Is Speaking In Tongues For Today’s Church?

It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I prayerfully decided to take my grandfather’s notes and put them into a four-part series for hopefully the illumination of thousands of readers around the world.

It was my grandfather’s experience that he spoke about to my parents when I was a young boy that allowed my heart to be open to this powerful truth when a young woman in Jacksonville Florida, began to tell me about this glorious experience in God.

There are millions in this world that like Acts chapter 18 says “knowing only the baptism of John“. I was one of those believers. I desired more of God in my life, and because of my grandfather‘s pioneering efforts and bold decision to leave behind what for so many was a “good enough Christianity“ to embrace the “MORE” that God has for every disciple of Jesus Christ who wants to be empowered by the Spirit of God in a way that’s more wonderful than they could’ve ever imagined.

It’s for that purpose that I gladly took on the responsibility of transcribing my grandfather‘s notes and making them available as an author to the world at large who may by God’s design have the opportunity to read them”

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Author/ Journalist Nolan J Harkness
Grandson of Rev. Howard C Burnham
www.verticalsound.org

 

The True Bible Teaching

Versus

The Unknown Tongue

Theory -Rev. E. Parker Buck

 

Dear Brother Buck.

This is my reaction to your booklet. You say that you know there are many good people among them and saved people perhaps. So far as I am concerned there are thousands or millions among them that are not only saved but full of the Spirit. I’m sure in the past there have been so many irregularities and corruption among them and no doubt there are yet. There are many branches among them and probably some of them are not good. But I am also sure that there are many great leaders anomaly’s who like Paul concerning the Corinthian church are trying to keep their believers on an even keel, putting value where it belongs.

The more real fire you have the more wildfire you are likely to have. The devil doesn’t bother the dead modernistic churches. I believe that Oral Roberts University is destined to be one of the greatest if not the greatest religious institutions in the world. (New truth) underlined is disturbing. It always has been, and it always will be, so much so that the Jews crucified Christ. Truth sometimes is more fantastic to believe than fiction.

Like you, I’m aware that the word “unknown” in connection with tongues is not in the original, but as you used it so I will, although I believe we could get a better grasp on the tongues to question if we didn’t. I doubt if there is such a thing as an unknown tongue unless we find it in Mark 16:17, “new tongues” or concerning the tongues of angels 1 For 13:1.

What makes a tongue known or unknown is its setting. For instance, the Arabic tongue used in Corinth was no more unknown than that used at Pentecost. It’s the people that hear that make the tongue known or unknown. If Peter had got up in the Corinthian Church of believers who had a common language and spoke in the Arabic tongue would not have understood him – unknown but if he had also spoken in the same tongue at Pentecost to sinners or unbelievers, the Arabians would have heard him in their native tongue known to them.

You say that the Apostles or the 120 spoke in a known tongue, but I say that they also spoke in an unknown tongue, that is that there were some there that did not understand them. Let me relate something that I discovered some 2 or 3 years ago. The Pentecostal people say that speaking in tongues when baptized by the Holy Ghost was the pattern set at Pentecost. Being open-minded I decided to examine the second chapter of Acts to see if he records supposed their contention. I discovered that contrary to general belief, the purpose was not for propagating the gospel.  One of the purposes was to convict the sinners or unbelievers of sin, righteousness, and judgment – 1 Corinthians 14:22.

Speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost was incidental, I did say incidental, I did not say accidental, because God was working according to plan.

Since Cornelius and his house, kin and neighbors, and the 12 men at Ephesus spoke in tongues, when they received the Holy Ghost and since there was no apparent or convincing reason for doing so other than confirming the gift of the Spirit, I concur that what happened at Pentecost did set a pattern. Peter acknowledged that when he said: “For they heard them speak in tongues and extolling God. However, I do not believe as some or all of them teach that unless you speak in tongues when baptized by the Holy Ghost that you do not have the Holy Ghost. On the face of all evidence that would be silly. Yes, I believe that was the pattern of the early church. But as they cooled off and departed from the “faith once delivered to the saints” the various aspects of the gospel disappeared.

