Part 1 of 6
PLEASE NOTE:
The following "book" has
been selected to provide you, dear reader, with
an interesting and challenging subject for your
consideration. You will find that much contained
herein, varies with traditional teachings and
beliefs. However, it is my 'burden' to encourage
as many as will, to honestly consider with an
open heart and mind...then, trusting the Holy
Spirit to teach each one as HE WILLS. =)
FOREWARD
Having listened to the
Author of this book (Bro. Chesnut) deliver these
sermons on “True Bible Tongues Their Proper
Place and Use In the Church” over the radio, it
gives me great pleasure to write a Foreword, and
recommend this book to the reading public who
really want to know what the Bible teaches on
this subject.
I have read many, many
books both for and against the “Speaking In
Tongues,” and for a number of years I was
vitally interested and made it a special study.
After much, study, searching, and praying,
without reservation I recommend this as being
the best exposition of the subject of “Speaking
in. Tongues” that it has been my privilege to
read. You will find this treatise to be
Biblical, clear, concise, reasonable, and sound
in theory and practice.
There has been much
exagerated and unscriptural teaching concerning
the gift of tongues, which, has caused untold
harm to many, and responsible for them being led
into deception. Jesus tells us plainly that it
is His Word that will judge us in the last day.
Therefore, with love let me say, get your Bible
and prayerfully peruse this book with this one
thing in mind, that what I believe and teach
must be Biblically sound.
PREFACE
In the early part of the
year 1948, I delivered a series of messages on
the subject, “True Bible Tongues, Their Proper
Place and Use In The Church” over Radio Station
K. L. P. R„ Oklahoma. City, Oklahoma, daily for
three weeks. These messages gained such
wide-spread favor, and created such demand in
radio land for it to be in book form, so untold
numbers could be privileged to have it for
study, and continued reference, that I feel
justified, and it my duty to launch this work.
With this pressure of
demand, in addition to a definite leading from
God, (I have compiled these series of messages
into book form just as I preached them over the
radio, in many revival meetings, and in my
pastorate here.)
For many years I have been
vitally interested concerning the Scriptural
teaching on this subject, along with all other
doctrines of the Bible. With many long hours of
earnest prayer and diligent study, searching the
pages of the Bible and history, I have emerged
with what I definitely and sincerely feel to be
the true revelation of God and His Word on this
subject.
Perfection is not claimed,
but I have endeavored to adhere strictly to the
teaching of the Bible, and recorded facts. As
you study closely the contents it is believed
that you will be impressed with the sincere,
brotherly, free and unbiased approach and
treating of the subject given.
A number of years ago,
feeling that God especially favored me in
unfolding this truth, I have lived with a strong
desire to share it with others. It is not my
intention to wound, hurt or crush anyone, but
rather to send forth a guiding light, and
helping hand, to honest, true, sincere, truth
seeking hearts. Since there is so much
confusion, misconstrued opinions and deception,
on, and about a simple Bible truth, it gives me
great pleasure to accept a broader field the
Lord has opened unto me, and send forth this
book which I feel will be light and comfort to
many honest sincere Christians.
As you travel the
distance, walk the depths, and study the
contents, may the Holy Spirit be with you in a
special way, and grant unto all a revelation of
God’s glorious light and truth that saves and
keeps unto the end.
THE PROMISE
Jesus told His disciples,
who had been with Him for about three and
one-half years, to go to the City of Jerusalem
and tarry until they be endued with power from
on high. In Luke 24:49, we read some of the last
words of our Lord, “And behold I send the
promise of My Father upon you, but tarry ye in
the City of Jerusalem until ye be endued with
power from on high.”
The need of this power was
great, and designed to enable them to witness
boldly, and consistently for Christ is Jerusalem
(home), Judea (neighbors), in Samaria (despised
neighbors) and unto the uttermost part of the
earth. The Word of God is bold to declare the
effect of the reception of Holy Ghost. 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
Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth.” Many scriptures could be
brought forth to bear upon the subject of the
coming of the Holy Spirit, but it is assumed
that all readers will accept the fact of the
Holy Spirit of promise as taught in the Bible,
the Word of God.
