DO THEY ACTUALLY SPEAK IN TONGUES;
OR, IS IT JUST EMPTY SOUNDS?
Intro.
A. Today, there are many religious people who claim miraculous
powers.
1. The most common claim is the ability to speak in tongues.
2. They reason: "I have spoken in tongues"; therefore, I have
been given from God the ability to speak in tongues.
3. Some go so far as to say that "speaking in tongues" is the
evidence of one's salvation, and shows that their group is
the true church of the Lord.
B. The Scriptures reveal that a show of power does not necessarily
prove that one is acceptable to God, or that he actually has
God working through him -- cf. Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9-10;
Matt. 7:22-23.
C. In this lesson we want to show that those claiming to speak in
tongues have not been given that power from God at all. All
they are doing is producing empty sounds.
I. THOSE GROUPS WHICH CLAIM TO SPEAK IN TONGUES CONTRADICT EACH
OTHER.
A. There are at least 25 organized denominations that claim
miraculous divine healing and speaking in tongues. These all go
to the same passages to prove their claims.
1. Does the Holy Spirit confirm the teaching of the church of
our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. that
there are two ordinances, the Lord's supper and foot
washing, while also confirming the doctrine of the
Assemblies of God, General Council, that the two ordinances
are the Lord's Supper and water baptism; yet at the same
time confirm the word of the spokesmen for the
Congregational Holiness Church that there are three
ordinances, water baptism, the Lord's Supper and foot
washing, while simultaneously confirming the doctrines of
the (Original) Church of God, Inc. that there are really
five ordinances, water baptism, tithing, freewill offerings,
the Lord's Supper, and foot washing?
2. The Catholic Apostolic church teaches that marriage is
dissolved only by death, while the Pentecostal Assemblies of
the World, Inc. teaches that if an unbeliever in a marriage
contract obtains a divorce, the believer may remarry.
3. Who could believe that the Holy Spirit sanctions all of
these groups by giving them "gifts"?
II. MIRACULOUS POWERS CAME BY THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON THE
APOSTLES, AND BY THE LAYING ON OF THE APOSTLES' HANDS.
A. John makes a general announcement in Luke 3:15-17.
1. Jesus later shows specifically how this was fulfilled. Acts
1:1-5
B. The Apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day
of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4
1. This enabled them to speak in languages which they had not
learned. Acts 2:4-8
2. In the early time, the book of Acts mentions only the
apostles working miracles. Acts 2:43; 5:12
C. The first account of someone other than an apostle working
miracles is Stephen.
1. Stephen, as well as Philip, were of the seven on whom the
Apostles had laid their hands. Acts 8:6
2. Although Philip was a New Testament prophet and could
work miracles (Acts 8:6,13), he was unable to give the Holy
Spirit to others (Acts 8:14-19).
D. Cornelius and his household received the "like gift" as the
Apostles for the specific purpose of showing God's acceptance
of the Gentiles - Acts 11:14-18.
1. Also, Ananias, who was not an apostle, was sent on a special
mission to lay hands on Saul so that he could receive sight
and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17
E. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not a command to obey, but a
promise administered by the Lord.
1. If someone in our time came forward and said, "I want to
receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit," there is no way
anyone could administer it.
2. That person needs to be taught the way of the Lord more
perfectly.
F. Thus, no one can have the miraculous powers today because he
has not received the laying on of the apostles hands.
1. He was not present in Jerusalem (Acts 2) or with the
household of Cornelius (Acts 10).
III. THE MIRACULOUS POWERS WERE GIVEN TO CONFIRM THE WORD. Mark
16:15-20
A. The other gifts are missing today. If they can heal the sick
and speak in tongues based on this passage, why can't they also
drink poison and handle snakes?
B. This passage includes not only the promise that such would
happen, but also includes a statement that it did occur - vs.
20.
C. The "signs" were to "confirm the Word."
1. Tongues were never a sign of one's personal salvation. 1
Cor. 14:22
2. They were a sign to unbelievers that the one doing the
preaching was truly sent from God.
3. Note: Paul - 2 Cor. 12:12; 1 Cor. 2:4
4. Jesus - John 3:2; Acts 2:22
5. Today's so-called miraculous powers are not a sign of
anything. If so, what?
a. The faith has "once for all been delivered." Jude 3
b. John did not say that the signs would continue so that
we might believe, but he said that the signs were written
that we might believe. John 20:30-31
6. Once the Word has been confirmed it does not need to be
re-confirmed!
a. The U.S. Constitution was confirmed Sept. 17, 1787 by
the signatures of George Washington and 38 other
statesmen. That document does not need to be
re-confirmed today. So it is with God's written will, the
New Testament.
IV. THE MIRACULOUS POWERS WERE TO BE DONE AWAY. 1 Cor. 13:8-10.
A. Notice that Paul did not say, "when He which is perfect is
come" but rather "when that which is perfect is come."
B. The "perfect" to which he referred can only be the perfect law
of liberty. James 1:25; 2:12
C. There was a time in that early N.T. church period when the
revelation was only in part. 2 Thess. 2:15
1. Now, since all the sacred writings have been completed, we
have all that is needed to make men perfect in every way
before God. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3
Concl.
A. We must conclude that no one has the miraculous powers to
speak in tongues today because:
1. Those groups which claim to speak in tongues contradict
each other.
2. Miraculous powers came by baptism of the Holy Spirit upon
the Apostles, upon Cornelius and his household, and by the
laying on of the apostles' hands.
3. Miraculous powers were to confirm the Word.
4. The miraculous powers were to be done away.