Yes, I dare put it in print, Chrysostom, who lived during part of the fourth and fifth centuries wrote: “Whoever was baptized with tongues” Also Augustine wrote in the fourth century “We still do what the apostles did in when they laid hands on the Samaritans and cold down the Holy Spirit on them the laying on of hands. It is expected that converts should speak with new tongues.” I expect that imply means some tongue other than their own.

You might ask why does God baptize people with the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues since that was the pattern of the early church? I believe that God sometimes respects our prejudices and changes the normal procedure. I think we see that demonstrated in connection with Cornelius’ experience. I think normally they would have received the Holy Spirit when baptized or immediately after by laying on of hands. But what do we see? We see them baptized by the Holy Ghost right when pardoned or when they believed before they were baptized in water. God knew the church at Jerusalem was prejudiced against the Gentiles, so the Spirit fell on them without Peter’s having anything to do with it, thus the apostles had no ground to accuse Peter or reject what happened.

Now we will go back to what happened on the day of Pentecost and that they also spoke in an unknown tongue, so-called. “Let’s examine the record. There they were, 120 of them in an upper room when the Spirit came upon them. Out on the streets, they went speaking in tongues or languages. The crowds soon gathered, and they heard them speak in their native tongues. Now right here in this word “native” is contained one of the secrets to the right interpretation of what happened. If they heard them speak in their conventional tongue there would have been no miracle because the Greek language was universal around the Roman Empire at that time, and furthermore, Peter got up later and no doubt spoke in that language as nothing was said about his peaking in tongues nor through an interpreter. Now, remember they were not prejudiced concerning tongues as we are, and.

SEE PART TWO OF THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEXT PAGE

Rev. Howard C Burnham was born in 1898 in Bentley Creek Pennsylvania. He lived out his faith in a loving and very practical way touching countless people in his lifetime. He was best known for his love for nature and was very much a naturalist and a sportsman. He grew a large portion of the produce that became much of his family’s food source. He remained a picture of health until a rare blood disease took him at 81 years old.
He was so loved that everyone in his hometown area had stories to tell of the many acts of kindness that he showed through the years.
He spent much of his latter years telling of his Pentecostal experiences to his family and acquaintances. Sadly the telling of his experiences was not well received.
He went to be with his Savior in 1979 people agreed at his funeral that they never remember him saying a bad word personally about anyone his whole life.
A large stone in his memory is engraved on the wall of Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church. Rev Howard C Burnham who would never have used his rightful title, was truly a man of God who was dearly loved by untold people throughout his lifetime!

Then what happened really shook up those Jews, proselytes, and Gentiles and paved the way for Peter’s sermon and further conviction. They were dumbfounded and wanted to know what was going on.

Please remember that Judea was among the other nations represented. This word “Judea” furnishes another key problem at hand. The theologians and commentators are stumped when they come to that word. They know perfectly well that they didn’t need to speak in tongues for the Judeans to understand them, so they know that there is something wrong here, but they don’t know what. They apparently didn’t even see that piece “Judea”. It just doesn’t fit because they have their wrong mental picture-propagating the gospel. When we pick up 2 or three pieces that don’t fit into our mental picture, we had better think about changing our picture. Now since they were speaking in the native tongues of the various nations, they were also speaking in the native Hebrew tongue of Judea. No, they didn’t have to speak in foreign tongues to make them understand. It was to edify, convict, and serve as a pattern. The Greek tongue was universal and no doubt the Aramaic was quite intensive. We never hear of the apostles needing an interpreter throughout the Empire.

