Is Speaking or Praying in Tongues Biblical?

Since the creation of Adam Satan’s insidious master-plan has been to put a veil between YEHOVAH’s children Israel and YEHOVAH’s inerrant Word. He succeeds in getting Christians to focus their attention on the claims of men and women to some supernatural experience, and in so doing those seekers after the experiences of others have neither time nor interest in searching the Scriptures for YEHOVAH’s truth. Satan is going about, today, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, knowing he has but a short time.

The question of speaking in tongues has been a hotly-debated issue within the Protestant churches for many decades, one that often elicits strong emotions from both sides of the debate. Therefore, in settling this question, I have provided a comprehensive and detailed answer, based on scripture, and addressing the most common points and counterarguments. This article is quite lengthy, but I believe the controversial nature of this topic warrants an in-depth response.

I have divided my answer into three arguments: (1) a scriptural argument, (2) a historical argument and (3) a theological argument; and I begin with an introduction to tongues itself.

First, it's critical to recognize that when the Bible uses the term "tongue," it refers to normal, spoken language (e.g., English, Spanish, French, etc.). The word tongue does not mean a strange, non-human sound or utterance. A "tongue" is a real, understandable human language, and therefore the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues always involves speaking a real, human language, complete with syntax, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

The gift of tongues never involves making gibberish sounds or chanting repetitive phrases or nonsense words. A person with the gift to speak in tongues will suddenly begin speaking in a recognizable, human language that the person did not previously know and cannot understand. If that foreign tongue is spoken in the presence of a person who knows that language naturally, then he or she will immediately understand the speech because it is a natural language. If an English-speaking Christian with the gift of tongues is prompted by the holy spirit to speak in Spanish, then this person will not understand his or her own speech, which is the essence of the miracle. Nevertheless, anyone who knows the Spanish language could understand the speech perfectly.

We can see this important principle evidenced in Acts 2, when thousands of new Israelite Christians began to speak in unknown tongues at Pentecost. In Acts 2:4-8 we see plainly that these "tongues" were normal, human languages that many Israelites from the Diaspora in the crowd could understand naturally:

The miracle of that moment was Galileans speaking foreign languages they did not know or even understand. Importantly, notice that visitors from the Diaspora could understand the speech, because it was a true language. The Galileans were NOT speaking in gibberish or made up babbling. They were speaking in a true human language as evidenced by the fact that some in the crowd could understand them naturally. The Galileans spoke in foreign languages they didn't previously know, which is the miracle of tongues.

Since the Bible testifies that authentic speaking in tongues involves speaking a real, knowable language, then the fact that the modern-day practice of "speaking in tongues" involves uttering gibberish or chanting repetitive sounds is clear evidence it is a man-made attempt to imitate a work of YEHOVAH God -- and not a genuine movement of the holy spirit.

The authoritative teaching on the gift of speaking in tongues is given by the apostle Paul as part of an extended teaching from 1Corinthians 12-14. Time does not permit a full exposition of these chapters, so I will summarize the most important points in these chapters, beginning with 1Corinthians 12:27-31:

In the preceding verses of Chapter 12, Paul had taught that the Ecclesia is made up of individuals each with different God-given gifts, yet the Body can only function in a healthy way if it works as a team -- just as the various parts of the human body work together.

The sin of the Corinthian church was that it elevated one gift (i.e., speaking in tongues) above all other gifts in importance and desirability, and the church taught all members to seek the attainment of that gift. Paul responded by teaching that this kind of thinking regarding spiritual gifts is wrong.

First, not all Christians are given the same spiritual gift nor can we acquire spiritual gifts for ourselves merely because we desire them. YEHOVAH God alone assigns spiritual gifts by the spirit. Simply put, not every Christian has the same gift, and, therefore, it is impossible for every Christian to possess the gift of tongues (see 1Corinthians 12:30). Therefore, it is wrong for a church to teach believers they can (and must) acquire the gift of tongues, for this is impossible according to Scripture.

Secondly, in vs. 27-31, Paul addresses a second mistake the Corinthian church made by elevating the gift of tongues above other gifts. The church assigned the gift of speaking in tongues an inappropriate importance within the celebration of the Body. The church made speaking in tongues the highest priority gift but, in reality, Paul teaches that speaking in tongues is the lowest priority gift.

In verse 28, Paul gives the correct order of importance for the expression of gifts within the Body. Paul's list in the original Greek language is presented as a hierarchical order, meaning that Paul was clearly setting forth an order of importance for the gifts of the spirit. Specifically, Paul lists the gifts in diminishing order of importance moving down the list.

