ENVY, STRIFE, DIVISION
The objective of these two articles of commentary is to discover #1) (1Cor. 1:10-13 & 3:1-6) the origin of the mind-set that produced denominations and their differences; #2) (2Thess. 3-9) why the church today does not possess the Holy Spirit power exhibited in the early church as described in the Book of Acts; AND: #3) (Rom. 8:9, John 3:3-8, 1Pet. 1:23 & 2Cor. 5:17-21) is it even possible to experience the salvation event through the teaching of some of the modern, (4-30-12), religious organizations, even some of those with the title ‘Church of —–‘ over their door..
NOTES #1: The gift of “talking in tongues” is a perfect example to use in exploring the differences in denominations. #2: The commentary Sin in Church contains a seven-article series, Growth as a Christian: The Survival Principal, that explores the human conscience. They go hand in hand with this article but of necessity they had to be located where they are. #3 The internet definition of mindset is: the established set of attitudes held by someone and its synonyms are: way of thinking, cast of mind, frame of mind, turn of mind, mentality, persona, character disposition, temperament, what makes someone tick. END OF NOTES.
(1Cor. 1:10-13 & 3:1-11) Most humans have a deep seated emotional need to feel the comfort and security of being among “their own kind”, with their own rules, which is a “birds of a feather flock together” mentality and attitude that helps foster the concept of denominations (1Cor. 1:10) which hinders “denominational” Christians from having the complete fellowship, brotherhood, love relationship God desires for His people. This “birds of a feather flock together” mentality and attitude also hinders people who are in Christless false religions from accepting Jesus Christ as their Saviour!
Would you really want to try to worship God with a bunch of people who disagreed with your belief and made you feel like an outsider? Why shouldn’t I have the comfort and security of worshiping God with a bunch of people who believe exactly as I do? See what I mean? SO: What if all Christians believed the same thing? (Rom. 8:14-17, Eph. 4:30 & 2 Pet. 3:9) Do you think God would be happier if His “family” was not fragmented, argumentative, quarreling and judgmental toward each other?
Please think about this: (Eph. 5:23-27, Col. 1:18, 1Tim. 3:15-16 & etc., etc.) We are one Church. Go ahead and keep your name over your door if you must. BUT: (Rom. 8:9-17 esp. V.9) Remember we are all “blood kin” brothers and sisters through Jesus’ blood. (V.9) the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 1:10 keywords: that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind) and God’s Holy Word are supposed to be our uniting factors. (Rom. 8:16-17) WE ARE GOD’S FAMILY AND IT IS TIME WE STARTED ACTING LIKE IT.
I am the father of three sons. They were born in a four year span. While they were growing up at home it made me the angriest, the quickest and hurt me the worst when my precious, precious children started fighting and hurting each other! (Gen. 1:27) I am made in God’s image. How do you think God feels when we do the same thing? What about you when your children or siblings hurt each other?
ORIGIN OF TRIBAL MINDSET:
(Gen. 11:1-9 esp. V.7 keyword: confound their language) Scripturally when mankind was of one language, they founded an idol worshiping religion at Babel. God confounded their language and these people organized into bands with each band speaking their own language and started developing their “own culture”. For a very, very in-depth study of this click on the commentary God, Satan and Man: The Relationship and read the menu articles, told story-style Parts 11, 12 and 13.
As they spread across the world they founded the various tribes, clans and etc. and that exclusive mind-set of language and culture caused people to adhere to their own tribe in that they developed their own rules to live by, to defend their own tribe at all costs, to be suspicious of all others not of their own tribe and to be set in the ways of their own society to the exclusion of all others not of their group.
That basic, human, carnal, natural, emotional attachment to self’s tribe, clan, or whatever became an ingrained trait of mankind over the centuries and it is still within us today as exhibited in America by clubs, fraternities, sports, teams, groups, jobs, societies, leagues, friendship circles, business, politics, just whatever because “birds of a feather flock together” is simply a smooth way to explain the tribal mind-set; “If you don’t talk like us and act like us (culture) you can’t be one of us!”.
() Then here comes this thing called THE CHURCH and it’s book says THIS IS THE REAL TRIBE, leave your tribe and join us, forget all that clannish, tribal nonsense and all of us will love one another and work together because; “We will all speak the same language“.
