Alderwood Community Church November 1, The Holy Spirit In The Life Of The Believer Part Three

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1 1 Alderwood Community Church November 1, 2009 The Holy Spirit In The Life Of The Believer Part Three Review: 1. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 2. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Life of Christ 3. The Personal Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer. A. At the Beginning of the Christian life. In Jesus teaching we find an especially strong emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in initiating persons into the Christian life. (1) Convicting us of Sin. The convicting work of the Spirit is the placing of the truth of the gospel in clear light before the unsaved person so he acknowledges it as truth whether or not he receives Christ as personal Savior. Conviction is making the message clear, not the saving of the soul- that s regeneration. When we witness and share our message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ we must depend on the Holy Spirit to make that testimony be clearly understood. (Ronnie Freeman- Divine Revelation) But when He comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment John 16:8 Notice that the order of the Spirit s work of conviction is a logical one. Man needs first to see his state of sin, then he needs to have proof of the righteousness of the Savior who can save him from that sin, and finally he needs to be reminded that if he refuses to receive the Savior he will face certain judgment. Without this work of the Spirit, there can be no conversion. Conversion is man s turning to God. It consists of a negative and a positive element: repentance, that is, abandonment of sin; and faith, that is, acceptance of the promises and work of Christ. (2) Baptizing us into the Body of Christ. The [physical] body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

2 2 a) From verse 12 it is very clear that this one body is Christ. Thus Paul appears to be saying in verse 13 that we become members of Christ s body by being baptized into it by the Spirit. Baptism of the Spirit appears to be, if not equivalent to conversion and new birth, at least simultaneous with them. So when does the Baptism of the Spirit occur? At the moment of our Salvation. b) But what about the cases in the book of Acts where there clearly was a separation between conversion and the baptism of the Spirit? The book of Acts records a transitional time in God s dealing with his people. These cases in Acts did indeed involve people who were regenerated before they received the Holy Spirit. They had not received the Spirit, because the promise of the Spirits coming could not be fulfilled until Jesus ascended. Keep in mind that even the disciples of Jesus, who were certainly already born again believers, were not filled with the Spirit until Pentecost. After the events of Pentecost we find no other clear cases of such a post conversion experience among the Jews. What happened to the Jews as a group (Acts 2) also happened to the Samaritans (Acts 8) and to the Gentiles (Acts 10) and to the disciples of Apollos (Acts 19) who were apparently incompletely evangelized because they had never even heard about the existence of the Holy Spirit. In none of these four cases was the Baptism of the Spirit sought by the recipients, nor is there any indication that the gift did not fall upon every member of the group. This thinking fits well with the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 12:13, with the fact that Scripture nowhere commands us to be baptized in or by the Holy Spirit but asserts that it is something that has already happened for all believers. (3) Sealing us until we go to heaven. (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 4:30) One of the greatest assurances of the eternal security of the believer is the fact that the Father has sealed every believer with the Holy Spirit. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance of those who are God s possession to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 The concept of sealing includes the idea of ownership, authority and security. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God s children. Romans 8:16 The Spirit is not only the seal of God s ownership of us (1 Cor. 6:19-20) but he also continually reassures us that we belong to God. B. For the Continuation of the Christian life. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not completed when one becomes a believer; it is actually just beginning.

3 3 (1) Empowering us for witnessing (John 14:12; Acts 1:4-8) Jesus explained that the coming of the Spirit would give them the power he had promised, the ability to do the things that he predicted. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 The empowerment of the Spirit caused them to succeed in their task. Application: Our sovereign God is orchestrating events and people. (Acts 8- Philip, Acts 10- Cornelius, Acts 13- Christians at Antioch) He wants to use you and me to change someone s eternal destiny. (significance) (2) Teaching us the truth of God s Word (John 15:26, 16:12-15) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (a) Spirit Gifted teachers It was he [Jesus Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God s people for works of service Eph. 4:11-12 (b) Illumination- The Holy Spirit clarifies the Word of God to help us understand it. This also involves the Spirit bringing to our minds the Word of God at just the right time. (c) Application- guides and leads us in obeying the will and the Word of God Led by the Spirit (day by day guidance) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:9, 14 (3) Interceding for us in prayer. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God s will. Romans 8:26-27 We have the assurance that when we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit wisely intercedes for us that the Lord s will be done.

