
                                   TONGUES

I.   Introduction

     If ÿsomeone ÿwere ÿto ask you to name the single ÿmost ÿimportant 
     issue ÿfacing ÿEvangelical Christianity, ÿwhat would you ÿanswer?  
     Assuredly there are many possible answers, but there is none more 
     divisive or compelling than the Charismatic Movement.  ÿNo ÿother 
     issue ÿcrosses ÿover denominational lines, ÿÿreaching ÿeven ÿinto 
     Christian ÿCults and Non-Christian religions, ÿor has ÿa ÿbroader 
     global impact than the Charismatic movement.  ÿIs it according to 
     Scripture or not?  Is it valid for this age or not?  There can be 
     no ÿunity ÿwithin the Body of Christ as long as Charismatics ÿand 
     Non-Charismatics hold to different views.  ÿBoth cannot be right.  
     This ÿfile ÿwill ÿnot ÿexamine all ÿaspects ÿof ÿthe ÿCharismatic 
     Movement ÿbut ÿwill ÿonly concern itself with ÿthe ÿ"Cornerstone" 
     teaching--Tongues. 

     Let me first state that I am not attacking anyone.  ÿI ÿam a firm 
     believer ÿthat there is only one interpretation for each ÿpassage 
     of Scripture but often many applications.  Therefore, the purpose 
     of ÿthis file is to briefly examine the evidence and to allow the 
     Word ÿof ÿGod ÿto declare the truth so we can put ÿto ÿdeath ÿthe 
     divisions ÿamong us and get on with sharing the gospel to a ÿlost 
     and dying world. 

     God's ÿWord ÿsays, ÿÿ"The righteous [saved] hate what ÿis ÿfalse" 
     (Proverbs 13:5).  God is a God of love but He hates sin and false 
     teachings.  ÿÿAs we approach this study we need to also love ÿthe 
     truth and to hate and reject what is false. 

II.  Definition of Tongues

     Tongues ÿas ÿit is used in the Bible is the greek ÿword ÿ"glossa" 
     which ÿhas the simple meaning, ÿ"an organ of speech; ÿÿlanguage."  
     The word "tongues" has become the general term used by the church 
     for ÿthe ÿspiritual ÿgift ÿof the ability to speak ÿin ÿa ÿ"known 
     language" ÿÿwithout having first learned the language.  ÿÿIt ÿwas 
     first ÿdisplayed on the day of Pentecost by the Disciples as each 
     one ÿbegan to speak in a real language that he had not ÿacquired.  
     These ÿlanguages could be understood by those from various ÿlands 
     familiar ÿwith ÿthem.  ÿÿIt was not ÿgibberish ÿbut ÿintelligible 
     language.  ÿÿIf ÿPentecost were to have happened today ÿthen ÿthe 
     disciples ÿwould ÿhave spoken in ÿRussian, ÿÿChinese, ÿÿJapanese, 
     German, etc. 

     Most ÿCharismatics ÿwould agree that "tongues," ÿas it ÿis ÿknown 
     today, ÿÿis the act of speaking in an "unknown ÿlanguage."  ÿÿThe 
     speaker begins uttering sounds that do not readily make any sense 
     to ÿhim ÿbut can sometimes be interpreted by someone ÿhaving ÿthe 
     gift ÿof interpretations.  ÿTongues are spoken in both the Church 
     and ÿin ÿthe ÿhome: ÿin the Church during certain ÿservices ÿwith 
     someone ÿthere to give the interpretation and at home in ÿprivate 
     prayer to God.  Many Charismatics claim that the ability to speak 
     in tongues is a sign of spiritual maturity and blessing. 

III. History of Tongues Movement

  A. Tongues Began on Pentecost

     They ÿwere ÿa "visible sign" ÿto the Jews that the ÿApostles ÿand 
     believers were indwelled with the Holy Spirit.  ÿThe tongues that 
     were spoken were "known languages" ÿof the that day.  ÿ(Acts 2:1-
     13). 

  B. Tongues Spoken by Gentiles

     While ÿPaul was preaching the Gospel at the home of Cornelius the 
     gentiles ÿwho heard the message began speaking in tongues ÿ(other 
     known ÿlanguages) ÿand the Jewish believers who were present were 
     astonished ÿthat even the Gentiles had received the Holy ÿSpirit. 
     (Acts 10:23-48). 

  C. Tongues Listed as a Spiritual Gift

     Paul in writing to the Corinthian Church, ÿgives a listing of the 
     valid Spiritual Gifts for that day and Tongues is the last listed 
     (1 Cor 12:4-11). 

  D. Tongues Misused in The Church

     Paul rebukes the Corinthian Church for an apparent misuse of ÿthe 
     Gift ÿof ÿTongues ÿin the Church and gives some guidance ÿon ÿthe 
     proper use of the gift (1 Cor 14:1-40). 

  E. Tongues Declared to Someday "Be Stilled"

     The ÿScriptures reveal that a day would come when ÿtongues ÿwould 
     "be stilled" (1 Cor 13:8).  They would stop in and of themselves. 
     That is, ÿno outside force would cause them to cease.  ÿThe ÿverb 
     translated ÿ"be stilled" ÿis the greek word "pauo" ÿwhich has the 
     clear ÿmeaning ÿthat the activity will stop "in and ÿof ÿitself."  
     They will "be stilled" ÿby no external action or event; ÿÿrather, 
     tongues will "die out" on their own. 

  F. Tongues Ceased to be Mentioned in Scripture

     The ÿgift ÿof tongues does not appear in Scripture ÿafter ÿPaul's 
     discussion ÿÿof ÿtheir ÿmisuse ÿin ÿhis ÿfirst ÿletter ÿÿto ÿÿthe 
     Corinthians. ÿÿÿThere ÿÿis ÿÿone ÿÿother ÿÿmention ÿÿof ÿÿtongues 
     chronologically in the Bible but appears in the textually unsound 
     and ÿcontestable passages of Mark 16:9-20.  ÿThese verses do ÿnot 
     appear ÿin the two most reliable early manuscripts of the ÿgospel 
     and most likely were added by a scribe. 

     (Note: ÿThe following information listed in items G. ÿthrough ÿJ. 
     was ÿextracted ÿfrom the book "The Truth ÿabout ÿTongues," ÿÿJohn 
     MacArthur, Word of Grace, pp. 15-18, 1984). 

