Speaking with tongues was given only to some, whereas every Christian has the Holy Spirit dwelling in him (Rom. 8:9; John 7:39). The Christian has believed the gospel of his salvation, and has the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. He does not pray for the Spirit; he prays by the Spirit (Rom. 8:26). He says, "Abba, Father" by the Spirit (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6).
In Acts 2 The converts did not speak with tongues, nor in Acts 8. It was the preachers that spoke with tongues, so that all could hear in their own tongue the wonderful works of God.
In Acts 10:44 the Gentile converts spoke with tongues, and magnified God, so that the Jewish prejudice was overcome, and Peter, who had the keys of the Kingdom, commanded in the Name of the Lord that they should be baptized into the assembly on earth.
In Acts 19, Paul found some twelve disciples of John the Baptist who had never learned that the Holy Spirit had come down to dwell in the assembly. He told them of Christ Jesus, and baptized them in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and laid his hands on them; then the Holy Ghost came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Among all the many conversions narrated in the Acts, these are the only three eases of speaking with tongues, and in each case what they said was fully understood.
Miracles, gifts of healing, speaking with tongues, have all passed away as no more needed. There is no gospel of healing. There are thousands of sick Christians, and no promise in the Word that they were to believe to be healed. We have all seen answers to our prayers in some eases for our dear sick ones, but not always, as Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Trophimus, and others (see 1 Cor. 11:30; 1 John 5). The Christian's blessings are heavenly; he has many mercies here as well.
What is called speaking with tongues in this day is against all Scripture, and the influence under which those who have willingly given themselves up to, is not of the Spirit of God.
Satan has always imitated what God does; he used the magicians to withstand Moses; he set up false gods to worship, so that he could keep men away from the true God. God sent prophets; Satan sent false prophets. God sowed wheat; Satan sowed tares-imitation wheat (Matt. 13). God has wise virgins; Satan has foolish ones (Matt. 25). The Lord sent apostles and prophets; Satan does so also (see Matt. 7:22; 2 Cor. 11:13; 2 Peter 2:1; Rev. 2:2).
He now imitates Christ's miracles. We see them wrought by the enemies of God so-called Christian Science, priests and faith healers. Compare Acts 2:22 for the Lord's miracles, and 2 Thess. 2:9 for Satan's. In the future day he has his trinity also. The beast, the false prophet and the dragon, and lots of miracles then (Rev. 13:12-14; 16:13, 14).
The Lord's coming is near; Satan's miracles are showing themselves, and the poor world is more and more blinded (1 Tim. 4:1, 2; 2 Tim. 3:1-13), and now we would earnestly entreat any dear child of God, who is entangled in any of these snares, and has given himself up to this influence to be led, that he turn to the Lord Jesus, and ask Him to deliver him from what is not of Himself; from what is ruining the souls of so many. It is not the influence of the Spirit of God; it is not what is in the Word of God.
Dear blinded one, look to the Lord Jesus; He alone can set you free. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
A Christian wife, in the presence of her husband, said to the writer of this, "My husband's prayers do me no good now. When we go on our knees, this influence comes on him, then I do not understand what he says." When asked if he understood what he was saying, he replied to this effect:
“No, but a man said that I might be praying for some one in a foreign country who speaks that language.”
How sad it is that dear children of God should be so deluded, and the praise and adoration of His dear saints hindered from going up to God who delights to hear His Son well spoken of.
Our only path of safety is in keeping humble before the Lord, and looking to Him to keep us true to His Word and Name.
(Continued from page 16)