ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 194

“SPEAKING IN TONGUES” Part 1

Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi

Retired Professor of Theology, Andrews University

INDEX OF TOPICS OF THIS NEWSLETTER

“SPEAKING IN TONGUES” Part 1

*This is the Essay of this Newsletter which is excerpted from

chapter 8 of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical?

UPDATE ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

* A surprise party for my 70th Birthday

* AN UPDATE: Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical?

* Tentative Cover for Popular Beliefs: Are the Biblical?

Tell me what you think of the tentative cover-design

* A Plea for Historical Accuracy

* A Proposal to reprint William Richardson,

Speaking in Tongues: Is it Still a Gift of the Spirit?

* How to Contact the Center for Cancer Care that

shut down 95% of my Liver Cancer

* New Video Recording of Prof. Roy Gane on the Sanctuary

* Limited Supply of More than a Prophet

* Forthcoming Rallies in England from March 1 to 15.

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

* SPECIAL OFFER on 12 DVD and CD albums for only $150.00, instead of the regular price of $1150.00

* Upcoming seminars for the months of February and March

* Incredible Offer on the new Hitachi 3000 Lumens Projector

Only $1395.00

* The Smallest and most Powerful Remote Presenter

* Does your church or School Need a Screen?

* Bed and Breakfast in London, England.

UPDATE ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

A SURPRISE PARTY FOR MY 70TH BIRTHDAY

On Saturday evening, January 26, I experienced a memorable historical event in my life: It was my first and most likely the last birthday party I will ever enjoy. My wife and children succeeded in keeping the secret from me.

After we had a most pleasant family birthday lunch that brought together our three children and five grandchildren, I was told that we would gather together again in the evening at the home of Danny and Michelle, our son and daughter-in-law, who live 200 yards from us. The evening get-together was to be an informal farewell supper for Gianluca and Silvia, our younger son and daughter-in-law, who will soon be leaving for Brazil. Gianluca has been asked to run the branch office in San Paulo of his international law firm.

Knowing that it was an informal family get-together, I went over with my casual clothes. I was puzzle by the many cars parked in the driveway and along he road. I assumed that our neighbor, Dr. and Mrs. Di Biase, were having a party at their house, and their guests parked wherever they could find a spot.

Eventually, Michelle, our daughter-in-law, met me by the garage, and told me that they were all waiting for me upstairs. I followed her through the garage into the basement entertainment room. What a surprise to see about 60 people jammed together and waiting to wish me Happy Birthday. What could I say? Mamma Mia, this is incredible!

Truly I can say that it was for me a moving experience to see Neils-Eric Andreasen, the President of Andrews University, Pastor Dwight Nelson, and a host of administrators and professors, taking time on a Saturday evening to honor me with their presence. I never realized that my life had touched the life of some many lovely people on campus, though I am away conducting seminars practically every weekend. Because of my itinerant ministry, I seldom have the opportunity to interact with colleagues and friends

This was my first birthday party that I shall never forget. I was born in home where my parents were devoted Christians, but very poor. They could not even afford to think about the niceties of a birthday party. I do not recall ever having received a birthday present until we established our own home. But I do not regret my poor past. It has taught me to be grateful for every blessing we receive from day to day.

70 in the Bible is rich of prophetic significance, because it consists of 10 x 7. In Daniel 9 the coming of the Messiah is announced by 70 sabbatical cycles (shabuim). Thus 70 represents completion, redemption, restoration.

On a personal basis my 70th year has been the year when the Lord restored my health and gave me a new lease on life. One year ago several oncologists who examined my CAT-SCAN told me that I had only a few months to live, because 95% of my liver was infested with cancer. Today I can praise God that 95% of the cancer has been shut down in my liver. I feel like a new man with greater energy that ever before. I believe that the Lord has extended my life for a purpose. Like Isaiah, I can only say: “Here am I, Lord; send me” (Is 6:8).

POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL? AN UPDATE

As you can tell from this newsletter, the research and writing of the new book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is proceeding well. The essay of this newsletter “SPEAKING IN TONGUES” Part 1, is taken from chapter 8 of the forthcoming book. I have invested already over 200 hours researching and writing this chapter, because I believe that speaking in tongues is one of the greatest religious deception and delusion of our time.