4 4 (4) Gifting Us To Serve Others In the Church (Rom. 12:1-8; 1 Cor ; Eph. 4:1-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11) (a) Definition: A spiritual gift is a special desire and ability given by the Holy Spirit to every believer to be used to serve others. (b) The Holy Spirit is the one who determines which gift(s) we get. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Cor. 12:11 (c) Purpose: These special God-given abilities are given to serve others in order to build them up in the faith. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 It was he [Jesus Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (d) Every Christian has at least one gift. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Cor. 12:7 (e) Every Christian plays a significant role in the church. (f) No single gift is given to everyone. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having the gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kind of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 God wants to use you to serve, bless and build up/mature other believers. (significance) Controversy: Now, certain of the more spectacular gifts have attracted particular attention and stirred considerable controversy in recent years. These are often referred to as miraculous gifts or special gifts or charismatic gifts of the Spirit. Most frequently mentioned are faith healing,

5 5 exorcism of demons and especially speaking in tongues. The heart of the controversy lies in the question as to whether the Holy Spirit is still dispensing these gifts in the church today, and if so, whether they are normative. Because speaking in tongues is the most prominent of these gifts, we will concentrate on it. Briefly, let s examine both sides of the issue. Those who believe the miraculous gifts of tongues are normative for today argue: (This view is held by Pentecostal groups and neo-pentecostal groups (more generally known as charismatics.) 1. In the book of Acts, it is observed that subsequent to conversion there are four particular incidents where there was a special filling or baptism with the Holy Spirit, and that it s usual manifestation was speaking in an unknown tongue. They hold that there is no indication that the Holy Spirit would cease to bestow this gift on the church. 2. There are evidences that the gift continued throughout the history of the church to the present. Although it has occurred only in small, relatively isolated groups. 3. Often an experiential argument also is employed in support of speaking in tongues. People who have experienced the gift themselves or have observed others practicing it have a subjective certainty about the experience. They emphasize the benefits which it produces in the Christian s spiritual life, especially its value as a means of vitalizing one s prayer life. 4. Scripture no where forbids the practice of speaking in tongues, but only misuses of it. Those who believe the miraculous gifts of tongues are not normative for today argue: 1. Historically, the miraculous gifts ceased. They were virtually unknown throughout most of the history of the church. When they were present, it was generally in isolated groups characterized by unorthodox beliefs on a number of other major doctrines. 2. Some, who hold this position refer to 1 Cor. 13:8 As for tongues, they will cease. They note the distinction between the verb used with tongues and the verb used for prophecy and knowledge. Not only is a totally different word involved, but the middle voice is used in the former instance and a passive in the latter. On this basis it is argued that tongues, unlike prophecy and knowledge, were not intended to be given until the end of time; but have already ceased. 3. Some, who hold this position refer to Hebrews 2:3-4 salvation was declared first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God bore witness by the signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. The thrust of this argument is that the purpose of the miraculous gifts was to attest to and thus authenticate the revelation and the incarnation. When that purpose had been fulfilled, the miracles, being unnecessary, they simply faded away.

6 6 So what should we think: 1. In my judgment it is very difficult to determine with 100% certainty whether the contemporary charismatic phenomena are indeed gifts of the Holy Spirit. There simply is no biblical evidence indicating the exact time of the fulfillment of the prediction as to when tongues will cease. 2. For even if history proved that the gift of tongues has ceased, there is nothing to prevent God from reestablishing it. (God in a box.) On the other hand, historical proof that the gift has been present through the various eras of the church would not validate the present phenomena either. There are evidences of ecstatic speech among various cults and the occult that are definitely not from God. (Satan is an imitator and seeks to deceive.) As well there have been observations of emotionally induced experiences that cannot be validated as coming from God, even though the person experiencing that say that it was the Spirit who granted the experience. (Example: Dreams) 3. What we must do is to evaluate each case on its own merits. What it does not mean is that we are not to sit in judgment on the spiritual experience or the spiritual life of other professing Christians. (Romans 14:9-13) What is does mean is that we cannot assume that everyone who claims to have had a special experience of the Holy Spirit s working has really had one. Scientific studies have discovered enough non-spirit parallels to warn us against being naively credulous about every claim. Certainly not every exceptional religious experience can be of diving origin. Certainly if demonic forces could produce imitations of divine miracles in biblical times (e.g., the magicians in Egypt were able to imitate the plagues up to a certain point), the same may be true today as well. Conversely, however, no conclusive case can be made for the contention that such gifts are not for today and cannot occur at the present time. So the proper procedure with regard to an actual case of modern-day public practice of what is claimed to be the biblical gift of tongues (or other miraculous gifts) is this: (a) No conclusions should be drawn in advance as to whether it is genuine or not. (b) Then the procedure laid down by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 must be followed. Thus if one speaks there must be an interpreter, so that the whole group may be edified. Only one should speak at a time and no more than three at a session. If no one is present to interpret, the would-be speaker should keep silence in the church. Paul instructed that we must not prohibit speaking in tongues (14:39), but on the other hand, we are not commanded to seek this gift. Rather Paul affirms two primary things in the context of gifts in 1 Cor (1) that the most desired thing that God seeks after in the life of his children is love. Paul referred to is as the most excellent way and even if a person has all the miraculous use of gifts and yet does not love, that person is nothing and gains nothing in God s eyes. He said the greatest thing to seek after of all these things discussed in chapters is love. And then he spells out exactly what that love for one another looks like. Remember, the goal of all the gifts is to build up other Christians by serving them in love.