  G. Early Church Fathers did not Mention Tongues as Valid in ÿTheir 
     Day 

     1. Clement of Rome - wrote a letter to the Corinthians in 95 A.D. 
        discussing ÿall ÿof their spiritual problems.  ÿÿTongues ÿwere 
        never mentioned. 

     2. Justin Martyr - compiled a listing of spiritual gifts active 
        in ÿhis time (A.D. ÿ100-165) ÿand did not include the gift ÿof 
        tongues. 

     3. Origen ÿ- never mentioned tongues and even argued ÿthat ÿthe 
        "signs" ÿÿof ÿthe ÿApostolic Age were temporary ÿand ÿthat ÿno 
        contemporary ÿChristian ÿexercised any of these ÿearly ÿ"sign" 
        gifts. (A.D. 185-253). 

     4. ÿChrysostom - writing on 1 Corinthians and the gift of tongues 
        said, ÿ"This whole place is very obscure; but the obscurity is 
        produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by ÿthe 
        cessation, being such as then used to occur, but now no longer 
        take place." (A.D. 347-407). 

     5. Augustine - comments on Acts 2:4: "In the earliest times, 'the 
        Holy Ghost fell upon them that believed: ÿand they spake ÿwith 
        tongues,'. . .These were signs adapted to the time.  For there 
        behooved ÿto be that betokening of the Holy Spirit. ÿ. ÿÿ.That 
        thing was done for a betokening, and it passed away." 

  H. Supposed Occurrences of Tongues Since the Apostolic Age

     1. ÿÿMontanus ÿand ÿTertullian - During the period of ÿthe ÿearly 
        church ÿthe ÿonly people who were reported to have ÿspoken ÿin 
        tongues ÿÿwere ÿthe ÿfollowers ÿof ÿMontanus ÿand ÿTertullian.  
        Montanus, ÿa ÿrecent convert, ÿclaimed to be the spokesman for 
        the ÿHoly Spirit.  ÿHe believed that Christ would soon set ÿup 
        the ÿKingdom ÿin ÿthe city of Phrygia, ÿand tried ÿto ÿjustify 
        speaking ÿin tongues as an occurrence of the end of ÿthe ÿage.  
        Montanus ÿÿwas ÿÿexpelled ÿfrom ÿthe ÿchurch ÿas ÿa ÿÿheretic.  
        Tertullian ÿwas a disciple of Montanus who advocated ÿspeaking 
        in ÿtongues ÿas well.  ÿHe lived from A.D. ÿ150-222.  ÿÿ(After 
        Montanus and Tertullian, ÿthe next eruption of tongues was not 
        until the late seventeenth century.) 

     2. The Cevenols - The gift of ecstatic utterance was claimed by a 
        group ÿof ÿpersecuted Protestants in ÿsouthern ÿFrance ÿaround 
        1685. ÿThey believed that their little children, who knew only 
        the local dialect, ÿwere able to speak in perfect french while 
        in a trance.  ÿThe group was soon discredited because of their 
        night raids and military reprisals against their enemies.  And 
        because ÿall ÿtheir prophecies went ÿunfulfilled, ÿÿthey ÿwere 
        branded ÿas ÿheretics ÿand ÿnot considered to ÿbe ÿa ÿpart ÿof 
        Mainline Christianity. 

     3. ÿÿThe ÿJansenists - Around 1731, ÿa ÿgroup of ÿRoman ÿCatholic 
        reformers ÿcalled the Jansenists, ÿwere holding night meetings 
        at ÿtheir leader's tomb during which they supposedly spoke ÿin 
        ecstatic languages. 

     4. ÿÿThe Shakers - The Shakers were followers of Mother Ann ÿLee, 
        who lived from 1736-1784.  ÿShe regarded herself as the female 
        equivalent of Jesus Christ--God in a female body.  She founded 
        the Shaker community in Troy, ÿNew York, ÿand claimed that she 
        had received a revelation from God that sexual intercourse was 
        corrupt. . .even within marriage.  It is said that in order to 
        teach ÿher ÿfollowers ÿto ÿmortify the ÿflesh ÿand ÿto ÿresist 
        temptation, ÿÿshe ÿinstituted the practice of ÿmen ÿand ÿwomen 
        dancing together in the nude while they spoke in tongues. 

     5. ÿÿThe Irvingites - About 1830, ÿEdward Irving started a little 
        group in London known as the Irvingites.  ÿThis group began to 
        speak in tongues but was soon discredited for several reasons: 
        Their ÿrevelations ÿcontradicted Scripture, ÿtheir ÿprophecies 
        went ÿunfulfilled, ÿÿtheir supposed healings were followed ÿby 
        death, ÿÿthere were rumors of immorality, ÿand some ÿof ÿtheir 
        leading members were accused of fraud. 

  I. The Pentecostal Movement

     Tongues became a part of mainline Christianity in 1901 ÿat Bethel 
     Bible College in Topeka, ÿKansas.  ÿAgnes Ozman received what she 
     called ÿ"the baptism of the Holy Spirit" ÿaccompanied by speaking 
     in tongues. 

  J. The Charismatic Movement

     In 1960, in Van Nuys, California, the modern Charismatic movement 
     began in an Episcopalian church.  ÿIt soon spread across mainline 
     denominations of all kinds. 

     Today ÿÿthe ÿTongues ÿmovement ÿhas ÿtaken ÿhold ÿin ÿnearly ÿall 
     denominations.  ÿÿThere are Evangelicals, ÿLutherans, ÿCatholics, 
     Baptists, ÿMethodists, ÿPresbyterians, ÿand even Mormons claiming 
     the ÿ"unity ÿof the Spirit" ÿthrough ÿthe ÿCharismatic ÿmovement.  
     Never have we seen such a unifying of the separated denominations 
     as we have seen in recent years. 

     Though ÿthe ÿCharismatic Movement is widespread the ÿquestion ÿwe 
     need ÿÿto ÿanswer ÿis, ÿÿ"Is ÿit ÿBiblical?""  ÿÿLets ÿbegin ÿour 
     investigation with a look at the purpose of tongues. 

