Tongues

“In studying the Bible you need to see what is not seen. You need to hear what Jesus is not saying.” - A Local leader in the charismatic movement

Here is another quote by Ronald Reagan that may be more fitting

“It is not that our liberal friends are ignorant. It’s just that they know so much that is not so.”

When it comes to studying Acts or any other book of the Bible I want you to ignore the first quote.

Look at exactly what Jesus is saying.

See exactly what is said.

For us to understand highly debated and controversial topics such as tongues, we need to examine God’s Word closely, so we see exactly what He says on these issues.

When God dispersed the people for building the Tower of Babel he gave them different languages and it confused them.

Today there is about that much confusion over tongues.

Let us look at tongues from what it is and what it is for.

Acts 2:4 ESV

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

What Tongues Is

It is a Language

It has always been a known language

It is always referred to as a known language

It is an understood language

Acts 2:8 ESV

And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

Acts 2:

They head and understood what was being said

It was a Sign

1 Corinthians 1:22 ESV

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,

The Jews always demanded signs as proof.

Tongues was a sign that Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled

Joel 2:28 ESV

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

Joel

Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost

Tongues was a sign New Testament Prophecy was fulfilled

In Jesus referred to Spirit like the wind and the effects seen of it .

At Pentecost the mighty rushing wind is the Spirit and the effects are the birth of the Church.

John the Baptist said Jesu would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit Baptism happens and the fire represents the power of God

Same Fire at the burning bush

Just as Jesus began to take the Gospel to others outside the Jews...

Shows that the Spirit

At Pentecost the sign of other languages is that of all nations

All nations will be part of the Church.

Tongues is a fulfillment to Jesus’ Command

Luke 24:45–48 ESV

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Luke 24:

That Promise of the Spirit came on Pentecost

The witnesses were empowered to take the gospel to the nations

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

What nations?

The nations Jesus told them.

All these signs of Tongues were to show the Jews that the Gospel came to the Jew first and then to the nations.

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts

1st Outpourng

First out pouring of the Spirit was in Jerusalem just as Jesus commanded

Acts 8:12–17 ESV

But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

2nd Outpouring

Notice the order

They were baptized

Laying on of Hands

Then they recieved the Spirit

This not to show an order of how to receive the Spirit, but a sign to the Jews

They were Baptized after the preaching

How can we know these Samaritans are really converted?

The Spirit falls on them.

Acts 10:44–48 ESV

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

3rd Outpouring

Notice the order here

Preaching the Word

Spirit fell on them

Speaking in tongues

then baptism

Order shows that tongues is not produced by any set formula

Tongues was a sign that the Spirit was for even the Gentiles

The Jews were amazed because the Spirit was poured out on even the pagan Gentiles.

Acts 19:1–6 ESV

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

4th Outpouring

Notice the order

Baptized

Laying on of Hands

Spirit fell on them

speaking in tongues and prophesying(preaching)

We also find the reason for Baptism in the name of Jesus

It not a set formation of words that completes salvation

It is to be identifies with Christ

His name is who Christ is.- Authority

Baptized in the authority of Jesu and identified with Him.

Tongues is a Sign to the Jews

To the Jew first

Then to the Samaritans

The Jews separated themselves from

Then to Gentiles

The Jews hated the Gentiles

Then to the Greeks or God fearers

Jewish converts that would not be circumcised

This shows us that the Gospel is for all people of all nations.

Even those people we have separated our self from

Even the people we hate

Even the people who are not like us

What Tongues is for

Tongues as a Spiritual Gift

Spiritual Gifts are for the Church

1-3

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 ESV

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Verses 1-3

Paul moves to address Spiritual gifts

He wants them to be informed of the truth

Corinthians were former Pagans

Part of Pagan worship was babbling or gibberish to idol gods

In this babbling cursing God was taking place

Paul states this does not and will not ever come from the Holy Spirit

Verses 4-6

Diversity of Gifts

All gifts come from God

Verses 7-11

Gifts were given for the benefit of the Church

The Manifestation of the Spirit is for the Common good of the Church

Gifts are given by the Spirit not chosen

Tongues and interpretation like the other gifts were for a sign authentication.

