Pentecostal Apologetics
Jesus gave "tongues" to the church. The four gospels reveal that Jesus expects prophetic utterances to continue throughout the church-age.
"A Look at the Four Gospels" It will be seen that Jesus put
a high premium on the spiritual gifts—including tongues and prophecies
The
four Gospels were written after 1 Corinthians and they mention
prophetic speaking that would continue until the end of the world. The
Great Commission of Mark chapter 16 records Jesus' words that believers
would speak in tongues. Those verses of Mark are not going to be used
here, nor need they be. Jesus has said enough in the Gospels to show
that prophetic speaking is for belivers of all ages. There is a chapter
in this book that deals with Mark 16. There need be no mention here of
Mark's Gospel that Jesus has sent the gift of tongues for the believers
benefit; for we know that tongues are Jesus' idea anyway. It was Jesus
who sent tongues at Pentecost and it was He who sent tongues upon the
Gentiles at Cornelius' house, the apostle Paul spoke with tongues, the
Ephesians (per Acts 19) spoke with tongues, the Corinthians did, and
maybe many more did—All by the will and power of Jesus, therefore we do
not have to read Mark 16 to know that Jesus is granting "tongues" to
His people.
Jesus has always expected prophetic speaking from
His people. In the 13th chapter of Mark we see Jesus explaining that
there will be prophetic speaking from the apostle's time all the way
till the end of the world.
"But when they shall lead you, and
deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither
do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that
speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Mark 13: 11
The student of hermeneutics will know, that taken in context,
Jesus' words here are applicable to Peter, James, John, and other
believers until the world ends. There will always be prophets present
on the earth (which means prophecies will be here). This truth is seen
in the verse below:
"He that receiveth a prophet in the name
of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a
righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous
man's reward." Matthew 10: 41
Paul also believed that there
would be prophets in the church-age. This is evidenced by his words to
the Corinthians and to the Ephesians (below).
"And God hath
set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers" 1 Cor. 12:28 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"
Eph.4: 11-12
Mark chapter 9, verses 38-39 are interesting because they show the power of non-apostles:
"And
John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy
name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him, because he followeth
not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall
do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me." Mark 9:
38-39
Miracle Power
The Greek word that Jesus used that has been translated
as "miracle" is the word "dynamis" The "miracle" power contained in
this word that is available to Christians is not strictly for casting
out demons. Both before and after Pentecost, believers can cast out
demons—who is to say that they cannot also speak in tongues by God's
miraculous power, or use other prophetic speech—especially after
Pentecost? The issue, is about power—miraculous power working through
the believer that causes tongues and prophecies. Notice Jesus' words
recorded by Luke in Acts:
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" Acts 1: 8
Tongues
and prophecies turned out to be part of that power--a big part.
Therefore it is silly for a cessationist to say that Jesus did not
esteem tongues very highly because he (supposedly) never mentioned it.
In John's Gospel we read:
"He that believeth on me, as the
scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him
should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that
Jesus was not yet glorified.)" John 7: 38-39
Jesus' disciples
had already possessed the power to evangelize, preach, and cast out
demons while Jesus was alive. However, the form of communication spoken
of in John 7:38 was going to be something new and miraculous that Jesus
would send down from heaven. The results of this verse (that "out of
his belly will flow streams of living water") are shown by the fact
that when believers spoke in tongues it was not to evangelize but to
praise. "Streams of living water" is praise to God.
"And when
the day of Pentecost was fully come... And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues... we do hear
them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." Acts 2: 1-11
They
were not preaching but simply praising God. In Acts chapter 10 we read
of the "Gentile Pentecost." Here, again, the new believers were
speaking in tongues--not to preach the Gospel but to praise God:
"And
they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the
gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and
magnify God." Acts 10: 45-46
Stepping outside of the Gospels,
we see Peter telling us that our job is to praise God. He even says
that we have a priesthood, and that we are to offer sacrifices--of
praise!!
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual
house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable
to God by Jesus Christ... But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light:" 1 Peter 2: 5-9
The writer of Hebrews makes the same point:
"By
him therefore let uis offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13: 15
Is
it possible, that a people such as us; a kind of super-people, who are
known as God's children--even having Deity living inside us, are only
able to praise God with the intellect as if we are living in the
pre-Pentecostal days? Nonsense! Pentecostals and Charismatics are able
to praise God with the Spirit. As mentioned earlier (in Mark 13:11);
Jesus' words in the Gospels show the prophetic speaking that is
available to Christians:
"But when they shall lead you, and
deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither
do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that
speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Mark 13: 11
The Holy Trinity
It
is seen in the highlighted words below, that the prophetic speaking
comes from all three members of the Trinity--as They are seperate; yet
one (This Trinitarian teaching is from the Holy Spirit; more-so than
from the Gospel writers themselves--per John 14: 26).
"And
when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and
powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what
ye shall say. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." Luke 12: 11-12
"But
when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak:
for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. for it
is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you" Matt. 10: 19-20
"Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I [Jesus] will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your advesaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist." Luke 21: 14-15
And
thus, God's concept of the Trinity is shown, and this Trinity dwells
inside of Christians; therefore, we are indeed, a kind of super-people
with Diety living inside of us, and we may pray/speak/praise by God's
power, rather than by our own intellect. The words above (Luke 21: 14)
are proven true in the lives of believers who are filled to
overflowing, with the Holy Spirit. Stephen's life is such an example
(as seen below).
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did
great wonders and miracles among the people... them of Cilicia and of
Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the
wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Acts 6: 8-10
Notice, in the verse below, that even Jesus Himself spoke by the Holy Spirit.
"Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles" Acts 1:2
It
must be mentioned that using proper rules of hermeneutics, it is
realized that the prophetic speaking (by the Father, Son, and the Holy
Spirit) is for the 12 apostles, the many disciples of Christ, and for
all believers until the very end of the age. For it is noticed that
even though Jesus was speaking to His apostles and disciples, in the
three verses from Luke and mark; He was speaking to people of all time,
until: "they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great
power and glory." Mk. 13:26
Copyright 2006 - 2007. Peter Kwiatkowski. All rights reserved.