Tongues. A Touch from God

By Leslie Barnett

The purpose in my producing tghis book, is for those who want to experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the gift of Speaking in Tongues. At the age of twelve I received this heavenly language which began at the tender age of five when experiencing an angelic encounter, which consequently led to my calling into Billy Graham’s 'Youth for Christ'.
Our youth ministry involved speakers and musicians travelling around the countryside evangelising in Church rallies, youth camps, coffee shops and street witnessing.
It was during that time that many Christians from all denominations including Catholics and Messianic Jews resembled early disciples with the same enthusiasm when preaching with zeal and boldness.
Those were the glory days when simply bowing before the throne in worship would touch hearts and lift the spirits of those who sensed the incredible love of God. But sadly, todays Church cannot be met with the same enthusiasm, when plagued with sexual immorality, financial corruption, doctrinal error, personal pride, spiritual gullibility, and prophetic abuse. In many ways the state of today’s Pentecostal and Charismatic churches is like that of the early Corinthian Church.
In this book, an update of my previous book Tongues on Fire, I talk of how much diminishing emphasis is placed on praying in tongues when compared with the 1970 & 80 Pentecostal outpouring; in which I was heavily involved. And how in the backroom in pre-service prayer there seems to be less of praying in tongues, and singing in tongues is even rarer and almost unheard of. It seems to me that more and more Christians are uncomfortable and unfamiliar with this realm. This neglect is hurting the church and diminishing her power and effectiveness--- just as the Devil wants.
In this book I make a comparison between the 18th century Wesleyan revival to that of the 1970 Pentecostal awakening, whereby Methodist, Baptist, Catholics, and Pentecostals alike, paid heed to visions and supernatural encounters of how God was revealing himself to them; and how during those Holy Spirit outpourings, families were reunited, long-severed friendships reconciled, and hearts flowed together in true fellowship in the Lord. And even more than that, along with the spirit of unity and love came the spirit of sacrifice and the wondrous spirit of liberty.
As regards to prophetic abuse, I expose the notion by apostolics that a third wave Pentecostal awakening is very much alive. Christ church is not yet ready to receive the final Pentecostal out pouring of the Spirit until Christians come out from the institutional establishments of worldly trends and re-introduce the public acknowledgement of the Spirit.

Of special interest, is the miraculous miracle that led to Australia’s first Saint, Mary Mackillop, and how the mark of the beast 666 is affecting the lives of Christians today and beyond.
But more importantly, the necessity of the gift of Discernment when dealing with historical cases such as Australia’s Daniel Morecombe’s abduction, the survival of a couple from the nine eleven Twin Towers, and the infamous 1977 mass suicide of 918 devotees from the Peoples Temple at Jonestown Guyana.
Finally, I have dedicated a section to ‘the Mysterious Messengers’ —the angels of God, who have played a vital role in producing my book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leslie Barnett
• Release date: Mar 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223988403

