The Truth about the Gift of Tongues
Notes
Transcript
I. The Biblical Purposes of Tongues
I. The Biblical Purposes of Tongues
A. Share the Gospel in Many Languages
A. Share the Gospel in Many Languages
Acts 2:11
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
This was fulfillment to the prophecy of Joel.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
B. To Confirm that Gentiles Became Believers.
B. To Confirm that Gentiles Became Believers.
Acts 11:15, 17
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
C. To Prove The Apostles Spoke for God.
C. To Prove The Apostles Spoke for God.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
II. The Biblical Phenomenon of Tongues
II. The Biblical Phenomenon of Tongues
Acts 2:5-7
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
A. An Unknown Tongue to the Speaker
A. An Unknown Tongue to the Speaker
B. A Known Tongue to the Hearer
B. A Known Tongue to the Hearer
III. The Biblical Posture on Tongues
III. The Biblical Posture on Tongues
1 Corinthians 14
A. The Position Is Secondary 1-19
A. The Position Is Secondary 1-19
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Vain repetitions - battalogeo - logeo “to speak” batta is not a word
It’s an onomatopoeia.
Like Zip, or Whoosh, or bzzz
He’s saying don’t pray in gibberish
That’s what the pagans, the heathens do.
B. The Purpose is a Sign 20-25
B. The Purpose is a Sign 20-25
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
C. The Procedure is Systematic 26-40
C. The Procedure is Systematic 26-40
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Prophecy is preeminent
for the good of all
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
In order
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Not confusion!
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Review
Review
We have one predominate Motivational Gift
We may have multiple Ministry Gifts, depending on the needs of the church
We will see Many Manifestation Gifts.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
Perhaps there is one person whose Motivational Gift is that of Exhortation
He senses the need in his hearers to remove guilt.
He is motivated to help them clear their consciences so they are free to grow spiritually.
One Sunday they are Teaching a Sunday School Lesson.
So as being asked to teach this Class by the church he is using the ministry gift of teaching.
As the exhorter exercises his gift through the ministry of teaching, any one or all of the following results may occur int he heart and lives of the teacher.
Word of Wisdom - One listener saw forgiveness from God’s point of view.
Word of Knowledge - Another learned how to gain a clear conscience.
Faith - Another visualized what God wanted to do in his life through a clear conscience.
Healings - Another person gained physical health by removing guilt.
Miracles - Another experienced supernatural events that allowed him to clear his conscience.
Prophecy - Another was deeply convicted and brought to repentance by seeing his true condition.
Discerning Spirits - Another recognized a root of bitterness within himself.
Various Tongues - Another understood the prerequisites of glorifying God through language and music.
We all need to exercise all the gifts of the Spirit, but we will find one comes easier than others.
Prophet - We all need to proclaim truth!
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2. Servant - We all should serve others
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
3. Teacher - We should all Instruct others
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
4. Exhorter - We should all Exhort One Another
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
5. Giver - We should all give to those who are in need.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
6. Organizer - We will all have positions of authority.
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
7. Mercy - We should all show mercy.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.