The aim of this paper is not to prove that there is no such thing as the ‘gift of tongues:’ because there is. Rather, our aim is to warn the church of a counterfeit experience which is currently being accepted as the real gift of tongues and baptism of the Holy Spirit. The two most common claims made by those who speak in ‘tongues’ are:
They see others in the church receiving what is variously described as ‘the anointing,’ the ‘blessing,’ the ‘experience,’ but it escapes them. Why? Why? Why? they ask themselves in silent anguish.
If, on the other hand, these claims are wrong, being based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures, then we are witnessing a very dangerous deception indeed and one that must be exposed without delay.
| 1 Corinthians 12: | 29: “Are all Apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak in tongues? do all interpret?” |
As for that second claim that ‘unless one speaks in tongues one cannot be saved’ this is even more dangerous than the first. In the history of the church there have been thousands of believers of great spiritual stature. Men like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Noah, Daniel, Job, Ezra, John the Baptist and many, many great reformers of this age: believers who have taken the Gospel to the four corners of the earth.
All these spiritual giants never spoken in tongues. Dare we say that they will not be saved? The very idea is ludicrous; if not blasphemous and were it not believed by so many people, we would dismiss it without second thought. But many sincere believers, who are not aware of what the Bible teaches on this matter, are being deceived by these unscriptural claims and are living their lives in silent torture - because they cannot speak in tongues.
Linguists have tape recorded many so-called messages in tongues and have yet to record a single uplifting message in a language used by mankind. Does that tell us something? It certainly does. It tells us that the vast majority of these so-called ‘messages in tongues’ are nothing but a confused jumble of meaningless sounds which are certainly not the work of the Holy Spirit.
Recent reports coming in tell of people grunting like pigs, growling like lions and laughing themselves silly. We can be certain that some other spirit is at work here; probably the same lying spirit we read about in [1 Kings 22: 19-2.]
When the early Apostles spoke in tongues on that memorable day of Pentecost [Acts 2] they spoke meaningful words which were understood by thousands of feast-keeping Jewish visitors to Jerusalem who were not so well acquainted with the accent and language spoken by the Apostles.
Yahweh used the gift of tongues in those circumstances to get across the Gospel in foreign languages they knew very well. In that situation there was an absolute need and the gift of tongues was the answer. Note the detail in the following passage:
| Acts 2: | 1: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 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. 3: And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5: And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6: Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7: And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8: And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” |
Every one has heard about the famous American TV evangelists whose blatant sins brought great shame on the Christian faith. These men were supposedly filled with the Holy Spirit: they spoke in tongues and did many mighty miracles. But the truth was they were deep-dyed sinners. To be sure they profess Jesus Christ: “Lord, Lord“ they say; but on the great Day of Judgement they may find to their eternal shame that they are excluded from the kingdom of heaven.
| Matthew 7: | 22: “Many will say unto 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? 23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity.” |
| Acts 5: | 32: “And we are witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit is also, whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him.” |
| Luke 11: | 11: “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12: Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” |
| James 4: | 4: “Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your own lusts.” |
Another fact is that we shall all be baptized in the Holy Spirit in Yahweh's time. Do not despair if you have to wait for Him: and most certainly do not dictate as to which gift He should give you. That is His decision. Meanwhile you could add to your faith, obedience, holiness and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
| Galatians 5: | 22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” |
| 1 Corinthians 12: | 28: “And God hath set some in the church, first Apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” |
In order of priority - if there is such a thing - members in the church are as follows: Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracle-workers, Healers, Helpers, Organizers, Speakers in Tongues etc. Here for comparison is the list of Fruit, Gifts and Positions. Remember that all believers should bear the Fruit of the Spirit; whereas the Gifts and Positions are distributed according to the Almighty's will. Not all believers will have all the gifts any more than everyone could hold every position.
| FRUIT | GIFTS | POSITIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Love | Wisdom | Apostles |
| Joy | Prophecy | Prophets/Evangelists |
| Peace | Knowledge | Pastors/Teachers |
| Long-Suffering | Miraculous Powers | Miracle workers |
| Gentleness | Healing | Healers |
| Goodness | Helps | Helpers |
| Faith | Organizational Skills | Managers |
| Meekness | Tongues | Speakers In Tongues |
| Temperance | Interpretation | Interpreters |
There are some, a few, who have the genuine gift of tongues. But you will recognize them, not so much by their words [which will generally be understood by foreigners in the audience] but by their sanctified and obedient lives. People who are full of the Holy Spirit are extremely holy people. Moreover they have great peace of mind and do not repeatedly fluctuate between peaks of ecstasy and troughs of despair.
In their lives they will exhibit the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in abundance. Above all, they do not reject the Almighty's law as though it were an obsolete yoke. These are the souls who are filled with the Holy Spirit: not the laughing, growling and gibberish-speaking deceivers in the popular churches of today. If you keep these facts in mind you will not be deceived.
