Debunking The Attack Against Healing, Speaking In Tongues, and Prosperity
Pastor Jonathan Shuttlesworth & Pastor Ted Shuttlesworth Jr.
I want to take the time to address and refute a few gross misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit and equip you with a biblical justification on the issues of healing, speaking in tongues and prosperity. My cousin Ted Shuttlesworth Jr. and I tackle some of the arguments against these gifts and provide scriptural justification for our position.
The timing of this teaching is intentional. I foresee an attempt coming to brand believers who refuse to condone same sex marriage as a hateful, right-wing group, while, propping up churches willing to compromise the Word of God to obtain government funding and societal approval. I can also foresee an attack from within the Body of Christ. An effort to label believers who speak in tongues, cast out devils, lay hands on the sick, and believe in prosperity as fringe lunatics.
In the New Testament, Paul prophesied that this would happen in his letter to Timothy.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1Tim. 4:1)
As a believer, you have to have an accurate understanding of the Word of God in order to be able to stand firm against attacks that may come. This teaching is designed to help you do just that.
Before we move forward I have a serious and sincere disclaimer. No one who follows this ministry should feel empowered to attack anyone, especially preachers who believe differently than you. Don’t do it. The Bible teaches us to pray for people who lack understanding or seem to have fallen astray. (Gal. 6:1)
As we touch on some points that the reformed church makes in order to highlight the complete lack of scriptural evidence behind the viewpoint, some names are mentioned. This is not the beginning of a pattern of the public criticism of preachers from my pulpit. This will more than likely be the one and only time I address anyone specifically. The main point of this teaching is to deal with the spirit behind these false teachings rather than to attack any one person.
The truth of the matter is, many people are simply deceived. They don’t know what they don’t know. They believe what they’ve been taught and are ignorant to any other doctrines. For example, statistics from the Southern Baptist Convention show that very few people are being evangelized into the denomination. Their members have been born and raised in that church. It’s all they know.
When you read the Bible with a preconceived notion of what the scriptures mean, it’s easy to view the Bible through the same lens you’ve always viewed it. But when you strip away the bias and read the scriptures as they are written, the truth is evident.
Dr. Jack Deere is a perfect example of this concept. He was a professor of theology at Dallas Theological Seminary, a cessationist institution. He recognized that he was making the same mistake he instructed his students to never make: he was reading the Bible with a presupposed bias. He decided to abandon his bias and reread the New Testament from the beginning to end. When he did, he became fully convinced no logical thinking person could read the Bible and remain a cessationist. He not only became filled with the Holy Ghost, he began preaching on spiritual warfare.
Those who attack tongues, healing, and prosperity portray those who believe what the Word says about these gifts as if we have no argument or understanding of scripture and doctrine. In reality we could eviscerate their arguments based on scripture.
Let the debunking begin.
Speaking In Tongues Was A Foreign Language Used to Help The Apostles Evangelize
To address this fallacy the best place to turn is 1 Corinthians 14,
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied, for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.” (1 Cor. 14:1-5)
This passage of scripture is the most clear teaching on speaking in tongues that you will find anywhere in the Bible. Paul is very clear about what speaking in tongues is and what it is not. The Greek word ‘glosso’ is used in this passage and can mean tongue or foreign language, but that’s not how Paul is using it here. In verse two, Paul says ‘He who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands it.’ If NO ONE can understand it except God, Paul is clearly not referring to a foreign earthly language, but referencing praying in the spirit as a heavenly language.
Paul provided this teaching on speaking in tongues but there are also many stories in the Bible that substantiate Paul’s teaching. In order to build sound doctrine you must use teaching from the Bible to define the stories found throughout the scriptures. You never use a story to explain a teaching.
Let’s look at several stories that support Paul’s teaching.
In Acts 19, Paul prayed for the 12 men at Ephesus. The only people in the story were Paul and the 12 men who were all recently saved. Paul’s account of what happened tells us that there was no one for these men to evangelize, yet they spoke in tongues.
“Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that it, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:4-6)
If tongues were used to evangelize, then who were the twelve men evangelizing? Not each other, because they were all saved, and certainly not Paul.
