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The Evil Function of The Trinity, Part 4

 [Study Aired June 14, 2026]

I closed our last study with the promise to read the question you posed about how Christ could be in all of his creatures if He were a created being. Here is your question:

I concluded that study with these two verses:

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I have no doubt that you are seeking to know what scripture teaches us concerning the Godhead. I do not think for one moment you want to argue. Therefore, I am taking the time to show you the scriptures which explain how Christ can be within me here in the United States while also being within His children in Australia and all over the globe.

I, too, “merely want to know the Truth.” Though we may not see everything alike, we will agree that we must ‘try the spirits’ but not with either my writings or Andrew Jukes’ or William Law’s writings. We ‘try the spirits’ with the Word of God and the Truth, both of which are titles given to Christ:

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

I am not intending to cast Mr. Law in a bad light, but Christ’s explanation of the Holy Spirit is better than Mr. Law’s. So, we will examine what “the sum” of the scriptures themselves teach “line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (Isa 28:9-13), and we will compare the scriptures with the writings of William Law:

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever. (ASV)

Isa 28:9  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Failing to apply these two sections of scripture to help us understand the Bible has contributed heavily to producing the over 40,000 conflicting Christian denominations. We will seek not ‘some of thy word’, but “the sum of Thy Word” concerning the Godhead and how Christ, being a created being, can still live His  life within each of us:

Let’s begin our study with a few verses in which Christ calls the holy spirit “the spirit of Truth” and He tells us that the Father has given to Him “all things”, including the spirit of Truth:

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Joh 16:15  All things [even God’s Spirit] that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The nine times the pronoun, ‘he’ appears in John 16:13-15, they are referring back to the ‘parakletos’, the “comforter” mentioned previously in verses 7-8:

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [G3875: ‘parakletos’] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

I don’t understand why you think that if Christ is a created being that He is therefore “[un]able to dwell in all of His creatures.” Are you saying that if Christ is truly “the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev 3:14) that therefore Christ cannot make the claim that “All things that the Father hath are mine?” Is that not the equivalent of saying ‘If Christ is a created being, then it is not possible for Him to create anything?’ It is Paul who, inspired by the holy spirit, said in 1 Corinthians 11 that “as the woman is of the man, even so is the man by the woman.” Paul is explaining “the Godhead… by the things that are made.”

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [“The head of Christ is God”]

According to the apostle Paul, who is writing under the inspiration of the holy spirit, our relationship to Christ parallels Christ’s relationship with The Father.

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1Co 11:8  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:12  For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

Christ is called “the everlasting Father” in:

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Finally, you paraphrase what I said about 1 Corinthians 11:

Certainly I forgive you. I simply pointed out that if there is any Truth to what Paul tells us about how to understand the Godhead by the things that are made (Rom 1:20), then there can be no truth to the trinity doctrine because Paul tells us that even now, long after Christ’s resurrection, that to understand His eternal power and Godhead, we must understand and believe that “the Head of Christ is God” just as “the head of the woman is the man”.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

1Co 11:11  Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Co 11:12  For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

“The head of Christ is God… but all things of God” accords with Paul’s doctrine concerning the Godhead in:

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and [besides this “one God, the Father” there is also] one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

That is how the scriptures teach us to understand the Godhead. 1 Corinthians 11:12 tells us that all men come “by the woman; but all things of God.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 tells us that ‘all things are by Christ but of the Father.’

“The things that are made” which make the Godhead to be “clearly seen” are revealed to be the “head of the woman is the man and the head of Christ is God”. Since the Father created all things by Christ and is the head of Christ that signifies Christ as the wife of the Father.

Here Paul has two chances to explain the Godhead to us, and in neither case does he so much as hint at a third “equal but separate person of the Godhead.” Those are not scriptural words, and that certainly is not a scriptural phrase!

God the Father could never “empty Himself” of His divinity and come down into this death realm of physical existence to die for the sins of the world. However, being a created being, Christ could and did do just that:

Php 2:6  who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God something to seize and hold.
Php 2:7  But he emptied himself, having taken a form of a bondman, having become in a likeness of men.
Php 2:8  And having been found in a form like a man, he lowered himself, having become obedient until death, even of death from a cross.
Php 2:9  Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name,
Php 2:10  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the heavenly, and the earthly, and the sub-earthly, (ACV)

Here is yet another opportunity Paul had to emphasize the triune Godhead and once again he fails to do so simply because the word ‘trinity’ and the false doctrine of a triune God made up of three separate but equal persons is not to be found in the scriptures.

We are told that Christ was conceived “of the holy spirit” yet Christ never once claimed the holy spirit as His Father. Instead Christ is referred to as “the Son of God”:

Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman [sinful flesh], made under the law [the “church in the wilderness”]

So when Paul tells us that Christ was “made to be sin for us …”

2Co 5:21  Him who knew not sin he has made sin for us, that *we* might become God’s righteousness in him. (Darby)

…He is not talking about Christ being crucified; he is referring to Christ being made flesh. According to the law of the offerings, we are sin simply by virtue of our birth in Adamic flesh.

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Getting back to the purpose for marriage as it relates to our understanding of the Godhead, do you think I am misunderstanding Paul? Here are his own words concerning the lessons of married life:

Eph 5:22  Wives [husbands], submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

I dare say that even Mr. Law would be hard pressed to show how the trinity is typical of a married couple!

While I respect Mr. Law, I cannot concede that 1+1=3.

To me “there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things [including the one Lord] and one Lord, Jesus Christ by whom are all things [just as all men come into this world by a woman].

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

You say:

I could not agree more. As I said before I don’t see what Christ being created has to do with this.

Here is how Christ intends to use His created ‘Wife:’

Eph 2:6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;
Eph 3:10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: [not ‘out of light into darkness back into light’, as the false doctrine of ‘the fall of man’ teaches]

Psa 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel, he giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

If Christ can do all this for those who come out of Him, why could not God do the same for that which we are told “proceeded out from the Father” and is “the beginning of the creation of God?” (Rev 3:14)

Joh 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

The One who sends is always greater than the one who is sent, and that is exactly what Christ tells us is true of His Head, His Father:

Joh 14:28  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

In traditional Trinitarian theology, this statement is interpreted “as referring to functional subordination and positional humility during Jesus’ earthly ministry, rather than a difference in divine nature or essence.”

Traditional trinitarian theology is proven to be unscriptural because, as we have quoted several times already in this study, the scriptures declare that the Father is still head of Christ even now. I will quote that verse again:

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

It is Christ Himself who informs us that He is the first thing His Father created, and then through Christ the Father created everything that exists:

Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Joh 1:3  All things were made by [G1223: ‘dia’, through] him [Christ]; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by [G1223, ‘dia’, through] whom are all things, and we by [G1223: ‘dia’, through] him.

I apologize for the length of this e- mail. I hope I have expressed my thoughts in a spirit that has not offended you.

Your brother in Christ,

Mike

 

]]> The Evil Function of The Doctrine of The Trinity – Part 3 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-evil-function-of-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-part-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-evil-function-of-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-part-3 Sun, 07 Jun 2026 04:54:47 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36292 [Click here for part 2.]

The Evil Function of The Doctrine of The Trinity – Part 3

[Study Aired June 7, 2026]

We paused our last study quoting this inspired verse of scripture:

Joh 4:24  God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

I left off the indefinite article ‘a’ because it does not appear in the original Greek. God is not “A” spirit. God IS SPIRIT. It is in His spirit that all things in heaven and on earth live and move and have their being:

Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

God did not create the universe out of nothing. All things consist in His spirit:

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds [G165: ages] were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

It has been the ‘good pleasure’ of the Father to give all that He has to the Son.

1Co 15:27  For he [the Father] hath put all things under his [the Son’s] feet. But when he [the Father] saith all things are put under him [the Son], it is manifest that he [the Father] is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him [the Son], then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [the Father] that put all things under him, that God [the Father] may be all in all.

This “all things under His feet” is cited from Psalms :

Psa 8:6  Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

Paul, without explanation, applies this verse of the Psalms to Christ, but read this verse in its context:

Psa 8:4  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man [H120, ‘adam’], that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5  For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Psa 8:6  Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

Paul takes a verse of scripture that talks of “man”, ‘adam’, and applies it to Christ. All the writers of the New Testament do this without explanation. To understand this principle used by every writer of the New Testament read ‘Rightly Dividing  The Word.’

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/rightly-dividing-the-word/

You said that you had understood me to say that Christ is the holy spirit. I did not say “Christ is the Holy Spirit,” as you say. I quote 1 John 2:1, which says Christ is the ‘Parakleetos.’  I do not say that. John says that. All I do is point that out. Here is what I did say:

“If the Holy Ghost, the hagios pneuma, “which is the Comforter” (Joh 14:26), the parakleetos, is really Christ in us, then there should be a scripture that calls Christ the parakleetos. It so happens that there is just such a scripture. You would never know it by simply reading your King James Bible, or for that matter, using your Strong’s concordance which is keyed to our King James English. If one uses Strong’s, searching the English word, ‘comforter’, one will see the four places where parakleetos appears in John chapters 14, 15 and 16:

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter [G3875: ‘parakletos], that he may abide with you for ever;

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter [G3875: ‘parakletos], which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Joh 15:26  But when the Comforter [G3875: ‘parakletos] is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [G3875: ‘parakletos] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

These scriptures certainly reveal the parakleetos “is the holy spirit” (Joh 14:26), as we have shown. These verses do not say that the parakletos is Jesus Christ. You would need to use an Englishman’s Greek Concordance (Wigram’s) or America’s Online Bible to find the only other appearance of this Greek word in all of the scriptures. It’s not translated Comforter there. This inconsistency in translation has kept the Truth of how Christ lives within us hidden from many for the past two millennia. Remember as you read this that, according to John 14:26, The Comforter (parakleetos )…is the Holy Ghost… The scripture before us is the First Epistle of John, chapter two verse one. “My little children, these things I write unto you that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (parakleetos – not even capitalized here in the KJV) with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous: There it is once again stated straight out. “Jesus Christ the righteous” is the parakleetos, “the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost” (Joh 14:26).” (End Quote)

I can see how the first sentence of this paragraph could be construed to say that I said that Christ is the Holy Spirit. To do so is the same thing as accusing Christ of claiming to be God the Father just because He claimed to be the Son of God and therefore “equal with God”. Christ’s ‘equality’ with God is signified by Joseph’s ‘equality’ with Pharaoh. All Egypt, signifying all the world, was required to bow the knee to Joseph, as if he were Pharaoh:

Gen 41:39  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
Gen 41:40  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
Gen 41:41  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

That is exactly what our “one God the Father, of whom are all things” has done with Christ:

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

I point out in the Trinity article that Christ never claimed to be the son of the Holy Spirit in spite of the fact that we are told that he was conceived “of the Holy Spirit.”

Mat 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Luk 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The reason Christ never claimed to be the son of the holy spirit is because of what this next verse reveals:

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The holy spirit is not a person. It is “the holy spirit of God… the Father of whom are all things”:

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

You will hear very few sermons which include this verse of scripture simply because it denies the false doctrine of a triune Godhead. It doesn’t even mention the ‘holy spirit’.

You make this statement below:

Paul tells us what ‘man’s soul’ generates:

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Adam was not created as “a quickening [Greek: ‘life giving’] spirit”. Christ tells us that if He does not die, the holy spirit cannot come:

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

There it is. The first Adam was made a living soul, but the last Adam was made a ‘quickening spirit’. According to this formula, a ‘living soul’ is nothing more than “the body of this death.” “Dying thou dost die” (Gen 2:17 Young’s Literal Translation).

Eze 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Paul tells us that the church at Corinth was:

1Co 1:2   … sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Yet in his next breath he tells us that they are “yet carnal.”

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

In four verses Paul tells these Corinthian Christians that they are carnal four times. What does he tell us about being carnally minded?

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Christ, on the other hand, is the ‘tree of life:’

Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Adam never partook of the ‘tree of life,’ and yet the self-contradicting doctrine of the ‘fall of man’ teaches us that Adam already possessed eternal life and an immortal soul, and then because of another false doctrine called ‘free moral agency,’ Adam, who we are told could have obeyed God ‘of his own free will,’ chose instead to rebel against God and eat of the forbidden fruit. Such doctrine would have you to believe that because God asked Adam “Where are you?” that God did this because He didn’t have a clue where Adam was.

