More Word to the World

Final defense of tongues

1 Cor 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues ? do all interpret?

This verse speaks of the gift of tongues that not everyone has been given.

1 Cor 13:8-10
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.

Right now, the gifts of the Spirit serve as forms through which God communicates to us. All the gifts of the Spirit will eventually be done away with according to this verse. That will happen when “that which is perfect is come.” Some teach that this perfect thing came when the Bible was canonized and printed copies were made available to people. According to this view, speaking in tongues was to stop when Bibles were produced. This view is inconsistently applied because it is used to argue that only the gift of tongues should be done away with. The verse also says that when the perfect thing comes, knowledge shall also be done away with. No one believes that when Bibles were produced that knowledge was done away with. That which is perfect must be the New Jerusalem when the gifts of the Spirit will no longer be necessary for God to communicate with or heal His people.

1 Cor 14:5 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.

1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

1 Cor 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Again, it is clear that these are referring to the gift of tongues. Speaking in tongues to the church without an interpreter does not help the church body as a whole so if you or someone in church speaks in tongues in a loud manner in which it commands the attention of the whole congregation, we are to pray for an interpretation. If you were the one who gave the message in tongues and there is no interpretation that follows, quiet your voice so that you are speaking only to yourself and God. You will be edified and the church service will not be interrupted.

Forbid not to speak with tongues

1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Because of a misunderstanding regarding the difference between tongues as a sign for the individual and tongues as a gift to the church, some religious traditions hold that tongues are not for today. They argue that speaking in tongues was restricted to a select group of early believers but the practice ceased after those people died. There is no evidence in the scripture or history that such is the case.

Acknowledging the supernatural nature of tongues, some have gone so far as to say that tongues are of the devil. It is true that the devil has produced false versions of God’s true ways, trying to portray them as substitutes for truth. There are false prophets and anti-Christ spirits in the world as Jesus acknowledged. I have personally witnessed individuals that were under the influence of demonic spirits who mimicked speaking in tongues. However, the fact that the devil can mimic a practice that God designed for the church is not a reason to forsake that practice. On the contrary, there is a real, true, authentic, indisputable, legitimate, and genuine speaking in tongues that is from God that edifies the believer and deepens their relationship with God.

Some have argued that because Paul sought to regulate and even limit the use of the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14, he concluded his discussion with a statement that made clear that the intent of his teaching was not to eliminate the practice.  His conclusion was this remark:  “forbid not to speak with tongues.”

While some churches have done that, it places their church in a position of withholding from its people the opportunity to enjoy the pure and holy pleasure one receives when they speak with tongues. Anyone who would forbid speaking with tongues because of a belief that it is an evil thing, simply has not spoken with tongues themselves as the Spirit gave the utterance.

With that in mind, let us address a defense of speaking with tongues using the very same verses that are used to attempt to do away with speaking with tongues.

What is the difference

The two forms of speaking in tongues are similar because they sound similar to the hearer. As we have seen the difference is in the purpose of each. Personal speaking in tongues as a sign of the Holy Ghost, is usually done more quietly and to God alone.

The gift of tongues comes loudly, boldly and commands the attention of the whole church. Experientially, in a service where God chooses to use the gift of tongues to speak to the church, the church senses that and becomes quiet in anticipation of the message and the interpretation to follow.

After hearing the message in tongues, then the church prays and reverently waits for God to give the interpretation. We will study this verse next time:

1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

The gift of prophecy and the gift of speaking in tongues with an interpretation have a similar goal, that being to edify the church. We learn from the New Testament that prophecy is not just foretelling future events but also speaking the Word of God boldly, as in anointed preaching. (John the Baptist, Jesus, Anna, Agabus, Judas, Silas, and others prophesied).

We can see that both prophecy and speaking in tongues with an interpretation are similar to bold preaching that communicates a message from God to the church. However, using the gift of tongues alone completes only half of God’s intended purpose of communicating a clear message to people. The gift of tongues is intended to communicate a message to the whole church to edify everyone. That is why it seemed that Paul tried to restrain tongues in the church of Corinth.

