The gift of speaking in tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit was given before the completion of the scriptures and it achieved its special purpose and finally ceased to exist as a gift of the Spirit in about AD 70. The speaking of tongues today is spurious and is demon controlled. These demons can influence born again christians to imitate the gift of speaking in tongues, to the detriment of all concerned both speaker and hearer alike. That christians do not see this does not change the fact that it is a demon activity today.

In fact every time tongues are spoken in the new Testament it had a twofold purpose specifically directed at the unbelieving Jews. "They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation." Deut.32:21. "But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you." Rom.10:19. "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." Rom.11:11

These three verses clearly show that God used the gift of tongues as a witness to the unsaved Jew. Let us notice the apostle Paul’s words "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not." 1Cor.14:21- This should be clearly understood and considered. Our Pentecostal friends are totally unaware of this fact. Again the scriptures are clear that the sign is for the Jews as mentioned above. Now let us look very closely a the next three verses. "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." Isa.28:11-13,

We notice a similar statement in Mat.13:17, and that is prophesied in Isa.6:9-10. We see this prophesy quoted in Heb.10:7-9. They crucified the Lord because of hardness of their heart. Now we can see some of God’s purpose in using tongues strictly for the Jew only. "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." Mat.13:13 "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed." Ias.6:9-10. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." Heb.10.9-10. Without question tongues were for the unbelieving Jews.

Now we have noted three special reasons for tongues

1. God says I will provoke the Jew to jealousy. The Jews were a disobedient people, Christ rejecters.

2. That the Jews would be snared in unbelief, and,

3. their hearts hardened

Apart from 1Cor.13 & 14 speaking in an foreign language is mentioned in three places

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues (language) the wonderful works of God." Acts.2:11.

This is the event which occurred at the day of Pentecost, and Peter describes it quite clearly. The major point is that the foreign speaking Jews heard of the wonderful works of God in their own language

"For they heard them speak with tongues (languages), and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptised, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" Acts.10:46-47. Again careful note must be made of the recorded conversation at Cornelius’s conversion. To begin with not a single word is spoken about "asking" for the Holy Spirit. They were baptised in the Spirit the moment they believed, and then immediately baptised by immersion in water.

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The watching Jews are described thus: "They of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." Acts.10:45-46. This was evidence that the middle wall between Jew and Gentile was broken down. The gentile now had access to God and salvation by faith.

This is a unique occasion when the Jews concerned had never heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ except that prophesied by John the Baptist. Paul preached the gospel of Christ and they believed and were baptised in the Holy spirit and spoke in tongues. It is important to see that they did not ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not did they seek any gift. "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, (languages) and prophesied." Acts.19:6.

The context shows clearly that they were Jews who believed. It further shows that they went into the synagogue, and spoke of the things concerning the Kingdom of God. Anything further than that is purely supposition and speculation.

in verse 20 of that chapter the apostle says act as mature christians. He said, "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 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?" 1cor.14:21-23.

Little more need be said, but that strict obedience to the relevant part of this chapter is rarely observed by those who claim that tongues are for today. We repeat the tongues in this chapter is for the unsaved, and not for the christian. It is suggested that the writer’s notes on 1.Corinthians 14 should be read in conjunction with these notes. In those notes in the first few verses of the chapter we see that speaking in tongues is relegated and the important gifts given prominence.

In verse 2 it mentions speaking in a foreign language which was addressed to God as the only One who understood them. It is made abundantly clear that men can not understand what is spoken unless they know the language. It is then contrasted with speaking forth the mind of God (this was a time when the scriptures were not complete) to the edification exhortation, and comfort of the hearer. In verse 5 tongues speakers are told that an interpreter is need to profit anyone.

Furthermore we have already seen that tongues are for the Jews only which is repeated in verse 21 and 22, and most were Jews in Corinth. In verse 27 and 28 we are told that an interpreter was needed in any case before anyone spoke in tongues. Over and above all this MIRACLE GIFTS HAVE CEASED, but, of course, not miracles which is quite a different matter.

