Spiritualism's Tools And The Last DaysWritten by Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.
Continued from page 1
May we all strive to be better Bible students and to realize that God has spoken and encourages us to heed following warnings: "The Spirit clearly says that in latter times, some will abandon faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by Word of God and prayer." (1 Timothy 4:1-5) "But mark this: There will be terrible times in last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."(2 Timothy 3:1-5) "First of all, you must understand that in last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this "coming" He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since beginning of creation.' But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word heavens existed and earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By same word present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Timothy 3:3-7) If we will all accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we do not need to fear Satan or his "drawings" upon us (demons, mediums, witches, and etc.) "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome then, because one who is in you is greater than one who is in world." (1 John 4:4) The Holy Spirit, which one receives when he or she is baptized "into" Christ, is greater (more powerful) than power of Satan, which is in world. May everyone of us commit ourselves to Lord Jesus Christ and follow His ways. It was Jesus who said, "I am way, truth, and life, and no one comes to Father, except through Me." (John 14:6)
Brother Hoyt W. Allen Jr. is a Restoration author, preacher and director of the KYOWVA Evangelistic Association in Ironton, Ohio. You may visit his website at www.kyowva.com. Brother Allen's article is courtesy of the The Home Bible Study Institute - www.james1-22.org. Permission to use is granted if attributed to author, his website and the website of The Home Bible Study Institute.
| | Why I Don't Speak In Tongues - Part IWritten by Stephen Kingery
Continued from page 1
We see then that speaking in tongues was functional - it had a purpose. It made it possible for apostles to be able to speak Word of God to people assembled in Jerusalem from all over world in their - people's - own language. The benefit was that all those assembled heard word of God; "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." (Acts 2:41) Can those who "speak in tongues" today claim any such benefit? "While Peter was still speaking these words,, Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard word. And those of circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because gift of Holy Spirit had been poured out on Gentiles also. For they heard them speak in tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 'Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received Holy Spirit just as we have?'" (Acts 10:44-47) Those in Charismatic movement claim that above passage proves that "speaking in tongues" is for today. However, please note what is said in verse 45: "And those of circumcision who believed were astonished..." In other words, "those of circumcision who believed" (or Jewish Christians) were astonished that this event had happened. Why? Because it was only natural for Jews to accept that Gentiles were not part of Christian kingdom just as they had not been fully accepted by Jews. This event made it very clear that God considered Gentiles just as much eligible to be sons of God through Jesus Christ as Jews were. This event prompted Peter to say, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received Holy Spirit just as we have?" Again, speaking in tongues was functional - it had a purpose! Can those of Charismatic movement today claim any such benefit for "speaking in tongues" today? No! Why? Because we today fully accept that Gospel is for anyone who believes. Briefly, there are two other events of speaking in tongues which we need to address. First in Acts 19:1-7 we see some disciples of John Baptist speaking in tongues. Again, speaking in tongues had a specific purpose. It was necessary for these followers of John Baptist to see that Jesus Christ was one that John Baptist spoke of. These twelve would then be able to witness to other followers of John Baptist that Jesus was Christ, Son of living God. In 1 Corinthians 12-14 we have a long treatise about gifts of Spirit, including speaking in tongues. This treatise was given for purpose of confirming apostleship of Paul so that people would know that Paul spoke with authority. "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that things which I write to you are commandments of Lord." (Acts 14:37) Once again, we see in both of these cases that ability to speak in tongues was given for specific purposes. In every case of speaking in tongues - as well as other signs, gifts, etc. - that we find in New Testament, purpose was to confirm Word of God, and/or to establish authority of apostle. Can those in Charismatic movement today genuinely show that their "speaking in tongues" has same purpose or benefits that speaking in tongues of New Testament had. If they can, then their "speaking in tongues" is genuine; if they cannot, then their "speaking in tongues" is not Scriptural and therefore subject to perversion. I am sure that there are many people in Charismatic movement who really believe that "speaking in tongues" is a sign from God. I do not doubt sincerity of vast majority of those people. (I do doubt sincerity of many of their leaders because they are supposed to be Bible scholars, and as such should know better.) I do not write this article to offend them or belittle them. If they are truly trying to live a Christian life and do will of God, then I love them as a brother or sister in Christ. However, I feel that they should be careful and examine Scriptures to see what Bible really teaches on this subject. If any church leader can be this incorrect in Bible teaching, then that same leader can be wrong on other subjects. If one is teaching incorrect doctrine as it relates to salvation, then that person is keeping people who follow their teaching from realizing salvation through Christ. The Bible does not give points for being sincere! One receives salvation through obedience to Gospel, period! Part 1 of this subject has dealt with Scriptural aspects of why I don't "speak in tongues." In part 2, I will give some personal reasons - apart from Scriptures - that I do not "speak in tongues." All Scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute. Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.org Permission to use is granted if attributed to author and his website.
|