Manifestation Of The Holy Spirit / Part 8

Series – November 2020 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Manifestation Or Marks Of The Holy Spirit Versus Imitation In The Church – Part 8

Miracles In Acts
We will now look at a few points about miracles in Acts as these show the greatness of our Lord Jesus who is now seated at God’s right hand in heaven (Heb. 1:3). From this position He continues the work that He started when on earth (Acts 1:1). He manifests, or displays, His glory and operates by the Holy Spirit in and through His people here.

The table that follows1 provides a list of miracles, signs and wonders worked by the Lord from heaven, as recorded in Acts. It does not include miracles of God’s providence or done by the apostles described elsewhere, such as in 2 Corinthians 6 and 11. This overview amply demonstrates the greatness of our Lord Jesus as manifested in many marvelous ways.

References in Acts Events Briefly Described

1:3-5 Jesus, risen, appeared to the apostles (compare to Lk. 24:24-51).

1:6-9 The Lord Jesus ascended into heaven.

1:10-11 Two angels appeared to the apostles.

2:1-4 The Holy Spirit came on the apostles.

2:4-13 The apostles spoke with other tongues.

3:1-11 Christ, by Peter and John, healed a lame man in the temple.

5:5-10 Ananias and Sapphira died as a judgment.

5:12-16 Many signs and wonders were performed by the apostles.

5:18-20 An angel released the apostles from prison.

6:8 Stephen performed great miracles in Jerusalem.

7:55-56 Stephen saw Jesus at the right hand of God.

8:7 Unclean spirits were cast out of many in Samaria.

8:7,13 Philip performed miracles and signs in Samaria.

8:14-17 The Samaritans received the Holy Spirit.

8:39-40 Philip was caught away by the Holy Spirit.

9:3-7,12 Jesus appeared to Saul twice (see 1 Cor. 9:1, 15:8).

9:10-16 The Lord Jesus appeared to Ananias in Damascus.

9:17-19 Saul's sight was restored in Damascus.

9:32-34 Peter healed Aeneas at Lydda.

9:36-42 Dorcas was restored to life at Joppa.

10:1-8 Cornelius received a vision at Caesarea.

10:9-16;11:5-10 Peter received a vision three times at Joppa.

10:44-48 Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit.

12:7-10 An angel released Peter from prison in Jerusalem.

12:23 The angel of the Lord smote King Herod so he died.

13:8-11 Elymas the sorcerer was blinded on the isle of Cyprus.

14:8-10 Paul healed a lame man at Lystra in Galatia.

16:16-18 Paul cast a demon out of a young woman at Philippi.

16:25-26 Prison doors opened and Paul, Silas and all the prisoner's bands were loosed.

18:9-10 The Lord appeared to Paul at Corinth.

19:6 Believers at Ephesus received the Holy Spirit.

19:11-12 Many unusual signs were performed by Paul in Ephesus.

20:9-12 Eutychus was restored to life at Troas.

22:17-21 Paul saw the Lord in a vision when visiting the temple.

23:10-11 The Lord appeared to Paul when he was a prisoner in Jerusalem.

27:23-24 The angel of God comforted Paul on the ship.

28:3-6 Paul was protected from the viper bite at Melita.

28:7-8 Paul healed the father of Publius at Melita.

God Gave Signs And Wonders To Address Israel
Miracles and signs, including tongues, were given by God to confirm His Word (Mk. 16:17-20). Hebrews 2:3-4 refers to the sign-gifts as something of the past, already history when the epistle was written just before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. They were a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:22) – especially among the Jews, who looked for signs – to make them realize that God’s Word was being preached. With the progression of the testimony in Acts, the number of signs, miracles and wonders gradually diminished.

In studying Acts closely it can be observed that signs and wonders were not intended to be repeated or demanded as something that is mandatory – or to show off. They occurred, for instance, when the gospel was presented for the first time to a new group of people. In fact, Jerusalem is the only place where multiple miracles are recorded.

Scripture presents two main scenarios as to when signs and wonders took place. Most commonly, they are characteristic of the very beginning of a new dispensation. What was done by Moses, Joshua, our Lord, the Twelve and the Seventy – all of whom having been sent only to Israel – fit into this first category. Signs and wonders also occurred as a unique and temporary testimony to warn God’s people of soon-coming judgments, such as the acts of Elijah and Elisha. The past testimony of signs and wonders at the beginning of the Christian era as well as a future testimony after the rapture are specifically meant for Israel.

