Apologetics

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Faithwriters has existed for how many years? There are how many www.faithwriters.com members? With 20,000+ articles? And one, only one whole article hints at it. Only one essay 'pussy-foots' around it. Why in heaven's name has no member, owner or casual observer of faithwriters had the intestinal fortitude (that's guts for those of you in Rio Linda and Palm Beach) to discuss...

G-L-O-S-S-O-L-A-L-I-A or T-O-N-G-U-E-S1:
An Introduction to the Pentecost

-Are you willfully or just woefully ignorant?
-Do you not know where to turn?
-Are you like most Calvinist denominations that teach, behind closed doors, that TONGUES is a Satanic manifestation and that those who practice it are of the devil?
-Are you from the original church that teaches such power and authority died with the apostles and before Constantine's syncretism2 began and continues?
-Do you just follow the New Testament church mob and smorgsbord the Bible, taking what you want from it and denying or ignoring the rest?

I am biased. How about you?
Were you expecting an unbiased discussion? I hope not. Everyone is biased. Everyone filters what they see and hear through their own set of opinions, philosophy, psychology, education and attitudes. All of which contribute to one's bias or worldview. The question is what is the best bias with which to be biased. The bias of this essay is that of the Biblical worldview.3 Biblical worldview means starting with the Word of God and then looking at the world rather than starting with Darwin or human reasoning and then looking at the Bible.

G-l-o-s-s-o- what?
Entire books have been written on the topic of glossolalia. This is an essay. It presents a discussion of 'tongues.' This essay identifies that fact that it did occur, when it occurred, what occurred and who received it. It is based on the literal reading of scripture. Since we work from a Biblical worldview we are compelled to start with the Bible, reading it as it has been presented to us.

A verse by verse format is used to examine Acts 1-2. Scripture is taken from the Authorized Version unless noted otherwise.

A Couple of Questions
John 1:1-5, The Living Bible
1,2 Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God.
3 He created everything there is--nothing exists that he didn't make.
4 Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind.
5 His life is the light that shines through the darkness--and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5 (Living)

1)Who is God? The omnipotent, omniscient, merciful, just, loving Creator.

2)Who wrote the Bible? God.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Tim 3:16 (KJV)

16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. 2 Tim 3:16 (Living)


3) Can humans pick and choose which portions of the Bible are accepted as truth while denying the rest? No. It is a package deal, all or nothing.

Marching orders
The Great Commission is our marching order. Three of the Gospels state this commission.

Matt 28:18-20 (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 (1)Go ye therefore, and (2) teach all nations, (3) baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 (2 cont'd) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. [ (1), (2), (3) insertions are added for clarification --gwe]

Mark 16:14-18 (KJV)
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, (1) Go ye into all the world, and (2) preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is (3) baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; (4) In my name shall they cast out devils; (5) they shall speak with new tongues;
18 (6)They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; (7) they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Luke 24:45-49 (KJV)
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be (1) preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are (2) witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts, Chapter I
Acts 1:1 --The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

Luke records that in his earlier treatise that he recorded all the Jesus began to do and to teach.

Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Luke continues, saying that these activities continued until Jesus was taken up into heaven. Then, [Jesus] through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles.

Acts 1:3 --To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

The physician evidences that Jesus showed himself alive and in the flesh after His crucifixion (passion) with many proofs. This continued for forty days as He spoke of the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded4 them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.5

At this assemblage Jesus commanded the apostles not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father of which He had spoken.

In a permissive society such as ours the idea of a command is very foreign unless one has military or para-military training, or sound Christian education. A command is not a request, a by your leave, or an if you please. It is an order that is to be obeyed. Adam and Eve were thrown out of Eden due to disobedience. One does as a command tells you to do or there is a penalty, punishment. In this case the apostles were commanded, ordered, by God, to wait in Jerusalem for the gift which was promised to them.

And, was is this gift?
Acts 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Here is the promised gift: the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Baptists in particular, Calvins in general, read: the Apostles were ordered, commanded, to wait to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They had been baptized in water by John, and saved by the Lord Jesus and now were to be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Some have contended that the apostles were being told that they were to be saved (born again) when the Holy Spirit came upon them. However, they had been saved. We know this because being born again means primarily to ask the Holy Spirit to live within us. John 20:22 says: he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit.

