speaking in tongues

THE FIRST GOSPEL MESSAGE –

Readers,

Have you ever looked closely at the first gospel message preached? Maybe you should. You will find it in the second chapter of Acts.

With that in mind, this study reaches into Peter’s sermon to learn what the gospel is truly about. When Peter completes his message, three thousand new Jewish believers will be added to the Church. Let us see why

Pentecost has come

vs1: “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.”

All the followers of Jesus would be in the temple area for this day. The new covenant must begin at the temple. Listen carefully to this prophecy of Isaiah and you will see Pentecost, and the promise that Peter refers to later in his message of Pentecost:

“‘So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun, for He will come like a rushing stream which the wind of the Lord drives. A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the Lord. ‘

As for Me, this is My covenant with them,’ says the Lord: ‘My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,’ says the Lord, ‘from now and forever.'” (Isaiah 59:19-21)

Every word in this prophecy is significant. Let’s break it down. Follow closely:

“So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun.”

Christianity has filled the earth like a vine. It is the largest religion by far of any religion on this planet. And it continues to flow forth as a stream into the nations.

“…for He will come like a rushing stream which the wind of the Lord drives.”

Written 750 years before Christ. Notice the wordage; “rushing stream,” and “wind of the Lord.”

Also note, He will come.” This speaks of God’s Messiah. His Spirit will fill the band of disciples on the day of Pentecost. Paul later speaks for all believers; “Because you are sons, God has sent for the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!'” (Gal4:6)

“Born Again” Day

The term ‘born again,’ or ‘gennao anothen’ means, ‘born from above.’ When the Spirit of Messiah entered into the hearts of the disciples, they instantly became new creations. They were now the new people of God. The Spirit of Christ would abide in them and with them forever.

“A Redeemer will come to Zion and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob…” Zion was a special name for the city of David and in particular for the temple Mount. The Spirit of the Redeemer rushed to the temple mount.

Listen again: “…this is My covenant with them … My Spirit which is upon you [Jesus Christ], and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring … from now and forever.”

This is the covenant promise given to Messiah. And this is the promise Peter later quotes when he speaks from the prophets.

Jesus Himself said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38, 39)

Jesus had to be glorified. That is exactly what the day of Pentecost was about. Pentecost is the day that Jesus took His place at the right hand of the Father.

Back to Acts.

Vs2: “…it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” The disciples were in the temple area. To the Jews, when you said ‘the House’ no further identification was needed. It meant the temple.

Notice it was ‘the whole house’ that was filled with the sound from heaven. This was not something done in a corner. Just as the giving of the Law of Moses carried its manifestations, even so did the new covenant.

Vs3: “…there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.”

But what did ‘tongues of fire’ mean?

The Meaning of Fire

In the Bible, fire has various meanings. One meaning refers to judgment. It had to do with God’s very presence. The tongues of fire signified that God Himself was resting upon these disciples. Peter’s message included both promise and judgment.

This meant that each of the disciples had become an anointed spokesmen for God.

What of prophecy? — In the new covenant, the term ‘ to prophesy’ usually carries a different meaning than it did in the older covenant.

In the former covenant, the prophets spoke towards the cross. In the new covenant, we speak from the finished work of the cross.

The one definition we have for prophecy in the New Testament, connects it directly with the testimony of Jesus Christ.

When John wanted to worship the angel, this is what he hears; “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. (Rev19:20)

Back to Acts 2:

Vs4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other [languages] as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”

The Greek word ‘glossa’ simply means a language. The disciples were not speaking gibberish. While the languages were not necessarily known to the believers themselves, the Spirit was enabling them to speak in the languages of all the nations that were represented.

The Diaspora [Jews from many nations]

Vss5, 6: “Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation from under heaven …each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language”

“Living in Jerusalem” spoke of the Jews who had been in Jerusalem since before Passover. These men were deeply devoted to God and to the covenant of Israel.

Vss7, 8: “…amazed … astonished … ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?'”

How did they know all the speakers were Galilean? It is because the Galileans spoke with an accent that distinguished them from the Judeans. Judas Iscariot was the only disciple who was Judean. The rest were all Galileans.