(2Cor. 5:17) To get in God’s family you must become a new creature (creation—born again) in Christ through the (John 3:5 & 1Pet. 1:22-23) born again event. So here came all these brand new creations, born again, bringing their carnal, tribal, mind-set into the Church, we all read the same words, disagreed as to what they said, started speaking different languages about the same words and, wallah (magic), we have denominations.
GOOD GRIEF! If you want to go on a great crying jag get on the internet and reference out the reasons various denominations divided. (Matt. 23:23-27) When you do read those reasons it will make you sick to see how these greeeaaaat scholars “strained at gnats and swallowed camels” out of pure carnal pride! Can you see them as they say; “Haruuumph, nobody can tell me anything because I know everything and I will not back down from my exalted, learned position, because I am ME!”
Please read the three article Introduction to the commentary Sin in Church. Part of tells about the ‘documented‘ physical wars between the Catholics and the Protestants. That members of one belief could celebrate victories over the other by wearing necklaces of the other side’s ears strung on strings shocked me beyond–, well, just read it! It also tells about the founding of some of the Protestant denominations. If the facts were not ‘documented’ historical fact I would not have believed it nor would I have written it.
PHYSICAL TRIBAL MINDSET:
Lots of people think the feudal mindset of my society, the hill people of East KY, is peculiar. BUT: Read about the great feuds in the American west, south, north and east. While you are on the subject please read some history about the constant warfare between the American Indian tribes.
Go a little further and make a quick study of Africa and their tribal warfare, read about the European tribes such as the Picts, Franks, Celts, Angles, Saxons, Germanic tribes and etc. and their wars. Read about the Mid-East tribes, South American tribes, Far East tribes, Scandinavian and on and on. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING?
Think about mob wars and gang wars in America. Read the Old Testament about the tribal wars; even the tribal wars between the Israelite tribes. The tribal mindset is a product of (1Cor. 2:12-16 esp. V.14 keyword: natural) the “natural” (LOWER, BESTIAL, SENSUAL) nature of man! APPLY THAT MINDSET TO THE FORMATION OF DENOMINATIONS!
See what I mean? (1Cor. 2:12-16 ESP. V.14 keyword: natural) lays the groundwork (1Cor. 3:1-4 esp. V.3 keywords: ye are yet carnal) in which these “brethren” were called carnal (unregenerate, of the flesh, IMPLIED ANIMAL-LIKE which is bestial just like “natural” above) because there was envying, strife and divisions among these members of the church at Corinth.
(Acts 2:9-12) The great Christian fellowship established among tribal people (Acts 2:44-46) who were worshipping and working for God with “gladness and singleness of heart (soul)” (1Cor. 1:12-13 keywords: I of & 3:3-4 keyword: carnal) was already falling apart. If you look at the characteristics of the three great preachers and 1 unnamed leader these dividers said they followed you can plainly see the beginnings of four denominations in existence in America today.
#1) Paul used Old Testament prophesies to show the New Testament grace Church, was separate from Judaism, deep study and etc. –> Church of God; #2) Apollos brought a laid back, dedicated, graceful method and etc.–> Southern Baptists; #2) Cephas (Simon Peter) was bold, impulsive, eager to serve the Lord–> Pentecostals; #4) and the unnamed leader who thought his group was the only part of the church who possessed salvation through Christ–> Church of Christ.
It takes no effort to see these dividers getting in a spiritual huff and dragging their outraged followers to another part of Corinth to start “their own church” just like the dividers did all over the world including America. It is a disgrace that lots of Christians (Rom. 8:14-17) refuse to see we are one spiritual family and that natural tribal mindset weakens the Church. (Matt. 24:22) If time was not shortened the Church would disappear into worldliness because (Rev. 3:15-18) of cold-hearted Christians.
BEYOND DEBATE: There are seven Biblical foundations that are beyond debate. They are the foundation of becoming a Christian and they are set in the unbreakable “stone” of God’s Holy Word.
#1) (Acts 4:10-12) Jesus is the only way a person can be saved.
#2) (John 6:44 & James 4:8) God must draw a person before they can come to God.
#3) (Acts 20:28, Rom. 3:25, Eph. 1:7, Heb. 22-28 esp. V. 26, 1Pet. 1:18-23,1John 1:7 & Rev. 1:5) The precious blood of Jesus is the only thing that will cleanse a person of their sins.
