Why I Don't Speak In Tongues - Part IIWritten by Stephen Kingery
In part 1 of "Why I Don't Speak In Tongues" I discussed purposes of tongues given in New Testament. Speaking in tongues (or being able to speak a language in which one has not been trained) was given to apostles and certain others in New Testament to do two things: (1) to establish authority of person working sign, and (2) to confirm Word of Lord. Signs were credentials from God showing that person was speaking with His authority, and wonders were effects on those hearing or being witnesses of signs. (For a full explanation, see "Why I Don't Speak In Tongues, Part I.")I have several friends who practice "speaking in tongues" as it is taught today by Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. As a result of discussing this with many of them, being "taught" by them in doctrine of "speaking in tongues," and in attending church services of Charismatics, I have decided on some personal reasons and observations why I don't want to participate in this kind of conduct. In part 2, I would like to share some of my thoughts concerning this. (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.) Charismatics will tell you that if you "speak in tongues," it is evidence that you have received baptism of Holy Spirit. It is evidence (or proof) then, that one who "speaks in tongues" is a true Christian. The logical conclusion is that anyone who does not "speak in tongues" is not a true Christian. This is of course a misinterpretation of Scriptures concerning baptism of Holy Spirit, however I will save that discussion for a future article. So, let's examine what is really being taught here. God is not a respecter of persons. In other words, we are equal (if we are children of God) in His eyes. What He has promised to one, He has promised to all. If God has intended for sign of speaking in tongues to extend beyond time of apostles, then all Christians would be able to perform this sign. "Speaking in tongues" has no practical value. I said in part 1 of this article that speaking in tongues as was practiced by apostles was to show with what authority they (the apostles) spoke, and to confirm that Word of Lord was true. What practical value or for what purpose does "speaking in tongues" have for us today? We have Holy Bible which has been preserved by God and passed down from generation to generation to us today. Is it impossible for us to accept Bible as Word of God? Do we need it to be confirmed again by sign of speaking in tongues? I had a Charismatic friend tell me that reason I could not "speak in tongues" was because I did not have enough faith. Believe me when I tell you that I can fully accept Holy Bible as Word of God and Jesus Christ as His only Son without "speaking in tongues." Jesus said, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) So who has stronger faith, one who needs a "sign," or one who hears Word of God and believes? Is "speaking in tongues" a sign for unbelievers? "Speaking in tongues" is practiced by many conflicting doctrines, even some pagan religions practice a form of "speaking in tongues." There are many Scriptures which tell us in no uncertain terms that there is one doctrine which is true, not many. Paul tells us, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6) If "speaking in tongues" is a sign for unbelievers, how is one to know which doctrine is "one faith" that Paul speaks of? The Charismatics claim that gift of speaking in tongues is still in existence today. However, speaking in tongues as practiced by apostles and other New Testament people was being able to speak a language, a known language, which was foreign to one doing speaking, and one doing speaking having NOT been trained in that language. (See Acts Chapter 2) The "speaking in tongues" as practiced by Charismatics (and others) is a supposed heavenly or spiritual language used only by angels and others in spirit realm. The Charismatics also claim that there are some who have gift of being able to interpret "tongues."
| | Spiritualism's Tools And The Last DaysWritten by Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.
Spiritualism is a religion whose basic appeal is contacting dead. Some of members of spiritualists attend séances, promote methods of healing and investigate psychic phenomena. Some people become involved in spiritualism because they seek excitement. Most people join into spiritualism due to losing a loved one and they are going through a period of grief. They feel lost and vacant and idea of conversing with dead is appealing. Also, idea of receiving direction from one in spirit would be very assuring.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) Jesus and New Testament writers warned about false religious teachers, who possess miraculous powers: "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even elect - if that were possible." (Matthew 24:24); "The coming of lawless one will be in accordance with work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that all will believe lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed truth but have delighted in wickedness." (2 Thessalonians 2:9- 11); "And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men." (Revelation 13:13); "They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to Kings of whole world, to gather them for battle on great day of God Almighty." (Revelation 16:14)
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