May 27, 2022
Hi Abby,
Here are my concerns about some forms of practice among those who call themselves Charismatic, or especially Pentecostal. I might be called Charismatic by some, because I believe that “sign gifts” such as prophecy, tongues, healings, knowledge, miracles, etc. are still in operation today. I Corinthians 14:1 and 39 calls on us to eagerly desire to prophecy and verse 39 also tells us not to forbid speaking in tongues. I Thessalonians 5:19-22 tells us not to despise prophetic utterances or quench the Spirit, but examine all things. These are direct commands of Scripture. In no place, in my view, are we told they are only good for the first century. If these commands were not intended for the entire New Testament or Church age, why didn’t God make this explicit in Scripture, if He intended us not to practice these things. Though I don’t have these spiritual gifts, I believe that God has entrusted them to some for the edification of the body even today. The only gift I doubt is for today is apostleship, because the Apostle Paul wrote that he was the last of the Apostles in I Corinthians 15, and a requirement for being an apostle is having seen the risen Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 9:1).
However, with regard to the practice of these gifts, we need to be very careful.
First, the Bible instructs us to “test the Spirits” to see whether they are from God. The very first instruction the Apostle Paul gives with regard to his extensive discussion about spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12-14 deals with this issue. In I Corinthians 12:1-3 he talks to the Corinthians about the fact that they had experienced supernatural phenomena, or had somehow been led spiritually, as pagans, by spirits that were other than the Holy Spirit—an obvious reference to demonic spirits. He was implying they should therefore be discerning whether any supernatural spiritual gift is really from God or from the demonic realm:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
The problem that I often see in Pentecostal churches is that there is no testing of tongues to be sure that what is being said is honoring Jesus Christ. When no interpreter is required in public services, or when tongues are spoken aloud without testing, this eliminates any testing of the Spirit and can permit someone to continue to speak in a tongue that may be cursing Jesus Christ. The spirit behind any supernatural spiritual gift needs to be tested by discerning believers.
This idea is confirmed by I John 4:1-3:
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
Because Scripture is disobeyed on this matter, I have encountered a couple of individuals who thought they were speaking in tongues because they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. When we tested the spirit behind the tongue through prayer and commanding the spirit to reveal its source or name, we learned the person was deceived and the tongue was from a demonic spirit.
Although I do believe that Scripture teaches there is a prayer language and that tongues spoken in private is between the individual believer and God, so often people speak out loud in public services or prayer meetings in their “prayer language.” They do so all at once, so there’s no center of attention, and there are no interpreters, everyone praying in tongues at the same time so that, in my view, there is great confusion. Scripture also indicates that this should not happen—that if a tongue is spoken out loud, it must be interpreted, and that at most, two or three should be allowed to speak in a tongue, and that each must be interpreted, so that the body of believers who hears the tongue can be edified or built up by the message that’s given. Each person is to speak in order, one at a time, and there is also to be an interpretation for each spoken tongue, for the spirit of the tongue’s speaker is subject to the speaker. Therefore, the preferred gift to be exercised in a public setting is prophecy, since prophecies are given in the spoken language of all those present and all, therefore, understand and can be edified.
Regarding the person who speaks out loud in a church in a tongue and it being a prayer language:
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. (I Corinthians 14:2)
Notice, a tongues speaker speaks to God, and not to men.
Regarding the importance of edifying the other believers, or saints, through the use of spiritual gifts being the only appropriate purpose in a public setting or congregational meeting:
But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. (I Corinthians 14:3-4).
Regarding the necessity of interpreting tongues for use of tongues out loud in a congregational meeting of the church:
Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. (I Corinthians 14:5)
The conclusion, then, is that tongues should not be spoken out loud in a congregational setting or prayer meeting unless there is interpretation so that others might be edified. This is not what I have seen most Pentecostals practice—in public prayer meetings and elsewhere everyone speaks in tongues out loud at the same time without them being interpreted—most of the time.
The Apostle Paul makes it clear that it is only when tongues are interpreted, or a spiritual gift of knowledge, prophecy, revelation which comes in the language of the hearers is exercised that it is edifying to others, because then they can understand the message—the message is communicated in such a way that others can gain the meaning and be edified. On the other hand, if someone speaks in a tongue and the others don’t understand, the tongues speaker is then regarded as a “barbarian”—someone from a different culture who cannot be understood because he speaks a different language. See I Corinthians 14:6-12:
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
The Apostle Paul admits that he speaks in tongues more than all the Corinthians, but he says he would rather speak five words with his mind (and not with his spirit, or in a tongue which is not understood) than ten thousand words in a tongue “in the church” so that others might be instructed:
I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. (I Corinthians 14:18-19)
So the Apostle Paul apparently did have a prayer language and he personally was edified by it. But he did not use that prayer language in the church. If he did, he made sure he interpreted so that others might be instructed and edified.
He also noted that if unbelievers or ungifted believers came to the church and found people speaking in unintelligible tongues, they would likely think the believers were all crazy:
Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? (I Corinthians 14:23).