#4) (John 3:3 & 1Pet.1:23) You must be born again
#5) (2Cor. 5:17 & Gal. 6:15-16) to become a new creature (creation) in Christ
#6) (John 14:15-26 & Rom. 8:15-17 esp. v. 16) through the Holy Spirit. BECAUSE:
#7) (Rom. 8:6-9) If you do not have the Holy Spirit you are not a Christian. Of course some people don’t believe these things but according to God’s word they are not Christians.
SPIRITUAL TRIBAL MIND-SET
(Heb. 6:4-8 keywords: whose end is to be burned AND James 3:3-18 esp. V.10 keyword: brethren) There was a congregation in a denomination in this area that came into conflict when two proud, stubborn, bitter, angry, strong willed, old men “locked spiritual horns” over what certain scriptures meant and they split the congregation into two warring factions.
READ (1Cor. 6:1-6 THEN Rom. 14:13) The situation became so intolerable one faction filed a carnal lawsuit in civil court against the other and, of course, that faction filed a carnal counter-lawsuit.
The judge’s verdict was one faction could use the church house one week from Sunday to Saturday and the next week the other faction was allowed to use the church house from Sunday to Saturday on a rotating basis on into infinity. Of course the Holy Spirit had left. The members gradually drifted away to other congregations OR: back into the world AND the troublemakers took their attitude to other congregations too!
That church house has sat forlorn and empty in a field of weeds for several years and a neighbor, a lost sinner, mows the weeds once in a while because that church house is a public eyesore and copperheads (a snake, a serpent) live in the trash around it.
WHY STUDY: (1Tim. 2:15) “Study to show thyself approved (acceptable) unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing (dissect correctly) the word of truth.” Dissect means to examine in the smallest detail. SO: Here we are, you and I, working and being whatever kind of Christian we are in our denominational Church BECAUSE THAT IS ALL WE HAVE; we’re stuck with it!
Even a lot of the independent Churches have formed an Independent Conference! (1Cor. 3:3) This situation is caused “by envying, and strife, and divisions.” DEFINITIONS: Envying (jealousy, malice, emulation, indignation); strife (quarrel, contention, variance); divisions (disunion, dissention, sedition) and these are all sins according to scripture. (Gal. 5:14-15) “But if ye bite (to thwart) and devour (eat) one another, take heed that ye be not consumed (destroyed) one of another.”
You can plainly see denominations were started by carnal Christians under the influence of sinful emotions (2Cor. 4:4 & 11:13-15 esp. V.14 keyword: Satan) aided and abetted by the false angel of light, (1Pet. 5:8) the greatest enemy of each Christian and the church as a whole, which led to sinful acts which did divide and is dividing the church. We are stuck with being in one denomination or another but we do not have to take an active part in spreading and abetting division among the brethren. I have heard more than one preacher say in preaching and teaching; “If you don’t believe like we do here just get on out the door.”
You can plainly see denominations were started by carnal Christians under the influence of sinful emotions which led to sinful acts which did divide and is dividing the church. We are stuck with being in one denomination or another but we do not have to take an active part in spreading and abetting division among the brethren. I have heard more than one preacher say in preaching and teaching; “If you don’t believe like we do here just get on out the door.”
What did the lost sinners think who were sitting in the congregation? What did the Christians think? Nobody had said anything or disturbed the service in any way. (Acts 20:27-30) There was no wolf trying to destroy the flock. That kind of garbage came straight out of the wicked heart of a carnal man.
(Eph. 4:1-32) Then people wonder why hardly anyone ever gets saved in their church and they wonder why the congregation is not on fire for God. It’s really hard to be on fire for God when the Holy Spirit is “hobbled” by disbelief, sin and ignorance! Duuuuuhh!
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
(1Cor. 1:11-13 & 3:1-11 keywords: V.10 take heed) Denominations are formed over disputes concerning what the Holy Bible means or says and the Bible criticizes that concept. “This is my little bunch, if you don’t like our way of doing things get on out of here; that’s your little bunch over there.” We may as well address a couple of arguments first because the Devil and (1Cor. 3:3) carnal Christians will see to it there always is an argument.
#1 Some say every time you get filled with the Holy Spirit you will speak in tongues. #2 Some say if you get saved you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues; the implication being if you don’t speak in tongues you didn’t get saved. Little bunches here and there say you can’t be in their bunch if you don’t speak in tongues and #3 at the other end of that particular spectrum some say the gift of tongues isn’t even given any more. People get angry and turn bright red over it too.
