On Tongues

and the Simonized Christian

post 227

Recently a friend asked if I knew of a sound online resource that spoke to the topic of tongues (reference; I Corinthians 14). With regret, I know of none though I am sure they are out there, So I thought I would present a post with the important basics as I understand it. Now while this post may seem to be a departure from my regular topic, it really does fit nicely in achieving my intended point. This section will discuss basic Christianity and our present state of confusion that bastardizes it, which is leading us into the next age.

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Tongues in the early Church was first made famous by the Apostles in

Acts 2:4;

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

This was not the first time the Holy Ghost came on men resulting in extra natural manifestation (conduct) but what is unique is the presentation of that manifestation. Throughout the Old Testament when the Spirit of God came on men they prophesied;

“And the spirit of the LORD will come upon thee (Saul), and thou shalt prophesy with them (the company of prophets), and shalt be turned into another man” I Samuel 10:6.

(see also Numbers 11:25-29 an event that resulted in the prophecy of the last days fulfillment of Joel 2:28 which we are now discussing).

Stand alone verses can be very dangerous as any wrong context whatever can be added to them and alter the meaning, therefore verses must be read, understood, and interpreted not only within the context of the scripture in which it is found but in the spirit of the whole message of scripture. We discover that context by asking questions of scripture:

“Why did Saul prophesy?”

Because the spirit of the LORD came upon him and turned him into another man.

“What was the reason he prophesied?”

The very next line in Samuel’s prophecy tells us;

“And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee” I Samuel 10:7.

“What signs does he mean?”

In the previous five verses Saul was given several events that would soon take place in his day’s activities and the sixth event would be his prophesying after the spirit of the LORD came upon him. The reason for all the signs is explained in verse 1;

“Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain (designated leader) over his inheritance?”

I Samuel 10:1.

And this last verse (7) then gives him the confidence to be king;

“Do whatever seems right to you at the time, God is with you, as you will know by the signs and the power confirmed to you by your prophesying” I Samuel 10:7 my paraphrase.

Therefore all the outward signs, ending in his inward sign being overshadowed by the Spirit of the LORD causing him to prophecy as a last sign, were to convince him and others that he indeed was anointed; He was changed into another man capable of being the king God would use to lead His people. Now that is some really powerful convincing, as well as evidence that he was not just some guy sitting in the office of king while God looked on from above as an uninvolved observer. This also validates the scriptural concept that the leaders of nations are indeed placed there under the power and design and purposes of God himself as is declared in passages such as Isaiah 45:1-7,

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; he turneth it whithersoever he will” Proverbs 21:1.

This special influence of the Holy Spirit is not just exclusive to special kings though such a public proof was a rare Old Testament event, and this one was to give Saul and the people a great confidence that they were indeed in the personal care of God through the king.

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Back to Acts:

Now we see in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament, that the Holy Ghost came over the apostles and they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:1-11), but it should be noted that these were the tongues of the many nations so that everyone there was hearing the message in their own native language.

“What was the message they were hearing?”

As Peter points out, it was the fulfillment of Joel 2:28, an Old Testament prophecy showing the Holy Spirit of God moving on  men, confirming that the last days had come.

“So why did Peter use this Old Testament scripture about prophesying to validate them speaking in tongues?”

Because the tongues were simply the supernatural vehicle used to get the prophecy out to the listener. The tongues were not the point of the event but rather a confirmation of the prophecy they spoke, as Peter continues to explain; “Ye men of Israel, hear these words;…” (Acts 2:22-36).

Acts 1-2 is the amazing narrative of the apostle’s preaching and prophesying in tongues right after the Holy Ghost came on them. Acts 2:1-21 is an incredible prophecy and fulfillment of “the new world” after salvation was given to the Jews through the Christ, and as an additional marvel; to the Gentile too! This new world, previously prophesied in Joel, and referenced here in Acts 2:16, and declared now in the events of Acts 2 as having finally arrived, is a world in which God can now be reached through the promised Christ who turned out to be Jesus of Nazareth, proven by many public miracles and fulfillment of prophecy and his resurrection from the dead.

Here is what that new world looks like:

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Acts 2:21.

This was a new thing. It was seen by the religious rulers as a departure from the long standing Jewish faith of Jews only, and from exclusively accessing God only through the sacrifices offered by the Priests. And who better than the learned; the long devoted to the faith; the priests and rulers of that faith, should know what representation was true to the faith?

