Sermon Tone Analysis

Acts

We have the event that we read about this morning in .

We also have a couple of other events like this in Acts

Speaking in tongues, this is the greek word glossa.

This word is used and is translated tongue (like the literal tongue), or tongue or tongues (referring to language), or translated languages like in Revelation

But we also this word used to refer to languages her in Acts and in the other 2 places we looked and then a lot to refer to languages in

One question is what exactly is going on here?

Some have suggested that what we have here is an unintelligible language maybe even a heavenly language.

But that does not seem to be what is going on in Acts at all

It seems to be known languages, notice v.6-8

They began to speak in other tongues or other languages.

Even the word other points to it being known languages not ecstatic utterances.

Now that we have that nailed down we need to move one more step.

What does Paul mean when he uses this word in 1 Corinthians.

1 Cor.

12.4-

First thing, to the holiness that say that speaking in tongues is the sign that one is filled with the Spirit Paul is clear here that not everyone has the same gift and that all of the gifts have different purposes but serve the same Lord.

We see the gift of tongues.

I think this is the same gift that we saw in , , and 19.

This gift is given by the power of the Holy Spirit, this gift is the using of normal words for speaking a foreign language and being able to translate it and it was a sign gift authenticating the message and those who preached the message of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As we continue to read in this section Paul makes it clear that the giving of these gifts are for the glory of God and for the building up of the church.

Paul also makes it clear that all of these gifts necessary (v.12-19), are to be accompanied by love (13:1-10), not self centeredness, not a desire to look like you are spiritually elite.

Then in chapter 14 Paul begins to deal specifically with tongues.

Tongues is a true gift that was given, we see it on display in Acts in three places but there seems to have been a counterfeit in the culture that was disproportionately exalted and seriously abused in Corinth.

As you read through you will see the word glossa used in the singular and in the plural.

Notice v.2, 4, 13, 14, 19, 27

John MacArthur notes this and states that “the distinction between the singular tongue and the plural tongues is foundation to the proper interpretation of this chapter.

Paul seems to use the singular to distinguish the counterfeit gift of pagan gibberish and the plural to indicate the genuine gift of a foreign language.

If you have the KJV you will notice that translators added consistently the word unknown before very singular form, some think it was because of the recognition that this is what was going on.

MacArthur gives a helpful outline here I believe

He says this

Against the back drop of carnality and counterfeit ecstatic speech learned from the experience of the pagans, Paul covers 3 basic issues with regard to speaking in languages by the gift of the Holy Spirit

It’s position, it is inferior to prophecy (v.1-19)

It’s purpose, a sign to unbelievers not believers (v.20-25)

Its procedure, systematic, limited, and orderly (v.26-40)

I. It’s position

v.2 seems to be speaking not about languages but an unknown tongue, there are not many unknown tongues if you think about it, I think that is why Paul uses the singular when talk about the gibberish of an unknown language

When Paul says that he speaks not to men but to God, MacArthur says that it should be translated “a god”