Please read the following scriptures concerning being Spirit filled but not speaking in tongues: (Luke 4:1-2) Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit to withstand the devil and tongues are not mentioned because they understood each other perfectly! (Acts 4:8-18) Peter, a racial Jew, was filled with the Spirit to defend himself against the Jewish Elders who were racial Jews; no need for tongues.
(Acts 4:19-37 esp. V.31) Peter and John with their own company of people praised God, were all filled with the Holy Spirit and the multitude of them were of one soul and had all things in common without any mention of tongues.
(Acts 9:17-23) Paul, a racial Jew, was filled and he preached to racial Jews in their synagogue; no mention of tongues. (Acts 13:7-11) Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, struck the sorcerer blind; again no tongues involved. There are many other places in scripture where people were filled with the Holy Spirit without the evidence of speaking in tongues.
(1Cor. 12:1-31 esp. V.7-11 keyword: manifestation) (V.8-10) It is obvious all of these “spiritual gifts” are done through the manifestation (exhibition, expression, bestowment) of the Holy Spirit including speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues. The chapter did not say a Christian had to be Spirit filled to accomplish any of them. So you are either Spirit filled to do any or all of them or the Spirit is manifested when you do any or all of them. YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!
SUBMIT TO GOD, PRAY, READ GOD’S WORD, THINK, LISTEN: (1Cor. 12:31) “covet (to have warmth of feeling for, desire, zealous) earnestly the best gifts:” (1Cor. 12:10 keyword: discerning) Discerning (separate, distinguish, separate one thing from another) the spirits is a gift, ask God in your prayers for that gift! How can you possibly understand if you don’t know who is talking to you; God through the Holy Spirit, Satan the devil or a man-> deceived or speaking Biblical truth?
It would be a waste of space to say he’s Spirit filled or he’s not Spirit filled for every act by a believer, disciple or apostle. Can you just imagine an apostle sneezing and a bunch of scribes, with worried looks, frantically unrolling their reference scrolls, grabbing blank sheep skin scrolls, rapidly dipping their writing reeds into ink and trying to decide if that sneeze was Spirit filled or not! Good grief! (1Cor. 12:31) “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent (superiority, exceedingly, beyond measure) way.“
(1Cor. 13:1) That more excellent way is charity (Greek word agape which means love in a social or moral sense, good will, affection, benevolence, a love feast—which is not necessarily a feast on physical food BUT: a soul feast on God’s love BECAUSE: (1John 4:8) “God is love—agape which has the same definition as charity used above. AND: it can be a feast on physical food as long as it is based on God’s love, fellowship and brotherhood)! BUT:
(1Cor. 13:1) “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” SO: If we don’t have charity (agape—God love because God is love) we are just a big, empty, metallic noise from a lifeless instrument!
YOUR DENOMINATION: This is not some hateful attack on a denomination nor an angry defense of a denomination. (1Cor. 1:11-14 keyword: contentions—a quarrel) This is a sharp criticism of the concept that a denomination has any power over God and God’s living word. (Ex. 3:14 & John 8:58 and 14:6 keywords: I Am) God’s Word IS. (John 1:1-4 & 1John 1:1-4 and 5:7 keyword in all: Word) Word is defined: the thought, the reasoning, utterance, Divine Expression i.e. Christ; i.e. is defined: to say the same thing in different words). (John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” God’s word (Bible) that you hold in your hand is alive! Jesus is the living word of God!
(John 14:15-23) Jesus/God is alive within a Christian in their Holy Spirit person! (John 14:5-9 esp. V.9 keywords: he that hath seen me hath seen the Father & 1Tim. 3:16 keywords: God was manifest in the flesh) “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,“. Christianity is a living relationship with God which no other religion can have! Manifest is defined: Strong’s #5316: show, appear, be seen. (Matt. 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36) BUT WHY PRESENTED AS A SON IN THE BODY OF A MAN? BECAUSE:
UNDERSTAND THIS: (James 1:13) “God cannot be tempted with evil” (Matt. 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-37, 2Cor. 5:21 & 1John 3:5) Jesus was born without the fallen, carnal nature that came to all of mankind from the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden SO: Jesus did not need the regeneration of the born again salvation event. (Matt. 3:13-17) (V.15) Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill the righteousness of the Jewish (law of Moses) law because a priest had to be washed (baptized) to start his duties. (V.16-17) God Himself anointed Jesus to show Israel Jesus was a special Man with a special mission.
