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As you walked into the sanctuary
today you undoubtedly noticed a difference in the atmosphere. I am
certain you could sense the joy and excitement that is prevalent in
a Pentecostal church. As the service continued a number of different
emotions most likely surfaced. Depending on your background you were
exposed to things you may not have been exposed to before. People
often remark they enjoyed the singing and the preaching but they did
not understand speaking in tongues. This is not an attempt to
explain this phenomenon, only an attempt to establish its Biblical
precedence. Speaking in tongues can no more be explained than any of
the many other powerful happenings in the Bible. Speaking in tongues
can only be accepted by faith as it is supported in Scripture.
Questions Concerning Speaking In Tongues
1. Did Jesus Speak About
Tongues?
Jesus spoke of the power He would
send through the Holy Ghost in every Gospel. In the Gospel of Mark
He identifies what this power will do.
Mark 16:17, “And these signs
shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They
shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall
not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover.”
Here Jesus gives supernatural
signs that will accompany believers.
a. They shall cast out
devils
b. They shall speak with new
tongues
c. They shall take up
serpents, and deadly poison will not hurt them
d. They shall heal the sick
Each of these are supernatural
happenings that can be traced throughout the history of the New
Testament. Jesus is stating the Church will not only talk about
power, but they will produce power.
2. Did Christians Speak In
Tongues In The Bible?
It is important when discussing
any subject involving the Bible that precedent can be found for that
subject. The Book of Acts is the written history of the first
generation of Christianity. From the start of Christian history we
find glossolalia (speaking in tongues). It was part of the first
church service recorded in the second chapter of Acts.
Acts 2:1, “And when the day of
Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. 3
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it
sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
gave them utterance.”
Here we find the first Biblical
passage recording people speaking in tongues. This is the initial
outpouring of God’s Spirit upon His Church. There were three
accompanying manifestations with this outpouring.
a. a rushing mighty wind
b. cloven (forked) flames of
fire
c. speaking in tongues
directed by the Holy Spirit
Of these three initial
manifestations, only speaking in tongues is found elsewhere in the
Bible. It is the continual manifestation accompanying the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44, “While Peter yet
spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the
word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles
also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard
them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”
Here we find the second mention of
speaking in tongues. Once again it is linked to the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit. Many say that tongues are only used to preach to
people who speak a different language. This idea is derived from
the fact that in the Acts 2 passage people spoke in tongues, and
many heard them speak in their own language the wonderful works of
God. Here in Acts 10, people, who are new converts having just
received Christ, are speaking in tongues, and the ministers of the
Gospel see this as a sign they have been filled with the Holy
Spirit. There was no need for new converts to preach in tongues,
for these people all spoke the same language, and they were converts
speaking in tongues before ministers of the Gospel.
Acts 19:1, “And it came to
pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through
the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye
believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard
whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what
then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then
said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance,
saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should
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 his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and
they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
Once again speaking in tongues is
linked to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Here in Acts 19,
Christian men who came into the faith under the preaching of John
the Baptist are posed with a question. Paul asks them if they have
been filled with the Holy Spirit. They are not familiar with the
phenomenon and do not understand the question. Paul then asks what
their origin of faith is and they tell him they came into the faith
under John the Baptist. Paul tells them that John taught repentance
but they needed power. They are immediately baptized in the
authority of Jesus, and afterward Paul prays for them. As a result
of this prayer they are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin
speaking in tongues. Once again no one was preaching to anyone,
they all spoke the same language. Paul did not try to explain
tongues to them; nowhere in the book of Acts is speaking in tongues
explained. Speaking in tongues cannot be explained, it can only be
experienced.
3. Is Speaking Tongues For
Today?
One of the most prominent
arguments against speaking in tongues is that it went out with the
last Apostle, or with the canonization of the Bible. Here is
Scripture given for that argument.
1 Corinthians 13:8, “Charity
never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there
be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we
prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away.”
This argument hinges on
interpretation.
What is meant by that which is
perfect?
Those who feel speaking in tongues
is past believe the Scripture is referring to the canonization of
the Bible. Though there is no argument that the Bible is perfect,
there is certainly room to ask if that is what Paul was speaking
of? To answer this question we need to look at the verse in its
entirety.
Paul states that prophecies will
cease and knowledge will vanish away. We know knowledge has not
vanished, for with each passing year man learns more and more. As
you closely examine this Scripture you will see Paul is referring to
something happening that will change the landscape of humanity like
no other event. He refers to a time when there will be no more
questions to be answered. Everything that is known in part will be
in full revelation. Only when we get to Heaven will all our
questions be answered.
The premillennial
return of Christ will
answer all our questions. When Christ returns perfection that cannot
be denied will have come. After Christ returns we will have all
knowledge and there will be no need for prophecy or speaking in
tongues for all will be perfect.
4. Can You Speak In Tongues
Without Interpretation?
The second and most understandable
argument against speaking in tongues is the argument that tongues
should only be spoken when interpretation follows. This argument is
drawn from I Corinthians 14 where Paul is addressing the Church
concerning spiritual gifts. In this particular passage Paul gives
instruction on how to operate in the gift of tongues, which is
different from the tongues described in the Acts passages. The
tongues which need interpretation in I Corinthians are one of
the nine gifts of Spirit and are to be used in the context of a
church service, or gathering of believers and non-believers.
In these passages we are told to
use this gift in conjunction with the gift of interpretation. The
passage was written to set spiritual order in the church and combat
chaos. In the case of tongues as one of the nine spiritual gifts,
interpretation should follow. In the times that it does not, one of
two people are in the wrong, either the one giving the
interpretation, or the one giving the message. God places spiritual
power which is perfect in imperfect vessels. The gift is subject to
the one using the gift.
1 Corinthians 14:32, “And the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”
The majority of the speaking in
tongues you have heard in the church service was not the gift of
tongues but rather a prayer language given by God to those who are
filled with His Holy Spirit. Many people say, "I can’t understand
what is being said when people speak in tongues." There is a reason
for this. Speaking in tongues is not speaking to man, but to God.
1 Corinthians 14:2, “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.”
5. Is
There A Purpose To Speaking In Tongues?
Speaking in tongues builds the
spiritual man and helps provide strength to your spirit. Speaking
in tongues is as beneficial to the spirit of man as exercise is to
the body of man.
1 Corinthians 14:4, “He
that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he
that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Jude 20, “But ye, beloved,
building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy
Ghost,”
Speaking in tongues is a prayer
language given to communicate to God those things we do not know we
need. Tongues are used to spiritually enhance our worship. While
in our services you will hear people speak in tongues and sing in
tongues.
Romans 8:26, “Likewise the
Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for
us with groaning which cannot be uttered.”
1 Corinthians 14:14, “For if I
pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding
is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and
I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the
spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”
There should be order in the
church. It would be foolish if the entire service was no more than
people getting together and speaking in tongues. Our purpose is not
speaking in tongues. The worship of God and the preaching of His
Word are the priorities of this church. Speaking in tongues is only
one part of our service; this spiritual occurrence has been given
to the Church to aid in her service to God.
1 Corinthians
14:39, “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to
speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in
order.”
Visit Pastor Tim Nail at
www.centralchapel.org
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