TonguesScripture: Acts 2:8
by Preston Laughinghouse, Sr.
(printer friendly version)The speaking in tongues, as evidence of being filled with Holy Ghost, is an integral part of the fabric of Pentecostalism. This paper is not an attempt to change their prospective; I love them as my brother in Christ. Rom 15:6-7. John R. Rice, in his book “False Doctrines” said quote, “Many good Pentecostal people preach and witness and win souls.” (pg. 212). It is impossible to win souls if you are in error on the doctrine of salvation. If you believe the gospel and have been born again you are my friend and a friend of God. James 2:23.
I am filled with the Holy Spirit, as evident by fruit of spirit. Gal 5:22-23. I love the brethren. I John 3:14. I have joy and peace beyond understanding. Phil 4:7. I try to have patience of Job, but sometimes I fail. A kind spirit that produces goodness, faithful to God’s word and principles, I try to be gentle in the spirit, but sometimes become angry with the context of Eph 4:26. I am meek in sense of Ps 22:26. My temperance is within context of Acts 24:25. The filling of the Holy Spirit will cause your cup to run over. Ps 23:5. An over-running cup will result in a clean life. Matt 23:25-26. You will have a desire to live and spread the gospel. A desire for edification of the brethren. I Cor 14:26. Should self edification be practiced in church? I Cor 14:4. Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Or is the Holy Spirit, the fuel for life, running on empty?
This paper is an attempt to demonstrate how important speech and understanding speech in biblical principles and spreading the gospel.
What would the world be, like today, if there was only one language? Gen 11:1-9. The numerous uses of “Let us” and “Let us make us a name,” would lead to a people who would not honor or glorify God. Who is the Genesis of not honoring God? Is 14:12-15.
The book of Acts gives us a transition from Christ in body form on Earth to establishment of Church at Pentecost. We go from a period of Holy Spirit coming upon a person to indwelling of Holy Spirit.
Language becomes important because salvation comes by hearing. John 5:24, Rom 10:14-15. The Holy Spirit brings power to enable one to be a witness, no power, no witness. What is a witness? Luke will answer this question. To be a witness you must speak a language the people understand. Acts 2:6, 37, 40, 3:18. Verbal communication is a gift from God to convey the gospel to people in their native tongue. The gospel is too important to run the risk of miscommunication. People’s eternal destination depends on hearing and accepting Christ. Is the calling of a missionary important enough to have the gift of tongues of the native people? If you do not have the gift of tongues, are you called to be a witness? Study the witness of Apostle Thomas. To study Thomas you have to read “Acts Thomae.” It is an apocryphal book historically dated around the end of the first century. There is knowledge outside the Bible. Any knowledge in conflict with the Bible is in error. The apocryphal books are N.I.V., not inspired versions. Thomas was sent to India by the Church of Rome. Thomas did not want to go to India because he was a Hebrew, therefore “How can I teach the Indians?” This is a quote from Thomas. Is any missionary called to a people he or she doesn’t speak their native language fluently? Christ has been gone for two thousand years. How successful has the gospel been spread throughout the world? Has missions followed the example of Paul or Thomas? God’s word will not return void. Do most missions programs practice good stewardship? From what I have observed for over 40 years most mission programs follow the example of Thomas in “Acta Thomae.” Church called, no language skills and men most miserable. He that has an ear let him hear.
Do you need an education to be a witness? Acts 4:13. Can being filled with the Holy Spirit give you boldness? Acts 4:10-29, 31 & 33. Does Christ in your heart motivate you to give your testimony? Acts 4:20. Is knowing the scripture helpful in witnessing? Acts 4:25. Should a witness always speak the truth? Acts 5:4.
Philip and the Ethiopian spoke a common language. Acts 8:27-40. Would the eunuch have been converted if he did not understand Philip? Is the gift of tongues the only gift that can be acquired without help of the Holy Spirit? The university has the knowledge to teach languages. I have visited the Philippines numerous times during the last forty years. I have asked dozens of native pastors this question: How many white missionaries spoke the native language? For the past 50 years, only one out of hundreds. Is this a good testimony? Many try and think they speak the language. Many live lives behind walled compounds and hire native pastors. In the interest of good stewardship, why not cut out the middle man and support the native at 80% less cost. Matt 25:26-30. Missions are not a business, but should good stewardship business principles apply? A large percentage of white mission programs are run like the old south plantation system, where most all of fruit of labor went to the white master. Is there distrust among some white missions programs toward stewardship of native pastors? This distrust is revealed in “Voice in Wilderness” Jan/Feb 2007 issue. Should a witness accept all nations and races? Acts 10:28-35.
