By Timothy W. Burnett
This week we turn to 1Corinthians 12:3 where it says, "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and that no man can say that Jesus is Lord but by the holy ghost." The language of this scripture is closely similar to Romans 10:9-10, and warrants further study toward interpretting what it means to confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus. In this verse, to speak by the spirit is a spiritual matter and can be understood according to 1Corinthians 14:2, "For he that speaks in an unknown tongue [language] speaks not unto men, but unto God, howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries." This means that to say Jesus is Lord by the holy ghost refers to speaking in tongues.
The word "that" in 1Corinthians 12:3 is not found in the earlier known texts. Given this information, it would read, "...and no man can say Lord Jesus but by the holy ghost." Compare this with Romans 10:9-10, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus..." The two basically say the same thing. The only significant difference is the use of "say" and "confess," both of which come from different Greek words that generally mean to freely declare something.
Now let's look at this verse again, "...and no man can say Lord Jesus but by the holy ghost." This scripture sits like a gem which enhances the most beautiful jewel in the treasure chest. It perfectly establishes from a second angle exactly what it means to "confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus," which is unto salvation. This teaches us exactly what condition must be met to be saved during this age of the grace of God.
The word "mouth" is used perfectly because speaking in tongues is spoken through the mouth. In Acts 2:4, the word "spake" was translated from the earlier known Greek word laleo, which meant to speak without reference to the words spoken. It refers to the mechanics of speech, without consideration of the words spoken. This is significant because in 1Corinthians 14:14 we learn that speaking in tongues is not for our mental understanding. See how this all fits together like a hand in a perfectly fitted glove?
Many of us have grown up believing different things about salvation. But there is no evidence in God's word which reveals that He made it possible for people to get saved by their own ideas on how to get saved. You know...it comes down to the integrity of God's word. Just as we expect others to respect our word, so also does God want us to respect the integrity of His word..
This topic has no doubt been strange to many of our readers. This is understandable. Next week's column will look at speaking in tongue on a more personal and experiential level. But for now, let's take a moment to simply allow God's rightly divided word to soak in. We may not know yet how to start speaking in tongues, or what it is talking about. It starts with knowing it's significance and that it is available. One Christmas a family gathered in the living room and opened gifts. The joyful child finished tearing open each gift with great zeal. But one gift was left in the center of the room. The child was timidly happy that another gift was still available as it was carefully examined by her loving mother. Finally she found who it was for and looked directly at the child. At first she looked around with doubt. Then her eyes flew wide open and hands stretched out to lay-hold of that gift with a sudden burst of tears and zeal. What happened? It sank in to her heart that the gift was there for her.
Praise God in heaven for His perfect gift of holy spirit and salvation that is through our Lord Jesus Christ!
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