The Galileans also had another trait. They were fiercely independent. They did not always agree with the edicts of the temple priesthood. Even the synagogues in northern Israel had traditions that were separate from the Judean synagogues. And the Galileans were looked down upon by the rest of the Jews.

Vss12, 13: “…they all continued in amazement … ‘What does this mean?’ But others were mocking, saying to one another, ‘They are full of sweet wine.'”

It is here that we begin to see the dividing line in Israel. The old prophet Simeon said that the child Jesus was appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed. (Cf. Luke 2:34-35)

Vss14, 15: Peter takes his stand –

Everyone’s attention is now fixed on the one hundred followers of Jesus Christ, prophesying. Now it shifts to the twelve apostles. God has something clear and distinct to say to all Jewish people.

“Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.”

The temple mount quietens down. It is very likely that even a number of priests are giving attention. Many of them will become believers.

“These men are not drunk as you suppose.”

Peter is not comparing states of drunkenness. He is simply saying that these men are not drunk.

Vs16: “…but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:”

Peter begin with the prophets –

Here is where we need understanding. Peter’s entire sermon is going to center on quotations from the prophets. There was no New Testament.

Did you know that we are to preach the Jesus of the prophets. Even when we preach from the apostolic writings, we should never preach in a way that would violate the prophetic writings.

Listen to one of the last conversations Jesus had with the disciples:

“Now He said to them, ‘These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.'” (Luke 24:44-48)

All the prophetic utterances Peter quotes from are well known to the Jews. The Jewish peoples had commonly accepted these quotes as belonging to Messiah. Peter was speaking to their own faith in promises given ages ago.

Vs17: “‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth OF MY SPIRIT on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.'”

Acts2:18; “Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.”

The testimony continues.

Vss19,20; “And I will grant wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.”

Vs21: “And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This theme of ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’, will carry over into all the apostolic preaching. Paul uses these very words as he later explains the message they were given to preach.

Listen to Paul:

“But what does it say? ‘The word is the near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ — that is, the word of faith WHICH WE ARE PREACHING, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.'” (Rom10:8-13)

Peter continues:

Vs22: “Men of Israel, listen to these words; Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him … JUST AS YOU YOURSELVES KNOW.

The ministry of Jesus Christ was well known by all the peoples, in not only the land of Israel, but also word had spread about Him to Jews outside the land, and even to Gentiles in various places. Remember the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus? (Cf. John 12:21)

Vs23: “…this man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men, and put Him to death.”

The Cross-Was God’s Plan

The cross was God’s plan. Notice that Peter says the Jews nailed Him to the cross by the hands of Gentiles. This means that both Jew and Gentile participated in the cross.

Perhaps it is better to say that God provided the sacrifice. The story of God’s sacrifice Lamb is written across the pages of His holy book.

Vs24: “But God raised Him up again … it was impossible for Him to be held in its [deaths] power.”

Vs25-28: “For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; for He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.’ … You will not abandon my soul to hades … You will make me full of gladness with your presence.'”

This is an interesting prophecy. David speaks both of His experience and knowledge of God’s Christ. It is the Spirit of Christ in him speaks prophetically concerning the cross.

During the time of Christ, the three most popular books among the Jewish people were Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Isaiah. These books often spoke of God’s Messiah.

Vss29-31: Peter explains. “Because he [David] was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne. … He looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of Christ…”

Vs32: “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.”

This testimony of the chosen apostles as witnesses, would lay the foundation for New Testament writings.

Vs33: “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God … He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.”

Coronation Day

The events of the day of Pentecost took place because Jesus had taken His place at the right hand of the Father, and had received His kingdom. This is why Pentecost can be spoken of as the coronation day of Christ.

Vs34: “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

It was well accepted by the Jews in that time that Psalm 110 was about the Messiah. The importance of this particular prophecy cannot be overstated. Jesus quotes it and the apostles quote it.

Vs36: “This Jesus God raised up again … Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ–this Jesus whom you crucified.”