IV.  The Purpose of the Gift of Tongues

  A. Confirming Sign Gift

     1. Chronology of Sign Gifts

        During ÿthree ÿspecific periods of prophetic revelation, ÿÿthe 
        period ÿof Moses and Joshua, ÿthe period of Elijah and Elisha, 
        the period of Christ and the Apostles, God has accompanied His 
        revelation by confirming miracles.  ÿWe do not see ÿmiraculous 
        events ÿoccurring ÿin ÿthe ÿBible apart ÿfrom ÿnew ÿScriptural 
        revelation.  ÿÿTongues ÿwere ÿpart of the many ÿmiracles ÿthat 
        occurred during the time of Christ and the Apostles (A.D. ÿ28-
        90).  ÿThese miraculous gifts were to confirm the authenticity 
        of ÿthe ÿmessages and preachers as being from God.  ÿThe ÿlast 
        recorded ÿmiracle in the Bible is found in Acts 28:7-10 ÿÿwith 
        the healing of Publius' father by the Apostle Paul. 

     2. Chronology of New Testament Tongues

        Tongues have their beginning at Pentecost, where the Disciples 
        received ÿthe indwelling of the Holy Spirit and displayed ÿthe 
        ability ÿto speak in known languages of their day ÿwhich ÿthey 
        had ÿnever "learned" ÿbeforehand, ÿand this remains typical of 
        the passages found in Acts. 

        a. Acts 2:4

           "All ÿof ÿthem [the Disciples] were filled ÿwith ÿthe ÿHoly 
           Spirit ÿand began to speak in other tongues [languages] ÿas 
           the Spirit enabled them." 

           It ÿis critical to understand that the gift of tongues ÿwas 
           in ÿÿits ÿÿpurest ÿstate ÿhere ÿwithout ÿman's ÿmisuse ÿÿor 
           distortion. ÿÿLet's note what the God-fearing Jews from ÿat 
           least ÿ15 ÿdifferent nations had to say about the ÿtype ÿof 
           "tongues" they heard that day, "Utterly amazed, they asked: 
           'are ÿnot all these men who are speaking Galileans?  ÿÿThen 
           how ÿis ÿit ÿthat each of us hears them in his ÿown ÿnative 
           language?. . ÿ.we hear them declaring the wonders of God in 
           our own tongues!'" ÿ(Acts 2:5-11).  ÿTongues were unlearned 
           known ÿlanguages ÿwhich ÿcould ÿbe understood ÿby ÿJews ÿof 
           corresponding backgrounds. 

        b. Acts 10:44-46

           "While ÿPeter was still speaking these words [the ÿGospel], 
           the Holy Spirit came on on all who heard the message.  ÿThe 
           circumcised ÿbelievers who had come [to Cornelius' ÿÿhouse] 
           with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit 
           had ÿbeen poured out even on the Gentiles. ÿFor they ÿheard 
           them speaking in tongues and praising God." 

           Again as the confirming sign of the Gospel message ÿtongues 
           are ÿspoken, ÿÿthis time by Gentiles, ÿas the ÿHoly ÿSpirit 
           signifies ÿthe ÿequality ÿof Gentile ÿbelievers ÿwith ÿJews 
           through their faith. 

        c. Acts 19:6

           "When Paul placed his hands on them, ÿthe Holy Spirit ÿcame 
           on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied." 

           This ÿoccurred ÿin Ephesus, ÿa ÿGentile city in Asia ÿMinor 
           after ÿdisciples of John the Baptist were instructed ÿabout 
           the Lord Jesus.  ÿAgain, ÿthe Holy Spirit confirms ÿthrough 
           tongues ÿthat ÿthe ÿmessage was true and the ÿbelievers ÿof 
           every background are equal by faith. 

        d. 1 Corinthians 14

           A ÿstudy ÿof ÿ1 Corinthians 14 ÿreveals ÿthat ÿspeaking ÿin 
           tongues had already caused disturbances and disorder.  Paul 
           writes to try to straighten out the problem and lists ÿsome 
           basic facts about the gift of tongues. 

           In ÿCorinth ÿthe ÿmiracle ÿof ÿthe ÿgift ÿof ÿtongues ÿÿhad 
           deteriorated ÿÿfrom ÿÿthat ÿseen ÿin ÿActs.   ÿÿAs ÿÿPaul's 
           instructions ÿÿunfold ÿwe ÿsee ÿthat ÿtongues ÿwere ÿÿbeing 
           counterfeited by unknown "mystery" ÿlanguages; that tongues 
           were ÿbeing exalted above even prophecy; ÿthat tongues were 
           being spoken without interpretation in the worship service; 
           that ÿpraying in tongues had become common; ÿthat too ÿmany 
           tongue ÿspeakers were vying for attention ÿduring ÿworship; 
           and ÿthat ÿwomen ÿwere ÿtaking a dominant ÿrole ÿin ÿchurch 
           through tongue speaking.  ÿNo longer are tongues being used 
           properly. 

  B. A Sign of Judgment for Israel

     In ÿ1 ÿCorinthians 14:21 ÿPaul quotes Isaiah 28:11,12 ÿand ÿsays, 
     "Through ÿÿmen ÿof ÿstrange ÿtongues ÿand ÿthrough ÿthe ÿlips ÿof 
     foreigners ÿI will speak to this people, ÿbut even then they will 
     not ÿlisten to me."  ÿGod had spoken to Israel in clear ÿlanguage 
     for ÿcenturies and yet she did not listen and ultimately executed 
     her ÿown Messiah. ÿNow God shows that He has turned from the Jews 
     to the Gentiles with the message of salvation.  ÿHe gave the gift 
     of tongues to Christians to serve as a rebuke against unbelieving 
     Jews.  ÿÿNowhere in the Bible is the gift of tongues mentioned as 
     occurring apart from the presence of Jews. 

  C. Tongues were a Sign for Unbelievers

     The ÿgift ÿof ÿtongues ÿwas never ÿintended ÿfor ÿChristians ÿfor 
     themselves; ÿÿit ÿwas ÿintended as a sign ÿfor ÿthe ÿunbelievers, 
     "Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers 
     " ÿ(1 Cor 14:22).  ÿThe Jews of that time were brought up to have 
     "faith in signs."  ÿThus Jesus said in Matthew 12:39, ÿ"A ÿwicked 
     and adulterous generation asks for a sign. ÿ. ."  And Paul writes 
     in 1 Cor 1:22, "Jews demand miraculous signs. . ."  ÿThe accounts 
     of ÿtongues ÿin ÿthe ÿScriptures ÿtook place ÿin ÿthe ÿcities ÿof 
     Jerusalem, ÿÿCaesarea, ÿEphesus and Corinth, ÿwhich all had large 
     Jewish populations.  Through the gift of tongues God signified to 
     the ÿJews that His blessing and power was upon those who ÿclaimed 
     Christ as Savior and Lord. 

