It is accepted by most Bible scholars that Luke is the author of the Book of Acts.  We see that the Book of Acts was written to Theophilus, as was the Gospel of Luke.  For one to challenge the authenticity of the Book of Acts would also require one to logically and sequentially challenge the authenticity of the Gospel of Luke as they are written by the same author. Likewise, if any student of the Bible chooses to “marginalize” the Book of Acts, then, by sequential logic, you would also be required to marginalize the Gospel of Luke. You cannot have it both ways. Either Acts is the Word of God, or, it is not.  

When reading the Book of Acts, one can see that many central figures of Bible history are mentioned in Acts.  Not only are Patriarchs of the Christian faith mentioned in Acts, but also Roman political figures and some degree of discussion of the Roman legal system all of which makes Acts rich in historical context.

The Book of Acts gives us the best and most comprehensive history of the beginning of the Christian Church as well as serving as a historical analysis of the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.  Acts gives cohesion and interconnectivity between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Here springs much disagreement concerning how much theology, if any at all, can be drawn from the Book of Acts.

To say that one cannot draw theology from the Book of Acts is about the most non-scholarly statement any serious student of the Bible could ever make. In Acts, you have the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant and the birth of the Christian Church.  So, to say that one cannot draw theology from the Book of Acts is the anti-thesis of Biblical scholarship. If you don’t draw theology from the Book of Acts and thus treat the church history contained in its pages as merely “historical and transitional”, then where do you get a theological reference for the beginning of the church? Perhaps, one could “make it up.”

To say that we cannot draw and formulate theology from the Book of Acts would be similar to saying that we cannot draw theology from the Book of Genesis.  This leads to the point in the discussion about why some have difficulty with the Book of Acts.  The reason there is such resistance to drawing and formulating theology from the Book of Acts is because in Acts, we see Christians (including the founding fathers of the faith) all getting Baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Notice I said “ALL.”  Everyone. In fact, as we shall see, if you were a Christian and not Baptized in the Holy Spirit, you were considered outside of the norm.

First, we see the disciples of Jesus who had been waiting in the Upper Room being filled with the Holy Spirit as described in Acts chapter 2. Notice that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and that they all spoke in tongues.  Some of those nearby heard languages known to them.  It is at this point of interpretation that denominations have been born and various schools of Christian thought have sprung from.  This one event, this one moment in time, this one story in these few verses of scripture generate some of the greatest debate in all of scripture.   

Without getting into a specific debate about tongues, suffice to say that it is a most torturous interpretation of these scriptures to suggest that “tongues” must be a known language.  Just a simple exercise in word definition works at this point.  That is, we read in the Bible where the early Christians spoke in “unknown tongues.”  Therefore, if these same Christians (or Christians today), and the tongues they speak in, are to be described as a “known language” that God supernaturally gives that particular Christian the ability to speak for the moment at hand, for the purpose of ministering the Gospel, then you really cannot call it an “unknown tongue” could you, for if God gives you the ability to “know” and speak a language that you haven’t spoken before, then it would not be “unknown.”  Furthermore, to suggest that only “known” languages of the day were spoken at Acts 2:4 is a shallow and less-than-scholarly interpretation as we know that you cannot deduce that “heavenly or angelic” languages were not also being spoken. Let’s look at an analogy.  If I see a car and drive a car, let’s say a very expensive and luxurious car, perhaps a Lamborghini Reventon, and upon seeing, driving and experiencing such a car, I then afterwards have a discussion and describe the car to you. And, in the course of describing the car and my experience of driving it, I simply say to you “Oh, yes, it was a car, it had four wheels, two doors, an engine, a manual transmission and it made a distinct sound.”  End. To hear such a description of such a car, and my experience driving it, would be extremely inadequate and under-representative of the actual type of car it really is.  Likewise, to simplistically describe the event of Acts 2:4 where we see the forefathers of the Christian faith receiving the promise spoken by Jesus, as merely “a group of Christians speaking in French, German, Greek, Spanish, Persian and Italian” is hardly an accurate description of what was really going on.

And, Acts 2:4 is not the only time and place this happens. It is the anti-thesis of scholarship to not read further on in the Books of Acts and take note of the fact that there is more than one Acts 2:4 type of experience mentioned in Acts. In other words, Acts 2:4 is not the only place where we see Christians being Baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. 

In Acts 10:44-48, some 10 years after the events of Acts 2:4, we see believers again being Baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.  Seeing that this is occurring some 10 years after the initial event of Christians being Baptized in the Holy Spirit, one could hardly deduce that such an experience could be theologically confined to “getting the church started.” I mean, it’s now 10 years later.

Then, let’s go on and take a look at Acts 19:1-6 where we see again Christians receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues after being asked the question “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?”  This event is said to have occurred some 20–25 years after Acts 2:4.  So, at this point, to try and confine the experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues as simply a “kick start” to get the church going, is hardly a scholarly approach to Bible interpretation. At this point, the gospel message has gone throughout most of the known world and multitudes of churches have been established and multitudes have accepted Christ as Savior.  Acts chapter 19 is hardly the “starting point” of the Christian church. The Christian Church is “well on its way” at this point.