What was the house of Israel to know? That God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. It is this message that begins to prick the hearts of those listening. Many will turn to Jesus. Some will hesitate. Others will turn away.

A Piercing Message

Vs37; “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?'”

We need to remember that while the gospel is a message of life, it is first a piercing message. It is designed to expose the heart, and to render the lost person with no cover for his sins. Remember what Simeon said to Mary?

“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed–and a sword will pierce even your own soul– to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34, 35)

Simeon was simply saying, ‘And you, Mary, are not excluded from the sword.’ The revealing of thoughts has to do with God’s gospel doing a work of searching out our whole being.

This is where we need to understand the word ‘conviction.’

Jesus said,

“And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” (John 16:8-11)

The word ‘convict’, elegcho in Greek, speaks of a judicial verdict where we are found guilty with no defense to hide behind. It carries the thought of a moral conquest of the mind.

This is what the gospel is designed to do in the heart of a sinner. Thus we hear these Jewish peoples from all the lands begin to cry out, “What shall we do!”

The Call of Repentance

Vs38: “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

‘Repent,’ (metanoeo) means to change one’s mind or purpose. Couple it with the Hebrew word ‘nacham’, which means to be sorry, or to suffer grief, then you have the idea behind Biblical repentance. Biblical repentance is to have sorrow over sin, which results in a change of life direction.

The interesting thing about repentance is that the ancient Hebrews also considered repentance as a form of worship. For the righteous man it meant to make continual course adjustments in order to keep on a path of righteousness.

Be Baptized in the Name of …

…. each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…”

Behind this statement is the issue of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah of Israel, and in doing this their sins have already been forgiven. The command to repent is an active imperative. It means ‘do it now!’ The “each of you” makes it very personal.

“Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”

In early Jewish baptisms, the person would baptize themselves with witnesses standing by. The believer would express his faith by calling upon the name of the Lord. We see this when Paul was baptized. Ananias said to him, “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16)

An Unconditional Promise

… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

“Will receive” is the Greek word ‘lambano’ that means to take into possession. In their turning to the Lord in baptism, they will be the recipients of the covenant Spirit. Peter meant this in the sense of new covenant salvation. Receiving the Spirit takes place in salvation. It is not something that takes place further down the road.

Vs39: “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Peter is still going with the prophets.

Vs40: “And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!'”

Peter has told them what they must do to be saved, but God has more to say to the people. The statement, ‘be saved from this perverse generation‘ is very important to the message of Pentecost.

The Song of Moses

Peter is drawing from Moses. As a prophet, Moses spoke across the ages. In the song of Moses, we have the history of Israel laid out.

I want to highlight a couple parts of the song of Moses, so you will see where Peter is coming from. And when Revelation speaks of the Song of Moses and the Lamb, this is the song in view.

Found in Deuteronomy 32:

Vs1: “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak…” (Moses is prophesying over Israel by the Spirit.)

Vs4: “The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just…”

The Rock was one of God’s Old Testament names. When Jesus used ‘this Rock‘ expression, his Jewish apostles knew exactly what He meant. “Upon this Rock I will build My Church.” Peter was not the rock. That would make Peter God. Jesus Christ is the Rock. He is God with us.

Vs5: “They have acted corruptly toward Him, they are not His children, because of their defect; but are a perverse and crooked generation.”

Did you catch it? The rejecters of God’s Messiah have acted corruptly towards Him. When Peter spoke by the Spirit, he was telling the crowd to escape from the Christ rejecters.

Also, notice Moses says, “They are not His children.” The children of God are only those who receive Jesus Christ. This is important to understand. No Jew will be saved because he or she is a Jew. Jesus said to them, “Unless you believe I am He, you will did in your sins.

You may want to take time to meditate on the song of Moses.

3000 Added in One Day

Vs41: “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

Can you imagine the activity on the temple mount that day? Peoples were lined up at the mikvehs for baptism. The apostles and others of the one hundred twenty original believers were bearing witness.

Three thousand souls added in one day! This would bring the company of believers upward to four thousand Jewish folk. Remember that Jesus had appeared to over five hundred believers during His forty days on earth.