In verse 28, Paul begins with the most important gift in the church: the gift of apostleship. The gift of apostleship was a unique and rare gift given within the body of the Messiah, and only a few men met the strict test required for apostleship (i.e., having been appointed by the Messiah and having the power of miracles to prove the office). Since the Messiah is no longer making personal appearances to commission new apostles in the church, the gift of apostleship is no longer available in the church, though it did exist in Paul's day.

The second highest priority gift in Paul's list is the gift of prophecy. Prophecy involves the revealing of divinely-inspired knowledge of YEHOVAH God and His plans. Scriptures tell us in Hebrews and Revelation that the canon is now closed, and no new divinely-inspired knowledge of YEHOVAH God will be provided. Therefore, this gift (in the sense of giving Scripture) has likewise become dormant in the church.

Prophecy in a lesser form (i.e., foretelling of future events) may still be available in the church today, but in my experience this gift is frequently counterfeited and abused. Therefore I advise caution and discernment before accepting any person's claims to possessing the gift of "prophecy" in the church body. As with the prophets of old, we must apply a 100% accuracy test to any claim of prophecy. If a person claiming to have the gift of prophecy is wrong in their prediction even once, then that person was never a true prophet of YEHOVAH God (see Deuteronomy 18:18-22).

The third most important gift is the gift of teaching (e.g., the ability to communicate spiritual truth). Today in the church, the gift of teaching takes top priority within the Body, according to Paul's hierarchical list. From there, the list continues in decreasing priority from teaching to the gifts of miracles, healing, helps, administration, and various tongues (e.g., speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, and other speaking or exhortation gifts).

According to Paul, the highest priority spiritual gift within the Body today is the gift of prophecy (where it is truly operating) and then the gift of teaching. The church should seek this gift first. Ironically, speaking in tongues is to be given the lowest priority in the body of the Messiah. This is the exact opposite of what many modern-day movements are teaching!

Remember, according to Paul a true Christian cannot obtain a certain spiritual gift that YEHOVAH God has not already given, nor can a Christian be "coached" or taught a spiritual gift. Only YEHOVAH God appoints spiritual gifts, and, therefore, we will only have the gifts YEHOVAH God grants us according to His will at the time of our calling.

Consequently, Paul's prioritized list of gifts cannot be a "wish list" for an individual Christian, who seeks to acquire new gifts. Instead, Paul's list teaches the church the proper priority for the expression of gifts within the gathering. The church gathering should emphasize the use of higher priority gifts (e.g., prophecy and teaching) over lesser spiritual gifts (e.g., speaking in tongues) because the greater gifts are more important to the spiritual health and maturity of the Christian.

Based on Paul's teaching in this chapter, we learn the Corinthian church had focused their gather entirely (or at least mostly) on speaking in tongues rather than on teaching or other higher-priority spiritual activities. Furthermore, the church developed false teaching that every member of the Body could obtain the gift of tongues and should be expected to use it in unison. To correct this error, Paul writes that gifts can't be acquired; tongues may only be used under certain conditions, and in general, the church should seek for greater things than to see speaking in tongues exercised at all.

This brings us to v. 31, where Paul says the church should "earnestly desire the greater gifts." The Greek word translated "earnestly desire" is zeloo, which can also be translated "to seek zealously." To understand Paul's statement, we must ask who is to do this seeking, and what should they seek specifically?

Understanding who should seek begins with recognizing that Paul's statement in v. 31 is written in the second person plural in the Greek language. In Texas, people say "you all" to indicate second person plural. In other words, Paul's command to seek is directed to the collective church body (i.e., second person plural), not to individuals within the body (i.e., second person singular). So as a group, the church body should do the seeking. This is important because it tells us Paul was trying to direct the behavior of a group, not of an individual.

Secondly, Paul says in v. 31 that the church body should earnestly desire to receive more of the greater gifts. Remember, the church in Corinth was giving too much attention to the exercise of the gift of tongues at the expense of time spent on other, more important gifts like teaching. The church body was neglecting the expression of teaching, miracles, helps, etc. within the gathering, while spending excessive time seeking to experience speaking in tongues.

Therefore, Paul says the church should desire for more teaching, more miracles (like healing), more prayer, more service, gifts, etc. -- rather than emphasizing the expression of the lesser gifts like speaking in tongues. In other words, Paul was telling the church to seek earnestly for more nutrition and less junk food. Paul supports his point with a proof text taken from the Old Testament in Chapter 14:

In verse 20, Paul chastises the church for being spiritually immature in their thinking. Their excessive interest in the gift of speaking in foreign languages was evidence of their spiritual immaturity. In fact, Paul goes further to say that if they must be ignorant of something (i.e., if they must be "infants"), then be ignorant of evil rather than being ignorant of the proper place for speaking in tongues, which was their situation.

