Grow Series #26

Growing The Gift of Tongues

Recap:

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Faith

Healing

Miracles

Prophecy

Discerning of Spirits

Today we will look at the 8th and possibly the 9th gifts of the Spirit, Tongues and Interpretation.

and today Tongues

The Gifts outlined by the Apostle Paul

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 NKJV

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

What the Church of God Believes:

The 9th article of our Declaration of Faith says, “we believe In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.”

Why is it so important that we (the COG) would list it in our core beliefs?

Well let’s explore this Gift to find out why.

There are many who have and even continue to try to claim that speaking in tongues isn’t applicable or even beneficial for the church today.

People argue over this gift maybe even more so than any other gift of the Spirit.

People explain it away by saying it expired with the Apostles, or that it was never the gift we thought it to be and it was simply the ability to speak in a foreign language.

These things simply are not true and we find absolutely no scripture to support their doctrine.

in fact Paul’s teaching on the Gift of Tongues in chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians gives us a clear understanding of this Gift if we only read it with I Hearts and minds open to what the Lord wants for us.

Let’s explore this Gift to find out.

Jesus foretold of the Gift of Tongues

Mark 16:17 NKJV

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:17–18 NKJV

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The first encounter of Tongues

Acts 2:

Acts 2:1–4 NKJV

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The apostle Paul was converted around 34 AD

Later he travels

He ministers the gospel in numerous places and eventually ends up helping to start a church in a city called Corinth around 51-52 AD.

Paul returns to Antioch but first stops at Ephesus in 53 AD...Lets read the story:

Acts 19:1–7 NKJV

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

They replied that they hadn’t ever even heard of the Holy Spirit and Paul preached the Gospel to them and laid hands on them and they all were filled with the Spirit and spoke in Tongues.

Paul had been gone from Corinth for nearly 2 years when he pens what we call 1 Corinthians.

In Chapter 12 Paul defines the Gifts of the Spirit and in Chapter 13 He defines Love and the need of it in order to operate in all the other Gifts.

In chapter 14 he goes back to the subject of Tongues and talks pretty in-depth about it.

1 Corinthians 14:1-

1 Corinthians 14:1–5 NKJV

1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 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. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 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.

The New King James Version Chapter 14

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

Tongues must be interpreted

1 Corinthians 14:6 NKJV

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

Tongues a Sign to the Unbelievers

The New King James Version Chapter 14

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 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.

22 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. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

The New King James Version Chapter 14

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 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.

22 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. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

Order in the House

1 Corinthians 14:26–28 NKJV

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Desire the Gifts

1 Corinthians 14:39–40 NKJV

39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Loose your tongue

1 Corinthians 12:39-40

1 corinthians 14:39-40

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV

19 Do not quench the Spirit.