Now remember that the 120 were speaking in every tongue, involved, but their own which were Greek and Aramaic. Most people knew from 2 to 4 tongues. (Referring here to languages) Some said they were drunk. Here is where the unknown tongue comes in, and another key as to what happened at Pentecost. Certainly, the ones that heard

them speak in their native tongues would not have said they were drunk then who was it? Remember that they’re speaking in every tongue, involved, but their own which was Greek and Aramaic. The Aramaic tongue comes from Syria, consequently, the people of Greece and Syria hearing them speak might think that they were drunk because they couldn’t understand them. This is further substantiated by the fact that Greece and Syria were not mentioned along with the other nations. Not just a coincidence, for Greece, was one of the most important of them all, and Syria, being the home of the Aramaic language, would be very important also. Now I am sure that unknown tongues were involved right on the day of Pentecost, because the Apostles and the people of Greece and Syria had a common tongue, therefore the Greeks and Syrians could not understand them, because they spoke in the other native tongues. Every piece of the puzzle picture that I have presented you to fits right into place. Here at Pentecost, you have an example of known and unknown tongues at the same time. So you see it depends upon the listeners as to whether it is understood or not understood. Of course, the Pentecostal people may claim That there is such a thing as an unknown tongue, that is that there is an angelic tongue or a “new tongue” that does not exist in the world. If so, I don’t think that would alter the picture any, except no one could understand them without an interpreter.

Known tongues at Pentecost edified the speakers, served as a pattern and convicted the listeners. Unknown tongues caused some to say they were drunk and perhaps mad.

In the Corinthian Church, it edified the speakers and also the listeners if interpreted, but if not interpreted they should keep still in the church because it only caused confusion. If the unknown tongue was interpreted, it was equal to one who prophesied.

But at the house of Cornelius and at the scene of the 12 men at Ephesus we have something different. Here it was the (listeners) (underline listeners) who spoke in tongues and were edified and glorified God, and for no other apparent reason except to serve as a pattern, which Peter mentioned. Their tongues were probably unknown to Peter but Paul, knowing more tongues than he, may have understood some of the tongues spoken by the 12. In either case, there is no mention of their going on to the streets to speak in tongues but rather they were soon engaged in water baptism in the case of Cornelius and his company, but the 12 were baptized before

They spoke in tongues. The supernatural gift of tongues is always unknown to someone, either to the speaker or to the hearer or both. In the latter case, if in a church service, it must be interpreted, otherwise he should keep still and exercise the unknown tongue to himself and God. The gift of tongues, on the day of Pentecost, house of Cornelius and a Ephesus, were unknown to the speakers, if not unknown then they were speaking in their conventional tongue.

Now for direct comments on your booklet, first the five by Rev. Nicholson he states: “That some argue that unknown tongues are an infallible proof of the baptism with the Holy Ghost. He should have included just plain tongues also as a proof. But of course, as stated above I do not agree with their teaching on this point. While perhaps, Rev. Buch is speaking primarily of unknown tongues, yet he also deals with known tongues.

*Side note. Howard C Burnham seemed to address a Rev. Buch in his notes, but his handwriting is not clear enough to discern if he was going to a third person reference to Rev Buck again or this was a different person with a similar name.  

So, I shall include both in this discussion and I assume that Rev. Nicholson does too when he speaks of “this modernism.”

Speaking in tongues is not modernism, it has been manifested off and on her since the day of Pentecost. I have quoted from Chrysostom and Augustine on this subject, and I could quote many others since the day of the Apostles. In the diary of Thomas Walsh, one of Wesley’s foremost preachers, on March 8th, 1750, the record states “This morning the Lord gave me a language that I knew not of raising my soul to Him in a wonderful manner.” In the “History of the Christian Church” by Phillip Schaff, Volume 1 page 237 of the edition of 1882, he speaks of tongues among the Camisards prophets of the Cevennes in France, early Quakers and Methodist, Readers in Sweden 1841-1843, Irish revival in 1859, Catholic Apostolic Church 1831-1833. Etc.