The Corinthian church was ignorant because they were not observing what had been written in the Torah concerning the purpose of speaking in tongues. Paul reminds them that in Deuteronomy 28:49 (later repeated in Isaiah 28:11-12) that YEHOVAH God foretold how one day the Judahite nation would witness a "strange people" (i.e., those of the northern 10 tribes of Israel) speaking to YEHOVAH God in unfamiliar languages. This event would be a sign to the Judahite people that their Messiah has come, yet YEHOVAH God says the Judahite nation wouldn't heed this sign (i.e., the Judahite people would not receive their Messiah).

Paul uses this text to explain the purpose of speaking in tongues in the church of the northern 10 tribes: it is a sign from the LORD to the unbelieving Judahite people. In verse 22, Paul says speaking in tongues was intended to be a sign to the unbelieving Judahite to show that the prophecy in Deuteronomy and Isaiah was being fulfilled in their day. They were being shown, in this unique way, that the Messiah had come as promised! Since this sign was fulfilled in the first-century church, it is no longer likely to happen today.

Therefore, the gift of tongues was not given to the Church for the edification of believers (1Corinthians 14:12), Paul says, but as a sign to unbelievers. As such, it has virtually no value in the church for edification, which is why it must be de-emphasized in the gathering, assuming anyone possesses the gift at all. The church in Corinth was acting in ignorance when they overlooked the true purpose of tongues and invented a different purpose for the gift so they could indulge in a spectacle rather than to seek for edification. Sadly, this church was too preoccupied with an unhealthy fascination with the gift of tongues to take notice of YEHOVAH God's instructions in Scripture.

Based on Paul's teaching in 1Corinthians 12-14, we learn that the gift of tongues served its spiritual purpose in the first century by fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy, and the Ecclesia should have expected the gift to diminish in practice thereafter. As Paul wrote, the spirit will only permit the gift of tongues to be expressed within the church gathering in the presence of unbelieving Israelites or when an interpreter is present (which would be very rare today). Even then, only by two or three people, never by the entire congregation.

Any other mass expression of tongues cannot be a work of the spirit since it would contradict Scripture and YEHOVAH God never acts contrary to Scripture. A Christian who genuinely possess the gift of tongues may express it privately, but if they feel led to share their gift in the gathering, they may only do so when an interpreter is present (see 1Corinthians 14:27-28).

Once a statement in tongues has been spoken, the church body is to wait for interpretation so they may understand the meaning of the word. If no interpretation is offered, then the one speaking in tongues must remain silent since his expression of tongues has failed the Bible's test and must be considered a false expression (similar to the way all gifts of prophecy must stand a test of accuracy according to 1Corinthians 14:29).

Knowing that these are YEHOVAH's purposes in the expression of the gift of tongues, we should take a critical view of any congregation that encourages or allows the routine expression of a (supposed) gift of tongues contrary to these rules. If repetitive gibberish is labeled "speaking in tongues," or if such experiences occur outside the presence of unbelieving Israelites (as Paul explained) or an interpreter, then it cannot be an authentic display of tongues. Instead, it is a false, contrived work of the flesh, and it should be avoided by every Christian-Israelite.

Lastly, if the church teaches that all Christians can and should speak in tongues, this teaching is false because it directly contradicts the Bible. Every believer is assigned a spiritual gift at the moment of our calling by the holy spirit, and we cannot change or add to YEHOVAH God's choice.

Given the biblical restrictions Paul establishes in these chapters, we must conclude that the common experience called "speaking in tongues" -- which is present in many churches today -- is simply an act. Crowds imitate each other in mindless babbling thinking that they are speaking in "tongues." They must resort to babbling because it is impossible to replicate the true miracle of speaking in a foreign language, and since the crowds are not taught this distinction, they fall prey to the deception and follow their leader's demands.

The result? Millions of deceived and willing participants persuaded by false teaching and peer pressure to engage in chanting meaningless gibberish, which lacks any spiritual power and only serves to bring shame on the Church (1Corinthians 14:23).

