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Essay The Gift of Tongues “In the law it is written, with men of other
tongues and other lips will I speak [not just Jews only]… wherefore tongues
are for a sign…” (1 Corinthians
14: 21a, 22a). The
primary question concern Glossolalia [Specking in tongues]: What is the
significance of the “sign” as recorded by
the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14: 21,22?
It is only in the understanding of this question that we can truly
understand the meaning of tongues as
referenced in the scriptures. Until
the day of Pentecost, for anyone to be considered right
with God, he had to be a member of the Hebrew Race. (Or, a Jewish
proselyte). Furthermore, until the day of Pentecost, no one had ever spoken for
God except as a member of the Hebrew race, yet God had made this promise to
Abraham concerning this: Genesis 12:3 “And
I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And
in you all the families of the earth will be blessed”
(Genesis 12: 3). And so it was
that the Apostle Peter, quoting the Prophet Joel on the day of Pentecost, said,
“that whosoever will call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2: 21). This was the first time in the
history of God’s people that this proclamation [whosoever] was proclaimed. And
that is what the Pentecostal tongues, spoken
of at Pentecost were all about. Furthermore, tongues (differing languages) given at Pentecost was the “sign” (sign-i-fying) that the wall between the Jew and the Gentile was forever done-away. The meaning of the “sign” is now fulfilled in the proclamation, "Whosoever will, let him come.” But the question might be asked, but why was this phenomenon revealed at Pentecost? Why? The answer is this: Because the speaking in tongues was God’s pre-ordained symbol [sign] to show the Jews that the Gentiles, (or peoples of other languages), were now to be a part of His victorious kingdom in Christ Jesus. Without this sign, they would never have connected this all-encompassing concept that Jews and Gentiles were now one in Christ (the mystery hid in times past (Colossian 1:26,27; Ephesians 3:6). This was foreign to the Jew prior to Pentecost (Act 11: 1-18). Most importantly, the vision, which Peter saw at Joppa, was an all-encompassing
revelation. There was a sheet with all manner of “creeping things” which
were off-limits for consumption by the law of Jewish tradition; yet God had said
to Peter, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat…” (Acts 10: 13).
Now, this all encompassing
revelation represented the untouchables
as viewed by the Jews. “Tongues”
would be the means by which God would show Peter (and the Jews) that the people
that they considered unclean would be one with them in the body of Christ. (Acts
chapters 10, 11.) I repeat, the speaking of tongues was the sign
given to Peter at the home of Cornelius to convince the Jews that God had indeed
accepted the Gentiles as equal with the Jews in the church. (Read Acts chapter
11.) Peter, on the day of
Pentecost, said, “For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be
saved.” This was a promise never before understood or imagined.
To the Jew, it was blasphemy.
How could it be, they thought; we are the chosen people of God.
Remember, “tongues” as a “sign” was given as the signifying
revelation of the breaking down of
the wall between the Jew and the Gentile. Peter held the key to this
all-encompassing revelation that became the foundation of worldwide
evangelization. This was the “key” conveyed by our Lord to Peter when He
said, thy art Peter…, and I will give you the key of the kingdom…”
(Matthew 16: 17-19.) It is interesting that the
promise of our Lord to send another comforter
was then fulfilled. It was a glorious experience that day as they participated
in this great gift to the church. Pentecost,
like Please notice Peter’s defense in the eleventh chapter of Acts, standing before the apostles and other Jews, concerning the significance of this historical happening. This is the accusation in Act 11: 3: “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them” Read Act 11: 4-18 to see Peter’s defense, and how God used the “sign” of tongues to show the Jewish Christians that God had accepted Cornelius, the Gentile, as one with them through faith in Jesus Christ. This experience meant nothing to Cornelius, but everything to Peter and those Jews who were with him at Cornelius’s house that day. The greatest assemblages of apostolic authority was,
at this time in history, gathered in Jerusalem for the purpose of determining
the issue concerning the acceptance of the Gentiles as equal with the Jews in
the church of Christ (Acts chapter fifteen). The question before those assembled
was not about speaking in tongues
per’ se, but about the Gentiles and their place in the The apostolic conference in It
is also interesting that in the Acts of the Apostles when the multitude had
gathered, they accused the apostles of being drunk, “But Peter, standing
with the eleven, said, “these
men” [these apostles], (not the one-hundred twenty) are
not drunk as you supposed….” (Acts. 2: 14). The
importance of the eleven Apostles, referenced by Peter in his introduction to
his message preached at Pentecost, was an Apostolic affirmation and verification
of the basic truth that “whosoever will” (Jew and Gentile), is now welcome
into the In
Act 2: 43 It is said, “…and many wonders and signs were taking place by
the apostles.” All of this seems to have been an Apostolic affirmation of
God’s wonderful gift at Pentecost affirming the unity of the church (the
mystery kept secret unto now) for both Jew and Gentile by pouring out the gift
of the Holy Spirit upon His church as the Temple restored as prophesied of old
(Acts 15: 13-18; Col. 1:26, etc.). The central truth of Pentecost was not that they were given the gift of tongues (not at all), but
that God had now brought into fulfillment His promise given to Abraham as
agreed to in the prophets (Acts 15: 15), that men of “other tongues,” not
the Jews only, were now to be One “in Christ;” empowered by the Holy Spirit
to proclaim the gospel: “Whosoever
will, let him come!” Therefore,
with the fact that the “gift of tongues” was given for the benefit of the
unbelieving Jews (1 Corinthians 14: 22) as a sign of the universal truth of the
gospel message in which they, along with the Gentiles, were to be partakers.