Jesus could be tempted just like man because He had a man’s body. (Luke 4:1-13) Jesus was born sinless but it was up to Him to remain sinless in His lifetime! (read Heb. 4:14-16) That’s why Jesus is our great High Priest! HE KNOWS HOW IT IS WITH US! HE UNDERSTANDS OUR WEAKNESSES! Jesus did not sin but He knows and He sits on a throne of grace “where we can come boldly that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
To be a successful Christian we must go to God’s Word. God does not bring His Word to us, beg us to take it, or tailor it to fit what we want to believe. The very idea of that is ridiculous and repulsive! God’s Word IS, it stands as the benchmark of faith, God gave no other.
GOD’S WORD shows Christians the way to Heaven. Christians are to worship God (3John esp. V.9-11) not A denomination or a preacher. (Matt. 28:18) Jesus has all power. A denominational teacher or leader does not. Each Christian must understand Christians do not live or die because of denominational doctrines, but by God’s word. (John 1:1) “In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God.”
The Holy Scriptures you can hold in your hand are alive and filled with God because they are God’s revealed will!
(1John 1:1-3) “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the WORD OF LIFE. (For the life was manifested (show self), and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.“
(John 14:6-9 & 2Cor. 4:6 keywords: in the face of Jesus) God revealed Himself to man through the face (physical body) of Jesus (John 1:1-5 & 1John 1:1-3) and Jesus is the personification of God’s revealed Word. (John 14:24) Jesus said; “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the WORD that ye hear is not mine, but the Fathers which sent me.” (John 6:63) “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
The Holy Spirit and (2Tim. 3:16) the Holy Bible are tied together by the manifested life of God revealed through the living Son of God, Jesus Christ. (John 12:48) “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the WORD that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Please read (1Thess. 4:16-18) at this time: AND: (1Cor. 2:11-14, 2Tim. 3:16, Heb. 3:7-12, 1Pet. 1:9-13 & 2Pet. 1:19-21) The Words of God (Bible) is given through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Who, as you have seen, is God/Jesus in Spiritual form.
Do you think when Jesus comes back to get HIS CHURCH He will gravely lead a procession of angels, deacons and preachers into your church house, calmly consult the names listed in the church book as members of your denominational congregation and those will be the people He takes with Him? Jesus’ Word (the Holy Scriptures) is what guides us to heaven, not a denominational dogma.
The Holy Spirit is promised: (Acts 1:2-14) Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He told the disciples (learners, pupils) to stay in Jerusalem and they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. If you will read these verses closely you will see the disciples did not understand what he was talking about because (V.6) they were wondering if the Old Testament covenant would be fulfilled and if fragmented, Roman dominated Israel would finally become a dominant nation in world affairs like it had been under King David.
(V.7) Jesus told them it was none of their business and (V.8) they would receive power after the Holy Spirit came and they would be witnesses unto Jesus throughout the whole world. Everything concerning God is based on faith and obedience. The disciples did not understand what Jesus was talking about but (V.12-14) they had faith and were obedient.
IMPORTANT: The Holy Bible, GOD’S WORD, is all we are going to get and that is our only source of knowledge about the Holy Spirit and the only source for understanding the manifestation and evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (John 12:36) We are the “children of light” because (John 8:12) “Jesus is the light of the world” but we have only two lamps to light our way; the Holy Word of God and the Holy Spirit of God and we must carefully tend our two lamps (Luke 11:35) lest we lose our light and thus lose our way.
Simon Peter is converted: Simon Peter obviously did not understand, and probably did not remember until it happened what Jesus had said just before Jesus was taken prisoner to be crucified. (Luke 22:32) Jesus told Simon Peter; “when thou art converted, strengthen the brethren.” Converted means (to turn about and go in the other direction because something has been superimposed and distributed.) Superimposed means (added by placing over) and distributed means (supplied in a portion).
(Acts 2:1-4) Peter and the other disciples (learners, pupils) were converted when the Holy Spirit entered (superimposed) them on the Day of Pentecost. Peter was filled (saturate, supply-an amount sufficient for a given use—which is the same definition as distributed) with the Holy Spirit to empower him so he could preach.