Before the rise of the charismatic movement in the early 20th century, the practice of speaking in tongues was unknown in the church. There is little mention of it in any authoritative church literature after the end of the first century, and no respected church leaders after the Apostolic age ever taught on the continuing use or appearance of this gift. Based on this silence in church literature, it seems the gift disappeared from the body of the Messiah around the end of the first century (as Paul's teaching in 1Corinthians 12-14 would anticipate).

Mysteriously, on April 14, 1906, in Southern California, something resembling the practice of speaking in tongues re-emerged. Most church historians trace the origins of this practice to a revival meeting led by William J. Seymour in the African Methodist Anglican Church. The unorthodox practices of this group included claims of extreme manifestations of the holy spirit among the faithful, which continued for several years and were roundly criticized by many respected Christian authorities as unbiblical. Central to these manifestations was an emphasis on speaking in "tongues."

Seymour's movement, which he linked to the holiness movement and Pentecostalism of the 19th century, was roundly rejected by his Los Angeles church, which subsequently barred him from further preaching in response to his teaching that true salvation must be accompanied by speaking in tongues. This claim was correctly labeled heresy by his church, and they wisely distanced themselves from his movement.

Despite losing his church, Seymour eventually found a new audience for his false teaching, and this new movement grew by peddling a captivating style of emotional, experiential religion united with a works-based salvation. Under the influence of Seymour's preaching (and those who followed after him), the new movement made speaking in tongues (i.e., babbling) an essential requirement for salvation.

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation comes by grace alone through faith in the Messiah alone, and, therefore, speaking in tongues is not a requirement of salvation.

Moreover, if YEHOVAH God intended the gift of speaking in tongues to accompany the salvation experience, then how can we explain the fact that speaking in tongues was not practiced in the Church for over 1,900 years before suddenly re-emerged under the teaching of a shady California preacher? This history defies common sense, and it contradicts scripture concerning the establishing of the church and the end of all prophecy.

Therefore, the origins of speaking in tongues in the modern church give compelling reason to conclude that this behavior is man-made and was spawned by false teaching rather than by YEHOVAH's holy spirit.

While the charismatic movement traces its roots to Seymour, Pentecostal churches today hold to a variety of doctrinal views and worship practices, and most Pentecostal churches reject Seymour's works-based theology and related unbiblical teaching. In fact, today it's common to find Pentecostal churches teaching salvation by grace through faith alone (i.e., the Gospel) while placing little or no emphasis on speaking in tongues.

Therefore, Christians should not assume that all charismatic churches today follow Seymour's teaching or even hold to a single, uniform set of beliefs and practices. We must be careful to evaluate each charismatic church in the same way we examine every other church body: according to what they believe and teach. We oppose any teaching that distorts the word of YEHOVAH God or preaches a Gospel other than the one the Bible presents. Nevertheless, the questionable origins of charismatic teaching raise serious concerns and cast doubt on its spiritual authenticity.

The term that is used to identify the tongues movement is “glossolalia,” made up of two Greek words, glossa (language or tongue) and lalia (speech). It therefore means speaking in languages or tongues. Glossology is that department of anthropology which has to do with the study and classification of languages and dialects.

The word glossa appears in the Greek New Testament not less than fifty times. It is used to refer to the physical organ of the tongue as in James 3:5; once in reference to the flames of fire shaped like tongues (Acts 2:3); at least once in a metaphorical sense when referring to speech as in the statement, “my tongue (speech) was glad (joyous)” (Acts 2:26). As far as I understand the remaining usages of the word it always means a language.

When the Messiah predicted the gift of tongues (the only mention of tongues in the four Gospel records) he said, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). The adjective “new” (Gr. kainos) can only mean they were going to speak in languages new to them, that is, languages they had not learned or used until that time.

In Acts 2:4 Luke uses a different adjective when he says, “they began to speak with other tongues.” The word “other” (Gr. heteros) simply means that they spoke in languages different from the normal language they were used to. The context substantiates this. Notice the surprised reaction on the part of the hearers:

Every man heard them speak in his own language (Acts 2:6). Here the word “language” is the translation of dialekto from which our word “dialect” comes. The two words glossa (tongue) and dialektos (language) are used synonymously, making it obvious that the disciples were speaking in known languages other than the language native to them. In verses 9-11 the languages are then identified. It was a miraculous phenomenon which enabled the disciples to speak in languages which they had never learned. Here, in this passage from Acts, we have tongues-speaking in its pure and unperverted form as YEHOVAH God gave it.

The following verses in the Book of the Revelation should be examined carefully (Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 17:15). In each passage where the word “tongue” is mentioned it means one of the languages associated with the various nationalities and races. I see no reason why anyone should raise a question as to the tongues in those passages in Mark, Acts and Revelation meaning languages.

