Get a tongue, or else
Yesterday afternoon late we finished a lengthy study with a lady and a Christian couple who’ve been studying with her, about the Holy Spirit, specifically, about the cessation of miracles. Many Pentecostal groups connect tongue-speaking with salvation. They teach that speaking in tongues is a sign or proof of salvation. Hence, people are encouraged to seek after a tongue-speaking experience. How discouraging that must be!
• People also labor under the delusion that God can only work in this world through a miracle. How the Lord must be disappointed that someone thinks he is so limited in his powers! One section of the handout I gave our study friends was titled, “The Spirit Continues to Work” (my translation), just so nobody would get the idea that we think the faith is a dead religion today. Far from it!
• On the flip side of this coin, some call just about anything a miracle, a sunrise, the birth of a child. Things which are decidedly not miracles. Now, the virginal conception of Christ—that was a miracle!
• Pentecostals and charismatics sometimes ask, “Does your church have miracles?” Sometimes I’ve answered, “Yes, we have the many miracles recorded in the Bible.” Their expressions reveal they don’t think much of my answer. If your church doesn’t have miracles and tongues and cures, you’re second-class. Maybe not even Christian.
• If first-century preachers could call the pagan idols false gods, we ought to help others see that the so-called miracles today are false signs. These diminish the true signs and wonders which God performed through his Son and his apostles. They also open the door to false revelations. Same ball of icky wax.
• The new NIV translation of 1 Corinthians 13.10 isn’t bad at all: “but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.” To translate teleion as “perfect” misleads, since the normal meaning of “perfect” in good ole American English is to be without sin or defect. Definitely not the idea of the verse. ISV does it well, also, with “what is complete.” WEB also goes with “that which is complete.” Since Paul still has faith and hope hanging around with love, I strongly tend toward a state of affairs well before the end of time and judgment and the coming of Christ. Which supports the timely demise of miracles. It fits, since chapter 13 comes in the middle of, and as a central point about, Paul’s discussion of miracles and tongues.
• Our study seemed to help our lady friend last night. Shaking people loose from tongue-speaking and modern-day miracles is hard. It’s something people can see, so it’s appealing and comforting. But the wrong kind of comfort. An appeal to carnality. We walk by faith, not by sight—that was a point last night as well.
• Afterwards, since man does live in part by bread, we ordered pizza, drank The Missus’s homemade lemonade, with real lemons, and feasted on her from-scratch brownies. These are real signs of God’s goodness. May they never cease!
robertebarger 9:05 pm on September 29, 2012 Permalink |
I must ask, do you speak in tongues? There are two sides of the fence. On one side is people who believe and prove the truth, and people who believe part of the bible and don’t prove anything. The Holy Ghost is a gift of God to people who have a pure heart and cry out to God and are willing to do anything God asks them to do. These are the people who God gives the Holy Ghost to and they do speak in tongues. The book of Acts shows us how people are to live in the Spirit every day. The apostles walked with Jesus and Jesus told them this is what is going to happen. In Hebrews 4 God warns us of unbelief and he warns us that we are to be careful not to fall after the same unbelief that the children of Israel fell into. WE must “prove” that we have the Holy Ghost because it tells us in 1 corinthians 12:1-3. No man can call Jesus Lord except by the Hloy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is just the beginning of our walk. John chapter 1 tells us,And as many as recieve Him gave He power to “BECOME SONS OF GOD”!.
J. Randal Matheny 7:50 am on October 1, 2012 Permalink |
I speak in two tongues, English and Portuguese, though neither was a miraculous gift. I had to work hard to be fluent in the second one and had much to learn to improve the first.
BTW, the Holy Spirit is not a ghost.
robertebarger 11:05 am on October 1, 2012 Permalink
Enough said!
Eugene Adkins 6:18 pm on October 1, 2012 Permalink |
I speak only English, Robert, and I have never spoken in any miraculous tongue that the Bible speaks of.
So are you saying that I am not saved? Are you saying that I do not have a pure heart? Are you saying that I do not believe the truth? And where do you get this standard of judgment that you are using?
Are you saying that the Christians in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31 who could not all speak in tongues were not saved, pure in heart or a believer of the truth?
You do realize that even in the churches to whom the letters were written to, the letters that we read today, had members who could not speak in tongues don’t you?
Just for clarification, Robert, what discernible/intelligent/understandable language do you speak that is not your native language and one you never studied?
Please answer my questions…and read the scripture references above before you answer.
Thanks for your time.
robertebarger 12:42 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink
Speaking In Tongues
#1) Who speaks in tongues? Them who believe.
Jesus said in Mark 16 (How do we know we have the Holy Ghost? By searching the scriptures. The scriptures are where God shows us that there is a Holy Ghost, and what will happen when you have the Holy Ghost. (Not Holy Spirit, the two are different!)
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Romans 8:
26 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 (Tongues) which cannot be uttered. (Uttered- understood.)
