By way of review, only a very few in the church possessed the "gift of tongues." Paul
made it abundantly clear in I Corinthians 12:30 not every saved man, or not every man
with a gift of the Spirit spoke with tongues. Tongues are known languages according to
Acts 2:4; 6; 7. The tongues of which the Holy Spirit was the instigator were languages
spoken by the 14 nations present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
The word "unknown" never appears in the original Greek text in association with
tongues or languages. The language used was only unknown to the one speaking and the
majority of those hearing. Yet in every case someone present who was lost spoke the
particular language used by the Spirit on that occasion. This was in addition to the
person with the gift of interpretation of tongues. The word unknown is always in
italics showing the KJV translators added it.
No one tried to get this gift and no one prayed for it. The Holy Spirit made the
choice as to who would receive it in each church. No one ever received this gift apart
from the exercising of the ministry of an apostle. Only the divine order given in I
Corinthians 14:23-36 could be followed in their exercise. It is a Scriptural fact,
according to I Corinthians 13:8-18 all of this speaking in tongues has "ceased"--as
far as their being empowered by the Spirit is concerned.
I. There is not one single Scripture affirming that unless you get the baptism of the
Holy Ghost and as a sign of it speak in the unknown tongue you are lost and going to
hell. A bigger lie was never told by the Devil.
A. The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred one time, in one place and involved twelve
men. This baptism enabled them to be endued with the special and miraculous power
essential to prove their apostolic ministry. It has never been repeated.
B. In the house of Cornelius (Acts 10), the Gentiles received "a like gift" but not a
"baptism." Clearly it was a gift of the Spirit.
C. Only Christ baptized with the Holy Spirit--the Spirit Himself never baptized anyone.
D. In the case of the Corinthian church, the Holy Spirit plainly says they were saved
by believing the gospel (I Cor 15:1-4). None of them received a baptism with the
Spirit, though all of them were given gifts of the Spirit by the ministry of Paul the
apostle to the Gentiles. As previously stated, not all, in fact only a few, spoke with
tongues. Still the inspired Bible said they were all saved.
E. In the case on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), only the twleve received the baptism
with the Spirit and only they spoke with tongues or languages known to the visitors as
the multitude came together. Furthermore, none of the 3,000 who were saved, baptized
with water and "added to them" received the baptism of the Holy Spirit or spoke with
tongues. Yet the present day tongue-seekers and tongue advocates tell us you cannot be
saved without their version of Holy Ghost baptism and demonstrating their falsely
called "unknown tongue." While the bible, the Word of God that cannot lie, says the
very opposite of what they claim, they do not allow the Bible to interfere with their
so-called "experiences."
F. Nevertheless, because "many false prophets are gone out into the world," such as
these modern day tongue experts, the Holy Spirit warned to "believe not every such
spirit, but try (test or examine) the spirits whether they are of God" (I Jn 4:1)
II. It is a Scriptural fact men have been and are now being "led by the spirits"
emanating from the Devil rather than from the Holy Spirit.
A. In I Corinthians 12:2, Paul reminded the saved Corinthian believers that before
they heard and believed the gospel (Acts 18:8)(I Cor 15:1-4), "they were led" by
Satan's doctrines of error.
B. This is the same "Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph
2:2-3), who are lost.
C. Whenever and where ever today men claim what the apostles truly experienced, God
says, "such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ" (II cor 11:13). (NOTE: God did not save them, empower them or
claim them. They advertised themselves to be His apostles. Yet they actually were
working for and on the side of the Devil, regardless of their sincerity.) Continuing,
the Holy Spirit says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel
of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the
ministers of righteousness" (II Cor 11:14-15). Now then who are these preachers of the
Devil? The Holy Spirit says it is those who are seeking "that they may be found as we
(apostles)" (II Cor 11:12). They claim apostolic power, gifts, experiences and etc.
but in truth, are the Devil's servants and are against God and His Word.
D. Exactly how may we discern or know or try these "spirits?" We reply only by an
examination of them by "rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim 2:15).
1. Remember "the fruit of the Spirit" or that which the Holy Spirit produces "is in
all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Eph 5:9). The "all truth" is the "all
Scripture" (II Tim 3:16). John 17:17, "thy word is truth."
