GOD’S GIFT
THAT
TERRORIZES
THE
CHURCH—TONGUES.
Part 2
The dove,
symbol of
the Holy
Spirit, has
nine
flight-feathers
in each wing
and is
perfectly
balanced for
flight.
Identically,
there are
nine
ministry
gifts of the
Spirit, I
Corinthians
12:4-11, and
nine fruits
of the
Spirit,
Galatians
5:22,23. As
the dove
needs the
full quota
of feathers
for flight,
so the
Church needs
the full
endowment of
the Spirit's
provisions
for
successful
ministry. An
unbalanced
bird or an
unbalanced
Church can
only
flounder.
The ministry
gifts
communicate
power; the
fruits
communicate
character.
In personal
life–integrity,
not
power–has
priority; in
the Church
and
individual-ministry,
each should
equally
balance the
other.
Of all
spiritual
gifts,
"tongues" is
the most
controversial.
God planned
it that way.
While this
strange gift
is the only
one designed
to edify the
believer, I
Corinthians
14:4, it is
also
designed to
attack his
ego and
pride. To
the public,
speaking in
tongues
denotes
mental
incompetence
and
ignorance.
It is
abnormal.
The mere
mention of
this gift
immediately
arouses
carnality in
man's
religious
nature.
People
become
irate,
aggressive,
hostile.
These
negative
attitudes
against the
gift
perfectly
fulfills one
of its
purposes: It
exposes
pride.
"God has
chosen the
foolish
things
...weak
things
...base
things ...
despised
things
...and the
things which
are not
...that no
flesh should
glory in His
presence. I
Corinthians
1:27-29.
Gifts of
wisdom,
knowledge,
faith, do
not
infuriate
people. Many
would
volunteer
for the
ministry of
healing,
faith, or
discerning
of spirits,
while they
want no part
of tongues.
God says
"No" to that
attitude.
The gift of
tongues is
the
"watch-guard"
at the gate;
power is the
evidence
Jesus
promised
with the
Spirit’s
baptism.
Acts 1:8.
Even then,
warfare
against
pride is a
never-ending,
ceaseless
battle.
Galatians
5:17.
There are
two
directions
of tongues.
The first is
from God,
downward to
the people.
I
Corinthians
14:27,28.
When Paul
asked, "Do
all speak
with
tongues?,"
this is the
one under
consideration.
The second
direction of
tongues is
upward, from
the people
to God. I
Corinthians
14:13-15.
Observe
carefully:
The first is
a message
from God to
the people;
the second
is a message
from the
people to
God. Paul
calls this
the "tongues
of angels".
I
Corinthians
13:1. God's
language is
universal;
He does not
confine
Himself to
English,
German,
Japanese,
etc.
During my
private
religious
war I had no
problem
accepting
the other
gifts. They
did not
challenge me
intellectually.
This was not
true of
tongues. I
disliked it,
feared it,
wanted
nothing to
do with it.
The Holy
Spirit then
forced me to
acknowledge
my
spiritually-invalid
state and
made me weep
over His
absence in
my life. My
grieving
became like
Samuel’s
mother,
Hannah,
yearning to
give birth.
I Samuel
1:7.
The day I
finally
received the
baptism in
the Spirit I
experienced
the most
awesome
God-encounter
imaginable—though
tongues
still did
not
manifest.
Power came
in
phenomenal
ways;
tongues, no.
It was
nearly two
more years
of repenting
before the
gift
suddenly
emerged in a
flood of
incredible
revelation.
Unexpectedly,
I heard
myself
speaking in
seven
different
languages.
As a youth,
I was fluent
in Spanish,
had two
years of
Greek at
Seminary,
and an
audit-course
in French at
another
University.
In language,
I am not
ignorant.
What
happened to
me was real.
But, not
everyone was
happy with
my
experience.
When I was
called
before a
Church
Council and
specifically
asked, "Do
you speak in
tongues?!,"
and I
answered,
"Yes," my 30
year-old
Ordination
was
immediately
cancelled. I
was expelled
from
denominational
fellowship.
Do I regret
my answer?
Never! The
treasure I
gained was
so much
greater than
what I lost.
Paul
explained
the value of
this gift
when he
said, "He
who speaks
in a tongue
does not
speak to men
but to God,
for no one
understands
him;
however, in
the spirit
he speaks
mysteries."
I
Corinthians
14:2. The
mysteries
spoken
through the
Spirit are
truths
beyond the
capacity of
human
intellect.