Of course there was confusion!

The common listeners of the apostle’s preaching were moved by the Spirit of God, and witnesses to the miracle of diverse tongues, and the reasoning of that preaching which actually fulfilled the prophecy of the longstanding Jewish faith, but they were still a bit skeptical in confliction;

“And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” Acts 2:12.

This of course opened the door for the naysayers to jump in and attempt to sway the crowed; “Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine” Acts 2:13.

Swiftly passing by the concept that no amount of wine or intoxication will result in uneducated men speaking the native tongues of many various listeners, Peter simply uses the reasoning of the longstanding established scripture of the Jewish faith to support what was being witnessed (Acts 2:14-36). This explanation of the known scripture is what gave the listeners the needed authority to accept this new “departure offering” of the Christ and respond with; “…Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37.

But did Peter lay into the long list of Jewish laws that they had been violating in principle while perhaps practicing in duty? No. Rather Peter preached the gospel of the New “departure” from an old faith, which was not really a departure at all (Matthew 5:17);

“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” Acts 2:38.

What an incredible fool-proof offer. This is better than the money back guarantee of advertising today; “Try it and see” is the claim. Turn to Jesus Christ in belief that he is indeed the prophesied messiah, repent and be baptized into the faith (which they understood to mean a full practical and public immersion into the new way) and the result would be a personal experience of receiving the Holy Ghost of God as a validation of their salvation. No Holy Ghost = no confirmation that this was the real deal. They had just seen the reality of the Holy Ghost acting miraculously on common fishermen prophesying in many foreign tongues for the listeners, so obviously they should expect some similar very real extra-natural power as evidence of

the gift. This is what Peter promised; Confirmation.

At this point in their listening to the message and the recognition of what it meant, they were not looking for some great supernatural power to run around showing off, it was the salvation they sought and the Holy Ghost was the confirmation of success.

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The Error of Simon:

Does possessing the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost to heal and speak other languages intrigue you as being personally desirable? The narrative of Simon shows that to be a dangerously flawed comprehension (Acts 8:9-24).

Simon was recently a wicked man claiming to have supernatural powers through sorcery and succeeded in convincing the masses that he was supernaturally powerful to the point that they revered him as “the great power of God” (Acts 8:10). But the scripture states clearly that eventually Simon himself also believed and was baptized and continued with Philip as he went about preaching (Acts 8:13). “Awesome; Another convert!”  But wait; can you identify the problem in this verse?

“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued (4342) with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done” Acts 8:13.

We just saw in Acts 2:38 that Peter promised the confirmation of the Holy Ghost in salvation, so why then did Simon not receive the power himself but only observe it and wondered? Think about that as we continue with the narrative to learn about this man’s corrupt perception of the faith.

“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost” Acts 8:18-19.

What’s wrong with that request? Isn’t it good that the Holy Ghost should be given to people? And isn’t it good that someone would want others to receive the Holy Ghost?

“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” Acts 8:20.

But is that the source of Simon’s problem? No;

“Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God” Acts 8:21.

The narrative continues on to define the root of his problem and here is the issue I wish to address; Simon never received the Holy Ghost though he believed and was baptized and followed in the ministry. Why?

Because he missed the critical element of Salvation (remission of sins), which Peter lined out previously in Acts 2:38, lets review;

“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.”

Repentance is required; Not just belief:

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” James 2:19.

It’s repentance that leads to salvation, beyond belief and exclusive of religious conduct, And this is exactly what Peter told him;

“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” Acts 8:22.

Simon didn’t need to be convinced who God was; he believed. Now he needed to repent; something entirely different.

So was Simon’s root of the sin and lack of repentance that he wanted to purchase the Holy Ghost with money? No;

“For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” Acts 8:23.

Simon actually believed what he saw and heard, and in belief he was baptized and continued in the practice of the faith as he went in ministry with the Apostles, but he never repented of his wickedness, which was rooted in his heart as iniquity because of bitterness. This bondage to iniquity kept him from partaking in the Holy Ghost and excluded him from a “part or lot” with the faith of the Apostles though he participated (continued) in their ministry.

Continued 4342 proskartereo; from 4314 and 2594; to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) or persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor):- attend (give self) continually (upon)…

This is the lot of many Christians today, who understand the wisdom and logic and faith and benefits of the gospel of Christ, and commit to the faith, are baptized in the faith, and continue diligently in the work of the faith, all the while unable/unwilling to break the bondage of iniquity through repentance and so miss out on the confirming power of the Holy Ghost which is the evidence and power of salvation.

