The Slippery slope known as “tongues”.

According to a local Apostolic/Pentecostal church website: “We believe, to be partakers in God’s complete plan of salvation, we must receive the Holy Ghost as the disciples and those in the early church received it. We read in Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.” The Bible also tells us in Acts 10:45-46: “…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. and in Acts 19:5-6 we read: “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”“

Never wanting to be one to dispute the Word of God, or an eyewitness, I must accept these words as fact. With that said I am fully willing to dispute the human interpretation of these words. Mankind has a fantastic way of imposing their own interpolation upon the Scriptures and perverting them to match their own wishes or traditions created by men.

• 2 Peter 3:15-16 “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Apostolic Pentecostal beliefs go even further to state, “No one ever receives the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues.” This is a very dangerous statement and we will soon discover why….

The first occurrence of the word tongue according to the KJV is found in Genesis 10:5 “By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.“ We need to break this down to gather context within the content.

• H1471 גּוֹי gowy (go’-ee) n-m. a foreign nation. In context, this means any nation other than the Nation Of Israel. The majority of ministers, teacher or pastors will say this means the Greek society without recognizing the fact this was written approximately 1000 years before the Greek empire. Likewise, it is written about about a people some 1400 before the rise of the Greek philosophers.

Now on to the Slippery Slop of the tongue. The Hebrew definition is H3956 לָשׁוֹן lashown (law-shone’) n-m. the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot). This means the tongue, as understood by the writer and thereto the recipient, is a physical implement to eat, or consume, and an instrument to make a sound, voice, or language.

As we continue to break this down we see the word ‘families’ or H4940 מִשׁפָּחָה mishpachah (mish-paw-chaw’) n-f. a family, i.e. circle of relatives. (figuratively) a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things). (by extension) a tribe or people.

It would be somewhat presumptuous to say the exact demographics of the world at that time. To say the only language was Hebrew I cannot personally authenticated, however, God has! We read in Genesis 11:1 “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.”

Anyone feeling a little perplexed? The only diversity of language expressed in chapter 10 has to be logically discerned as geographic cliches and idiomatic phrases apart from a discernable accent. If we look into our own American culture we can see this in real time. Getting a true New England fisherman together with deep down dusty Texas Cowboy, combine in a Louisiana Gator hunter and an LA hip hop artist for coffee and you will swear you are in an international cafe. We will all speak the same language just a bit differently because of our environmental exposure. Now consider the speech patterns and habits of the people of Scotland, Ireland and Great Britain. Supposedly we all speak the same “Kings English”, yet it is very apparent we do that in very distinct ways.

Now there is another understanding to the thought of “one language and one speech” is the concept of a like mindset and philosophy. This too would apply to the peoples of earth. God had planted within the psychology of humanity a purpose. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26

Now that we have addressed chapter ten with its confirmation of same language with differing expressions, cliches and a particular form of the language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group. Chapter eleven will bring to us an actual separation of the paths of communication both printed and phonetically. It is worth noting that there was a complete language of symbolism already in existence. Many of the symbols we have today existed long long ago. For example the swastika and the “Star of David” existed thousands of years before Nazi Germany.

Genesis 11:6-8 “And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound* their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth”

• H1101 בָּלַל balal (baw-lal’) v. to overflow. (by implication) to mix. (also, denominatively from H1098) to fodder. (feeding or consuming)

We can see from the original words that God gave the people a mixing of languages to end the Babylonian attempt to overthrow Gods authority. Look at the connection to the spiritual realm, the people and their sinful nature are fully exposed in chapter ten. Defining the words and names from the original Hebrew we see…. Genesis 10:8-12

So reading this back, right to left as the Hebrews write, we can see it was Nimrods goal to: Bridle or control mankind completely with his path to the home and fortress of Anu by subtly strengthening a prolonged mixing or confusion of religion. We can see this very same influence in the edicts of Constantine where Mithras, the Roman name for Nimrod are introduced and still prevails in Christianity today. The more than 40,000 protestant religions (voices, ideologies, tribes) prove this out.

Now that we have a better understanding of the voice according to the Hebrew mindset we should do the same for the Greek mindset. The power of seductive words has always tripped up mankind, from the days of the garden, to this very day. Paul had to go back to many churches for this very reason.

• Galatians 3:1 “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

One of the most often quoted verses of the New Testament is Romans 14:11 “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” The Greek word used here is G1100 γλῶσσα glossa (glōs’-sa) n. the tongue. (by implication) a language. (specially) a language not naturally acquired.

So wait…. what are we saying here? The first two definitions mirror the Hebrew understanding…. an instrument or an implement…. what is this added definition? Is this the influence of human philosophies? Is this the extension of the mixing of Anu? I could concede to a supernatural education of the known languages of the world and we will cover that in this discussion.

