Tongues (γλῶσσα)
Through the prophet Isaiah, God told Israel that He would give them a sign by speaking with them in other tongues (Isaiah 28:11). Fifty days after the Passover, in which Christ was put to death by wicked men but raised out from the dead three days later by God, the disciples where in Jerusalem as they had been commanded (Acts 1:4) when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 2:1-4) and they spoke in a different language.
Tongue (γλῶσσα) is a word that is used of the physical tongue, how a person speaks, and the language spoken. When Christ healed a deaf man with a speech impediment, the man’s tongue was loosed, and he spoke correctly (Mark 7:33-35). In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man asked for water to cool his tongue (Luke 16:24). In the book of Romans, we see that the tongue is used for speaking for with their tongues they deceive (Romans 3:13) and every tongue will verbally agree with God (Romans 14:11).
When it comes to the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, it is defined in the same context in which it first appears in Scripture. The intense sound made when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples caused many of the Jews in the city to come to see what was happening (Acts 2:6). Now at this time a lot of devout Jews, meaning they were saved under the Mosaic Law, from every nation under heaven were in the city and their reaction explains what was happening. They marveled because the disciples were speaking in their dialects (διάλεκτος) the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11). They were not just speaking another language, but specific dialects from where these Jews lived among the nations. The context of the speech was also understood, for they were speaking of the greatness of God. Later, when Peter is called to Cornelius’ house, this same thing happens to the Gentiles, causing amazement to the Jews with Peter that the gift of God was also poured out on the Gentiles. They spoke in different dialects magnifying God (Acts 10:44-46).
The Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is the ability to magnify God in another dialect not known by the speaker and it was given to the Church for a sign to the unbelieving Jews (1 Corinthians 14:14). As a sign to the Jews (1 Corinthians 14:22), Paul wished that all spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5); however, more so prophecy because it is understood by all. For within the assembly Paul would rather speak five words with understanding than ten thousand in an unknown tongue (1 Corinthians 14:19). Due to its purpose, the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues caused itself to cease (1 Corinthians 13:8) when Israel again rejected God’s offer of salvation, and therefore is no longer active within the Church today. Speaking in tongues has no value within the assemblies (1 Corinthians 14:6), for unless there is an interpreter the one speaking is not understood by men, only God (1 Corinthians 14:2) and is only edifying himself (1 Corinthians 14:4). This does not mean speaking in tongues is a prayer language, that would require ignoring the context. We are to worship God in spirit (rational) and truth (John 4:24), which cannot be done when the mind does not understand what is being said (1 Corinthians 14:9 – for if I worship in a tongue, my spirit worships, but my mind is not fruitful).
There is a lot of heresy built around speaking in tongues. Pentecostal and Charismatic assemblies, which are led by sons of Satan (Ephesians 2:2; 5:6; Colossians 3:6), preach a different Jesus and have a different spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4). Are you being influenced by a different spirit? Test each spirit (1 John 4:1). For those claiming to speak in tongues today, we have technology that can understand different spoken languages, test them. Excuses will be made, but the reality is it is false. For those who claim to speak in tongues, this testing can be very difficult to accept because often it becomes an integral part of a person’s identity, but remember it is not God who lied to you and now He is giving you an opportunity to be free from that lie, if you will take Him at His Word over that of men. The assembly is for the edification of all, not the lifting up of a few. Therefore, let us cast off ignorance and walk in the light while we grow together unto a full experiential knowledge of the Son of God, for Satan would love nothing more than to deceive us and get us to walk independently from God by those he has deceptively placed into the assemblies to do his will.
The Place of Maturity for all Who are in the Christ
υἱοθεσία (placement of a son) is a word that expresses the cultural concept of when a child has matured enough to no longer be required to be under guardians and stewards, he is placed as a son. While the child is an inarticulate babbler, he is under guardians and stewards until the appointed time of the father. During this time the child does not differ from a slave of the household (Galatians 4:1-2). Although typically used of a mature male child, a mature female child could also hold the position in homes that lacked a son.
This aspect is brought over into the Church because all those who are immersed into the Christ (the new creation God made when He raised Christ), are placed as sons.
… while having marked off our bounds to the placement of sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His desirous will, Ephesians 1:5.