V. Doctrine of Tongues

  A. Biblical Teachings

     1. The Gift of Tongues Will Be Stilled  -  1 Cor 13:8

        The Bible says, ÿ"Where there are prophecies, they will cease; 
        where there are tongues, they will be stilled; ÿwhere there is 
        knowledge, ÿit will pass away" (1 Cor 13:8).  A ÿcareful study 
        of the Greek reveals that the three verbs used here, ÿÿ"cease, 
        stilled, ÿÿand pass" ÿare not the same greek words.  ÿThe ÿtwo 
        words ÿtranslated ÿ"cease and pass" ÿare the same ÿgreek ÿword 
        (katargeo) ÿÿand carry with them the meaning "that the ÿaction 
        they ÿdescribe ÿwill stop as a result of an outside ÿforce ÿor 
        event."  ÿÿHowever, ÿÿthe ÿword translated ÿ"stilled" ÿÿ(pauo) 
        referring ÿto tongues has the clear meaning that the ÿactivity 
        will stop "in and of itself." 

        Therefore, ÿÿprophecies and knowledge are classed together and 
        will be terminated when "something" acts on them.  ÿTongues is 
        separate ÿand will "be stilled" ÿnot by an external action ÿor 
        event; ÿrather, ÿtongues are to "die out" ÿon their own.  ÿÿAn 
        analogy could be to view the three gifts as three fires.  ÿThe 
        fires ÿof ÿprophecies and knowledge will ÿbe ÿextinguished ÿby 
        "someone" ÿÿwith ÿa fire extinguisher or a ÿbucket ÿof ÿwater. 
        However, ÿthe fire of tongues will "go out" all by itself with 
        no ÿexternal action needed.  ÿThe context of the passage ÿeven 
        reveals ÿanother ÿdistinction about the three, ÿ"For ÿwe ÿknow 
        [knowledge] ÿin ÿpart ÿand we prophesy ÿ[prophecy] ÿin ÿpart."  
        Tongues ÿare ÿnot mentioned, ÿand prophecy and ÿknowledge ÿare 
        shown ÿto be less than complete, ÿ"know in part; ÿprophesy ÿin 
        part."  ÿThe very next verse says, "but when perfection comes, 
        the ÿimperfect disappears." ÿNotice that the ÿ"imperfect" ÿÿis 
        something ÿnot complete, ÿsomething that ÿlacks ÿcompleteness, 
        i.e., ÿÿprophecy ÿand ÿknowledge.  ÿThey ÿdisappear ÿwhen ÿthe 
        "perfection comes."  Whatever this perfection is it was future 
        to Paul day. 

        So ÿtongues were expected to "die out" ÿat some time future to 
        the ÿPaul's ÿwritings.  ÿÿThis leads one ÿto ÿunderstand ÿthat 
        tongues ÿwould ÿat some point in history no longer be ÿneeded.  
        After ÿChapter 14 ÿin the book of 1 Corinthians the mention of 
        Tongues disappears from Scripture. 

     2. Tongues can be Counterfeited  -  1 Cor 12:3, 14:2

        "Therefore I tell you that no one speaking who is speaking ÿby 
        the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 
        'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3). 

        "Anyone ÿwho speaks in a tongue does not speak to men ÿbut ÿto 
        God. ÿIndeed no one understands him; ÿhe utters mysteries with 
        his spirit" (1 Cor 14:2). 

        This ÿcannot be the true gift of tongues that we saw in Acts 2 
        where ÿthe Disciples spoke to men (foreign ÿGod-fearing ÿJews) 
        praising God and edified others, not themselves.  Paul is here 
        exposing ÿa ÿfalse ÿtongue movement had ÿthat ÿhad ÿarisen ÿin 
        Corinth. 

     3. To Prophesy is Better than Tongues  -  1 Cor 14:5

        I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would 
        rather ÿhave you prophesy.  ÿHe who prophesies is greater than 
        one who speaks in tongues, ÿunless he interprets, ÿso that the 
        church may be edified." 

        It ÿwas ÿthe Apostle's desire that all the ÿCorinthians ÿspeak 
        with ÿthe true gift of tongues, ÿbut he would rather that they 
        preach ÿÿGod's ÿWord ÿin ÿtheir ÿnatural ÿlanguage ÿ(Gift ÿÿof 
        Prophecy). 

     4. Tongues without Interpretation is Forbidden  -  1 Cor 14:6-13

        This Scripture states that whenever someone speaks in a tongue 
        there ÿÿmust ÿÿbe ÿan ÿinterpretation ÿwhich ÿÿprovides ÿÿsome 
        revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or word of instruction to the 
        church. 

     5. Praying in a Tongue is Condemned  -  1 Cor 14:14-17

        Here ÿScripture says that when a person prays in a tongue ÿhis 
        spirit ÿprays but his mind is unfruitful.  ÿPaul says "no" ÿto 
        this ÿtype ÿof ÿpraying and says we must pray ÿwith ÿboth ÿour 
        spirit ÿand our minds.  ÿThis is simply praying in a ÿlanguage 
        that ÿis intelligible to our minds and to others who may ÿhear 
        us. 

     6. Limited Number to Speak Tongues in Church  -  1 Cor 14:26-28

        Again Scripture teaches that if the true gift of tongues is to 
        be ÿused ÿin the church a maximum of only ÿthree ÿpersons ÿmay 
        speak and then only one at a time.  There must also be someone 
        who can interpret what was spoken. 

     7. Women Not to Speak in Tongues in the Church  -  1 Cor 14:33-35

        Here ÿGod clearly forbids women from having a "speaking ÿrole" 
        in the formal church service.  Tongues are not to be spoken by 
        them.  ÿThe context and intensity of the restrictions are such 
        that ÿwoman are not to have any leadership role in the ÿchurch 
        service, ÿÿbecause ÿwomen ÿare ÿnever ÿto ÿexercise ÿspiritual 
        authority over men (1 ÿTim 2:12).  ÿIn fact, ÿScripture states 
        that ÿif they have questions they are to wait to discuss ÿthem 
        until they are at home with their husbands. 