Of course this was not the case. God knew exactly where Adam was. The fact that God told Adam not to eat of the forbidden fruit does not mean that He did not know what Adam was going to do. He did know exactly what Adam was going to do. He had already prepared the sacrifice for the sin that He already knew Adam was about to commit.

God even knew exactly how many hairs were on Adam’s head. While every minister claiming to speak for Christ admits to this scriptural fact, they deny that He would ever dare to know what thoughts were in that head. What utter foolishness! God is not telling us that He knows how many hairs are on our heads so that we will know that He knows how many hairs are on our heads. He tells us this fact so that we will be aware of His omniscience of all things, especially the thoughts in our heads:

Psa 94:11  The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Psa 139:2  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psa 139:3  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Psa 139:4  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, [Even] the days that were ordained [for me], When as yet there was none of them. (ASV)

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man [man’s thoughts], and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Mat 12:25  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

How does God know that the thoughts of man are vanity?

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made [right from the hand of the Creator] subject to vanity, not willingly [not by choice], but by reason of him [God, not by Adam’s fabled ‘free will’] who subjected the same in hope.

Anyone who knows that something evil is about to happen and does nothing to prevent that evil, is as responsible for that evil as the person who commits the evil. But God not only doesn’t prevent the evil, He creates it!

Isa 45:6  That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Notice the similarities between what Joseph tells his brothers about their evil deed against him, and what Paul tells us here about the “mystery of [God’s] will” in Ephesians 1:10-11.

Gen. 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things [meaning all men] in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

You ask this question:

I will conclude this study with these two verses where Christ promised that He would never leave nor forsake us:

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you I, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

In our next study we will see how it is possible for Christ to keep that promise.

[Click here for part 4.]

]]> What is a Believer? https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/what-is-a-believer-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-a-believer-2 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:55:21 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36282 What is a Believer?

[18 years ago – Updated June 4, 2026]

Hi C___,

It is so good to hear from you! You are right about me not calling Andrew Jukes “a blasphemous heretic”. The first two martyrs, Stephen and James the brother of John, both lived under the law of Moses, keeping the holy days and tithing to the Levites and offering blood offerings until the day they died, but I believe they will be in the first resurrection simply because they had not yet been given to understand that “the law is not of faith”:

Gal 3:11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Gal 3:22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Christ made it clear that He would judge us based upon the understanding He has given us:

Luk 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luk 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Christ told the disciples the night of His apprehension by the Jews that He had “many things” to tell them which they could not yet receive:

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

The first two martyrs, Stephen and James, did not yet know they could “eat all things [and] esteem every day alike” (Rom 14: 1-5), yet I have no doubt they will come up in the first resurrection. So I will also leave the judgment of men like Andrew Jukes and Michael Servetus up to Christ.

You ask me about what a believer is:

No one but Christ, who is The Truth (Joh 14:6), has ever had ‘all the truth.’ Believers are the ‘many called’ carnal ‘babes in Christ’, but ‘disciples indeed’ are the few who are “chosen” out of the “many called”. God’s Word is far too deep for anyone to ‘know all the truth’ in a life that “appears for a moment, then vanishes away.”

Jas 4:14  Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I learn more of God’s Truth with every single Bible study. I can truly say that the more I learn, the more it appears to me there is yet more to be learned.

Paul’s words against being “unequally yoked together” had to do with entering into contracts with unbelievers, whether that contract is a financial or a marriage contract.

Your contract to provide for your children is with God and not with your sons, so as you admit, you have no control over their choices of conscience, and all you can do is what you are doing to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord:

Eph 6:4  And, ye fathers [and mothers], provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

On this subject of being unequally yoked together with unbelievers we need to remember that the sum of God’s Word is truth:

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever. (ASV)

Let’s look at the verses to which you are alluding:

2Co 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

What I am getting at is the fact that the people who killed Jesus were “Jews that believed on Him.”

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,  then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:37  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Joh 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Joh 8:40  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
Joh 8:41  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, [even] God.
Joh 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Joh 8:44  Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Do you see where Christ says “I know you are Abraham’s seed…” and then turns right around and says “If you were Abraham’s seed…?” What Christ is telling us is that there is a vast difference between being a disciple and a “disciple indeed.” There is a world of difference between a “carnal… babe in Christ,” and a “spiritual… son of God.” There is a huge “gulf between… believing on Him [and] continuing in [His] Word”:

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Christ is showing us just how sharply the carnal mind contrasts with and contradicts the mind of the spirit. ‘You are Abraham’s physical children, but you are not Abraham’s children spiritually’ if you are not abiding in the words of Christ.

Because I see these things, I am accused of “believing in contradictions,” but the true contradictors are those who “do not understand my speech… Why do [they] not understand my speech? even because you cannot understand my word.”

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear [understand] my word.

Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Any ambivalence will have been burned out of anyone who is in the first resurrection. Christ knows very well whether my wife Sandi means more to me than He does, and if she does, then I will not be in that “blessed and holy first resurrection.” Christ was crystal clear about the requirements of that resurrection:

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Pro 8:17  I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

All of that is condensed into this one verse:

Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

So it really doesn’t matter what anyone thinks but God. God knows your heart, and He will play second fiddle to no one.

I am a married man, and I have women friends. I hope that you are one of them. A Christian who not only calls Christ ‘Lord, Lord,’ but who actually does “do all of His commandments” is the best friend anyone could ever have. Christ was Mary’s best friend in the world, and yet there was nothing wrong with that friendship at all. He was certainly a very good friend in need to the woman caught in the very act of adultery.

The way these hypocritical Jews brought that poor woman to be stoned without the man who was caught with her “in the very act,” brings me to your question about the concubine and her husband in Judges 19.

Jdg 19:29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, [together] with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

Just look at the state of the whole nation of Israel in that story. The husband of that concubine was a Levite; not a priest, but a Levite. I hope you have read the study:

The Camp, the Court and the Tabernacle of Israel

 The Levites represent our spiritual condition in Babylon. While in Babylon we actually bear the things of the tabernacle, but at that point in our walk we are not allowed into the holy place where the sons of Aaron are actually allowed into God’s presence.

So we are told this man was a Levite, close to being a priest, but not a priest, and not allowed to come into God’s presence upon pain of death. You are exactly right! That Levite should have laid his life down for his wife. Instead, he turned her over to be slain by the Israelites of Gibeah.

This Levite signifies Babylon which believes on Christ but cannot receive His Words and instead want Christ dead:

Joh 8:30  As he spake these things, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31  Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples;
Joh 8:32  and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33  They answered unto him, We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.
Joh 8:35  And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever.
Joh 8:36  If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37  I know that ye are Abraham’s seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you. (ASV)

That ‘concubine’ was a ‘concubine’ simply because that is the way we treat Christ, and that is the spiritual message of that whole story. It demonstrates just how far we are from Christ and how little we esteem Him.

You mention Abraham giving up Sarah to save his own life. The truth is that Abraham did that twice. He was rebuked by Pharaoh and God for what he did with the Pharaoh, and then he went back to Caanan and did the exact same thing again with Abimelech, the Philistine King of Gerar. To demonstrate just how we are all guilty of throwing Christ to the Jews and, like Peter, cursing that we do not even know the man, we are told that Isaac also did the same thing with Rebecca in the next generation when Abimelech, King of Gerar took Rebekah into his house.

For several hundred years the patriarchs, Abraham’s descendants had taken the land and were still living under the judges. Had the kingdom improved over all those years? No, it had not. The fact of the matter is that “wicked men and seducers had waxed worse and worse.” This story is not far from the end of the book of Judges, and I want you to see how this book ends:

This story is in the 19th chapter. There are only two more chapters in the book of Judges. Here is the last verse of the book of Judges:

Jdg 21:25  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

“Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” That is exactly what ecumenical orthodox Christianity does. God’s Word is made to say whatever “that great city wherein our Lord was crucified” wants it to say.

When I was drafted into the Viet Nam war, my Assemblies of God minister and also a Pentecostal minister, men I really looked up to at that time, gave me a very ambivalent answer when I sought their counsel. Both men gave me the same answer when I asked them if I should go and fight for my country. Their answer was “Whatever you decide, we will support you. You can be either a soldier or a conscientious objector, and we will support you.”

That is where that concubine is today. She was afforded no protection from the man who should have put himself between her and those Israelites who killed her. That concubine is just part of what this story tells us about ourselves. The whole story is all about what is within us. We are the concubine who plays the harlot, we are a Levite who is forbidden from touching His golden doctrines or coming into His golden presence. We are like the father of the concubine, who by our own lifestyle, teaches our children to party rather than become responsible grown-up children. Yet in our self-righteous, and spiritually dead condition we still see ourselves as too good to mix with the pagans in this world. After all we are Levites who bear the implements of the tabernacle. We are the homosexual perverts of Gibeah of Benjamin, who are willing to rape a woman to death just to satisfy our own utter depravity.

Through it all we see ourselves as God’s elect. We are so incredibly self-righteous that we really ought to discipline those depraved people of Gibeah, just because we are so much closer to God that we would never do such a dastardly thing as raping a man’s concubine to death. No, we are much too righteous to do such a sinful thing. We might give our wife to a pervert to save our own worthless necks but we are not that sinful woman caught in the very act of adultery. We are not that lowly Publican, prodigal son, or woman at the well with five husbands and now living with a man who is not her husband. We see ourselves as above all of that. The fact of the matter is we are all of those sinning people at one time or another in our lives before the gift of faith comes and Christ starts living in us.

Do you doubt that this entire story is talking to you and to me about what is in every one of us at our own appointed time? If you do, then please look at these two verses of God’s Word. There is only one reason any of this happened, and there is but one reason why it was written down:

1Co 10:6  and those things became types of us, for our not passionately desiring evil things, as also these did desire.

1Co 10:11 And all these things as types did happen to those persons, and they were written for our admonition, to whom the end of the ages did come, (YLT)

These things happened and they were written “as types” of us and for our admonition. The overwhelming message of this story is how low we can go, all the while feeling so superior. Christ comes to us in our exposed, wretched condition and tells us “neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.” Yet we tell ourselves that we have “never blasphemed the name of God, and we will never experience His wrath.”

That is what Judges 19 is all about. It is a story about the apostate kingdom of Israel within each of us, the kingdom of God at that ‘lead, tin, iron and copper’ stage of His work with each of us.

It is all within simply because “the kingdom of God is within you,” and that kingdom is being prepared for its birth from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21:

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

It is in “every word” a part of “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” If that is not so, then none of these verses are true:

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

“We were all, in time past, children of disobedience, and by nature children of wrath even as others.” All who say otherwise are nothing more than self-righteous Levites who see nothing wrong with throwing their own wife to the dogs.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Where do we live “every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God?”

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

God’s Is, Was and Will Be kingdom “is within you,” and only those who have that kingdom within them while yet in “this vessel of clay” will ever “rule over… the kingdoms of this world.” Only those who realize that “the kingdom of God is within you” will ever understand that “the time is at hand [to] live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” and that every word must be lived out in these marred vessels of clay:

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

We must keep “every word” of “those things which are written therein: because the time is at hand.”

“This generation will not pass away until all these things shall be fulfilled” is true for “He that reads and hears the words of this prophecy and keep the things written therein” in every generation since Christ.

Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

While many are called, very few are given ears to hear or eyes to see “those things which are written therein.” Rather for most, God’s entire word, including Judges 19, is still “sealed with seven seals.”

2Co 3:14  But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

While the whole orthodox Christian world is trying to get a handle on God’s time-line for the future, thinking that that is what the book of Revelation is all about, this is what Christ Himself says about such a doctrine and such a mindset:

Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Rev 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Does any of that, or any other scripture, put God’s emphasis anywhere but on the I Am, the ‘Is’ part of our Lord and His Word? Here is what the scriptures call ‘prophecy:’

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

You asked if I considered Andrew Jukes to be a heretic, and you said:

I have given you all the scriptures which reveal what is required of those who will be in the first resurrection. What I hope we will all keep in mind is what I told you about God’s revealed formula for His judgment:

Luk 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luk 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

It is obvious to me that Andrew Jukes was simply not given eyes to see this verse of God’s word:

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Andrew Jukes was forced out of the church of England simply because he refused to agree that the Queen of His day was the head of all things both spiritual and political, yet he always considered himself part of that church even as he declared the Catholic church to be apostate. I have many of his letters in my possession which reveal that he believed in the immortality of our spirits and several other disappointing false doctrines. Yet God gave him a gift to see so much in the types and shadows of Genesis and in the laws of the offerings.