7 7 (2) Secondly, instead of engaging in debate and allowing one aspect of the Spirit s ministry to cause division in the church we must remember one of the significant ministries of the Spirit is that he has brought us all into one body. (1 Cor. 12:13) Paul instructs us to Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph. 4:3 We are one family, and are to be united together on the one purpose of bringing glory to Jesus Christ by serving others in the body of Christ and by engaging the lost in conversation about the good news of the Gospel. Conclusion: Empowering for witness Gifting for service Baptism of the Spirit Gifts of the Spirit Emphasis on Significance Emphasis on unity and mutual edification Additional Sermons on the subject of the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues: Alderwood Community Church July 15, 2007 What About Tongues In The Church Today? Part 1 1 Corinthians 13:8b-13 (pg. 1137) Introduction: Two congregations of differing denominations were located only a few blocks from each other in a small community. They thought it might be better if they would merge and become one united body, larger and more effective, rather than two struggling churches. Good idea but both were too petty to pull it off. The problem? They couldn t agree on how they would recite the Lord s Prayer. One group wanted forgive us our trespasses while the other demanded forgive our debts. So the newspaper reported that one church went back to its trespasses while the other returned to its debts. As silly as this story seems, it s a classic case of majoring on the minors. Ever since the apostles formed the first church, doctrinal nit-picking has caused discord and conflict within and between congregations. Pre-Tribulation Rapture or Post? Should women preach? Then there is the topic of tongues. What I find so disturbing in the church today that as we discuss the whole issue of tongues and miraculous gifts that there is so much animosity between those of differing views in the body of Christ. Remember Paul s point in this whole argument is that the Corinthians were putting too much emphasis on this one gift of tongues, much like many today are doing. The Corinthians were unloving in their pretentious and arrogant use of tongues in the church, they attempted to parade their spirituality by exercising this superior gift, they were actually being unloving because they were thinking only of themselves and not the good of the church

8 8 who had no idea what they were saying. (14:2) makes it clear that some were using this gift without an interpreter. Charismatic teachers who insist that all believers must have this gift of tongues as a demonstration of genuine faith are unloving to those who don t have it. It makes many people feel left out and like second class or not even Christians at all. They can also convey the idea to non-charismatics that they do not fully believe in God or his Word and are not experiencing the full joy and power of the Holy Spirit. Christian pastors and teachers who view these miraculous gifts as a thing of the past can have an arrogant attitude and become argumentative with those who believe they have the gift. They can also be accusatory of other believers being influence by Satan or psychologically weak. This is very unloving and a violation of the second greatest command that God has given us and that is to love our brothers. No matter what issue of theology we discuss, we are to treat one another with love. That doesn t mean that we cannot discuss truth and even disagree with one another, but we must disagree with love and respect. 1. Our attitude and actions are to be shaped by our love for God and for each other. 1 Cor. 13:1-3, 13 Jesus was asked, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commands. Matthew 22:36-40 We need to be careful of sweeping generalizations of those who hold different views than us. 2. Why are tongues such a big deal today? A. The history of the Charismatic Movement Also known as neo-pentecostalism, the charismatic movement is an heir to Pentecostalism, which began around Until 1959 Pentecostalism was contained in denominations such as Assemblies of God, Foursquare Gospel Churches, and the United Pentecostal Church. But in 1959 Pentecostalism spilled over denominational lines when Dennis Bennett, rector at St. Mark s Episcopal Church in Van Nuys, California, experienced what he believes was the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues. After that, the charismatic movement spread to the Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Lutheran denominations. From there it has swollen to encompass Catholics, theological liberals, and even several pseudo-christian fringe groups. B. The teaching of some Charismatics and Pentecostals Christians from every denomination continue to speak in tongues and new people seek the experience every day. Charismatic teachers and writers claim this is the work of the Holy Spirit, that it is a sweeping new burst of power that has come upon the church in the last days.