Don’t forget, the disciples (pupils, learners) had spent three and one half years learning under Jesus and then on Pentecost the Holy Spirit brought that learning to life within them. When they were filled with the Holy Spirit they became apostles (sent ones).
The first salvation event under the new grace covenant: (Acts 2:38-41) The three thousand people who were saved, received the gift of the Holy Spirit but did not receive (Acts 2:4) the filling Peter and the other Apostles had received to enable and empower them to speak (Acts 2:4) with other tongues (unlearned foreign language). Those languages are listed in (Acts 2:6-12). (Acts 2:14-36) (Acts 19:5-6) Of course God can fill new Christians with the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues!
(Acts 2:38) Today many Christians sit around waiting for some great spiritual awakening that never comes because they do not realize the spiritual awakening has already happened when they were saved (Eph. 1:12-14 esp. V.13 keyword: sealed) and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. How else could any Christian know he had been forgiven of his sins and was saved except by the witness of the newly indwelling Holy Spirit?
CONCLUSION: #1) (Acts 2:38) It is obvious the Holy Spirit indwells and communicates with all newly saved Christians. (Eph. 1:13-14) How else could we know we are saved? #2) (Acts 2:1-4, 14 & 33) It is also obvious there is a Holy Spirit filling (a magnitude of Holy Spirit power) that is given to Christians when they are required to do a task for God in which they are incapable of accomplishing.
TONGUES: THREE TYPES: According to scripture there are three types of tongues; (1Cor. 13:1) #1 the tongues of men, #2 the tongues of angels, and (1Cor. 14:2) #3 an unknown tongue.
#2 (1Cor. 13:1)“Though I speak with the TONGUES OF #1) MEN AND OF #2) ANGELS“: It’s easier to do #2 the tongues of angels first. The Greek word used here is aggelos and it simply means (to bring tidings, a messenger, especially an angel and by implication a pastor). Did you get the message?
It is not a language, it is a message in a language brought by a messenger. Read about all the times an angel brought a message to someone like Abraham, Lot, Daniel, John and etc. Those angels spoke to those men in their own language. Holy Spirit inspired pastors do the same thing.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN: #1 Tongues of men: part one: (Acts 2:1-4) describes the Holy Spirit filling in bold print from the King James Holy Bible and included are the Greek definitions of key words in italics so each reader can make up his own mind as to what occurred.
“And when the day of Pentecost (fiftieth) was fully (completely) come, they were all with one accord (together with passion) in one place. And suddenly (unexpectedly) there came a sound (loud noise) from heaven (the abode of God) as of a rushing (bringing forth) mighty (vital activity) wind, (breathe hard) and it filled all the house (dwelling) where they were sitting.”
“And there appeared (to gaze at something remarkable with wide open eyes) unto them cloven (divide) tongues (supernaturally acquired language) like as of fire, (figuratively lightening) and it sat (settle) upon each of them. And they were all filled (imbue, supply, accomplish) with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, (language not learned) as the Spirit gave then utterance (to enunciate plainly).”
(Acts 2:1-4 again) God is ultimately practical; everything He does is for a purpose. Many people turn this scripture into a mystical event; think trance. The gift of the Holy Spirit was and is a practical, spiritual (divinely supernatural) happening. No changing or juggling of the scripture is intended but to aid in understanding (Acts 1:1-4) will be written again with the definitions in place of the key scriptural words and the definitions will be written in underlined italics.
(Acts 2:1-4) “And when the fiftieth day after Passover was completely come, they were all together with passion in one place. And unexpectedly there came a loud noise from the abode of God as of bringing forth a vital activity of breathing hard and it filled the dwelling where they were sitting.
And they gazed at something remarkable with wide open eyes which appeared unto them divided supernaturally acquired languages like as lightening and it settled upon each of them. And they were imbued with a supply to accomplish with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other languages they had not learned as the Spirit gave them to enunciate plainly.”
The Holy Spirit filled preacher speaking in your tongue. I am not talking about the antics of man many preachers use because of custom, congregation expectation, habit or self pride. I’m talking about (2Cor. 2:4) “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing word’s of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” What power? The demonstration of God’s Holy Spirit power to change lives!
Have you ever heard a preacher start talking and then come under the power of the Holy Spirit, the timbre and tone of his voice changed, the intensity, truth and power of his staccato statements, either in whisper or shout or anything between the two, “crisply cracked” into your soul like lightening? The Holy Spirit verified what you were hearing and the difference immediately got your full attention and caused you to gaze at his remarkable transformation with wide open eyes didn’t it?