1 Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

It is obvious that the misuse of the gift of tongues was leading to confusion in the church. Many would speak in tongues to the whole church and there would be no interpretation. Paul sought to bring the zeal under control at Corinth:

1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

He provided the church with a practical “procedure” to control the out-of-control use of the gift of tongues:

1 Corinthians 14:27-28
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

The gift of tongues is very useful to the church when someone with the gift of interpretation interprets the message in an understandable language. But if no interpretation comes, the speaker should not continue to speak loudly to the church but should “keep silence,” or in other words, quiet his voice so that he is speaking only for himself to God.

Paul shows us that the two forms of tongues are very closely related and because of that, it is possible to move from one function of tongues right to the other. One may be by speaking in tongues loudly to the church in anticipation of the message being interpreted through the gift of interpretation. However, if no one gives the interpretation to give to the church, the tongue talking should be quieted so that the individual does not continue to command the attention of the whole church.

What began as an expression of the gift of tongues to the church may change to tongues as a personal communication to God alone as with tongues for a sign.

The gift of tongues serves to speak a message out loud to the whole church through interpretation. The sign of tongues serves to speak a message relatively quietly and personally to God alone, and serves as an initial sign that a person has been filled with the Spirit. Practically speaking, this form of speaking in tongues may not be quiet, but it is personal worship to God and not done to get the attention of the whole church.

Tongues as a gift (with interpretation)

In addition to tongues being a sign or personal language of worship and prayer, there is also the “gift of tongues.” The first function is to direct communication from man, through the Spirit, to God. The second function is to direct communication from God, through His Spirit, and through man, to man. Paul provides various lists of gifts of the Spirit in his writings. The first we will look at is a list of the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Cor 12:4-10.

1 Corinthians 12:4-10
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

The gift of tongues serves the purpose of communicating an understandable message to the church. As in Acts 2:11, it may be in a language that is understood by the hearer but not by the speaker, or as noted here, the message in tongues may be interpreted by someone to whom God gives the interpretation.

1 Cor 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
In fact, when one uses the gift of tongues, they should pray that God gives them the interpretation to make certain that God’s message to the congregation is understood:

1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
1 Corinthians 12:10 indicates that not everyone will receive “gift of tongues.”

1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
The gift of tongues serves a different purpose from the sign of tongues. The person using the gift of tongues speaks out loud in church with the purpose of his message from God being interpreted to the whole church. When the message is interpreted for all then the whole church is edified:
1 Corinthians 14:5 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.

Paul spoke about the “tongues of angels” and the “tongues of men” in 1 Corinthians 13:1.

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

“Tongues of men” could refer to the second purpose of tongues, the gift of tongues, which we will address in a moment. However, the “tongues of angels” could very well be the “sign” that Paul spoke of when a believer becomes a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. It may sound like babble because it is not necessarily a human language.

This form of tongues involves speaking directly to God and not men:

1 Cor 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.

When we speak in tongues we don’t even understand what we are praying but the “spirit speaks mysteries.” This kind of speaking in tongues edifies, or strengthens the spirit of the one praying:

1 Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…

In fact, when we pray in tongues, it is our spirit doing the praying:

1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

When we received the Holy Ghost, we spoke in tongues as (1) a sign we were filled with the Holy Ghost, and (2) for our spirit to make direct communication to God, and (3) to edify us. Remember, this sort of speaking in tongues is spoken directly to God and not in a loud fashion as to grasp the attention of the whole church for a prolonged time.

This is the first purpose of tongues—a sign or evidence of the Spirit within. That is why when we are praying with someone seeking to be saved and filled with the Holy Ghost that we listen for them to speak with new tongues. That was the sign that the first believers had been filled with the Holy Ghost and there is no reason to believe God has changed that.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Speaking in tongues: what is it for?

A sign or evidence

Before we advance further on the timeline of the history of the early church, we will examine a fundamental topic that was a practice of the early church. That is the topic of speaking in tongues, or miraculously speaking in languages unknown to the speaker by the unction or inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

“Tongue talking” took two different forms on this day as evidenced by the reaction of the people. Many foreigners were in Jerusalem that day for the Feast of Pentecost and they spoke a many different languages (Acts 2:9-11 provides a list of countries).

Some of these foreigners heard them speaking languages they could understand.

Acts 2:11 … we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Others heard nothing but a babble that caused them to think they were merely drunk:

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

We learn later from Paul’s writings on the subject of tongues that there are in fact two distinct purposes for speaking in tongues: as a personal sign for private edification, or as a gift for public edification.