The completion of the Word of God put an end to special revelations, prophecies and sign gifts, including speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 13:8-10). While we will not discuss 1 Corinthians 12–14 in detail, it is obvious that the gifts of prophecy and revelation were linked to laying the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20) when the Word of God was not yet completed. They should be distinguished from the “prophecies” (1 Cor. 13:8 NKJV) for the edification in the local assembly, which are to continue until the rapture. The Word was completed before the apostles passed from this scene, by which time God had already paused the temporary gifts.2

The New Testament links speaking in tongues to Joel 2 (quoted in Acts 2) and Isaiah 28 (quoted in 1 Cor. 14:21), and shows that it was closely related to Israel. In Jerusalem (Acts 2), Corinth (Acts 18), and Ephesus (Acts 19), the Jews were addressed in tongues other than Hebrew. Thus, God sought their special attention as they heard the Word of their God spoken to them in pagan languages, which was very exceptional. The introduction of believing Gentiles into the Church had taken place, and after the formal closing of the Jewish dispensation3 we read no more about sign-gifts, at least not on behalf of God, during the period of grace.4 After the rapture, God will give signs again still related to Israel by the two witnesses in Jerusalem during the great tribulation (Rev. 11) and at the beginning of the coming millennial reign (Isa. 32:4, 35:5-6; Ps. 103).

Even if we believe that God-given tongues are still possible today – in principle or as an exception – they are not a sign-gift to confirm the message as they were in the beginning. We also affirm that all the relevant Scriptures apply to this matter. In other words, any occurrence of tongues needs to undergo the scrutiny of God’s Word just as everything else. Speaking in tongues is not essential, as some claim, for the life of faith. It should not be forbidden but examined according to God’s Word (1 Cor. 14).

Reasons For God-given Tongues
Acts records the remarkable phenomenon of people speaking in tongues – identifiable languages unknown to the speakers until, at least, the very moment they were needed. The ability to speak in those languages was given by the Lord from heaven through the Spirit. Like the miracles of healing, tongues were special signs given by God to endorse and authenticate His new testimony and to further the spread of the gospel. Four particular occasions warranted this divine intervention of tongues:

1. At the beginning of the church era, God gave His seal of approval through His extraordinary intervention, displaying the unity and blessedness of His new testimony. The Lord was speaking to His earthly people from heaven – although they had rejected Him in His earthly ministry – and did so through foreign languages and other miracles (Acts 2:1-12; Mk. 16:19-20; 1 Cor. 14:21-22).

2. God’s testimony extended to include new believers from Samaria (Acts 8). Whereas the Samaritans had formerly set up a rival temple religion, God’s new family consists of believers of both backgrounds put on an entirely new foundation. The God-given tongues confirmed this new testimony.

3. With the introduction of Gentiles into the church at Caesarea, the Holy Spirit came on them and these believers immediately spoke in tongues, as at Jerusalem (Acts 2), glorifying God. Peter confirmed this as a token of God’s approval (10:44-48).

4. Some of the former disciples of John the Baptist living in Ephesus had not yet heard the gospel of God’s grace. Paul instructed them, just as Prisca and Aquila did with Apollos (Acts 18:25). They accepted Paul’s instructions and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, in whom they now believed. Paul identified with them by laying his hands on them, as they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:5-6; 1 Cor. 12:13). Speaking in tongues, they then prophesied as God’s instruments.

It should be noted that in each of these four cases the order of events and particular details were different. This shows two important points:

• Acts should not be used to doctrinally establish any one of these different sequences of events as the standard for all cases.
• Acts should not be used to state that speaking in tongues is a sign of Spirit baptism and a requirement for all believers.

Paul spoke in foreign languages (1 Cor. 14:18) but never demanded new believers do so. He worked hard so that many might be saved (1 Cor. 9), yet when they were saved he did not tell them that they all should speak in tongues, in contrast to what some teach today.