     8. Do Not Forbid Speaking in Tongues  -  1 Cor 14:39

        Paul ÿclearly states that the church is not to forbid speaking 
        in tongues.  However, it must understood that his statement is 
        in ÿregards ÿto ÿthe ÿtrue gift of tongues ÿas ÿmanifested ÿon 
        Pentecost and in accordance with the guidance Paul had related 
        in the previous 38 verses.  Also, we must remember that no one 
        must ÿforbid ÿthe speaking in tongues as long as the ÿgift ÿis 
        valid; ÿbut, ÿif it is determined that the gift of tongues has 
        ceased ÿas a spiritual gift then the church must forbid ÿusing 
        them. 

  B. Charismatic Teachings

     1. Tongues Valid Gift of Spirit Today

        Charismatics ÿwill ÿclaim ÿone of ÿtwo ÿexplanations ÿfor ÿthe 
        current tongues movement; 

        a. Tongues Never Ceased

           Charismatics ÿtrace ÿtheir roots back to Pentecost ÿthrough 
           the historical, heretical incidents. 

        b. Tongues Started Up Again

           "And afterward, ÿI ÿwill pour out my Spirit on all ÿpeople. 
           Your ÿsons and daughters will prophesy, ÿyour old men ÿwill 
           dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  ÿEven on my 
           servants, ÿboth men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in 
           those days" (Joel 2:28,29). 

           Using ÿJoel the Charismatics maintain that tongues, ÿÿwhich 
           did ÿcease, ÿÿhave started up again because these ÿare ÿthe 
           "last days."  ÿHowever, ÿthe content of this passage refers 
           to the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31), or 
           the Second Coming of Christ.  Also, Joel's prophecy did not 
           mention tongues as part of the outpouring of the Spirit ÿin 
           the last days.  ÿIt is true that at Pentecost Peter ÿquoted 
           Joel 2 to explain the outpouring of the Spirit, yet because 
           of the correct interpretation of Joel, ÿhe cannot have been 
           referring to the Millennial Kingdom.  Rather, he was saying 
           that ÿthe Jews at Pentecost were merely glimpsing ÿsome ÿof 
           the ÿpower ÿthat will occur in the Kingdom ÿafter ÿChrist's 
           return 

     2. Tongues are Universally Available

        Charismatics ÿteach ÿthat tongues are one of the gifts of ÿthe 
        Spirit ÿavailable to anyone who has been Baptized in the ÿHoly 
        Spirit ÿ(Luke 11:13, ÿActs 2:39).  ÿThis baptism is ÿnot ÿjust 
        conversion but a "second blessing" ÿsubsequent to ÿconversion. 
        This ÿconcept denies Scripture which states that all believers 
        have received the Holy Spirit upon conversion (Acts 2:38).  ÿA 
        second ÿfilling ÿof the Spirit is a Biblical concept, ÿÿbut ÿa 
        second baptism is not.  Also, Paul writes in 1 Cor 12:29, that 
        not all have the gift of tongues. 

     3. Tongues Will Edify You

        "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. . ." (1 Cor 14:4). 

        Charismatics ÿteach that anyone who speaks in a tongue does so 
        for his own benefit, ÿyet the Bible says tongues were given to 
        edify ÿothers, ÿas can be understood by the ÿcommandment ÿthat 
        interpreters ÿmust be present whenever tongues were spoken ÿ(1 
        Cor 14:5).  ÿFurthermore, Paul also says in 1 Cor 10:24 ÿthat, 
        "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 

     4. Tongues are Valid as a Prayer Language

        Charismatics ÿquote ÿseveral ÿpassages to ÿsupport ÿa ÿtongues 
        prayer language; ÿ"I will pray with my spirit. ÿ. ÿ." ÿ(1 ÿCor 
        14:15).  ÿ"For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to 
        men but to God" ÿ(1 Cor 14:2).  ÿ"If I speak in the tongues of 
        men and of angels. . ." (1 Cor 13:1). 

        The ÿcontext ÿof the 1 Corinthians 14 ÿpassages refer ÿto ÿthe 
        misuse of tongues.  ÿ1 Cor 14:15 goes on to say, ÿ"I will pray 
        with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind," ÿstressing 
        one's need to be aware of what one is saying in prayer as well 
        as being led by the Spirit.  ÿThe passage in 1 Cor 13:1 ÿabout 
        the "tongue of angels" ÿis widely regarded as being hyperbole, 
        or Paul's exaggeration of exotic speech without love, ÿbecause 
        this ÿexpression is found nowhere else in Scripture.  ÿWe ÿare 
        never told about an angelic language or even that men are able 
        to speak in an angelic tongue. 

VI. Dangers of the Tongues Movement

  A. Creates Disrespect for Scripture

     1. Disregards Scripture

        a. Ecumenical Movement

           This movement, which claims a oneness of the Spirit between 
           Christians, ÿnon-Christians, heretics and the orthodox, ÿis 
           against ÿclear Biblical injunctions (1 ÿCor 14:38; ÿ2 ÿÿCor 
           6:14,15). It makes the basis for Christian fellowship to be 
           experience, not doctrine and common practice. 

        b. Women Speaking

           The Bible teaches that a woman's role is submissive, ÿÿthat 
           is, she is not to take pre-eminence in the worship service.  
           Yet, often it is the women who speak tongues in Charismatic 
           meetings. 

        c. Vain Repetitions

           The Bible commands that Christians pray without using "many 
           words" ÿ(Matthew 6:7).  ÿYet Charismatics use repetition of 
           words as the main tool for acquiring the gift of tongues. 