We have seen the major work of the Holy Spirit, and we have seen the fact that the Holy Spirit is given immediately one believes. The baptism of the Spirit again takes place immediately one believes and is saved. The scripture is completely silent about tarrying for the Holy Spirit baptism after Acts 2, and it should be condemned out of hand. We have noted that as the purchased possession we are sealed WITH, not by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.

In the Old Testament we saw that God could give and take away the Holy Spirit from His people, but in the church age dispensation the Holy Spirit is a permanent gift. His dwelling place is the body of the believer. Finally we have looked at tongues and we see that it was primarily a sign for unbelieving Jews, and not christians. It is not in the scope of these notes to give any more than a very brief outline of the Holy spirit and His work. The purpose is to enable us to intelligently try the spirits which simply means that we can use the scriptures to judge everything.

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Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that ginosko; come to know

confesseth that Jesus Christ homologeo; assent to, agree with

is come in the flesh is of God: erchomai; come

The real sense of the original Greek is, "assents to the fact that Jesus Christ came in flesh" which clears up any misunderstanding about this particular verse. It is really saying that whoever assents to the fact that Jesus Christ was God manifest in flesh is of God. It is not talking about the historical fact that such a person existed to which history testifies, but to the acknowledgement of the person Himself. We noted above the facts concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ which are vitally important.

This is simply stating the opposite of the verse above. Christians should believe and assert that Jesus of Nazereth was God, but demons will not. The demon doctrine, on the other hand, claims that the same Jesus was not God. We suggest that this is the acid test for doctrine of demons. Put simply a statement that He was a wonderful man and nothing else is demonic.

It is only in the epistles of John that we come across the word antichrist, and once again it is misunderstood by many christians. It means against and instead of Christ. "One who, assuming the guise of Christ, opposes Christ" (Westcott), puts it clearly.

The description of the first beast in Rev.13 closely resembles the description of the "man of sin" in 2Thes.2. It is terrible to see church people take the title of "archbishop" which means chief shepherd. The Greek word is Archipoimen, arche = chief, poimen = shepherd. The word bishop did not exist in English until the Greek word "episkopos" epi = over, and skopeo = watch. The chief shepherd is the Lord Himself, and an overseer is a function of the shepherd.

To call oneself a chief overseer is a subtle way of taking the lord’s rightful place. Even a superficial look at the world of christendom alone shows that those who take the place of the Lord either openly or covertly are numerous indeed; even in the assembly of God’s people, Acts.20:28.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: nikao; overcome

The position of the spiritual christian is that they have all the power of God dwelling within them, and that power is infinite. This has to be realised by the power of the Holy Spirit convincing the believer that this is the true position and that power protects and guides him. those who are thus convinced have no fear of the unseen spirit world knowing full well that are over it all. No demon can harm, there is no evil doctrine can not be recognised, and the will and the leading of the Holy Spirit is all that is required. Once again, to be spiritual really means to be obedient to the Word of God.

This particular verse is addressed to every child of God, and not to a particular classes of believers as we have previously seen in this epistle. The false prophets we beaten. Above all, however, we had nothing to do with the victory over these peddlers of evil. We have no power, we have no wisdom, we are destitute and are incapable of overcoming anything. It is wholly and solely because God in Christ dwells within us. Again we are clearly told that we must walk in the light as He is in the light to be overcomers. To walk in darkness immediately put us in the position of carnal weakness are we are easy victims of the more powerful demon, and caught in Satan’s trap.

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It is hard for christians to realise that the whole world and all its inhabitants are totally under the control of Satan. Each unsaved person falsely believes that they are their own master, and that they can do what they like. So they can to a certain extent, but never outside the control and spirit of the god of this world. This is not so each unsaved person is a slave. "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1John.5:19. The last three words of this verse clearly means that the whole world is totally in subjection to, and controlled by Satan

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" Eph.2:2. In this verse the God of all truth plainly states that our life, and daily conduct was according to the world’s principles laid down by Satan. It is that spirit which controls all unsaved.

