Messages From The Heart

In recent years many persons have testified to an experience called “speaking in tongues” or glossolalia. We do not doubt their sincerity and devotion. However, the prior question concerning any doctrine or practice should always be, “What does God's Word teach?”

A careful study of the New Testament leads to the conclusion that the presuppositions and verbal phenomena of the present-day glossolalics are without foundation in the Scriptures.

Among the errors of modern tongues advocates we note the following:

1. They err in teaching that the unknown tongues are given by the Holy Spirit.

• In 1 Corinthians 14:2, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” Verse 4, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.”

• Verses 13–14, “Wherefore let him that speaketh in and unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

• Verse 19, “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”

• Verse 27, “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most three (sentences) and that by course; and let one interpret.” The word unknown is italicized in the King James Version to indicate that no Greek word meaning unknown occurs in those verses.

2. They err in saying that tongues are for all believers. According to the New Testament, the genuine gift of glossolalia was not imparted to or meant for, every believer. The same gifts are not given to all disciples, but the Holy Spirit bestows certain abilities upon individual Christians to enable each to fill his God-given place in the church.

• Romans 12:6–8 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the profession of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

• 1 Corinthians 12 : 4–11, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gift of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diversities of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.”

• Verse 18, “But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”

• Verses 27–31, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? Are all teachers? Have all the gifts of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

3. They err in contending that glossolalia is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

• The Bible nowhere states or implies that speaking in tongues is the evidence of the Spirit’s baptism. Actually, it seems that glossolalics do not lose the ability to speak in tongues- the alleged evidence- when they backslide

4. They err in overlooking the fact that the authentic gift of glossolalia, as demonstrated on the day of Pentecost, was the miraculous ability given to the disciples, to declare “the wonderful works of God” in a diversity of languages and dialects known and spoken in the Greco-Roman world.

• Acts 2:1–11, “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 of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these Galileans? 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.”

5. They err in overlooking the fact that in a number of instances where believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, no mention is made of speaking in tongues.

• Acts 4:8, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit etc.” also 31, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

• Acts 7:55, “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into the heaven, and saw the glory of God.”

• Acts 8:17, “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:9, “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him.”

6. They err in failing to distinguish between the temporary signs and the permanent aspects of the Spirit’s work. Pentecost signified the inauguration of a new age in the Divine economy. It marked the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell the church, as Jesus had promised.

• John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”

• John 16:7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

• Acts 1:4–8, “And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they ask of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Pentecost occurred at a designated time for the purpose of bringing in a new order in God’s dealings with men.

• Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Because Pentecost was an inaugural event, it was unrepeatable. All later manifestations of the Spirit are associated with the entrance of believers into the blessings of the new era, which was established at Pentecost.

• Acts 2:2–3, “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 of fire, ant it sat upon each of them.” These were special manifestations never to be repeated, any more than the visible phenomena which accompanied the giving of the Law at Sinai were to be repeated. (Ex 19:16–18; Heb 12:18–21

7. They err in overlooking the significance of the three occasions when genuine glossolalia- explicit speech in foreign languages not learned by ordinary means- accompanied the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The glossolalia at Pentecost in Acts 2:4, was associated with the introduction of the age of the Spirit.

• “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

It emphasized the universality of the plan of salvation.

• Acts 2:8–11 and 21. “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.” Verse 21 tells us, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The commission was no longer limited to the Hebrew-Jewish people, as stated in:

• Matt. 15:24, “But he answered and said, I am not sent but to the house of Israel.” From henceforth the gospel was to be declared to the whole world in the languages of all peoples.

• “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

• Matt. 28:19 also Luke 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

• Rev. 5:9, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”

The auditory and visible accompaniments of Pentecost were outward signs that the new era had begun.

They dramatized the connection between the Spirit and the world outreach of the church. The glossolalia at Caesarea like the wind, fire, and languages at Pentecost, was a witness to the Jews that the age of the Spirit had been fully introduced, and all the privileges of the gospel extended to the Gentiles. Acts 10:46, “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” All these scriptures confirm this:

• Acts 10:45, 47, “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 Spirit.” (47) “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?” Paul speaks of this wonderful transition in his letter to the Ephesians.

• Eph. 2:11–22, “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the word: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who that broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law and the commandments contained in the ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them which were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” The glossolalia among the disciples of John the Baptizer at Ephesus—persons who, until Paul’s ministry among them, had only a partial knowledge of God’s plan.

• Acts 19:1–6 emphasizes the oneness of the New Testament church. “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

The Baptizer’s work was preparatory according to:

• Matt. 3:11, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.” When it reached its culmination, the forerunner’s disciples turned their allegiance completely to the Savior.

• John 3:30, tells us that, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Acts 19:3–5 confirms this. Thus all the streams of Messianic hope converge in Jesus Christ, to whom the Holy Spirit bears witness.

• John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”

8. They do err in supposing that the modern phenomenon of ecstatic utterance is identical with the New Testament gift of glossolalia. No unknown tongues were spoken on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:4, 6, 8, 11) Paul definitely repudiates any expression of gibberish.

• “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak into the air.” 1 Cor. 14:8–9.

No where does the New Testament teach that the Holy Spirit motivates people to speak in unknown tongues. Whatever the Spirit imparts is intelligible.