You knew his statements were straight from heaven via the Holy Spirit through the preacher’s tongue straight into your ears and right on into your soul didn’t you? You haven’t! (Heb. 1:7 keywords: his ministers a flame of fire—which means lightening) Find a church with a “Christ Fire” preacher and try it just one time. You will realize he is speaking in a supernaturally acquired language even if it is in “your own tongue”.
(1Cor. 14:1-40 explained) The words tongue or tongues are used sixteen times in this chapter and in every use but one the Greek word used is glossa and the definition is (the tongue, by implication a language, specifically one naturally unacquired—which, of course, means supernaturally acquired). The one exception is in (V.21) and the Greek word used is heteroglossos and the definition is (other-tongued, a foreigner).
(V.1) Charity (Greek word agape which means love in a social or moral sense, affection, benevolence, a love feast) is the foundation of the Christian experience BECAUSE: (1John 4:8) “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” Yes, the Greek word for God love is also agape just like charity and the meaning is the same. We are to desire spiritual gifts. But we need to prophesy (to foretell events or speak under divine inspiration).
(V.2) #3 There is an “unknown tongue” (supernaturally acquired) spoken when a person speaks unto God that edifies the speaker (V. 5 & 13) but it needs to be interpreted so other people will understand and it may well be another description of tongue #1. BUT: (V.27-28) The speakers should be no more than three, taking turns, but only if there is an interpreter; if there is no one to interpret keep silent.
THE VALUE OF UNKNOWN TONGUES: (V.3) One who prophesieth does speak unto men to build them up, to urge them on and to comfort them. (V.4) One who speaks in an “unknown tongue” builds himself up BUT he who prophesieth builds up the whole church congregation that is present.
(V.5-18) It is better to prophesy than it is to speak in an unknown tongue, unless the unknown tongue is interpreted, because prophesying is easy to understand. (V.19) Five understood words are better than ten thousand words not understood if the ten thousand words are spoken in an unknown tongue. (V.21-23) Tongues (unlearned foreign language) are for a sign to them that believe not (unbelievers) but if everybody is speaking in tongues at once the unbelievers will think the church is mad (to rave as a lunatic).
(V.24-25) Prophesy (speak under divine inspiration) reveals the unbeliever’s own secrets to him and he can get saved because he will know God is in you. How many times have you heard it said; “It seemed like the preacher knew all about me but there’s no way he could have!” (V.26) Let all things be done unto edifying (building up) the church.
KEEPING ORDER IN A TONGUE TALKING SERVICE: (V.27-28) “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course (turn); and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter; let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak silently to himself, and to God.”
That appears easily understood. If anybody is going to speak in an unknown tongue, don’t let more than three do it and let them take turns one after the other if there is an interpreter. If there is no interpreter keep silent and let your soul speak to yourself and to God in your thoughts. (V.29-32) The people who prophesy (speak under inspiration) are to also take turns. One question:
Have you ever tried to listen to two people talk at exactly the same time? Nobody else gets anything except confusion out of it either! (Gen. 3:1-6) Satan does cause confusion and we all know self is easily confused. (V.33) “God is not the author (cause or leader) of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” We know there are only three forces of will in the world; God’s will, Satan’s will, and man’s will.
This scripture is saying if tongue talking is not performed according to scripture, which is God’s revealed will, Satan or self is the cause or leader of it because God is not the author (cause or leader) of confusion. Example: God does not want His church to sound like a bunch of (V.23) raving lunatics with everyone shouting different things, in different languages, in unknown language, or even prophesying (an inspired speaker) at the same time. (V.40) “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Part 2 begins with an event in which a Baptist Church was graced with (1Cor. 12:1-11 esp. V.4 keywords: diversities of gifts—note:—plural & V.10 keywords: divers kinds of tongues and interpretation) the gift (*charisma*: which means an endowment pronounced: khar-is-mah) of tongues and by their refusal to accept and develop that gift the gift was withdrawn from their congregation! That word *charisma*: meaning the gift is the base word for “charismatic”.
Charismatic means: being a part of or relating to a Christian religious movement that emphasizes divinely inspired powers or gifts and those gifts are all explained in (1Cor. 12:1-31).
GOD BLESS YOU.