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2Cor.4:4 To further press home the point the verse above says that the controller of the whole world has blinded every soul born into this world and they are unable to ever find the truth without the intervention of God. Of the Father it is written, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37". Truly we were hopeless, helpless, and bound for a lost eternity without the help of God Himself.

We have seen that the whole world lieth (is controlled by) the wicked one, and we have also noted that we are not to love the world. The world is that thing which Satan made after the fall. It is that thing which unconverted men love, and are totally committed to. Although it is powerfully attractive to the natural man, it is also something which the spiritual man sees as being totally opposed to the Saviour God

The world crucified the Lord because they "hated Him without a cause". This simply means that their hatred was unrighteous and unjustified. What the position really is that His very spirit and presence convicts that person of their sin. Being convicted of sin there are two courses of action:

1. turn to the light and ask for forgiveness, or

2. turn from the light and hate the lover of souls.

Their hatred is unjustified as we read:

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John.3:10-21

The Lord could say "I am the light of the world", but we find the natural man loves darkness, and hates being reproved. He loves his sin. There must be a conversion before the natural man changes. He is led by the Holy Spirit towards the light, he acknowledges his sin, and then learns that the Lord gave his lfie for him. It is easily seen that to hate He who loved with an infintie love is evil and totally unjustified. Once coming to the light and being converted we love the light.

This led the apostle Paul to write, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Gal 6:14. Surely we must see that all that comes out of the world is directed by Satan and breathes his evil spirit. It is totally opposed to Him and is determined to take His place and glorify fallen man. Furthermore when the world speaks through these kind of men the world listens.

It would appear from this verse that the apostle knew his function in the economy of God. He was revealing the mind of God, but he may not have known that his gospel and epistle would be part of the written word of God. The important thing to notice is that he was aware that whoever was born again would recognise and realise that what he wrote was in fact the Word of God.

It would appear that the apostle knew he was writing the word of God and he writes stating that fact which is utmost importance for there are many who would say that the scriptures do not claim to come from God. As the scriptures say "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." 2Co.13:1 "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." Deut.17:6 "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true." John.8:17.

In support of the verse above we also read "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1Cor 2:13* Here the apostle is saying that what he spoke, and clearly understood the words that he wrote were Holy Spirit motivated.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2Tim.3:15-16. Here we have two more scriptures which testify to the fact that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and the apostles were aware of what they writing.

Without doubt multitudes of words can be used to describe worldliness and spirituality given by the Holy Spirit, but to sum it all up the "spirit of truth" is always according to the scriptures. It is ours as we walk in fellowship with the Father and His Son. The spirit of error comes from the human brain. It does not come from the scripture, nor will it coincide with it, but rather oppose it. To repeat nothing that comes from our intellect, intelligence, intuition, so called goodness or from any human origin is spiritual and suitable to God. The fact is that human nature is totally corrupt in the judgement of God, and that is final.

Above all we must remember that the scriptures never contradict themselves. Scripture supports scripture, and where we think we have a contradiction then our interpretation is wrong. The apostles knew they were writing the Word of God. It is up to us to be assured by the Holy Spirit that we carefully take note of what is written. It is the only communication from the true God, His Word. "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1John.5:19.

Now what has been said would seem to be irrefutable, but we have experienced the both the truth and power of His Word. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb 4:12. Not only have we been convicted by His word, but also we have seen other similarly convicted both saved and unsaved

Now note these words spoken by the Lord "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." John.12:47-48

Sufficient proof has been given to show us the truth of God’s Word. Not only that, but also numerous prophesies which have been fulfilled to the letter. We may judge the Word anyway we wish to but in the final analysis the Word of God is the final judge of all. Yet for all that men love darkness rather than light. There was a falling away early in the apostle’s days, and we live in almost total apostasy in these last days.

VERSE 7

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