Truth Magazine

By Larry Ray Hafley

Question:

From Hawaii: `All the teaching I have heard concerning speaking in tongues seems to be that the apostles were given this gift to spread the gospel. If the tongues were languages in every instance, why were interpreters needed? If the tongue had to be interpreted why did not the apostles just speak in the language necessary? “

Reply:

By Way Of Introduction

First, the apostles (but not the apostles only) were given the ability to speak in tongues in order “to spread the gospel.” At least, that seems a fair implication from the events of Acts 2. Second, where the gift of tongues was employed and the hearers did not understand, interpreters were required, “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church” (1 Cor. 14:28). As far as the record reveals, the apostles never spoke so as to necessitate an interpretation, but those on whom the apostles laid hands did so speak. Hopefully, this shall be clear from what follows.

Those Who Spoke In Tongues

The apostles were given the ability to speak in tongues or languages they had never learned (Acts 2:4, 6, 8, 11). Paul, an apostle, spoke “with tongues” (1 Cor. 14:18), but this ability was not restricted to the apostles as our querist’s remarks seem to imply. The gift was conferred to others by the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:18; 19:6; 1 Cor. 14). There are no apostles today. Consequently, none today speak in tongues by the power of the Spirit as they did then.

“What about Cornelius?” someone asks. His was an extraordinary case. His was an exception, if you will, that sustains the general rule. Cornelius spoke in languages. He was not an apostle, nor had apostolic hands been laid upon him. However, the gift of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius’ household fell “as” it had upon the apostles “at the beginning.” The purpose was specific, definitive. It occurred one time for all time. It is never to be repeated or duplicated (Acts 10:47, 48; 11:18; 15:7-11, 14-18).

Again, tongues speakers, those who spoke languages they had never learned or studied, were limited to the apostles and those upon whom the apostles laid their hands (Acts 2:4-11; 8:18; 19:6; 1 Cor. 14).

“The Language Necessary”

Unwittingly, our querist has made the assumption that the apostles did not speak “in the language necessary,” that is, the language of the hearer. Can one find a passage where an apostle ever spoke a language the hearer could not understand? When the apostles spoke in tongues, they always spoke the language of the hearer. “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding (that is, being understood by my audience-LRH), that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1 Cor. 14:19).

But if the Corinthians, or anyone with the gift of tongues, exercised their gift where the audience did not understand the language, an interpretation was required, else they were to “keep silence in the church” (1 Cor. 14:28).

Now, our questioner might rephrase his inquiry thusly: “If the tongue had to be interpreted, why did not the Corinthians just speak in the language necessary?” Because tongues were for a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:22), one need not speak the language of the hearer; however, there had to be an interpreter for the exercised gift to be a sign or indicator. The Corinthians were speaking in languages which were not understood, nor were they being interpreted. It was confusion!

Paul’s argument is that they were misusing their gift of tongues by speaking without understanding or comprehension on the part of their hearers. He says that all such utterance is without profit, speaking “into the air,” barbaric, unfruitful, void of edification, and madness (1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11, 14, 17, 23). If there be not interpretation of the tongue, if none comprehend, then “keep silence.”

Consider A “For Instance”

For example, if a Corinthian could speak “in the speech (language) of Lycaonia,” he was to keep silence, “except he interpret.” What use was it to speak “ten thousand words in” a language no one understood? “It is pointless,” argues Paul in effect. This gift was given “for a sign” to unbelievers. So, why display it when it is of no benefit or profit? Why use it when none understand it? If no Lycaonians are present, or if there be no interpreter, “keep silence in the church.” The tongue was a sign to the unbeliever. One did not have to speak Lycaonian to see the miracle, but it failed its purpose if there was no interpretation. With interpretation, it could properly be used as a sign to the unbeliever. That is why the Corinthian did not “just speak in the language necessary.”

Truth Magazine XIX: 52, p. 818
November 13, 1975

By Larry Ray Hafley

It is surprising how many denominational commentators will freely, openly and casually set forth the truth of the Bible which contradicts the teaching of the denomination with which they are affiliated and associated. Certain ones state the New Testament preaching and practice with such emphasis and clarity that it seems hard to imagine they were members of a human church which just as clearly and emphatically contradicted the very word of God. But they were. The quotation below is by Augustus H. Strong. Mr. Strong was a scholar of note and renown. He was, at the time of this quotation, President Emeritus of the Rochester Theological Seminary. His religious credentials are impressive.

Concerning the organization of the local congregation, Mr. Strong, in reference to Philippians 1:1, said:

“In the very first verse you have recognized an organization of the Christian church that is noteworthy. He writes to those who recognize Christ, to the saints in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons; i.e., with the overseers and deacons. Only two orders are recognized, only two sorts of officers in the Christian church. First the pastors, or overseers, of the flock, and then the deacons of the church; and I suppose we have here the outline of church organization in the apostolic time. We do not anywhere find that there are more than these two ranks, or officers, in the Christian church” (A. H. Strong, Popular Lectures on the Books of the New Testament, pp. 242, 243).

