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Speaking In Unknown Tongues (part 1). by destiny4luv(m): 10:02am On Nov 17, 2013 |
SPEAKING IN UNKNOWN TONGUES A God-given Spiritual Manifestation of the SPIRIT? Or, a Carnal Physical Display of the FLESH? Million of Pentecostals and Charismatics (not to mention other Protestant and Catholic tongues speakers) claim to possess a gift from God which enables them to "speak in unknown tongues." What is the Scriptural truth regarding this popular Christian doctrine which is claimed to be a primary proof that one either does or does not possess God’s Holy Spirit? That there are millions of such sincere people desirous of worshiping God in truth as they understand it, I have no doubt. However, the truth will always set us free, so shouldn’t we desire the truth at all cost? Is it possible that what appears to many on the surface to be a marvelous blessing from God is in reality nothing more than a physical display of the carnal flesh? It behooves all tongues- speakers to read this paper carefully and prayerfully, with an open mind and an open Bible. If modern tongue-talking is not of God, then those who do it are not free, but in bondage, and as such will never be free or grow in God’s Truth. TRYING THE SPIRITS I John 4:1 tells us: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Notice that we are to "try the spirits" because there are "false prophets" in the world. Therefore, it is axiomatic that the words of these false prophets are also false. What then are "true spirits"? "Sanctify them through Your [the Father’s] truth: YOUR WORD IS TRUTH" (John 17:17.) Next, where did Jesus get His "words?" "Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The WORDS that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself, but the Father that dwells in Me, he does the works" (John 14:10.) So the Father’s words are truth, and Jesus speaks the Father’s words. Now notice what kind of words Jesus speaks: "It is the spirit that quickens [gives life]; the flesh profits nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, THEY [the ‘words’] ARE SPIRIT, and they are life" (John 6:63.) And so we try the spirits by testing the words of Christ against those of the prophets to see whether the words of a prophet are true or false. THAT, my friends is how we try the spirits, not by looking into someone’s eyes to see if they are demon possessed or not. One more important point we want to make in trying the spirits by using Christ’s words of spirit, and that is to see whether the Apostles spoke these same spirit words of truth. Here is the admonition of Paul regarding how and what we teach: "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words, even the WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing" (I Tim. 6:3-4.) By using the words of the Apostles and the words of Christ, we will be using the very words of the Father, and against these SPIRIT WORDS can be tried all spirits—all prophets. With this simple and profound principle firmly in mind, let us proceed to try the spirits of tongue-talkers. THE ONLY THREE EXAMPLES OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES Of the 20 times "tongues" is used with reference to a gift from God, there are only three examples of anyone actually speaking in another language: [1] "And they were all [the 120 disciples of Christ] filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues [languages] 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 [language/dialect], wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and the strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:7-11.) Keep in mind that they spoke of: "the wonderful works of God" [2] "For they heard them [the Gentile house of Cornelius] speak with tongues, and magnify God" (Acts 10:46.) Keep in mind that they heard: "God magnified" [3] "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them [Gentile Ephesians], the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues [languages] , and prophesied" (Acts 19:6.) Keep in mind that they: "prophesied—that’s inspired speaking from God" There are no other examples of anyone supernaturally speaking in a language, in all Scripture. Also, let it be known that there is no known proof of any persons since the time of these miracles in the first century Church of Christ speaking in any of these above mentioned languages, or any other known modern language in which they had no prior formal training. CLARIFYING SOME VERY IMPORTANT WORDS The King James term "unknown tongue" is itself part of the confusion over understanding this doctrine. First, the word "unknown": Is there even such a thing as an "unknown" tongue in the Scriptures? No, there isn’t. Although most modern translations have dropped the word "unknown" from the phrase "unknown tongue," the King James retains it, and is therefore still looked upon as authority for the use of this unscriptural term. The erroneous term "unknown tongue" is used but six times in the King James (I Cor. 