By definition this is being born again--receiving the Holy Spirit. By deduction, we know that this is not the Baptism of the Holy Spirit because Jesus had not yet returned to heaven nor had He sent the Holy Spirit. Thus, at the time when Jesus--God-- commands the apostles to wait, they were already saved.

[Not applicable to this discussion.]
Acts 1:6 --When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 1:7 --And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.


Acts 1:8-But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

This scripture reiterates the Great Commission tasks with which Christ, God, charged the disciples. They were to cover the globe with their witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:9 --And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Jesus returned to heaven.

Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The angels tell the disciples that Jesus will return in the same manner as He left.

Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

The Apostles returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 1:13 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.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Verses 13 and 14 show that the apostles were together and they continued to seek the face of God through prayer and supplication. They were staying prayed up.

Acts 1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

Luke tells us that about one hundred and twenty followers continued together.

Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Acts 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Verses 17 through 26 demonstrate Peter's leadership in replacing Judas.

Acts, Chapter II
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
On the day of Pentecost the one hundred and twenty disciples and Apostles were together in one place.
The celebration day of Pentecost is referred to as the Feast of First Fruits and the Feast of the Harvest.6

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

The Holy Spirit descends upon the 120 sounding like a hurricane, or a freight train.

Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Tongues of fire appeared to sit on each person.

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

Two points: one, they were filled with the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit); two, they began to speak in other tongues. Read the text again. What does it say? It says, without equivocation, that the Holy Spirit came to everyone in that room.

It has been established already that this was not the salvation or born again experience. That had already been accomplished.

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Jews from all over the known world were staying in Jerusalem for the holy celebration.

Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Many of the Jews who heard about the descent of the Holy Spirit gathered around the house where the apostles and disciples were gathered. They were astounded to hear themselves addressed in their native languages.

Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Moreover, they were being addressed by ignorant fishermen (Galileans)! Everyone knew they are not too well educated or even intelligent. How could this be?

Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

The situation is emphasized with the question of how it is possible for the foreign visitors to hear their own native languages.

Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

A list of the foreign nations represented, and thus the tongues heard, is presented in verses 9 and 10.

Acts 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Verse 11 completes the list and then states that the substance of what they heard was praise of God and His wonderful works.

Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

The hearers wondered what all of this meant.

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Some of them mocked the apostles saying that they were drunk.

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Outspoken Peter stands up and addresses the foreigners and all who have heard.

Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

It is not possible for these to be drunk, it is too early in the day.
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

But, what you have witnessed was told to us by the prophet Joel7. Joel had prophesied that God's Spirit would be poured out upon His people and they would speak in other tongues, amongst other things. Peter in verses 2:17-21 goes on to actually quote Joel's prophesy. The footnote contains the actual citation from Joel.

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Peter, after citing Joel, then addresses the Israelis. He tells them of Jesus. He tells them that Jesus was God's man, a fact attested to by the signs, and miracles and wonders that God worked through Him.

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Peter continues by telling them that the wicked among them crucified Jesus as was predetermined by the Lord.

Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

The Almighty raised Jesus, having broken the bonds of death.

Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

In verses 25-28 Peter presents corroborating testimony from King David, both a King and a prophet.
Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Peter points out that David expresses gladness knowing that in death he will not reside in Hell and that the Holy one of God will not see bodily decomposition.

Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Peter continues to point out that David the prophet knew that the Almighty would raise up Jesus to sit on his, David's, throne.

Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Further, that David also knew of the resurrection of Christ.

Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Peter says it again: Jesus was resurrected by the Almighty and we are all witnesses.

Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Acts 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

After Peter had said all these things, those listening knew of their guilt and asked what they should do.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter told them to repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Repentance is the turn around in ones life wrought by the Holy Spirit. Baptism is the outward, public act or public declaration of an inward change and commitment. The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the same gift the apostles were commanded to receive.
For those who have contended that the gifts of the Spirit were only for the Apostles and died with them, read...

Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Peter makes clear that this promise of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit is to you (those listening), the children of the listeners, to those not listening and to all those whom the Almighty shall call. Since we are all called to repentance and salvation, we are also called to receive the Holy Spirit of the Pentecost.

Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Peter continues to preach and testify.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
About three thousand people were saved and baptized.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

The new believers and apostles and disciples lived in communion.

Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Their personal goods were sold and used to support the needs of the believers.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

They continued in singleness of purpose in their daily worship in the temple and breaking of bread in each other's house.

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The church continued to grow.