The significance of this, is that all who are placed as sons are not under law. Those under law, before faith in Christ came, were kept under guardians and tutors (Galatians 3:23-24). When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those who were under law that they should be placed as sons (Galatians 4:4-5). As members of the Church, we did not receive a spirit of bondage, but one of son placement (Romans 8:15). Therefore, we live out from faith (Romans 1:17), not by law for the law does not require faith (Galatians 3:12). The placement of sons actually belongs to Israel but when they rejected righteousness through Christ God opened it up to the Gentiles who accepted the truth (Romans 9:4).
When Paul wrote that our bounds have been marked off to the placement of sons, he was expressing the concept of God’s will in which those who are placed into Christ would not be under law, for they would be given all things pertaining to life and godliness so they can train their senses to distinguish between good and wrong and use the new mind they have to discern the desirous will of God in all situations. That is, they spiritually mature.
As for the erroneous translation of “adoption”, it does not actually mean taking the legal responsibility as a parent of a child that is not a biological child. Rather, “ἄμφανσις – adopt” is used for that concept, where “ἐκποίητος” refers to the one who was given to be adopted. Not only is this a bad translation, but it is also directly refuted by the fact that we are legitimate children of God, for He has placed His seed within us (1 John 3:2,9).
Since we are not under law, we are expected to mature and live righteously. When we do not, God will child-train us to correct our actions (Hebrews 12:5-6). Even to the point of death, for He will not allow us to be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32). Therefore, the placement of sons has nothing to do with the sex of a person, it is a position of maturity. Our standard is the risen, glorified, Christ and we live up to this standard by setting our minds on the things above (Colossians 3:1-2) and lining up our actions with God’s opinion of us in Christ. As we mature, we come to a full experiential knowledge of who we are in Christ so that we are no longer tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men (Ephesians 4:13-14). To our faith we add virtue, to our virtue knowledge, and to our knowledge we add self-control, and to our self-control we add patience, and to our patience we add godliness, and to our godliness we add fondness and to our fondness we ad love, for while these things exist in us, we will never be unfruitful in the full experiential knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8). But the one who lacks these things has forgotten that Christ cleansed us from our sins (2 Peter 1:9).
Therefore, as sons, let us live out the salvation we have in Christ, not by governing our lives through “do nots” but by manifesting who we are in Christ by loving other saints, doing good to all, and expressing a proper opinion of God through our lives as mature ones by living according to His opinion of us in Christ.
Call (καλέω)
Called is used for the name of a person or a description by which a person is defined. Summons is an aspect of “called” in which a person is called to a meeting, event, place, or state of existence for the purpose of participating.
In Matthew 2:7 Herod summons the Magi, but not in a public way, so he can gain information about this King of the Jews they speak of. During the tribulation period, while the Jews are in the wilderness, those who are peace makers are described (called) as sons (mature ones) of God (Matthew 5:9).
God calls those things that do not exist as though they do, for when He says He will do something, even when we cannot see it, He is able to make it come true (Romans 4:17). Within the decree of God, He made specific plans according to His purpose. One of the things He determined was that a group of the saved would be marked off to conform to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Now is the time for all who believe to be placed as sons in Christ so we can mature unto a full experiential knowledge, so today God calls us. Our calling is not because we are righteous, for those whom He calls He also justifies (Romans 8:30). God showed that his calling is not based upon the desire or the work of humans, but rather His own plan when He called Jacob over Esau for the inheritance of promise before they were even born (Romans 9:7). Unlike under law, now both Jew and Gentile are being called (Romans 9:24). Therefore, the fellowship we have with Christ is because God called us, not by our desire or works (1 Corinthians 1:9).
Today we have a call unto salvation, and those who hear and respond are made righteous by God through the resurrection of Christ. However, calling is not equivalent to salvation for many can be called but only a few chosen, just as what happens at the beginning of the Millennial kingdom when all those alive on earth are called to Jerusalem (Matthew 22:11).
God calls us into the grace we have in Christ. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit. It is important to pay attention to how we live our lives, having been called, for we are not called to live in bondage (law), but freedom (Galatians 5:13) and there are many who will seek to turn us away from the grace of Christ, into which we are called, to a different gospel (Galatians 1:6).