Hear this
point
carefully:
The mind has
only five
natural
sources of
information.
These are
the physical
senses of
hearing,
seeing,
touching,
tasting, and
smelling.
Wonderful as
they are,
none are
spiritual;
if a
believer's
Christian
life is
confined to
sensory-knowledge
only, he is
not as well
equipped for
survival as
are animals.
Let me
explain: A
dog’s sense
of smell is
100 times
more
powerful
than a
human’s.
Peregrine
falcons have
"fast
vision"–which,
if our sight
were as good
as their’s–we
could read
print on a
moving
airplane
blade. Many
wild
creatures
know of
impending
earthquakes
hours before
seismographs
record the
tremor.
In such
ways, man is
inferior to
animals. But
that is with
a purpose:
God created
us with
lessor
sensory
ability to
force us to
rely on our
greater
spiritual
nature.
Instead of
doing that,
we refuse
God's
miraculous
resources in
preference
for our own
inadequate
choices. By
rejecting
spiritual
gifts, much
of today’s
Church is
trapped in
"Christianized"
religion and
is missing
this
dimension of
spirituality.
Our
bad-choice
began
centuries
ago when
evangelical
Christianity
accepted the
error that
certain
Scriptures
lost their
value when
the Apostles
died. A
second claim
states that
the passages
were valid
until the
year 367.
Even so,
these
so-called,
defunct
Scriptures
were not
removed from
the Bible
but were
left there
and are
confusing
readers
today. This
position
completely
ignores the
Scripture
that says
"all
Scripture is
given by
inspiration
of God, and
is
profitable
for
doctrine,
for reproof,
for
correction,
for
instruction
in
righteousness:
That the man
of God may
be perfect,
thoroughly
furnished
unto all
good works."
2 Timothy
3:16,17. In
spite of
that
injunction,
Scripture-truth
was
abandoned
and a deeply
flawed
theology
replaced it.
In effect, I
Corinthians
11 was
regarded
valid, 12
was not, 13
was valid,
14 was not,
15 was
valid, etc.,
etc. With
this
confusing
distortion,
gifts of
knowledge,
tongues,
prophecy,
disappeared
from
evangelical
pulpits.
The year 367
was chosen
as the
terminal
date for
spiritual
gifts
because that
year the
canon of
Scripture
was declared
to be
complete.
The argument
is based on
this verse:
"Love never
fails. But
whether
there are
prophecies,
they will
fail;
whether
there are
tongues,
they will
cease;
whether
there is
knowledge,
it will
vanish away.
For we know
in part and
we prophesy
in part. But
when that
which is
perfect has
come, then
that which
is in part
will be done
away." I
Corinthians
13:8-10. The
assumption
is made that
the
expression
"that which
is perfect"
refers to
the
completed
Bible. Be
aware, this
assumption
has no
Scriptural
support. At
the time of
Paul's
writing not
all New
Testament
writings
were
composed or
bound. The
complete New
Testament
was not
finished for
approximately
thirty years
and
canonizing
of it
(determining
which books
were to be
included as
Scripture)
did not
occur until
the year 367
a.d.
Let's
examine the
claim, "that
which is
perfect",
being a
reference to
New
Testament
Scripture:
1. All who
believe in
the
inspiration
of Scripture
agree that
Paul’s First
Corinthian
letter was
perfect from
the
beginning.
2. The New
Testament
when finally
completed
was perfect.
3. The
argument
against
spiritual
gifts claims
that the
same time
the New
Testament
was
finalized,
Paul's
teachings
about
spiritual
gifts became
invalid.
These
teachings
lost their
perfection
at the same
time "that
which is
perfect" had
come. Though
included in
the New
Testament,
the gifts of
knowledge
ongues,
prophecy,
became
illegitimate.
4. The
long-awaited
"perfect"
book was not
perfect at
all. In
fact, it was
perfect
until it was
canonized
and it then
became
imperfect.
Who can
believe such
double-talk?!
In the light
of common
sense how
can anyone
sincerely
believe that
Paul's
writings
were perfect
until they
were
canonized?
This is not
authentic
Theology but
religious
chaos; it
needs to
pulled out
of its'
pompous fog
and exposed
to the light
of Truth.
Such claims
are an
insult to
the Author
of the
Bible. If
true, "that
which is
perfect" has
not yet come
and never
will. It
can’t.
To what then
was Paul
referring
when he
spoke of
"that which
is perfect"
having come?
The key in
our English
translations
is the word
"then".