These are the failing Christians first in the Church of Pergamos in Revelation 2:14-16, and next in the Church of Thyatira’s Revelation 2:19-24, who walk in the doctrines of the faith but miss the whole point of repentance because they allow those things which create the bondage to iniquity.

“So what went wrong in their faith?”

Acts 2:40 tells us that Peter used “many other words” to explain the whole point which is summed up with; “Save yourselves from this untoward (4646) generation.” This clearly reveals that there is something complex about this generation that needs to be escaped from, and that “something” being the untoward part;

Untoward 4646 skolios; from the base of 4628; warped, i.e. winding; figuratively perverse:- crooked, froward, untoward.

(This is the root of our modern word scoliosis; crookedness, medical; a lateral curvature of the spine.)

The unacceptable condition of Simon as a believer is our warning; It was not his conduct but his spirit; the motive of his heart, that was the problem. This too is revealed in the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira. Therefore the values of this present warped religious generation is what we must be saved from, and Peter declared we must save ourselves from this; This is repentance.

“…Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

Matthew 3:2.

Repent 3340 metanoeo; from 3326 and 3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally feel compunction).

Now here is the part that is easily missed: If repentance is achieved by a change of mind; an altered perspective; a new and different course toward God, then the success of repentance will be witnessed or validated by the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:42-48 and Acts 3:26).  This is NOT random or only for the “extra holy”; If you aint got it, you aint in the faith.

But how can you possibly explain such power to someone who does not believe? Or worse; to someone who does believe but doesn’t have it? To them you have simply picked one of a plethora of religions, but they have no idea the Power which has changed you. We have not “picked a religion” we have met God the Creator himself!

Now while the unconverted who do not experience the Holy Ghost power may very well conclude that your changed state is due to alcohol or brain washing or insanity, the reality is that the powerful change within you will be an amazement even to yourself! Such as was the promise to Saul. The power of God is not an illusion of mind anymore than common fisherman could suddenly speak many languages because they “picked a religion”.

But like Simon, there are those who genuinely attempt to participate in the faith while clinging to the familiar sins of iniquity. This is a failure to repent (think differently).

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” II Timothy 3:5.

These spots (blemishes) in the Church not only blaspheme the powerful name of God before the unbelievers, they infect the Church with their iniquity from which we are to save ourselves. This is why we must turn away from them, not participating in the fruit of their corruption, saving ourselves from this twisted generation of religious people who will not repent.

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So how does this relate to the gift of tongues?

Today there are large sections of quote “Christians” who participate in a flamboyant display of “tongues” though their private lives remain unchanged. In these groups there is a strong focus on the gift itself and not on the purpose of the gift. I have personally witnessed the pretense of tongues as the practitioner fabricates gibberish, and there is also a genuine supernatural gibberish that has no characteristic of the Holy God. My criticism of them both is not the tongue but the unrepentant individual speaking it. When the Holy Ghost of God comes on an individual the person is changed into a new man, It cannot be otherwise.

There are several biblical manifestations of the Holy Ghost on men as gifts of the spirit, Tongues being only one. And there are specific instructions to the

proper use of tongues in public; They are never to remain un-interpreted

(I Corinthians 14:27-28).

Why?

Because the tongue is not the point but only a validation of the message spoken. If there is no interpreter, the message is lost and the Spirit un-validated (I Corinthians 14:7-11).

“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church…for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying”…

I Corinthians 14:3-5+(6-26).

Now regarding a prayer language, of course God understands the tongue which he gives and so the tongue is a gift to the one praying, as an intimacy with his God. This is a private thing that is not performed for public display. But again, if the praying individual is not supernaturally drawn more intimately into holiness you can be sure the tongue was not of the Holy Ghost  (Galatians 5:16, 22, 6:8,  I John 1:6 etc.) but is actually of another spirit  (Ephesians 2:2 + II Corinthians 11:4+ I John 4:1-3).

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” I John 1:1.

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Conclusion?

Do not deny tongues. Paul himself wished that everyone had the gift

(I Corinthians 14:5a) but be wise and put it to the test to see if it conforms to the scriptural use and edification, or to confusion, silliness, foolishness and shame which belongs in the category of rolling on the floor and barking like a dog or convulsing as with seizure. These manifestations are the nature of Satan and not God.  

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