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Can
Christians Today Have the Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
By Eric V. Snow
Is
speaking in tongues a gift of God or a deception of the Devil? Can someone speak in tongues without it
being either? Can Christians today
truly have this gift? Or was
miraculously speaking in other languages a gift limited to the first century
and the early church? Are “tongues”
just other human languages, such as Chinese or Arabic, or are they special
angelic languages? Must Christians
speak in tongues before they can have salvation? Can people correctly speak in tongues during a church service
when no one translates those tongues for others present? Are there ways today to scientifically
investigate the claims of Pentecostalists that didn’t exist in the past? These questions and others are answered
below. The Pentecostalist and
Charismatic movement’s claim that Christians today have the gift of speaking in
tongues is shown to be invalid, for the Biblical reasons explained below.
Much of the basic issue about the
Charismatic movement’s claims concerns whether the "tongues" in
question have to be real human languages.
Furthermore, most of the Biblical data bearing on this controversy about
speaking in tongues is found in three chapters of the Bible: Acts 2 and I
Corinthians 12 and 14. So this doctrine doesn’t require a huge study to
figure out, unlike the case for whether works contribute to the salvation
process or not, or whether God is a Trinity or not. Furthermore, the last two passages are also about how
to conduct church services in general, not merely about how to
administer the gift of speaking in tongues during church services. And I Cor. 12 is much broader in scope
than being just about speaking in tongues:
It makes the well-known analogy between the church and Jesus'
body. It points out that different parts (church members) have different
functions as God allows them to have, as per the gifts they are given.
Are “Tongues” Just Other Human Languages?
Now, if we use the Bible to interpret
the Bible, rather than reading into a given passage possibly preconceived
ideas, we'll find that the gift of tongues was the ability to speak other human
languages, such as Japanese, Quechua, or Amharic. On the day of Pentecost, one of the annual Holy Days listed in
Leviticus 23, the Holy Spirit first came en masse to a large group of
(seemingly average) people at once. Acts 2:4 states what happened
miraculously in a nutshell: "And they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance." Now, were these angelic languages or some other special
language of the Holy Spirit unknown to other human beings? What does the
Bible itself say? Verses 5-6: "And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under
heaven. [They were pilgrims in town visiting for this special
annual Holy Day--EVS] And when this sound [from the Spirit's
arrival] occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because
everyone heard them speak in his own language." In verses 9-11 is a
list of all the places/nations these Jews from around the known world had
come. Yet, they could understand the 120 disciples of Jesus as they
spoke. Interestingly enough, the miracle was as much in
the hearing as in the speaking, for these people could
understand what was being said.
So, in a typical Charismatic service
today, do most or any of the people actually understand what those supposedly
speaking in tongues are actually saying? Someone may claim to have the
gift of interpretation of tongues, but it's hardly like
the whole gathered group can understand what's being said as it is
originally spoken. So that's a key difference between what happened
in Acts 2 and today's Pentecostalist services. Notice how the
miracle in Acts 2 was the opposite of what occurred at the Tower of
Babel in Genesis 11:6-8, in which people were miraculously made to not
understand each other.
Did Paul Speak with the Tongues of Angels?
In Mark
16:17, we find the gift of speaking in tongues would appear among true
Christians: "And these signs will follow those who believe: In
My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new
tongues." Now, how do we know that this gift wouldn't be, say, the
ability for a native monolingual Spanish speaker to suddenly speak Chinese or
Navaho? After all, if someone spoke (say) Urdu around me, as a number of
my college roommates did who were from Pakistan,
I wouldn't be able to understand them any more than if it was an alleged
angelic language. Now, it is true, that Paul said hypothetically (using
an "if") that if he spoke with the tongues of men and of angels,
but didn't have love, it would be like making noise on instruments (See I Cor.
