The Bible teaches us that the use of tongues, as manifested on the day of Pentecost, was given as a gift by the Holy Ghost to fill a need that could not otherwise be met, since many of the apostles were unlearned men, not having a formal education by the standards then used. This gift has been promised to the Christian church, and indeed it has come down to our day, in so much that it is almost always viewed as a certification that a person is filled with the Spirit of God.
However it’s necessary for us to understand from the scriptures why the gift was given, how it is manifested, and the various counterfeits that have come upon the stage of action, since for every good gift that God has bestowed on us, satan has a spurious replica. And so, in order for us to get a proper understanding of the gift of tongues, it’s important for us to study a number of facts pertaining to the issue, for they are precursors in being able to differentiate between the true and the false.
Point (1) Tongues are always known languages. If it’s not a known language, it is not the gift of tongues.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
The devout men from all parts of the then known world were surprised to hear the Galileans speak in the different languages of their native lands, and the reason why they were surprised is because they were able to correctly identify that which was being spoken. This was their own testimony. Let’s read:
Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Point (2) Tongues / languages must of necessity be understood by the one who is speaking or else proper coherent conversation cannot be held with a person who speaks the same language. For instance, if a believer is speaking in the French language to a gathering of French citizens, but doesn’t understand what their reply to his words are, then he will not be able to answer correctly if questioned or otherwise addressed. Let’s read:
Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Let’s just say that the group Peter was addressing were Spanish speaking, when they voiced their concerns by asking “Cuál es el significado de esto?”, if Peter did not understand what they said, then how could he give the following reply?
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day.
2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of 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:
The reason why Peter was able to respond intelligently is because he heard and understood their doubts and their questions, which were vocalized in their own native language. Without being able to know what they were saying, Peter would obviously be at a loss for words.
Point (3) When tongues / languages proceed from the Holy Ghost in a public or congregational setting, there must be an interpreter present if the people cannot understand what is being said. This is what the Bible clearly states. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret. And the logical reason is thus given:
1st Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
For instance, if in reply to Peter’s speech the Spanish speaking listeners said, “esta persona es realmente estúpida”, Peter might very well say Amen, since he would have no clue as to what was just said!
Furthermore, in cases where there is no interpreter to explain to the congregation what is being said, no tongues / languages should be spoken, according to the Bible. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. ----- And the logical reason is given:
1st Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
Point (4) When the genuine gift of tongues / languages is manifested in a church setting, it is never ever displayed by everyone in the congregation speaking at the same time. This is actually forbidden in the scriptures. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret. ------ And again the logical reason is given. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 14:33 For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
The real question that many Christians need to answer is, what then is the source of what they have really been experiencing all these years, and if it is not from the Holy Ghost, then the next question is, who is really behind it and where exactly is it coming from? Even though many sincere Christians do not know it, the fact is that satan has a counterfeit for every good thing God has given to us, and therefore the time has fully come for his deceptions to be fully disclosed. For example:
(1) There are false prophets and there are false Christs. Let’s read:
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(2) There are counterfeit miracles and there are counterfeit signs and wonders. Let’s read:
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
For example:
Exodus 7:9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast [it] before Pharaoh, [and] it shall become a serpent.
7:11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
7:12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
(3) There is a counterfeit Jesus, a counterfeit gospel, and also a counterfeit to the Holy Spirit. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].
It is of tremendous importance for Christians everywhere to be able to tell the difference between the true gospel and the counterfeit, for very many sincere believers have inadvertently mistaken the one for the other. Any “gospel” that teaches its adherents that God’s law is abolished or abrogated is a counterfeit and should be avoided like the plague. Let’s read:
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Question: Which gospel is “This gospel of the kingdom”? As usual we let the Bible explain itself. Let’s read:
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
(4) There are counterfeit ministers and pastors who
parade under the disguise of true ministers of God,
yet they are employed by satan. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Jeremiah 2:8 The priests said not, Where [is] the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.
Jeremiah 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
(5) There are counterfeit angels, meaning that there are angels of darkness that operate under the disguise of angels of light. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
(6) There is also counterfeit worship, and this point is particularly pertinent to our day and age, for many people are engaging in counterfeit worship and know it not. In the days of ancient Israel, the people were called to a major worship service, to which most of them attended. They later found out that God was no where in that worship, and furthermore was signally dishonored by what took place, even though it was advertised as being in God’s name. Let’s read:
Exodus 32:2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which [are] in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring [them] unto me.