           As an example of this, ÿa ÿLutheran minister announced at a 
           Missionary ÿÿConference ÿthat ÿhe ÿwas, ÿÿ"a ÿspirit-filled 
           minister, and that the Lord has commissioned me to speak at 
           the conference."  ÿHe was refused the opportunity to ÿspeak 
           and ÿthen ÿstarted ÿcounter meetings to ÿwhich ÿhe ÿinvited 
           people. ÿAbout 40 missionaries went along, ÿsome merely out 
           of curiosity.  ÿAt the meeting the minister had spoken ÿand 
           sung ÿÿin ÿÿtongues ÿÿfor ÿa ÿlong ÿtime ÿÿwithout ÿÿanyone 
           interpreting.  ÿÿOne of the missionaries had the courage to 
           ask ÿhim personally how one could receive this gift.  ÿÿThe 
           answer ÿwas typical, ÿand it showed the kind of ÿ"spiritual 
           gift" ÿÿthe minister had.  ÿHe said, ÿ"You must think of ÿa 
           short prayer, perhaps the phrase 'Lord help me,' and repeat 
           this prayer five to eight hundred times.  ÿThen your tongue 
           and consciousness will get used to it and suddenly you will 
           speak in 'tongues.'" 

     2. Distorts Scripture

        a. "Open Your Mouth"

           Charismatics ÿbelieve ÿthat if you "pray to ÿreceive ÿJesus 
           Christ ÿas your Savior" ÿthen you can begin to manifest the 
           gifts ÿof ÿthe Holy Spirit.  ÿThe first one is usually ÿthe 
           gift of tongues.  They say, "By faith, ÿopen your mouth and 
           begin ÿto ÿspeak whatever new words or sounds that come ÿto 
           you ÿ(p.14, ÿ"Receive All God Has To Give," ÿWoman's ÿAglow 
           Fellowship, ÿ1971, Lynnwood, WA.)  ÿThe proof text they use 
           is ÿPsalm 81:10b, ÿ"Open your mouth wide, ÿand I will ÿfill 
           it."  The clear context of that verse has nothing at all to 
           do ÿwith God putting words or strange sounds in our mouths; 
           rather, ÿÿGod refers to the fact that He brought Israel ÿup 
           out ÿof ÿEgypt (Psalm 81:10a), ÿand will provide ÿher ÿwith 
           food, ÿÿ"you would be fed with the finest of ÿwheat; ÿÿwith 
           honey from the rock I would satisfy you (Psalm 81:16). 

           The ÿCharismatics ÿstate, ÿ"Speaking in tongues ÿ(your ÿnew 
           spiritual language) begins with an act of the will. . ÿ.YOU 
           MUST ÿCHOOSE TO SPEAK. ÿ. ÿ. ÿGOD WILL GIVE THE ÿUTTERANCE" 
           (p.14, ÿÿ"Receive ÿAll ÿGod Has To ÿGive," ÿÿWoman's ÿAglow 
           Fellowship, ÿÿ1971, ÿÿLynnwood, ÿWA.).  ÿThey ÿare ÿclearly 
           advocating a "private prayer language" used when conversing 
           with ÿGod.  ÿJesus said, ÿ"When you pray, ÿdo not ÿkeep ÿon 
           babbling ÿlike pagans, ÿfor they think they will ÿbe ÿheard 
           because ÿof ÿtheir ÿmany words.....This is how ÿyou ÿshould 
           pray: 'Our Father in Heaven. . . '"(Matthew 6:7-9). 

           The ÿÿword ÿtranslated ÿ"babbling" ÿÿis ÿthe ÿÿgreek ÿÿword 
           "battalogeo" ÿÿÿwhich ÿliterally ÿmeans ÿto ÿspeak ÿwith ÿa 
           stammering, ÿstuttering gibberish (much like the pagans did 
           to their gods).  ÿJesus even gives an example how to ÿpray, 
           "Our Father. . .," notice that it is in the language of the 
           people, not a "spiritual prayer language." 

        b. Train Yourself to Speak in Tongues

           Charismatics teach that one must must learn his or her ÿnew 
           language ÿand ÿtrain ÿoneself to speak in ÿtongues ÿthrough 
           repetition.  ÿÿThis ÿis not the type of language we see ÿat 
           Pentecost, ÿÿnor ÿdo we see the disciples urging others ÿto 
           seek ÿthe ÿgift ÿby any means.  ÿYet we ÿfind ÿCharismatics 
           urging ÿothers ÿto ÿdo this.  ÿFor example, ÿa ÿÿwoman ÿwho 
           belonged ÿto the Charismatic movement was the leader ÿof ÿa 
           girl's class.  ÿShe herself spoke in tongues and wanted the 
           girls ÿto ÿlearn how to pray and sing in tongues ÿas ÿwell.  
           She ÿexplained to those members of the class ÿwho ÿfollowed 
           her unquestionably, ÿthat one could be prepared to ÿreceive 
           the ÿgift of tongues by the constant repetition of ÿcertain 
           phrases ÿout loud.  ÿShe would speak and the ÿothers ÿwould 
           repeat ÿin chorus after her.  ÿAnd, ÿin fact, ÿa ÿfew weeks 
           later some of the girls could speak in tongues. 

        c. Slain in the Spirit?

           In California, ÿa ÿwoman went to a meeting held by a member 
           of ÿthe ÿtongues ÿmovement.  ÿThe speaker spoke ÿabout ÿthe 
           necessity ÿof the gift of tongues, ÿand in an after-meeting 
           she allowed hands to be laid on her in order to receive the 
           Baptism ÿof ÿthe ÿHoly Spirit and the gift of ÿspeaking ÿin 
           tongues.  ÿÿAt that moment she fell down unconscious.  ÿÿOn 
           coming ÿround ÿagain she found herself lying on ÿthe ÿfloor 
           with ÿÿher ÿÿmouth ÿstill ÿopening ÿand ÿÿshutting ÿÿitself 
           automatically ÿwithout ÿa ÿword being ÿuttered.  ÿÿShe ÿwas 
           terribly frightened.  ÿStanding around her were some of the 
           people ÿwho ÿwere ÿfollowers of this ÿevangelist ÿand ÿthey 
           exclaimed, "O sister, you have really spoken wonderfully in 
           tongues.  Now you have the Holy Spirit."  But the victim of 
           this so-called baptism of the Holy Spirit was cured.  ÿÿShe 
           never again returned to this group of tongues speakers. 