13:1). Speaking conditionally, he said,
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels . . ." But should this be taken as a literal
statement of fact? Notice this isn't a
flat statement, but a conditional, a hypothetical. Do we then take
literally his other conditions before saying love is of much
greater importance also literally, as flat statements? Would we ever
have knowledge of all mysteries? Would
we ever have all faith, such as to literally move mountains? (Verse 2)
Would we ever give up all our possessions to the poor and have our
dead bodies burned? (Verse 3)
Notice he said if these hypotheticals were true, but that he didn't
have love, it would be of no value. Therefore, I Cor. 13:1
shouldn’t be taken as a statement of fact, but rather a what-if hypothetical
about if one had a particular gift in an overwhelming measure, but if one
still lacked love, it would be of no value. After all, could Paul speak
all human languages? I seriously doubt it, despite he said he spoke more
tongues than all the Corinthian Christians together (I Cor. 14:17). So
why should we believe he spoke angelic ones also? Doctrines that
assert believers can have the gift to speak in the tongues of angels
should be built upon the flat statements or assertions of Scripture, not
hypotheticals.
Are Interpreters Required When Someone at Church Publicly Speaks in Tongues?
Another major
problem with standard Pentecostalist services is that they often aren't
conducted in an orderly fashion in accordance with the directions given in I
Cor. 14. For example, if someone speaks in a tongue, but he has no
interpreter, he should remain silent.
The gift has to be regulated administratively within the church even
when its manifestations are authentically a gift from God (verses 27-28):
"If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each
in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him
keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God." So
if a lot of people speak in tongues all at the same time but no one understands
or interprets them, it can't be a true gift from God, but some kind of error or
deception is happening. Paul also said to speak in a tongue was a wasted
effort when no one could understand what was being said (verses 9, 11,
16-19): "So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy
to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be
speaking into the air. . . . If you bless with the spirit, how will he who
occupies the place of the uninformed say 'Amen' at your giving of thanks, since
he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but
the other is not edified. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than
you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my
understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in
a tongue." After all, if someone stood up, and spoke Chinese
for an hour at services in a sermon, I wouldn't understand a word of it.
Paul in this chapter's context interpreted tongues as regular human
languages (verses 10-11): "There are, it may be, so many kinds of
languages in the world [not heaven], and none of them is
without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the
language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a
foreigner to me." Obviously, these aren't angelic languages or some
special language of the Holy Spirit.
Rather, it would be as if I started to speak, and someone heard Arabic
or Swahili.
How Can Tape Recordings Be Used to Test the Claims of Pentecostalists?
Now today
the Charismatic movement's claims can be tested in ways that didn't exist in
the past. For example, suppose some Pentecostalists assert that
they can interpret tongues. Here’s
a practical way to test whether anyone can really interpret tongues or
not: Tape record what is said to be a tongue. Then apply these
two approaches: 1. After an investigator tapes the Pentecostalist
service during which this alleged gift manifested itself, he could play
back the tape for the purported interpreters separately from each other. Do their interpretations agree? If
they don't, something bogus is taking place in the speaking, the hearing, or
both. If God is inspiring the
interpreters, they should interpret the tape recording identically. 2.
After making the tape recording, the researcher could check whether or not
highly repetitious phrases or sounds occurred, transcribe them phonetically,
and then ask (cf. Matthew 6:7), "Would God would miraculously inspire
‘vain repetitions’ in His people?"
Does this supposed “tongue” have a "vocabulary"
of highly repetitious sounds or "words," in a way a normal
English speech or conversation would never be constructed? Does its
sounds resemble a Hindu mantra’s? From
our knowledge of actual human languages, could we say such sounds or
repetitious noises were actual words being spoken in coherent statements that
have meaning? Or are they just noises with less meaning than (say) what
whales make to each other in the oceans?
Another interesting approach would be to see if there are other
(false) religions (Hinduism would be a good place to start) that have
prophets making similar sounds to what occur among Charismatics, who should
believe that Christianity is the only true faith (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
If the same sounds occur, it's a sure sign of something kind of psychological
self-deception or even demonic manifestation is happening.
Can People Speak in Tongues Without Help from God or Satan?