Observe that
it appears
three times
in the text:
"But when
that which
is perfect
has come,
then that
which is in
part will be
done away...
For now we
see in a
mirror,
dimly, but
then face to
face. Now I
know in
part, but
then I shall
know just as
I also am
known." I
Corinthians
12:10,12. To
resolve the
dilemma
honestly,
let us ask
these
questions:
1. Are we no
longer
seeing dimly
but "face to
face"? No.
2. Do we now
know "as we
are known"?
No.
3. These
three events
occur
simultaneously.
That which
is perfect
has not yet
come.
What then is
the real
issue? The
controversy
is not about
the question
of tongues
or other
gifts of the
Spirit but
regard the
reliability
of
Scripture.
Can we
believe the
Bible or can
we not? Is
it truly the
infallible
Word of God?
Is all
Scripture
given by
inspiration
of God? If
not, then we
need to be
honest with
the public
and quit
pretending
that the
Bible is
reliable. If
Scripture is
trustworthy,
then we need
to obey God
and preach
every part
with equal
force. God
has not
asked us to
choose
select
Scriptures
with which
we build our
theology;
nor can we
reject other
vital parts
simply
because they
do not have
denominational
approval.
What medical
school would
have its
students
read
surgical
procedures
and
treatments
for disease
that the
faculty
knows are
already out
of date?
None! What
restaurant
offers items
on its menu
that it has
no intention
of
providing?
None! Does
anyone
publish
catalogs
listing
items that
are no
longer
manufactured?
No! But that
is the utter
foolishness
with which
many
Christians
accuse God.
The Church
needs to
repent of
its’
rebellion
and accept
the fact
that: "All
Scripture is
given by
inspiration
of God and
is
profitable:
1. For
doctrine,
2. For
reproof,
3. For
correction,
4. For
instruction
in
righteousness,
that the man
of God may
be complete,
thoroughly
equipped for
every good
work." II
Timothy
3:16,17.
Paul
explains how
this
equipping
takes place
in his first
Corinthian
letter,
chapter 14,
where
he instructs
believers to
"Pursue
love, and
desire
spiritual
gifts, but
especially
that you may
prophesy.
For he who
speaks in a
tongue does
not speak to
men but to
God, for no
one
understands
him;
however, in
the spirit
he speaks
mysteries.
But he who
prophesies
speaks
edification
and
exhortation
and comfort
to men. He
who speaks
in a tongue
edifies
himself, but
he who
prophesies
edifies the
church. I
wish you all
spoke with
tongues, but
even more
that you
prophesied;
for he who
prophesies
is greater
than he who
speaks with
tongues,
unless
indeed he
interprets,
that the
church may
receive
edification
...
Therefore
let him who
speaks in a
tongue pray
that he may
interpret.
For if I
pray in a
tongue, my
spirit
prays, but
my
understanding
is
unfruitful.
What is the
conclusion
then? I will
pray with
the spirit,
and I will
also pray
with the
understanding.
I will sing
with the
spirit, and
I will also
sing with
the
understanding
... Do not
forbid to
speak with
tongues."
Some
churches
ignore
Paul’s
admonition
and even
excommunicate
members who
speak in
tongues.
That action
is based on
the belief
that are two
different
documents by
which
Christians
can base
their faith
and actions:
1. The
Bible: A
carefully
detailed
presentation
of spiritual
gifts, their
operation
and
discipline
in the
church.
2.
Uninspired
Human
Documents:
These deny
the Bible’s
teaching on
spiritual
gifts.
The Bible is
our only
authorized
source of
information
regarding
the gifts of
the Spirit.
There is no
other.
Absolutely
none. Peter
says, "Holy
men spoke as
they were
moved by the
Holy
Spirit." Are
we safe in
rejecting
what is
inspirationally
written and
believe an
unauthorized
opinion? If
we are free
to do this
in regard to
tongues, can
we apply
that same
practice to
other
teachings of
the Bible?
The answer
is obvious:
No. We
cannot. Why
then do good
people who
are
otherwise
gracious and
sincere
become so
enraged over
spiritual
gifts? The
answer is
that we are
dealing with
an alien
spirit; in
this
specific
case, it is
the same
religious
spirit which
Jesus
encountered
in His day.
The spirit
which
replaces
truth with
tradition
and the
miraculous
with
mentality is
a
"religious"
spirit. Good
people get
caught in
bad
influences
and without
knowing why,
feel
compelled to
defend wrong
positions.
