Why Tongues?

Text: ;

John 20:19–23 ESV

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Three Distinct Baptisms In The NT:

1) Baptism into the BODY of Christ.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. ()

1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

2) Baptism in WATER

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19)

3) Baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.

"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”" (Acts 1:4-5)

Definition: Two Greek Words

a. “glossa” - Tongues

b. “laleo” - I Speak

What’s important to understand about this is… The Holy Spirit is not the one who speaks in tongues…. YOU ARE!

The Controversy: : 8-10

The New King James Version Chapter 13

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 ESV

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 ESV

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

: 8-10

(This is the passage most quoted from to show people that tongues have ceased, because now we have the Bible!

: 8-10

(This is the passage most quoted from to show people that tongues have ceased, because now we have the Bible!

(This is the passage most quoted from to show people that tongues have ceased, because now we have the Bible.)

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 NKJV

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

— In order to understand this passage… we have to define … “that which is perfect”.

: 8-10

— In order to understand this passage… we have to define … “that which is perfect”.

-- In order to understand this passage… we have to define … “that which is perfect”.

ge… we have to define … “that which is perfect”.

-- Does it mean the Bible?

-- Does it mean when we are in Heaven?

In order for tongues to have ceased we have to be able to say yes to these 3 Questions:

3 Questions Must Be Answered:

1) Has KNOWLEDGE ceased to exist?

(Is there anyone who has gained knowledge over this past year about anything?)

2) Do we see things “FACEto FACE”?

3) Do we KNOW as we are KNOWN?

Friend… anyone answers yes to any of those 3 questions… is out of their mind!!!

Therefore… you must conclude that knowledge has not ceased, prophecies have not ceased, and tongues have not ceased!

You’ve been lied to…

Why would God want us to speak in tongues…

Why Speak in Tongues?

1) Tongues are the INITIAL physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

(There are some who say… you can be filled with the Holy Spirit without ever speaking in tongues…. But what does the Bible say?)

Five Examples:

Acts 2: 1-13; 32-33; 37-39 “That which you see and hear”

Acts 8:5-18 “When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given…”

-- Question: You can’t see the Holy Spirit… so what did Simon see?

Acts 9: 17- 18 (Give Background)

-- Doesn’t say Paul spoke in tongues in this passage, but we know from 1 Cor. 14:18 He was a tongue talker because he tells the Corinthians… “I speak in tongues more than all of you!”

Acts 10: 44-46 -- “They heard them speak with tongues and magnify God”

-- note: This was a sign to the Jews, that God had accepted the Gentiles into Church.

-- Later in Acts 11…. Peter has to defend himself… because “those of the circumcision” were upset with him for fellowshipping with Gentiles.”

Listen to what Peter says… (Acts 11:15-16)

Acts 19: 1-6 -- “they spoke in tongues and prophesied”

Closure: There’s no doubt that after studying the common denominator in all of these passages, you have to arrive at the conclusion that the first outward evidence that believers were filled with the Holy Spirit was “speaking in other tongues”.

But what’s the purpose of tongues?

Tongues have a dual purpose:

1) Tongues are both for PRIVATE and PUBLIC use.

A) Private Use of Tongues:

1) Helps our WEAKNESSES. (Rom. 8:26-27)

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

2) Strengthens our FAITH. (Jude 20)

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"

-- Note: Book of Jude was written years after Acts & Corinthians, and yet Jude is still telling us… “pray in the spirit”.

-- Question: why would God ask the Church to do something… that they no longer had the capacity to do… if “tongues” were not for us!!!!

3) Edifies our INNER MAN. (1 Cor. 14: 4)

"He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…”

-- “edify” means to build up.

-- We live in a world where the devil wants to beats us down…. The daily grind of life wants to zap us of our strength…. But speaking in tongues is God way of recharging our spiritual batteries and refreshing and renewing our inner man!

-- How long has it been, since you’ve spent time just praying in tongues?

4) Communicates DIRECTLY to God. (1 Cor. 14:2)

"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."

ILLY: You are going to meet a President from another country. Communication would be very difficult, because you don’t speak their language and they dont speak yours.

-- If I am going to understand the President, He’s gonna have to talk on my level!

-- Tongues is God’s way of bringing us up to His level!

-- Direct communication! Your mind is not there to get in your way!

5) Expands our PRAISE. (1 Cor. 14:14-15)

"For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding."

-- It’s OK to sing in tongues!!!!

God has given us tongues for our own private use in our private devotions with Him!

But then there is a…

B) Public Use of Tongues:

1) A GIFT to the CHURCH. ( 1Cor. 14:5)

"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."

-- Why does He say prophecy is greater than the gift of tongues?

-- He doesn’t…. prophecy is only greater if the gift of tongues is not interpreted in a public setting.

-- He says, “If all you do is come together and speak in tongues, and no one give the interpretation… there will be great confusion!

and no one give the interpretation… there will be great confusion!

-- Be careful not to confuse the gift of tongues (for public use) with “speaking in tongues” (private use).

tongues” (private use).

2) A SIGN to the UNBELIEVER (1 Cor. 14: 18-22)

"I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.”

How To Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

1) Get THIRSTY! ()

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

-- So many of us have been drinking from wells that do not satisfy!

-- That’s why you ought to set aside some time to fast and pray!

-- Get hungry and thirsty for God!

2) Cast away FEAR. ()

"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”"

-- If speaking in tongues were of the devil… why would the devil want to give you something that would draw you closer to God!

3) Be PERSISITENT. (Lk. 11:9-10)

"“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

-- The proof of desire is in the pursuit!

-- People talk about how much they want more of God… but where’s the pursuit?

Where the persistence? Where’s the waiting on the Lord? The longing for Him?

-- The disciples in the upper room waited 10 days before the Holy Ghost came… we

think we’re doing God a favor if we wait 15 minutes at an altar!

4) Speak the LANGUAGE. (Acts 2:4)

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance .”

-- Notice again… Who did the tongue talking? (The people spoke in tongues)

a) The Holy Spirit is going to give you the language, but you have to speak it out!

b) How are languages formed?

-- With syllables…. The Holy Spirit will give you those syllables to speak out!

c) You say it sound like a bunch of babbling… to you it might….

-- But there are thousands of different languages in the world and you don’t know whether God will give you the tongue of an…

-- Indian -- Japanese -- African --Chinese --Chile

-- ILLY: Have you heard two people from a foreign country have a conversation?

-- sounds like Babel to me… but for them they know what they’re saying!

-- It may sound like Babel to you… but friend… you are not speaking to men, but unto God! And He knows exactly what you’re saying!!!

-- Speak what the Holy Ghost gives you…. And don’t try to figure it out!

Conclusion: The Holy Spirit changed my life… He gave me power, and anointed me to do things I could never do on my own… and He gave me a prayer language that I can talk to God in a deeper way than I ever knew!

What about you… Are you thirsty for more? Are you desperate to have all God wants for you?