9 9 (1) Some teach that everyone should have the gift of tongues and that you are missing out on great spiritual blessings and joy if you don t. This teaching is clearly contrary to Paul s whole argument in 1 Cor. 12,13,14. His whole point is that the body is not made up of one part but many. 12:14 (2) Some associate the gift of tongues with a so-called baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is a misinterpretation of 1 Cor. 12:13. These people claim that if you don t speak in tongues, you don t have all of the Holy Spirit. C. The personal benefit of the experience! (1) One reason is spiritual hunger. People hear that tongues is a way to have a wonderful spiritual experience. They fear that if they have not spoken in tongues, they may be missing something. They want something more. Many people are hungry to express themselves spiritually. They have been coming to church for years, but they really have not been involved. (2) Probably the key reason tongues have exploded on the scene with such force is the need for an alternative to the cold, lifeless Christianity that permeates so many churches. People who join the charismatic movement often are those who are looking for action, excitement, warmth, and love. They want to believe that God is really at work in their lives right here and now. Dead orthodoxy can never satisfy, and that is why many people look for satisfaction in the charismatic movement. (3) People have described their experience of tongues as one of great joy and increased intimacy with God. D. The need to be right. Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (pg. 1137) 3. Have tongues ceased? where there are tongues, they will be stilled 1 Cor. 13:8 A. The permanence of Love 1 Corinthians 13:8b-13 Remember the context!!! (1) Gifts are temporary (8) Prophecies and Knowledge will cease (katargeo- means to reduce to inactivity or to abolish ). This same Greek word is used 2 times in vrs. 8, vrs. 10 disappears and in Tongues will be stilled (pauo- means to stop, to come to an end ). (2) Gifts are partial (9-10)

10 10 (3) Gifts are elementary (11-12) 1 John 3:2 Dear Friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (4) Love is eternal (13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Vrs. 13 Clearly, love remains forever, but the gifts of tongues, prophecy and knowledge will cease. What is not so clear is when. When will the gifts of tongues cease? B. The purpose of miraculous, revelatory gifts Tongues was a miraculous, revelatory gift, and the age of miracles and revelation ended with the apostles. The last recorded miracles in the New Testament occurred around A.D. 58, with the healings on the island of Malta (Acts 28:7-10). From A.D. 58 to 96, when John finished the book of Revelation, no miracle is recorded. Miracle gifts like tongues and healing are mentioned only in 1 Corinthians, an early epistle. Two later epistles, Ephesians and Romans, both discuss gifts of the Spirit at length but no mention is made of the miraculous gifts. By that time miracles were already looked on as something in the past. Hebrews 2:3-4 This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Apostolic authority and the apostolic message needed no further confirmation. Before the first century ended, all the New Testament had been written and was circulating through the churches. The revelatory gifts had ceased to serve any purpose. And when the apostolic age ended with the death of the apostle John, the signs that identified the apostles had already become moot. 2 Cor. 12:12 The things that mark an apostle- signs, wonders and miracles- were done among you with great perseverance. Through miracles God repeatedly authenticated the messengers of His new revelation. The Scriptures are the completed revelation of God. The Scriptures are all we need, and are the sole criteria for any and all spiritual truth. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17

11 11 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 Jesus warned false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect- if that were possible. Matthew 24:24 C. The history of inactivity of the gift of tongues. The absence of tongues in history seems to indicate that tongues did cease. Again, it is significant that tongues are mentioned only in the earliest books of the New Testament. Paul wrote at least twelve epistles after 1 Corinthians and never mentioned tongues again. Peter never mentioned tongues; James never mentioned tongues; John never mentioned tongues; neither did Jude. Tongues appeared only briefly in Acts and 1 Corinthians as the new message of the gospel was being spread. But once the church was established, tongues are never mentioned again.. The later books of the New Testament do not mention tongues again. Nor did anyone in the post-apostolic age. Cleon Rogers wrote, It is significant that the gift of tongues is nowhere alluded to, hinted at or even found in the Apostolic Fathers. Chrysostom and Augustine the greatest theologians of the eastern and western churches considered tongues obsolete. Chrysostom stated categorically that tongues had ceased by his time. Writing in the fourth century, he described tongues as an obscure practice, admitting that he was not even certain about the characteristics of the gift. The obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation, being such as then used to occur but now no longer take place, he wrote. Augustine wrote In the earliest times, the Holy Ghost fell upon them that believed: and they spake with tongues, which they had not learned, as the Spirit gave them utterance. These were signs adapted to the time. During the first five hundred years of the church, the only people who claimed to have spoken in tongues were followers of Montanus, who was branded a heretic. The next time any significant tongues-speaking movement arose within Christianity was in the late seventeenth century. A group of militant Protestants in the Cevennes region of southern France began to prophesy, experience visions, and speak in tongues. The group, sometimes called the Cevennol prophets, are remembered for their political and military activities, not their spiritual legacy. Most of their prophecies went unfulfilled. They were rabidly anti-catholic, and advocated the use of armed force against the Catholic church. Many of them were consequently persecuted and killed by Rome. At the other end of the spectrum, the Jansenists, a group of Roman Catholic loyalists who opposed the Reformers teaching on justification by faith, also claimed to be able to speak in tongues in the 1700s. Another group that practiced a form of tongues was the Shakers, an American sect with Quaker roots that flourished in the mid-1700s. Mother Ann Lee, founder of the sect, regarded herself as

