SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30
Acts 2:4-12
1 Corinthians 13

But you must walk in its light!

WHAT TONGUES?

Tongues-speaking is the central feature of the Charismatic phenomenon. It is therefore worthy of a closer look. The question we must answer is, “What tongues were spoken, then and now? Is there any resemblance between the Charismatic utterances and those spoken at Pentecost?”

First, at Pentecost only known and intelligible languages foreign to the Galilean Apostles were spoken, and clearly understood by about twelve foreign language groups. Today’s tongues are NOT languages or any language, human or angelic. The utterances are classified as “gibberish” which means simply rubbish. Next, Charismatics claim that their “tongues” is the “tongues of angels,” quoting Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1. But Paul was only making a point in his argument that love is Number One among Christian virtues. He was saying, “No matter how good you may be in talking – even if you could talk angel talk – but have no love, you are simply a lot of noise.”

This claim that tongues are “ecstatic language” or “angel talk” can be subjected to critical analysis. Dr William Samarin, professor of linguistics at the University of Toronto throws light on the problem. He comments: “Over a period of five years I have taken part in meetings in Italy, Holland, Jamaica, Canada and the United States. I have observed old-fashioned Pentecostals and neo-Pentecostals; I have been in small meetings… in mammoth public meetings… I have interviewed tongue speakers, and tape recorded and analyzed countless samples of tongues. In every case, glossolalia turns out to be linguistic nonsense. … glossolalia is fundamentally not language.” (Source: “Tongues of Men and Angels” by William J. Samarin, Macmillan Co, New York, 1972, pp 103-128)

It is convenient for Charismatics to take refuge behind absent angels who are not here to defend themselves. In all biblical accounts, angels always spoke in a language understood by the hearers!

THOUGHT: Why is there a profusion of tongues in modern days?
PRAYER: Lord, help me daily to thank Thee with my tongue.