We have to look at this logically. Using the now 3 variations of the term tongue to gain perspective.

As Written: “The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;” Deut 28:49

As Implement: “The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose language/ culture thou shalt not understand;” Deut 28:49

As Instrument: “The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose speech/vocabulary thou shalt not understand;” Deut 28:49

As 3rd version: “The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose inaudible/undecipherable communication thou shalt not understand;” Deut 28:49

Hmmmm….. lets try this again….

As Written: 2 Samuel 23:1-2 “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”

As Implement: 2 Samuel 23:1-2 “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my language/ culture.”

As Instrument: 2 Samuel 23:1-2 “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my speech/vocabulary .”

As 3rd version: 2 Samuel 23:1-2 “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my inaudible/undecipherable communication.”

Can you see the application of the word in context? At no time do we see the Greek terminology worthy of consideration for application in the text. Here are a few more examples…

As Written: Psalm 5:8-9 “Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.  For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.” ….. speech/vocabulary or inaudible/undecipherable communication ?

Psalm 12:3 “The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:” language/ culture or inaudible/undecipherable communication ?

Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” …speech/vocabulary or inaudible/undecipherable communication ?

Is the Holy Spirit going to send a spirit of confusion upon the people?

• 1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

So we can now carefully conclude the following:

1. The Holy Spirit will AT HIS DESCRETION empower people to deliver the truth of Scripture in a decipherable and audible speech/vocabulary.
2. The Holy Spirit WILL NOT CONFUSE humanity with an inaudible/undecipherable communication.
3. The addition of the Greek philosophies adds a definition of ambiguity.
4. The empowerment to speak is at the discretion of God and may not ever be manifested as other traits may have been bestowed.

Ambiguity is a tool of Satan that has been effective since the beginning of time. The definition for those still following along…. “the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.” This is what is killing the modern day church. This is the fruition of Hosea 4:6…

According to J. Gordon Melton’s research in American Religious Creeds: An Essential Compendium of more than 450 Statements of Belief and Doctrine, Vol. 2, pg 9. The Apostolic Pentecostal movement believes in a doctrine of tongues based on the following scriptures:

We have already discerned Acts 2:4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other speech/vocabulary , as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 10:44-46 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And 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 speech/vocabulary , and magnify God.”

Acts 19:6 “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with speech/vocabulary, and prophesied.”

While the doctrine has validity it is in the application of such doctrine that causes problems. The text to this point has told us God, who is the Holy Spirit, will either use his power to configure the words you use to pinpoint the message to the recipient, such as, the day of Pentecost. (what they use as their namesake)

What isn’t taught by most Apostolic and Pentecostals is just 2 verses later….

Acts 2:6-8 “Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

From the late 1970’s to 2012 I was a regular attendee of the Protestant expression of faith. On several occasions my attendance would crossover into the Apostolic or Pentecostal church due to friends or associations. On more than one of these occasions, I experienced directly, a member of the community being “touched by the Spirit” and the delivery of a long and bewildering oration. Only once did I get an explanation of the dissertation, to which, many including myself were left equally as confused as before.

Joseph got a supernatural training to learn the 70 languages by an Angel. But he had a firm grasp on the vocabulary. Men like Paul, John, Timothy and others were multilingual as their culture, as well as, the business world demanded it. The same applies today. I have a set of basic words that I have learned in Korean, Chinese and Japanese after years of Martial Arts. Likewise I have many various words I have learned in Greek and Hebrew with my Biblical Studies. My Grandfather taught me some Polish and Russian, my co-workers are teaching me Spanish. I speak in tongues. You probably do too.

The advances in the internet allows us all to be multilingual. Translation apps can instantly restructure content for almost any desired language. We can go into all the connected world in a click. I know this blog is read in more than 50 countries and yet I am typing in English. There is no need for the undecipherable communication so many Apostolic and Pentecostals espouse in their religious communities.

Paul addresses this issue with the Corinthians…

1 Corinthians 14:1-10 “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.”

It would seem that there was some rift about the gift of languages. Paul addressed the rift back in chapter twelve.

1 Corinthians 12:28-31 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

We must approach this subject with both awe and reverence as it has a major impact upon the faithful. The blasphemous use of this powerful gift has plagued mankind to the death of hundreds and thousands. Satan would nothing more than the opportunity to expand the confusion and increase the blasphemy of this concept.

Should you find yourself in the same situation where one stands and makes a speech unrecognizable to you alone, wait for the interpretation and the reaction. There would be no need for a person to deliver a message in German, whether naturally or supernaturally, if there were no one else that spoke German in the crowd. The person that the message is designed for will most likely react in some manner to this specific delivery. At this point the messenger and the recipient should confirm the message in the presence of those who heard the message.

Baruch HaShem Adonai! (look it up)