(This was the greatest truth ever conveyed to the Christians following
the Christ Event). I repeat, it is the “whosoever will, let him come;” no
more Jew or Gentile, but Jew and
Gentile. It is the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Temple of God now
restored, the Spiritual Israel---living under the New Covenant, fulfilled in
Christ Jesus. (Hebrews, chapter 8.) Speaking
in tongues as a means of self-edification is another matter. The apostle Paul
said, “One who speaks in a tongue edifies
himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church” (1 Corinthians 14:
4). I can understand the Apostle
Paul’s strict admonition, and forceful limitations, as he gave guidance to the
Corinthian Christians about this matter. The entire fourteenth chapter of first
Corinthians is addressed to this matter--- and if obeyed verse by verse, would
negate all the confusion. Glossolalia: “Speaking in
Tongues”
Glossolalia, as spoken at Pentecost, was the gift of “unknown”
languages, inspired by the Holy Spirit, affirming to the Jews gathered there in
Jerusalem that the universal purpose was for the spread of the gospel to the
ends of the earth (Act 2:5-7; 21). Glossolalia, as reference to the Corinthians church,
is ONE of the many “gifts of the Spirit” as referenced in 1 Corinthians
chapters 12-14. It likened them to the many other parts of the human body (the
hand, the feet, the tongue, etc.). These many gifts of the Spirit are to make
the body of Christ complete, as His witnesses to the gospel in the languages of
the many people groups of the world. Therefore, there were no restrictions placed upon the
apostles at Pentecost because they were speaking languages of diverse origins as
named in Act 2. However, there are
very strict restrictions placed upon the non-apostolic believers at
It is obvious from the context of this chapter, that the apostle Paul was
seeking to prevent confusion in the church at I
will now list two restrictions given by the apostle Paul to avoid confusion: “For God is not the author of
confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1
Corinthians 14:33). 1)
“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”
(1 Corinthians 14:27). 2)
“Let your women keep silence in the
churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to
be under obedience, as also saith the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church” (1 Corinthians 14:
34,35) The context of this passage is
“tongues.” “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order” [one at a time] (1 Corinthians 14:39,40, KJV). Speaking in Tongues (Glossolalia)
PART II
The
KJV is used unless otherwise stated)
I have written about the purpose of tongues as THE “sign” to the Jew
that the Gentiles are now one with them as the body of Christ confirmed by the
Cornelius’ experience. (Acts 10,11).
I will now address the “gift of tongues” as ONE of the many “gifts
of the Spirit” referenced in the scriptures.
“Love” is said to be the greatest gift (1 Corinthians 13), whereas
the gift of tongues could be considered the least of the many gifts given to the
children of God. (1 Corinthians 14:4)
The Apostle Paul, in referring to the gifts of the Spirit, likens them to
the many physical functions of the body as an illustration of this great truth.
However, he says, “But covet earnestly the
best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians
12:31). In other words, Paul is saying that there is a special gift that
supercedes all other gifts, and that is the gift of
“Love.” He emphasized, saying, “Though I speak with the tongues of
men and of angels, and have not charity (Love), I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal, (1 Corinthians 13:1). The apostle, continuing says,
“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that
you may prophesy [proclaim the gospel].
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one
understands, but in his spirit he
speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies
speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation” (1
Corinthians 14:1-3, NASV). The “prophecy” to which
Paul was referencing was not some far distant future event, but truths that had
already been revealed in Jesus Christ. In other words, he was speaking about
preaching or teaching God’s revealed truth. For example, “edification”
means to build up; “exhortation” means to encourage, and “consolation”
means to console (to be comforted in the truth). In
the context of chapter fourteen, Paul said, “…for God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” He
continues in this same context about “tongues” when he says, “Let your
women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak;
but they are commanded to be under
obedience, as also says the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask
their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church” (1
Corinthians 14:32-35). For the
Apostle to make the statement about women speaking in the church in general
would be inconsistent with other scriptural references on the subject of
women’s work in the church; therefore, the context
of chapter fourteen must be the determining factor – “speaking in
tongues.” In other words, Paul is
saying: Women are forbidden to speak in tongues in the church; otherwise, women
would be exclude for any role in the church.