In conclusion, we must see Acts as the foundational description of the early church.  There is not a more accurate description, historically or spiritually, of what was going on than is described in the Book of Acts.  This is the record of the early church. Acts establishes spiritual principles, doctrine, theology and a significant part of the frame of reference for Christianity.

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Not every manifestation of speaking in tongues is necessarily to be interpreted. When reading the Bible, it is quite clear that that there are different types of manifestations of tongues and some are to be interpreted and some not. Interpretation of tongues is the last stronghold of confusion that Satan uses to keep Christians from pursuing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Some Christians say “all tongues are supposed to be interpreted”. However, when one takes a closer look at scripture, it becomes clear that not every form or type of tongues is to be interpreted. Paul writes in I Corinthians “…if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful”. So, why would Paul’s mind be unfruitful? Obviously, Paul was experiencing and practicing a type of tongues that were not to be interpreted. Otherwise, why would he make the statement that his mind (natural mind) would be unfruitful? And, it is noted that in this particular verse, Paul says “pray” in the spirit as compared to saying “speak” in a tongue. So, what’s the difference? Paul mentions nothing about interpreting his “prayer” in the spirit.

Then, Paul says in the same chapter “…I will sing in the spirit…”. So, now we have even a third type of manifestation of tongues, all in the same chapter! Does Paul say anything about interpreting his “singing in the spirit”. He absolutely does not. You can’t find it. Quite clearly, Paul is talking about several different types of manifestations of tongues. They are all supernatural and they are all given by God through the Holy Spirit. Only a most selective interpretation of I Corinthians 14 can even try to say that all tongues are to be interpreted and then any such position fails in the context of the whole chapter.

A very important principle in scripture interpretation is that any one scripture must be interpreted in the context of all scripture. That means, a reader cannot go through the Bible and simply “pull out” the particular verses (or passages) of scripture that he or she may feel comfortable with concerning a particular topic. And, then apply only these select few verses in an attempt to interpret what the Bible is saying on the subject. To do this is called “proof texting” and it leads to erroneous interpretation of scripture.

It is important to measure any idea or interpretation we may have concerning a topic in the Bible, against every scripture and every place in the Bible that the particular topic is mentioned. Then the reader, after meditation and prayer, can draw an informed and enlightened conclusion about the matter.

Pastor Steven Kuhlke
 

Publish Date: August 25, 2005

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Thinking back, I can still hear the singing “His Banner Over Me Is Love”. I can see those who would come to the meetings with excitement and anticipation at the thought of sensing God’s presence, of seeing the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit, of hearing the prophetic word spoken.

I can still hear the urgency in the voices of those who would gather as they talked about serving the Lord, finding their place in His body, finding the will of God for their life and a willingness to “give it their all” in order to see it come to pass.

I can hear the anointed word of God as it was spoken from the podium. I can see those who had gathered from all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor, those from old-line denominations and those from independent fellowships all simply there because they loved the Lord.

What a wonderful time. And, I can still see the fervor of those who were pursuing the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It was such an expression of hunger for the things of the Lord. People who had come, a people who were willing to “give it all up” just to get closer to the Lord. A people willing to lay down the desires of this life in order to pursue the deeper life in the Holy Spirit. I can remember. What a sweet, sweet spirit indeed. A time of God pouring out His spirit on the church.

Now, when I look across the spiritual landscape, I see only a few in pursuit of the things of God. What happened? Where are they now? What replaced the first love for the Lord that used to exist in their hearts?

I am convinced that there are many disenfranchised Christians out there who used to walk with the Lord and who once knew the things of the spirit. They have chosen to lay aside their pursuit of the things of God either out of weariness or to pursue the things of the world. They have a longing in their heart for the time they once knew, a time of feeling the closeness and the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in their life. They can remember a time when they would talk with God and fellowship with Him and He was near.

I speak to this generation of warriors past! Rise up and put on the whole armor of God! Rise up, O man and woman of God. He is not done with you and you can still see the Glory of God in your life. It has not been too long that God cannot restore. He can “restore the years that the locusts have eaten”, he can cause a spring of life to flow again in your desert place. Just give Him the chance, ask Him to renew and revive that flame of desire in your heart again and I promise you He will.

Pastor Steven Kuhlke

 Original Publish Date: July 25, 2005

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A language consists of vocal sounds used in speech for the purpose of communication. When a Christian “speaks in tongues”, he is speaking in a language. It is a spiritual language as referred to in I Corinthians where Paul writes “I will pray in the spirit…and I will sing in the spirit”. Clearly and indisputably, Paul is taking about vocal expressions in an unknown tongue. There is no sense in debating the obvious.