2. The completed Bible, the all Scripture, "throughly furnishes us unto all good
works" (II Tim 3:17). False teachers of Satan say you need the baptism of the Holy
Ghost and tongues.
3. Paul warned, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through
his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit . . . ." (II Cor 11:3-4). Therefore believer, take care that
"no man deceive you with vain words" (Eph 5:6) and "Be not ye therefore partakers with
them" (Eph 5:7).
III. Looking at the prophecy and promise of tongues:
A. Read Isaiah 28:11-12, Joel 3:15-16 and 2:28-32.
B. Joel was predicting the fulfillment of the phenomenon that will take place in the
Great Tribulation Period. John describes them fully in the Revelation and Christ also
predicted them in Matthew 24:3-46 and Luke 21:20-36.
IV. Finally, reviewing the purpose of tongues, d"Wherefore tongues are for a sign . .
. . to them that believe not" (I Cor 14:22).
A. Yet they are not "a sign" to us, but to and for the Jews. How do we know? Paul
answers, "The Jews require a sign" (I Cor 1:22) before they will believe anything. But
Christ said, only an "evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign" (Mt 12:39).
B. Nonetheless, at Pentecost (Acts 2:4; 6), at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:45), at
Ephesus (Acts 19:6) and at Corinth (I Cor 12; 14) the "tongues were for a sign" for
the benefit of unbelieving Jews.
1. At Pentecost the Jews were amazed and 3,000 believed.
2. At Cornelius' house, the Jews with Peter were convinced and believed their "gift"
(but not a word about baptism) was a "like gift" as that experienced by the apostles.
The author of the one "baptism" and of what occurred in Cornelius' house was one and
the same.
3. The only two other times tongues were seen, they came as a result of Paul the
apostle ministering the Spirit by laying on his hands and giving the gifts as the
Spirit made choice. Not one time in the Bible were tongues spoken where Jewish
unbelievers were not present.
C. Tongues lasted until the Word was completed then they ceased (I Cor 13:8).
In our next study, we will compare the gifts of "prophecy" and "tongues" in I
Corinthians 14. JM
made it abundantly clear in I Corinthians 12:30 not every saved man, or not every man
with a gift of the Spirit spoke with tongues. Tongues are known languages according to
Acts 2:4; 6; 7. The tongues of which the Holy Spirit was the instigator were languages
spoken by the 14 nations present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
The word "unknown" never appears in the original Greek text in association with
tongues or languages. The language used was only unknown to the one speaking and the
majority of those hearing. Yet in every case someone present who was lost spoke the
particular language used by the Spirit on that occasion. This was in addition to the
person with the gift of interpretation of tongues. The word unknown is always in
italics showing the KJV translators added it.
No one tried to get this gift and no one prayed for it. The Holy Spirit made the
choice as to who would receive it in each church. No one ever received this gift apart
from the exercising of the ministry of an apostle. Only the divine order given in I
Corinthians 14:23-36 could be followed in their exercise. It is a Scriptural fact,
according to I Corinthians 13:8-18 all of this speaking in tongues has "ceased"--as
far as their being empowered by the Spirit is concerned.
I. There is not one single Scripture affirming that unless you get the baptism of the
Holy Ghost and as a sign of it speak in the unknown tongue you are lost and going to
hell. A bigger lie was never told by the Devil.
A. The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred one time, in one place and involved twelve
men. This baptism enabled them to be endued with the special and miraculous power
essential to prove their apostolic ministry. It has never been repeated.
B. In the house of Cornelius (Acts 10), the Gentiles received "a like gift" but not a
"baptism." Clearly it was a gift of the Spirit.
C. Only Christ baptized with the Holy Spirit--the Spirit Himself never baptized anyone.
D. In the case of the Corinthian church, the Holy Spirit plainly says they were saved
by believing the gospel (I Cor 15:1-4). None of them received a baptism with the
Spirit, though all of them were given gifts of the Spirit by the ministry of Paul the
apostle to the Gentiles. As previously stated, not all, in fact only a few, spoke with
tongues. Still the inspired Bible said they were all saved.