God has given each member in the church different gifts for different gifts.

Gifts Clarified

1 Corinthians 13:1–13 ESV

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 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. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Church at Corinth desired all the higher gifts(12:31). But the greatest gift/higher gift is love.

Paul was not giving reference to a special angelic language

The message is no matter how gifted one speaks without love it is just noise.

The gong and clanging symbols were means in honoring pagan idols.

All the most excellent gifts and discernment are nothing without love.

Love is the truth in everything ( 4-7)

Love is the gift we should desire more than other gift

Love never fails (8-13)

In contrast to the gifts love never fails

In time all gifts will cease but love continues

Faith and hope will be fulfilled in heaven, but God’s love is eternal

Regulations for Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 14 ESV

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.

Prophecy is to preach and proclaim the gospel which the purpose for the Holy Spirit.

In Ch.12 is the teaching on spiritual gifts and Ch.13 on how to use gifts in love and in Ch. 14 speaks about the abuse.

Gifts should be used for the Edification of the Church (1-12)

The believer should desire to use the gift given by God for God’s glory.

The entire congregation should desire to use their gifts for the edification of the church.

What cannot be understood cannot edify- language that isn not understood is useless

Preaching edifies and profits the church

Even if someone speaks in another language it does no good without an interpreter.

Language is used to communicate not confuse. Gibberish that is not understood is confusing

Gifts should bring edification to the church and not self

Tongues must Interpreted (13-19)

Worship should be in a language that is understood by all

Could language and interpretation be the same as foreign language with an interpreter.

It is pointless to think you must speak gibberish for God. - God understands every language in the world

Paul new the gift and how to use it properly - He was an apostle - Apostle were given gifts for a purpose

Paul never mentions how to speak in tongues or gives direction to speak in tongues.

Paul would rather be understood and bring edification then to speak 10,000 words for just his own glory.

Tongues was a sign to unbelievers (20-25)

Paul is indicating that tongues was not the gift of every believer.

It is not the evidence of Baptism of the Spirit in which all believers receive at salvation.

Tongues is not a superior gift

Paul is saying that tongues easily appeals to the desires of the flesh

The church should put aside its own desires and think of the purpose for tongues.

The prophecy of was fulfilled on Pentecost and is a sign for unbelieving Israel.

Tongues is for the unbeliever. It has no purpose if everyone present is a believer.

Prophecy is for everyone. Understood preaching reaches everyone

There must be order in worship (26-35)

Tongues are to done in an orderly fashion with regard for the Word.

Remember tongues is in effect during the age of the Apostles and fades away with the Apostles.

Everyone was trying to exercise his gift at the same time only causing confusion.

There should be two or at the most three and there must be someone to interpret.

If there is no one to interpret then remain silent.

God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Women not speaking in the Corinthian church was due to the women who were former priestesses in pagan temples.

Paul concludes this passage in verse 40 “all things should be done decently and with order.”

Concern for Tongues speaking

Can the modern tongues movement stand the test of Scripture?

Do they follow the regulations set in Scripture?

No where in the Bible is it taught that speaking in tongues is evidence for the Spirit Baptism.

No where in the Bible is tongues a gift that makes someone more spiritual.

Truth of Tongues

Tongues in was known languages to overcome communication barriers for the purpose of salvation.

In God used to Tongues to show the Gentiles had become part of the Church.

In was to show the God fearers/ Baptized of John were now part of the Church.

In 1 Cor. Paul addresses the proper use of spiritual gifts including tongues.

Conclusion

Tongues is not universal proof of salvation.

Tongues are never stated as evidence of Spirit Baptism.

The Bible does not teach that to worship one must communicate in a language only known to God.

A Christians we need to seek not a so called more excellent gift, but use the gift that Jesus, the Baptizer of the Spirit, has given us for His glory!