In 1 Corinthians 14:21-22, Paul said one form of speaking in tongues is as a “sign” of the fulfilled prophecy of Isaiah:

Isa 28:11-12
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Paul said that fact that church spoke in tongues was evidence that Isaiah’s prophecy of the outpouring of God’s spirit was indeed true and should convince doubters.

We see that demonstrated in Acts 10:45-46 when the Jews were doubtful that Gentiles were filled with the Holy Ghost just as the early Jewish believers had been. They were convinced of the truth of the occurrence when they heard them speak in other tongues so it was a sign or evidence that the same occurrence had occurred with Gentiles as well.

This could possibly be the “tongues of angels” that Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 13:1 in describing a heavenly language. It will sound like babble to humans because it is not necessarily a human language.

This form of tongues is spoken directly to God and has therefore described by some as a “prayer language.” This type of speaking in tongues becomes a source of personal edification to the speaker:

1 Cor 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.

And it edifies the one praying:

1 Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…

In fact, when we pray in tongues, it is our spirit doing the praying:

1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

When we received the Holy Ghost, we spoke in tongues as a sign, for our spirit to make direct communication to God, and to edify us.

Then there is the “gift of tongues.”

We are examining ways we can use our mouths in worship. Singing is a melodious and rhythmic form of worship using our mouths. The scriptures are full of references to singing in worship, both in the Old Testament and New.

Psalms 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

A wonderful thing about singing is that it is not only an expression of joy in happy times, singing is useful when we are confined in negative circumstances:

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Laughter is also an appropriate response in worship:

Psalms 126:1-2
1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

I have seen many people overcome with the joy of the Lord during periods of deep worship who erupt in both laughter as well as tears. I have experienced it as well and believe it or not, it is a high form of worship and not irreverent at all.

Speaking in tongues is a form of worshiping with our mouth that involves an utterance by the Spirit of God using our mouth to speak. It is our spirit speaking directly to God’s Spirit. The scriptures reveal that speaking in tongues has a three-fold purpose:

a.         The initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost,

b.         A form of private communication with God in prayer, and

c.         When interpreted, a way God communicates a message from to the church.

The following references are to the second form of speaking in tongues. It is part of worship and is a communion between the individual and God where the speaker does not understand what he is speaking but is nonetheless edified by this form of spirit to Spirit communication.

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.

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Some religious traditions teach that the perfect thing mentioned there was the event of the putting together of the books of the Bible that occurred in the first and second centuries. This line of thought suggests that speaking in tongues concluded when the Word of God began to be available for people to read. However, those who argue this issue only point to the fact that tongues will be done away with but that verse also says that when the perfect thing comes, knowledge and healing shall also be done away with, and likely refers to all the gifts of the Spirit. No one believes that when Bibles were produced that knowledge and healing were done away with.

The phrase, “that which is perfect” comes from the single Greek word, “teleios,” which means “properly, brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness”. That completion speaks of the coming of Christ when He makes all things complete/perfect in the New Jerusalem. That will be the first time when the gifts of the Spirit will no longer be necessary for God to communicate with or heal His people.

And finally, as we conclude this topic, let us consider these next verses:

1 Cor 14:5 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.

1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

1 Cor 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

It is clear that these verses specifically refer to the gift of tongues. If someone speaks in tongues to the church in a loud attention getting manner without an interpretation following, that does not help the church. We are instructed so pray for an interpretation. If there is no interpretation of that loud speaking with tongues, quiet your voice so that you are speaking only to yourself and God.

Defense of tongues

1 Cor 12:27-30
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

We have already spoken of the difference between the gift of tongues and the sign of tongues. The subject of the above verses is the gifts of the Spirit, and the point is clearly made that everyone does not possess or is always used in all the various gifts that God distributes in His church. Paul describes the church as a body with the different parts each functioning differently according to the needs of the body at the time. The gifts are used to communicate God’s messages and to do His work in the church. But notice in the next passage that Paul states that this method of communication and work is not permanent.

1 Cor 13:8-10
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.

All the gifts of the Spirit will eventually be done away with. Right now, they serve as methods through God communicates and works with us. However, Paul spoke of a future time “when that which is perfect is come” when these methods would not be needed. More on this tomorrow.