SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Glossolalia – From the Greek term tongue
glossa and speech lalia
The act of speaking in a”ecstatic”
language either unknown or incomprehensible to the speaker
OPENING
STATEMENT
The validity of speaking
in tongues today is mostly just an opinion.
Most denominations say
it’s not valid – The Pentecostal denominations say it’s a must. Who’s right?
I began this study by
trying to find scriptures that backed up my pre-conceived notions.
To study tongues we MUST first
understand where and why it all began.
Background – Holy Spirit
- Dividing
up the ages
- the best way is by the dispensations of the Father.
- 1st Dispensation –
The Creation of the World
- 2nd
Dispensation – The Chosen line of Jesus - starting with Seth down to
Christ
- 3rd Dispensation
– The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – On the day of Pentecost
- Pentecost – Greek pentekoste meaning the 15th
day. – The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred on the 15th day
after Passover - From that day till now we are in this dispensation.
The Promise
- Before Jesus was
crucified, He promised that He would not abandoned us, that He would send
the “paraclete” - Parakleos is translated; Comforter – Encourager -
Exhorter – Sympathizer – Under stander – Helper – One who comes along
beside you - The Holy Spirit.
John 14:16-18 – The baptism
of the Holy Spirit was a promise
16 And I
will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may
abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world
cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him,
for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will
come to you. NKJV
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
- John the Baptist
prophesied to the people that he baptized with water, but that one
would come who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. – Clearly this is two different
baptisms
- God told John that
the man he saw the Spirit of God descending on would be the same man that would
baptize with the Holy Spirit – Clearly
Jesus is the baptizer of the Holy Spirit
- The followers were
told to wait in
- The
work of the Holy Spirit – is to convict sinners and build up the body
of Christ.
Acts 1:5 –A different
baptism.
5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days
you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Luke 3:16 – Baptism of the Holy Spirit
16 John answered them all, "I baptize you
with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals
I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and
with fire.
John 1:32-33 – Jesus is
the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit
32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the
Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
33 I would not have known him, except that the one
who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the
Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
John 14:25 -26 – Holy Spirit will come after Jesus’ ascension.
25 "All this I have spoken while still with
you.
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you
of everything I have said to you. NIV
Luke 24:49 – Wait for the
Holy Spirit
49 I am going to send you what my Father has
promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power
from on high." NIV
Acts 1:4 – Wait for the
promise
4 Do not leave Jerusalem
Acts 2:38 – Repent – be baptized – receive the Holy Spirit
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit NIV.
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
- The
Holy Spirit
was not something just made up or a phenomenon only in the time of Jesus
Christ, it was also poured out in the OT on - Othniel – Gideon – Jephthah
– Sampson - King Saul – King David – Jahaziel – Ezekiel and the 70 elders.
(There was a known 70 languages)
- In the OT the pouring
out gave power, strength, wisdom and favor. – In the NT the Spirit gave
miracle gifts for the equipping of the Saints to share the Gospel – The
Good News.
Judg 3:10 - Othniel
10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him
(Othniel), so that he became Israel
Judg 6:34 - Gideon
34 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon
Gideon, NIV
Judg 11:29 - Jephthah
29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah.
NIV
Judg 13:25 - Sampson
25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to move
him (Sampson) at times in the camp of
Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. KJV
1 Sam 10:6 – King Saul
6 The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you
in power, and you (Saul) will prophesy with them; and you will be
changed into a different person. NIV
1 Sam 16:13 – King David
13 the Spirit of the LORD came upon David
in power. NIV
2 Chron 20:14 - Jahaziel
14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon
Jahaziel son of Zechariah, NIV
Ezek 11:5 - Ezekiel
5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me
(Ezekiel), and he told me to say: "This is what the LORD says: NIV
Num 11:24-25 – The 70
Elders – 70 Languages
24 So Moses went out and told the people what the
LORD had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand
around the Tent.
25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke
with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on
the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied,
but they did not do so again NIV
Baptized or Filled
- The Term Baptism of the Holy Spirit – is only
mentioned by John the Baptist - No where else is it mentioned. – We find
terms like – Poured out – Came upon – Filled – Full of, but not baptized.