E. In the case on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), only the twleve received the baptism
with the Spirit and only they spoke with tongues or languages known to the visitors as
the multitude came together. Furthermore, none of the 3,000 who were saved, baptized
with water and "added to them" received the baptism of the Holy Spirit or spoke with
tongues. Yet the present day tongue-seekers and tongue advocates tell us you cannot be
saved without their version of Holy Ghost baptism and demonstrating their falsely
called "unknown tongue." While the bible, the Word of God that cannot lie, says the
very opposite of what they claim, they do not allow the Bible to interfere with their
so-called "experiences."
F. Nevertheless, because "many false prophets are gone out into the world," such as
these modern day tongue experts, the Holy Spirit warned to "believe not every such
spirit, but try (test or examine) the spirits whether they are of God" (I Jn 4:1)
II. It is a Scriptural fact men have been and are now being "led by the spirits"
emanating from the Devil rather than from the Holy Spirit.
A. In I Corinthians 12:2, Paul reminded the saved Corinthian believers that before
they heard and believed the gospel (Acts 18:8)(I Cor 15:1-4), "they were led" by
Satan's doctrines of error.
B. This is the same "Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph
2:2-3), who are lost.
C. Whenever and where ever today men claim what the apostles truly experienced, God
says, "such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ" (II cor 11:13). (NOTE: God did not save them, empower them or
claim them. They advertised themselves to be His apostles. Yet they actually were
working for and on the side of the Devil, regardless of their sincerity.) Continuing,
the Holy Spirit says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel
of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the
ministers of righteousness" (II Cor 11:14-15). Now then who are these preachers of the
Devil? The Holy Spirit says it is those who are seeking "that they may be found as we
(apostles)" (II Cor 11:12). They claim apostolic power, gifts, experiences and etc.
but in truth, are the Devil's servants and are against God and His Word.
D. Exactly how may we discern or know or try these "spirits?" We reply only by an
examination of them by "rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim 2:15).
1. Remember "the fruit of the Spirit" or that which the Holy Spirit produces "is in
all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Eph 5:9). The "all truth" is the "all
Scripture" (II Tim 3:16). John 17:17, "thy word is truth."
2. The completed Bible, the all Scripture, "throughly furnishes us unto all good
works" (II Tim 3:17). False teachers of Satan say you need the baptism of the Holy
Ghost and tongues.
3. Paul warned, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through
his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit . . . ." (II Cor 11:3-4). Therefore believer, take care that
"no man deceive you with vain words" (Eph 5:6) and "Be not ye therefore partakers with
them" (Eph 5:7).
III. Looking at the prophecy and promise of tongues:
A. Read Isaiah 28:11-12, Joel 3:15-16 and 2:28-32.
B. Joel was predicting the fulfillment of the phenomenon that will take place in the
Great Tribulation Period. John describes them fully in the Revelation and Christ also
predicted them in Matthew 24:3-46 and Luke 21:20-36.
IV. Finally, reviewing the purpose of tongues, d"Wherefore tongues are for a sign . .
. . to them that believe not" (I Cor 14:22).
A. Yet they are not "a sign" to us, but to and for the Jews. How do we know? Paul
answers, "The Jews require a sign" (I Cor 1:22) before they will believe anything. But
Christ said, only an "evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign" (Mt 12:39).
B. Nonetheless, at Pentecost (Acts 2:4; 6), at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:45), at
Ephesus (Acts 19:6) and at Corinth (I Cor 12; 14) the "tongues were for a sign" for
the benefit of unbelieving Jews.
1. At Pentecost the Jews were amazed and 3,000 believed.
2. At Cornelius' house, the Jews with Peter were convinced and believed their "gift"
(but not a word about baptism) was a "like gift" as that experienced by the apostles.
The author of the one "baptism" and of what occurred in Cornelius' house was one and
the same.
3. The only two other times tongues were seen, they came as a result of Paul the
apostle ministering the Spirit by laying on his hands and giving the gifts as the
Spirit made choice. Not one time in the Bible were tongues spoken where Jewish
unbelievers were not present.
C. Tongues lasted until the Word was completed then they ceased (I Cor 13:8).
In our next study, we will compare the gifts of "prophecy" and "tongues" in I
Corinthians 14. JM
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