12 12 the female equivalent of Jesus Christ. She claimed to be able to speak in seventy-two languages. They spoke in tongues while dancing and singing in a trancelike state. Then in the early nineteenth century, Scottish Presbyterian pastor Edward Irving and members of this congregation practiced speaking in tongues and prophesying. Irvingite prophets often contradicted each other, their prophecies failed to come to pass, and their meetings were characterized by wild excesses. The movement was further discredited when some of their prophets admitted to falsifying prophesies and others even attributed their giftedness to evil spirits. This group eventually became the Catholic Apostolic Church, which taught many false doctrines, embracing several Roman Catholic doctrines and creating twelve apostolic offices. This is important: All of those supposed manifestations of tongues were identified with groups that were heretical, fanatical, or otherwise unorthodox. The judgment of biblically orthodox believers who were their contemporaries was that all those groups were aberrations. Surely that should also be the assessment of any Christian who is concerned with truth. Thus it seems that from the end of the apostolic era to the beginning of the twentieth century there were no genuine occurrences of the New Testament gift of tongues. They had ceased, as the Holy Spirit said they would (1 Cor. 13:8). New Testament scholar Thomas R. Edgar makes this observation: Since these gifts and signs did cease, the burden of proof is entirely on the charismatics to prove their validity. Too long Christians have assumed that the noncharismatic must produce incontestable biblical evidence that the miraculous sign gifts did cease. However, noncharismatics have no burden to prove this, since it has already been proved by history. It is an irrefutable fact admitted by many Pentecostals. Therefore the charismatics must prove biblically that the sign gifts will start up again during the Church Age and that today s phenomena are this reoccurrence. In other words they must prove that their experiences are the reoccurrence of gifts that have not occurred for almost 1,900 years. D. The unfortunate unscriptural use of tongues today. (1) Many charismatics teach that biblical tongues are ecstatic utterances. Tongues are mentioned in three books of the Bible: Mark (16:17); Act (2, 10, 19); and 1 Corinthians (12-14). The book of Acts is primarily historical narrative and the extraordinary, miraculous events it recounts do not represent a normative pattern for the entire church age. The text of Mark 16:17 simply mentions tongues as an apostolic sign. That leaves 1 Corinthians 12-14, the only passage of Scripture that talks about the role of tongues in the church. Note that Paul wrote those chapters to reprove the Corinthians for their misuse of the gift. Most of what he had to say restricted the use of tongues in the church. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Paul affirms the preeminence of love. Verse 1 plainly states that miraculous languages without love are nothing. Paul was rebuking the Corinthians for using gifts of the Spirit selfishly and without love. They were more interested in inflating their own egos or in enjoying a euphoric experience than they were in serving one another with the selfsacrificing concern that characterizes agape love.