Today’s Tongues Movement
The issue of speaking in tongues plays an important role in many circles, but it is often linked with one or more erroneous teachings. Bible-believing Christians should not join such popular movements despite their claims of having God-given blessings. Many among the tongues-speakers are true believers and we do not speak out against them, but we encourage all to study God’s Word and apply what it teaches. The following brief outline is provided to try and help answer some questions.

First Corinthians is the only epistle about order in the local church, or assembly. It is also the sole letter that mentions the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. This is not the same as “praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20; Eph. 6:18) or to be equated with the Spirit’s “intercession” (Rom. 8:26). When the Bible refers to “tongues” it refers to known languages. The Greek word glssa is used in the phrase “tongues, as of fire” (Acts 2:3) to indicate the part of the human body needed for speaking. In Revelation 5:9 – “every tribe and tongue and people” – the word “tongue” represents the various populations on the earth with their diverse languages.

Someone may speak in tongues – that is, in foreign languages he has learned – but this is no proof that he is filled with or indwelt by the Holy Spirit, or even a spiritual believer (1 Cor. 1:5, 3:1). By contrast, the gift of tongues is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit that He gives in sovereign grace to some believers in the Assembly, and He works in or through them (12:10,30). As a gift of the Spirit, tongues receives the last place in the order of importance from apostles and downwards (v.28) because its possibility to edify is limited, as can be well seen when studying 1 Corinthians 14.

Tongues may be useful in gospel work and missions, as directed by God. We see, for example, Paul in his travels spoke in foreign languages using this spiritual gift. However, he did not speak in tongues in his home assembly (v.19).

Regarding speaking in tongues or any speaking in public meetings of the local assembly, it is stated that women should be silent (1 Cor. 14:34). This command of God, still valid today, limits speaking in tongues further. Genesis 2–3 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15 indicate the roles God has given to women.5 These passages show that the enemy attacks both God’s order and women, as well as His promise of the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). Regardless of being a man or woman, the Holy Spirit should be given control over one’s emotions.

Unbelievers can do signs (Mt. 7:22; Rev. 13; 2 Th. 2:9; 2 Chr. 18:21; Acts 16:16). The wrong use of speaking in tongues existed already in the days of the apostles, caused by ignorance (1 Cor. 14:38), lack of experience (12:1), spiritual immaturity (2:6-16) or willful abuse (4:19). It was even practiced before the early days of the Church, having been mentioned in writings of Plato and Virgil. Since the 19th century, this phenomenon multiplied. Through it, sadly, true believers may place themselves under wrong influences, just as happened to Peter in a different setting (Mt. 16:21-23). Are we any better than Peter?

Real Languages And Their Interpretation
The tongues spoken at the beginning of the Christian era were real languages that could be understood and translated (Acts 2:1-4). Those who say they speak in tongues often do not know what language they are using or what they are saying. Sometimes they try to justify themselves by claiming that they are speaking in the tongues of angels, which sounds good but nobody can verify. When no interpretation is given, we disobey Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 14. Sometimes even curses are uttered in a language none of those present can understand.

A key passage about praying, singing or speaking in tongues (vv.13-16) refers to men in the public meetings of the local church: the one speaking in tongues must understand what he is saying because he must maintain self-control (v.32), a requirement often neglected. We should never allow ourselves to lose self-control, whether through substances, influences or demonic forces.

When practiced according to biblical requirements, speaking in tongues is a sign from God to warn unbelievers of impending judgment and challenge them to repent and turn to God. Scripture limits the use of tongues in the local gatherings: no more than two or three men, not simultaneously, and with the requirement that an interpretation be given – all must be done for edification (vv.26-28).

In the days of apostolic ministry, God gave signs to confirm His Word when the Church was not yet established in all its diversity and when the revealed Word of God was not yet completed. The destruction of the temple closed the days of the Jewish era, at least for a time (see Rom. 11). With the establishment of the new Christian testimony of believers from among Jews and Gentiles, healings and speaking in tongues as sign-gifts diminished gradually.6

Even though many well-meaning believers are part of the modern-day tongues movement, we should understand the tactics of the Counterfeiter to:

• Keep believers in ignorance and spiritual immaturity (Eph. 4:14);
• Make Christians believe that the same “great things of God” (Acts 2:11 jnd) in the early Church are to be seen today despite our failures and disobedience;
• Boast in man’s abilities, achievements and popular ideas;
• uggest that decline and disobedience does not affect us or cause God’s discipline;
• Sow discord among Christians while trying to create outward unity; and
• Mobilize emotions not controlled by the Spirit of God or His Word.