You said:

I do, too. I have prayed many times for the Lord to do with me whatever it takes to be in that “blessed and holy… first resurrection” (Rev 20:6). To that end I hope I have given you some “words of edification, exhortation and comfort.” (1Co 14:3)

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

]]> The Evil Function of The Doctrine of The Trinity – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-evil-function-of-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-evil-function-of-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-part-2 Sun, 31 May 2026 04:03:35 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36218 [Click here for part 1.]

Audio Download

The Evil Function of The Doctrine of The Trinity – Part 2

 [Study Aired May 31, 2026]

We concluded our last study with the statement that God intended Adam to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and that He had prepared Christ as His sacrifice for the sins of the world “before the world began.”

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Tit 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

This twice repeated statement that our salvation was “promised… in Christ Jesus before the world began”, demonstrates that the Lord really is “working all things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph 1:11).

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

In this study we will give many verses which establish this Biblical doctrine and we will also demonstrate that the Hebrew does not say that God created man in His image. Rather, it actually tells us that He is in the process of “making man in His image and after His likeness”.

Here are the scriptures for this statement:

Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Tit 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Please take the time to read ‘After The Counsel of His Own Will’ to see how God really worked out the events in the garden of Eden as well as all events of all time. God’s dealings with Adam were no different than they were with Pharaoh or you or me. They are “all… after the counsel of HIS OWN will” (Eph 1:11):

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/after-the-counsel-of-his-own-will/

Like Adam we make many ‘choices’ every day, but to say that these choices are ‘free’ from the influences of God is to say that Joseph’s brothers decided “of their own free will” to sell Joseph into slavery. There is no denying that they decided to make that choice, but was that choice free from the influence of God? Not according to Joseph:

Gen 50:20  But as for you [Joseph’s brothers], ye thought evil against me; but God meant it [their evil thoughts and choices] unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

This verse explains the reason “God meant” for Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. “God meant” for Adam to become aware of the fact that he was created in a form [naked and out of the ground] that needed a Savior. The twin false doctrines of ‘free will’ and ‘the fall of man’ both deny the scriptural fact that Adam was “made [by God] subject to vanity, not willingly [not by choice], but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope [‘After the counsel of His own will’].”

This brings us to the crux of William Law’s misunderstanding about “the image of God.” What Mr. Law and the entirety of Christendom have missed is the fact that nothing in the old covenant is the fullness of Truth. Everything in the ‘law,’ the first five books of the Bible, and the prophets was mere ‘shadow.’ A ‘shadow’ by definition is something that is blocking the light. No, indeed, a shadow is in reality the lack of light.

Allow Christ to demonstrate the Truth of this principle. He has just fed 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. When the people follow Christ across the sea in hopes of another free meal, Christ tells them that that is really all they are after. In response the people, or one of their representatives, quotes word for word Exodus 16:4.

Exo 16:4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

Now let’s read John and see if the people were telling the truth about what that scripture said:

Joh 6:31  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

What is Christ’s response to having His own words thrown back at Him?  Pay close attention, as they are very instructive if you want to understand the function of the old covenant. Here is Christ’s incredible response:

Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

Christ appears, to the natural man, to have flatly contradicted His own words in ‘the law:’

Exo 16:4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you;

How could He possibly do this? Here is how, and here is why.

Heb 10:1  (a) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things…

Everything in ‘the law’ was a mere shadow of the Truth. That ‘Truth,’ that ‘true bread,’ those “good things to come,” were one and all Christ! Everything else was something that blocked the true light. The manna was not the “true bread.” It was a shadow of the true. Now we can understand the depth of this statement:

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

So when God says in ‘the law’ that He is “creating man in His own image,” what He is really saying is that thus far He has created a mere shadow of the true image of God. Because only mankind is being created into the image of Him who created him, Adam himself is called “the son of God.”

Luk 3:38  Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Paul reveals to us that Adam was nothing more than a type of the true ‘Son of God.’:

1Co 15:43  It is sown [God is the ‘sower’] in dishonour [naked and of the ground]; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1Co 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul [a ‘living soul,’ is a ‘body of this death]; the last Adam [the true ‘Son of God’] was made a quickening spirit.
1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual [and eternal], but that which is natural [and dying]; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

The false doctrine of ‘the fall’ is based upon the serpent’s lie, “You shall not surely die.” It was the serpent who told Adam that he was created perfect and in no need of a Savior. The Truth of the scriptures is:

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen [by the hand of the creator] in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Isaiah understood that it is God who creates evil:

Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

These scriptures are not for the “carnal [Christian] babes” of I Corinthians 3:1-4. This is meaty Truth, but it is the Truth.

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made [right from the hand of the Creator] subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Here is how man was made:  1) of dust and 2) naked. What is God telling us when He reveals these details to us?

Here is what that means:

1) Dust:

Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of  the dust of the ground,

1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, [dust] earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

1 Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

There it is. That verse equates ‘flesh’ with ‘corruption.’  The Lord God “formed man of the [corruptible] dust of the ground.”

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2) Naked:

Nakedness is used in scripture to signify the sin into which man was made.

Gen 2:25  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and [just like Laodicea] were not ashamed.

Rev. 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Rev 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Rev 17:16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Nakedness in the scriptures is equated with our sinful, ‘made of clay’, composition:

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee [the church at Laodicea] to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Laodicea’s nakedness is in sharp contrast with the robes of  “white linen… which is the righteousness of the saints.”

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Adam was not created by God dressed in white linen. It was God Himself who brought Adam and Eve into this world ‘naked.’

If you want a thorough understanding of this subject, read the law and the offerings as revealed in Leviticus:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-law-offerings_introduction/

God reveals in these offerings how He wants us to view the sacrifice of Christ. That is why we are told that God gave Israel both a ‘sin offering’ for what man IS right from the hand of his Creator, before he ever does anything good or sinful. Then, besides the ‘sin offering’ for what we ARE, Israel was also given a ‘transgression offering’ for what we DO.

In ‘the [shadowy] law’, the Lord told Israel that if a man has a field and digs a pit in that field, that the owner of the field is responsible for any harm that befalls the beast of his neighbor that might accidently fall into that pit. This is merely a shadow of the fact that Christ tells us that it is God who owns ‘the field,’ (“the field is the world” Mat 13:38). This shadowy law of Moses reveals the fact that God assumes responsibility for everything that happens in His ‘field’ and that before he ever created man, he had made provision for all the sins that he knew were yet to be committed. That ‘provision’ was Christ’s sacrifice of His life on the cross. God knowing all of this in advance is revealed when we are told that Christ was “slain from the foundation of the world.”

This false doctrine of ‘the fall’ has the whole Christian world wanting to ‘go back’ to the nakedness of Eden. William Law’s doctrine has the whole world deceived into believing that Adam was originally immortal and above sin and that we cannot lose that immortality even if we must burn in hell for all eternity with no purpose or goal in view other than the continued suffering of most of mankind for all eternity. Christendom tells us that we must “love our enemies,” yet God Himself will hate and torment our loved ones in an ever-burning hell forever.

God is not ‘going back’ to anything. He never intended to ‘go back.’ He is right on schedule with plan A. Here is plan A, and it has no room for ‘the fall of man’:

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially [Not exclusively] of those that believe.

1Jn 2:2  And he is [not could be but “is”] the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

God did not say “In the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die. Here is what He did say:

Gen 2:17 Yet from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you are not to be eating from it, for in the day you eat from it, to die shall you be dying” (CLV).

Adam was “dying” before he ever ate of that tree. That is why he ate of the tree. He ate because he was weak. He was weak because he was of the earth. He was of the earth because God made him that way (Psa 51:5).

Here is what John has to say of all the things that we experience in this world:

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

All sins ever committed are included within these three classes of sin:  1) The lust of the flesh, 2) the lust of the eyes and 3) the pride of life.

Now notice what this ‘shadow’ of the ‘image of God’ did before she ever touched the forbidden fruit:

Gen 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food [the lust of the flesh], and that it was pleasant to the eyes [the lust of the eyes], and a tree to be desired to make one wise [the pride of life], she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Gen 3:7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Eve, and Adam through Eve, committed every sin mentioned in 1 John 2:16 before she ever touched the tree that would open her eyes to see that she had been created in a sinful naked condition. Mr. Law simply was not given eyes to see this plain Biblical Truth.

This entire experience is nothing but an old covenant type and shadow of “the law… bringing us to Christ.”

Rom 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

God intended for the “first man Adam” to come to see that he had been “shapen in iniquity.” The law of Moses accomplishes that task, and the law of Moses was typified in the garden by the ‘tree of the knowledge of good and evil.’

For an in- depth study of this subject, read ‘The Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit’:

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-law-of-moses-versus-the-spirit/

To give a direct answer to your question: “Have you ever considered William Law’s understanding of the Trinity,” the answer is, Yes, I have. The false doctrine of the trinity is based upon the false doctrine of the ‘fall of man.’

Here are Mr. Law’s own words: “Nothing can so fully, and justly show us the true nature of our Fall, as the nature and manner of our Redemption. These things have such a necessary correspondence, as cannot be denied, but by a mind utterly indisposed to receive conviction.”

Now with that statement before us, let’s go to what the scriptures actually say about what happened to Adam:

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he [Christ, Joh 1:1-2) made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made [Hebrew, is making] it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly [“Not” by his own fabled ‘free will’], but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

…And about the Godhead:

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father [not ‘One God the trinity], of whom are all things, and we in him; and [besides God there is also “the beginning of His creation” (Rev. 3:17)] one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Go back and reread that trinity paper. Critique it for me using the scriptures. I welcome such input.

You say this below:

No, I do not teach that the holy spirit is Christ. I agree with you insofar as God’s (the Father’s) spirit is not really Christ. When Christ was revealing the coming of the ‘parakleetos’, “the comforter which is the Holy Spirit” (Joh 14:26), He said “the Father will take of mine and give to you.” Then He goes to all the trouble to explain what He means by “take of Mine…” “Because all the Father has [He is speaking specifically of this ‘parakleetos’, this ‘comforter’] He has given to Me [Did the Father give Christ another third of the Godhead?], therefore I said that He will take of mine and give to you.”

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

This “gift” under  discussion by our Lord is the Holy Spirit. It is not a personality but the very makeup of God the Father:

Joh 4:24  God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth

We will pause our study at this point, and we will discuss what God is composed of as we continue to reveal this apostate, false doctrine of a Godhead composed of three separate and equal persons.

[Click here for part 3.]

]]> The Evil Function of The Doctrine of The Trinity – Part 1 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-evil-function-of-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-part-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-evil-function-of-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-part-1 Sat, 23 May 2026 22:18:32 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36187 Audio Download

The Evil Function of The Doctrine of The Trinity – Part 1

[Updated May 23, 2026]

Hi K____,

It is good to hear from you again.

Just weigh what I say against the scriptures and don’t allow ‘scholarship,’ name recognition or the fact that someone has been so helpful in the past, to keep you from “trying the spirits.” How do we ‘try the spirits?’

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

‘Trying the spirits’ has to do with whether we should “believe” what we are being taught. I say all this with the greatest respect and appreciation for men like Andrew Jukes, William Law and Jacob Boehme. However, I never forget the need to “try the spirits.”

When I do this I am not ‘trying’ these men. One thing I am convinced of by Christ Himself is that we are not judged by what we produce. Rather, we are judged by what we do with what we are given, as demonstrated in the parable of the talents.

Luk 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luk 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

What I mean by that is that God did not reveal to Andrew Jukes that “we are the circumcision” (Php 3:3). Andrew Jukes did not see nor fully comprehend the truth that “He is NOT a Jew which is one outwardly” (Rom.2:27-29). He did not fully understand that we “were [past tense] Gentiles,” but now in Christ we “are made near [to the] commonwealth of Israel [and are now] fellowcitzens in the commonwealth of Israel” (Eph. 2:11-19). Jukes did not see that the “Jerusalem that now is, is in bondage with her children… and we [Gentile Galatians] are the  children of the free woman” (Gal. 4:21-31). Jukes did not believe that “Jerusalem which now is… is in bondage with her children” and is “cast out” and “shall not be heir with the son of the free woman”, the Gentile Christians.

Gal 4:30  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son [physical Israel]: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31  So then, brethren, we [Gentile Christians] are not children of the bondwoman [physical Israel], but of the free.