From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matt 12:34. I heard a well known Independent Baptist evangelist with in context of his message use the name of Martin Luther. He ended his illustration with the phrase, “I am referring to the good Martin Luther.” Language is important. Communication can go beyond audible words. In breeding of knowledge can lead to ungodly speech. Study to show thyself approved a workman that need not be ashamed. II Tim 2:15. Acts 15:1 is an example of inbreeding of knowledge. They were teaching erroneous doctrine they had been taught. When a missionary teaches, the charismatic do not believe in salvation by grace. Is this truth or inbreeding of knowledge? What is truth? John 18:38. Who is the truth? John 14:6. One should make full proof of his ministry. II Tim 4:5. Study to show thyself approved. Do not depend on second and third party knowledge. Human knowledge is rapidly increasing. Is Christian’s knowledge of the Bible, the book that gives us the very essence of life, keeping pace? I am ashamed of some messages I hear in some churches and on TV. I hear Christianity is all about oneself. I go to church to get my praise on. I plant my seed to reap my prosperity. My blessing is worldly treasures, big homes, cars and bank accounts. Jesus is my “Sugar Daddy” and what he can do for me. It is all about me. This message is over the air waves extensively. Man wants to glorify himself and not God. We should be saying, God, what can I do? as a sojoyner in this life. God, I love you and want to please you. Mold me and shape me to your will and not mine. Is the Church communicating a God glorifying message?
How successful was Paul’s ministry as compared to Thomas’ ministry? Paul followed the Holy Spirit. Acts 16:6-10. I find no writings in “ActaThomae” where Thomas followed the Holy Spirit. He went to India because he was sent by the Church at Jerusalem. Why did the Holy Spirit send Paul west? Acts 16:9-10. Could it be because he spoke the Greek language? Does the Holy Spirit send anyone to a place where they do not speak the native tongue? Many Church called missionaries go to areas where they do not speak the native tongue. And their degree of kingdom building is similar to Thomas’. Will the Holy Spirit open people’s heart to the gospel? Acts 16:14.
The native tongue can save natural and spiritual lives. Acts 16:27-34. Speaking the native tongue can lead to boldness in tense situations. Acts 16:36-37. How can you reason from the scripture if the people do not fully understand your language? Acts 17:2-3. Should people examine the scriptures daily, to see if what the preacher said was true? Acts 17:11. If you don’t understand the preacher, are you going to examine the scripture? The native language skill should be sufficient to dispute with local philosophers and theologians. Acts 17:18-21. Paul had an understanding of the local customs. He knew the literature of their day. Study to show yourself approved. Thomas had a lack of understanding of customs and language. Do our missionaries suffer from the same lack? Acts 17:22-28. There will be results from preaching with power of Holy Spirit. Acts 17:32-34. A ministry with no or little results is a ministry without power of Holy Spirit.
Apollos may have been the first Independent Baptist preacher. He does fit the profile. Most are eloquent and mighty in the scripture. They are well instructed in the way of the Lord and are fervent in the Spirit. They teach diligently the things of the Lord. Acts 18:25-26. They concentrate more on the messenger than the message. Apollos emphasized John the Baptist’s baptism but not teaching of John the Baptist. Matt 3:11-12. An example of modern day Apollos is Dr. Williams in “The Voice in Wilderness” issue March/April 2008 article, Evangelicals, the New Liberals on page 11. I quote “Sadly, his influence has been the ruination of many Churches and pastors. Dr. Williams was referring to Billy Graham. What was the message of Billy Graham’s preaching? I have heard him dozens of times. It was always the gospel and God’s simple plan of salvation. Dr. Williams, like Apollos, was obsessed with outward displays and not the message. This Apollos trait is very common among Independent Baptist preachers. A person’s message can return void, but not God’s word. Can preaching the gospel and giving God’s simple plan of salvation be the ruination of many churches and pastors? Language is important. Should language edify the brethren?
Dr. Williams used strong language about Mike Huckabee. I quote, “What kind of world view, philosophy and politics can be expected of Mike Huckabee? I’ll give you one guess.” Should one vote for the candidate with the best biblical views? Dr. Williams’ opinions seem to be guided by dislike and disgust for Southern Baptist. He may have the same philosophy as Bob Jones and Pat Robertson, and endorse an abortionist and pagan. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We have an indication of Dr Williams’ heart from his speech. Speech and language is important. Study James 3:2-18. Speech is a powerful thing. Use it wisely to glorify God. I realize my speech in this paper may be offensive to some. I am a simple lay Christian who speaks without fear and with a Godly motive. I know of our own selves, I am Independent Baptist, men will arise and speak perverse things. Acts 20:30. I desire to build up, but the building must be on a firm foundation. I provide for my own necessities and require no man’s silver or gold. I do covet prayers from the brethren. I pray for wisdom that is transformed into edification of brethren.
In Christ,
Preston Laughinghouse, Sr.
www.laughinghouse.org
(click here for a printer friendly PDF version)"Tongues" was last modified July 18, 2008