Speaking in tongues often accompanies wrong doctrines or incorrect practices, including:

• Introducing, defending or propagating erroneous teachings on the person and work of Christ;
• Allowing women to play roles or functions in opposition to what the Word of God teaches;
• Lacking real spiritual growth because of rejecting Paul’s ministry (Col. 1:24–2:7);
• Ignoring doctrinal or moral evil, thereby allowing a mixture of good and evil in many different settings; and
• Using pretentious claims because of pride and disobedience, leading to conflicts and dissensions as at Corinth (1 Cor. 3:3, 4:18, 11:16-18). This was because of a carnal or worldly condition.

The Lord has given His people the ability to understand His thoughts (2:15) if they have the right spiritual attitude (v.6). A believer speaking in tongues while not knowing what he is saying should make sure from which source he receives instructions, influences or directives. James 3 is quite clear about the possibility of two different sources, or fountains (see 1 Cor. 12:1-3; 1 Jn. 4:1-3).

Honor The Lord And His Authority
The instructions in 2 Timothy 2 provide much help for our days. Are we going to be true servants of the Lord? Are we willing to maintain His rights amid the Christian profession where His authority is being rejected more and more – sometimes doctrinally, often in practice – by human arrangements or religious inventions? If we reject His authority or rights we put ourselves under God’s discipline (Gal. 6:7; Rom. 1:24-32). This will have consequences, even of hardening and self-will, because in God’s moral government and discipline He will send a “strong delusion” (2 Th. 2:11 NKJV). This is a solemn principle that applies today, even though it has a future fulfillment. It is our duty to keep His word and not deny His name (Rev. 3:8), so as not to be led astray.

ENDNOTES
1. This table was adapted and enlarged from “Miracles And The Modern Mind: A Defense Of Biblical Miracles” by N. L. Geisler (1992), Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House.
2. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, used two different verbs in the Greek text to differentiate between (1) prophecy and knowledge, which “shall be done away with” at the rapture, and (2) speaking in tongues, of which he says, “they shall cease” (of themselves, middle voice, 1 Cor. 13:8 NKJV). This last verb means “to pause,” because the gift of tongues will function again at the introduction of the millennial reign; but then in the opposite way, as all will speak the same language (Isa. 19:18; Zeph. 3:9). However, before that will happen the different languages are for a sign of soon-coming judgment to Israel, whether in the past (Jer. 5:15) or the future (Isa. 28:11). Paul, in his teachings on speaking in tongues and sign-gifts, applied those warnings to the beginning of the new Christian testimony as an appeal to the Jews that they should listen (1 Cor. 14:21). The fact that God used those tongues was a serious warning to them.
3. Illustrated in Acts 28:25-29 and implemented in the year 70 AD with the destruction of the temple.
4. In His governmental dealings (Gal. 6:7), God will allow the enemy to fool people through an energy of error (2 Th. 2:8-12). However, since the days of the apostles a spirit of error is at work, referred to as “the mystery of iniquity” (v.7 KJV).
5. These matters are important because they challenge our obedience to the Lord Jesus and our submission to His Word. Speaking in tongues, as given by God, does not set aside His decree that women should be silent during public meetings. We desire to respect God’s teachings given through the apostles as recorded in His Word (1 Cor. 1:2). In doing so, we do not belittle true Christians or discriminate against women.
6. Since the foundation by the New Testament apostles and prophets had been laid (see Eph. 2:20). Paul’s ministry completed God’s Word (Col. 1:25) and closed the period in which God was giving new revelations.

By Alfred Bouter

Look for a part 9 of this Series next month.

God has spoken, and we have His Word; but policy is not faith. Reasoning about the things of God, instead of receiving His testimony, is unbelief in activity. Faith knows no written authority but the Word of God, and rests with unquestioning confidence on what He says.

The Scriptures are all-sufficient. They are able to furnish the man of God unto all good works; and with the indwelling and operations of the Holy Spirit, he is enabled to pursue his way in peace amid all the confusion and strife of Christendom. The faithful keep His Word and do not deny His name. —H. H. Snell