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The Universal Confession of Jesus Christ in Tongues

The concept of the universal confession of Jesus Christ in tongues is rooted in biblical passages such as Philippians 2:11, which states, "And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father" [1]. This verse is often linked to other scriptures that speak of a universal acknowledgment of Christ's lordship, including Romans 14:11, which quotes Isaiah 45:23, saying, "every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God" [3].

The phrase "every tongue" is significant, as it implies a universal scope, encompassing all people and potentially even angelic beings. According to John Gill, this confession can be either "true and hearty, as when the mouth and heart agree in confessing" or "verbal only, or in mere outward form, and by force, as in hypocrites, wicked men, and devils themselves" [9]. The Tyndale House commentary on Philippians 2:10-11 notes that this does not imply universal salvation, as not all will confess Christ as Lord "freely out of love and devotion" [4].

The gift of tongues, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14, is related to this concept, as it involves speaking in languages not known to the speaker. The early Christian church experienced this phenomenon, particularly on the day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2:4 [2]. Aquinas discusses the gift of tongues in his Summa Theologica, arguing that it was given to the early disciples so they could preach to people of different languages without needing to learn those languages [6].

Different Christian traditions interpret the universal confession of Jesus Christ in tongues in various ways. The Reformed tradition, as represented by the Westminster Confession of Faith, understands the universal church to consist of "the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof" [8]. In contrast, the Catholic Church, as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, emphasizes the importance of confession in the context of repentance and sacramental absolution [11].

The patristic tradition also grappled with the meaning of Christ's lordship and the universal confession. Tertullian, for example, notes that Jesus was seen differently by various people, depending on their perspective [5]. The Lutheran tradition, as represented by the Augsburg Confession, emphasizes that Christ's passion was a sufficient oblation and satisfaction for all sins [7].

The concept of universal confession is not limited to Christian traditions. In Jewish tradition, Maimonides' Mishneh Torah emphasizes the importance of verbal confession in the context of repentance [10].

The biblical foundation for the universal confession of Jesus Christ in tongues is thus interpreted and understood in diverse ways across Christian traditions, reflecting their distinct theological emphases and understandings of scripture. The eschatological vision of universal acknowledgment of Christ's lordship remains a common thread, grounded in passages like Philippians 2:11 and Romans 14:11 [1, 3].

Sources

  1. Philippians “Philippians 2:11 (DRC) — And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tongues, Gift of — Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special la”
  3. Romans “Romans 14:11 (Geneva1599) — For it is written, I liue, sayth the Lord, and euery knee shall bowe to me, and all tongues shall confesse vnto God.”
  4. Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 2:10: 2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.”
  5. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. LXIV. (part 1): Although Jesus was only a single individual, He was nevertheless more things than one, according to the different standpoint from which He might be regarded; [1] nor was He seen in the same way by all who beheld Him. Now, that He was more things than one, according to the varying point of view, is clear from this statement, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life;" and from this, "I am the bread;" and this, "I am the door," and innumerable others. And that when seen He did not appear in like fashion to all t”
  6. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Grace of Tongues, Art. 1: Article: Whether those who received the gift of tongues spoke in every language? I answer that, Christ's first disciples were chosen by Him in order that they might disperse throughout the whole world, and preach His faith everywhere, according to Mt. 28:19, "Going . . . teach ye all nations." Now it was not fitting that they who were being sent to teach others should need to be taught by others, either as to how they should speak to other people, or as to how they were to understand ”
  7. Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 24 Concerning these opinions our teachers have given warning that: 24 Concerning these opinions our teachers have given warning that they depart from the Holy Scriptures and diminish the glory of the passion of Christ. For Christ’s passion 25 was an oblation and satisfaction, not for original guilt only, but also for all other sins, as it is written to the Hebrews 10:10: 26 We are sanctified through the offering of Jesus Christ once for all. Also, Hebrews 10:14: 27By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. [It is an unheard-of inno”
  8. Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25 Of the Church 1. The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. 2. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the L”
  9. Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:11: And that every tongue should confess,.... Whether of angels or men, or of men of whatsoever nation. Confession is either true and hearty, as when the mouth and heart agree in confessing, and which is made only by true believers; or verbal only, or in mere outward form, and by force, as in hypocrites, wicked men, and devils themselves; who all either have confessed, or will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord: the holy angels confess him to be Lord, and their Lord truly, and are unfeignedly subject to him; and true believers heartily own him as their Lord, and ch”
  10. Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Repentance 1:1: If a person transgresses any of the mitzvot of the Torah, whether a positive command or a negative command - whether willingly or inadvertently - when he repents, and returns from his sin, he must confess before God, blessed be He, as [Numbers 5:6-7] states: "If a man or a woman commit any of the sins of man... they must confess the sin that they committed." This refers to a verbal confession. This confession is a positive command. How does one confess: He states: "I implore You, God, I sinned, I transgressed, I committed iniquity be”
  11. Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, 24. (part 2): definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church. Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfilment, as is the case in certain nonChristian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations". 25 DV 2. 26 Heb ”
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