There is a gift of tongues
(languages) taught in the Bible. It is one of
the nine gifts recorded in 1 Corinthians, 12:28.
The Word of God says, “And God set some in the
church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healing, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.” We note the tongues is
the least of all gifts, yet it has, and is
causing more confusion than all the other gifts
combined. The Bible is clear on this, and it is
our desire to set forth the truth strictly from
the scriptural point of view, and as it is
taught in the Word of God.
There is no such thing
taught in the Bible as Baptism of Tongues, but
the Bible does clearly and definitely teach
there is a gift of tongues or languages. It can
be proven beyond all question there was no such
thing known as the baptism of tongues in the
days of the Apostolic Church. This will be
treated further on in this book.
PROPHECY OF THE HOLY GHOST
COMING
There is no greater, or
authorative source to go to than the Bible,
therefore we will adhere closely to its
teaching. We cite to some scriptures that are
prophecies of the coming of the Holy Ghost.
First we will notice the words of John in Luke
3:16, “John answered, saying unto them all, I
indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier
than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am
not worthy to unloose, He shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost and with fire.” The same
statement is recorded in Matt. 3:11.… “He shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”
The Holy Ghost and fire is mentioned in these
texts, and stands as symbols of two great
truths. The fire stands as a symbol of the
illumining, cleansing, purifying, and consuming
element in the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy
Ghost stands as an expression of power that is
contained in the work of the Holy Spirit, “And
ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost
is come upon you.” Acts 1:8.
“God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power;
who went about doing good, and healing all that
were oppressed of the devil, for God was with
Him” Acts 10:38. “And when he had said this, he
breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye
the Holy Ghost.” John 20:22.
We will now notice where
the gift of the Holy Ghost is spoken of, Acts
2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Again we
read in Acts, 11:15–17, “And as I began to
speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at
the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the
Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized
with water; but ye shall be baptized with the
Holy Ghost.” Bear in mind the foregoing
scriptures of prophecy concerning the coming of
the Holy Ghost, not a word is said about
tongues. No such thing as the baptism of tongues
was even hinted at. There is a prophecy in the
New Testament, prophesying of the gifts of
tongues, Mark 16:17, “These signs shall follow
them that believe. In My name they shall cast
out devils, they shall speak with new tongues,”
meaning languages.
Since the Bible teaches
beyond all question a gift of tongues, we will
proceed, and show from the scripture its proper
place and use in the Church of the Bible.
THREE INCIDENTS WHERE THEY
RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST AND SPOKE IN TONGUES
(LANGUAGES)
1. The Day of Pentecost
Acts 2:1–8. This was to the Jews.
2. Cornelius Household
Acts 10:44–47. This was to the Gentiles.
3. The Twelve at Ephesus
Acts 19:1–6. This was to the Samaritans.
The three foregoing
incidents set forth the gift of true Bible
tongues, which we will take up one by one, and
verse by verse. For a better understanding later
it is well to take special note that neither of
these three places state they all spake in
tongues, or received the gift of tongues
(languages). If it appears to you they did, we
will not unchristianize, but we will go into
detail and find out what the real truth is. The
Bible when rightly understood will be clear, and
will give us something solid and satisfactory to
stand on.
Another great thing to
take special notice of is, those who spoke with
the gift of tongues, spoke understandable
languages of the day, and needed no interpreter.
As I stated, we will go into each account in
detail as given, but before we do, there is one
more point to consider to properly present a
balanced truth.
WHERE THEY RECEIVED THE
HOLY GHOST AND DID NOT SPEAK IN TONGUES
1. In case of Stephen,
Acts 3:6–8, “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out
among you seven men of honest report, full of
the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business. But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer and to the ministry of the
Word. And the saying pleased the whole
multitude, and they chose Stephen”… V. 8, “And
Stephen full of faith and power, did great
wonders and miracles among the people.” Being
full of the Holy Ghost and faith was stressed,
but no hint of tongues being required for
qualification.
