Despite of all artificial
attempts by Pentecostals and other "Charismatics" to create the
miracle that happened to the Apostles on the Day of the Holy Pentecost, what
they got is anything but a real miracle. We can read in the first few chapters
of the Book of Acts, what happened to the Apostles on the holy day of Pentecost
when the real "Gift of Tongues" was given to them. Holy Apostle Paul
in the First Letter to Corinthians, ch.12-14, explains the reason for this
miracle. The "Gift of Tongues" was needed for the Apostles, so that
they could spread the Gospel to different nations. By getting the "Gift of
Tongues" the Apostles could preach to people in their native language and
thanks to that the Church began to spread very rapidly. As we know from
history, this "Gift" disappeared shortly thereafter. As the people of
various nations became Christians, many qualified native preachers became
available. The need for the miracle to speak different languages at the same
time, decreased. At the time of St. Irenaeus of Lyon in the middle of the 3rd
century, "Gift of Tongues" was mentioned as a rare occurrence.
From the Second Letter to Corinthians of St. Paul, we can conclude, that the
"Gift of Tongues" was spread more there, then anyplace else. "GoT"
was one of the spiritual gifts which some Christians received after baptism and
after the "Apostles laid hands " on the heads of the newly baptized.
However, not all, who received it used it properly. Apostle Paul cautioned them
not to use it carelessly. During the services (prayer meetings) some Christians
in Corinth were speaking in foreign languages that were not needed. Most likely
they did it to "show off." Apostle Paul explains that the "Gift
of Tongues" is needed for... "not them that believe but to them that
believe not." In other words "GoT" is needed for missionary
work, to convert pagans to Christianity and not for those that were baptized.
In addition to this, "GoT" had a negative aspect on prayers, when
used at the wrong time. For example, when during the service several people
started to talk simultaneously in foreign languages, it created disorder which
resulted in prayer disorientation. In order to correct this improper use of
God’s gift, the Apostle explains to Corinthians that this gift is lesser then
other gifts, that are needed for spiritual growth. The Christians of Corinth
will be better off if they will pray to God to enrich them with: gifts of
faith, restrictions, patience, love, wisdom and other similar gifts.
If we compare the Apostolic "GoT" with contemporary
"Tongue-speakers," we can see a big difference. In apostolic time
Christians got a gift of a real spoken language. It was a human spoken tongue
that was used for missionary purpose. If we compare it with the modern
Pentecostal "tongue," it is nothing more than some mumbling, mostly
isolated, without any connecting phrases or words and in some cases with
violent outcries. The explanation they give is that it is the "Language of
Heaven," It is impossible to accept as God’s miracle this incomprehensible
mumbling. This is most likely the result of nervous excitement, trance, or
hallucination bordering on raving. Therefore, sectarians blasphemy with
artificial exaltation and sometimes, with inhuman sounds that are assigned as
God’s inspiration.
In general, the aim of modern society is for any acute psychological
sensation, such as loud wild music, which brings up erotic and evil feelings
and encourages sexual disorders, misuse of stimulating drugs and narcotics,
fascination with horror and wild crime movies. All these perversions are
symptoms of a sick soul.
In the same manner seeking of delight and ecstasy in payers — is the sign of
a passionate and proud state. Here, occurs the substitution of the real gifts
of the Holy Ghost by artificially created psychological feelings. Totally
ignoring the spiritual experience of the Saints, rejection of God’s established
priesthood and the Sacraments, contemporary sects try to achieve grace by very
questionable methods. By using this approach — one obtains deception or a
"delight" against which all the saints of the Orthodox Church warned.
An orthodox Christian has to use all possible means not to follow this type
of religious feeling. We all have complete access to the real spiritual
treasury in the Sacraments of the Church, its Services and sincere personal
prayer. In unification with God we have to seek not an anesthesia and sharp
experience, but a regeneration of our sinful soul. Regeneration occurs through
humbleness, repentance and correction of one’s self. By the degree of
regeneration of a person’s soul, an authentic Grace of God will flow into him
and with it heavenly peace and pure joy, by comparison to which man-made
delight is a cheap and poor substitute.
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