9. They do err in overlooking the fact that the fruit of the Spirit is more important than the gifts.

• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal. 5:22–23.

10. They do err in supposing that the test of Christian experience is glossolaliaic rather than ethical. 1 Cor. 1:13.

11. They do err in saying that Jesus spoke in unknown tongues on the cross. Mark translates one of our Lord’s sayings at Calvary, then translates it into Greek.

• “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Mark 15:34 and also in Matt. 27:46, thus preserving the actual articulate utterance of Jesus.

The original was Aramaic, the provincial language of Palestine. Jesus received the Holy Spirit without measure according to John 3:34 for God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. Acts 10:38 also verifies this power, “How that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Nowhere in the New Testament is there any evidence that Jesus spoke anything but meaningful speech.

12. They do err in concluding that Paul spoke in tongues when he received the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 9:17–18 “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose and was baptized.”

13. They do err in overlooking the fact that no manifestation energized by the Holy Spirit brings a person under an overpowering compulsion that suspends his freedom of action or speech.

• 1 Cor. 14:31–32, “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

14. They do err in overlooking the fact that throughout the centuries since Pentecost thousands of Christians, including many of the church’s greatest leaders— without question Spirit-filled individuals— never spoke in tongues.

15. They do err in overlooking the necessity and permanence of love (agape) as the supreme and indispensable impartation of the Holy Spirit.

• 1 Cor. 12:31, which tells us to, “Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” Also the following 13th chapter relates this same truth. According to Rom. 5:5, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.”

16. They do err in overlooking the fact that Paul’s purpose in dealing with the spiritual manifestations are corrective and regulatory. (1 Cor. 12:12–14) The apostle wanted to lead the Corinthian believers, who were new converts, completely away from every vestige of their former pagan worship.

• 1 Cor. 12:1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” 1 Cor. 12:12–14 affirms this truth, “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. 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 made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.”

17. They overlook the fact that Paul nowhere indicates that the genuine gift of glossolalia is anything other than the Divinely given ability to speak in unlearned foreign languages as delineated in Acts 2:4–11.

18. They err in overlooking the fact that if the genuine gift of glossolalia is manifested, it operates in the sphere of intelligibility. It is expressed by words which convey meaning.

• 1 Cor. 14:6, “ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine.”

19. They do err in overlooking Paul’s hypothetical statements in 1 Corinthians 14. In that chapter the Apostle uses twelve “ifs” not statements of fact but supposable instances— to illustrate the points he is making.

20. They do err in taking the expression “no man understandeth him,” in the absolute sense. (1 Cor. 14:2) The context shows that the speaker would understand and could give the meaning (vs. 5, 13) or that an interpreter could do so. (vs. 26, 28) In order to benefit the listeners, what the speaker says must be intelligible. This is Paul’s emphasis and clarity in:

• 1 Corinthians 14:13–16. “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

21. They do err in disregarding the apostolic injunction that uninterpreted foreign speech should not be permitted. If a message is given in a foreign language, and the speaker or a qualified interpreter does not give the meaning, the listeners are not edified.

• 1 Cor. 14:28 “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”

21. They do err in supposing that foreign languages are a sign with a positive effect. The very opposite is true. Unless they are interpreted, they are a sign which has a negative effect.

• 1 Cor. 14:22–23 “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. 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?”

22. They err in claiming there is a “prayer language” in which the worshipper prays in utterances he does not understand. Romans 8:26 is often cited in support of such a theory.

• “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we {?should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

But it should be remembered that prayer is communication, and communication involves intelligibility.

Furthermore, the groanings mentioned in Romans 8:26 are said by Paul to be unutterable— they cannot be vocalized in human expression. Then why should anyone claim to utter what the Apostle says cannot be uttered? The “groanings” refer to the Holy Spirit’s intercession, not to a believer’s “prayer language.”

23. They err in their method of seeking. With a mental set for “tongues,” the phenomenon is apparently quite easily induced.

24. They err in their method of seeking. With a mental set for “tongues,” the phenomenon is apparently quite easily induced.

25. They err in overlooking the fact that no expression motivated by the Holy Spirit brings disorder and confusion into a congregation of God’s people.

• 1 Cor. 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” Also, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor. 14:40.

26. They err in overlooking the fact that glossolalia is not a phenomenon peculiar to Christianity. Pagan peoples since ancient times have spoken in tongues under the influence of spirits not of God. The Greek soothsayers, who were numerous in Corinth, observed their religious rites in a wild frenzy, which they believed indicated the power and possession of a god

According to Paul, Christian worship is characterized by spiritual composure and clarity of thought.

• As previously related in 1 Cor. 14:15.

27. They err in trying to interpret the Scriptures on the basis of human experience, instead of interpreting human experience in the light of the scriptures.

• 2 Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.”

28. They err in overlooking the fact that the recognition of an utterance as a known language is essential to any confirmation that genuine glossolalia had occurred. If only incoherent sounds were uttered, such phonation could not be verified as meaningful speech, hence any so–called “interpretation” would be a fraud.

29. They err in failing to realize that a demonstration for which there is no real Biblical basis can only be a supposed gift of the Spirit.

30. They err in failing to realize that practices not sanctioned by God’s Word open the door to deceptive and dangerous encroachments.

• “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the later times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Tim. 4:1. THE END