2. The Account of Peter
and John at Samaria, Acts 8:14–17, “Now when the
Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent
unto them Peter and John; who when they were
come down, prayed for them, that they might
receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet He was
fallen upon none of them, only they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then
laid they their hands on them, and they received
the Holy Ghost.”
3. We now go to Paul’s
Experience, 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
Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes
as it had been scales; and he received sight
forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” Paul
was a converted man before the Lord sent Ananias
to pray for him that he might receive the Holy
Ghost. We notice that he was quite bold to call
him Brother Saul, signifying that he recognized
him as a saved individual.
4. The last incident we
cite you to on this point is the receiving of
the Holy Ghost by the five thousand at
Jerusalem, Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed,
the place was shaken where they were assembled
together; And they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with
boldness:” I have given the three incidents
where when receiving the Holy Ghost the gift of
tongues was manifested. Then, I have given you
four places where they received the Holy Ghost
and no mention is made of tongues. The Bible
gift of tongues is manifested only when there is
a need. Three of the recorded occasions there
was a need, and a real necessity. With the
others there was no need. You never hear of one
with the gift of healing going around trying to
heal a well man, he is not sick, and there is no
need. This would be rank foolishness to attempt
this, or to think that one should do it.
Likewise, it is just as foolish to hold that man
is to speak with the gift of tongues when there
is no need. The Holy Ghost only empowers when
and where there is a need. So we conclude that a
demonstration when there is no necessity would
be a false one, and prompted from some source
other than God. We will now take up the three
recorded incidents where they received the Holy
Ghost and spoke with the Bible gift of tongues.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
We wish to read first the
account as it is recorded in the Bible. “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. 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 which
speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in
our own tongue wherein we were born” Acts 2:1–8.
Now we go to the explanation.
The Day of Pentecost means
the 50th day after the resurrection of our Lord.
We cannot Biblically call ourselves Pentecost
today unless one would first turn the world back
more than 1900 years, and this would be an
impossibility. Pentecost means the 50th day
after the resurrection of Jesus.
“They were all with one
accord, in one place” Acts 2:1. This has
reference to those whom Jesus had commanded to
go to Jerusalem and tarry until they were endued
with power from on high, who were assembled in
the upper room at Jerusalem. They were in a
sitting and intelligent position, Acts 2:2; “And
suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a
rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting.” Notice with special
care, they were in a sitting position, not even
asking for tongues, just worshipping and
praising God, and waiting for the promise. No
where does it say they even expected the tongues
which sets forth the truth that tongues is just
one of the many gifts of the Spirit, and that
they had no idea that it was to be the evidence
of the reception of the Holy Ghost which gift He
is to impart to us, but that it is our place to
get the Holy Spirit, and let Him give the gift
as seemeth best to divine wisdom.
It came in the sound of a
rushing mighty wind. The wind is used in the
Bible as a symbol, or emblem of the Holy Ghost,
conveying the thought that it is powerful. “Ye
shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you …” Acts 1:8. It signifies also
that it is independent. “The wind bloweth where
it listeth.… “John 3:8. Again, we see this
thought expressed, “But all these worketh that
one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing severally
as He will,” 1 Cor. 12:11. The wind also stands
as a symbol of reviving and refreshing. “Then
said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind,
Prophesy, Son of man, and say to the wind, Thus
saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O
breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they
may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me,
and breath came into them, and they lived, and
stood upon their feet, and exceeding great
army.… And shall put my spirit in you, and ye
shall live, and I shall place you in your own
land; then shall ye know that I the Lord have
spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.”
Ezekiel 37:9, 10, 14.
“And there appeared unto
them Cloven Tongues like as of fire, and it sat
upon each of them.” Acts 2:3. The Cloven (or
forked) tongues were for a sign, symbolizing the
two phases of the work of the Holy Spirit,
namely, the cleansing and empowering elements.
The sitting upon each of them denoted that the
cleansing and empowering they had received was
very marked and noticeable on each one. They all
had an individual experience.
We go now to Acts 2:4.
“And they were all (120) filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues
(languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
“And they were all,” Meaning (120) those who had
obeyed the command of Jesus, and were waiting
for the descension of the Holy Spirit.