     B. Discourages Spirituality

        1. Tongues Replace the Bible?

           Charismatics ÿclaim to adhere strictly to the Bible but ÿin 
           practice ÿscrutinize ÿScripture ÿthrough ÿtheir ÿÿemotional 
           experiences.  ÿÿThis ÿcan ÿand does ÿlead ÿto ÿan ÿeventual 
           disregard ÿof ÿthe Bible in preference to their ÿsubjective 
           revelations. ÿÿÿFor ÿinstance, ÿÿat ÿa ÿBible ÿcollege ÿthe 
           Charismatic ÿmovement ÿbroke ÿout ÿwith ÿa ÿnumber ÿof ÿthe 
           professors and students speaking in tongues.  A student who 
           was ÿdeeply involved in this new movement declared that ÿhe 
           did ÿnot need to read the Bible anymore,  ÿGod ÿthe ÿFather 
           would himself appear and speak to him.  ÿHowever, six other 
           students ÿwho ÿhad ÿfirst sought ÿthis ÿ"second ÿblessing," 
           discounted it when they felt something weird was going on. 

        2. The Second Blessing Brings Joy?

           Charismatics teach that the "second blessing" is the source 
           for ÿthe ÿChristian ÿjoy.  ÿYet, ÿbecause of ÿthe ÿ"letdown 
           effect" of loss of euphoria or of never having acquired the 
           "second blessing" ÿsome Christians are not finding any ÿjoy 
           at all.  ÿAs an example, another Bible college is the scene 
           where ÿa ÿwoman ÿstudent wanted the ÿbaptism ÿof ÿthe ÿHoly 
           Spirit.  ÿÿShe had hands laid on her by a preacher ÿfrom ÿa 
           Charismatic church.  ÿBut because the expected blessing did 
           not come, the girl went another five times within that week 
           to ÿhave hands laid on her.  ÿShe then experienced ÿa ÿwarm 
           feeling that she regarded as the second blessing.  ÿAnd the 
           result?  ÿÿShe no longer finds it a joy to be a ÿChristian.  
           Today she has slipped so far that she completely disregards 
           praying and reading God's word. 

        3. Give me Tongues or I die

           A doctor's daughter had been influenced by some friends who 
           spoke ÿin ÿtongues.  ÿShe then began to pray for ÿthe ÿgift 
           herself.  For weeks she begged earnestly for this so-called 
           proof of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  ÿWhen her ÿprayer 
           went ÿunanswered, ÿÿin ÿdesperation ÿshe ÿtried ÿto ÿcommit 
           suicide. 

     C. Creates Division

        1. Churches

           Some missionaries went to a conference and were praying and 
           fasting so as to receive a new blessing.  ÿAfter a few days 
           speaking in tongues broke out among the group.  Then all 18 
           were seized by it and they called it the "second blessing." 
           After the conference they returned to their churches.  They 
           explained to their congregations that to prove one had ÿthe 
           baptism ÿof ÿthe Holy Spirit it was necessary to ÿspeak ÿin 
           tongues.  ÿTheir followers asked, ÿ"Well, ÿwhich is ÿright, 
           what ÿyou ÿtold ÿus originally or what you are ÿtelling ÿus 
           now?" ÿThere was such confusion that all 18 ÿchurches ÿwere 
           ruined by splits over the doctrine of tongues. 

        2. Individuals

           Two ÿChristian ÿfriends had been believers for ÿsome ÿyears 
           when ÿone day they were invited to the meeting of a ÿtongue 
           speaking ÿgroup.  ÿThe atmosphere of the ÿmeeting ÿaffected 
           them ÿso ÿmuch that afterwards they prayed for ÿthe ÿsecond 
           blessing ÿof ÿthe ÿbaptism ÿof ÿthe ÿHoly ÿSpirit.  ÿÿAfter 
           intensive prayer it was as if something hot came over them.  
           They ÿfelt ÿvery ÿexcited inside.  ÿFor a ÿfew ÿweeks ÿthey 
           revelled in this new experience, ÿbut slowly these waves of 
           feeling abated.  ÿOne of the individuals lost all desire to 
           read ÿthe ÿBible ÿand ÿto ÿpray.  ÿÿHe ÿthen ÿexamined ÿhis 
           experience in the light of the Scriptures and realized that 
           it ÿwas not of God.  ÿHe repented and denounced it and ÿgot 
           back ÿhis ÿoriginal ÿassurance and peace ÿwith ÿGod.  ÿÿHis 
           friend, ÿÿon the other hand, ÿcontinued in these "tongues."  
           Today ÿhe ÿwill ÿnot even consider the ÿidea ÿof ÿgoing ÿon 
           further as a Christian: tongues destroyed him. 

     D. Preaches False Doctrine (leading to possible false professions)

        1. A Tongue Speaking Prophetess

           A ÿwoman ÿwas converted and for the first few years ÿwas ÿa 
           faithful ÿfollower of Jesus and lived a well balanced life. 
           Then one day she listen to an evangelist who told her ÿthat 
           unless ÿshe ÿspoke ÿin ÿtongues she had ÿnot ÿreceived ÿthe 
           baptism ÿof ÿthe Holy Spirit.  ÿThe woman then ÿsought ÿthe 
           laying on of hands.  ÿSince then she has spoken in ÿtongues 
           and ÿhas ÿled ÿother Christians to speak in ÿtongues ÿalso, 
           bringing ÿthem ÿinto ÿa similar experience as ÿhers.  ÿÿShe 
           believes ÿthat she is a prophetess of God with the gift ÿof 
           discernment.  ÿÿIt is her practice to look directly at non-
           Charismatic ÿChristians ÿand say, ÿ"I can see in your ÿeyes 
           that you have not received the Holy Spirit."  She also uses 
           the ÿÿlaying ÿon ÿof ÿher ÿhands ÿfor ÿhealings ÿÿand ÿÿfor 
           conversions.  ÿThis type of conversion means that people do 
           not have to recognize, confess, and repent of their sin and 
           surrender their lives to Christ through faith; ÿall that is 
           necessary ÿis that this prophetess lays her hands on ÿthem.  
           By ÿher ÿdeception she is unwittingly ÿcondemning ÿmany ÿto 
           believe that they can be saved without Christ. 

