"Divers Kinds Of Tongues" And Their Interpretation

by G. PRASHER, JR. | Category: Miracles And Miraculous Gifts | Sept 1952

We have already considered the falsity of the teaching that after salvation the believer should seek "baptism in the Spirit", and that this experience will be marked by ability to speak in an unknown tongue, even though the individual concerned may never afterwards speak in tongues.

Apart from that issue, there is the question of the renewal of the "gift of tongues" It is alleged that just as the gifts of healings have been recovered by some, others have been blessed with the gift of tongues or the interpretation of tongues. They are said to exercise this gift habitually, both in private spiritual devotions, and in collective prayer groups. There is no doubt that some are moved by supernatural power to outpour certain utterances, which others claim to interpret. Sometimes it is claimed that these utterances are recognized as words of some known language; others suggest that they are moved to speak in tongues not of this world-the tongues of angels to which Paul refers in 1 Corinthians 13. 1.

Broadly speaking, that is the phenomenon. It bears some superficial resemblance to the exercise of the gift of tongues in apostolic times, so far as we may glean information from the. very limited details given us in the Scriptures. Some of these inspired statements may be briefly considered..

1."If their be no interpreter, let him keep silence" (1 Corinthians

14.28).

These words imply that one gifted to speak in tongues could control the exercise of that gift In contrast the modern tongue speaker usually alleges that the power which moves him is uncontrollable. He has an irresistible impulse to pour out unknown words, and this uncontrollable torrent of sounds is often accompanied by grotesque actions such as being cast on the ground in a paroxysm of emotional excitement

These effects are sometimes defended by reference to 1 Corinthians 14.28, on the ground that while Paul admonished. the Corinthians against such extremities, it was a possible result of the unwise use of the gift. This is linked with Acts 2.1845, when some supposed the disciples were drunk when speaking in tongues. The inference that these Scriptures give any support to the wild hysteria so often accompanying the modem speaking in tongues cannot be supported for one moment. 'The Scriptures quoted a. .re absolutely clear. In Acts 2. it was simply the perplexing multiplicity of languages spoken by untaught Galileans which suggested drunkenness to certain casual observers. Again in 1 Corinthians 14.28, it is clear that the apostle had in mind nothing more than the confusing effect of a number of people speaking in languages not commonly known in Corinth.

The Holy Spirit neither forced people to speak in tongues against their will, nor made them act in a grotesque manner.

2."If all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or

unbelieving" (1 Corinthians 14.28).

Why the emphasis here on unlearned? Because any who were learned would readily recognize that the various men speaking in tongues were speaking some language current in those days. In many cases they would recognize the language spoken, as was the case in Acts 2. The speaking of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14. was the same as that in Acts 2., Acts 10., and Acts 19., it was speaking in languages known at that time, and its primary purpose was as a sign to the unbelieving (1 Corinthians 14.22).

There is no evidence that men spoke in the language of angels. Does not 2 Corinthians 12.4 rather indicate that such w6rds are not lawful for a man to utter? Whether or not that is the case, the explanation of 1 Corinthians 13.1 is clear in the light of Galatians 1.8. Paul uses a parallel illustration in both passages. Even if an angel were to preach a different gospel, it should be rejected; similarly, even if any were to speak with the tongues of angels, and had not love, it would profit them nothing.

3."He that speaketh in a tongue ... speaketh not unto men but unto God ... edifieth himself" (1 Corinthians 14.2, 4).

In the Spirit men speaking in tongues spoke mysteries. The Scriptures suggest that in this way the Holy Spirit led men into prayerful communion with God. We may at least be sure, however, that they understood in their own minds what the Holy Spirit was conveying through the medium of a tongue previously unknown to them; otherwise they could never have edified themselves. The mere act of uttering 5,000 words in a tongue unknown to him under a miraculous impulse could not edify a man, nor could he in. that way speak to God. It is very evident that modern speakers in tongues are not edified by uttering a lot of sounds without understanding the thoughts being expressed by the sounds they are speaking. For some of the most superficial professing Christians are loudest in their assertion that they possess a miraculous gift of speaking in tongues.

4."Greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with

tongues, except he interpret" (1 Corinthians 14. 5).

"Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may

interpret" (1 Corinthians 14. 18).

"If there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church"

(I Corinthians 14.28).

If, as suggested in the former section, one speaking in a tongue could understand the thoughts being expressed through him in that way, what need had he of an interpreter? Why could he not reproduce in his own language the thoughts which the Holy Spirit had shortly before caused him to express in a tongue he could not normally speak? The answer is, Only that gift would enable a person to convey verbatim in his own language what the Spirit had moved him to say in the unknown tongue.

5."My spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful" (1 Corinthians 14. 14).