Our calling is to one hope (Ephesians 4:4), one body (Colossians 3:15). Hope is always based upon a promise (Romans 8:24) and faith is the substance that makes hope real in our lives (Hebrews 11:1). We of the Church are all called to be (mature ones) sons (Ephesians 1:5). We have an inheritance in the heavens (Philippians 3:20). We have been summoned to be set apart unto God (1 Thessalonians 4:7). We have a set apart calling, a calling unto a relationship with God that is not based upon works, but according to His purpose (2 Timothy 1:9). Therefore, we are to walk in a worthy manner of our calling (1 Thessalonians 2:12) as ones who are a part of one body (the Christ), for He has called us out of darkness to walk in His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
The Gospel message is the means by which we are called today (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 1:15). God’s calling is not forcing, but an offer of salvation. Many will hear, but few will listen. Our calling today is to a faith in the facts that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Those who respond, repenting (changing the mind) to believe God, are saved by God.
The New Birth
One of the aspects of becoming a Christian is a new birth. Jesus spoke of this new birth to Nicodemus, who asked how a person can be born when he is old (John 3:4) in response to Jesus telling him that he must be born from above to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3).
To understand what the new birth is and why it is necessary, we need to go back to the beginning. When Adam was created, He was made in the image (had a garment of light) and likeness (intelligent, rational) of God (Genesis 1:26). Even though as part of the original creation of humans God made us both male and female, He only created Adam. Therefore, Eve is not an individual creation; rather, she was built out from Adam’s side by God to be a helpmeet for him (Genesis 2:22), making it possible for the human race to propagate. Since we are all part of a single creation, Adam’s nature is passed on to his offspring. However, he did not pass on his original nature; rather, the nature his descendants receive was after he had corrupted it by trespassing and sinning (Genesis 5:3). This means that we all inherited his condemnation (Romans 5:12), and the spiritual and physical deaths that were a result of his trespass and sin (Romans 5:12-21). Physical death does not come upon us because of our personal sins, but as a direct result of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:14). Therefore, even if a human could live a completely righteous life before God, it would not be sufficient to save that one because the head of our creation is corrupt, condemned, and separated from God and therefore all his offspring are also in this state (Romans 3:23).
This is why God had to create a new man to be the head. As a single creation, the human race cannot be without a head. In resurrecting Christ, God created a new man in which Christ is the head and the Church is His body (Ephesians 1:22,23; Since someone is in Christ, a new creation … 2 Corinthians 5:17). We do not become a new creation, or as some translations imply, a new creature; rather, the Christ is a new creation in which we are placed.
All those in Adam are a result of propagation; however, all those in Christ are a result of immersion. The Holy Spirit immerses believers into the body of the Christ, taking them out of Adam and placing them into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). In order to do this, the Holy Spirit has to wash and regenerate us, which cleanses from sins and places God seed within us so that we become legitimate children of God (1 John 3:2,9). This is the new birth. We are now, literally, born from above, just as Jesus said was required to see the Kingdom of God.
not out from works, the ones in righteousness, which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us through washing of regeneration and renewing from the Holy Spirit – Titus 3:5.
Our new birth is not a birth from a corrupt seed; rather, we are born again from an incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23). Therefore, as ones who are born again, we are no longer condemned in Adam (Romans 8:1) but are now righteous in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30). Although we have not yet received our full redemption, for that will be at the saving of our souls (1 Peter 1:9), which is the last part of us to be saved when we are resurrected and see Christ (1 John 3:2), God imputes Christ’s righteousness to us now and therefore gives us all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4) through which we escape the corruption of this world through its desires.
Eulogize (εὐλογητός/εὐλογέω)
The concept of “blessing” in Scripture either means, “to be happy” or, “to speak well of”. To eulogize someone is to bless them by speaking well of them; speaking of the good things someone has done.
Eulogy is often used concerning God and His Christ. When we “bless” God, we are speaking well of Him due to His character and what He has done. He visited and redeemed His people (Luke 1:68). He is the Father of mercies and comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). We are born again according to His mercy through the resurrection of Jesus Christ out from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). Christ was first sent to the Jews to speak well of them by turning each one of them away from their malignant evil (Acts 3:26).