Goodspeed, a late authorized version on Acts 2:4
gives it as, “And they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit, and began to say in foreign
languages whatever the Spirit prompted them to
utter.” There are two things that we must not
overlook here. First, when they received the
Holy Spirit, they spoke in other tongues, or
languages. This conveys the fact they were
already speaking in tongues, or languages before
they received the Holy Ghost, carrying with it
the truth what they uttered was understandable.
The very expression, of “other tongues” denotes
they were able to talk in an understandable
language before and after the receiving of the
Holy Ghost. Going a little farther and noticing
the statement as given by Goodspeed, “Began to
say in foreign languages whatever the Spirit
prompted them to utter.” Language always denotes
tongues as being something intelligent, and
understandable, which is always characteristic
of True Bible Tongues. If the scripture is taken
to mean as it reads, the foregoing facts cannot
be denied.
THE REASON FOR THE GIFT OF
TONGUES, OR LANGUAGES
Acts 2:5 gives the key.
“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under heaven.”
In verse six the Bible states, “Now when this
was noised abroad (meaning the people heard it)
the multitude came together, and were confounded
(troubled in mind) because that every man heard
them speak in his own language.” The emphasis in
this text confirms the fact that it was a
language, and understandable. Being empowered to
speak in other languages did not create so much
astonishment, as the people being able to hear
in their own language, or Mother tongue.
Goodspeed renders Acts,
2:1 as, “On the Day of Harvest Festival, they
were all meeting together.” This was the time of
year when the Jews came from a large area, far
and near for the special set time and occasion.
There were literally thousands who had gathered
at Jerusalem, and the Lord timed it so the Holy
Ghost would descend at this time.
Let us notice together
some Biblical facts of the setting. During the
time of the Apostles there was a different
language, or dialect spoken about every twenty
miles. This makes it easy for us to understand
how so many people could be gathered together,
speaking so many different languages in
Palestine during the time of our Lord on earth.
In Acts 2:9–11, there is eighteen different
bodies and nationalities assembled on the Day of
Pentecost. We will name them and you can count
them for yourself. “Parthians, Medes, Elamites,
Dwellers in Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappodocia, In
Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, In
parts of Libya about Cyrene, Strangers from
Rome, Jews, Proselytes, Cretes, Arabians, and
the Apostles who were Galileans,” making the
number eighteen. According to Acts 2:5, “There
were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men,
out of every nation under heaven.” To properly
understand the setting will go far to help us
understand the scripture, and the proper use of
the Bible gift of tongues. Here we have many
different bodies, able to speak and understand
just one language, or tongue. “Every man heard
them speak in his own language.” Acts 2:6. This
confirms beyond all question that what was done
and said was intelligent and understandable.
Another statement that strongly supports this
truth is found in Acts 2:8, “And how hear we
every man in our own tongue wherein we were
born.”
We can at a glance
visualize the fruitlessness today of having all
peoples of our present known world together in
one body, and attempt to get the Gospel to all
by speaking in one language. This would be an
utter impossibility, for all do not speak and
understand the same language. This illustration
contrasts to our minds the condition on the Day
of Pentecost, only in a smaller degree. The
Apostles on the Day of Pentecost were of one
body (Galileans) and only spoke one language.
The Bible definitely teaches that, “God is no
respecter of persons,” and that the Gospel is a
universal Gospel; given for all the world. Since
the preachers on the Day of Pentecost only spoke
one language, one can readily see that it was
vitally necessary that the preachers be
supernaturally empowered to speak other
languages, or else only a small minority would
have heard, and learned of the wonderful saving
power of the Gospel of Christ.
Where all speak and
understand the same language there is no
necessity for the gift of tongues being
manifested. True Bible tongues is only one of
the nine recorded gifts in 1 Cor. 12; and is
only to be used when and where there is a need.