An Overflow of Pentecost

Vss43-47: “Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”

This is a very Jewish thing. The new believers are enjoined with a sense of expectation they had never before known. It is likely that they expected Jesus to return at any time.

“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple …”

The temple area continues to be the center of activity. At this point, there is no resistance from the authorities. What can they do? We will soon see that many of the priests are turning to Jesus.

“… praising God and having favor with all the people.”

This is affecting all of Jerusalem.

“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

And here the find the great wonder of our salvation. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37)

Hope this study has helped some of my readers. Feel free to respond.

In Christ alone,

Buddy

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Something About Mormonism

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Gal 1:8)

 

Journal,

The expression, ‘neither fish nor fowl’ can be applied both to Islam as well as to Mormonism. It doesn’t take an in-depth study of the Muslim faith, to realize that Mohammed set about to embrace elements of Rabbinic Judaism with elements of Christianity, and thereby creating another religion that was neither Rabbinic Judaism nor Christianity. He merely borrowed components from both.

A term used for the mixing of religions is the term syncretism. Syncretism is the fusion of different systems of thought or belief with the result of creating something very much unlike the two blended systems of thought or belief. And of course the boast of Mohammed was that his religion was the only true faith.

So you have something similar in Mormonism. While Mormonism wishes to find itself as the only true Christian religion, actually it is far removed from what is commonly recognized as Biblical Christianity. The Latter-day Saint religion followed the same route as Islam. It has produced a hybrid religion.

It is interesting to note that both Islam and Mormonism were brought into place by angel appearances. For Islam it was supposedly the angel Gabriel. Mohammed’s angel encounters left him bewildered and frightened. He thought he was losing his mind or had been demon possessed. Over time he came under the influence is this spirit being and thus produced his new religion called Islam. [Islam means submission. Of course the sword became the means of submission.]

For Mormonism it was the angel Moroni. The story of Moroni has changed in character and name several times in Mormon history. Be that what it may, let’s move on.

Perhaps it is enough to take heed the Biblical warning about angel messengers –

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Gal 1:6-9)

And again,

“For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. …

“…For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (2Co 11:4-15)

Leaving Islam aside let’s consider the Latter-day Saints. Most people today are little aware of the latent side of Mormonism and why it is often considered a cult religion by many.

It would be well for my readers to do some personal research on Mormonism. Most of this journal entry will simply be quotes from various writers. Here are some books that I recommend.

 

For Personal Study and Research…

 (1) ‘No Man Knows My History – The Life of Joseph Smith’, by Fawn M. Brodie. (Fawn Brodie’s uncle, David O. McKay, was the 9th president of the Church of Latter-day Saints. 1870-1970.)

The title of Brodie’s book comes from a recorded statement Joseph Smith made at a funeral:

“You don’t know me. You never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it; I shall never undertake it I don’t blame anyone for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I could not have believed it myself.”

(2) ‘In Sacred Loneliness – The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith’, by Todd Compton. (This book has documentation from diaries of Joseph Smith’s several wives.)

Editorial Review: “Compton has compiled a meticulously researched and masterly study of Mormon Joseph Smith’s 33 wives. The women are presented individually, with many of their own documents cited. Compton contends that ‘Mormon polygamy was characterized by a tragic ambiguity’: infinite dominion in the next life vs. a social system that did not work, thus resulting in acute neglect of the wives. These “key women have been comparatively forgotten,” surprisingly so considering the reverence Mormons hold for their founding prophet and how important polygamy was to Smith.”

(3) ‘An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins’, by Grant H. Palmer.

Note: Palmer is a three-time director of LDS Institutes of Religion in California and Utah, a former instructor at the Church College of New Zealand, and a LDS seminary teacher at two Utah locations.

From the Preface: “I, along with colleagues, and drawing from years of research, find the evidence employed to support many traditional [official Mormon] claims about the [Mormon] church to be either nonexistent or problematic.”

(4) ‘Sidney Rigdon – A Portrait of Religious Excess’, by Richard S. Van Wagnoner.

