BIBLE
DIGEST - Number 25 March 1993
DO
ALL SPEAK IN TONGUES?
By Allon
Maxwell
|
Amongst Pentecostals,
the "gift" of tongues is virtually central to the rest of their teaching
about the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. In conversation
with Pentecostals, I have found that the intensity of emphasis on this experience
does tend to vary from "all can, even if they don't", to "all eventually
will", to "all must". However, for most
of them, speaking in tongues is regarded as the infallible proof that they have
received the Holy Spirit. It is the sign that
God has accepted them. Some even go so far as to say that without this gift, no
one is born again, or saved at all. My problem with
this "infallible proof" is that, judged by what the Bible really does
say about tongues, it is not infallible at all! It is not infallible
proof, when the "spirit" which inspires the experience, is clearly NOT
the Spirit of Truth promised by Jesus. (John 16:13) It is not infallible
proof when it is accompanied by dangerous false teaching; about who Jesus is;
about what the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is; about what the real Christian
hope is; about the place and importance of baptism; and most important of all,
about what repentance and real obedience to Jesus means. It is not infallible
proof in those who take to themselves a false sense of security from it, or whose
lifestyle shows little convincing evidence at all, of the fruit which is the real
mark of the Spirit's presence. (Galatians 5:22-25) It is not infallible
proof when it is found in false prophets, accompanied by signs and wonders, by
which even the elect are in danger of being deceived. (Matthew 24:24) It is not infallible
proof in Catholics, who still hold to all the false teaching of their false church
system. No "spiritual"
experience in anyone, even if real in itself, can ever be infallible proof of
anything at all, when an identical but false experience is found in so many others. Bible truth, from
the Spirit of Truth, about speaking in tongues, is that it is NOT FOR EVERYONE. In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Paul makes it quite clear that it
is one of a number of gifts given individually. Just as a human body is not all
eye, or ear, or hand, or head, or feet, neither is there one single universal
or indispensable gift for all. It is plain that NOT ALL are apostles, or prophets
or workers of miracles. NEITHER DO ALL SPEAK IN TONGUES. Any "spirit"
claims otherwise, is not the Spirit of Truth promised to those who love Jesus
and obey Jesus. We should be cautious
about any who wrest the Scriptures to present us with a "lying wonder".
(2 Thessalonians 2:9). |