Another gift is the gift of healing. One would
think it foolish, and out of order for an
individual with the gift of healing going around
trying to heal those who are well, and have no
need of healing. The Bible states, “They that
are well need no physician, but they that are
sick.” Likewise, it could be said that it would
be, and is gross foolishness for those who
understand and speak the same language be
required to seek for the empowering of
supernatural languages when there is no need. If
all will let the Holy Ghost have His complete
right away, He will supply the Church with the
needed gifts without our seeking them. Our need
is to be possessors of the Holy Spirit, and His
work is to impart the gifts as the need
requires. Again, I wish to emphasize that where
all speak and understand the same language there
absolutely is no need or place for the
manifestations of the gifts of tongues. In fact
it will be impossible for anyone to do so, for
the. Holy Ghost only acts where there is a need.
Any demonstration of tongues where all
understand and speak the same language cannot be
of God. It is contrary to, and out of harmony
with the teaching of the Scriptures. No where
does the Bible teach that tongues is an evidence
of receiving the Holy Ghost, but those who had
received Him were empowered on the great Day of
Pentecost, to speak the various languages of
people gathered, because it was vitally
necessary that the then known world might know
of the Gospel.
All who received the gift
of languages in the Bible was unexpected. No
where were they asking for it, nor were they
even expecting it. This is in complete
contradiction to many modern tongue theories of
today. Tongues, or the gift of languages is one
of the gifts of the Spirit, hence must not be,
and cannot be used only when there is a
necessity. It is impossible to speak in Bible
tongues (or languages) unless the Holy Spirit
empowers for same, and the Holy Spirit only
moves when there is a need. It is clear that the
multitudes did not speak in tongues, for we read
in Acts 2:6–8, “Now when this was noised abroad,
the multitudes came together.” The question may
be asked, what was noised abroad? The answer to
this is given in Acts 2:2–4, meaning the
descension of the Holy Ghost, and its effect
upon the 120 receiving it. When the multitudes
came together, they were confounded, Why?
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 which speak Galileans, and how hear we
every man in our own tongue wherein we were
born.
The acts that confounded
the multitudes, was not the fact that they were
talking in an unknown tongue, but what
confounded the multitude was when the multitude
came together, they heard them speak in an
intelligent, understandable manner the native
tongues of all the seventeen nationalities that
were present. At no time did they need an
interpreter. The Holy Ghost did not empower the
speakers to speak in an unknown tongue, as some
would have us believe, and then have to perform
another miracle by supernaturally bestowing on
another the power to interpret. This would be
employing two miracles to do the work of one,
which would be needless and superfluous. God
never resorts to extravagance, but always
supplies the need direct. He only did one act in
that He empowered the speakers to speak in a
clear and distinct voice, and understandable
languages, hence needed no interpreter, when the
True Bible gift of tongues was inaugurated.
Anything unknown does not contribute to
edification, but the understandable spoken word
edifies.
Paul states in 1 Cor.
14:11, “Therefore if I know not the meaning of
the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a
barbarian (uncivilized) and he that speaketh
shall be a barbarian unto me.” In verses 18–19,
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues
(languages) more than all! 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.” It can be easily seen the value
Paul placed on unknown speech. He considered it
worthless in a public, service. Understanding,
and edification is the true Bible standard
throughout. Again, may it be remembered there is
no such thing mentioned in the Bible as baptism
of tongues, and the gift of tongues, but the
gift of tongues only.
The Word of God shows we
are sanctified by the Holy Ghost, Rom. 15:16. In
Heb. 10:14, we find, “For by one offering He
hath perfected forever them that are
sanctified.” The Biblical standard is not to
seek any specified gift of the Spirit, but we
are to seek, and receive the Gift Giver, the
Holy Spirit, and let Him impart the gift that
seems best in the mind of God. We are not
Biblical when we demand and attempt to dictate
the policies of the Holy Spirit, and demand of
Him to do something that is clear out of harmony
with the Word of God. The Word and Spirit agree,
and He only operates in the realm of the Word.
To demand any set demonstration is minimizing
the power of the Holy Ghost, adding to the
Bible, and nothing short of dictation. The Holy
Ghost has power enough to do His own witnessing,
and never resorts to the inferior to do His
convincing for Him. To demand any set sign is
lowering to the inferior, and the lesser, which
always terminates in questioning and much
confusion. God’s way is always clear, definite,
intelligent, and
understandable.

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