Not being given this knowledge, Mr. Jukes draws the erroneous conclusion that Paul’s letters are ‘Katurah’.

“They [Paul’s writings] ‘smell sweet,’ but they will never be allowed to inherit the promises given to Abraham, because they were not born of Isaac.” (from Types In Genesis).

As much respect as I have for Mr Jukes, on this point he is dead wrong. What he teaches concerning physical, Christ-denying Israel, is the exact opposite of what the holy spirit inspired Paul to tell us:

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Gal 4:30  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Gal 4:31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

“We… as Isaac was, ARE the children of promise.”  “Israel [Isaac’s descendants] have not obtained that which he sought after, but the election [Gentiles in Christ] have obtained it.”

The Lord, sadly, blinded Mr. Jukes eyes from seeing the last verse of the previous chapter:

Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Mr. Jukes missed all of that. I do not hold that against him; I simply ‘try the spirits, to see whether they be of God.’

Now I point all that out about Andrew Jukes so you will see where I am coming from when I answer your question about William Law’s doctrine of the trinity. Mr. Law obviously believes in the unscriptural doctrine of the ‘fall of man.’  Neither Christ nor any of His apostles ever mentioned the so-called “fall of Adam.”

The reason no New Testament writer ever uses the phrase ‘the fall’ is that all the New Covenant writers understood that:

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay [Adam] was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made [the Hebrew reads ‘is making’] it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Every verb in that verse is in the Hebrew Qal Stem, which informs those with eyes to see the Adam, one generation after the other, is being made of clay, being made flesh and blood, was never intended to be the finished product. Adam was made of clay, and clay has nowhere to fall. Adam was “made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope.”

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made [right from the hand of the Creator] subject to vanity, not willingly [not by choice], but by reason of him  who hath subjected the same in hope.

 It was Christ Himself who made the first Adam “marred in the Potter’s hand… subject to vanity.” None of that was of Adam’s choosing nor by Adam’s fabled ‘free will.’

Read ‘After The Counsel of His Own Will at this link: https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/after-the-counsel-of-his-own-will/

This is what is meant when we read:

Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of  the dust of the ground [“marred”, Jer 18:4; “corruption”, 1Co 15:50, nowhere to ‘fall’, 1Co 15:50], and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Every “living soul” is also a ‘dying soul.’

Eze 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

So much for the false doctrine of an “immortal soul”, which is contingent upon the greater false doctrine of ‘the trinity’.

William Law teaches the false doctrine of a triune God and then uses that false doctrine to establish the false doctrine of a triune man. Yes, mankind does possess a soul, a body and a spirit, but they are all the same person, and the soul is simply God’s knowledge of who we are even after the sinning soul dies. That ‘soul’ is not indestructible:

Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luk 12:4  And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

The Greek word translated as ‘hell’ here in Matthew and in Luke is ‘gehenna’. Gehenna signifies the lake of fire/second death in which our old man, our ‘soul’ is destroyed but “he himself shall be saved though as by [the lake of] fire”:

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned [old man’s ‘soul’ destroyed], he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

This is the same message given to Eve and  Cain. Eve’s curse was to be against her husband but with the assurance that in the end her husband,  signifying Christ, “shall rule over thee.”

Gen 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to [Hebrew: ‘el’, against] thy husband, and [“though as by fire”, (1Co 3:15)] he shall rule over thee.

In the next chapter sin is personified, and Cain is told that even though sin is at the door in the end “though as by fire… you will rule over him.”

Gen 4:6  And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Gen 4:7  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto [Hebrew: ‘el’, against] thee shall be his desire, and [“though as by fire”] thou shalt rule over him.
Gen 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against [Hebrew: ‘el’, same Hebrew word translated a ‘to’ in Genesis 3:16] Abel his brother, and slew him.

What was Adam? Was he a spirit having a physical experience as so many teach and believe? Let’s try that spirit and put it up against these words of our Lord:

Gen 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of  it  wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

This is what we are being told when we read:

Gen 2:25  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Adam and you and I are dust, and if the Lord does not raise us up from death we will have “perished”:

1Co 15:16  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
1Co 15:17  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1Co 15:18  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
1Co 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

If there is no resurrection then the “[dead] in Christ are perished”. The dead are not up in heaven, nor down in hell. They “are perished” unless they are resurrected.

Do you realize how few people believe these words. The whole Christian world believes that “He created man in His image” means that man was made perfect and immortal, and then he fell. The Truth of the scriptures is:

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made [right from the hand of the Creator] subject to vanity, not willingly [here is the Truth, it wasn’t by Adam’s fabled ‘free choice’ or his will], but by reason of him [God Himself] who hath subjected the same in hope

 God’s original plan was for Adam to disobey Him and come to see his corruptible nature and his need for a Savior. God had already provided this Savior before he ever created Adam. God is operating on plan A, and has been from the beginning.

We will pause our study at this point and in our next study we will give the scriptures which demonstrate the truth of the statement that Christ “was slain before the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:8).

[Click here for part 2.]

]]> Were These Men Sinners Above All in Jerusalem? – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/were-these-men-sinners-above-all-in-jerusalem-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=were-these-men-sinners-above-all-in-jerusalem-part-2 Fri, 22 May 2026 21:29:01 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36140 Audio Download

Were These Men Sinners Above All in Jerusalem? – Part 2

[Study Aired May 22, 2026]

We paused our last study posing the question:

Should we pray for this world?

Your second question was, “What should we be praying about for these individuals and nations?” The answer to that question is not what any of us might expect from a loving Savior, but all that proves is that “our ways are not His ways and our thoughts are not His thoughts.”

Isa 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Whereas you and I want instant justice and immediate salvation for all, God has His own schedule already written out, and our lack of understanding, appreciation, or patience for His ways and His thoughts, just really does not affect God’s plan or His schedule. The script has already been written, and all of our days will be lived exactly as He has already written.

Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.

Considering those scriptures telling us that our ways and thoughts are not His ways and thoughts, and that “the days that were ordained for [us]… were all written in [the Lord’s] book… when as yet there were none of them”, how did our Lord pray for the families of those whose blood Herod mixed with their sacrifices, and the families of  those upon whom the tower of Siloam fell? How did Christ pray for the nations and the leaders of the nations of His day? Can we receive His testimony? Here it is.

Joh 17:9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Joh 17:10  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
Joh 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Joh 17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Joh 17:13  And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Five times in those few verses Christ repeats that He and His disciples are “not of this world, the world has hated them,” and Christ, “prays not for the world.” Christ prays only for those whom the Lord has given Him. He does not ask His Father to take them out of the world or out of the fiery trials of this world, but that His Father will help them to preach the gospel to all the world within, “keep them from the evil” of this world, and give them the strength and patience to “endure to the end.”

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Luk 21:16  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luk 21:17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
Luk 21:18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

Christ’s prayers and all that He is doing at this time, are for “those you have given me” at this time. The story of Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, pouring an expensive ointment over Christ’s body, testifies to where Christ’s thoughts and affections are.

Mat 26:6  Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Mat 26:7  There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat [at meat].
Mat 26:8  But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Mat 26:9  For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Mat 26:10  When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Mat 26:11  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Mat 26:12  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Mat 26:13  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Christ’s focus was on His body and not on the poor of this world. We find that self centered, but Christ tells us that is the proper spiritual balance, and that is the proper spiritual focus. The body of Christ should always trump the needs of this world. Anything less is nothing more than tares growing among the wheat, and those tare will be gathered first to be burned in the time of the harvest.

So “the harvest is the end of the age,” when “the tares are gathered and burned in the fire,” and it is then that “there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth…” Let’ read it again:

Mat 13:40  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. [Greek: age]

Mat 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom [within, (Luk 17:20- 21)] all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire [fiery trials, (1Pe 4:12)]: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 24:3  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? [Greek: aion, age]

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

When is “the end of the world? Is “the end of the world” the time when others get their just rewards? When does “the end come?” When are we judged? When do we all reap what we have sown? When do we all get our just rewards?

Both Christ and Paul answer this question. Christ tells us that the end comes, when “this gospel is preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; … then shall the end come.” Exactly when is that? How does Christ answer that question? Here are His words:

Mat 24:29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [Taken right out of Isaiah 13, quoted above.]
Mat 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mat 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

In Matthew 13 “the reapers are the angels” who “gather the tares first and burn them.” In Matthew 24 “He shall send His angels… and they… gather together His elect.” So both are done “in the time of the harvest… the end of the age… in the kingdom of God within you.” Just as Christ had said back in chapter 13.

Mat 13:30  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Who experiences this burning of the tares? Is it this present evil world? Or does this time of “burning the tares first… begin at the house of God?”

1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

We are to “rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.” So the tares are gathered first, but both the wheat and the tares are gathered “at the time of the harvest.” What is the time of the harvest? It is the time when Christ says to the reapers, “Gather the tares first, and bind them in bundles to be burned.” It is the time when angels are sent forth to “gather out of his kingdom all things that offend.” So while both the tares and the wheat are gathered “at the time of the harvest,” the tares are actually gathered and bound in bundles and burned first. “Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Mat 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Mat 13:30  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Verse 41 is referring back to what Christ had said in verse 30.

Mat 13:24  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mat 13:25  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Mat 13:26  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Mat 13:27  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Mat 13:28  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Mat 13:29  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Mat 13:30  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

It is instructive that the tares do not become apparent within us until “fruit is brought forth. Only then do “the things that offend” become apparent to all. The “things that offend” in verse 41, are the “tares,” or “the children of the wicked one” which are also “in his kingdom.”

Mat 13:36  Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Mat 13:37  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mat 13:39  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Mat 13:40  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Where is this kingdom of God out of which the things that offend are gathered? We have been conditioned to think of ‘the field’ and the kingdom as being in two entirely different places. The Truth of the Word of God is that both are within us. If we lose sight of the Truth of where this kingdom is located, then we will completely miss the point of this parable, and of all of Christ’s parables, because all of Christ’s parables concern themselves with “the mysteries of the kingdom of God.” So let me ask again, Where is the kingdom of God in which these “tares,” these “children of the wicked one” take root and grow right along with the “good seed” which we are told are “the children of the kingdom?” Where are both growing? Where both are growing was at one time referred to as “the field,” but look at what that “field” has now become:

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

What was once the world within us has now become “the kingdom of God is within you.” Compare these verses in Luke 17, with this statement which we read earlier:

Mat 13:38  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mat 13:39  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Mat 13:40  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

The field out of which His angels “gather all that offends,” has now become “His kingdom” out of which “all things that offend” are now gathered. When we become knowledgable of what is the Biblical meaning of “the time of the harvest,” what is “heaven,” what are “the clouds of heavens,”  what is “the field,” what are “the tares,” what is “the earth,” what is “all the world,” what are “all the tribes of the earth,” and what is “this generation,” then, and only then, can we see and understand that all of these “things of the spirit,” all pertain to “the mysteries of the kingdom of God… within you.”

Only then will we understand that God is not now judging this world without, but is rather beginning His judgment at His own house, gathering the tares out of His own field and purging all that offends within His own kingdom “within you.” All such Truth is, of course, “foolishness to the natural man.”

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

When do “all these things” come to pass? Who sees “the end of the world? Is it only those who are living when Christ sets up His millennial kingdom and rules over the kingdoms of this world through His elect? Is that what is meant by “the end of the world?” Absolutely not! Here is what is meant by “the end of the world:”

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Have you ever noticed that “He that endureth to the end” immediately precedes “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, then shall the end come?”

Have you ever noticed that “then shall the end come” is followed by “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled?” “All these things” means “all these things.” Go back and read all of Matthew 24 and see what Christ has already discussed when He uses the phrase “all these things.” “All these things” includes “this gospel of the kingdom being preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.” “All these things” culminates in “the shaking of the heavens,” and that is when “all the tribes of the earth mourn, [when] they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Remember, Christ is saying all of this in answer to His disciples’ question “What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” Who sees and understands all of this? Upon whom does the end of the age come? Let me repeat who it is who sees “the end of the age.”

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world [Greek: age] are come.

If all of this was actually fulfilled in that generation, and it was, just as it has been being fulfilled in every generation that reads and understands these words since the death and resurrection of Christ, then the phrase “preached in all the world for a witness to all nations” has nothing to do with world wide evangelism, or the judging of this world at this time, as it is taken and as it is understood in the world of Babylon. It does rather, have everything to do with all of the nations of the “field [which] is the world” which becomes “the kingdom of God within” us.