In Acts 10, when Peter visits Cornelius’ house the Holy Spirit falls upon Cornelius’ entire household just after they became saved.
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
Again, an apostle is in a setting where everyone in the vicinity is a saved believer and tongues are being spoken. If there’s no one in earshot who isn’t saved, why would anyone be speaking in tongues for the purpose of evangelism? The scripture also reveals that the Jews who were saved were ‘astonished.’
Just for fun, let’s break this down like it’s a fifth grade reading comprehension assignment.
Q: Why were the Jews astonished?
A: The gift of the Holy Spirit being poured out on Gentiles astonished the Jews.
Q: How did the Jews know the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles?
A: The Jews knew the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles because they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
The scriptures clearly explain that the presence of the Holy Spirit was evident based on the speaking in tongues of the Gentiles. There’s no mention of any other people in the area in need of evangelism. The Jews present were already saved, and the Gentiles present had just received salvation as a result of Peter’s teaching.
Acts 2 provides a narrative account of what occurred the first time tongues were released on the earth.
“And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.” (Acts 2:5-6)
It’s important to line this story up with Paul’s teaching on speaking in tongues, as well as with the rest of the New Testament. The Word says that when you speak in tongues, you’re not speaking unto men, but unto God, for no man understands it. (1 Cor. 14:2)
If God said that tongues are not for human communication, but that only HE understands it, then a miracle took place which gave them supernatural hearing. This miracle caused the men from every nation under heaven to HEAR in their own language. The miracle that took place wasn’t in the speaking, but in the hearing.
“And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?” (Acts 2:8)
That's the only way to interpret this scripture because it lines up with the rest of the New Testament.
Many proponents of tongues being a foreign language used for evangelistic purposes, claim that tongues were prevalent because of the abundance of foreigners present in the city of Corinth. Corinth was a port city in the path of various trade routes and commonplace for foreigners of all kinds. The need for foreigners to receive the gospel translated in their native language is what they feel gives their position validity.
This begs the question: Why would Paul request the interpretation of tongues? (1 Cor. 14:27)
Why would Paul need an interpreter if he was speaking in their native language?
Paul did not ask for interpretation because he spoke several languages, as some have argued. Paul said that when he spoke in tongues, his mind was unfruitful. (1 Cor 14:13) If you are able to speak and understand a foreign language, you wouldn’t describe your mind as being unfruitful. You also wouldn’t need to pray to be able to interpret an earthly language you speak fluently.
The scriptures aren’t confusing. Paul is referring to a heavenly language in which his mind doesn’t understand. In order to understand, he needed to pray that he would be granted the interpretation of his prayer.
Evidence from the scriptures tell us that tongues are for edification. The book of Jude shows us another purpose for speaking in tongues.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 1:20)
As Kenneth Hagin would say, ‘Speaking in tongues doesn’t give you more faith, it stirs up the faith you already have.’ Praying in the Holy Spirit not only edifies, it stirs up your faith to prepare you for action. What a gift from God! Don’t let a lack of understanding rob you of such a precious gift.
Some arguments against speaking in tongues suggest that it died out once the canon of scripture was given. Nowhere in the Bible is this concept taught or implied. Many of the people who make this argument are from the camp that the scriptures should be held in the highest regard. Yet, when scripture doesn’t line up with what they believe the response is usually something like, “I know the bible says that, but…”
There’s your red flag. There’s no reason to doubt anything the scriptures say. The Bible is the inspired and inherent Word of God. There’s no common ground if you don’t hold that belief.
On to the next false claim.
Healing Is Not For Today
The reformed church doesn’t believe that Christians can expect and receive healing. Healing is one of the 11 blessings in your covenant with God, but some believe this promise died with the last apostle. Some go as far to say that any manifestation of healing in the church today is from demon power.
This belief is of the same line of thinking the Pharisees had when Jesus healed the demon-possessed, the blind, and the mute. Jesus’ response is as valid now as it was then.
“Now when the Pharisees heard it they said. ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons.’ But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.’”