Description: “Disciples of Christ minister Sidney Rigdon was one of the most significant early converts to Mormonism. His education proved indispensible to Joseph Smith, as together they updated the Bible, received revelations, drafted the Lectures on Faith, dedicated the first temple, and formalized LDS theology. But Rigdon’s unstable temperament made him an ultimately unreliable counselor.”

 

Quotes from ‘Sacred Loneliness – The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith’

[From the introduction] “The supernatural–revelations, prophecy fulfilled; miraculous healings and glossolilia; visitations from dead relatives, from angels, from demonic spirits, and from the Three Nephites–comprise a major element of nineteenth-century Mormon writings.”

“This was a time of frequent blessing, tongue-speaking meetings, which were dominated by women. On the first day of 1847 Louisa (very large with child), Eliza, Zina Young, and Patty celebrated with a blessing meeting filled with glossolilia and prophecy.”

From the diaries of Joseph Smith’s wives. (No corrections made on the English.)

Brigham Young had 55 wives

[Patty’s and Eliza’s diaries.] “‘Went to a meeting to Eliza Beamans with many of the sisters.’ … all spoke in tongues on June 2. The next day Louisa, Elisa, Zina, and Emily laid their hands on Patty Sesions’s head and gave her a prophetic blessing. After another blessing meeting during a rainstorm on June 9, Eliza ‘went home with Loisa & Z. in the mud rejoicing.’ The next day Louisa, with others, spoke in tongues…”

[Zina’s diary.] “The gifts of the gospel were manifest the first time I ever sang in tong[ue]s after being baptized into the church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints – around me was a light as the blaze of a candle – I was surrounded [it was] a heavenly influence and no unpleasant sensation from that day the gift has remained with me.”

Note: Accord to Zina the gift of tongues rested upon her with such “overwhelming force” that she became “alarmed” and “checked its utterance.” As a result the gift left her, and she felt she had offended the Holy Spirit. … The gift returned, and Zina kept her vow; she would take part in glossolalia and interpreting tongue speech throughout the rest of her life. She and Eliza Snow, with Elizabeth Whitney, would be the most enthusiastic tongue-speakers in the early [Mormon] church. Thus women practiced a prophetic mode in early Mormonism …

Emmeline Wells would later write that Zina gave “the interpretation of hymns, psalms and sacred songs in the most musical and happy manner, without thought or hesitation. There is something divinely beautiful in thus rendering, by the gift of inspiration, words uttered in an unknown tongue.”

 

From No Man Knows My History

In this book we read about “nervous spasms and swoonings” that were attributed to the Holy Ghost. Here is a quote:

“There were now about one hundred and fifty converts in Kirkland, more than twice the number that had followed him from New York State. But Joseph was disturbed by the fanaticism that possessed this people. Prayer meetings were punctuated by fits and trances. Converts would roll along the floor to the church door and out upon the frozen ground in a masochistic frenzy. Some would mount stumps to preach to imaginary congregations in unknown tongues…”

Note: Joseph Smith finally forbade the preaching of Mormonism by anyone but an elder who had been ordained by the church.

There is an interesting fact about one of Joseph Smith’s teenage wives. He married Lucy Walker when she was about sixteen years old. This is what Lucy writes:

“[At the next prayer meeting the newly baptized children] “spoke in tong[u]es, others prophesied; again another has the gift of faith, to heal the sick … “

Lucy Walker was the last of Joseph Smith’s proxy wives to die. Lucy passed away on October 1, 1910.

 

An Issue of Concern

How about these esoteric experiences such as the Mormons espouse, or those that Mohammed underwent? Do they confirm that a thing is from God? What many don’t realize is that esoteric experiences, such as those of the Mormons, and the experiences of Mohammed, can never be trusted in themselves as being of God. They can be demonic in origin, but they can also well fit into a psychological framework.

A psychological experience can be induced in certain intense religious environments. It is very real to the person having it. But the question remains, ‘Is it of God?’ 