Interestingly,
the
Scriptures
which this
spirit
rejects are
the same
ones which
equip the
saints for
their most
effective
warfare
against
Satan.
For the
sincere
believer the
issue can be
settled once
and for all:
The New
Testament is
not a book;
it is a
Covenant. As
such, it is
inalterable
and eternal.
Jesus said,
"Heaven and
earth shall
pass away
but my words
shall not
pass away."
Of those
words and
the men who
would later
record them,
Jesus said
to the
Father: "I
have given
them the
words which
You gave to
me and they
have
received
them."
Everything
which the
Apostles
wrote bears
this same
credential
of the
Father, Son,
and Holy
Spirit. It
is the whole
New
Testament
message
which the
Father "who
cannot lie"
has
confirmed
with an
oath. Of it,
He said: "My
Covenant
will I not
break, nor
alter the
thing that
is gone out
of my lips."
Psalm 89:34.
Finally,
Let's
confront
four issues
about
yourself:
1. Does the
gift of
tongues
attack your
ego and
intellect?
2. Do you
treasure
your pride
more than
God’s power?
3. Is
tradition
more
valuable to
you than
truth?
4. Are you
rejecting a
very obvious
message of
Scripture to
protect your
dignity?
If so, my
advice is
that you
humble
yourself,
confess to
God your
shallowness,
self-centeredness,
disobedience,
and accept
all of His
gifts. You
will be glad
you did.
Perhaps you
have already
received the
Spirit’s
baptism and
its
provisions.
If so, I
encourage
you to guard
your
humility,
fight pride,
maintain
truth and
integrity at
all costs,
live a
reverential,
ego-free
life and
allow the
Holy
Spirit’s
gifts and
fruit to
flow
profusely
from you. In
other words,
do what Paul
required:
"Pursue
love, desire
spiritual
gifts, seek
the
prophetic
gift ...
pray with
the spirit
... pray
with the
understanding
... sing
with the
spirit ...
sing with
the
understanding
..." You
will
discover
that like
the dove,
you are
equally
balanced
with power
and
character
for Heavenly
Flight.
Amen!
“Dear
Friends,
When I read
your
article,
‘Faith, It’s
Origin...,’
I was so
impacted I
shook, It
was as if
bells were
ringing in
my spirit as
truth long
contemplated
was
confirmed
and demons
of deception
and unbelief
went flying!
Thank God
for
well-seasoned,
well-sacrificed
ministers of
the Gospel!
Bless
you–Lynda”
R.T. KENDALL
was briefly
hospitalized
in Ft.
Lauderdale,
Florida, for
emergency
heart-surgery
or
angioplasty
but after
three days
of study was
sent home to
rest and be
treated
medicinally.
He is
grateful for
all who
prayed for
him during
the crisis.
R.T. and
Louise have
purchased a
home in
Hendersonville,
Tennessee,
and plan to
move from
Key Largo,
Florida, in
early
December.
Please
continue
your
prayerful
support. CC
Merry
Christmas!
Charles,
Laurie, and
Board
Members of
Charles
Carrin
Ministries,
wish you a
blessed
Christmas in
which you,
your family,
your church,
all nations
around the
globe,
experience
“Peace on
earth with
good will
toward men.”
May the
Kingdom of
God come
with power!
Thank you
for helping
make this
ministry
possible.
SONS IN
MINISTRY,
2008. Plans
are now in
progress for
next year’s
"Sons In
Ministry"
meeting to
be held May
22,23,24,
2008, in
Boca Raton,
Florida.
Teaching
sessions
will be held
at Christ
The Rock
Church where
Perry Comas
is pastor
and sleep-in
at the
near-by
Renaissance
Hotel. Costs
will
approximate
those of
2007. This
event will
be an
intense time
of
Scriptural
training and
spiritual-impartation.
We will go
immediately
to the heart
of
ministerial-needs,
seek an
intense
empowering
of the Holy
Spirit,
deliverance
from
obstructive
spirits,
correction
of wrong
attitudes,
and a
renewal of
Kingdom
authority.
This
particular
meeting is
limited to
men only. If
you are part
of this team
of men and
wish to
participate
in the 2008
event,
please
contact our
office as
soon as
possible.
The
Renaissance
Hotel is one
of Boca
Raton’s
finest but
is giving us
a
highly-reduced
rate. You
may reach
our office
by e-mail at
CarrinMin1@aol.com,
by telephone
at
561-364-8335.
More details
will follow.
CC