But the more serious problems arise in the interpretation of the twenty-one references to tongues in 1Corinthians chapters 12-14. There are those who tell us that the tongues in First Corinthians are ecstatic utterances not known in any country on earth. They base their conclusion on the term “unknown” which appears in 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, and 27. But the reader of this chapter in YEHOVAH’s Word must not fail to observe that the word “unknown” in every place where it appears is in italicized letters, which means that it does not occur in any Greek manuscript but was inserted by translators. The holy spirit did not direct Paul to write that the tongue is unknown.

I find no warrant for changing the meaning of tongues in First Corinthians. In every other place where the word is used it means languages. Why then should the meaning be changed in First Corinthians? I know of no textual license that will warrant changing the meaning of the word. All the usages of tongues in Paul’s treatment of the subject refer to foreign languages. “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 air” (1Corinthians 14:9).

There is no reason for anyone to speak except to converse intelligibly. The Greek word laleo means “I speak.” The word is never used for mere sound or noise. Nor is it used for a mere mumbling or muttering of unintelligible gibberish. The tongues-speaking in the New Testament was in the native languages of hearing people. The supernatural phenomenon which took place at Pentecost was the exercise of a gift whereby many Israelites, from many countries in the Diaspora, gathered at Jerusalem, heard YEHOVAH’s message in their own language. This was indeed a miracle of YEHOVAH God.

It would be an arbitrary and strange interpretation of Scripture that would make tongues-speaking in the New Testament anything other than known languages. There is no trace of Scriptural evidence that tongues were ever heard by anyone as incoherent, incomprehensible babbling.

The Meaning of "Pentecost"

One difficulty is that few know the meaning of the types found in Leviticus 23. There we find instruction regarding the seven annual festivals, occurring at the three different times of the year. The first is the Passover, on the 14th of Abib, the first month of the sacred year. On this day a lamb was always slain. And so the crucifixion occurred on this very day. It was upon the 14th of Abib, 31 A.D. that the Messiah, the Lamb of YEHOVAH God, our Passover, was slain for us!

The second of these set feasts is the Festival of Unleavened Bread, seven days beginning on the 15th of Abib. This pictures obedience to YEHOVAH God -- commandment keeping -- putting sin completely out of our lives. The first and seventh of these days are Holy Days -- annual Sabbaths of YEHOVAH God.

The third festival is "the Feast of Firstfruits," known as the day of Pentecost. This always had typified the "Firstfruits" of the New Testament Church. And, accordingly, when the "other comforter" came from heaven -- from "on high" -- to bring forth the firstfruits of the New Testament Church, this tremendous event, to occur but once in all eternity, was ordained to take place on the very day of Pentecost, 31 A.D.!

The Messiah well knew the holy spirit would come in force from heaven on that very day. So he told his Israelite disciples they should be "baptized with the holy spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:5). In the first chapter of Acts we find the same instruction of the Messiah as recorded in Luke 24:49, this time in words more plainly to be understood: "And...commanded them [the Israelite disciples] that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT for the promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4).

So the disciples did not "pray down Pentecost." "Pentecost" is a DAY, not an experience! And since it was ordained that the holy spirit was to come from heaven to Jerusalem, and on that very day, do you suppose that, if the disciples had prayed and begged just a little harder, they could have "prayed it down" a day or two sooner? Certainly not! Not even an hour sooner! "But," argues the tarry-meeting advocate, "didn't the disciples all meet in an upper room, and continue there in prayer and supplication?" Most assuredly. But why?

Notice the Scriptures! "And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:13-14), as they naturally would have done, at so solemn a time. Is there even a hint, in this text, that they were begging or pleading with YEHOVAH God to give them the promised comforter? Rather, we know they were merely waiting there, as the Messiah had commanded, in complete faith that YEHOVAH would keep His promise! Is there so much as a hint in this passage that they were saying words over and over, like the modern "glory, glory, glory" that the tongues advocates like to repeat?

Now notice, WHEN the day of Pentecost was fully come (and remember Pentecost was a DAY, not an experience), did they have to plead and agonize? No, but rather when this day had arrived, "SUDDENLY there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind," and instantly "they were all filled with the holy spirit." Once the "other Comforter" had come from heaven, there was no waiting -- they were all filled AT ONCE!

Just what is this "baptism"? The very crux of the whole question -- the basis of the error so many of Israel have been led into -- is a misunderstanding of what the true "baptism with the holy spirit" really is! The whole error comes from one erroneous idea which is generally assumed -- carelessly taken for granted -- never so much as questioned, let alone being proved!