13 13 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels is how Paul begins the chapter. Tongues is from the Greek word glossa, which, like our word tongue, can refer either to the physical organ or to a language. Paul is clearly referring to a gift of languages. Note that Paul had personally spoken in tongues (1 Cor. 14:18). He was not condemning the practice itself; he was saying that if the gift of tongues is used in any other way than God intended, it is only noise like the rhythm band in a kindergarten class. Nowhere does the Bible teach that the gift of tongues is anything other than human languages. Nor is there any suggestion that the true tongues described in 1 Corinthians were materially different from the miraculous languages described in Act 2 at Pentecost. The Greek word in both places is glossa. In Acts it is clear that the disciples were speaking in known languages. (Acts 2:5-13) Unbelieving Jews who were in Jerusalem at the time were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language: (2:6). Luke went on to name some fifteen different countries and areas whose languages were being spoken (vv.8-11). Furthermore, the Greek word dialektos, from which we get the English word dialect, is also used in reference to the languages in Acts 2:6, 8. Unbelievers present at Pentecost heard God s message proclaimed in their own local dialects. Such a description could not apply to ecstatic Many charismatics point out that the King James Version of 1 Corinthians 14 repeatedly uses the expression an unknown tongue. That, they say, describes a language that is not of this world. The word unknown, however, was supplied by translators and does not appear in the Greek text. That is why the King James Version shows the word in italics. Therefore, 1 Corinthians 13:1 cannot be used to prove that Paul is advocating meaningless, ecstatic speech or some kind of heavenly or angelic language. Paul insisted that when tongues were spoken in the church, someone should interpret (14:13, 27). Such a command would not be fitting if Paul had in mind the ecstatic utterance of a private prayer language or spontaneous celestial sounds. The Greek word for interpretation is hermeneuo, which means translation. The gift of interpretation was a supernatural ability to translate a language one had never learned so that others might be edified by the message (1 Cor. 14:5). You cannot translate ecstatic speech. Still another indication that Paul had in mind human languages is his statement in 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 that tongues were given as a sign to unbelieving Israel: In the Law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me, says the Lord. Paul was referring to Isaiah 28:11-12, a prophecy telling the nation of Israel that God would speak his revelation in Gentile languages. That was a rebuke to Israel in their unbelief. In order to be a meaningful sign, these must have been Gentile foreign languages, not some kind of angelic speech. An argument in favor that tongues is an utterance of unknown language: (Morris, Bloomberg) It is difficult to see this as the same as in Acts 2. In Acts 2 the characteristic is intelligibility, here the characteristic is unintelligibility (no on understands him 14:2). The gift here is not part of the church s evangelistic program (as in Acts 2) (Brad: but why does 14:22 tell us that tongues are a sign for unbelievers) but one exercised among believers. It is not understood by

14 14 people who speak other languages, but requires a special gift of interpretation. Utterances in no known language, but under the influence of the Spirit, seems to be Paul s meaning. (2) A number of churches practice tongues in the congregation without interpreters. This is a clear violation of 1 Cor. 14: (3) Some believers practice tongues privately and refer to it as their private prayer language. They use 1 Cor. 14, 2, 28 and Romans 8:26 as their proof texts for this phenomena. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Rom. 8:26 Problems with this view: 1. Spiritual gifts (which tongues are listed as) are always described as for the purpose of ministry to others. For the common good (12:7), and 1 Peter 4:10 tells us Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in it s various forms. 2. Tongues has another significant purpose, it was a sign for unbelievers. A. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers 14:22 So What Kind of Tongues Are Being Spoken Today? There is no way to analyze each speaker in tongues and come up with a clear reason for his behavior. Here are a few possible explanations: 1. Tongues is a learned behavior. Charismatic leaders like Charles and Frances Hunter hold seminars to instruct people about how to receive the gift of tongues. How can that be viewed as anything other than learned behavior? The Hunters jump-start people emotionally by getting then to shout prayers and praise; they suggest sample syllables to prime the pump; and they encourage people to repeat funny little sounds. That s clearly not how a spontaneous gift of the Holy Spirit operates. It is not a miracle. It is something almost anyone can learn to do. In his book The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues, John Kildahl concluded after much study of the evidence that glossolalia is a learned skill. Kildahl, a clinical psychologist, and his partner Paul Qualben, a psychiatrist, were commissioned by the American Lutheran Church and the National Institute of Mental Health to do a long-range study on tongues. After all their work, they came to the firm conviction that it was nothing more than a learned phenomenon. Illus: My own personal experience with my aunt in Montana when I was Tongues can be psychologically induced. Some of the strangest cases of tongues have been explained as psychological aberrations. The tongues-speaker goes into motor automatism, which is clinically described as radical inward detachment from one s conscious surroundings. Motor automatism results in disassociation of nearly all voluntary muscles from conscious control.