Historically the
pagans in Corinth (and elsewhere in
the Roman Empire anciently) worked themselves up into an
ecstatic frenzied state of euphoria similar to what many Pentecostalists say
they experience today. In the context
of citing a scholar of the Roman Empire’s mystery religions, John F. MacArthur
Jr., in “Charismatic Chaos” (p. 164) describes how the human mind
psychologically could work itself up into an emotional/psychological state of ecstasy: “The worshiper would get into a state where
his mind would go into neutral and his emotions would take over. The intellect and conscience would give way
to passion, sentiment, and emotion.
This was ecstacy, an intoxicating condition of euphoria.” Nor is everyone who claims to be speaking in
tongues is demon-possessed or demon-influenced. People apparently can work themselves up into these
manifestations in ways that don’t have much directly to do with God or
Satan. Considered purely on a scientific
and rational basis, the human mind and its relationship to the brain even today
remains a rather mysterious faculty/organ.
We humans can do all sorts of odd things when under the influence of
hypnotism, mesmerism, or some other psychologically or emotionally induced
state.
Is MacArthur’s
“Charismatic Chaos” Always Correct?
Now John F. MacArthur Jr.'s book, "Charismatic Chaos,"
is a useful book to read on this general subject. But he goes too far in
certain ways in attacking the claims of Charismatics. For example, I think this gift is theoretically possible even
today among true believers, but I don't believe presently any authentic
manifestations of it occur. I don’t see any truly convincing evidence
that it exists reliably in the true Church of God today, but that may change
shortly before Jesus returns (cf. Acts 2:17).
After all, the Two Witnesses will prophesy, and they will be human
beings who will be killed before being resurrected miraculously and then
ascending to heaven (Rev. 11:3-13). It’s a poor argument to claim this
gift passed with the closing of the canon of Scripture. That meaning that has to read into I Cor.
13's discussion of tongues ceasing and the perfect's arrival. Rather,
this text (vs. 8-10, 12) refers to Jesus' return and/or the Restoration of All
Things.
Does the Bible Teach
About Two Types of Speaking in Tongues?
The
distinction that has been made about two types of tongues ("prayer
language"/"public language") is an artifice to get around
the texts that regulate speaking in tongues so that people can still do
whatever they want. This distinction has to be artificially
read into Scripture (i.e., eisegesis). A similar claim is to say
everyone has to speak in tongues after being baptized, but that not everyone
afterwards has to speak in tongues, which almost makes this gift a
condition to salvation. Consider this: If this minister is praying
in public, then he is bound by the same restrictions as he would be if he were
preaching from the pulpit. Suppose he
suddenly breaks into some unknown language. So long as the ungifted are
around him, and no interpreter is present, he should be silent then when it
comes to his (alleged) gift: "Otherwise if you bless in the spirit
only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the
"Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are
saying? For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not
edified" (I Cor. 14:16-17).
Is
Speaking in Tongues a Condition for Salvation?
It's a Pentecostalist overkill to assert that
Christians need to speak in tongues (i.e., 17th century King James
Version English for "languages”) in order to worship God correctly.
It's not a requirement to speak in tongues to be a Christian, as Paul
shows in I Cor. 12:30: "All do not speak with tongues, do
they?" See also I Cor. 14:16, 23-24. It should never be deemed a condition to salvation that someone
has to speak in tongues first, for that’s merely one more version of salvation
by works. As noted already above, most
of the discussion about tongues comes from about three chapters of the Bible
(Acts 2, I Cor. 12, 14). Why does this subject consume so much of modern
Christianity's time and energy despite it doesn't take up much space in
Scripture? The famous "love chapter” of
I Cor. 13 remains very relevant to Christians today when discussing the claims
of Pentecostalists. As I Cor. 13’s emphasis on love shows in this very
context, our priorities may not be right then, if Charismatics claim others
aren’t Christian (or fully good Christians) if they haven't spoken in
tongues. This very passage is, in part, a response to people who over-emphasized the
importance of spiritual gifts compared to love. Love is more important
than faith and hope, or any spiritual gift such as speaking in tongues,
interpreting tongues, or prophesying.