Side notes not by Howard. See the history of the Camisards online Wikipedia notes

See St John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople 347-407 AD

SEE ARTICLES NUMBER ONE, THREE, AND FOUR FOR A COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION OF HOWARD C BURNHAM’S NOTES AN ORIGINAL COPY OF HIS HANDWRITTEN NOTES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

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Rev. Howard C Burnham was born in 1898 in Bentley Creek Pennsylvania. He lived out his faith in a loving and very practical way touching countless people in his lifetime. He was best known for his love for nature and was very much a naturalist and a sportsman. He grew a large portion of the produce that became much of his family’s food source. He remained a picture of health until a rare blood disease took him at 81 years old.
He was so loved that everyone in his hometown area had stories to tell of his many acts of kindness that he showed through the years.
He spent much of his latter years telling of his Pentecostal experiences to his family and acquaintances. Sadly the telling of his experiences were not well received.
He went to be with his Savior in 1979 people agreed at his funeral that they never remember him saying a bad word personally about anyone his whole life.
A large stone in his memory is engraved on the wall of Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church. Rev Howard C Burnham who would never had used his rightful title, was truly a man of God who was dearly loved by untold people throughout his lifetime!

The Encyclopedia Britannica states that glossolalia or (speaking in tongues) recues in every age; among Friars, Jamsenists, Quakers, converts of Wesley and Whitfield, etc.

Souer’s History of the Christian Church, Vol 3 page 406, the following words are found; Dr Martin Luther was a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues, an interpreter, one person endowed with all the gifts of the Spirit.”

*Side note not part of the original letter “Jamsenists were a part of a religious movement in the 17^th and 18^th century chiefly in France, the Low Countries, and Italy.

Here are a few quotations from “Trials and Triumphs of Faith” (1875 Edition) by the Rev. R. Boyd, DD (Baptist) Who was an intimate friend of the famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody.

“When I a YMCA member tot to the rooms of The Young Men’s Christian Association (Victoria Hall London), I found the meeting on fire. The young men were speaking with tongues, prophesying. What on earth did it mean?

Only that Moody had been addressing them that afternoon. What manner of man is this? Thought I, but still, I did not give him my hand… Many of the clergy were so opposed to the movement that they turned their backs on our poor, innocent Young Men’s Christian Association, for the part we took in the work: But afterward when the flood gates of divine grace were opened, Sunderland (near London) was taken by storm. I cannot describe Moody’s great meeting. I can only say that the people of Sunderland warmly supported the movement, in spite of their local spiritual advisors.” (Page 402) “

“God was in the midst of us of a truth. The Holy Spirit came, as of old, with the force of a rushing mighty wind, and filled all the place where we were sitting.” (Page 483). Mr Moody spoke no less than 4 times Friday, on each occasion with much power, and with signs following.” (Page 496).

On page 7, you state; Nearly every denomination is affected, and some of their members, here and there are going to these “tongues movements”. Yes, and there are preachers also, who with the members are finding deliverance from the slavery of sin, sickness, alcohol, demons, and a host of other evils. I have been many times to a Pentecostal Church here in Elmira NY and have heard several outstanding evangelists. The have 4 or 5 hundred in Sunday School. I went chiefly on account of Divine healing concerning which I am heartily in agreement. I do not know you position on healing, but I would like to ask you the question—If Jesus were here in the flesh would He come and heal your wife or child if asked? A word to the wise is sufficient. As to tongues I am

sure, that the pastor tries to keep the members in line with Bible teaching on the subject. Exercising the supernatural gift of tongues is scriptural, desired and beneficial if conformed to the Word of God. And you are going to see more of it in many denominations.

The gifts are coming back. They exercise gifts that we are almost strangers to. As stated above I believe that many of their churches in the past have been corrupt, but look to the Methodist Church, not much like it was at first. We cannot set at naught the whole Pentecostal movement and the doctrine of tongues, no more than we could the Corinthian Church. Where they are wrong, I do not condone them in the least. I have no use for some of their views, especially tongues and Holy Ghost baptism. I am acquainted with one of their members who used language and did things that I could not do, and at the same time I am sure he professed to speak in tongues and was baptized with the Holy Ghost. At least some of them seem to think if they speak in tongues that they are still baptized by the Spirit, thus deceiving themselves. I believe with Dr. Godby, that the devil can counterfeit all the gifts. But so far as I am concerned, I believe that the Pentecostal movement is turning the world upside down for God while many are criticizing them.