For example speaking in tongues is a known phenomena in just about every religious grouping of people on planet earth. Consider this quote from the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, page 33:

“Spiritualistic glossolalia and related phenomena among spiritual mediums were among the first studied by psychologists near the beginning of the twentieth century. … Pathological glossolalia is known to medicine and psychiatry, the result of such causes as organic neurological damage, effects of drugs, or psychotic disorders. Schizophrenic disorders have furnished examples of glossolalia. Most relevant to Christian glossolalia are clearly reported cases of pagan glossolalia, both ancient and modern…. [Glossolalia] was used sparingly among American Indians but was widespread in African tribal religions.”

Well, perhaps I’ve said enough for now. So, I will simply leave this with my readers. You can decide for yourself where any of this fits in your own belief system.

Just some things to think about.

[signoff]

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Speaking in other languages

“Indeed, He will speak to THIS people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, He who said to THEM, ‘Here is rest, give rest to the weary,’ and, ‘Here is repost,’ but THEY would not listen.” (Isa 28:11,12 NASB)


Journal,

The subject of speaking in a foreign tongue is one of the most controversial and often one of the most contentious subjects to be found today. Hopefully I can share some things that will help give understanding to the Biblical subject of speaking in other languages.

First let’s consider the above Scripture where the prophet Isaiah calls attention to speaking in a foreign tongue. Here are the terms we need to note:

  • He will speak to THIS people.’ The Isaiah prophecy is specific to a single people group, the Jews.
  • He who said to them, ‘Here is rest, give rest to the weary.'” Jesus is the one who called attention to God’s rest to be found in Him.
  • But they would not listen.’ Reflects on the leaders in particular rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah of Israel.

Jesus_Christ_cross_black_background

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Which brings us to Pentecost, 33 a.d.

Jews once again gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish pilgrim festivals. They came from many cultures and nations. They spoke many different languages.

However, this Pentecost would be different. It would be the ushering in of God’s new eternal covenant in Christ.

Suddenly a sound like a rushing wind filled the temple complex. A band of 120 men and women began speaking of the glory of God in the varied languages of the multitudes.

A question stirs through the crowd of worshippers,

“How is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?’

Thus we see the miracle of speaking in foreign languages with the prophecy of Isaiah coming to pass. The speaking in tongues on that day of Pentecost had a defined purpose. The Rest Giver had come.

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The Promised Rest Giver.

From long ages past there had been a deep hunger in the hearts of God’s people to find the promised rest from their painful labors. This longing is described in the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament as, the desire of the nations.’

When Noah was born, they wondered if he was the Rest Giver.

“Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and became the father of a son. Now he called his name Noah, saying, This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our handsarising from the ground which the LORD has cursed.” Gen 5:28-29 nasb

But Noah was not the Rest Giver. Only God could do that. We catch just a glimpse of this when Moses was speaking with the Lord God.

‘Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.’ And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.’

Why is this language of, ‘I will give you rest,’ so hauntingly familiar? It is because we are hearing the voice of the Rest Giver. Now hear it from Jesus:

danny-hahlbohm-come-for-all

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mat 11:28-30

And so the purpose for speaking in other languages on the day of Pentecost was to call attention that Jesus Christ was the promised ‘Rest Giver.’

This day of Pentecost was a fulfillment to what had been written by the prophet Isaiah. The Messiah had come, died on the cross, was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven. When Peter stood up to preach, he drew attention to the ancient prophets in declaring that Jesus was the Christ of God.

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Additional Background on Speaking in Tongues

It should be understood, however, that through the centuries the Church has placed little attention on speaking in tongues. The early church accepted tongues as one gift among many. But this still leaves us with unanswered issues concerning speaking in other languages. Here is where we can take time to understand some Greek terms that relate to speaking in foreign languages.

  • The term ‘glossolaliawas introduced into English in 1879. It comes from glossais lelein, a term used in the New Testament, meaning “To speak in [with or by] tongues.” From this comes the expression, ‘the gift of tongues.’ The precise term ‘gift of tongues’ does not occur in the Scriptures.
  • One early Christian writer used the Greek term ‘glossomaniato describe the insane speech of Greek philosophers. The philosophers would jabber and babble in a way that made no sense whatsoever.
  • The Greek ‘akolalia‘ had to do with the perceived hearing of another language even when one was not spoken.
  • Echolaliaspeaks of an agitated repetition of the words of another.
  • Idiolect refers to a glossolalic dialect peculiar to an individual. Televangelists made this term popular by calling it a ‘prayer language.’
  • Then we have ‘exnoglossia.’ This word was coined in 1905, to describe a spiritualist medium, who, in a trance, wrote in modern Greek, without having knowledge of that language.

