Tongues in the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the spiritual gifts such as "speaking in tongues" are used to communicate the truth to other
people from differing languages, and are skeptical of tongues as practiced bycharismatic and Pentecostal Christians today.

Contents
Beliefs
History
Early Counterfeit Incidents in Adventistism
Later experiences
See also
References
External links

Beliefs
Belief "17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries" of the official 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Adventists affirms that spiritual gifts do continue
into the present.[1] While the gift of tongues or "glossolalia" is not specifically mentioned, Adventists more often limit it to the ability
to speak unlearned human languages, or "xenoglossy"; and have generally rejected the form of tongues practised by many
[2]
charismatic and Pentecostal Christians, described as ecstatic speech or a "personal prayer language".

Supporting this position is Gerhard Hasel, who believed the practice refers to unknown human languages only, and not angelic
languages nor ecstatic speech.[3] His document has been frequently cited by Adventists. The Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist
Theology takes the position that speaking in tongues refers to "previously unlearned human languages" (xenoglossy), using the
experience on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 as the "criterion" for later interpretation.[4] David Asscherick also believes tongues are
xenoglossy only.[5]

Ellen G. White wrote concerning this issue. She states...

Some of these persons have exercises which they call gifts and say that the Lord has placed them in the church. They
have an unmeaning gibberish which they call the unknown tongue, which is unknown not only by man but by the
Lord and all heaven. Such gifts are manufactured by men and women, aided by the great deceiver. Fanaticism, false
excitement, false talking in tongues, and noisy exercises have been considered gifts which God has placed in the
church. Some have been deceived here.

— Testimonies for the Church Vol 1, p. 412

She also stated... "They give themselves up to wild, excitable feelings and make unintelligible sounds which they call the gift of
tongues, and a certain class seem to be charmed with these strange manifestations. A strange spirit rules with this class, which would
bear down and run over anyone who would reprove them. God's Spirit is not in the work and does not attend such workmen. They
have another spirit."[6]

See also other Adventist commentators.[7]

History

Early Counterfeit Incidents in Adventistism

The first counterfeit instance in regards to a doctrine issue occurred in 1848. James White recorded the incident writing "There has
been some division as to the time of beginning the Sabbath. Some commenced at sundown. Most, however, at 6 P.M. A week ago
Sabbath we made this a subject of prayer. The Holy Ghost came down, Brother Chamberlain was filled with the power. In this state
he cried out in an unknown tongue. The interpretation followed which was this: 'Give me the chalk, Give me the chalk.' Well, thought
I, if there is none in the house then I shall doubt this, but in a moment a brother took down a good piece of chalk. Brother
."[8]
Chamberlain took it and in the power he drew a figure on the floor

Brother Chamberlain then gave his own interpretation to his unknown tongue and the drawing...

This represents Jesus' words, 'Are there not twelve hours in the day?' This figure represents the day or the last half of
the day. Daylight is half gone when the sun is south or halfway from each horizon, at 12 o'clock. Now go each way
six hours and you will get the twelve-hour day. At any time of year the day ends at 6 P.M. Here is where the Sabbath
begins at 6 P.M. Satan would get us from this time. But let us stand fast in the Sabbath as God has given it to us and
Brother Bates.

— Brother Chamberlain's words as recorded by James White - Letter to "My Dear Brother,"
July 2, 1848, written from Berlin, Connecticut.

This experience carried weight with the believers and they continued to observe the beginning of the Sabbath at six o'clock.[9] Later
on, through a study of the Bible, this incident was later discovered as a counterfeit manifestation of the gift of tongues. In the summer
of 1855, James White urged J.N. Andrews to investigate the Sabbath commencement issue. After several weeks of a "careful
investigation of the Scriptures, (he) demonstrated from nine texts in the Old Testament and two texts in the New that the Sabbath
began at sundown. Andrews' conclusions were read at the conference in Battle Creek, November, 1855, and, from the scriptural
evidence set forth, those present accepted the responsibility of shifting from six o'clock to sundown as the time to begin the Sabbath."
[10]

There are four documented cases of people claiming to speak in tongues in the early history of the Adventist church, according to
Arthur White:[11]

The first was in 1847 when Brother Chamberlain claimed to interpret Brother Ralph's message in an unknown
tongue.[12]
The second was in 1848 when Brother Chamberlain claimed to speak in an unknown tongue. (mentioned above)
The third was in 1849, when Brother Ralph claimed to speak in a tongue, which was interpreted that S..W
Rhodes
should be retrieved, so Ralph andHiram Edson went. When they met him, Ralph again "spoke in a new tongue, and
gave the interpretation in power".[13]
The fourth claim was in 1851 at the church of EastBethel, Vermont.[14]
Arthur White states "There is no record of Ellen White's giving explicit support to, or placing her endorsement upon, these ecstatic
." [15]
experiences with unknown tongues, although she was an eyewitness to three of the four

There have also been other counterfeit claims. In June 1853 on her trip to Vergennes, Michigan, Ellen White rebuked a certain "Mrs.
A." who "professes to talk with tongues, but she is deceived. She does not talk the language she claims to speak. In fact, she does not
talk any language. If all the nations of the earth were together, and should hear her talk, no one of them would know what she says;
[16] The woman claimed to speak the localNative American language.[17]
for she merely goes over a lot of meaningless gibberish."

