorify God in a language other than their own.
What is the PURPOSE?
Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Joseph: Holy spirit poured out.
Acts 2:7-11
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Joseph: since the COMMON FOLKS of other races or languages could recognized that their language was spoken, clearly they could understand those who were speaking in tongues.
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
Joseph: Commission to preach.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Joseph: they used the ability to speak in tongues to be witnesses of God in all lands.
Joseph: During Pauls time, bible truths were only limited or available to the Jews in the Greek language. So God gave the ability to speak in tongues to certain ones so that they were able to proclaim or preach the gospels to people of different language groups. The word tongues in the Chinese Bibles is written as fang yan, meaning Dialects.
Application Today
Today the bible is the most widely distributed book in the world. Besides that, it is available in hundreds of languages. So is it still necessary to speak in tongues today? Furthermore, the common folks understood those speaking in tongues in Pauls day.
Does not Mark 16:17, 18 show that ability to speak in tongues would be a sign identifying believers?
Mark 16:17,18
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Joseph: These verses appear in certain Bible manuscripts and versions of the fifth and sixth centuries C.E. But they do not appear in the older Greek manuscripts, the Sinaiticus and Vatican MS. 1209 of the fourth century. Dr. B. F. Westcott, an authority on Bible manuscripts, said that the verses . . . are no part of the original narrative but an appendage. (An Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, London, 1881, p. 338) Bible translator Jerome, in the fifth century, said that almost all the Greek codices [are] without this passage. (The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark, London, 1871, J. W. Burgon, p. 53) The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) says: Its vocabulary and style differ so radically from the rest of the Gospel that it hardly seems possible Mark himself composed it [that is, verses 9-20]. (Vol. IX, p. 240) There is no record that early Christians either drank poison or handled serpents to prove they were believers.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Joseph: When they had accomplished their purpose, those miraculous gifts would cease. But priceless qualities that are the fruitage of Gods spirit would still be manifest in the lives of true Christians.
So the ability to speak in tongues is no longer possible or needed today as the bible is available in so many languages. There isn't a need to speak in tongues for others to hear the kingdom message today. Anyway non-Christians understood those speaking in tongues in the 1st century since these common folks were able to identify that the apostles were speaking in their language. Today those speaking in tongues are actually blasphemers who give a sudden outburst of ecstatic noises with no one understanding it. They do not speak in tongues for the sake of the good news.
Matthew 7:22,23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Can the ability to speak in tongues come from a source other than the true God?
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joseph: Among those speaking in tongues today are Pentecostals and Baptists, also Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians. Jesus said that the holy spirit would guide his disciples into all the truth. (John 16:13) Do the members of each of these religions believe that the others who also speak in tongues have been guided into all the truth? How could that be, since they are not all in agreement? What spirit is making it possible for them to speak in tongues?
2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10.
[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Joseph: So evidently since God no longer provides us with the ability to speak in tongues, definitely SATAN is behind this.
A joint statement by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council admitted: We are also aware that a similar phenomenon can occur under occult/demonic influence. (Gospel and Spirit, April 1977, published by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council, p. 12) The book Religious Movements in Contemporary America (edited by Irving I. Zaretsky and Mark P. Leone, quoting L. P. Gerlach) reports that in Haiti speaking in tongues is characteristic of both Pentecostal and Voodoo religions.(Princeton, N.J.; 1974), p. 693
Might the holy spirit be directing charismatics into practices that reach beyond what is found in the Scriptures?
Galatians 1:8
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Joseph: If someone claims to have an inspired message that conflicts with revelations made by Gods spirit through Jesus and his apostles, could it possibly be from the same source?
The End
PS: The scriptures quoted are taken from the King James Version. I try my best to use the bible when possible to ensure that what I researched on is based on the bible and not my own ideas. I also typed in the references of books other than the bible to show that it came from a reliable source. Please enlighten me on this matter. Hope to hear from you soon.
Joseph
My name is Joseph. I am a teenage Christian who is sincerely interested to know more about the truth of God. I firmly believe that when helping others, one should always go by the Gods word, the Bible. I did a little research on the topic of speaking in tongues and found it quite interesting. Please allow me to share it with you and hopefully you may aid me to a better understanding according and in line with the bible. Thanks for your help. Would really appreciate it. Enjoy reading.