SUMMARY
The purpose of this essay was to present to the reader several facts:
the fact that the Pentecost is a scripturally documented occurrence which can only be ignored if the reader is authorized to edit God's Word;
the fact that receipt of the gift was commanded by God Himself to the Apostles;
the fact that salvation is NOT all that is available from the Holy Spirit as evidenced by Pentecost and God's command that the Apostles receive it;
the fact that Pentecost is NOT just for dead Apostles but for all who are called by God.

CONCLUSION
Is this the end of Pentecost? No. This is only the beginning. This gift is called the gateway gift as it opens the door to all the other gifts of the Spirit. Spiritual gifts are ours to request and to use in our work for the Lord.
Read Acts 1, 2. Pray. Ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you. Do not take my word for it.
His blessings.

POST SCRIPT: If you have had endurance enough to read to this point then get off your intellectual backside and write a constructive critique, hmmm?

POST, POST SCRIPT (25JAN05): An apology is in order. Several articles discussing the gift of tongues are to be found on the faithwriters web site.

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1 Easton's Bible Dictionary, electronic version
TONGUES: Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfillment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language with which they were naturally acquainted (Compare Joel 2:28, 29).
Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1Co 12:10-14:30, "divers kinds of tongues" and the "interpretation of tongues." This "gift" was a different manifestation of the Spirit from that on Pentecost, although it resembled it in many particulars. Tongues were to be "a sign to them that believe not."

2 Syn-cre-tism The attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion; The New Century Dictionary of the English Language Vol 2 pock-mark – zymurgy, NY, Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc. 1952 Ed Emery, H. G. and K. G. Brewster p 1927

3 Biblical worldview— “ biblical worldview is defined as believing that absolute moral truths exist; that such truth is defined by the Bible; and firm belief in six specific religious views.” “A Biblical Worldview Has a Radical Effect on a Person's Life,” The Barna Group, Ventura, CA December, 2003 taken from the website www.barna.org.”see “Pagans In The Pews?” Gregory W. Eckrich, available at www.faithwriters.com, APOLOGETICS.

4 Strong's Greek Number 3853
Greek word: paraggello par-ang-gel'-lo; Root: from 3844 and the base of 32; Cross Reference: TDNT - 5:761,776
Part of Speech: v; Vine's Word(s): Charge, Chargeable, Command, Declare, Declaration
Usage Notes:
KJV - command 20; - charge 6; - give commandment 1; - give charge 1; - declare 1; - give in charge 1
- vr command 1 [Total Count: 31]
1) to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, announce
2) to command, order, charge

5 Luke 24:49: same scenario, Jesus orders the apostles to “tarry.” It is an imperative (command) form.
Strong's Greek Number 2523
Greek word: kathizo kath-id'-zo; Root: another (active) form for 2516; Cross Reference: TDNT - 3:440,386
Part of Speech: v; Vine's Word(s): Dwell, Dwellers, Dwelling, Set, Sit, Tarry
Usage Notes:
KJV - sit 26 - sit down 14; - set 2; - be set 2; - be set down 2; - continue 1; - tarry 1 [Total Count: 48]
1) to make to sit down; 1a) to set, appoint, to confer a kingdom on one
2) intransitively; 2a) to sit down; 2b) to sit; 2b1) to have fixed one's abode; 2b2) to sojourn, to settle, settle down

6 Easton's Bible Dictionary, electronic version, states:
[PENTECOST] i.e., "fiftieth", found only in the New Testament (Acts 2:1; Acts 20:16; 1Co 16:8). The festival so named is first spoken of in Ex 23:16 as "the feast of harvest," and again in Ex 34:22 as "the day of the firstfruits" (Num 28:26). From the sixteenth of the month of Nisan (the second day of the Passover), seven complete weeks, i.e., forty-nine days, were to be reckoned, and this feast was held on the fiftieth day. The manner in which it was to be kept is described in Lev 23:15-19; Num 28:27-29. Besides the sacrifices prescribed for the occasion, every one was to bring to the Lord his "tribute of a free-will offering" (Deut 16:9-11). The purpose of this feast was to commemorate the completion of the grain harvest. Its distinguishing feature was the offering of "two leavened loaves" made from the new corn of the completed harvest, which, with two lambs, were waved before the Lord as a thank offering.
The day of Pentecost is noted in the Christian Church as the day on which the Spirit descended upon the apostles, and on which, under Peter's preaching, so many thousands were converted in Jerusalem (Acts 2).

7 Joel 2:28-32 (KJV)


Copyright 2005 Gregory W. Eckrich

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