I have seen this exact sort of thing happen. An unbeliever showed up for a service that was devoted to this sort of thing, and he walked out, because he didn’t understand. This is Charismania, as even Chuck Smith, a noted Charismatic called it, in his book “Charisma vs. Charismania.”
However, if someone prophecies in an intelligible language and an unbeliever or ungifted person hears revelations that reveal what’s going on in his life and heart, he will declare that God is certainly among them—a totally different and positive response that occurs when God’s Word is honored and obeyed.
But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. (I Corinthians 14:24-25).
The Apostle Paul summarizes his teaching on the subject by stating that if anyone speaks (out loud) in a tongue in a church or congregational setting, it should only be two or three at most, and always with an interpreter. If someone prophecies, it should be only two or three at most, and others should agree that it’s from God. Also, he makes it clear that the tongues-speakers or prophets should take turns, give their revelation one at a time, so that each might be heard, for God is a God of order and not confusion, and the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets:
What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (I Corinthians 14:26-32).
Thus, the practice of many Pentecostals and Charismatics in allowing many people to pray in tongues out loud repeatedly and simultaneously without interpretation is a serious violation and disobedience to the revealed Word of God and gives opportunity to Satan to infiltrate the gifts of the church for his own nefarious and disorderly purposes.
Interestingly, your dear brother in the Lord sent you a teaching on the whole matter of the four different types of tongues given by a woman teacher. However, if the teaching was meant for men and women, such a teaching is also disallowed by Scripture in this passage as well as I Timothy 2:11-15:
The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? (I Corinthians 14:34-36)
A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. (I Timothy 2:11-15)
Though many Christian groups violate this matter of women being pastors and teachers, it seems especially common among Pentecostals and Charismatics. It is clear from I Corinthians 11 that women can be prophets and can speak in such a capacity in the church, but teaching men does not seem to be permitted by the Word of God.
The Apostle Paul and the Word of God are emphatic about these matters, as I Corinthians 14:37-40 concludes with this startling correction of anyone might be inclined to disagree:
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. (I Corinthians 14:37-40).
There is also the matter of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I believe this occurs at the point of salvation when the Holy Spirit places the new believer in the body of Christ, the church, and also indwells the believer. This is evident from I Corinthians 12:12-13 and Romans 8:9:
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit (I Corinthians 12:12-13).
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Romans 8:9).
The fact that “we were all baptized into one body” and “we were all made to drink of one spirit” indicates that every believer received the baptism of the Spirit at the point of spiritual birth or when he comes to faith in Christ. I Corinthians 12:1 makes it clear that Paul is speaking to believers, as he refers to those who are reading this letter there as “brothers.”
Romans 8:9 makes it clear that all who are true believers have the Spirit of Christ, or they do not belong to Him—hence, aren’t believers.
So why do people receive the gift of tongues consistently in the Book of Acts when they come to faith? It’s because they received the Holy Spirit and were baptized in the Spirit at the same time—at the moment of faith, and tongues was the gift that was the sign, at the time, that they had truly come to faith in Christ.
However, Scripture in I Corinthians 12 makes it clear that not all believers have the gift of tongues, just as not all believers have the gift of apostleship, or prophecy, or teaching, or any of the other spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 12:27-30 says:
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?
“All do not speak in tongues, do they?” Obviously, Paul expects a negative answer. I have been prayed for and prayed for myself both to prophesy and to speak in tongues. It has never come to pass. God gives to each person as He will the gifts that He desires for them to have (see I Corinthians 12). Pentecostals often claim that everyone must receive the gift of tongues as evidence that they have been baptized or filled with the Spirit. These Scriptures indicate that this teaching and belief is false and puts people like me on the level, at times, of feeling like a failure or an unbeliever because we have not received the gift of tongues.
However, regarding the filling of the Spirit, the Bible indicates this is an on-going thing that can happen time and time again as the person seeks to submit to and depends on Christ to empower and then demonstrates the Spirit’s filling through the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, and often-times some gift of the Spirit, but not necessarily the gift of tongues. Ephesians 5:18, in fact, instructs us to be filled with the Spirit, but indicates a spiritual attitude of thankfulness and devotion to God’s love and word will be the result:
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20).
I love and have great fellowship with believers who speak in tongues and practice other supernatural spiritual gifts.
I’m sure your friend is a great guy and sincere in his beliefs and practices.
My concern is that you always put the Word first in following Christ. I wouldn’t want you to get into a relationship in which your conscience is betrayed by having to participate in unbiblical practices because of your association with folks who aren’t concerned enough about these matters about how spiritual gifts, and especially tongues, are to be exercised.
Unless there can be calm discussion and a mutual understanding based on love and respect between the two of you on these matters, your pursuit of a romantic relationship and more will likely not work.
I encourage you to discuss these matters with him and see if there is any openness to conversation about these principles of God’s Word before pursuing the relationship further.
“Can two walk together unless they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3, KJV).
Obviously, the answer to this Scriptural question is no. If there isn’t agreement or compromise regarding to these matters (and you can’t compromise the Word of God—I’m speaking of some agreement or compromise between the two of you that would not violate the Word of God), things probably won’t work out.
I’m praying for both of you!
I love you and want the best for you!
Dad