It is the general idea of the "tongues" people that one is first converted, through which he receives the holy spirit -- actually has the holy spirit within. And then, afterward, as an entirely separate and later special act or blessing from YEHOVAH God, if he "seeks" it diligently enough, he may receive "the baptism" with the holy spirit. This "baptism" is supposed to be a special endowment with power. This power is supposed to be "power to witness for the Messiah." Actually it is regarded in practice as a sort of loosening of the tongue.

The teaching is that one always "speaks in tongues" -- that is, unknown languages, at the time this "baptism" is received. Often thrills and sensations are felt surging in overpowering waves through the body. From that time all timidity and bashfulness in "witnessing for Christ" is gone. The tongue is loosened. The recipient now testifies in open meeting bodily, loudly, often in a jazzy manner and with a fluency and flippancy of speech never before possible.

Peter, James, John, and the other apostles, the "tongues" advocates believe, all were converted, and received the holy spirit either when first called by the Messiah, or during his ministry and before "Pentecost." Then, having already received "the gift of the holy spirit," these disciples, so it is believed, had to "tarry," and "pray down Pentecost," until, finally on Pentecost, they "got their baptism." That's the common belief.

And this error causes thousands to SEEK and SEEK and SEEK this supposed ADDITIONAL experience called "the baptism." Worse, it leads YEHOVAH's people Israel by the hundreds to become discouraged and to decide there is no hope for them, and to give up even trying to live a Christian life! However, let's not assume this idea! Let's not take it carelessly for granted. Let's look into the Bible for the truth! The truth is that neither Peter, James, John, nor any of the disciples of the Messiah had ever so much as received a full measure of the holy spirit at all until that day of Pentecost! However they, as descendants of Adam and Abraham, did have a measure of the holy spirit from birth.

We read in Genesis 2:7 where YEHOVAH God breathed into Adam the "breath of life." What was -- and what is -- the implication of this? Philo the Jew, friend and fellow Israelite of the apostle Peter, left us an explanation of this little understood verse in Genesis -- notice!

Continuing in his discussion of the Breath of Life, Philo makes the following comments:

The most important difference between the mankind of Genesis 1:26 and Adam in Genesis 2:7 is that Adam received the Breath of YEHOVAH God in his nostrils. Later, when the procreative power of Abram and Sara was regenerated, the spirit of YEHOVAH God was embedded in their genes -- memorialized by the addition of the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet to their names. Salvation requires that the individual believes YEHOVAH God and that belief is a function of the indwelling spirit, NOT of the natural flesh -- as the Messiah said to Nicodemus "what is spirit is spirit." Hence there was no point in the Messiah dying for people who do not have the indwelling spirit that Philo outlined and hence no ability to comprehend and believe the things of the spirit.

Under the Old Covenant, YEHOVAH God had a Church. Israel was both a nation, called the "Kingdom of Israel," and a Church, called "The Congregation of Israel." But that Church was a flesh-born church. It was wholly material, fleshly, physical. It was not spiritual apart from having the "breath of life." One became a member by flesh-birth.

Now here is the point so many have never realized. Under the Old Covenant there was no salvation! The people of that church were not converted. They did not have the holy spirit beyond that of the Breath of Life! That is, none except the prophets specially called of YEHOVAH God. David, Elijah, and Jeremiah had an abundance of the holy spirit because they were called for very special missions. But the rank-and-file members of the Old Testament Congregation only had an earnest of the holy spirit -- the Breath of Life.

You can't find any place where the holy spirit was promised Israel under the Old Covenant. Or where salvation and eternal life was promised. Their animal sacrifices did NOT take away their sins. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4). But rather, as explained in Hebrews, the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant were merely a reminder of sins! There was no remission of sins, and therefore no salvation possible, UNTIL the one and only great sacrifice was made when Yeshua the Messiah was crucified.

During the Messiah's ministry he told his Israelite disciples: "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the comforter [holy spirit] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7). Notice, it was expedient for them. He was talking to Peter and the other disciples on the very eve of his crucifixion, at the "Last Supper." If Peter and the other apostles already had an abundance of the holy spirit, the Messiah would not have told them, his very last night alive on earth with them before being crucified, it was needful for them that he depart, go to heaven, in order to send the holy spirit. And this was only some 99 days before Pentecost!

