They Will Speak With New Tongues
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Mark 16:17-18, Acts 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:10-14:39
Mark 16:17-18, Acts 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:10-14:39
“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Every one of these signs (except for drinking poison) occurred in the recorded history of the early church. We are focusing on speaking in new tongues (see Ac. 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; 1 Co. 12:30; 14).
“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Jesus indicates in Mk. 16:15-20 that these signs are not special gifts for a few, but were given to all believers who witness to the gospel and claim His promises.
And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
TONGUES OF FIRE
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
What is the significance of the filling with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? It meant the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise in Joel 2:28-29 to pour out His Spirit on all His people in the end times (1:4-5; Mt. 3:11; Lk. 24:49; Jn. 1:33.
The disciples were “clothed with power on high” (Lk. 24:49; Ac. 1:8), enabling them to witness for Christ and to be people through whom the Holy Spirit could bring great conviction on the lost in relation to sin.
The Holy Spirit revealed His nature as a Spirit who longs and strives for the salvation of people of every nation. Those who received the baptism in the Holy Spirit were filled with the same longing for the salvation of the human race (vv. 38-40; 4:12, 33; Ro. 9:1-3; 10:1).
The disciples became ministers of the Spirit. They not only preached Jesus crucified and resurrected, but they also influenced converts to receive the “gift of the Holy Spirit” (vv. 38-39). This leading others into the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the key to apostolic work in the NT (see 8:17; 9:17-18; 10:44-46; 19:6).
Through this baptism in the Spirit Christ’s followers became successors to His earthly ministry. They continued to do and teach, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the same things that Jesus “began both to do and teach” (1:1; Jn. 14:12).
BEGAN TO SPEAK IN TONGUES
Speaking in tongues was considered by NT Christians as a God-given sign accompanying the baptism in the Holy Spirit (see Ac. 2:4; 10:45-47; 19:6).
TRUE SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Tongues as a manifestation of the Spirit--Speaking in tongues is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit. It is not “ecstatic speech,” for the Bible never uses the term “ecstatic utterance” to refer to speaking in tongues.
Tongues as the initial outward sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit--Speaking in tongues is an inspired utterance whereby the believer’s spirit and the Holy Spirit join in verbal praise and/or prophecy. God linked speaking in tongues with the baptism in the Holy Spirit from the very beginning (Ac. 2:4). Whenever tongues as a confirming sign has been denied or lost from view, the truth and experience of Pentecost has been distorted or ignored entirely.
Tongues as a gift—Speaking in tongues is also described as a gift of the Holy Spirit to the believer (1 Co. 12:4-10). Speaking in tongues accompanied by interpretation is used in public worship to communicate the content of the utterance to the congregation. Speaking in tongues is used by the believer to speak to God in his or her personal devotions and thus to build up one’s spiritual life (1 Co. 14:4).
FALSE SPEAKING IN TONGUES
The mere occurrence of speaking in “other tongues,” is not uncontestable evidence of the work and presence of the Spirit. Speaking in tongues can be counterfeited by human initiative or demonic activity.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Speaking in tongues must be “as the Spirit enabled” (Ac. 2:4) Speaking in tongues must be the spontaneous result of the initial infilling of the Holy Spirit.
In order to discern whether our speaking in tongues is genuine, we must look for the Biblically defined results of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. If someone claiming to speak in tongues is not committed to Christ and the authority of Scripture, whatever manifestations he or she may have are not from the Spirit.
For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Peter and those with him considered speaking in tongues through the Spirit as the convincing sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Just as God attested His actions at Pentecost by the sign of tongues (2:4), He causes the Gentiles in Cornelius’s house to speak in tongues as a convincing sign to Peter and the other Jewish believers.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM
The pattern of these twelve people receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit is consistent with the normal pattern already presented by Luke (8:5-24).
They had believed in Jesus and were born again by the Spirit.
Paul laid his hands on them and they were baptized by the Holy Spirit.
As the Holy Spirit came n them, they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Luke never presents the outpouring of the Spirit as something one could only perceive by faith. Speaking in tongues was external and visible proof that the Holy Spirit had come to these followers of Jesus.
All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?
DO ALL SPEAK IN TONGUES?
The context in ch. 12 shows that Paul is referring to the use of the gift of tongues and its companion gift of interpretation in public worship services. He is not attempting to limit the use of tongues in prayer and praise privately addressed to God (14:5). Most believers baptized in the Holy Spirit find it easy to pray in tongues as they yield themselves to the Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, all who were filled with the Spirit spoke in tongues as a sign they had received the fullness of the Spirit.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
TONGUES
Spiritual gifts such as prophecy, tongues and knowledge will cease at the end of this age.