Notice, for example what we are told in the book of Revelation, about the one single beast which is within us all.

Rev 17:9  And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, [and] the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Rev 17:11  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Rev 17:12  And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13  These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

“Seven kings… an eighth king… ten kings… all within one beast, all of which are also referred to as “the tares [and] the children of the wicked one,” within the parable of the sower, which our Lord informs us is all about “the mysteries of the kingdom of God within you.”

The ends of the age are come upon us! The kingdom of God is within us! The good seed which are the children of the kingdom, and the tares which are the children of the wicked one, are within us! The seven heads and the ten horns are all kingdoms with kings, and they are all within us! It is all within the kingdom of God, within us!

So then, the gathering of the tares to be burned in the furnace, and the gathering together of God’s elect, are both “at the time of the harvest… the end of the age… this generation.” All of this is concerned, at this time, with the first harvest of the firstfruits at the end of the firstfruit age. But there are two harvests, and there are two resurrections. Both are judgments, and judgment is always chastening, and the Lord chastens only those He loves.

1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

God is not at this time judging this world. This world will be judged at its appointed time, and we need not pray that that time be changed. Here is the order of God’s judgments:

Exo 23:16  And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

Exo 34:22  And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end.

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Conclusion

What does all of this have to do with what should be our attitude towards those who are running the affairs of this world? What should be our attitude concerning those who do not know Christ and who hate and despise all that Christ represents? What should be our attitude toward those who have been destroyed or will be destroyed in coming calamities? Our attitude should be that we apply  every lesson of every tragedy personally and within, and to our own judgment of our own lives.

Like Christ, we are not to spend our time in praying against the will of God for those in this world, but on the other hand we should never see  the tragedies in the lives of those who died when Herod mingled their own blood with their sacrifices, or those on whom the tower of Siloam fell, or those thousands on whom the World Trade Towers fell, as Job’s miserable comforters perceived all tragedies. We should never see the tragedies and calamities of this age as God’s judgment upon those people who were personally involved, or as His judgment on this, or any nation as a whole. It is nothing of the kind. All who see it as such have forgotten that “the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God,” and this world, and all the men of this world, will face their own judgment at a later date. They will be judged at the great white throne judgment.

Let us judge ourselves and leave the judging of those without, up to the Lord, as we are admonished.

1Co 5:12  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Let us all remember the attitude of our Lord expressed concerning the tragedies of this age:

Luk 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Luk 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luk 13:4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
Luk 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Mat 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

If we “cleanse first” what is within us, then that which is without, in this world, will be cleansed also, at the appointed time, through us.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

That is the blessing we have been given if we “clean first that which is within.”

]]> Not All Speak With Tongues – Parts 4 & 5 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/not-all-speak-with-tongues-part-5/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=not-all-speak-with-tongues-part-5 Sat, 16 May 2026 17:39:25 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36149 Audio Download

Not All Speak With Tongues – Parts 4 & 5

[Study Aired May 17, 2026]

Hi C____,

You did not at all offend me. I, too, am at a disadvantage, when communicating by email. It is hard to determine one’s ‘tone of voice’ in an email.

When I ask a direct question, please don’t take it as anything but that. I am just trying to learn what you are thinking and why you believe as you do. I have learned a lot from those who are willing to take the time to tell me why they see the scriptures as they do.

As a matter of fact, I was ‘edified’ by what you had to say about Isaiah 28. All those who are still controlled by ‘the first Adam’ and are opposed to ‘Christ in you’ are indeed ‘foolish buffoons.’

Whether immature Christian, Islamic or total heathen, they are all acting as “evil men.” This is exactly what God uses to punish His own rebellious children.

Isa 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
Isa 10:6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Isa 10:11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
Isa 10:12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

These verses tell me that God always has and always will use the heathen to punish His own hypocritical people.

Here it is this same message from King David’s perspective:

Psa 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
Psa 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world…

These 21st century ‘Crusades’ and foreign wars that we have embarked upon are only “the beginnings of sorrows.”

Isa 10:23 The Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.

Isa 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

Mar 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

As the Lord’s ambassadors we are to see all of these prophecies as being fulfilled inwardly and in our heavens first and foremost. If we fail to do so we will be as spiritually blind as the rest of the world. The weight of the scriptures are directed toward ‘the beast within,’ not some man in a temple made with stones over in the middle east:

Ecc 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

The word ‘places’ is in brackets to indicate that it is not in the Greek. The word ‘high’ is emboldened because it is translated from G2032, ‘epouranios’ meaning ‘the heavens’ where our battle is at this very moment taking place as our heavens are being purified:

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens [G3772: ‘uronos’, heavens] should be purified with these; but the heavenly things [G2032: ‘epouranios’, heavens of our hearts and minds] themselves with better sacrifices than these.

“The heavenly things themselves” of Hebrews 9:23 is translated from the same word translated ‘high places’ in Ephesian 6:12.

This is just some ‘food for thought.’ I appreciate your fellowship.

Mike

November 24, 2003

Hi P__,

Thanks for reading the web page. Thanks especially for your question. You ask:

No, there is no such distinction ‘in scripture.’

Yes, I am aware of this distinction in the minds of those who believe in ‘unknown tongues.’ I notice that you have not used the phrase, ‘unknown tongues,’ and I don’t know how you personally feel about this subject. If we are interested in The Truth, then our ‘feelings’ become secondary and irrelevant. I am going to approach this question as I do every question I receive and answer with only one criteria; what saith the scripture?

“Some teach that there are two types of tongues; a quiet, personal prayer language and another to edify the church aloud.” I ask simply, where is the scripture for this teaching? I know very well how it is deduced, because I was raised an interdenominational Pentecostal. I spoke in ‘unknown’ tongues with the others in my church. Our ‘tongues’ were as good as anyone’s. I was as sincere at that time as I am presently in my desire to know the mind of God and to let Christ live His life in me. I love those who believe in ‘unknown tongues’ and appreciate the sincere desire to please God that many of these brothers have. Having said that, I am compelled to add that I was not, however, as informed of The Truth at that time as I am 40 years later. At that time I also believed in ‘free moral agency’ and another Satanic doctrine, the doctrine of an eternal burning hell for immortal souls.

Simply by the grace of God I have been shown in the scriptures that Adam, as he came from the hand of the Creator, was totally unfit for eternal life in the kingdom of God and had not yet ‘put on immortality.’

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Eze 18:4… the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

I now reject the teaching of an immortal flesh and blood Adam, or an inherent immortal soul. These are “Idols of the heart” given to the masses who come to Christ by the Lord Himself:

Eze 14:7  For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Eze 14:8  And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Eze 14:9  And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Eze 14:10  And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;

I have been shown that instead of ‘free will’ the scriptures teach, “it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Rom 9:16), “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:13). “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Eph 1:11)

I now reject the teachings of free will and of free moral agency and my “all things” box is growing bigger every day. A doctrine which teaches that man has a will which is free from any influence by God is an “Idol of the heart.” This is what the Bible actually teaches about whose will is being done in this earth:

Job 23:13  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. [1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved…]
Job 23:14  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man [when a thought begins to be formed in our mind], and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Instead of eternal burning hell, I have been shown that God (1Ti 2:4) … will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1Ti 4:10) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially [not exclusively] of those that believe. (2Pe 3:9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (1Jn 2:2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours [believers] only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

I now reject the teaching of eternal hell fire or eternal death. They are both “idols of the heart.”

Likewise when I saw that…

1Co 14:2… he that speaketh in a tongue [a foreign language, when there is no one there to interpret] speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth [speaks in ‘plain English’] speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an [foreign] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church [and what is the point of this statement?].
1Co 14:5 I would that ye all spake with [foreign] tongues, but rather that ye prophesied[speak in a language everyone understands]: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
1Co 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you [anyone who speaks in ‘unknown tongues’ care to answer this question of Paul’s], except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? [Does this sound as if Paul is talking about ‘unknown tongues’ understood as unknown to any culture on earth?]
1Co1 4:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound [unknown tongues], who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood[here is the force of this entire chapter], how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

1Co 14:3… he that prophesieth [speaks in ‘plain English’] speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

So I repeat:

1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an [foreign] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

At that point I decided to: (1Co 14:1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

I was shown that even though Paul could, (1Co 14:18) … speak with tongues more than ye all:

1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [foreign] tongue.

How many people who claim to have the gift of tongues have that scriptural attitude?

Finally, I was shown the purpose for tongues. I now know that:

1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. [So the ‘tongues under discussion are, “men of other tongues.”]
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe [not ‘the initial evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost’], but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe [this is the “language… to edify the church aloud,” as you put it.]

Now that I know the function of ‘tongues,’ I understand how the ‘tongues’ spoken on the day of Pentecost were used by the ‘Holy Ghost.’ They were for a sign to them [the Jews] that believed not. What tongues were they speaking? We don’t have to guess. We are told specifically:

Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

So the 120 on whom the ‘Holy Ghost’ came on the day of Pentecost, did not understand what they were saying, but they were speaking in one of the above listed ‘tongues.’ No one ever spoke in an “unknown… tongue of angels.” The reason we have this phrase in scripture is to distinguish it from human languages. In the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [foreign] tongue [even a foreign ‘tongues of angels’].

1Co 14:2… he that speaketh in a tongue [a foreign language, when there is no one there to interpret] speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. [This is not a word of praise, it is a reprimand. The solution to this infantile behavior of verse two, which simply “edifieth himself,” is verses 3-5.]
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth [speaks in ‘plain English’] speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co14:4 He that speaketh in an [foreign] tongue edifieth himself [when no one understands him]; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church [and what is the point of this statement?].
1Co 14:5 I would that ye all spake with [foreign] tongues, but rather that ye prophesied [speak in a language everyone understands]: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying [as well as the person or persons for whom it is “a sign.”]

Once this scriptural purpose for ‘tongues,’ as a “sign to them that believe not,” is understood and believed in, the false doctrine of ‘unknown tongues’ falls away. The ‘unbeliever’ may be a called-out saint, such as Peter at the house of the Gentile Roman centurion, Cornelius. Still, “tongues were for a sign to them that believed not.” It took a duplication of the exact event that occurred on Pentecost to convince Peter and all of the Jewish apostles, that God was no longer bound by physical descent in His dealings with mankind.

This was but one of the many (Joh 16:12) “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” that Christ had referred to on the night before His apprehension by those of the ‘church’ of His day.

Part of the problem involved here is that very few people notice that we are given the scriptural definition of ‘prophecy’ here. How is prophecy defined? (1Co 14:3) He that prophesieth speaketh [speaks in ‘plain English’] unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Now since (2Ti 3:16) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: “All scripture” is therefore prophecy. ‘Doctrine’ is certainly ‘edification,’ and ‘instruction in righteousness,’ is certainly ‘exhortation.’ For what purpose? To prove that we have ‘the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost?’ Is this the purpose for anything given to us? No! Such phraseology is without scriptural basis whatsoever. Though it may not always be pointed out in the context, such as Acts 19:

Act 19:1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Act 19:4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7 And all the men were about twelve.
Act 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

We are assured that the purpose for tongues, even here, is “for a sign to them that believed not.” God is not into edifying the flesh. Paul exhorts us, “rather seek to prophecy” for this purpose: (2Ti 3:17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Notice that immediately after these disciples receive the gift of tongues, he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

As with Peter, and as with the Jews at Pentecost, these disciples receiving the gift of languages was “for a sign to them which believe not.” The Jews of the synagogue were as obstinate as the Jews at Jerusalem. They were as attached to their privileged position as ‘descendants of Abraham’ as was Peter, while he napped on the roof of the home of Simon the tanner.

“John’s baptism” knew nothing of “dying daily” to the things of the flesh. John’s baptism knew nothing of “Christ in you the hope of glory”:

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

There is one other point that needs to be brought out in this 14th chapter of I Corinthians.

1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

This verse does not say, ‘Speak first and wait to see if someone can interpret.’ Paul says it is incumbent upon the person with the gift of tongues to use his gift wisely, as “a sign to them that believe not.” He was to “keep silence in the church” if he had not first determined whether someone was present who was capable of interpreting this particular tongue.

1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy [even an interpreted language was to edify] one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

In summary, Paul gives us his understanding of the place and comparative importance of tongues:

1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [foreign] tongue.
1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

If only this were the attitude of us all, we would all “in understanding be men” at least on this one subject.