Now we see that there is a problem that has to be addressed. The problem is that ‘speaking in tongues is not peculiar to certain Christian groups. Speaking in tongues is a known phenomenon from around the world. You find it in Mormon history. You find it with Hindus and Muslims. It is found it in African occultic religions.

Here is a quote from the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, page 336;

“Spiritualistic glossolalia and related phenomena among spiritual mediums were among the first studied by psychologists near the beginning of the twentieth century. … Pathological glossolalia is known to medicine and psychiatry, the result of such causes as organic neurological damage, effects of drugs, or psychotic disorders. Schizophrenic disorders have furnished examples of glossolalia. Most relevant to Christian glossolalia are clearly reported cases of pagan glossolalia, both ancient and modern…. [Glossolalia] was used sparingly among American Indians but was widespread in African tribal religions.”

Paul likely ran into some of this pagan speaking in tongues. When he wrote the Corinthian Church, some of the background for the problems of this Church actually was pagan glossolalia. Less than 50 miles from Corinth, was Delphi. An inquirer would be brought into the presence of a young woman, a priestess of Apollo, who was said to possess a “pythonic spirit.” The priestess would speak in tongues and a male prophet would interpret. Paul may have had this in mind when he said,

“You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.” (1Co12:2)

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t-chiu-to-everything-there-is

Let’s consider the Biblical position.

There is no question that speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost was a supernatural act of God. There have also been documented cases in Church history where missionaries have found themselves able to speak in the language of a primitive tribe, having had no knowledge of their language.

It is also possible that the Lord intended to bring this gift forward at different points in history to meet a purpose at the time. Paul seems to indicate such may be the case. He said,

“Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.” (1Co13:8)

The Greek word for cease is pauo. This is where we get our English word pause. Pauo means to make cease, or to no longer be stirred, or to idle or unemployed. In context, Paul is using terms that point to a maturing factor.

Some say Paul is speaking of heaven. This may be the case, but it is odd that Paul’s entire teaching takes its center on ‘maturity.’ He may have been telling the Corinthian believers not to overly concern themselves with the Delphic oracles. He also tried to place speaking in tongues as a less important gift in comparison to other gifts. He says,

When I was a child, I use to speak as a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” (1Co13:11)

My encouragement for any child of God is not to take speaking in tongues beyond Scriptural precedents. When the apostles preached the gospel, they saw no need to put an emphasis upon speaking in tongues.

The Acts of the Apostles is conclusive in this regard. The three recorded times that people spoke in other languages, were all sovereign acts of God. They were in a group setting. And each time it was unexpected. And Acts covers over 35 years of early Church history.

In all this each believer needs to reach their own conclusions.

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Finally a call for caution

A major study by K. G. Meador and other researchers reported in a monthly journal of the American Psychiatric Association, that the rate of major depression in Pentecostals was three times greater than in any other religious affiliation.

(Pentecostal is a general term for any group that places a great stress on esoteric experiences and in particular on speaking in tongues. The study covered several thousand cases.)

I have seen that when an undue emphasis is placed on speaking in tongues it can cause mental and spiritual disturbances in a person that is not healthy. Paul tried to warn the Corinthians about putting too much stress on the supernatural.

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by is craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

“For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (2Co11:3,4)

What are we left with? Perhaps the way to deal with the gift of speaking in other languages is to make sure that we are following clear Biblical instructions. Paul said,

“All do not speak in tongues, do they?”

He then went on,

“But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you still a more excellent way.” (1Co12:30,31)

What did he mean, ‘a still more excellent way?’ Paul went on to outline the walk of love. He said that when everything else fails, love will stand the test of time. He said,

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

Just some things to think about


Always in Christ,

Buddy

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