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Tongues)
Jude 1:17-21
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (How will we know that they don’t have the Spirit? They do not believe in speaking in tongues and praying in the Holy Ghost.)
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (Tongues)
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:5
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying “the power thereof”: from such turn away. (This is the Holy Ghost!)
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (Without the Holy Ghost the veil will not be taken off your eyes in the reading of Moses. 2 Corinthians 3:13-16)
Acts 10:
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 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 Ghost. (How did they know they received the Holy Ghost? They spoke with tongues)
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized “in the name of the Lord”. (In the name of Jesus Christ!) Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:1-6
19 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,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 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.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 & 15 explains speaking in tongues and prophesying.
1 Corinthians 14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (This is a commandment to us to desire spiritual gifts!)
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.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;(He that speaks in tongues edifieth himself and is speaking to God, not men!) but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
In the book of Acts chapter 8 there is a place where a person desired to have the Holy Ghost but Peter rebuked him and told him that because he had sin in his life, he could not receive the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:9-24
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in “the gall of bitterness”, and in “the bond of iniquity”.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
(Simon’s heart was not right, therefore he could not receive the “gift of the Holy Ghost”! Peter told him to “REPENT”!
I hope this gives you some understanding in speaking in tongues. Tongues is the way Jesus intercesses for us to the Father. As it told us in Romans 8, The spirit, of Christ, searches the heart and makes intercession for us according to the “perfect” will of God. Some one who does not have the Holy Ghost is praying in their own understanding and cannot pray in the perfect will of God because it is hid from their understanding. Another purpose in praying in tongues is for warfare against Satan to stop him from doing things in our life. Praying in tongues is also used for us to make intercession for other people. Tongues also are for us to come into the Joy of the Lord. It allows us to come into the deep praises of God that God might inhabit the praises of His people.
robertebarger 12:55 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink
Here is another scripture that is importent to remember.
1 Corinthians 2
King James Version (KJV)
2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (Pual could have spoke in ways that would have convented you that he was a learned man, but he told us here that even though he was a learned man, he wanted you to believe in the power of God over being learned.because the power of God is the thing that holds the anointing that brakes the yoke of Satan!)
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10″”"”"” But God hath revealed them unto us” by his Spirit: for the Spirit” searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”"”
Eugene Adkins 5:45 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink |
Robert, you did not answer a single question that I asked.
And please, instead of filling up the comments with pasted scriptures, just give the scripture reference; I know how to look up scripture references.
And by the way, the scriptures you referenced has nothing to do with the questions I asked.
I will again ask them and I will be waiting for your answer. They do not have to be long. They should be very easy questions to answer.
Because of your comments you made toward Randal and the fact that I never spoken in miraculous tongues…
1) Are you saying that I am not saved?
2) Are you saying that I do not have a pure heart?
3) Are you saying that I do not believe the truth?
4) Where do you get this standard of judgment that you are using?
5) Are you saying that the Christians in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31 who could not all speak in tongues were not saved, pure in heart or a believer of the truth?
6) You do realize that even in the churches to whom the letters were written to, the letters that we read today, had members who could not speak in tongues don’t you?
7) Just for clarification, Robert, what discernible/intelligent/understandable language do you speak that is not your native language and one you never studied? Acts 2 plainly shows this to be an aspect of the miraculous tongues given by God’s Spirit!
robertebarger 6:50 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink
Yes I speak in tongues. Yes, all who recieve the Holy Ghost do speak in tongues. Yes, if you do not become just like Jesus, without sin, yes you are not saved. Yes said, if you recieve me not I judge you not, but my words on that day will judge you.
Eugene Adkins 7:41 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink |
Robert, again, you didn’t answer my questions. They are not difficult to answer, Robert.
You said, “These are the people who God gives the Holy Ghost to and they do speak in tongues.”
Are you saying that unless a person can speak in tongues, they are not saved?
I challenge you right now to show me where Jesus or anyone else in the Bible said such a thing.
Sadly, you have been led to believe such a thing by a spirit but it was not the Spirit of God because He has not said such a thing in His inspired word.
What about the Christians in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and 27-31 who could not speak in tongues? Are you actually saying they were not saved, pure in heart, believers of truth, etc. because they could not speak in tongues? Read the scriptures, Robert, it’s right there in the scriptures. There were saved Christians in the church at Corinth who could not speak in tongues.
You place much emphasis on “proving” things so here’s your chance. Answer my previous questions that you have ignored and the new question that I presented to you here.
If you chose to not do so then my response will be the same one you gave to Randal and your silence will be “Enough said!”
robertebarger 8:32 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink
I have given you more than enough scriptures to prove that what I said is true. Now, prove to me you do have the Holy Ghost by two or three scriptures.
Eugene Adkins 9:02 pm on October 2, 2012 Permalink |
For someone who supposedly “speaks multiple tongues” you sure don’t have much to say when people ask you simple questions, Robert.
Enough said.