Again, I do not disdain those who are more concerned with the gift of tongues than with the gift of prophecy. It was only yesterday that I was just such a person. However, yes, to answer your question, “When that which is mature is come, that which is in part shall be done away.” Here it is:

1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [We have just been shown how tongues stack up to prophecy].
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. [Why interpret something no one on earth understands in the first place? That is “a sign” to no one.]
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

In closing, let me point out that, in Peter’s case at Cornelius’ house, he said:

Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; [In this case Peter and the Jews with him were the unbelievers]

What God had “given them… even as he did unto us,” was real languages which served “as a sign to them which believed not.” Paul was not discussing “tongues of angels” in 1 Corinthians 14. He certainly was not discussing what is passed off as ‘unknown tongues’ in the ‘charismatic’ world of today. The apostles and all who spoke in tongues anywhere in the New Testament, had ‘the real thing.’ It was so powerful that it served as a “sign to them that believed not.” Take it from someone with personal experience, ‘unknown tongues,’ often serve the exact opposite purpose and drive away many who are honestly seeking to know The Truth. The statement of belief of many denominations is: ‘We believe that the gift of unknown tongues is the initial evidence of the gift of the holy spirit’.

I hope I haven’t offended you. That is certainly not my intent. But I have discovered that many who have experienced ‘speaking in unknown tongues’ find it difficult to admit that they have been believing in, and partaking of, a counterfeit. I myself had just such a struggle. It was a real relief to get to where I did not feel superior to those who had “not yet been baptized with the Holy Ghost, as evidenced by unknown tongues.”

I hope this has been of some help to you.

Your brother in Christ, Mike

]]> Not All Speak With Tongues – Part 3 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/not-all-speak-with-tongues-part-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=not-all-speak-with-tongues-part-3 Sun, 10 May 2026 04:34:12 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36098 Audio Download

Not All Speak With Tongues – Part 3

[Posted March 11, 2004 – Updated May 8, 2026]

I have never said ‘we should not be speaking in tongues.’ Here is what I did say:

“There! That is my commentary on the tongues part of 1 Corinthians 14 – ‘The Tongues Chapter.’ I believe it is true to the scriptures. I simply cannot vouch for something God has given me no experience in. When I witness a true Acts 2 tongues experience, I will immediately share it with my reading audience. Just because I have never experienced something does not mean that others haven’t.” (End Quote)

You cannot show me where I have ever said that the gift of tongues has completely passed from the scene because I have never said that. It is true that I believe that as one matures gifts become less and less of a factor in one’s faith. I have gone on the record as saying that any gifts we possess should rest upon our faith and not vice versa. In other words, our faith should not depend upon the number of gifts we possess and the number of prayers we have answered to our liking. This would lead to nothing less than immaturity and a whole church full of spoiled rotten spiritual “babes in Christ.” I welcome anyone, who has never spoken in French, being able to communicate the gospel to someone who does not know English but only French. That is the true Acts 2 experience. Anything less is a sign to no one and is without scriptural basis.

There were no ‘unknown,’ tongues on Pentecost, at the home of Cornelius, or at any of the cities where Paul met believers who had been ‘baptized into John’s baptism.’ The word ‘unknown’ is never used in conjunction with tongues. All the tongues spoken at Pentecost are enumerated in Acts 2:

Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Incoherent ‘unknown tongues’ would never have produced such questions and such astonishment. Rather, they would have produced just what Paul tells us they produce when virtually no one can understand what is being said:

1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

If this is true of a real tongues, real languages, how much truer is it of non-existent, ‘unknown’ tongues? My personal ‘experience’ has demonstrated the truth of that statement on several occasions when I was a believer in ‘unknown tongues.’ I do not despise what I once was. I thank God for that experience. If I had not been there, I would not be able to write this email with any sense of conviction. However, I have asked God to help me to rid myself of any ‘idol of the heart’ (Eze 14:1-9). This ‘I-have-the-baptism-of-the-Holy-Ghost-and-you-don’t’ doctrine was one of the first ‘idols of the heart’ I had to give up. It was no easier for me than it will be for you. If you come to the word of God placing your “experience” ahead of scripture, you are exactly where Ezekiel says the elders of Israel were when they came to “enquire of the Lord:”

Eze 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
Eze 14:2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Their ‘experience’ had led them to preconceived conclusions, and they wanted God to now put His stamp of approval upon their ways.

Eze 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. [Their “idols of the heart”. Their false doctrines.]
Eze 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Eze 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet [comes to God’s Word and adds the word ‘unknown’ where the Lord simply said ‘tongue’ or language] to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Eze 14:8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Eze 14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Here is the Biblical definition of ‘iniquity’ which is a “stumblingblock” to all men:

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

God answers us according to the multitude of [our] idols:

Eze 14:10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;

“I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols,” means that if you have your mind made up about this subject of ‘unknown tongues’, or any subject, before you go to the scriptures, if you are not sincere in seeking only the mind of God, then God will use “[your] own righteousness”, your own self-righteous deception, to deceive you. Christ demonstrates how He applies this principle in:

Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, [This is a false doctrine] reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: [Another false doctrine. The Lord had invested a year’s wages in this man.]
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked [lying] and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

The Lord did not even bother to show this man how wrong he was. He answered him “according to the idol of his heart.”

Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

David expresses this same principle in these words:

Psa 18:26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Now, with these stern warnings against allowing anything other than the word and mind of God to be our guide, let’s go two chapters earlier, to where Paul poses this question:

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

These eight gifts are all listed in order of importance, ‘First … secondarily … thirdly…’ etc. The answer to every question asked here is emphatically, ‘No! not everyone has all these gifts.’ Yet according to what I understand you to be saying when you asked me:

What I gather from this question is that you are asking me if I have ever known of anyone who has ever “healed anyone, had a word of knowledge, prophecy, etc” who did not first speak in unknown tongues. If I am understanding your question, you are telling me that without the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which you equate to speaking in unknown tongues, you cannot ‘heal anyone, have a word of knowledge, prophecy, etc.’ and you ask “Have you… ever heard of anyone without the baptism of the spirit [speaking in unknown tongues] healed anyone, had a word of knowledge, prophecy, etc.”

Am I wrong about what you are saying? I know that is exactly what I used to think in my puffed up immature spirit. The answer to your question is, yes, indeed I know of many who healed the sick and prophesied who had never spoken in unknown tongues.’ None of the apostles, not the 70 who the Lord sent out by twos had ever spoken in tongues because the day of Pentecost had  not yet come:

Luk 10:1  After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Luk 10:9  And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

None of the apostles who healed the sick in the book of Acts ever spoke in an ‘unknown tongue’.

The Truth revealed in those questions posed by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 is that God does not necessarily give any one of these gifts to everyone. Neither does He give all of these gifts to any one person.

The “fruit of the Spirit,” is not the gifts of the spirit, and it certainly is not ‘unknown tongues.’ It is ‘the fruit of the spirit’, not ‘unknown tongues’ which is contrasted with ‘the works of the flesh’:

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the [holy] Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the [holy] Spirit, let us also walk in the [holy] Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, [‘I have “the initial evidence” of my gift of the holy ghost’] provoking one another, envying one another.

Verse 26 is speaking directly to those who believe that their physical “experience” with speaking in unknown tongues has somehow given them a spiritual edge over those who merely bear the “fruit of the Spirit.”

I have had acquaintances who have discussed my web page and my teachings with their Charismatic friends. Inevitably the first question out of the mouth of the charismatic is not, “Does Mike Vinson have love, joy, peace, etc.? Is he crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts?” No, the first question from charismatics is invariably, “Does he speak in tongues?” The word ‘unknown’ is understood in charismatic circles. It is strange to me that with all the tongues all around that the only ones spoken on the day of Pentecost (I mean known languages that serve as a useful ‘sign to unbelievers’) are not to be found in any of the charismatic churches here in Georgia, and I have heard a lot of ‘unknown tongues’ spoken here in Georgia.

Here is that verse:

1Co 14:5  I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Certainly, a true Pentecostal experience would be very edifying. When a real language is being spoken by a person with no training in that language, and it is being understood by people who know that the person speaking that language doesn’t have training in the language he is speaking, that is a miracle. Faking this experience with so-called ‘unknown tongues’ and telling your followers that this is just as good as what happened at Pentecost, edifies only the person who falls prey to this doctrine. He can now feel spiritually superior to his fellow Christians who haven’t yet been able to have this “second work of the spirit.” Why would God speak to anyone in a language that exists nowhere on earth and then “interpret” it? The word “interpret” necessitates that it is a known language, and yes, when a person speaks fluently in a known language in which he has no formal training, this is the exact same thing as prophesying. Furthermore it becomes, under those true Pentecostal conditions, a powerful “sign, not to them that believe but unto them which believe not.” None of this is true for what is passed off as a ‘language’ spoken nowhere on earth.

1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him, howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Yes, there is, and that ‘tongue that no man understands howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries’ is an earthly language that is uninterpreted. It clearly tells us that it is “speaking mysteries” – not speaking incoherently.

The ‘no man understandeth him’ is merely a statement of fact when you have someone speaking French when there is no one around who understands French. Paul is not saying that ‘No man understands him because he is speaking in an unknown tongue.’ Paul is having to tell these overzealous and immature Corinthian ‘carnal… babes in Christ’ that they ought not be abusing their gifts to simply show off or “edify himself.”

I am going to cut and paste my comment to this verse:

1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown – this mistaken insertion is quoted as if it were scripture] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Since “no man understands him,” Paul says, “He edifies himself.” This is not a compliment, nor is it advice. It is a reprimand, and it is contrasted with “edifying the church” (vs 4).

1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. [This is the preferred gift of this chapter.]
1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an [unknown – leave this word out. It was not in the original texts.] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Here is one of the least quoted verses of this chapter, and it is the heart of this chapter.

1Co 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues [I wish all my children could receive the gift of languages, not mumblings], but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Edifying the church is the required product of both prophesying and tongues. I, too, would rather that my children prophesy than speak in languages.

1Co 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Paul is telling us, with this verse that the gift of languages should be used “for a sign to unbelievers”, and it should always be interpreted for the purpose of edifying the church, not to demonstrate for the whole congregation that this brother has ‘received his gift.’

What you are saying to me, and to all those who do not have what you consider to be ‘the baptism of the Holy Ghost’, is that we cannot be ‘built up’ without speaking and praying in an unknown tongue because we don’t know what we should ask for, and therefore if the Holy Ghost does not ask for the things we need in a language that cannot be understood then we (those of us without this gift) are at a terrible disadvantage, and will never be able to  make our requests known to the Father because we don’t have the gift of unknown tongues.

You said:

The ‘theory’ is the false doctrine of ‘unknown tongues’. Scripture, “that which is written” is not ‘a theory’; it is The Truth. Nevertheless my own “experience” has been that God did not begin to open my eyes to all the truths of His Word, for which you have expressed your gratitude, until I matured to the point that I did not consider my ‘gift of unknown tongues’ and my ‘gift of interpretation of tongues’ to make me any closer to God than those without such false gifts. Eventually I was brought, through the scriptures, to see the truth about ‘unknown tongues.’ My ‘experience’ at that point was that I had to choose between a false doctrine which I had accepted all my life, and The Truth about that doctrine which I was beginning to see in the scriptures. Any revelation I have received has come to me since I have seen through the false doctrine of ‘unknown’ tongues (‘Unknown’ being a word which is not found in the original Greek in 1 Corinthians 14). The only thing better than having an experience is ‘trying a spirit’ and seeing through an experience. If King Saul could have seen through his experience at Endor, he would never have fallen in battle. God had told Adam that he would return to the dust. The serpent had told Adam that he would not surely die. King Saul’s “experience” lined up with the serpent’s lie, and Saul went with his ‘experience’ and against the scripture. So in the final analysis a man with an experience had better be at the mercy of the scriptures, because the scriptures are dictated to by neither ‘experience’ nor ‘theory.’

That is not what Paul says at all. Here is what he does say starting in verse 14:

1Co 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

I left ‘unknown’ out, because it was added to the Word of God by the King James translators. So let us continue:

1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1Co 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?[Does that sound like Paul was speaking of a ‘secret prayer language’?]
1Co 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue [not understood by the congregation].
1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Read and reread that last verse. Don’t overlook the whole point of this chapter.

Pay very close attention to what Paul tells us in verse 28:

1Co 14:28  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

That verse tells us that it is incumbent upon the person with the gift of speaking a language which is not the language of that congregation, to first seek out an interpreter of the language with which the Lord has gifted this speaker, and if no one is there who can interpret that language then the brother with the gift of speaking in that language is told “let him keep silence in the church.”