15 15 Would-be tongues-speakers are often explicitly instructed to enter into passive renunciation of willful control. They are told to release themselves, give up control of their voice. They are coached to say a few syllables, just to let them flow. They are not to think about what they are saying. The problem I see with this is that being out of control is not characteristic of the Holy Spirit. Rather Self-control is listed as one of the 9 Fruits of the Spirit of God in Galatians 5. We are urged in 1 Peter 4:7 Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. And in 1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Paul instructed Titus to instruct young men to be sober minded in the King James, it is translated self-controlled in the NIV. Titus 2:6 God tells us that everything is to be done decently and in order. (14:40) and (14:32) tells us that the spirit of the prophets are subject to the control of the prophets. This teaches the ability of self-control on the part of the person who is endowed with spiritual gifts. 3. Tongues may be satanic or demonic. Some critics of the movement want to write off all supposed tongues as the work of the devil. I resist this concept. However, after our studies in 1 Corinthians and learning how much the Mystery Religions of the First Century affected the church. Satan can sometimes be the force behind phenomena that pass as gifts of the Spirit. After all, he is behind every false religion (1 Cor. 10:20), and he specializes in counterfeiting truth (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Many in the church these days are susceptible to his lies: The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Ecstatic speech is common in false religions, especially the Mystery Religions I just mentioned. Even the Encyclopedia Britannica contain helpful articles on glossolalia among pagans in their worship rites. Reports have come from East Africa telling of persons possessed by demons who speak fluently in Swahili or English, although under normal circumstances they would not understand either language. 4. Tongues could be a genuine gift of God However, it will never contradict the teaching of Scripture found in 1 Cor I refuse to put God in a box, or say categorically what Scripture does not say categorically. Conclusion: 1. It seems from the evidence that the Biblical revelatory use of tongues is no longer needed and is not a normal operating gift of the Spirit today. But I think we should thank God for charismatic and Pentecostal brothers and sisters in Christ who believe in the Word of God. We can be grateful that they believe the Bible and hold it up as authoritative, though we are concerned about their view of revelation. We can also praise God

16 16 that they believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, his sacrificial death, his physical resurrection, salvation by faith not works, and the need to live in obedience to Christ, fervently love their fellow man, and proclaim the faith with zeal. 2. We are to Exhibit love for one another, especially at times when you strongly disagree with them! A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 1 John 4: We are to Evaluate all experiences by the inspired Word of God! God will never contradict Himself. But when He the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. John 16:13-14 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Experience is not the test of Biblical truth, rather Biblical truth stands in final judgment on experience. Frederick Bruner stated it clearly: The test of anything calling itself Christian is not its significance or its success or its power, though these things make the test more imperative. The test is truth. Bibliography: Commentaries on 1 Corinthians Leon Morris, Robert Gromacki, Charles Swindoll, John MacArthur, Gordon Fee, and Craig Bloomberg Charismatic Chaos John MacArthur Understanding Spiritual Gifts Robert Thomas Showing The Spirit D.A. Carson

17 17 Alderwood Community Church July 22, 2007 What About Tongues In The Church Today? Part 2 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Intro: Personal opinion based on experience offers shaky, often erroneous evidence, no matter how sincerely we believe in it. John Godfrey Sacks wrote a story titled The Blind Men and The Elephant: that illustrates this truth. In this tale, six blind men from Industan wanted to know the truth about elephants, so they gathered their own facts by going straight to the source. The first blind man fell against the animal s sturdy hide and decided, The elephant is very like a wall. The second, feeling the elephant s smooth, sharp tusk, exclaimed, This wonder of an elephant is very like a spear. When the third blind man approached the animal, he grabbed its squirming trunk in his hands and promptly declared, The elephant is very like a snake. The fourth felt the elephant s rough-skinned leg and determined that it clearly is very like a tree. The fifth, having touched its ear, exclaimed that this marvel of an elephant is very like a fan. When the sixth blind man groped for what he could call elephant, the animal s swinging tail fell into his hands, so he exclaimed, The elephant is very like a rope. And so these men of Industan disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right and all were in the wrong. If you wanted to discover the real definition of an elephant, you wouldn t ask six blind men from Industan. Instead, you would go online and look it up or to a library and read an encyclopedia. So, too, we need not base the truth about spiritual gifts on man s subjective, short sighted experience. Unfortunately, many fail to base their opinions on Scripture- the only objective source of truth Turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 (pg. 1137) Big Idea: Prophecy is far more beneficial to the church than uninterpreted tongues! Context: Paul gently transitions from his eloquent chapter on love to the contrast between the gift of prophecy and the gift of tongues.

18 18 Vrs. 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Pursue love, chase after it, strive for it. Love should be your ultimate goal. But when it comes to spiritual gifts, prophecy is the one you should desire. 1. Prophecy is more beneficial to the believer. Vrs A. Uninterpreted tongues do not edify the church, but prophecy does. (vrs. 1-17) 1. Paul states his case. (vrs. 1-5) What is prophecy? We tend to think of prophecy as predicting the future. But before the Scriptures were complete, God s inerrant, inspired message was communicated to the early church through the lips of recognized prophets. Prophets had to have a message from God in the form of special revelation guidance regarding its declaration so that it would be given forth accurately, and the message itself had to have the authority of God. The prophet was much needed in the first century because the New Testament Church did not have the complete Word of God bound in their own tongue as we do today. Vrs. 5b When tongues are spoken and interpretation is given, then the message had benefit for the congregation and probably closely resembled prophecy in function. 2. Paul illustrates his case. (vrs. 6-12) Vrs. 6 Repeats the theme, repeating the need for intelligibility. The three things listed are all things that are intelligible. (a) Musical Instruments (vrs. 7) In order to be understood or appreciated, musical instruments must play a discernible melody. (b) Trumpet calls (vrs. 8) to battle must be clear enough for soldiers to distinguish between Advance and Retreat. (c) Foreign languages (9-11) remain unintelligible to those who have learned them. Vrs. 12 Paul urges the Corinthians to focus their zeal on gifts that edify or build up the church. This verse can be misleading as if to say that some gifts do not build up the church. In the Greek it literally reads Seek that you may abound towards the edification of the church.