Leslie Barnett

I was born into a dysfunctional poor family and quickly learned the art of commerce by selling papers and collecting empty bottles. School never appealed to me because subjects like the 'Queens English' with its nouns and pronouns made no sense to me due to my disability. But fortunately for me I was never bullied at school. Rather, admired for my talents in music and science when helping out my peers.Teachers unaware of the effects of autism became very frustrated with me due to my inability to concentrate resulting in one teacher physically assaulting me. As a government cover-up and for the sake of my younger brother's admittance into the same school, it was agreed by my parents and the Victorian Education Department that I take special leave at the age of fourteen.After leaving school I jumped from one job to another never really satisfied until I landed a job with a cash register company. It was there in among ‘living mechanical parts’ that my destiny was made known to me. Please allow me to share with you my spiritual calling.At the age of twelve I realised that my home and schooling was not of man’s doing but God's eternal plan ~affirmed to me at the age of five when experiencing an angelic encounter as mentioned in all my publications.It was from this tender age that I began to receive dreams that were unfortunately dismissed as normal fanciful childhood imaginations. However it would be many years later when receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit that these dreams were realised when teaming up with Billy Graham’s 'Youth for Christ' ( Ephesians 1:5 / Acts 1:8).Our Y.F.C team of speakers and musicians would travel in and around the Victorian country side evangelising in small churches preaching with zeal and enthusiasm. Added to the list were Church rallies, youth camps and coffee shops and street witnessing.During that time Christ’s message of love and peace was very much in vogue, made popular by the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War activists. The radio waves were bombarded with religious songs like “Jesus is just alright with me” performed by the Doobie Brothers and Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky.” Also high on the charts were religious songs sung by Pat Boone,and his daughter Debbie Boone whose song " You light up my life" was a number one hit.But the biggest surprise of all was Bob Dylan’s Christian conversion with recording album ‘Slow Train Coming’ which topped the music charts in 1979. There was also the Australian production of the hit musical ‘God-spell’ who’s leading lady was Australia’s own recording artist, Colleen Hewett. It was during that time that many Christians from all denominations including Catholics and Messianic Jews resembled early disciples with the same enthusiasm, preaching with zeal and boldness. Yes my friends those were the glory days when simply bowing before the throne in worship would touch hearts, including my own, and lift the spirits of those who sensed the incredible love of God (Romans 5:13).At that time God gave me an opportunity to be part of a live radio broadcast held every Sunday morning on Melbourne’s 3DB studios singing gospel music alongside Australia’s finest country recording artists, including Col Joye, Bobby Bright and Laurie Allan. But my biggest break came when Bill Armstrong invited me to his recording studio to sample some of my zany musical sounds for advertising jingles. It was from this gig that I meet Brian Cadd who later was to produce a number one hit song "Marshall's Portable Music Machine"Under the stage name Marshall, Brian Cadd's song opened up my career as a 'site act' in RSL clubs and TV shows such as ; A Current Affair with Mike Willesee, Graham Kennedy Tonight,and the Mike Walsh today show. I even had a gig with singer actress Eartha Kitt with Tommy Tycho's band at the 'Sydney Opera House' and a slot with Rolf Harris at Westfield's Carnival Capers.Another blessing came when a talent scout signed me up as co-presenter on a children’s morning show called the "Super Flying Fun Show" which opened a door into the Australasian Christian Broadcasting Association where I hosted a religious TV segment with a well-loved ventriloquist character named Elfie. Although just a children’s personality, anyone who appeared on TV was a celebrity which entailed a very rigorous schedule of church rallies, live TV and talk-back radio.Apart from music, I always had a keen interest in electronics, which not only enabled me to build my music machine but an animatronic robot named Algatron. This realistic personality was designed as an educational tool for purposes of teaching students the principals of Albert Eisenstein’s “Imaginary" problem solving techniques. One of the highlights of Algatron's career was an invite by the then minister for Science Peter Mc Gauran to be a mascot for the 1994 Canberra Science Festival. This engagement was to prove embarrassing when due to a technical malfunction Algatron spilled water all over Peter's shiny new shoes in view of a nationwide TV audience.When reminiscing on my 45 year career in the arts, I can see the hand of God when creating me an Aspie and for gifting me the skills inherited from my three times great grandfather (I.O.S) Edward Roberts. And although I've studied at (UPC) Bible College, my knowledge and revelation of God’s Word has been learned from personal experiences with several Christian denominations. But more-so my pedantic-ism in the arts of music, theatre, and science has given me the skillsneeded in the science of religious apologetics when writing my books.Currently I’m entertaining with my side -kick Tommy Tucker performing ventriloquism and singing Gospel.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

TECHNOLOGY THE AGE OF KNOWLEDGE

Dear brethren, would you not agree that in this technological age of knowledge and enlightenment, ignorance can be no excuse for anyone who is not illiterate? (Ephesians 5:verse 7)

As in keeping with the prophecy in Daniel 12 verse 4 at Pentecost 33 CE, man’s understanding of scripture began to increase. Church historians tell us that early church fathers such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, Eusebius, Chrysostom of Constantinople, and Augustine of Hippo were among many who experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues in accordance with 1 Corinthians 14. But by the end of the fifth century due to division within the church, these gifts waned. It was during this period that due to the lack of scholarship, textual flaws in the reproductive process of the original text led to erroneous interpretations which continued into the medieval period. Many of these errors became dogmas rendered from the infamous Alexandrian text which according to church law, were only available to authorised persons.

But in the thirteenth century, John Wycliffe defied Catholic law by making copies of church documents. With the help of his followers called the Lollards, his assistant Purvey and many other faithful scribes, Wycliffe produced dozens of English manuscript copies of the scriptures. They were translated from the Latin Vulgate which was the only source text available to Wycliffe at the time. The Pope was so infuriated by his translation of the Bible into English, that he ordered his bones to be dug up, crushed, and scattered in the river forty-four years after Wycliffe’s death!

long after Wycliffe, was John Huss who actively preached that people should be permitted to read the Bible in their own language in opposition to the edict of the Roman Catholic Church that threatened anyone who possessed a non-Latin Bible with execution. Not surprisingly, Huss was burned at the stake in 1415 with Wycliffe’s manuscript Bibles used as kindling. The last words of John Huss were: In 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be suppressed.