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
SPEAKS IN A TONGUE
The Corinthians had overestimated the importance of the gift of tongues in public worship. Paul seeks to correct this abuse by pointing out the unprofitableness of tongues without interpretation in public services.
Prophecy edifies the church more than uninterpreted tongues (vv. 1-4).
Prophecy and tongues with interpretation are equally important to the church (v. 5).
Speaking in tongues in public worship services without interpretation is of no benefit to others (vv. 6-12).
Those who speak or pray in tongues in the church should seek to edify the church by praying for the gift of interpretation (v. 13).
In Paul’s personal life speaking in tongues to God is an important means of worship and spiritual growth (vv. 14-19).
Prophecy is more useful than uninterpreted tongues because prophecy brings conviction of sin and the knowledge of God’s presence (vv. 20-25).
Speaking in tongues and prophesying must be regulated so that order is maintained in the church (vv. 26-40).
Some believe that this verse indicates that the principal use of tongues, is to speak primarily to God and not to humans. When tongues are directed to God, the speaker communes to God by the Holy Spirit in the form of prayer. Interpretation of the utterance (vv. 5,13) in tongues allows the congregation to enter into this manifestation of the Spirit-directed worship and thus to say “Amen.”
Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
Tongues, when interpreted, are also directed to humans.
One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
Tongues without interpretation edifies the speaker because it puts him or her in direct communion with God by the Spirit (Eph. 3:16; Jude 20).
Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
I WOULD LIKE EVERY ONE OF YOU TO SPEAK IN TONGUES
Clearly such tongues have value for the Christian’s personal worship and prayer (vv. 2, 4). Paul adds that authentic tongues accompanied with interpretation in the assembly brings edification to the church. Tongues without interpretation does nothing for the church (vv. 7-9).
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?
SPEAK IN TONGUES
Speaking in tongues can at times be directed toward the Christian community. Paul describes the hypothetical situation of coming to the Corinthians and speaking in tongues in the worship service. The construction of this verse suggests that his speaking in tongues, would consist of a message containing revelation. Speaking in tongues with interpretation can bring a message to God’s people.
Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
Those who speak in tongues should produce sounds easy to be identified.
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
PRAY WITH MY SPIRIT . . . PRAY WITH MY MIND
Paul refers to his own experience, to his own private use of tongues. “I pray with my spirit” means to pray in tongues with one’s own spirit under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. The believer’s spirit prays as the Holy Spirit gives the utterance (12:7, 11; Ac. 2:4). Paul is speaking here of the private use of tongues directed to God. Paul used tongues not only for praying, but also for singing, praising and giving thanks to God (vv. 14-16). To “pray with my mind” means to pray and praise with one’s own mind in a learned language, also under the impulse of the Spirit.
I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
I SPEAK IN TONGUES
Paul considered the gift of tongues an important part of his spiritual life, which was frequently given to praying, praising and giving thanks in tongues. The word “more” is not an adjective modifying the noun “tongues.” “I speak in tongues more.”
however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
In the church Paul preferred to utter a few words that people could understand than to speak ten thousand words in tongues without an interpretation. Vv. 18-19 imply that Paul spoke in tongues more in private devotions than in public worship.
So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
TONGUES
Tongues within the congregation become a negative sign to unbelievers in that they signify the unbeliever is separated from God and cannot understand what is occurring (vv. 21, 23). Tongues may also be a sign to believers indicating that the Spirit is being poured out (Ac. 10:44-46; 11:15-17).
If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
SOMEONE MUST INTERPRET
The Biblical guidelines for speaking in tongues within the church are: (1) In any one meeting there must not be more than two or three who speak, pray or praise in tongues, and this must be done with interpretation. (2) Speaking in tongues must be done by one person at a time (v. 27). (3) All speaking in tongues must be judged by the church as to authenticity (vv. 29, 32). (4) a believer may speak in tongues privately in prayer to God.
but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
THE OTHERS SHOULD WEIGH CAREFULLY
At times prophecy and speaking in tongues might not be a word from God.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Speaking in tongues or possessing any supernatural gift is no guarantee that one is a true prophet or a true believer.
“When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
PROPHESY< AND DO NOT FORBID . . . TONGUES
This double injunction concludes Paul’s discussion of prophecy and tongues. Churches today that claim to follow God’s Word, yet forbid speaking in tongues and do not earnestly desire that their people prophesy, should ask themselves how vv. 37-38 might apply to them.
But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.