Paul’s focus is on “understanding.” Yes, he does say, “forbid not to speak with other languages”, but he qualifies that statement by telling us to seek out an interpreter first and then proceed to demonstrate your gift as “a sign to unbelievers” and do it in order and not all at one time. ‘Unknown tongues’ is an unscriptural phrase found nowhere in this or any other chapter in scripture.

You are telling me that if I pray with the understanding that I am not ‘praying in the Spirit.’ I don’t think you realize what you are implying. You are saying that if Paul (or I) were to pray with the understanding, then we would not be praying in the Spirit. You go as far as to quote Jude 20 as proof that we are to pray in unknown tongues. Here is Jude 20:

Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Do you see now how you are equating ‘unknown tongues’ to the words ‘Holy Ghost’ here in Jude 1:20. You point to that scripture and ask me if I can’t see that we are to pray in unknown tongues. The plain scriptural answer is I do not see the words ‘unknown tongues’ anywhere in the book of Jude or anywhere else in scripture. The kind of tongues being spoken of here are revealed in verse 21. We need not speculate:

1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

It is the very next verse which tells us what the purpose for speaking in other languages is:

1Co 14:22  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

There it is. Paul makes it clear that what he is talking about throughout this chapter are the “tongues… and … lips [of] other… men.”

“Tongues are for a sign not to them that believe, but to them that believe not” is the exact opposite of the doctrine so common in the Charismatic churches which states “We believe that the gift of unknown tongues is the initial evidence of the gift of the holy ghost.” Nothing could be further from The Truth. That statement is the exact opposite of “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, NOT to them that believe, but to them that believe not.”

When Paul refers to what the law says on this subject, he is referring to Isaiah 28:11-12, where Isaiah is prophesying of the impending fall of the northern kingdom of Israel at the hands of the Assyrians:

Isa 28:11  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

The ‘men of other tongues’ referred to there are men of the Assyrian tongue.

We know from the book of Acts that Paul was at least bi-lingual. We know he spoke both Hebrew and Greek, and he almost certainly spoke Latin, the language of Rome. Nowhere are we told that Paul had the gift of tongues. Paul is not making that claim here. You have to read that into the text.

1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

The word ‘unknown’ is in brackets because it is not in the Greek text. Does “let him keep silence in the church” sound like Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to speak in ‘unknown tongues?’ Let us return to the beginning of this 14th chapter of 1st Corinthians:

1Co 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
1Co 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1Co 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Does one single verse of this section of this chapter sound like Paul is encouraging you to pray in an unknown tongue? I appreciate your zeal. It seems that many people who come to my site are charismatics who are serious and zealous to serve God. I repeat Paul’s advice:

1Co 14:4  He that speaketh in an [unknown, not in the Greek] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth [speaks in plain English] edifieth the church.

This is where Paul’s emphasis is:

1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

That is what Paul is encouraging these zealous but “childish” (1Co 13:11), and “carnal” (1Co 3:1-4), Corinthians to do in this chapter. There is not one word about praying in an ‘unknown’ tongue here or anywhere else in the Bible.

That is the exact opposite of what Paul is saying. What he is saying is that it is far better to speak to people in their own language, which I refer to as ‘plain English’, rather than speaking to them in a language which they do not understand and which requires an interpreter.

Here is the proof:

1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my [clearly understood English] voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [foreign] tongue.
1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Paul is not inferring that he speaks in ‘unknown tongues’. Read verse 19 again:

1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my [clearly understood English] voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown, he is referring to a foreign] tongue.

Notice that I have the word ‘unknown’ in brackets along with my commentary, “he is referring to a foreign…” neither of which are in the original Greek text.

Every time you see that word ‘understanding’ Paul is contrasting it with the much abused gift of real languages which these zealous but mislead and ‘carnal’ ‘babes in Christ’ wished to display to “edify [themselves]”, rather than the church:

1Co 14:4  He that speaketh in an unknown [foreign] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Paul is right up front with these people. He first tells them:

1Co 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;
1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Then only two verses later he tells them:

1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 in the same judgment.
1Co 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them [which are of the house] of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1Co 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Then in the next breath he is telling us this of this same congregation:

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Corinthian church was not able to receive the strong spiritual meat of the Word, but they “came behind in no gift,” and they were especially proud of their gift of languages.

You say:

I know exactly how charismatics think, and I know their doctrine. It used to be my own doctrine. When you use the word ‘tongues’ you mean ‘unknown tongues’. However, that was not Paul’s conclusion. This is how he concludes this subject of the proper use of the gift of real languages:

1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
1Co 14:38  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
1Co 14:39  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with [true] tongues.

I welcome a true Pentecostal experience with the true gift of true “men of other tongues and of other lips.” But I see now see clearly through the zeal that has led me and millions of other sincere ‘babes in Christ’ to fall for a very poor counterfeit of what actually happened on the day of Pentecost.

You say:

I appreciate you sharing this with me. I hope that “a man with a theory is at the mercy of a man with an experience. I cannot deny this baptism in the Spirit” does not mean that you place your experience “above that which is written” (1Co 4:6). I believe that a man with an experience should “try the spirits” just as diligently as a man with a theory. The Truth of the scripture is determined by neither ‘experience’ nor ‘theory.’ It is determined only by “the sum of thy Word” (Psa 119:160).

Let’s both pray that God will remove any idol of our heart and reveal His Truth to us. That is truly and honestly all I want.

God bless you as you seek to know the mind of Christ.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

YbiChrist,
Mike

]]> Not All Speak With Tongues – Part 2 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/not-all-speak-with-tongues-part-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=not-all-speak-with-tongues-part-2 Sun, 03 May 2026 04:08:56 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=36033 Audio Download

Not All Speak With Tongues – Part 2

[Study Aired May 3, 2026]

You ask:

The account of Paul laying his hands on 12 men who then received the holy spirit is found in:

Act 19:1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Act 19:4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7  And all the men were about twelve.

This story taken alone could indeed indicate the need for laying on of hands before one could receive the holy spirit. However, this is not the only account of how the holy spirit was given, and we must always consider “the sum of Thy Word” while we establish our doctrine:

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever. (ASV)

Peter ‘laid hands’ on no one at Cornelius’ house. Yet they were given the Holy Ghost:

Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 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.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Just because Paul laid hands on these twelve men before they were given the holy spirit does not make the laying on of hands is a requirement for receiving the holy spirit.

Christ entered the home of Jarius, ‘a ruler of the synagogue’, and ‘laid His hand’… “took her by the hand”, and raised her from the dead:

Luk 8:54  And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

Again when a Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, Jesus offered to go to his house and heal the servant. The centurion told Jesus he knew that if Jesus indeed had the power to heal, then Jesus did not need to physically lay His hands on anyone:

Luk 7:2  And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
Luk 7:3  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
Luk 7:4  And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Luk 7:5  For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
Luk 7:6  Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
Luk 7:7  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luk 7:8  For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Luk 7:9  When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Luk 7:10  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Receiving the gift of the holy spirit is no different than receiving the gift of being healed as the story of the Gentiles in the home of the Roman centurion, Cornelius, demonstrates. There are three accounts of the giving of the holy spirit in the book of Acts. The first was on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when the gift of the holy spirit was first given. The second was at the home of the Roman centurion, Cornelius, in Acts 10. There was no laying  on of hands at either of these events.

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45  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.
Act 10:46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

As Paul’s ministry matured, he was brought by God’s Spirit to see that many things he once did were simply no longer necessary.

There was a time when Paul also baptized with water. Later he tells us:

1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
1Co 1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
1Co 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:

Then he tells us:

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify [the church] and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

It was to Paul that God first revealed that the ritual of circumcision was totally unnecessary. There was a period where anointed cloths were sent out from Paul’s presence for the healing of others. God honored these actions because they were done in faith, as they still are by some. As Paul matured, he became aware that sometimes our faith is “tried.” Not all our prayers are answered in the way we might desire, anointed cloths or not, hands laid on or not.

He tells Timothy, who apparently suffered digestive issues, to drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities (1Ti 5:23).

Again we are told:

2Ti 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Again Paul’s faith was tested:

Php 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
Php 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Why didn’t Paul just send Timothy an anointed cloth or lay hands on him and pray for his healing? I feel sure that Paul had prayed fervently for Timothy’s “often infirmities.” Does anyone doubt that Paul prayed for either Trophimus or Epaphroditus? Of course Paul prayed for them all, but their immediate healing was not in God’s will at that time. That did not shake his faith because Paul’s faith did not depend on outward signs. Likewise our own faith must be based on more than outward displays. If not, the fiery trial of our faith will shake anything that can be shaken.

Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

To answer your question directly, circumcision, water baptism, foot washing, the Lord’s supper, anointed cloths and the laying on of hands, are all outward displays of one’s faith. They are not a sin any more than “another who is weak in the faith eats herbs.”

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

So it is with those who must have these displays of their faith. I lay my hands on a person when I pray for them if I can and if that is what they want, but I do not for one minute believe that this ritual is a requirement for an answered prayer. You cannot do physical things to become spiritual.

Tongues are no exception to that truth. When we take the spiritual truths of the new covenant and turn them into physical requirements, like water baptism and ‘unknown tongues’ and laying on of hands, we are not manipulating God at all. He will grant our request only if it is according to His will:

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask [“according to His will”], we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

If you are asking me if I know anyone who healed the sick, had a word of knowledge, or prophesied without speaking in unknown tongues the answer is… Indeed I do! Christ healed the sick, had all knowledge and prophesied. Yet He never once spoke in an unknown tongue. The same is true of every one of the apostles. As a matter of fact they did all these things before they were even converted. Yes, they did!

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying,

Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Luk 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

The 12 and the 70 performed miracles before they were even converted.

Luk 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Yet years later, the night of His apprehension by the Jews, Christ tells Peter:

Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,  strengthen thy brethren.

Spiritual gifts are not a Biblical equivalent to the fruit of the Spirit. They are not even in the same league. I cannot over-emphasize this. Paul tells the Corinthian church:

1Co 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;
1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Do you see that? The church at Corinth “came behind in NO GIFT.” Yet in the next breath Paul tells them:

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

So do not measure a man by the gifts he possesses. Measure him only by the fruit he produces. How does he react to being mistreated? Is he even capable of “loving his enemies?” That is a far better measure of a man’s spiritual condition than whether he can pray for the sick and experience healings, and it is far superior to whether he speaks in ‘unknown tongues.’

If you insist on equating ‘unknown tongues’ with the real languages spoken by those who were given the gift of the holy spirit on three occasions in the book of Acts (Pentecost, Cornelius’ house, and the Ephesian converts), then you alone must decide, “Am I asking sincerely, wanting only to know the truth of the word of God on this subject, or do I have a personal ‘idol of the heart?” which insists that ‘speaking in unknown tongues is the initial evidence of the gift of the holy spirit.’ I cannot answer that question for you. I can tell you on the authority of God’s Word that ‘unknown’ tongues have no basis in the scriptures. Known languages? Sure! However, the word ‘unknown’ is not in the Bible regarding the gift of tongues. God will not give you a stone for asking for a fish, and He will not give you a counterfeit gift of tongues if you ask Him for the gift of His spirit with a sincere and open heart. If you come to His word with your mind already made up that ‘the gift of unknown tongues is the initial evidence of the gift of the holy spirit’, and then self-righteously twist His word to fit into your heart’s idol, then yes, God Himself will answer you according to the multitude of the idols of your heart, and He will deceive you. Here are His own words:

Eze 14:1  Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:5  That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Eze 14:6  Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Eze 14:7  For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Eze 14:8  And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Eze 14:9  And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Keep this attitude. Ask God not to deceive you but to give you a love of the Truth.

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

If you have not yet read the article entitled Strong Delusion. be sure to do so. When the Lord says, “If the prophet be deceived when he has spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet”, the Lord’s deception is not just a delusion, rather it is “strong delusion”:

2Th 2:8  And then [When we come to see the man of sin, our own carnal mind, sitting in the temple of God, “which temple we are”, (1Co 3:13-15)], shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [the coming of His Truth]:
2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The doctrine of unknown tongues is not “the Truth” of the scriptures, and anyone who believes they are is under the Lord’s “strong delusion.” That is The Truth of scripture.