Jesus said the devil will not work against himself. Satan is not going to make someone sick and then heal them so that they can testify that Christ did it, effectively bringing more people to God. The devil isn’t double minded. He has one mission: to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
In addition to Satan having zero motive to heal the sick, he is incapable of doing so. In Luke, when John’s disciples asked Jesus if He was the Messiah, Jesus responded by pointing out His healing miracles.
“When the men had come to Him, they said, ‘John the Baptist has send us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind he gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the thing you have seen and Heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.’” (Luke 7:20-22)
When asked if He was the Messiah, Jesus referred them to His healing miracles. If the devil had the capacity to carry out the same signs as Jesus, there would be no reason for Jesus to point to those signs as valid proof that He is the messiah. Jesus’ answer reveals the exclusivity of His healing power. If Satan didn’t have the power to heal 2,000 years ago, he didn’t suddenly acquire this power today.
These scriptures tell us two things about healing. Satan can’t heal, and he wouldn’t heal even if he could.
Two scriptures render the argument that present day healings manifest through demon power utterly invalid. Since healing cannot be the work of Satan, the only explanation for modern day healing is that the Holy Spirit is still working through believers today to heal the sick. It’s almost as if Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8)
The Word also says that whoever believes in Jesus will do the same and greater works (John 14:12) Thus healing is not only available to you, it’s works THROUGH you.
We’re on a roll, let’s go for the trifecta.
Christians Shouldn’t Expect To Reap What They Sow
Perhaps no preacher has come out against the “Prosperity Gospel” more than John MacArthur. Before we get into what the Word says on prosperity and sowing and reaping, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the absolute hypocrisy of an extremely prosperous preacher speaking out against prosperity.
An article came out about Pastor MacArthur in 2022 emphasizing the inconsistencies between his practices and his preaching. I have absolutely no issue with Pastor MacArthur’s finances. However, if you attack preachers who teach on prosperity, such as Kenneth Copeland and others, you probably shouldn’t be collecting larger salaries than them.
It’s a dishonest and deceitful practice to preach against prosperity while living in such great abundance. The reformed church’s issue with how I and other pentecostal charismatic preachers teach on prosperity boils down to one word: expectation.
Another word for expectation is faith. Failure to believe God for a financial harvest boils down to a lack of faith. I haven’t found anywhere in the Bible where Jesus, or Moses, or the apostles had too much faith, but I’ll keep looking.
What I have found in scripture is when you give, you will be made sufficient in all things and abundant in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)
Reformed christians believe that God takes an interest in the economic well-being of His children. They’re comfortable with Christians being blessed with things, what they’re not comfortable with is Christians expecting to receive financial blessings.
Tithing and giving to the poor are points we agree on, however reformed christians believe that the way God decides to bless you for your giving can take on many forms. You may give a financial offering and God will bless you with peace in return. In other words, having faith for financial blessing is where reformed christians and the Word disagree. The reformed church is not in disagreement with me, they’re in dispute with the sovereign Word of God, which clearly states,
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Gal. 6:7)
When Paul used the word ‘seed’ to describe tithes and offerings it wasn’t a coincidence. He was speaking to agrarian societies who were all too familiar with the concept of seedtime and harvest, reaping and sowing. You don’t plant an apple seed and grow a zucchini. You don’t give a financial seed and receive peace in lieu of a financial harvest.
The book of Acts tells us the early church had no lack. All their needs were met and if any need arose, they took from their excess to meet it. (Acts 4:32-35; Acts 2:43-46). The early church sowed financially and reaped a tangible, financial harvest. That’s how seedtime and harvest worked in the early church, and it’s how it still works today.
There are three infallible truths that have to be ignored in order to believe any of the theories that have been debunked in this teaching.
God doesn’t change. (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17)
God and His Word are One. (John 1:1)
God doesn’t lie. (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18)
If you hold God and His Word as the ultimate truth, it’s impossible to question whether He gives His children the ability and authority to receive healing, speak in tongues, and reap financial blessings.
I hope this teaching helped confirm your faith in God, His Word, and His gracious gifts to you. If you’re reading this and you are not convinced, it is my sincere hope that like Jack Deere, you will put aside your presupposed bias of what the scriptures mean and read them as they are written. As you do, I pray the Holy Spirit will grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation.