As stated above, new truth is disturbing and often flatly rejected. Take for instance “Ignaz Semmelweis” (first name added) who was driven from the hospitals because he advocated cleanliness in obstetrics. He proved that he was right, yet the other doctors would have none of it. Joseph Lister, ridiculed for teaching antiseptic surgery, Walter Reed, who was considered insane because he believed yellow fever was caused by mosquitos; and Crawford Long, who was mobbed because he discovered and used anesthetics, etc. New truth! Well that just upsets the whole apple cart.

You state on page 10: There are numerus passages in the book of acts where the declaration is that they: “Were all filled,” etc. but no mention is made of any kind of “tongues” and most certainly nothing about unknown tongues. That does not necessarily prove a thing. Many times, when Christ and the Apostles in narrating an event left out some of the details, for example, Peter said; “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” He said nothing about believing. That does not mean it wasn’t necessary to believe. One writer may mention an incident while the other does not. Sometimes hardly any details are mentioned.

Again, we consider an unknown tongue to be an earthly language, then the unknown tongue mentioned in Corinth was no more unknown than the known tongue at Pentecost. It all depends on who was there to listen. Page 16 (of Rev Bucks booklet)

One speaking in tongues when baptized by the Holy Spirit may never speak in tongues again unless he seeks the gift. So, all do not speak with tongues. I agree that the gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the Baptism of the Spirit. Page 17. God gives the gifts as He will, but there is another side of it. He says seek earnestly the best gifts. The implication is if we don’t, we won’t get them. God does nothing except in answer to prayer. We must consciously or unconsciously meet conditions for God to give.

SEE PARTS ONE, TWO, AND FOUR OF THIS SERIES BY HOWARD C BURNHAM

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Rev. Howard C Burnham was born in 1898 in Bentley Creek Pennsylvania. He lived out his faith in a loving and very practical way touching countless people in his lifetime. He was best known for his love for nature and was very much a naturalist and a sportsman. He grew a large portion of the produce that became much of his families food source. He remained a picture of health until a rare blood disease took him at 81 years old.
He was so loved that everyone in his hometown area had stories to tell of his many acts of kindness that he showed through the years.
He spent much of his latter years telling of his Pentecostal experiences to his family and acquaintances. Sadly the telling of his experiences were not well received.
He went to be with his Savior in 1979 people agreed at his funeral that they never remember him saying a bad word personally about anyone his whole life.
A large stone in his memory is engraved on the wall of Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church. Rev Howard C Burnham who would never had used his rightful title, was truly a man of God who was dearly loved by untold people throughout his lifetime!

I think as a rule we naturally ask, and God gives the gifts for which we are best suited, especially if one is the following the leadings of the Spirit. But apparently the believers in the Corinthian Church were all or a great many were clamoring for the gift of tongues. Man is prone to worship God in the natural. The supernatural takes things out of your hands and that is what men do not like. He wants to run his own affairs. Also he could exercise the physical in speaking in tongues The body is in the lowest form of expression, the soul next and the spirit last. The natural man gives heed in that order, while the spiritual man reverses that order. Many of the Corinthians were natural or carnal, not spiritual. 1 Cor 3:1 They were not carnal or immoral because they spoke in tongues, but they abused the gift of

Tongues and also the Lords Supper because they were carnal and natural On Page 18 you said (referring to Rev. Bucks booklet) “All who received the Holy Ghost did not speak with tongues, languages.” Who knows, silence proves nothing. You said;” None who received the Holy Spirit spoke with unknown tongues.” I say at Pentecost, Ephesus and at Caesarea, they spoke in unknown tongues or tongues not understood by all.