Speaking of one exercising the gift of tongues at the gatherings of God's people, Paul pointed out that he would be giving thanks well, but others would not be edified. He would be praying with the spirit, but his understanding would be unfruitful. That is, it w6uld bear no fruit as far as others in the gathering were concerned. They would not be able to say the "Amen" when they did not understand what was being said. Hence, though Paul spoke with tongues more than all, he would rather speak five words in the church with his understanding than five thousand words in a tongue. Having touched on these serious discrepancies which God's Word reveals in the practices of those who speak in tongues to-day, it may well be asked Is there any evidence of a Satanic counterfeit of speaking in tongues outside evangelical circles? The answer is undoubtedly, "Yes". From as far apart as Africa and China comes indisputable evidence of demon possession associated with idolatry causing men to appear to speak in tongues The phenomenon is also found among spiritists What can account for this - The fact that demons appear to crave for access to the human body - the story of the legion of demons which took possession of the swine in Luke a gives food for earnest thought in this matter The demons intreated the Lord that He would not command them to depart into the abyss, but would give them leave to enter into the bodies of. the swine

The evidence is formidable that many children of God have laid themselves open to the influence of unclean spirits through craving after an experience of speaking in tongues which was never set before them by God in His word. They become a prey to these evil influences imagining that the Holy Spirit is reproducing through them the experiences of apostolic days, whereas in fact they are but the playthings of demons. Why are we bold enough to make such a solemn assertion? Because "by their fruits ye shall know them Gatherings of these tongue-speakers are characteristically emotional often the atmosphere is induced by light syncopated music As one and another become seized by "the power" the scene becomes more and more like Bedlam. The wild excited glare in the eyes of the devotees, the emptiness of the fervently repeated shibboleths the restlessness of spirit and the utter chaos all mark such gatherings unmistakably with the stamp of the evil one.

If further evidence were needed, the test of spirits described in. 1 John 4.2 may be applied while the person concerned is speaking in tongues. It is reliably reported that when this test was made in numerous cases, the person under spirit influence either denied that Jesus was come in the flesh, evaded the point, or refused to reply! We rightly conclude that the practices of modern tongue-movements fully confirm their origin.

What a contrast is the Holy Spirit's work! Where He pervades an assembly of God's saints there is calm and studied devotion; expressions of praise reflect' a revelation of Christ in the Word; there is a quiet beauty of holiness, and marked divine order.

"POWER FROM ON HIGH."

As a corollary to the alleged recovery of the. miraculous gifts, very much is heard to-day of Pentecostal power" It is urged that believers may take to themselves the words of the Lord to the apostles in Luke 24. 49. "Tarry ye ... until ye be endued with power from on high" and that if they wait with sufficient fervour, they will experience a manifestation of miraculous power such as swept along the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, or again as recorded in Acts 4. 31

It may be freely admitted that the principle of waiting upon God for the power to undertake His service is illustrated in Luke 24. 49. This principle has applied to God's servants in every age "Power unto God" and unhappy is the man who attempts to serve apart from dependent waiting upon the Lord for the strength and power to accomplish it. We are, however, forced to question that God is granting manifestations of power similar to those experienced early in the Acts of the Apostles. The doubt arises because of the character and effect of the power claimed to-day by those who state they are practising miraculous gifts.

The unsullied picture in the Acts of the Apostles is that of "ignorant and unlearned men" being commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples. They continued steadfastly in prayer. On the Day 6f Pentecost they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and filled with the Spirit. This enabled them to testify to the Name of the Lord Jesus with wonderful boldness and power. Multitudes were gripped and convicted by the clear, simple testimony of Peter on the Day of Pentecost. Whether on that occasion, or before the multitude in Acts a., or before the rulers of the Jews in Acts 4., or with Stephen's marvellous message in Acts 7.; in every case, the power of the Holy Spirit was marked by ability to present the truth concerning Christ in fervent simplicity. The apostles spoke as occasion offered, in the streets, in the temple courtyard, or before tribunals. It was the Word of God through them, without any emotion-stirring accompaniments, which wrought conviction and conversion; a true and unquestionable evidence of their being endued with power from on high.

From the delightful simplicity and clarity of the Scriptural account, we turn to those who claim to be modern recipients of the same power. Here we find something entirely different. For they are foremost in resorting to every manner of artificial supplement known to the modern religious world! If indeed endued with Divine power of a unique order, it would be expected that all extraneous aids could be dispensed with. Why then the studied emotionalism of their gatherings, the spectacular manner of presenting the gospel, the emphasis on the musical element in public, witness? Because of the utter bankruptcy of the claim to have special divine power! Hence the resort to the weak and beggarly rudiments of this world, in order to create an atmosphere congenial to the manifestation of a power which sweeps their gatherings. A common effect is to cast people down to the ground, and often they are caused to writhe there in undignified helplessness. How reminiscent of certain scenes in the gospels!

"When the demon had thrown him down in the midst" (Luke 4.85).

"The demon dashed him down and tare him grievously" (Luke 9.42).

Where can we find any Scriptural precedent for the Holy Spirit casting believers down to the ground in such a manner? He did not do so then; He does not do so to-day. It is evil spirits which cast men down in this fashion. There can be no question about the demoniac origin of the power which commonly sways gatherings of modern miracle seekers,. and brings them into abject subservience.

The same truth is reflected in the type of ministry which commonly prevails among these groups. While there are of course balanced and logical gospel-preachers among them, this must not obscure the fact that in many instances the substance and presentation of the message is far removed from Scriptural precedent. There is often a deliberate effort to produce a state of excitement by calling for the response of the audience in loud and frequent "Hallelujahs". These interjections not only hinder the development of clear and balanced messages, such as are recorded in the Acts of the Apostles; they also tend to work up the feelings of the audience to such a pitch that they accept erroneous doctrine as a message from the Lord. Their minds are diverted from quiet and reverent concentration on the Scriptures, to the expectation of thrilling emotions. Unless a gathering has resulted in such emotional experiences, "the power" is said to have been lacking. May God deliver any of His children who may have been deluded by such a misconception of Divine power

"The LORD was not in the ....

The LORD was not in the earthquake

The LORD was not in the fire

a still small voice ... said, What doest thou here?

(1 Kings 19. 11-13).

G. PRASHER, JR. | Sept 1952
Miracles And Miraculous Gifts