Page 641 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

TOLL - TORMENTORS

TOLL. Tax; tribute (Ezr. 4:13 ,20; 7:24). instructed to covet the best gifts (1 Co. 14:31).
TOMB. A burying place (Job 21:32; Mt. 8:28; 23:29; (7) Biblical tongues were not spoken by all Christians
27:60). [See Cremation, Crucifixion, Death.] even in the first century (1 Co. 12:4, 7-12, 28-30).
TONGUE. (1) The tongue; the instrument of taste (8) Biblical tongues were not to be exercised by
and speech in man’s mouth (Ex. 4:10; Mk. 7:33). (2) women in the churches (1 Co. 14:34-35). In direct
Speech; words (Job 15:5; Pr. 6:24; 15:4). (3) Language disobedience to this, women are at the forefront of
(Ge 10:20; De. 28:49; Is. 66:18; Jn. 5:2; Ac. 21:40). (4) “tongues speaking” in the Pentecostal-Charismatic
The spiritual gift of tongues speaking, which was the movements.
supernatural ability to use languages unknown to the (9) The Pentecostal/Charismatic method of
speaker (Ac. 2:4, 8, 11; 19:6; 1 Co. 12:28, 30; 13:8; “speaking in tongues” is unscriptural and dangerous.
14:2-39). [See Tongues Speaking.] When a person accepts the idea that tongues speaking is
TONGUES SPEAKING. Since its inception, the needed for the spiritual life, he then wants to know how
Pentecostal movement has taught that the gift of tongues can be received. The Pentecostal preacher
tongues continues to be exercised today. Tongues typically instructs the individual to open his mouth and
speaking is commonly divided into two categories: start muttering words but without using normal
personal prayer tongues and public tongues. Consider language, and God is supposed to take control of the
the following biblical truths which refute this doctrine: tongue. There is not a hint of such a practice in the N.T.
(1) Biblical tongues were a sign to Israel regarding The Bible warns Christians that there are deceiving
the founding of the church and biblical tongues ceased spirits that can appear as angels of light and ministers of
when the foundation of the church was completed (1 God (2 Co. 11:13-15; Mt. 24:24). Paul warned the
Co. 13:8-9; 14:20-22; Ep. 2:20). God plainly tells us Corinthians that they were in danger of receiving false
that this was the purpose for tongues. Paul tells us that spirits because of their carnal condition and lack of
tongues was a fulfillment of the prophecy about Israel in spiritual discernment (2 Co. 11:3-4). The true believer
Isaiah 28:11-12. cannot be possessed by evil spirits, but he can certainly
(2) The first mention of tongues proves that biblical be influenced by them. Thus the Bible warns us to be
tongues were real earthly languages (Ac. 2:6-10). sober and vigilant (1 Pe. 4:7; 5:8). [See also
According to 1 Co. 14:2, tongues speakers spoke Charismatic.]
mysteries, which refers to divine revelation. The term TOPAZ. A precious stone found mainly in Ethiopia
“mysteries” in the N.T. refers to things that were hidden (Job 28:19). It was in the first row of the breastplate of
in O.T. times but are now brought to light (Ro. 16:25, the high priest (Ex. 28:17) (Analytical). “The topaz is a
26; 1 Co. 2:7, 10; Ep. 3:3-5; Col. 1:26). This is what we precious stone, of a pale, dead green, with a mixture of
see on the day of Pentecost. Those who heard the yellow, sometimes of a fine yellow; and hence called
disciples speak in tongues on that day said, “We do hear chrysolyte by the moderns, from its gold
them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of color” (Treasury).
God” (Ac. 2:11). Biblical tongues were languages, not TOPHEL (a murmuring, ruin). De. 1:1.
some sort of unintelligible mutterings. TOPHET, TOPHETH (detestation, execration). A
(3) Biblical tongues were bound by apostolic place in the valley of Hinnom where Israel sacrificed
commandments. These included the following: no children to Molech (2 Ki. 23:10; Je. 7:31; 19:1-6;
women could speak; tongue speaking had to be done by 32:35). It became a garbage dump, a place to burn
course; tongues had to be interpreted; there could be no refuse, and in the N.T. is used to symbolize hell. [See
confusion (1 Co. 14). The practice of “tongues” in Gehenna, Idolatry, Hell.]
modern times is not operated under the biblical TORMENT. Extreme pain; anguish; the utmost
restrictions. degree of misery, either of body or mind (Webster) (Mt.
(4) Biblical tongues were not sought by individuals 8:6; He. 11:37; Re. 9:5; 11:10). It is often used to
but were sovereignly given by God (1 Co. 12:11). The describe the horrors of hell (Mt. 8:29; Lk. 8:28; 16:24,
disciples did not seek to speak in tongues. 25; Re. 14:10; 20:10). [See Hell, Judgment, Perdition.]
(5) Biblical tongues were a divine miracle, not TORMENTORS. A torturer (Mt. 18:34). The Greek
something that could be learned. Nowhere is instruction word translated “tormentors” is derived from the word
given by the apostles about how to speak in tongues, which means to torture and is translated “pained” (Re.
and nowhere do we see believers trying to speak in 12:2) and “vex” (2 Pe. 2:8).
tongues.
(6) Biblical tongues were the least important
spiritual gift (1 Co. 12:28-30), but Christians are

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 641