Tongues and Prophecy

I. Introduction:

II. What of the charismatic ecstatic worship services?

A. Such services as evidence of the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit is problematic for many diverse religious groups have claimed godly presence through such signs.

B. Wen-Amon in Byblos 1110 B.C. “Now while he was making offerings to his gods, the god seized one of his youths and made him possessed. And he said to him: ‘Bring up the god. Bring the messenger who is carrying him. Amon is the one who sent him out. He is the one who made him come.’ And while the possessed youth was having his frenzy on this night, I had already found a ship headed for Egypt.” Glossolalia by Jimmy Jividen, p. 60. Origen (~185-255) “There are many who, although of no name, with the greatest facility and on the slightest occasion, whether within or without temples, assume the motions and gestures of inspired persons…for the purpose of attracting attention and exciting surprise…To these promises are added strange, fanatical, and quite unintelligible words, of which no rational persons can find the meanings for so dark are they, as to have no meaning at all; but they give occasion to every fool or imposter to apply them to suit his own purposes.” Glossolalia by Jimmy Jividen, p. 64 Plato on the Delphi Oracles: “Herein lies the reason why the Diety has bereft them of their senses, and uses them as ministers, along with soothsayers and godly seers: it is in order that we listeners may know that it is not they who utter these precious revelations while their mind is not within them, but that it is the God himself who speaks.” Ibid, p. 61

C. Islam

D. Regarding spiritual gifts, an Islamic evangelism guide suggests: “Islam has also used such methods [miraculous gifts/tongue speaking], specifically through Sufi groups approaching Western societies through the Ottoman expansion. It is effective with Westerners for some unknown reason, perhaps because of the aversion to reason so prevalent in Western religion. Some Muslims might consider to what extent Islamic healing practices might open avenues to make fruitful contacts. A full-blown charismatic approach, however, would merely be a capitulation to a popular trend in Christianity rather than the spread of Islam.” (from http://www.al-islam.org/invitationhowto/11.htm) Sufi mysticism: “They perceived that the Sufi’s emphasis on experience as a superior source of truth, and their tendency to neglect legal prescriptions, could lead to the corruption of Muhammad’s religion. The use of dance for spiritual purposes has become one of the most distinctive characteristics of Sufism, though not all the orders observe it. The dance is…intended to plunge the dancer into a state of concentration upon Allah.” Elliot Miller; “Sufis: The Mystical Muslims.” http://www.arabicbible.com/christian/islam_revival_p3.htm) Sufi approach: “Meditation…and breathing exercises induce altered states of consciousness. As the natural mental barriers to psychic intrusion are broken down…the Sufi may see visions, hear the voices of angels and prophets, and gain from them guidance. It is a condition of joy and longing. And when this condition seizes on the ‘seeker,’he falls into ecstasy.” Ibid. Religions in Africa, among the native Americans, Mexican Indians, and eastern religions are filled with ecstatic utterances in unknown languages, reports of miracles and healing, and worshippers lost in emotional frenzy yet none of these are associated with the Holy Spirit and Christ. There is a charismatic movement within Catholicism (they have their own publications, web sites, etc.) and believe in the authority of the pope, pray to Jesus calling on Mary or other saints to help, and other doctrines. Some have written that the Holy Spirit influence has helped them appreciate the mass and their relationship with Mary, the mother of Jesus, on a deeper level.

E. We can look at the diverse Pentecostal and charismatic landscape and see many who claim the active power of the Holy Spirit in their lives and worship yet practice diverse things.

F. 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.” Ephesians 4:3-6 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”1 Corinthians 1:4-10 – Though led by the Spirit, they were to be unified We cannot say that the one Spirit, who revealed one faith, is pleased by so many who are not of the same mind, and are not speaking the same thing. Which one is really being led by the Spirit and, thus, correct in its practice?

G. Experiential religion becomes a double-edged sword because on what basis will you condemn practices in others that you yourselves practice?

H. The frenzied worship, indecipherable tongues, and individual ecstatic loss of control were foreign to the New Testament church so one cannot compare the New Testament church to pagan religions. If a person wants to defend these practices, they must effectively refute the reasons why another person’s identical practice is fraudulent.

I. One cannot go to the Bible for defense for:

J. The practices were foreign to the New Testament church. The spiritual gifts that did exist passed away, as prophesied, when the apostles died and history supports that fact. So one’s defense must be subjective. Here is the double-edged sword: if it cannot be defended with scripture and the only defense is one’s subjective feelings, there is not valid reason to refute the experience of the Muslim, Catholic, Cybilline Oracle, African medicine man, New Age practitioners, or any other religion that encourages ecstatic experience.

III. Document3