And true to John Huss prediction, just over a century later in 1517 Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 theses of Contention (a list of 95 issues of heretical theology) of crimes of the Roman Catholics onto the church door at Wittenberg Germany. Martin Luther went on to be the first person to translate and publish the Bible in the commonly spoken language of the German people. This has meant that today more than any other time in the history of the church, one can study, evaluate, and compare their faith to that of patristic documents and unadulterated Bible text which have been for decades preserved in God’s time capsule and now revealed in these our last days.

Dear brethren, it simply amazes me to think that just by a few clicks of a mouse, original commentaries from early church fathers can be evaluated free of persecution from priestly nobles who for so long zealously guarded it under their own law. But the Word of God needs revelation in understanding which can only come through a New Prophecy experience, which is why the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is so vital to today’s modern church.

CHAPTER 2

CAN THE CHURCH EVER UNITE?

The reality we can no longer ignore, is that there is disunity among God’s people who radically defend their denominational traditions without discerning the political agenda that has been behind the issue for generations. In fact, forgery of early Christian documents has a long and distinguished history; even within orthodox circles there was great debate regarding which manuscripts to include or exclude in scripture. And to add further confusion, certain word meanings were lost in translation from Hebrew to Arabic and Latin to Greek koine.

Even the Vulgate written by Jerome contained errors that were brought to the attention of Alcuin who under direction of the emperor Charlemagne AD 799 was to secure a purer version in the Latin tongue. Nevertheless, despite all obstacles, during the period from 1604 to 1611, fifty of the most notable scholars were able to agree on one authorized standard Bible, the King James Version rendered from the Textus Receptus (Latin for Received Text).

This received text is basically a Greek New Testament that provided the textual base for the vernacular translations of the Reformation Period and was translated into the languages of the people to whom the message was given. It was a printed text created in the 15th century to fill the need for a textually accurate Greek New Testament. Both Luther and Tyndale translated the Scriptures into their vernacular languages using the same basic Greek text. Luther used the second edition of the Erasmus New Testament, and Tyndale utilized the third edition.

The King James Version was read by most Bible- believing Christians down through the centuries where hidden truths lay waiting for the most discerning Christian. One such truth is the gift of tongues, which, according to Mark 16:17 is the sign of a true believer.

"And these signs will accompany those who believe by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues" (NRSV).

CHAPTER 3

TONGUES THE SIGN OF A BELIEVER

Dear brethren, those who have an eye and ear regard this heavenly language as a call to the church to arise and receive the Pentecostal clothing of the Spirit— which is her birthright and necessity for unity in the body of Christ.

But Satan, who is fully aware of this, has desperately tried to quench the Spirit by excluding Mark chapter 16, verse 9 to 20 from God’s inspired Word. But before I explain why, let us review the subject at hand by first reading 1 Corinthians 12:10 which says: To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues (KJV).

Rather than two different types of tongues, better say two distinct operations of tongues.

Now let us examine how these two operations differ.

The first initial tongue is usually, but not always after baptism and is coined; the prayer tongue. The apostle Paul tells us that this tongue is not a message to the church but between himself and his heavenly Father.

1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 2 says, For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. And in verse 4: If I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prays but my understanding is unfruitful (NRSV).

The other tongue that Paul speaks of is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:27 which says, if anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at the most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret (NIV). This tongue has been coined; the administrative tongue and gives licence for one to interpret and discern. Read 1 Corinthians 14:11, 12:31.

How does one know they have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Everyone experiences the manifestation of the Holy Spirit differently. For me it’s likened to vibrations from top to toe followed by a feeling of weightlessness and an uncontrollable sound coming from my lips. Some experience a feeling of butterflies rising from within the stomach followed by a weakness in the knees and a lump in the throat.

I recall an incident in the 1970’s when my pastor’s twelve-year-old son was awakened from sleep with an uttered tongue that continued for hours. So, this rules out any subliminal influence as many sceptics claim. Besides, can millions of tongue-speaking Christians be delusional? Unlike the prayer tongue, the ‘administrative’ tongue’ relies on a discipline based on a good understanding of God’s Word when interpreted and is used for the edification of the body of Christ. This gift according to Joel 2:28, is initiated by an imaginary process such as a dream or even a creative thought.

For example: I recall in a church meeting given a tongue, and because there was no interpreter, it was up to me to do the honours. So, with a quick prayer, God gave me Leviticus chapter 3, verses 3 to 5 which talked about a bull being sacrificed on an altar by a priest who were cutting out the best pieces (fatty portions) to devotees who were totally disengaged. Within only a few seconds, the Holy Spirit helped me discern the setting with the results as follows.

"To my people - Have I not said that I have chosen you among the many to be priests to present yourselves as living sacrifices without spot or blemish? Your sacrifice is not you’re very best. I don’t want a portion, a half or even a quarter but 100 percent, otherwise none!"