So, we can see from the Bible that Speaking in Tongues consists of vocal expressions that are a functional, useful and purposeful language. Here is the most important principle to understand when it comes to Speaking in Tongues. The degree to which you will utilize and experience Speaking in Tongues is directly proportionate to the degree that you treat Speaking in Tongues as a genuine language.

Speaking in Tongues must be more than a “token” expression to signify that you are spirit-filled. If you only spoke in your natural earthly language every now and then, how successful are you going to be in life? If you only occasionally spoke in your natural earthly language you are not going to communicate very effectively and most likely will be misperceived as to your person and what you stand for and what you believe in. Likewise, the language of the spirit must not be neglected or “put aside” as merely a symbol or given curio status.

God gives you spiritual anointings, gifts and the infilling of the Holy Spirit for a purpose. Spiritual things are not to be treated casually. And, one very important thing to remember is that the human vessel through which the spirit speaks, is not perfect. That’s right, you are not perfect.

An analogy that works at this point is that of a radio frequency. You turn the tuner on your radio in search of the desired frequency of the particular radio station you are trying to receive. In the process of turning the radio dial, you come upon the frequency. Once found, you attempt to “tune in” the clearest frequency possible. You notice that just to the right and just to the left of the particular frequency, you start to pick up static. The station you want can still be heard but it is not as clear and sounds fuzzy. There is static mixed with the radio signal you are trying to receive. If your station is an A.M. station and there is a storm outside, you can pick up a tremendous amount of static, especially if it is an electrical storm.

Just because you get some static “mixed in” with the desired frequency you want, doesn’t mean that the station “doesn’t exist” or “isn’t real”. It would be foolish and totally illogical to say “well, there is a lot of static in the atmosphere tonight and it is mixing with the radio signal, therefore, the station I am trying to receive must not exist”. That would be just simply idiotic. You agree. Now, here’s the spiritual analogy. The Christian is like a spiritual radio trying to receive a Heavenly signal from God. Now, I think we can all agree that God exists. OK, so, God speaks to us a pure word by His spirit. But, in our soul, there is a lot of static and it sometimes gets “mixed in” with the word that God is speaking to us. You are beginning to see my point. The gifts, anointings and words that God gives are pure, but, they are communicated through human beings who have impurities that get mixed in with what God is saying.

Let me put it forth this way. Often, after attending a church meeting you will hear someone say “wasn’t that a good word that brother so and so got tonight” or “wasn’t that a really good prophecy that was spoken over sister so and so this morning”. Why does the person say “good”? I mean, if it’s a prophecy or tongues and interpretation from God, then how could it “not be good”. But yet, we often measure the “quality” of the word given. The reason is quite simple. We are measuring in our spirit man, the level or the degree to which the speaker was operating in the spirit vs operating in their flesh (or carnal mind). See, the word that God gives is pure, but it is transmitted through impure vessels. So, we must rightly divide and judge by the Holy Spirit as to what part is of God and what part is of man. Getting back to my analogy, you don’t hear people say “well, I don’t think all of what the speaker said tonight was of God, therefore, God doesn’t exist”. But yet when it comes to Speaking in Tongues, that is exactly the approach that many Christians take toward the entire subject.

No one is perfect, except for Jesus Christ. That is what qualified Him to be our Savior. So, if you are looking for someone to be perfect before he or she can be qualified to Speak in Tongues, then don’t look in the mirror. Where is that person? You see, all of this confusion and legalism that is thrown out concerning Speaking in Tongues is a tactic of Satan to do what? To get Christians to avoid Speaking in Tongues altogether.

Speaking in Tongues is a gift from God. It is referred to as a “promise” by Peter in the Book of Acts. Just remember one thing, Whatever you decide about Speaking in Tongues and whatever judgment you make concerning those who do, you must also be ready and willing to apply your analysis and belief toward the original disciples of Jesus and the Apostle Paul because, as we know from the Bible, they all spoke in tongues.

Pastor Steven Kuhlke

Original Publish Date: Jun 26, 2005

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Of all that is controversial about what Christians believe and why they believe it, speaking in tongues is probably the most controversial issue of the Christian faith. It could be said that speaking in tongues is a sort of boundary or threshold that most Christians choose to avoid. Why is this so?

Why is it that something that was so common to our forefathers, the very ones who laid the foundation for our Christian faith, has now become so controversial and, in some circles, even feared? Why is this so?

Let’s look briefly at the historical record as found in the Bible. In the gospel of John we read that Jesus is the one who would baptize with the Holy Ghost. Then, in the Book of Acts we clearly see where this happens. A question to ask here is “Who is this happening to?” These folks who were gathered together in the upper room didn’t just randomly show up on the scene. No, on the contrary, those who were gathered in the upper room were the original followers of Jesus, yes, the original disciples. It is very important to understand this fact.

So, we see the disciples of Jesus in the upper room being filled with the Holy Spirit and fire. They are receiving the power that Jesus spoke to them about just before he left. This was something that Jesus was involved in. As John the Baptist said, it is indeed Jesus who was baptizing them in the Holy Spirit. This is a clearly established fact as found in the Bible.

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