19 19 3. Paul applies his case. (vrs ) Prayer and praise also must be intelligible and discernible if the church is to be edified. Some view these verses as proof that God does give a private prayer language to some. Praying with one s spirit (vrs. 14) versus praying with ones mind (vrs. 15) is probably equivalent to the distinction in verses of speaking in tongues verses interpretation. Tongues and their interpretation might also come in song form too. (15b) It is also possible that praying and singing with my mind include more ordinary worship as well. B. Uninterpreted tongues do not instruct the church, but prophecy does. (vrs ) Paul admits that he can speak in tongues (which may have surprised Paul s readers) but he s reluctant to do so in the congregation. Because to him, five words with meaning and clarity are more important than ten thousand words in a language that no one can understand. Some view these verses as proof that Paul had an extensive use of tongues as a prayer language. Vrs. 19 Intelligible literally means with my mind No one can learn or be instructed if they cannot understand. 2. Prophecy is more beneficial to the unbeliever. Vrs Not only is prophecy a better teaching tool for believers, it is more helpful for unbelievers and church visitors too. In this final part of our passage, Paul explains the original purpose of tongues and its effect on unbelievers. A. The purpose of tongues. (vrs ) Vrs. 20 Paul is rebuking the Corinthians for their preoccupation with tongues without concern for their effect on others. He said that is childish, immature. A mature person is one who takes other people into consideration before one acts. Vrs. 21 Paul reflects on the words of the prophet Isaiah, who warned unbelieving Israel that God s judgment was approaching. How were they to know this? Through the foreign tongues of Assyria s army. Based on Isaiah s declaration, Paul concludes that tongues are for a sign to unbelievers. Vrs. 22. This fits perfectly with the Pentecost account in Acts 2:1-11, where the foreign languages uttered by the apostles were a sign to some of Jerusalem s unbelieving Jews. God used tongues to get their attention, and they heard the gospel in their language for the first time.

20 20 B. Uninterpreted tongues do not evangelize the unbeliever, but prophecy does(vrs ) Paul realizes that a negative response to tongues could determine a negative response to Christ and His church, so he tenaciously continues to reason with the Corinthians. Apparently, the Corinthians were not speaking the languages of those in the assembly, and there were no interpreters. Imagine the scene: someone stands up and speaks unintelligible words, followed by another, and another. No interpretation is given, and the unbeliever or visitor leaves the church in confusion and concludes that the people are crazy. Even if an interpretation was given, the phenomenon of tongues seems so bizarre to some that it prevents them from giving the gospel a serious hearing. Yet even with this observation, Paul did not prohibit tongues, but regulated them so that they do not get out of hand(vrs. 27) Prophecy not only instructs believers but also convicts unbelievers because they can understand it- its in their own language. This understanding begins a process involving conviction, disclosure, worship and finally acknowledging God s presence. Application: 1. This applies equally to the preaching of God s Word. 2. It also should instruct us to be sensitive and aware of unbelievers in our worship services. 3. What about tongues today? A. The purpose of the miraculous, revelatory gifts. God used signs, wonders and miracles to authenticate the apostles and their message. (See: 2 Cor. 12:12 Hebrews 2:3-4) When the apostolic age ended with the death of the apostle John, it seems the signs that identified the apostles had ceased to exist because their purpose had been served. Before the first century ended, all the New Testament had been written and was circulating through the churches. The revelatory gifts (tongues, interpretation, prophecy and word of knowledge) had ceased to serve any purpose because the Word of God is the completed revelation of God. (See: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Matthew 24:24) B. The history of inactivity of the use of tongues. The absence of tongues in history seems to indicate that tongues did cease. Tongues are not mentioned in the later epistles to the church and once the church was established, tongues are never mentioned again. The greatest theologians in the fourth century considered tongues obsolete. For over 1900 years there are very few instances of tongues being used and all of the supposed manifestations were identified with groups that were heretical, fanatical or otherwise unorthodox.