"At a meeting she held the next day, this woman spoke on the subject of holiness, and during her talk broke out again in the unknown
tongue. An Indian who had been invited to come in to hear her speak his language jumped to his feet, declaring: "Very bad Indian
that! Very bad Indian that!" When asked what thewoman said, he declared: "Nothing; she talk no Indian."
A few days later in the presence of an Indian interpreter who knew 17 of the languages, she spoke and prayed in her gibberish, and he
declared that she had not uttered a single Indian word. Her influence was short lived, not only because of this experience, but because
of the disclosure (from one of Ellen White's visions) that the man with whom she traveled and lived was not her husband. This in
time was confessed."[18]

Later experiences
Ralph Mackin and his wifeclaimed to experience gifts of the Holy Spirit such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and even casting out
demons. At an Adventist camp meeting in Mansfield, Ohio; they also claimed the gift of tongues, with Ralph speaking Chinese and
his wife Yiddish as the result of a vision.[19] Ellen White was cautious if not skeptical, and ultimately rebuked their testimony
stating...

"I was shown that it was not the Spirit of the Lord that was inspiring Brother and Sister Mackin, but the same spirit of fanaticism that
is ever seeking entrance into the remnant church. Their application of Scripture of their peculiar exercises is Scripture misapplied.
The work of declaring persons possessed of the devil, and then praying with them and pretending to cast out the evil spirits, is
[20]
fanaticism which will bring into disrepute any church which sanctions such work."

She continues to state...

I was shown that we must give no encouragement to these demonstrations, but must guard the people with a decided
testimony against that which would bring a stain upon the name of Seventh-day Adventists, and destroy the
confidence of the people in the message of truth which they must bear to the world.

— Selected Messages book 2, chapter 4

[21] Howard Blum shared his perspective.[22]

Pentecostal-turned-Adventist E. C. Card says he gave up speaking in tongues.

One website article, part 2 - "A False Concept Of the Son" claims Demos Shakarian (1913–1993) and the FGBMFI held a meeting to
distribute their Voice magazine to Adventist workers. It mentions Adventists Bill Loveless and Dr. Lowe. [23] This was viewed with
concern by Adventists, as one editor stated, "Already we have lost members to the delusions of this phenomenon. Some have been
young people."[24]

In 2007, Australian administrator Gilbert Cangy reported receiving the gift of unlearned human languages (xenoglossy), when in the
Vanuatuan island Ambrym, local Bislama speakers understood hisEnglish presentations.[25]

The 1991 National Church Life Survey in Australia found that approximately 5% of Australian Adventists approve of and/or speak in
tongues, whereas 11% have no opinion and approximately 85% disapprove. This was the highest disapproval rating amongst all
denominations surveyed.[26]

See also
Prophecy in the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist worship