Can Christians Have Spiritual Gifts While Deliberately and Systematically Disobeying God’s Law?
Now can someone really have long-term
true spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, while systematically
disobeying as a matter of public teaching and deliberate personal practice
major commandments of God? This isn’t
about temporary weakness or occasional sins, but constant, intentional disobedience
to God’s law. What did Jesus say in the
Sermon on the Mount? “Not every one who
says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of my Father who is in heaven. On
that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and cast out demons in your name, and do many might works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never
new you; depart from me, you evildoers.’”
(Matt. 5:21-23). True, one could
argue about whether this text describes gifts that came from God, or counterfeit
gifts that came from Satan. After all,
Satan certain does have the power to do miracles also (Rev. 13:13; II Thess.
2:9; Ex. 7:11-12, 22). It’s a very
dangerous teaching to believe all miracles must be from God. As Scripture warns us (I John 4:1): “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but
test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have
gone out into the world.” One way to
“test the spirits” is to consider whether their alleged spokesmen are actually
obeying God’s law. As the man born
blind that Jesus miraculously healed told the questioning Jews (John
9:31): “We know that God does not
listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshiper of God and does his will, God
listens to him.” If a Pentecostalist
claims to have special spiritual gifts from God, but isn’t obeying God as a
matter of systematic conduct, could he really retain those gifts long
term? That is, if someone really has
the gift to heal, prophesy, speak in tongues, etc., he or she will be drawn to
know all of God’s truth required for salvation eventually. The Bible teaches that Christians shouldn’t
work on the seventh-day of the week, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday
(Exodus 20:8-11). Instead of mentioning
Easter or Christmas, the Bible tells us to observe the seven Biblical Holy Days
listed in Leviticus 23, such as Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread,
Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of
Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day.
The Bible also commands Christians to love their enemies (Matt.
5:38-48), which therefore logically includes their not killing their enemies on
the battlefield. So if someone says
they speak in tongues, but systematically disobeys the seventh-day Sabbath,
totally ignores the seven Holy Days, and believes it’s fine for Christians to
wage war, how likely is their gift really from God?
When Did the
Apostles First Fully Receive the Holy Spirit?
Evidence
that the disciples/apostles didn't receive the Holy Spirit until Pentecost
comes from what could be called the "gentile Pentecost" at Cornelius'
household. Here God had a miraculous, publicly noticed receipt of the Holy
Spirit by the gentiles in order to show He didn't play favorites spiritually
(at least permanently, in His plan for humanity). Notice Acts 10:44-47,
especially the last verse: "While Peter was still speaking these words,
the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. And all
the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift
of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. For they were
hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,
‘Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received
the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’" If the gentiles received the
Holy Spirit just as the apostles did, then they received it on Pentecost, when
similar publicly noticed miraculous events took place. It’s true the disciples made use of the
Spirit before being converted at Pentecost, such as when they cast out demons.
But it's necessary to make a distinction between having the Spirit with you and
having the Spirit in you. Notice John 14:17: "The Spirit of truth, whom
the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you
know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you." The Spirit was
with them, but not in them to give them salvation.
Will All Tongues
Always Be from the Devil in the Future?
As explained in
detail above, true Christians should examine the present-day purported
manifestations of the gift of speaking in tongues very skeptically. As a matter of religious epistemology (“how
do we know that we know”), belief in the Bible’s text should override belief in
any personal experiences that would seem to contradict its teachings. But this gift should not be always in the
future automatically be rejected as the result of demonic influence. There’s nothing in Scripture that explicitly
says this gift passed away permanently after the writing of the Bible was
completed around 100 A.D. The
miraculous gifts of prophesying and speaking in other human languages could
well return to the true Church of God shortly before Jesus returns. After all, aren’t we in the latter days, not
long before Jesus returns? Wouldn’t
this text (Joel 2:28-29), quoted by Peter (Acts 2:17-18) on the Day of
Pentecost in 31 A.D., apply then even more forcibly in the years to come? “And in the last days it shall be, God
declares, that I will pour my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old
men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those
days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”
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