By the term “Christian church,” Mr. Strong did not have reference to the modern day denomination known by that name. He simply meant the church of the Lord, the New Testament church. His comment is as plain as it is truthful. What a shame that the simple organization of local churches is not followed as faithfully as it is set forth!

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, p. 814
November 6, 1975

By Roy E. Cogdill

Men have as much right to alter the Word of God as to remodel and redesign the structure or function of the church of God. The same prerogative that grants to man the right to do one justifies the other, also. But such right does not exist and to exercise it is to bring upon one’s self the anathema of Almighty God. Man has no right to change God’s Word and he has no right to lay his unholy hands upon the church to change it in any way. God designed it from eternity (Eph. 3:10-11). Jesus built it after the divine pattern, upon the divinely laid foundation (Matt. 16:18-20). The Holy Spirit dwells in it to give it life, strength, power and vitality (Eph. 2:19-22). It is in this body, designed by the wisdom and will of Almighty God, sent from heaven and established upon this earth by the Lord Jesus Christ, and directed by the Holy Spirit that God is to be glorified (Eph. 3:21). But this cannot be done by altering the divine pattern for the church any more than it can be done by changing the message of His Word. When men do one, they signify thereby that they would not hesitate to do the other, if they thought it would be accepted by those with whom they are in fellowship. After all, a human creed is no worse than a human organization or a human program or work and worship! Why should it be so regarded? The same passage that teaches one God, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, also teaches one body (Eph. 4:4-6)!

We have pointed out the divine organization of the Lord’s Church as it is revealed in the New Testament. The one and only organization known to New Testament scriptures is the local church! We challenge any one to produce another. There was nothing larger, smaller, or other than the local church. Through it, all of the Lord’s work was carried on by the people of God. When that organization began to be altered by the wisdom and unbelief of fallible men, apostasy ensued and out of that apostasy, human creeds and human denominational organizations grew. It is even so today!

The “Rule” of the Elders

Over each one of these local churches, God appointed that elders should “rule” or have the superintendence and oversight as bishops. This rule was not by their own authority, residual either in them as men, or in the “office” or work to which they had been appointed, but in the execution of the will of the Lord, the head over all things to the church which is his body, and therefore by his authority. It was not a delegated authority that made them “lords” over the churches. From the exercise of their own will, using the “office” to have their own way and follow their own judgment, they were precluded. A self-willed man is not qualified to be an elder (Titus 1:7). Neither did their position of responsibility give them license to act as “lords” over the heritage of God (the church). The sovereignty belongs to the Lord and everything anyone does in the church of the Lord must be done by his authority (1 Pet. 5:1-5; Eph. 1:21-23).

One extreme among brethren today, concerning the eldership, is the idea that elders, or bishops, constitute a sort of hierarchy that is almost, if not quite, infallible and that these men who have the God appointed rule have the right to determine truth for us all, lay down a prescribed rule by which we are to live, and steer the church on a course of activity from which none have the scriptural right to dissent. The common conception along this line, which is used to excuse fellowship or participation in something admittedly without Bible authority in the activity of the church, is that when the elders decide upon a course of action, right or wrong, every member must be in subjection to them and no one has the right to refuse to follow them in such a course. The infallibility claimed for the Roman Catholic Hierarchy in their “interpretation of the scriptures” and in the authority exercised by them, even to the claim to be able to forgive sins, is no more absolute than that. The Bible teaches that we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). This applies to any kind of authority, governmental, parental, marital, or congregational. The individual that is willing to violate his conscience by fellowshipping what is not in harmony with the teaching of the Lord, just because the elders think it is all right, or for any other reason, is untrue to the Lord and disobedient to his obligation to recognize the Lord as the one and only sovereign of his heart and life.

Concerning elders Paul wrote, 1 Tim. 5:17-20, “Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” This injunction was delivered to a Gospel preacher and was not idle instruction. A preacher that will not dissent and refuse to go along, even with the elders under whom he labors, as well as any others, when they depart from that which is according to truth is a time-server and man pleaser, a hireling and unworthy of Christian fellowship. Every Christian has an obligation to determine what the truth is by his own study of the Word of God and honor it above all else. Elders, if there is any difference at all, are charged with special duty to follow strictly the will of the Lord and watch against any departure therefrom, either in theory or practice (Acts 20:28-32).

That there is wide spread abuse of the eldership along this and many other lines is apparent to all who are in any wise acquainted with the true facts. Sometimes elders are jealous of their “authority” and will not take anyone, preacher, deacon, teacher, or member into their counsel, seeking their advice and help in settling even matters of judgment and expediency. They feel called upon to make every decision without considering or consulting those over whom they “rule.” This is very unwise and will eventually breed rebellion. If a father of the family should feel that it is his right and obligation to make every decision without the advice, counsel, or without even consulting the wishes and preferences of the members of the family, he will breed rebellion. Members, who are properly taught, know how to give their advice, counsel and help in such matters without trespassing upon the duty and responsibility of the elders. Elders who are competent to be recognized as elders should and will know how to keep in constant touch with the members under their supervision without either yielding their responsibility or without being “lords” and oppressive in the exercise of their duty to “rule.”