In a world that loves darkness (John 3:19), we walk as luminaries by showing the life of God in action (Philippians 2:15); therefore, in contrast to those who blasphemy and revile us, we are to speak well of them (1 Peter 3:9), seasoning our words with a bit of grace (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6), for remember, it is the kindness of God that brings a change of mind, not wrath (Romans 2:4). This is not ignoring someone’s wrong or overlooking the necessity of penalty for their actions. It is to not retaliate in kind. They persecute, blasphemy, and revile us for living and speaking the truth, but we do not speak things about them that are not true nor curse them (Romans 12:14), for they will be put to shame in the day of visitation, when others examine us and see our works are good (1 Peter 2:12). And as we mature in Christ, let us learn to control our tongue so that we are not using it to curse men while speaking well of God (James 3:9).
In Communion, the cup that we speak well of and the bread that we break in remembrance of our Lord, (1 Corinthians 10:16) is because the cup represents the new covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 8:6) and the bread the body of The Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24). One who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner, not discerning the body of the Christ, drinks judgment upon himself, for this is not something to take lightly of, or we would not speak well of it (1 Corinthians 11:29-32).
When it comes to the Christian, God speaks well of us in the heavenlies concerning spiritual things (Ephesians 1:3). God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Satan accuses us (Revelation 12:10), but God speaks well of us, for we are righteous ones in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30). And as ones of faith, we are well spoken of just as Abraham (Galatians 3:9).
Since God speaks well of us concerning Spiritual things, let us live a life that manifests His opinion of us, lining up with what He says, for He always speaks the truth.
Happy (μακάριος)
This aspect of “blessed” means to be happy, which is an attitude of enjoyment and pleasure resulting from a sense of well-being and contentment.
When Jesus is speaking to the Jews concerning His Kingdom and the tribulation period that is about to come, He states several things in the Sermon on the Mount that they will go through, yet they can be happy because the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
Happy are the poor in spirit because the kingdom of the heavens is concerning them, Matthew 5:3.
These ones are happy because they lack in spirit, which is referring to their lack of understanding concerning what the man of lawlessness is doing in Jerusalem as he desecrates the temple of God (Daniel 9:27). Jesus goes on to encourage those who mourn, have an objective mind, hunger and thirst after righteousness, have a pure heart, are peacemakers, and are persecuted and reviled for righteousness, because even though they will go through these things they will all be happy since when Christ returns, He will rescue the Jews in the wilderness and will setup His kingdom in which the nation of Israel will serve as priests to the Gentile nations while living in a land of peace where righteousness rules.
When it comes to the Christians:
Our happy hope is the appearance of our great God even Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). This happy hope is the rapture, the day when Christ returns to take His Church home (1 Thessalonians 4:16). In this day we will be like Him (1 John 3:2) and will forever be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Do we have faith? Remember, faith is based upon accomplished deeds that God has done through which we have promises, not a made-up belief based upon what we want or wish for (Hebrews 11:1). How we serve God is important. Some believe what they eat and drink matters, where others do not. If we truly are taking God at His Word, then happy is the one who is not judging himself in what he does, (Romans 14:22), for he will eat and drink with a good conscience.
Although Thomas saw Christ after His resurrection and then believed, those who do not see Christ and believe will be even happier (John 20:29).
As a result of Christ’s resurrection, by which we are proven to be righteous before God in Christ, our lawless works have been sent away (forgiven). This brings happiness, for happy is the one whose lawlessness is forgiven and to whom the Lord does not impute his sin (Romans 4:7-8).
We can even be happy when we face temptations, which is a solicitation to do something that lacks in character, by overcoming, not through our own effort, but by taking God at His Word and using the defenses He has provided for us in Christ (James 1:12).
Even when we suffer for doing what is right and others spread lies about us because we refuse to associate with their wrong actions, we can be happy for it is a thing of grace to even be reproached for Christ, (1 Peter 3:14; 4:14).
Those who stop living by law and start living by the law of liberty, the law of the Spirit that sets us free (Romans 8:2), are happy as a result of being doers, not just those who only listen (James 1:25).
God is a happy God (1 Timothy 1:11) and has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness so that we can also be happy. Therefore, our happiness is a result of how we use what God has provided for us so that in any situation we face we can be happy, because we belong to Him.