Paul
concludes with these words. “Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to
prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
But all things must be done
properly and in an orderly manner”
[Meaning one at a time] (1 Corinthians 14:39,40). P.S. The thing that has greatly
troubling to me is when Glossolalia is viewed as
THE evidence of salvation, rather than a (select) service
gift to the body of Christ. A Paraphrase,
PART III (Copied, Author unknown) (1st
Corinthians chapter fourteen). Verse
1). Walk in love; seek God’s will that you may be able to share the truth of
the gospel with others. Verse
2). There is an utterance of tongues that only God understands; yea, through the
Spirit one speaks Mysteries. Verse
3). Yet, only the prophetic truth edifies the church, encourage the weak, and
comfort the heavyhearted. Verse
4). Some things are self-edifying, while others edify the church. Verse
5). I wish that everybody could speak in many languages as I do, but that’s
not God’s will. It is God’s will that all shared the gospel in your native
tongues so that the church could be built up. (Except when there is a man to
interpret). [See: verse 34] Verse
6). Now dear believers let me ask you a question: If everyone spoke in tongues,
what good would it do. Would it not be better if we all sought to explain
clearly all that God has revealed to us in His word. Verse
7). Don’t you know that there are all kinds of musical instruments, but if no
one can play them; therefore, why pound the keys? Verse
8). Would you want your soldiers to engage the enemy, if he did not understand
the command? Verse
9). It is the same in the church; if the message is in a foreign language, what
good will it do? Verse
10). There are many languages (tongues) in the world, and all have a meaning,
but if I do not understand the meaning, it brings only confusion? (“Tongues”
= language) Verse
11). Will it not all be foreign to me if I cannot understand it. Verse
12). That’s the way it is in a house of worship; you may have a great
experience, but if you have not edified the church, what good has been done? Verse
13). Therefore, if God’s chooses to give to any man the gift of “tongues,”
he must wait until there is a man present who has the gift of interpretation.
(Verse 34) Verse
14). Should I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but I have no understanding;
therefore, wait for an intrepeter. Verse
15). When I pray in the Spirit, I will pray with my understanding; when I sing
in the Spirit, I will sing with my understanding also, Verse
16). So that my brother in enlightened. Verse
17). Oh, I prayed well, but I did not consider my lost friend. Verse
18). Paul said, The gift of tongues was easy for me, yet, I’d rather speak ten
words and be understood, than tem thousand, and not be understood. Verse
19). The value is a ratio of 1/10,000 when it comes to eternal values Verse
20). Children, please grow up. Verse
21). “Tongues” (not understood) never has been the means of spreading the
gospel. Verse
22). The “sign of tongues” at Pentecost: The wall that separated Jew and
Gentile came tumbling down. Verse
23). Don’t be foolish Verse
24). Preach the Word Verse
25). Win the Lost Verse
26). Use only that gift that edifies Verse
27). All thing in order/one at a time (always) Verse
28). NEVER speak in tongues without someone to explain the message; otherwise,
speak (pray) to God. Verse
29). All preaching must be subject to the prophets, and Verse
30). Don’t speak out of turn, Verse 31). One at a time, please!Verse
32). Every word spoken must in accord with the “prophetic word.” Verse
33). Confusion must be avoided. Verse
34). [The context of verse 34 is in
reference to “tongues”]; therefore, the restriction to women applies only to
Glossolalia - woman may otherwise share in the lay ministry of the church. Verse
35). Husbands are assigned a great responsibility in this matter. Verse 36). Don’t presume that you have a message that has not already been revealed in prophetic truth. Verse 37). Be careful to claim to have the prophetic word, God id the judge. Verse
38). It is often wise to keep silent; not everyone has a word from the Lord? Verse
39). Preaching must be given priority. Verse
40). All things, done in the church, are to be done decently, following an
orderly manner as instructed above. In other words, when a man desires to speak,
(In tongues) or otherwise, he must first wait until he is recognized by the one
presiding, and then and only then should he speak. P.
S. Fundamental to the question of tongues
as a gift of the Spirit, is this one fact: All of God’s gifts to His children,
including tongues, are God’s choice to make. As the apostle Paul, through whom
God has chosen to record these truths, has written:
“But the same Spirit works all
these things, distributing to each one
individually just as He
wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Just as God has fashioned our physical
bodies, so has his fashioned the body of Christ, as Paul has written, “If
the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?” (1 Corinthians
12:17a). Yes, God at Pentecostal broke down the wall between the Jews and the
other peoples of the world. He used
the gift of tongues as the sign of the
universality of the gospel, using the many “tongues” to signify to His
people the Jews the importance of spreading the gospel to the peoples of the
World. The whole of first Corinthians chapter fourteen is to set guidelines to
prevent abuse in this matter. The problem today is that too many have not
followed these guidelines! |