Again, the Messiah said that same night: "But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father [from Heaven]...it shall testify of me" (John 15:26). Again the same night he said: If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that it may abide with you for ever; even the spirit of truth...for it dwelleth with you [in the person of the Messiah], and shall be in you" [the holy spirit which the Father would send from heaven] (John 14:15-17).

Notice it carefully! It wasn't the disciples who prayed down the holy spirit. It was the Messiah who prayed, and the Father sent them the holy spirit which was to be in them -- and the spirit came on the day of Pentecost after the Messiah had gone away, to heaven! Earlier, on the Last Great Day -- the day after the Feast of Tabernacles,

The holy spirit was not yet given in large measure. Why? The Messiah had not yet GONE AWAY -- ascended to heaven -- BEEN GLORIFIED! It was expedient for them that he go away. Otherwise the holy spirit would not have come! Notice the future tense -- out of his innermost being shall flow the holy spirit!

The holy spirit had never yet come from heaven in great measure to enter and dwell WITHIN converted Christian Israelites. The holy spirit had never been offered in great measure to the people of Israel during Old Testament times. But the Prophet Joel had prophesied: "It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh [of Israel]" (Joel 2:28).

And the Messiah gave them the promise he would send the holy spirit from heaven, if and after he went to heaven. And, after his resurrection, on the very day and hour of his ascending to heaven, the Messiah "commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, BUT WAIT for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me" (Acts 1:4). Yes, the promises quoted above, that unless he went to heaven they could not have or be filled with the holy spirit. The promise that he would pray the Father and the Father would SEND the holy spirit.

This was its first coming from heaven in great measure! And on that day, the newly inspired Peter said, "THIS is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel," quoting that prophecy. Now, at last, YEHOVAH God had sent His spirit, as promised, for all flesh of Israel -- all who would repent, and accept the Messiah as Saviour, in faith believing!

Before receiving the holy spirit, Peter was weak. He lacked faith to cast out a demon, or walk on the water. He denied the Messiah three times. He went fishing instead of attending to YEHOVAH's Work. At the last supper the Messiah had told him, "WHEN thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32).

Using the imagery of Genesis 2:7, Peter and the rest of the disciples there gathered received a large measure of the holy spirit when the risen Messiah breathed on them in John 20:22: "Having said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the ruach haKodesh [holy spirit]'" (Jewish New Testament). The disciples received the promised spirit of YEHOVAH God ahead of the rest of YEHOVAH's people gathered on the day of Pentecost to empower them in preaching the gospel in Jerusalem while awaiting the day of Pentecost.

The Greek verb in "he breathed on them" (ἐνεφύσησεν) is only used here and nowhere else in the entire New Testament. The same verb is used by the Septuagint (LXX) in Genesis 2:7 where YEHOVAH God breathes the spirit into Adam. Adam and his descendants were given the earnest of the spirit while in John 20:22 and Acts 2 YEHOVAH's chosen people received an abundance of the spirit or power of YEHOVAH God to enable them to carry out His Work. Notes the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges,

Much has been written -- thousands of sermons preached -- on the need for the baptism of the holy spirit. Much about "tongues," and "manifestations," and the "signs following." But little is ever said about the manner or method of receiving this gift! That is because people have had their eyes on the manifestations, and not on the teaching of the day of Pentecost!

The method, unfortunately, has been taken for granted by thousands of those descended from Israel -- a modern method that has not been questioned, or checked or proved according to the BIBLE teaching. Is it not a self-evident fact that if we seek it a wrong way, we shall receive a wrong thing?

Do you suppose Satan would be content to deceive those of us of Israel on all other questions, and then neglect to deceive the many thousands of seekers after the baptism with the holy spirit into a clever, false, spurious manner and method of receiving this most precious gift of all -- and therefore into actually receiving a counterfeit instead of the genuine?

YEHOVAH God's Word WARNS those of us of Israel that Satan is going about, today, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, knowing he has but a short time. The Ecclesia is asleep (Matthew 25:5) but Satan, the adversary, is on the job! The Messiah warned us of false doctrines that would appear in these last days, and that would deceive many. "Oh, but Satan could never deceive ME," you say! Why, are YOU not seeking after the deeper SPIRITUAL experiences? Perhaps speaking in "tongues"? You think YOU could not be deceived -- it is only those who are not "spiritual" that are deceived.

Can't we see that Satan is a spiritual being? (Ephesians 2:2.) He does not come as a red demon with horns and tail, but as "an angel of light." He appears as an angel -- a spirit, and as bringing light. Those deceived of Israel think they have received marvelous new light. They think they have advanced and been elevated to a higher spiritual plane.

