Spiritualists teach from Bible. They claim to have nine miraculous gifts of Holy Spirit, which they claim to use during séances. They mention Jesus in their prayers, but they do not believe He is Divine Son of God. The spiritualists teach that one can be "saved" by good works. However, they do not believe in a Death, Hell, or a Judgment.

The spiritualists have worship services. They sing and pray. However, service is not like that in which Christians are accustomed. For instance; during a séance a sacrifice may be offered, it may be an animal or a human being. During a communion service - one of spiritualists may be called upon to sacrifice a finger joint. The finger joint will be cut off and blood collected in a cup. The cup and finger will be distributed among spiritualists to sip literal blood and to take a bite of literal finger. This they say corresponds to Christian Communion Service. However, Christian Communion Service or Lord's Supper is not literal body and blood of Jesus; but unleavened bread and unfermented grape juice are only symbols of sacrificial body and blood of Jesus.

The spiritualists have Mediums, which are mediators who supposedly contact dead during a séance. The spiritualist sits in a circle in a darkened room and follows directions of Medium. Ouija Boards (we ge) are very popular in USA. However, even though there is not any power in "we ge" board itself - it is feared by many that it is a "doorway" through which a person allows those of spirit world to control him. They have served as a "doorway" to occult practices. Thus, it is a form of Divination, which is art of obtaining secret information from spirit world.

Spiritualism is very real. It is a tool used by Satan to delude and captivate people's souls. The Bible forbids God's people to deal with spirit world in following Scriptures: "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am Lord your God..." (Leviticus 19:31); "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to Lord, and because of these detestable practices Lord your God will drive out these nations." (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)

Does Bible really teach this? Let's take a thorough look at this subject to see what Bible actually teaches on subject of speaking in tongues.

(For purposes of this article, when it is given as - speaking in tongues -, I am referring to Biblical meaning; and - "speaking in tongues" -I am referring to Pentecostal/Charismatic meaning.)

I think that it is unfortunate that when Bible was originally translated into English that Greek word which really means "languages" was translated "tongues." However, we who live today have enough information available to us to determine difference. No serious Bible scholar would deny that this word really means languages. The apostles were given ability to speak in unknown (unknown to them) languages. This ability was given to them for specific purposes. Let's examine purposes for apostles to be able to speak in tongues.

God gave apostles ability to speak in tongues for following purposes:

Signs - as credentials from God, "A man approved of God." Wonders - effect on witnesses, "They were amazed." Powerful miracles - energy manifested, "He healed them." Gifts of Spirit - The source of energy. They established authority of sign worker. Speaking in tongues, as well as other gifts - healing etc., were given so that people being taught about Christ would know that men spoke with authority. Think for a moment how much we today are caught up in recognition of authority. When someone does something that we do not think they should be doing, our common reaction is, "Who gave you authority to do that?" If someone was to come to your home today and start teaching you a different doctrine (or gospel), you may ask, "By what authority do you teach these things?" In other words, who sent you, and why should I listen to you? The same is true back in New Testament days. People were naturally skeptical. There were many people professing to be Christ at that time. God wanted people to know, beyond a doubt, that these men spoke with authority - His authority! "Truly signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds." (2 Corinthians 12:12)

It confirmed Word of Lord. Not only did these gifts prove that apostles spoke with authority, but they confirmed that Jesus was speaking truth. Because apostles (with exception of Paul) had been with Jesus during His earthly ministry, and were taught by Him, they (the apostles) taught others truths that Jesus had taught to them. These truths then, were confirmed to be such by miracles - including speaking in tongues - that apostles performed. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at first began to be spoken by Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of Holy Spirit, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:3,4)

Thus we see that these signs, wonders, and miracles were for expressed purpose of showing by what authority - authority of God -the apostles spoke; and to confirm that teachings of Christ - through apostles - were truly Word of God.

The authority of apostles being established, and Word of God being confirmed, New Testament writers have given us a written record of these events and teachings. This written record has been preserved by God and passed down from generation to generation so that we may have it today. Therefore, is it necessary for God to confirm again authenticity of His word? Is it impossible for us who are living today to accept by faith that Bible is Word of God? Is anyone who "speaks in tongues" today denying that Bible is Word of God? If not, then why must they feel compelled to confirm it again to us?

Let's look at sign of tongues specifically to see how it confirmed Word of God.

"And they went out and preached everywhere, Lord working with them and confirming word through accompanying signs." (Mark 16:20) This passage is last verse of book of Mark, and is really a summation of what apostles did after Jesus ascended into heaven. It plainly - and truthfully - states that signs performed by apostles confirmed Word of God.