References
Hegstad, Roland R. (1974).Rattling the Gates. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald.
Noorbergen, Rene. Glossolalia: Sweet Sounds of Ecstasy(Mountain View, California: Pacific Press, c.1973)
1. "Fundamental Beliefs" (http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html). Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Retrieved 2008-08-18.. See "17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries"
2. Bacchiocchi concurs inEnd Time Issues #194 and #195 below
 3. Gerhard Hasel. Speaking in Tongues: Biblical Speaking in Tongues and Contemporary Glossolalia. Berrien Springs,
Michigan: Adventist Theological Society, 1991 (publisher's page (http://atsjats.org/transaction_detail.php?id=15)
); as
quoted in the Handbook. One review (http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/AUSS/AUSS19940401-V32-01,02__B/i
ndex.djvu?djvuopts&page=139)(DjVu) is by Herbert Kiesler. Andrews University Seminary Studies32:1–2 (Spring–
Summer 1994), p137–138. See also "A Symposium on Speaking inongues". T Presented at the meeting of the
Midwest Chapter of the Adventist Theological Society , 22 February 1992
4. "Spiritual Gifts" by George E. Rice inHandbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology
, edited by Raoul Dederen;
p616–17. See also p648 for selected Ellen White quotations
5. "What the Bible Says About Speaking in T
ongues" [DA106] by David Asscherick.Presentation (http://www.hopevide
o.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=215)available for purchase
6. Testimonies vol. 1, p414 http://egwdatabase.whiteestate.org/nxt/gateway
.dll/egw-
comp/section00000.htm/book05499.htm/chapter05578.htm
7. "Tongues in Early Adventism" by William Fagal. Adventists Affirm 1997, v11, p26–34
8. Charismatic experiences in early SDA history - subheading "Bible Study ersus
V Ecstatic Experiences" - Arthur White
Page 6 (http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-ALW.html#TONGUES%20IN%20EARLY%20SDA)
9. Charismatic experiences in early SDA history - subheading "Bible Study ersus
V Ecstatic Experiences" - Arthur White
Page 7 (http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-ALW.html#TONGUES%20IN%20EARLY%20SDA)
10. Charismatic experiences in early SDA history - subheading "Further Bible Study Urged" - Arthur White Page(http://
7
www.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-ALW.html#TONGUES%20IN%20EARLY%20SDA)
11. White, Arthur L. (1973-03-15). "Tongues in Early SDA History"(http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH1973-1
1/index.djvu) (DjVu). Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald. 150 (11): 1, 4–7.
ISSN 0161-1119 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0161-1119). Retrieved 2008-08-01. Reprinted in White, Arthur L. (7
May 1973). "Tongues in early Adventist history". Australasian Record. Warburton, Victoria: Signs Publishing
Company. 77: 12–14. ISSN 0819-5633 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0819-5633). Reprinted in one section (http://w
ww.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-ALW.html#TONGUES%20IN%20EARLY%20SDA) of White, Arthur L.
"Charismatic Experiences in Early Seventh-day Adventist History"(http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-ALW.
html). Ellen G. White Estate. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
12. Affidavit signed by Mrs. S. Howland, Mrs. Frances Howland Lunt, Mrs. Rebeckah Howland Winslow and N. N. Lunt
at Battle Creek, Michigan. Ellen G. White Estate document file no. 311. As quoted by Arthur White
13. Hiram Edson, in The Present Truth 1:6 (December 1849) (http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/PT-AR/PT-AR-Part1
-05/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=2)(DjVu), p35–36. Oswego, New York
14. Letter (http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH1851-V02-02/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=7)(DjVu) to James
White from [Ms.] F. M. Shimper on 30 July 1851. The Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald2:2 (19 August 1851),
p15
15. Charismatic experiences in early SDA history - subheading "Further Bible Study Urged" - Arthur White Page(http://
8
www.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-ALW.html#TONGUES%20IN%20EARLY%20SDA)
16. Charismatic Experiences in Early Seventh-day Adventist History p. 9(http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-AL
W.html#TONGUES%20IN%20EARLY%20SDA)
17. "Recollections of the Past.–No. 7(http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH1884-24/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=
10)" (DjVu) by J. N. Loughborough. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald61:24 (10 June 1884), p378–79
18. Charismatic Experiences in Early Seventh-day Adventist History p. 8-9(http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/Charism-A
LW.html#TONGUES%20IN%20EARLY%20SDA)
19. Daily Shield 22 August. Mansfield, Ohio. As quoted by Arthur White
20. White, Ellen G. (31 December 1908)."A Warning" (http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/PUR/PUR19081231-V08-2
2/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=3)(DjVu). Pacific Union Recorder. Mountain View, California: Pacific Union
Conference. 8 (22): 3. Retrieved 2008-08-20. Republished in Selected Messages book 2, chapter 4, "Warnings
Against Deceptive Claims of the Spirit's Guidance(http://egwdatabase.whiteestate.org/nxt/gateway.dll/egw-comp/sec
tion00000.htm/book04611.htm/chapter04617.htm) ", p46–47
21. Card, E. C. "I gave up speaking in tongues(http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH1974-05/index.djvu?djvuop
ts&page=4)" Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 1974, v151, Jan 31, p4-5(120-121)
22. Blum, Howard; "My experience with speaking in tongues" Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 1974, v151, Aug 1,
p9-11(833-835)
23. authored by (http://jewel.andrews.edu:82/search/aLoveless+William)and concerning (http://jewel.andrews.edu:82/se
arch/dLoveless+William)a "William Loveless"; http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/MIN/MIN2004-10/index.djvu?
djvuopts&page=5)
24. "'Insight' Announces a Series on the T
ongues Movement" by Michael A. Jones.Pacific Union Recorder72:41 (April
16, 1973)
25. "Surprised by the Spirit (http://absg.adventist.org/2007/4Q/SE/PDFs/EAQ407_13.pdf#page=8) " by Gilbert Cangy, in
Adult Sabbath School Lesson4th quarter (October-December) 2007 titled "The Refiner's Fire". Lesson 13,
December 22–28, "Christ in the Crucible", p111.Reprint (http://ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/07d/less13.html)on the
independent Sabbath School Network website
26. Kaldor, Peter; John Bellamy; Ruth Powell; Merilyn Correy; Keith Castle (1994).Winds of Change: The Experience of
Church in a Changing Australia. Lancer books. p. 76. ISBN 0-85892-536-2.

External links
Speaking in Tongues: A Brief History of the Phenomenon Known as Glossolalia, or Speaking in o
Tngues by Harry W.
Lowe (Pacific Press, 1965). Reprinted on theBiblical Research Institutewebsite
"Tongue Speaking in Early SDA History", a bibliography by Gary Shearer
Search for "Glossolalia"in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)

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