The other extreme is the presently agitated theory among some, even of the “sound brethren,” that elders have no “oversight” and cannot rightly rule except by teaching and example. There must be the right to “exercise the oversight,” “to tend,” “to take heed,” “to watch,” not by teaching of example only, but in admonition, restraint, discipline, and direction. Upon the elders this responsibility has been made to rest and their obligation to discharge it must be honored not only by them “for they must give an account unto God” for the souls over whom they watch; but it must be honored by those under their “watch,” “oversight” or “tending” by recognizing the subjection that is due them. To disrespect this or try to discredit it is not in harmony with divine authority any more than altering the government of God’s Church by enlarging their authority and jurisdiction. One is as much a departure as the other and both are spiritual anarchy against the God-given government in His church.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 812-813
November 6, 1975

By Austin Mobley

In Proverbs four we see the earnestness and tenderness of the father’s instructions and entreaties as he urges his son to ever keep before his eyes and in his heart the word of God. The great physical blessings of life and health are promised if the son will follow the father’s good teachings throughout life (Prov. 4:10).

This sage advice is also good for both young and old today (Rom. 15:4). It pleased God to have Solomon lay out a course that will not only enhance our physical welfare, but our spiritual lives as well, if we will give diligent heed to the words of the wise monarch. Here is the prescription for “health” in Proverbs 4:20-27.

An Inclined Ear

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart” (Verses 20-21).

An inclined ear is one that hears and obeys. We are blessed as long as we lend a listening ear to the commands of God, and then do our best to practice everything that will make us “. . . strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10-18). But it does little good merely to hear the sayings of Jesus and do them not (Matt. 7:21-27). We deceive ourselves when we hear only. The man is blessed when he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word (Jas. 1:21-25). Even a good seed planted in the soil will bear no fruit until it becomes active. It is not enough to hear a lesson taught or a sermon preached, we must put the lesson into practice. While a man is standing before a mirror he is seeing himself in reflection, but if something is out of order it will not change until he does something about it. Likewise, when one reads the Bible he is seeing his duties portrayed, but must do them to receive the blessings promised.

A Guarded Heart

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Verse 23).

Hearts should be guarded as a man guards a treasure placed in a bank vault for safe keeping. The heart is here pictured as an active fountain, from which flows the issues of life. As physical health depends upon the action of the physical heart, even so spiritual health depends upon the spiritual heart. The heart is hard to manage and often gets us into trouble because we let down our guard. When this happens evil enters, and that which enters the heart will eventually find its way out (Prov. 23:7). “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19). That is quite an evil potential. Few hearts are free from bitterness, anger, covetousness, hypocrisy and evil surmisings, so the heart must be guarded.

Controlled Mouth

“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee” (Verse 24).

A “froward mouth” is one that issues fraudulent deceitful speech; that which twists, distorts, perverts, or misrepresents the truth. Our speech is but an index of our mind. Now the tongue is hard to control. Most of the third chapter of James is devoted to instructions concerning the use, and misuse of the tongue. Small as it is, it is capable of controlling the rest of the body. With it we say “Yes” or “No” to the temptations of Satan. With it we help or hurt friends and loved ones. With it we speak the truth or lie. With it we teach the word of God or the doctrines of men. With it we bless God or curse men. It is true that no man can tame the tongue (Jas. 3:8), but he can control it. The black panther can never be tamed, but he can be controlled.

Single Eyes

“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee” (Verse 25).

A favorite expression among young people today is, “Right on,” meaning that which has their approval. God wants our eyes to be “right on” heaven. We cannot serve two masters, keeping one eye on the pleasures of the world and the other on the glories of heaven. There is but one way for the Christian to look-toward his Christ! Thus we “seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). When we take our eyes off the strait and narrow way, we veer into the ditch of condemnation.

Established Feet

“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil” (Verses 26-27).

A pondered path is one that is carefully thought out. Before obeying the gospel of Christ one should first sit down and count the cost (Lk. 14:28). The road is narrow, sometimes rough, and long. It will take much courage and perseverance to reach the end. Pondering well our next step will prevent many a heartache and keep us from making shipwreck of our faith. A little pondering over Matt. 19:9 would stop any God-fearing person from entering into a marriage contract that involved an unscriptural divorce. Pondering over 1 Cor. 15:33 should cause Christians to be selective of the company they keep.

There are no short-cuts to heaven; once we have begun to travel there is but one way to go-ON! If one is not allowed to turn to the left or the right, his way is mapped out for him. The great tragedy of religion is the fact that so many do not want to remain within the limits of divine authority. So many prefer to turn to the left or to the right and see what men have to say rather than accept the authority of Christ.

Conclusion

Suppose for a moment that God would place in your hands a massive, priceless diamond, then ask you to inscribe some brief sentence upon it which would be read at the judgment. What caution you would exercise in the wording of that sentence! But He has placed in your hands something far more precious than diamonds; your soul. Guard it well by heeding this advice of Solomon.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 811-812
November 6, 1975