        2. No Tongues then No Baptism

           Charismatics ÿteach that tongues are the sign of ÿspiritual 
           blessing ÿand ÿproof of salvation.  ÿThis teaching ÿmay ÿbe 
           damaging to unsuspecting mature Christians and also to more 
           recent converts.  ÿFor example, ÿa ÿstudent in college ÿwas 
           invited to Charismatic Church by his friends.  ÿThe message 
           had ÿthe ÿusual slant: ÿonly the person who has ÿspoken ÿin 
           tongues ÿhas been baptized by the Holy Spirit, ÿi.e., ÿÿhas 
           truly been saved.  ÿThe student prayed for this gift.  Some 
           days ÿlater ÿone of the speakers from the church ÿlaid ÿhis 
           hands ÿon him.  ÿHe then experienced a warm sensation going 
           through him and began to speak in tongues.  ÿHe had no idea 
           what ÿhe was really praying at the time, ÿbut he ÿfelt ÿhis 
           emotions being stirred up. 

           After ÿa few weeks the student no longer had any desire ÿto 
           read ÿhis Bible or to pray, ÿand his original assurance ÿof 
           salvation disappeared.  ÿIt was only after he had denounced 
           this ÿexperience which he had had that he received back the 
           assurance of salvation and peace with God. 

     E. Blasphemes Holy Spirit

        1. Exalts the Holy Spirit above other members of the Trinity.

        2. Challenges Holy Spirit's work at conversion, i.e., ÿsays we 
           need a "Second Blessing." 

        3. Attributes Satan's counterfeit tongue to the Holy Spirit.

     F. Turns Off Unbeliever

        1. Behavior in Church Service

           "So ÿif the whole church comes together and everyone speaks 
           in ÿtongues, ÿÿand ÿsome ÿwho do ÿnot ÿunderstand ÿor ÿsome 
           unbelievers come in, will they say that you are out of your 
           mind?" (1 Cor 14:23). 

        2. Witness is Compromised

           The ÿscandalous ÿbehavior of some Charismatic leaders, ÿÿas 
           evidenced ÿÿin ÿthe ÿrecent ÿPTL ÿClub ÿand ÿOral ÿÿRoberts 
           controversies, ÿhas brought great discredit to the Name and 
           Work ÿof ÿJesus Christ.  ÿIt has ÿcreated ÿsuspicion ÿamong 
           unbelievers ÿand many now question the creditability of all 
           Christians and Church leaders. 

VII. Conclusion

     The Tongues of the Charismatic movement are not Scriptural.  ÿThe 
     Bible ÿmust be disregarded or reinterpreted to support the claims 
     of its proponents.  ÿHistory does not support the movement, ÿÿnor 
     does the outworking of its practitioners.  ÿAnd since there is no 
     Scriptural ÿbasis ÿfor the tongues movement we see today ÿwe ÿcan 
     only conclude that the source is not God.  Emotionalism certainly 
     plays an enormous part of the movement, ÿbut since Christians and 
     non-Christians alike share in this experience the source must ÿbe 
     Satanic.  ÿThus Satan has presented the Church and the world with 
     another ÿlie, ÿÿa ÿcounterfeit of what was ÿauthentic ÿamong ÿ1st 
     Century believers, ÿto discredit her and to neutralize her ÿpower 
     of prayer and effective witness.  ÿ1 ÿJohn 2:21 ÿreminds us that, 
     "no ÿlie comes from the truth," ÿand the Gospel of John says that 
     the ÿfalse ÿteacher, ÿ"comes only to steal and kill and ÿdestroy" 
     (John 10:10). 

     We ÿmay well ask, ÿ"If it is not Scriptural, ÿand is ÿSatanically 
     inspired, ÿÿwhy ÿis it so popular among both Christians and ÿnon-
     Christians alike?"  Dr. John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community 
     Church, ÿin his book, ÿ"The Truth About Tongues," ÿsuggests ÿfive 
     reasons for its popularity; (1) Spiritual Hunger - people want to 
     be Spiritual and are told this is the proper way; ÿ(2) ÿSpiritual 
     Expression ÿ- ÿpeople ÿare seeking a way ÿto ÿexpress ÿthemselves 
     spiritually ÿbecause ÿthey ÿdon't feel involved at ÿchurch; ÿÿ(3) 
     Instant ÿSpirituality ÿ- since tongues is considered ÿa ÿsign ÿof 
     spiritual maturity, those who seek external affirmation will seek 
     this; (4) A Reaction to Society - in response to a "cold" society 
     a person can feel involved in something supernatural; ÿ(5) A Need 
     for ÿAcceptance ÿand Security - a drive to be "in" ÿÿor ÿsuperior 
     brings ÿpeople ÿto a place where they can belong and ÿ"have ÿit."  
     Why ÿspeak ÿout against the Charismatics?  ÿWe must ÿbecause ÿthe 
     Charismatic ÿMovement ÿmust ÿbe seen for what it ÿis, ÿÿa ÿÿfalse 
     teaching ÿthat is not of the Truth, ÿJesus Christ.  ÿIt does ÿnot 
     bring glory to God, but rather--dishonor. 

     Yet, for those who would be brave enough to speak out against the 
     Charismatics there are criticisms and charges that, ÿ"you are not 
     loving and you cause division."  It is really the opposite.  ÿThe 
     above ÿexamples ÿshow vividly that the Charismatic movement ÿdoes 
     tremendous ÿharm to the church.  ÿSome would argue that since the 
     Charismatics ÿpreach the same gospel as the ÿfundamentalists ÿwhy 
     bother ÿthem over this issue.  ÿThe answer is because ÿGod ÿcares 
     about false doctrine and its impact in the mission of the church.  
     In ÿthe Book of Revelation, ÿJesus is judging the churches and He 
     tells Pergamum that she is doing some things right but that there 
     is some false teaching in her midst.  ÿJesus does not say, "Well, 
     since ÿyou ÿdo ÿsome ÿthings right ÿI ÿwill ÿoverlook ÿthe ÿfalse 
     teaching."  ÿNo, in fact, ÿHe says He will come and fight against 
     them if they do not correct the problem.  We need to correct this 
     problem ÿamong ÿus before we find our Lord fighting ÿagainst ÿHis 
     own.     God's Word declares that, "The Righteous Hate that which 
     is false."  May we all be like our Master and hate what He hates, 
     but ÿlove ÿwhat He loves--the people caught in the net ÿof ÿfalse 
     doctrine--The Charismatic. 

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 115
Galveston, IN 46932
Modem (317)452-1535
April 7, 1987

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