By David J. Stewart
There is a popular heresy circulating in churches
today, which claims that speaking-in-tongues is a necessary proof of
salvation. Of course, no such teaching is taught anywhere in the Word of
God.
On the contrary, the Bible teaches in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” It is the Holy Spirit which comes to indwell (live) within every believer at the moment of salvation, that bears witness with our spirit that we are saved.
Speaking-in-tongues that is done in Pentecostal, Charismatic, Assemblies of God, Churches of Christ, Catholic, and many non-denominational churches today is a false teaching, a demonic practice.
Of all the churches that the Apostle Paul wrote Epistles to, he only addressed the issue of speaking-in-tongues to the carnal church at Corinth. I Corinthians 3:1 tells us that they were carnal and immature in the Lord.
Here is an excellent quote exposing the heresy of tongues from Dr. Max D. Younce's helpful book, I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!...
Is Speaking In Tongues Proof of Salvation?
Question: A friend has told me that I should learn to speak in tongues; and then I would know if I am really saved. Is this true?
Answer: There is only one way to know if we are really saved. Just as the Philippian Jailer asked Paul and Silas in Acts 16:30,31,
“...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved...”
There is only one thing we must do to have eternal life; that is, believe that Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins. Ephesians 1:13 tell us,
“In whom (Christ) ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise.”
We are sealed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon the moment of belief; and we do not need to seek for any further proof of our salvation, such as the “speaking in tongues.” We need no greater assurance than is found in God's Word. John 3:16 promises that if we believe in Jesus Christ we have, right now! eternal life.
The Holy Spirit will never give anyone the gift of tongues now. They are not for today. 1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us
SOURCE: Dr. Max D. Younce, I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!, Volume 2, pg. 226-227; ISBN-13-978-0-9815225-8-6; Morris Publishing.“whether there be tongues, they shall cease:...”
“Cease” is the Greek verb “pauo.” It means to cease or stop completely. It is used in the perfect tense. This means that when tongues do cease, the action of ceasing will never be interrupted, but will continue forever. In plain words, once tongues cease they will never be reactivated at anytime in the future. It is also in the middle voice, denoting emphasis. The most emphatic statement in this verse is “TONGUES SHALL CEASE”.
1 Corinthians 13:10 tells us when tongues will cease.
“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
The key word in this verse is “perfect.” Some say it is referring to Christ's coming.
“Perfect” is the Greek word “teleion” and means “full grown and mature, complete.” It refers to the end of a process or development. The Second Coming of Christ is not a process, but an instantaneous event. “Perfect“ is never used in the New Testament for the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, or Eternal State.The word “perfect” (teleion) is an adjective here used as a noun. It is in the NEUTER gender. If “perfect” were referring to a person, it would be masculine or feminine. Since it is in the neuter gender, it is not referring to a person, but an object—the completed Word of God.
With the completion of the Bible there was no need for the sign gifts anymore. Mark 16:20, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and CONFIRMING THE WORD WITH SIGNS following. Amen.” The Apostolic signs, wonders, and miracles were for the purpose of authenticating the gospel message they were preaching. Once the Word of God was completed (i.e., when the “perfect” of 1st Corinthians 13:10 was fulfilled), the signs gifts were no longer necessary. Tongues is not for today.
In addition, the demonic Charismatic type of tongues that is practiced in carnal churches today, does not even occur in the Bible. In every case of tongues occurring in the Bible, an established earthly language was spoken, and not some mysterious mumbo-jumbo, jibber-jabber, as is practiced in Pentecostal and Charismatic groups today.
In Acts 2:8-11, sixteen different nations are mentioned. Verse 8 tells us that each man heard the Apostle Peter preach in “...our own tongue, wherein we were born...” Yet, dishonestly, false prophets today speak yaba-daba-doo and scooby-dooby-do, errantly calling it of God. No, such jibber-jabber is of the Devil, commonly practiced by New Age gurus, witch doctors, and occultists.
Also, Biblical tongues only occurred when God initiated the gift, and not at the whim of men. The power of God is not for sale, as Simon the converted sorcerer learned the hard way (Acts 8:18-24). The demonic health, wealth, and prosperity gang has indoctrinated society to think that God's blessing, power, and healing can be bought with a donation. No, they cannot.
As a consequence of Charismatic false doctrines and tomfoolery, many people today wrongly associate God's blessings with health, wealth, and prosperity. But nothing could be further from the truth of God's Word my friend. Hardly anyone associates God's blessings with trials and hardships in life; but the Bible teaches just that in 1st Peter 1:7...
“...the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth...”
God just may allow your life to be ruined to strengthen your faith. Don't underestimate the power of God. God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery by his evil half-brothers. God allowed Joseph to be wrongly imprisoned because of lying accusations against him by Potiphar's wife. God allowed Joseph's ankles to be hurt in shackles (Psalm 105:17-18). By worldly Charismatic standards, Joseph would have been considered a total failure in life. Ah, but look how God turned Joseph's lemons into lemonade, raising him up as governor over all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
God knows what He is doing friend. Our part is to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, and lean not unto our own understanding, and to fear the Lord, and depart from evil as commanded in Proverb 3:5-7. Guide has promised to guide us through life, if we will be led by the Spirit.
Amen! If the church that you attend speaks in jibber-jabber tongues, then you are in a false cult my friend, and it would be advisable for you to leave immediately. Biblical churches center around the plain and simple preaching of God's Word and soul-winning.
The entire Pentecostal-Charismatic mess is based upon feelings and experiences, which is why we so often see Charismatics uncontrollably jumping up and down, wailing out loud like babies, barking, hollering erratically, rolling on the floor, and acting insane. They are a confused bunch.
In sharp contrast, the Bible says “God is not the God of confusion” (1st Corinthians 14:33). Everything in Christianity is based upon the solid PROMISES of a holy God Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Jesus loves me this I know... because I feel it? No. Jesus loves me this I know... because I think so? No. Jesus loves me this I know... FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO!
Likewise, I know I am saved certain by resting in Christ Jesus as my Savior... FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO!