YbiChrist,
Mike

]]> Not All Receive the Gift of Tongues https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/not-all-receive-the-gift-of-tongues/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=not-all-receive-the-gift-of-tongues Sun, 26 Apr 2026 04:46:08 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=35998 Audio Download

Not All Receive the Gift of Tongues

Posted March 11, 2004, updated April 2026 

Introduction

This study was originally published 22 years ago in response to several questions from a brother who believed that unknown tongues was a Biblical doctrine. At that time I had not yet written anything on this subject and I told Sandi that when she posted this that we would probably lose as much as 50% of our readership. I knew that many, if not most, of the people attending our conferences back then believed that unknown tongues were the sign that you had received the gift of the holy spirit.

This study was done in response to questions from a reader who seemed to be sincere. They were questions I had myself at one time, and I was excited to share what I had learned with this reader, but I knew very well how tenacious this particular false doctrine is to those who have spoken in unknown tongues, and I was right about losing many readers when I let everyone know that I considered the doctrine that “Speaking in unknown tongues is the initial evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost” is a false doctrine. Yet that statement is an article of faith among many Pentecostal and Charismatic congregants. The acceptance of this false doctrine has continued to grow in popularity in virtually every Christian denomination, both Catholic and Protestant. They read these verses and because they have no ability to discern spirits, they fall for that lie:

Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Hi Mike!

Thanks for your response. I do want to discuss this subject of speaking in tongues. I just wanted to explain how I’ve believed this. I had a few thoughts about your statement that not everyone who has the Holy Ghost receives the gift of tongues.

Thanks, M____

Hi M____,

Yes, Paul makes it very clear that not all who receive the Holy Ghost receive the gift of tongues when he lists all the gifts and offices and then poses seven questions. The obvious answer to every one of those seven questions is an emphatic, No! His point being that each member of the body has a different function. No one sincerely seeking to know the mind of God on this subject can read the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians and conclude that everyone who has the Holy Ghost must speak with tongues. Read that chapter. After each question Paul poses, ask yourself, “Does this person have to speak with tongues to have the Holy Spirit?” The only verses where the answer is yes will be the verses which deal with the gift of tongues. Yet Paul assert that they all have the “selfsame Spirit”.

1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Tongues are mentioned only three times in the book of Acts:

  1. When they were first given on the day of Pentecost in Act 2, as a sign to the Jews from all over the world, followed by Peter’s witness to all those Jews.
  2. At Cornelius’ house, in Acts 10, as a sign that the gospel was to go to the Gentiles, again followed by Peter’s witness to both the Gentiles present and as a sign to Peter himself and the Jews that were with him that the gospel had, indeed, been given to the Gentiles.
  3. To the 12 men at Ephesus, again as a sign, to the very “Jews of Asia,” who were later to be so instrumental in attempting to stop Paul’s ministry as “the apostle of the Gentiles” ( “Tongues are for a sign to unbelievers.” That is the only scriptural purpose given for this gift. Tongues, in scripture, are always real languages.

Let’s just let the scriptures speak for themselves. I will embolden a few words for emphasis:

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. [There; if you have Christ, you have the Spirit]
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1Co 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1Co 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

The many members with many gifts and functions have only one “Holy Ghost”- verse 3. The “more excellent way” is the way of ‘agape,’ love. The love of God is totally ignored by many who actually teach that “Speaking with unknown tongues it the initial evidence of the gift of the holy spirit.” To these immature and deceived brothers speaking with ‘unknown tongues’ is by far a more reliable sign of how close one is to God in the mind of many than the “more excellent way” revealed in ‘the love chapter’ of 1 Corinthians 13.

I know this is true, because I was just such a person as a teenage Pentecostal. I remember clearly how shocked I was  when it was pointed out to me that Paul said that he would rather speak five words which could be understood than ten thousand words in a tongue no one understood:

1Co 14:19  Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

These gifts here in 1 Corinthians 12 are listed in descending order of importance. Tongues are always the last gift mentioned. Paul concludes with the admonition to “covet earnestly the best gifts.” Notice how Paul characterizes those who prefer to edify themselves by displaying their gift of tongues instead of edifying the church:

1Co 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Why then is it that the emphasis today is the exact opposite as the so-called ‘gift of unknown tongues’ is becoming more and more mainstream in so many churches?

Apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments are all around, but they can’t hold a candle to the popularity of ‘unknown tongues.’ Why is that? Could it be that a healing is a bit harder to perform? Well, in truth, that is certainly not the case for God, but that is the case for the Adversary. Yet it seems that the only gift being sought so diligently by most Christians is ‘unknown tongues.’

Again, the obvious answer to every question Paul poses concerning whether all possess all of the gifts is an emphatic NO! Not every one who receives the Holy Ghost, talks with tongues, and NO one speaking in the true spirit of God speaks in ‘unknown tongues’ because such a doctrine is not even mentioned in scripture.

The “Holy Ghost,” is “Christ in you.” That is why He said, “The Father will take of mine and give to you.” That is why Christ said, “I will not leave you Comfortless. I will come to you.”

That is why we are told that ‘the parakletos’ is “the comforter which IS the holy ghost…”:

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter [G3875: ‘parakletos’], which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Notice where this verse appears and what Christ had just said:

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. [The ‘we’, and the ‘our’ refer to Christ and His Father]

Christ’s teaching is that He and His Father will come and make their abode within us. There is no mention of a “third person” because we are told that this “parakletos, which is the holy ghost”, is Jesus Christ:

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate [G3875: ‘parakletos’] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Our ‘advocate”, our “comforter” is our “parakletos”… Jesus Christ the righteous” That is what Christ meant when He told us the Father had given everything to Christ. When He said that, He was referring specifically to the holy spirit, which Christ said He would send to us:

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come [“The Comforter”, (Joh 15:26)], he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Joh 16:15  All things that the Father hath are mine [Including the Father’s spirit]: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Christ had already told us that “the spirit of Truth” is the same as “the comforter.”

Joh 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

[Be sure to read Is God a Trinity? on the web page.]

In Act 2, it says that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues. Okay, here we have them all speaking in other tongues. There seems to be an indication that, when a person is filled with the holy spirit he ‘begins to speak’ .

Of all the conversions mentioned in the book of Acts, from the 3000 on the day of Pentecost to the Ethiopian eunuch, to all the people Paul and Barnabas brought to Christ, to Paul’s and Silas’ jailer, etc., tongues are mentioned only three times. 1 Corinthians 12 explains why. Not every part of “the body,” needs the same gift. Besides that, the only tongues mentioned in Acts 2, or anywhere else in scripture, are real languages, spoken clearly by people who weren’t even able to interpret what they were saying. They were of no value to the person speaking, as far as being edified by what was coming out of their own mouth. However, those words were very edifying to “unbelievers,” and that is why tongues were given to those to whom they were given in the New Testament.

Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem [unbelieving] Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

These as yet unbelieving Jews knew that these men were all uneducated “Galileans.”

Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

The languages spoken by those given the gift of tongues are enumerated, and not one of the languages is referred to as being an “unknown tongue”:

Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? [This was a “sign to these unbelievers”]

I have never denied that on the day of Pentecost, “they all spoke in other tongues [languages].” This is a bonafide gift of God. This is the real thing. If the Spirit is moving in this way, as is claimed, why have we not one modern case of such an event. Television  and news magazines have from time to time been forced to admit to a Bonafide healing. Personally, I have yet to see or hear of any such event as was witnessed by thousands on the day of Pentecost. I want to experience such a miracle, but I want it to be as real as it was that day when “speaking with tongues … profit [ed] you, …[by] speak[ing] to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine” (1Co 14:6). This is what happened with real languages on the day of Pentecost, and every time tongues are mentioned in scripture. Again, there is no mention in scripture of ‘unknown tongues.’

We know this is so because Paul goes on to tell us that the tongues he is discussing in 1 Corinthians 14 are so real he makes this statement:

1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds [Distinction means that it has significance to someone in the room], how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound [how in the world can anyone be certain about a language that is not mentioned in scripture and is understood by no one on earth?], who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood [does this sound like Paul is talking about ‘unknown,’ tongues], how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
1Co 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1Co 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

That last verse is in contrast to: He that speaketh in an [foreign] tongue [when there is no one there who needs that particular tongue] edifieth himself [hey, look at me, I’ve got my gift]; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church (1Co 14:4). The “edifieth himself” of this verse is not talking about spiritual edification, because the man himself does not understand what he is saying in the language he is speaking. Nevertheless, it is a real language under discussion, as real as the languages on the day of Pentecost, or Paul would never have made the statements we have just quoted or the statement that follows that:

1Co 14:5  I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

An ‘unknown’ tongue would serve no purpose whatsoever. It is a false ‘sign’ because no one can possibly know whether it was being properly interpreted, because it isn’t even a language. That is why Paul poses the question, “How shall it be known what is spoken?” (verse 9). Paul is not even talking about ‘unknown tongues.’ He asks that question in the context of having no one around who would be benefited by the real foreign language being spoken. ‘Unknown tongues’ as that phrase has come to be understood, are not even part of the discussion in 1 Corinthians 14, or anywhere else in scripture.

You ask:

“In Luke it says wait until you’re endued with power from on high. Do you believe that at salvation you receive the Holy Ghost as well?” (End Quote)

The phrase “at salvation” is not in the scriptures. I am not intending to offend you, but the way you have framed this question, demonstrates that you are not aware that ‘salvation’ is a continual, “dying daily” (1Co 15:31) process. Of course you receive the Holy Ghost when you receive Christ. The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit which God the Father gave to Christ who then gives His Father’s spirit to us.

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth [“The Comforter”, (Joh 15:26)], is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Joh 16:15  All things that the Father hath are mine [Including the holy spirit]: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost [Which is “the Spirit of Truth”, (Joh 15:26)], whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Joh 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Here is Christ telling us the comforter and the spirit of truth are the holy ghost which the Father has given to Christ. That is how Christ can say “He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you”.

Both English words ‘ghost’ and spirit’ are translated from the same single Greek word ‘pneuma‘. The Greek for ‘holy ghost’ is Hagios Pneuma. The translators have done us a very great disservice by not giving this Greek phrase a consistent translation.

Ephesian 4:30 tells us not to grieve the holy spirt of God:

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Why did they not translate that verse as… “And grieve not the holy ghost of God…” Could it be that doing so would indicate that the spirit of God is not a person but that of which God consists… His all powerful, ever present, everywhere present spirit.

Getting back to your use of the phrase… “at salvation”, the apostle Paul demonstrates the fallacy of that phrase when he speaks of our salvation in this way:

Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

How does “salvation nearer” square with the concept of “at salvation?” Again he says:

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [Why not ‘Holy Ghost of promise?’]

Then he also reveals this:

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

These verses reveal that ‘salvation’ is a continual “working out” process. We receive the ‘Holy Spirit [Ghost] of promise immediately “after ye believed.” Just because the twelve men at Ephesus had never even heard of the Holy Spirit does not mean that one must wait for a so called “separate work of the Spirit.” Those twelve men were still under “the baptism of John” and were completely unaware that Christ, through His Father’s spirit could come and dwell within them:

Act 19:1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Act 19:4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7  And all the men were about twelve.

John’s baptism was to repentance, but it did not include the conversion that comes with the gift of the holy spirit. As Christ told Peter, His own apostle the night of His apprehension by the Jews. This was after Peter spending three and a half years as Christ’s apostle:

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luk 22:33  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Luk 22:34  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Like Peter before his conversion, the twelve men at Ephesus were not yet converted because they had not yet received the holy spirit. Even then we still must “endure to the end” to receive our salvation:

Christ is always the final word on any subject and the statement that ‘we must endure to the end to receive our salvation’ is Christ’s own words:

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

This Truth is repeated by Christ in Matthew 24:

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many [who believe in Christ] shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

So, to answer your question as to what I believe, based on these and many other like scriptures, I do believe that you receive the Holy Spirit immediately upon conversion, but I do not believe that you are mature in the Spirit at the moment you become aware of your need for a Savior, and the fact that a Savior has been provided. Salvation is an ongoing process. Though you have been given God’s Spirit, right from the beginning, God’s Spirit does not make you mature and complete right from the beginning. The steps involved in our maturing process are outlined for us in Israel’s experience and history. Paul tells us that this is so in:

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

I am sending you another email on this subject of salvation. It is entitled The Seven Steps To Salvation.

We will pause this study at this point and continue with this brother’s questions in our next study.

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