Speaking in Tongues
It is the special ability given through holy spirit to some disciples in the early Christian Congregation that enables them to preach or glorify God in a language other than their own.
What is the PURPOSE?
Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Joseph: Holy spirit poured out.
Acts 2:7-11
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Joseph: since the COMMON FOLKS of other races or languages could recognized that their language was spoken, clearly they could understand those who were speaking in tongues.
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
Joseph: Commission to preach.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Joseph: they used the ability to speak in tongues to be witnesses of God in all lands.
Joseph: During Pauls time, bible truths were only limited or available to the Jews in the Greek language. So God gave the ability to speak in tongues to certain ones so that they were able to proclaim or preach the gospels to people of different language groups. The word tongues in the Chinese Bibles is written as fang yan, meaning Dialects.
Application Today
Today the bible is the most widely distributed book in the world. Besides that, it is available in hundreds of languages. So is it still necessary to speak in tongues today? Furthermore, the common folks understood those speaking in tongues in Pauls day.
Does not Mark 16:17, 18 show that ability to speak in tongues would be a sign identifying believers?
Mark 16:17,18
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Joseph: These verses appear in certain Bible manuscripts and versions of the fifth and sixth centuries C.E. But they do not appear in the older Greek manuscripts, the Sinaiticus and Vatican MS. 1209 of the fourth century. Dr. B. F. Westcott, an authority on Bible manuscripts, said that the verses . . . are no part of the original narrative but an appendage. (An Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, London, 1881, p. 338) Bible translator Jerome, in the fifth century, said that almost all the Greek codices [are] without this passage. (The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark, London, 1871, J. W. Burgon, p. 53) The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) says: Its vocabulary and style differ so radically from the rest of the Gospel that it hardly seems possible Mark himself composed it [that is, verses 9-20]. (Vol. IX, p. 240) There is no record that early Christians either drank poison or handled serpents to prove they were believers.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Joseph: When they had accomplished their purpose, those miraculous gifts would cease. But priceless qualities that are the fruitage of Gods spirit would still be manifest in the lives of true Christians.
So the ability to speak in tongues is no longer possible or needed today as the bible is available in so many languages. There isn't a need to speak in tongues for others to hear the kingdom message today. Anyway non-Christians understood those speaking in tongues in the 1st century since these common folks were able to identify that the apostles were speaking in their language. Today those speaking in tongues are actually blasphemers who give a sudden outburst of ecstatic noises with no one understanding it. They do not speak in tongues for the sake of the good news.
Matthew 7:22,23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Can the ability to speak in tongues come from a source other than the true God?
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joseph: Among those speaking in tongues today are Pentecostals and Baptists, also Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians. Jesus said that the holy spirit would guide his disciples into all the truth. (John 16:13) Do the members of each of these religions believe that the others who also speak in tongues have been guided into all the truth? How could that be, since they are not all in agreement? What spirit is making it possible for them to speak in tongues?
2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10.
[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Joseph: So evidently since God no longer provides us with the ability to speak in tongues, definitely SATAN is behind this.
A joint statement by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council admitted: We are also aware that a similar phenomenon can occur under occult/demonic influence. (Gospel and Spirit, April 1977, published by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council, p. 12) The book Religious Movements in Contemporary America (edited by Irving I. Zaretsky and Mark P. Leone, quoting L. P. Gerlach) reports that in Haiti speaking in tongues is characteristic of both Pentecostal and Voodoo religions.(Princeton, N.J.; 1974), p. 693
Might the holy spirit be directing charismatics into practices that reach beyond what is found in the Scriptures?
Galatians 1:8
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Joseph: If someone claims to have an inspired message that conflicts with revelations made by Gods spirit through Jesus and his apostles, could it possibly be from the same source?
The End
PS: The scriptures quoted are taken from the King James Version. I try my best to use the bible when possible to ensure that what I researched on is based on the bible and not my own ideas. I also typed in the references of books other than the bible to show that it came from a reliable source. Please enlighten me on this matter. Hope to hear from you soon.
Joseph