Apparently, God’s message to His congregation was the lack of wholeheartedness in their praise and worship, which apparently due to the prideful reputation of the church and its pastor; it was taken to be an offence resulting in my dismissal. This is the price one must pay when having the gift of interpretation and is why it was dared to be used against Frank Houston’s paedophilia activities. More on Frank Houston later. (1Coritheans 14:13 , Genesis 4: 4 , Romans 12:1).

What of the gift of discernment.

Dear brethren, this is the most important of all the gifts of the spirit, which I will be addressing in chapter sixteen. But for now, let’s hear what Aiden Tozer an American author, pastor, evangeliser, and spiritual mentor has to say about discerning stealth spirits:

"Among the gifts of the Spirit scarcely one is of greater practical usefulness than the gift of discernment. This gift should be highly valued and frankly sought as being almost indispensable in these critical times.

This gift will enable us to distinguish the chaff from the wheat and to divide the manifestations of the flesh from the operations of the Spirit."

Conclusion.

God has commissioned His pastors and the body of believers for the laying on of hands to receive all three gifts of the Holy Spirit. Receiving these gifts requires a confession of faith and has tremendous power when used in one accord with like-minded believers (Acts 2:1). I recall in the seventies when the entire congregation joined hands in front of the altar praying together for a Christian brother to receive the gift of tongues. Acts 8:17 says:

"Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (KJV).

But unfortunately, today’s Pentecostalism finds the laying on of hands a bit disconcerting, even suggesting that tongues are not all that necessary in worship. No doubt an attitude that only grieves the Spirit, making His work less effective. Please note that more information on tongues is addressed in chapter five and sixteen. But before going there, may I suggest you read this next chapter.

CHAPTER 4

WHAT CESSATIONIST SAY ABOUT TONGUES

Cessationism is the teaching that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing ceased with the apostolic age.

Cessationists teach that tongues were an intelligible foreign language spoken at Pentecost 33 CE. But in today’s Pentecostalism it’s considered to be nothing but gibberish mumbo jumbo. In fact, Cessationists say that the only reason for tongues was because the early church included many foreigners who wouldn’t have understood without tongues spoken in their languages.

Is this true?

I will endeavour to prove that the tongue spoken at Pentecost and the early church was unintelligible just as it is today. Also, I will endeavour to dispel the myth that Paul spoke all foreign languages, especially Greek. More importantly, I will endeavour to prove that the only intelligible language used in the early church was Aramaic via the prophetic tongues of interpretation and discernment.

Come now and let us reason together. (Isaiah 1:18)

Bible historians have noted that Paul spoke Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin; but there is no evidence that he spoke fluent Greek. How so? We know that Paul was once a pious Pharisee, and like all religious Jews, had no need to learn Greek. In fact, according to the historian Josephus, Paul’s dialect when preaching at Athens was not Greek but Aramaic to the Jews and Arameans who lived side by side. Mark chapter 7 verse 6 attests to this saying, The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter (NIV).Dead Sea Scrolls Archaeologist Yigael Yadin also agrees with Josephus’ testimony, pointing out that Aramaic was the spoken language of the common man at the time. Granted Acts 21:37 does say that Paul said to the tribunal, May I say something to you? And he said, Do you know Greek? (Acts 21:37, ESV).

But one must consider, although Paul was familiar with Greek, he was not fluent in it. For instance, when someone says to you: Do you speak English? you might answer: Yes, just a little! The notion that Paul could speak all foreign languages including Greek stems from a very poor rendering of the International Standard Version of 1 Corinthians 14:18, which says: "what Paul speaks of - is a foreign language. But other bibles confirm that the foreign language is the speaking in tongues as explained in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 2 which says.

"For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit (NIV).

Granted, at Pentecost there was neither a prayer tongue nor an administrative tongue. This was to be implemented via dreams and visions in the New Testament church following Pentecost. Nonetheless, according to Joel’s prophecy, the 120 participants did prophesy with many recognisable foreign dialects. Why? To establish a new religious system for which a universal language was to be the first fruits of unification and equality.

Galatians chapter 3 verse 28 tells us that these first fruits consisted of Jews, Gentiles, slaves, and noblemen. Even women were considered equals when baptized into the one body and made to drink of the one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13) This begs the question: if the universal language is the joining together the first fruits of God by the one spirit, why then foreign dialects? Answer! To break down any prejudice that would hinder unity. How so?

Consider this. Greeks and Judeans saw Galileans as uneducated and provincial. Since Jesus was from Galilee as were many of His disciples, one way to insult the group would have been to dismissively lump them together as Galileans. This was a way of implying that they were a group of yokels. Because of the anti-Galilean