I was surprised to learn that Pentecostal and charismatics are the fastest growing movements of Christianity, increasing their membership by over twenty million each year. According to mission statisticians David Barrett and Todd Johnson, there were over 553 million “Pentecostal/charismatics/neocharismatic” in the world in 2003, that is almost 27% of the Christian population. At the present rate of expansion these movements will add another 250 million to their rank within the next 10 years, reaching a total membership of 750 million. They will become the second largest Christian body after the Catholic Church.

The phenomenal growth of the charismatic movements raises new questions about tongues-speaking. Is the modern manifestation of speaking in tongues from God or from Satan? Is it a supernatural phenomenon or a natural stimulation of the left cerebral hemisphere? Is it identical to the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and discussed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12-14?

Are there two different speaking in tongues in the New Testament, one consisting of speaking in foreign languages in Acts 2 and another manifested in “ecstatic utterances” in 1 Corinthians 12-14? Do the modern glossolalia meet the criteria stated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 for the legitimate exercise of the gift of tongues for edifying the church? Is speaking in tongues the fulfillment of the Latter Rain promised in Joel 2:28-29?

These are some of the important questions that I am addressing in chapter 8 “Speaking in Tongues.” In this newsletter I am posting only the first half of the chapter, that is, about 20 of the 45 pages. The reason is simple. Posting the whole chapter hardly encourages people to buy the book when it comes out few weeks from now.

A research project of this nature has been very expensive in time and money. During this past year I have invested an average of 15 hours a day on this manuscript, because I believe it is desperately needed to call out of Babylon many sincere people who are sincerely seeking to know and to do the revealed will of God.

There are million of sincere Christians who do not realize that most of their popular beliefs are biblically wrong, while our Adventist beliefs are biblically right. This book Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? is designed to help these sincere Christians to re-examine their beliefs in the light of the normative authority of Scripture.

When Will the Book Be Out?

God willing, I hope to complete the book by the end of March 2008, and have the book printed and ready for distribution by April 15 (tax time). Eight of the ten chapters are done. The two remaining chapters on “Once Saved Always Saved” and “Papal Primacy” should be completed rather speedily, because I have researched these subjects before.

At present I am devoting every spare moment to researching and writing the remaining two chapters. Your encouragement has meant a lot to me. Three months ago I was ready shelf the project for the time being, especially because the new ministry we started with Cristina Piccardi–a powerful and passionate soprano who touches the hearts of people and greatly enriches my seminars–has consumed a lot of my time in processing the invitations we are receiving from across the USA and overseas.

But your letters caused me to reconsider my priorities. Some have reminded me that our Adventist Church desperately need Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? to witness to people who want to know why their beliefs are unbiblical and our Adventist beliefs are biblical. The many pre-publication orders I have already received, have strengthen my determination to complete this project by the end of March 2008.

PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER ON POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

Having completed 8 of the 10 chapters of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblicalˆ? I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. By God’s grace, I plan to complete the remaining two chapters by the end of March. They will deal with ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED, and PAPAL PRIMACY. From now on, only half of the remaining wo chapters will be posted in the Endtime Issues newsletters. The reason is obvious. Posting the complete chapters, diminishes the interest to buy the book when it comes out. This means that what you will read in the newsletter is what we Italians call L’Antipasto, that is, the “Appetizer.” Hopefully the “appetizer” will wet your appetite for the main course offered in the book.

The book consists of about 400 pages with a nice four colors, laminated cover. Please take a look at the cover we are developing, by clicking this link http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/pb/pbcover.htm You will notice that the cover consists of six pictures representing the popular beliefs examined in the book. Tell me what you think of the cover. We are open to suggestions.

At this time I would like to offer our readers the opportunity to place an order at the special pre-publication prices listed below. Please note that your checks or credit cards will not be processed until the books are ready to be mailed out. We are keeping all your orders in a special file and as soon as the book is out your check will be deposited and your credit card will be processed.

Your advanced orders will offer me, not only the encouragement needed to complete this very demanding project, but also an approximate idea of how many copies we should print. Thank you for your encouragement and support.

SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION PRICES FOR QUANTITY ORDERS OF POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

1 copy of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $30.00 per copy. Add $10.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

10 copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $10.00 per copy, postage paid, instead of the regular price of $30.00. ($100.00 for 10 copies). Add $40.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

30 copies (one case) of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $5.00 per copy, postage paid. ($150.00 for 30 copies). Add $80.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

100 copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $4.00 per copy, postage paid. ($400.00 for 100 copies). Add $160.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

HOW TO ORDER POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

You can order Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at the pre-publication prices given above, in four different ways:

(1) Online: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35

(2) Phone:  By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) Email:  By emailing your order to <sbacchiocchi@biblicalperspectives.com>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date.     

(4) Regular Mail: By mailing a check to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.

TENTATIVE COVER OF POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

We are designing an attractive cover for Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? At this time we would like to invite you to look at our tentative sketch by clicking at this link http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/pb/pbcover.htm

The cover includes six pictures which represents some of the major popular beliefs examined in the book. Tell me what you think of the cover. Your constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

A PLEA FOR HISTORICAL ACCURACY

Last Sabbath I heard a sermon aired in the Adventist TV network dealing with Sun-worship and the Origin of Sunday. The sermon greatly distressed my soul, because of some glaring historical inaccuracies.

I will not mention the name of the preacher, because for me the issue is not the man, but our Adventist tendency to sometimes fabricate history to support some of our traditional views. I have addressed this issue several times in my newsletters.

For example, in researching for the DVD recording on The Mark and Number of the Beast that was recently done at Andrews University, I discovered that the only papal tiara with the inscription Vicarius Filii Dei, is the one that was designed by an Adventist artist. The picture of this tiara was used for many years in Uriah Smith’s Daniel and the Revelation.

When the General Conference was challenged by a Jesuit editor to produce the proof of the existance of such tiara, the brethren sent LeRoy Froom to Rome with Press credential to look for the famous inscribed tiara. No inscribed tiara was ever found. The brethren had no choice but to order the removal of the plate of the tiara from Uriah Smith’s book’s Daniel and the Revelation (I have a copy of the plate). Eventually, LeRoy Froom, the editor of Ministry, strongly protested against the use of a fraudulent tiara: “In the name of truth and honesty this journal [Ministry] protests any such use by any member. . . . Truth does not need fabrication to aid or suppress it” (Ministry, November 1948).

In spite of the GC action and Ministry’s protest, there are still some pastors/evangelists who display the fabricated tiara with the inscription Vicarius Filii Dei, in order to prove that the number 666 of the beast is found in the very tiara that the pope wears. The fact is that no such tiara was ever made, as you can see from the tiaras shown in my DVD on The Mark and Number of the Beast. If you do not have a copy of the two hours DVD with 200 slides, I would be glad to mail you the album. Just click at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/BeastAD/ I look upon this episode as a sad chapter of Adventist history.

Another example of fabrication of history is provided by the sermon I heard few days ago. The ppastor tried to defend a traditional Adventist view that the Day of the Sun (Sunday), as a counterfeit of the Sabbath, already existed and was observed in ancient Babylon. The proof he adduced is the alleged use of the planetary week in the Chaldean/Babylonian astrology. The planetary week consisted of seven days, with each day named after a planetary god. Eventually Constantine made the Babylonian Day of the Sun, the Christian day of worship when he promulgated the famous Sunday Law in A. D. 321.

It is unfortunate that this information presented as fact in the sermon, in reality is fiction. These are the historical facts.

1) The worship of the Sun-god was indeed common among ancient nations like the Egyptians, Assyrian, Babylonians, and Romans. But the seven-day planetary week, with each day named after a planetary god, did not exist in ancient Assyria/Babylonia. Ancient nations had 5, 8, 10 days weeks, but not the biblical seven days week. The seven day week was used only by the Jews. It was unknown in the ancient world.

2) The planetary week we have today with the days of the week named after the planets, was introduced in the Roman world just before the beginning of Christianity. There are ample literary and archeological documents to prove it. The documentation is presented in chapter 8 “Sun-Worship and the Origin of Sunday,” of my dissertation From Sabbath to Sunday. If you do not have a copy, I will be glad to mail you one. Just click at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=31

3) The Day of the Sun (Sunday) was made the Christian day of worship long before Constantine’s A. D. 321 Sunday Law. What Constantine did was simply to make the Day of the Sun (Sunday) a civil holiday, because by his time Sunday had become popular among both the pagan and Christians.