32:3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron.
32:4 And he received [them] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
It is very important for us to observe what it was labeled as, for many of the Jews erroneously thought that God was pleased with their worship. Let’s read:
Exodus 32:5 And when Aaron saw [it], he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow [is] a feast to the LORD.
What transpired next shows the utter displeasure of God in what was supposed to be true worship. Let’s read:
Exodus 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted [themselves]:
32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Furthermore, if there is any doubt in our minds as to who was the recipient of such worship, the Bible reveals the details. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 32:17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new [gods that] came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
Psalms 106:36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
106:37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
106:38 And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
(7) There is also a counterfeit to the trinity, and we need to pay very close attention to this last point. We will first examine the true. Let’s read:
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
But the there is also the false, the counterfeit to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let’s read:
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Let’s start with the “dragon”. Question: who is the dragon? As usual, we let the Bible explain itself. Let’s read:
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, [even] God.
8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
So in the counterfeit trinity the devil is the father; that’s one down and two to go. In the true trinity there is a Son, even Jesus Christ, the Son of man, and thus we should expect to find a “son” in the counterfeit. Let’s read:
2nd Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Let’s pause here for this is of critical importance to every person living on this earth in 2014.This week, pope francis called a woman in Argentina and absolved her from all her sins. Let’s read the actual story as reported by Cnn:
(CNN) – Pope Francis called an Argentine woman married to a divorced man and reportedly told her that she could receive the sacrament of Communion, according to the woman's husband, in an apparent contradiction of Catholic law. Jacqueline Sabetta Lisbona wrote to the pontiff in September to ask for clarification on the Communion issue, according to her husband, who said his divorced status had prevented her from receiving the sacrament. "She spoke with the Pope, and he said she was absolved of all sins and she could go and get the Holy Communion because she was not doing anything wrong," Sabetta told Channel 3 Rosario, a CNN affiliate.
The Bible clearly states that the “son of perdition” ursurps the position of God, and he does this by claiming to forgive sins, something that only God can do. Let’s read:
Mark 2:7 Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Another activity of the “son of perdition” is that he claims to have authority to change times of worship in opposition to what the God of heaven has ordained. Let’s read:
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
We are reading directly from the Roman Catholic Catechism. Let’s read:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
2174 Jesus rose from the dead "on the first day of the week."104 Because it is the "first day," the day of Christ's Resurrection recalls the first creation. Because it is the "eighth day" following the sabbath,105 it symbolizes the new creation ushered in by Christ's Resurrection. For Christians it has become the first of all days, the first of all feasts, the Lord's Day (he kuriake hemera, dies dominica) Sunday:
We all gather on the day of the sun, for it is the first day [after the Jewish sabbath, but also the first day] when God, separating matter from darkness, made the world; and on this same day Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead.106
2175 Sunday is expressly distinguished from the sabbath which it follows chronologically every week; for Christians its ceremonial observance replaces that of the sabbath. In Christ's Passover, Sunday fulfills the spiritual truth of the Jewish sabbath and announces man's eternal rest in God. For worship under the Law prepared for the mystery of Christ, and what was done there prefigured some aspects of Christ:
And so the “son” in the counterfeit trinity represents all the popes that have reigned over the centuries, including the current pope Francis. That’s two down and one more to go. In the true trinity there is the Holy Spirit, and thus we can expect to find a counterfeit to Him also. Let’s read again:
2nd Corinthians11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Brethren, in lieu of these things that are transpiring before our eyes, the Lord is making and urgent appeal to all the inhabitants of earth, to return to the worship of the true God by honoring Him on the day He has set aside for worship and rest. Many honest- hearted Christians have unknowingly offered up a form of worship that God cannot accept, although He honors the sincerity of those who were thus misled, and therefore He is now calling all of His sons and daughters in every denomination and of every creed, to relinquish all false gospels, false Christs and counterfeit spirits in favor of the true. Let’s read:
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
It is now left with us to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, the true or the counterfeit, and ultimately between life or death. We sincerely hope and pray that our every decision will be in favor of Christ and His righteousness, as taught by precept and example in His word. May this day be a day of new beginnings for all who have now understood these things. God bless!