"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision (Judahites) who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify Elohim (God). Then Peter answered, 'Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) just as we have?' And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Master [Yah'shua]. Then they asked him to stay a few days" (Acts 10:44-48, NKJV).

• 1. Today's Pentecostals and Charismatics are not remotely like Cornelius. This Roman was a devout man, recognised and accepted by Yahweh, and fully submitted to Torah. When he accepted the Messiah he did not abandon his former faith in Yahweh or his obedience to the commandments, but embraced Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) as well;

• 2. Those who met in the upper room that was filled with the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit), on whose heads rested tongues of flame, did not speak the gibberish that you hear in Pentecostal and Charismatic meetings, but spoke in known languages and dialects which were understood by the many visitors to Jerusalem gathered for Shavu'ot:

  "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them speaking in our own tongues (languages) the wonderful works of Elohim (God)" (Acts 2:8-11, NKJV);

  The 'first pentecostals' (if we can even call them that) all spoke supernaturally, by the Ruach haQodesh, in known languages. When, therefore, Paul declared in Acts 10 that Cornelius and the assembled gentiles "received the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) just as we have", it was this specific gift to speak CONTEMPORARY LANGUAGES supernaturally that was what characterised their own experience, and which was being repeated in Simon the tanner's house in Jaffa. It was not some mystical mumbo-jumbo, so-called 'angel talk' which is just dissociated infantile babbling, and sometimes demonic in origin;

• 3. There is only one Gospel - the Gospel of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and one Saviour - salvation is not the the Ruach by some 'extra' saving act (baptism of the Holy Spirit); rather, the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes after salvation. Furthermore, this baptism of the Ruach is not the act of salvation - trusting in Yah'shua is. The baptism of the Ruach is a gift for those who are saved; and

• 4. The gift to speak languages supernaturally is not for everyone but for a few so it cannot possibly be the sign of salvation, for then those who did not have this gift would not be saved:

  "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Ruach (Spirit). There are differences of ministries, but the same Master. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same Elohim (God) who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Ruach (Spirit) is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Ruach (Spirit), to another the word of knowledge through the same Ruach (Spirit), to another faith by the same Ruach (Spirit), to another gifts of healings by the same Ruach (Spirit), to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Ruach (Spirit) works all these things, distributing to each one individually as [Elohim/God] wills" (1 Cor.12:4-11, NKJV).

Let no one try to falsely guilt you into any of these sins by twisting the scriptures. Scripture cannot and does not contradict itself. To be saved, all you have to do is trust in the atoning blood of the Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus) for your deliverance from sin, demonstrate your salvation and submission to Him by obeying the commandments in Torah, and receive whatever spiritual gift Yahweh has chosen for and which is imparted by the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) which may or may not include the gift to supernaturally be able to speak a foreign language for the purpose of witnessing to one who is not saved who cannot speak your own language and whose language or tongue you yourself do not speak naturally.

If this subject has been confusing you, please carefully examine the many articles on the subject of false charismata and perhaps start with this one, An Eye-Opening Message to Charismatic Christians which has been the means of saving many from a false path, and continuing with the two-part series, Filled with the Spirit. In this day and age of mass deception and apostacy, it is vitally important to be in all truth. May the Master of the Way bless you!

Further Reading

[1] Cornelius: The Truth About Kashrut, Tongues and Ruach Baptism Revealed

Comments from Readers

[1] "What an EXCELLENT article and testimony! Thanks for sharing it! I'm sharing it also. Blessings to you" (JC, USA, 27 October 2014)