4) The first unmistakable reference to Christians gathering for worship on the Day of the Sun, is from Justin Martyr (about A. D. 150), long before Constantine. In his exposition of the Christian worship to the Emperor Antoninus Pius, Justin twice underlines that the assembly of the Christians took place “on the day of the Sun”: “On the day which is called Day of the Sun (te tou eliou legomene hemera) we have a common assembly of all who live in the cities or in the outlying districts, and the memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the Prophets are read, as long as there is time.”

Inaccurate information like the above, have proven to be costly to the reputation of our church. In 2002 TV preacher Dr. James Kennedy, of Coral Ridge Ministries in Florida, attempted to defame our Adventist Church through his TV sermons and literature. Basically, he used sermon material and booklets of a popular Adventist preacher, to accuse our Adventist Churh of fabricating history to prove that all Christians observed the Sabbath until Constantine introduced Sunday keeping in A. D. 321 with his famous Sunday law.

I was asked to respond to Dr. Kennedy’s attacks, which I did by writing him a 49 pages response and sending him my four books on the Sabbath. I explained to Dr. Kennedy that the information he was using was from Adventist pastors, not Adventist scholars. Pastors are busy people and do not always have time to update themselves. Consequently, they sometimes share their feelings rather than their findings. I urged him to read what Adventist scholars have written on the change of the Sabbath. A good source is The Sabbath in Scripture and History, written by 22 Adventist scholars and piblished by the Review and heral in 1992.

After one month, Dr. Kennedy replied apologizing for his defamatory comments. He admitted that my books made a compelling case for continuity and validity of Sabbathkeeping, but he was not prepared to depart from his Calvinistic tradition. He has the right to hold on to his unbiblical tradition, as long as he respects Christians like Adventists who choose to follow Scripture rather than tradition. You can read the whole story in Endtime Issues Newsletter 79.

My plea to pastors, evangelists, or any Adventist involved in sharing our message, is to be accurate. Fabricating history or science in order to prove our position, ultimately tarnished the image and credibility of our Adventist church. As Leroy Froom stated in Ministry, “Truth does not need fabrication to aid or suppress it.”

A PROPOSAL TO REPRINT WILLIAM RICHARDSON’S BOOK SPEAKING IN TONGUES: IS IT STILL A GIFT OF THE SPIRIT?

It is not my custom to offer to reprint a book of another author, because my hands are already full with the promotion and distribution of the 18 books that I have published. But I decided to make an exception this time for William Richardson’s book Speaking in Tongues: Is It Still the Gift of the Spirit? The book was originally printed in 1994 by the Review and Herald but it has been out of print for several years.

William Richardson, Ph. D., has served with distinction our Adventist church for over 35 years as Professor of NT, Chairman of the Religion Department (my chairman for many years), and finally as the Dean of the School of Art and Sciences. He has written numerous articles and books.

Let me explain why I would like to reprint Richardson’s book. After reading a dozen of books and scores of articles in preparation for chapter 8 “Speaking in Tongues” of my book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical?, I came to appreciate Richardson’s Speaking In Tongues for his clarity and objectivity.

Most Adventist authors and literature has tried to prove that the gift of speaking in tongues described in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14, are identical, namely, the ability of speaking foreign languages. This position has been used to refute charismatic tongues-speakers as impostors, because they do not speak foreign languages, but unintelligible, ecstatic utterances.

Through a painstaking analysis of 1 Corinthians 12-14, presented in his doctoral dissertation at Andrews University, Richardson shows that there is a difference between the speaking in tongues in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-14. For one thing, the tongues in Acts 2 are known as languages (dialektos) clearly understood by the Jews from different countries present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. By contrast, the tongues in 1 Corinthians 12-14 are characterized as “sound—phonon” (1 Cor 14:10) that needed to be interpreted. No interpretation was needed for tongue-speakers in Acts 2.

Ultimately Richardson shows that a careful study of the restrictions Paul places on tongues-speaking during the worship service, disqualifies much of the Pentecostal speaking in tongues today. His concern, however, is to let Scripture speak for itself, rather than twisting Scripture to make the gift of tongues something we want it to be.

I believe that Richardson’s book Speaking in Tongues is a most timely, witnessing book, at a time when the Pentecostal/charismatic movements are growing at the rate of over 20 millions a year, and thus be