And Satan has many ministers. And they do not all come preaching modernism, or cold spiritless doctrines. They, too, come as spiritual ministers, and are "transformed as the ministers of righteousness" (IICorinthians 11:14, 15). It is those searching for "deeper spiritual experiences" whom Satan will tempt and try the most, and who are most susceptible to his deceptions! That is, unless we of Israel are constantly on guard, and unless we refuse to follow any but the true scriptural test.

You cannot trust your experiences, because Satan, a spirit being, can give counterfeit spiritual experiences, and by them deceive any person of Israel!

What is TRUTH? The Messiah said, "thy Word is truth!" -- the Bible! So, when the spirit of Truth is come, it merely guides us into a right understanding of the Bible! The Bible, and the Bible ALONE, is the test.

The "Law and the Testimony" are the Old and the New Testaments -- the Bible. Try the spirits! By what standard? The Bible!

Satan today is misleading, fooling, and cleverly deceiving thousands of YEHOVAH's people Israel by giving "impressions," or dreams or "visions," until people say, "The Lord told me" this or that, and call their impressions "leadings of the spirit." Remember, Satan is a spirit who can lead, as well as YEHOVAH God. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against wicked spirits in high places, and need to put on the whole armor of YEHOVAH God that we may withstand the wiles of the Devil (Ephesians 6:10-18). And that armor includes the shield of faith, and the sword of the Word of YEHOVAH God. Not every spirit is the HOLY spirit! There are many false, seducing, unclean spirits.

Since the creation of Adam Satan’s insidious master-plan has been to put a veil between YEHOVAH’s children and YEHOVAH’s inerrant Word. It began in the Garden of Eden when Satan asked Mother Eve, “Yea, hath God said...?” (Genesis 3:1), thereby raising doubt as to the authority and authenticity of what YEHOVAH God has said. We know that this enemy has stepped up the pace of his strategy.

Our present generation is witnessing the growing menace of satanic activity in the realm of the miraculous. Where Satan does not succeed in taking the Bible from us, he works hard at taking us from the Bible. And he succeeds in getting Christians to focus their attention on the claims of men and women to some supernatural experience, and in so doing those seekers after the experiences of others have neither time nor interest in searching the Scriptures for YEHOVAH’s truth.

YEHOVAH God does have a plan in His dealings with His people Israel, and that plan does not necessarily include the continuing repetition of the same miracles in every succeeding century. The miracles of YEHOVAH God are rare occurrences in history. Enoch’s bodily translation from earth to the lower heaven was the only recorded miracle performed by YEHOVAH God in over 1700 years between Adam and the Flood.

The Ecclesia does not need a new Bible, nor new apostles, nor new faith-healers, nor new charismatic movements, nor self-styled miracle workers. What the Church needs is to return to the Word of YEHOVAH God and proclaim the whole counsel of YEHOVAH God in the power of the holy spirit.

When we leave the period of the New Testament we are struck immediately with the fact that speaking in tongues is rarely mentioned in the Christian literature of the first three centuries. For example, Irenaeus (about 185 A.D.) believed that Paul was able to speak in many languages, and that these languages were human languages he had not learned but was inspired to speak. This is the only reference to speaking in tongues we have until we come to the time of John Chrysostom (about 345-407).

During the second and third centuries a large number of books dealing with the acts of various apostles and the epistles to various groups were composed in imitation of the canonical Acts and Epistles of the New Testament. These are found in the Apocryphal New Testament, and contain all kinds of marvelous miracle stories. Yet, there is no evidence of speaking in tongues in them. In a list of specific powers mentioned in the Acts of John (chapter 106) speaking in tongues is absent.

Chrysostom understood the gift of speaking in tongues as the gift of speaking unlearned human languages. While he recognized that by his time these things had ceased he describes the gift of speaking in tongues in these words:

Through this entire period there is no other understanding of the New Testament speaking in tongues than speaking in human languages that one has not learned but which are somewhere spoken among men.

Can anyone miraculously “speak in tongues” today, in the biblical sense? Absolutely not! Since no one can speak in tongues in the biblical sense, then obviously what people who claim they can are doing is something other than biblical tongue speaking. Therefore, should we encourage anyone who thinks he can speak in tongues to go ahead and do so anyway? The answer is a resounding NO!

Hope of Israel Ministries -- Proclaiming YEHOVAH's Truth to the Modern Descendants of Ancient Israel!

Hope of Israel Ministries
P.O. Box 853
Azusa, CA 91702, U.S.A.
www.hope-of-israel.org

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