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, & 27,) and in every instance, the word unknown is in italics, signifying that the original Greek manuscripts did not contain this or any such word. It was erroneously added by the translators and should be taken out. It only adds more confusion to this little- understood doctrine. Hence, in our discussion we will not be using this unscriptural word. Second, the words "tongue & tongues": The word translated both "tongue" and "tongues" is the Greek word glossa and aside from meaning the organ of the body used in speaking, it means "a language." It is used in the plural (tongues,) with reference to supernaturally speaking in a language (a foreign language,) a total of 20 times, but only in Acts and I Corinthians. Where glossa is not a supernatural gift, it is clearly used to represent a known language, as in Rev. 10:11, 13:7 & 17:15 where some combination of "… peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues [Gk: glossa—languages]…" is used. So, in our discussion we will use the proper translation, "language or languages," in place of the archaic and somewhat ambiguous term "tongue." So clearly the disciples spoke in languages on Pentecost, and thereafter we have two examples of Gentiles speaking in languages. All remaining references to languages (as a gift from God) are discussed by Paul in I Cor. 12, 13, and 14, and nowhere else. (Note: the statement in Mark 16:17, which states in part: "… they shall speak with new tongues" is part of what is called, "The Longer Ending of Mark," and is not found among the oldest Greek Manuscripts. Others contain it, but make notation that it is "questionable." It is also clear that the Apostles did NOT speak with "NEW tongues" 50 days later on Pentecost, because we have this undeniable statement of Scripture stating that: "…we do hear them speak in OUR languages the wonderful words of God".) Now we know that the languages of the Medes, Cretes, Asians, Elamites, Parthians, Egyptians, Arabians, etc., spoken on Pentecost were anything but "new tongues," as these tongues/languages are old as the hills.) And we know that the Scriptures do not contradict, so it is absurd for any tongue-talkers to use this very questionable verse as justification for babbling something they may contend is a "new" or different kind of language promised by Jesus. THE PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES FOR SPEAKING IN LANGUAGES [1] Speaking in a language is ALWAYS a special sign for an unbeliever to hear a message in his own language, not a sign for believers: "Wherefore languages are for a SIGN, not to them that believe, but to them that believe NOT…" (I Cor. 14:22.) [2] Speaking in a language must ALWAYS edify the Church: "I would that you all spoke with languages, but rather that you prophesied [that means to give an inspired message of God]: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with languages, except he interpret, that the church may receive EDIFYING" (I Cor. 14:5.) [3] Speaking in a language ALWAYS requires that [a] no more than 2 or 3 speak on the same occasion, that they [b] speak one at a time, that there has already been someone selected who knows how to [c] interpret the languages to be spoken, and if no interpreter can be found, then they [d] cannot speak in the church: "If any man speak in a language, let it be by two, or [a] at the most by three, and that [b] by course [one at a time] , and [c] let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him [d] keep silence in the church" (I Cor. 14:27-28.) Keep these points in mind as we proceed through the Scriptures on this subject. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT VERSUS A MORE EXCELLENT WAY In I Cor. 12 we read of two lists of "spiritual gifts" from God. And before listing them, Paul clearly tells us: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (Verse 7.) There must be a "profit" or "contribution to all" as the Greek bears out, from these gifts. As we will see conclusively proved from Scripture, speaking in a language is never ever to be a physical spectacle for self- aggrandizement of the flesh. "For to one is given [not to ‘all’, but to certain ones only] 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 gifts of healing by the same Spirit: To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy [inspired speaking]; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues [languages]; to another the interpretation" (I Cor. 12:8-10.) In verse 28 Paul gives us another list of gifts: "And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of languages." WHAT ARE "DIVERSITIES OF LANGUAGES?" I will now show you a truth that I doubt any have heard before, and yet it is right before our eyes, albeit hidden in the obscure translation of the King James Version. Can we know for sure, just exactly WHAT these "diversities of languages were which Paul tells us are "the manifestation of the Spirit?" Is it even within the realm of possibility that the gift of these languages could be totally different languages than those spoken by the different nationalities around the world? In I Cor. 12:4 we read of "diversities of gifts." In verse 6 we read of "diversities of operations." Both times the word "diversities" is translated from the Greek word diairesis, and it means "variety." And so the word "diversities" is a perfectly fine word to translate it. But in I Cor. 12:10 we read of: "diverse kinds of languages." In verse 28 we read of: "diversities of languages." And in I Cor. 14:10 we read of: "many kinds of voices [sayings, languages.]" Now, get ready for this: All three words "kinds, diversities, & kinds" in the above three verses are from the same one Greek word (#1085, genos.) Does the word "genos" have a familiar sound to you? How about words like "geno- cide," "gen-eration," "gen- ealogy," and "gen-ius," The English words "kind" and "diversities," do not at all convey the way that this word genos is used in Scripture. Here is how Dr. Strong defines this word—#1085: "genos, kin, born, country, diversity, generation, kind, nation, offspring, stock." (I underlined certain words in Strong’s definition for a profound purpose. Here is how "context" translates the Greek word genos in other Scriptures: Mark 7:26—"The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation [Gk: genos]…" In this verse it could have just correctly been translated "birth," but "diversity" or "kind" would never suit. Acts 4:6—"And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred [Gk genos] of the high priest…" Again, "diversity" or "kind" would not suit in this verse. Acts 4:36b—"…The son of consolation, a Levite, and of the country [Gk: genos] of Cyprus." "Diversity" or "kind" could never be used here. II Cor. 11:26— "In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen [Gk: genos] …" These were real PEOPLE that Paul was in peril of. Gal. 1:14—"And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation [Gk: genos]…" Here genos speaks of nation or nationality. Rev. 22:16b— "I am the root and the offspring [Gk: genos] of David…" Also "offspring" in Acts 17:28 & 29. I Pet. 2:9—"But you are a chosen generation [Gk: genos], a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…" Notice the company that genos keeps in this verse: "generation, priesthood, nation, people." Phil. 3:5—"Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock [Gk: genos] of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew…" Notice the company that genos keeps in this verse: the stock of the nation Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, of the much larger clan of Hebrews. Surely a blind man can see that genos carries the primary connotation of that which deals with: "where we were born, our offspring, kindred, country, stock, countrymen, nation, and generation." So just what "kinds," "diversities," and "kinds" (genos, genos, and genos) of languages is God telling us of in I Cor. 12:10b, 28b & 14:10? Is He speaking of hocus-pocus, idiotic, gibberish in unknown tongues? OF COURSE NOT. And surely a blind man can see that this spiritual gift was a gift of "GENOS LANGUAGES"—The real, working, every day languages dealing with genos which is translated throughout the New Testament as: "where one was born, offspring, kindred, country, stock, countrymen, nation, and generation." Which languages would also have to include different dialects and regional jargons. An impossible task for any human, but no problem for the Spirit of God. This is why Paul boldly stated: "I thank my God, I speak with languages MORE than ye all" (I Cor. 14:18.) Paul traveled through dozens and dozens of villages, towns, cities and states, countries and kingdoms. He spoke with kings and peasants—among the very same "every nation under heaven" spoken of in Acts 2. DO ALL SPEAK WITH LANGUAGES? In I Cor. 12:29-30, we are told something amazing— something that totally contradicts the tongues- speakers claim that the gift of speaking in languages is absolutely necessary as a proof that one actually has God’s Holy Spirit: "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with languages? Do all interpret?" (Verse 29-30.) Actually these are not even questions in the Greek, but rather statements of fact. Notice the following translations: "Not all [are] Apostles. Not all [are] prophets, Not all [are] teachers. Not all [have] powers. Not all [have] the graces of healing. NOT all are speaking languages, Not all are interpreting" ( Concordant Literal New Testament) "All are not Apostles; all are not Prophets; all are not Teachers; all are not Powers; all have not Gifts of Cures; all do NOT speak in different Languages; all do not interpret" (Emphatic Diaglott.) There is no need to place a question mark after these statements of fact. Obviously not "all" are apostles, and likewise, "all do NOT speak in different languages." And furthermore, Paul already told us in verses 8-10, that to ONE is given this gift and to ANOTHER a different gift, but not all get all the gifts. Speaking in a language is not the only sign of one having God’s Holy Spirit. Then after giving us two separate lists of spiritual gifts, Paul tell us this: "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you A MORE EXCELLENT WAY" (I Cor. 12:31.) What could be more excellent than any or all of these gifts of the Holy Spirit? Answer: LOVE! "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love] , I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I AM NOTHING. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. Charity [love] suffers long [is patient], and is kind; charity envies not [is not jealous]; charity vaunts not itself [doesn’t brag or boast], is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly [not immoral], seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things [all God’s Truths] hopes all things [that are promised in God’s Word], endures all things. CHARITY NEVER FAILS…" DID PAUL SPEAK THE LANGUAGES OF ANGELS? And so, spiritual gifts are fine, but LOVE is the "MORE excellent way." Some, however, go so far as to suggest that the language that Paul and tongue-talkers speak is: "the tongues/languages… of angels" (Cor. 13:1.) Paul absolutely never claimed to speak in any such thing as the "languages of angels." Here is what he said, and the reason I underlined it above: "Though… I speak with the tongues [languages] of men AND ANGELS…" Well we know that he did speak with the languages of men, but he adds, "AND angels," which he decidedly did not do, hence the word "though." The word "though" in this context means "suppose." It is a supposition, not a fact. Paul also said, "though… I have… ALL knowledge," but did he? No."though I have… ALL faith," but did he? No. "though I… give my body to be BURNED" but did he? Obviously not—Paul was beheaded in Rome. And no, he never spoke with the languages of angels either—it was a hypothetical statement made to prove a point. To be continued....SHALOM 1 Like |
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