On page 19, It speaks about coveting the best gifts and a more excellent way. To me what Paul is saying is: In all of your zealousness, whether your have any gifts or not, above all things be sure you are full of the Holy Ghost love, not natural love, and seek to prophesy, which is the best gift, next to the gift of the Spirit. Then with those things thoroughly in possession, add the gifts, the more the better, for they are

Your spiritual tools. But of course the Corinthians had reversed the order. On page 21 (Of Rev. Bucks booklet) “If a person is sanctified by the Holy Ghost (and we are) what place do unknown tongues have in the public ministry of the church of Jesus?” I think we have pretty well covered that elsewhere, but I ask what would you do if in your meetings some spoke in tongues when baptized by the Holy Spirit, or someone spoke in tongues followed by an interpretation? If you quashed it, you could very well be fighting against God. If we don’t understand the question of tongues, we had better not criticize. Someone has said that one is a fool to criticize something that he doesn’t understand. The fact is that we just do not want to admit a new truth coming into our worship. Of course, it is proper and a duty to criticize or correct that which is wrong. You seem to take attitude

That you would rather that no one should go to their meetings. Does God take that attitude—never. We do not have a corner on all truth, but we may thing we do and so do other denominations. We have discovered that we may be sure concerning a doctrine but be absolutely wrong. When considering the tongues movement of the early church, and if we can credit the statements of Augustine and Chrysostom it should have a very important place in public ministry.

I was just reading a statement by Rev. Failing that Pentecostal missionary endeavors are respected the world over? This is the most aggressive movement in the world today. What constitutes an unknown tongue in that which is not understood either by the speaker or understood by hearer. I am sure that that is what happened on the day of Pentecost and at the house of Cornelius at Ephesus. On page 21 (Of Rev Bucks booklet) the implication is very plain that they all spoke in tongues as well as being baptized by the Spirit.

Page 23 If I understand you right, you take the position that what happened at the home of Cornelius was a duplicate of Pentecost. What Peter was trying to put across to the church was that as they (the apostles) were baptized by the Holy Ghost so were they at the house of Cornelius. He was not interested, nor were the apostle’s concerning details. The setting was reversed to that of Pentecost. At Pentecost the speakers spoke in tongues. Known tongues were for unbelievers at Pentecost and unknown tongues were for believers at Cornelius home. After believing they were baptized by Spirit and spake in a tongue unknown to them and probably Peter and the six men with him, as they naturally all had a common tongue. It is stated exactly who were there and nothing is said about their witnessing to anyone else. They were just a group by themselves. Furthermore, according to your own statement that with known tongues you address men but with unknown tongues you address God. Here they were addressing God—they “magnified God”. I do not say that you deliberately twist the scripture, but you stretch them to a breaking point. People will try to justify themselves in trying to do away with what they don’t like. One says that speaking in tongues is the exercise of your native and acquired tongue. Another says that God enables one to speak in other tongues, but that you know substantially what you are saying. But the Bible calls tongues a supernatural gift unknown to the speaker or to both the speaker and the hearer.

On (page 25 of Rev. Bucks notes) You state “Unknown tongues do not convert sinners, but they may and do if they are interpreted. Page 28 Rev (either Buck or Birch its hard to discern his penmanship here.) seems to take the position that one should have a prepared speech or an idea and then get up and deliver it in a tongue. God has made no provision for any such thing. The speakers at Pentecost were not responsible for what they were saying. The Holy Ghost took over. It was not to propagate the gospel, Peter did that later probably in the Greek tongue. It was to convict the Jews. I don’t know how extensively but the same thing happens today. Your unworthy critic.

BE SURE TO READ PARTS ONE, TWO AND THREE OF THIS SERIES BY REV HOWARD C BURNHAM

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Rev. Howard C Burnham was born in 1898 in Bentley Creek Pennsylvania. He lived out his faith in a loving and very practical way touching countless people in his lifetime. He was best known for his love for nature and was very much a naturalist and a sportsman. He grew a large portion of the produce that became much of his families food source. He remained a picture of health until a rare blood disease took him at 81 years old.
He was so loved that everyone in his hometown area had stories to tell of his many acts of kindness that he showed through the years.
He spent much of his latter years telling of his Pentecostal experiences to his family and acquaintances. Sadly the telling of his experiences were not well received.
He went to be with his Savior in 1979 people agreed at his funeral that they never remember him saying a bad word personally about anyone his whole life.
A large stone in his memory is engraved on the wall of Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church. Rev Howard C Burnham who would never had used his rightful title, was truly a man of God who was dearly loved by untold people throughout his lifetime!