- The
command to be baptized in the Holy Spirit does not exist in
scripture – The exhortation was to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
– And since we leak, we need refilling again and again.
- The four Gospels make no connection
between tongues and the “filling of the Spirit”.
- When we
are saved
we are all baptized into the body of Christ – We are in Him and He is in
us. – It’s a one time – once and for all – forever experience.
Eph 5:18 – Be filled with
the Spirit
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. NIV
Gal 3:26 -27 – When we are saved we are placed in Christ
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ. KJV
John 14:19-21 We are in
Christ and He is in us.
20 On that day you will realize that I am in my
Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. NIV
1 Cor 12:12 -13 – We are all baptized by one Spirit
13 For we
were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or
Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. NIV
Acts 2:16 -17 – God pours out His Spirit
16 this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 "`In the last days, God says, I will
pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your
young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. NIV
John 16:13 – The Spirit guides us into all truth
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes,
he will guide you into all truth. NIV
WHY the baptism?
- The
baptism
of the Holy Spirit came to give men the desire and the ability to
share the glory of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the
earth.
- The
signs
that they have been filled with the Holy Spirit was that they would
drive out demons – speak in new languages and heal the sick.
Acts 1:8 – They will
receive power
8 You will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem Judea and Samaria
Mark 16:17 -18 – Signs of the baptism of the Holy Spirit
17 And these signs will accompany those who
believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and
when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place
their hands on sick people, and they will get well." NIV
PROPHECY
RABBIT TRAIL
Prophecy – must be understood
before we can go any further – Prophecy to us means to “foretell” of
things in the future – The Greek word is Propheteuo” which means “to magnify God”-“To speak of divine things”,
it means the “forth telling” of the bold message of the Gospel.
Prophecy has nothing to do with foretelling the future,
but of witnessing to the grace of Jesus Christ and magnifying His name. So when you read about being filled with
the Spirit and “prophesizing” they are praising God’s name and His
attributes.
Paul wanted everyone to prophesy, to praise the virtues
of God’s Son. – To eagerly seek the gift of praising God; prophesizing.
Tongues are a SIGN
to the pagan, the unbeliever;
a “convicting experience”.
Prophecy; praising God is a SIGN to
the believer of the “in
filling” of the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 14:22 – Prophecy is for the believer.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not
for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for
believers, not for unbelievers. NIV
1 Cor 14:39 – Be eager to prophesy
39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy,
NIV
1 Cor 14:1 – Desire the
gift of prophecy
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire
spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy NIV
Setting the Stage
If I said David went into a room and turned the
light switch on and the light came on – and I said that three times – Then the
next time I said David went into a room and turned the light switch on, you would assume that the light came on
even though it was not said. – Ponder
that for a moment.
If the scriptures say three times that they were filled
with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, then everywhere the scripture says
they were filled with the Spirit, you would assume that they also spoke in
tongues. - And that’s where we are.
Questions on the outpouring
- Question – How did they know
that they were filled with the Holy Spirit? – The evidence.
- Question
–
How many times did it happen? – Many
times. - Check out just five of them
- The first time we
hear about the baptism was on the
day of Pentecost when about 120 followers of Christ were in an upper
room praying and the sound of a mighty wind was heard and they saw what
appeared to be tongues of fire resting on their heads and they ALL were filled
with the Spirit; and as the
Spirit enabled them, begin to speak in tongues or languages
that were not previously known to them.
- The
Gentiles,
who were thought of as not a part of the Gospel; when they heard Peter
witness to them, became filled
with the Spirit –The evidence was (1) that they spoke in tongues and (2) were praising God (Prophesizing)
- Peter was speaking on
another occasion – and the Holy Spirit fell there also on the listeners. The assumptive
evidence was that they spoke in tongues
- Paul himself on
another occasion received his baptism of the Holy Spirit – The assumptive evidence was that he
spoke in tongues.
- Paul was later talking
to a group that had not even heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit
and he placed his hands on them and they received the baptism. – The
evidence was that (1) they
spoke in tongues and (2) they
prophesied (Praised God)
- NOTICE: There were at least
two pieces of evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues and prophesizing
(praising God) and probably
other signs not recorded.
- Now we
have the controversy –
a)
Do
we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when we are first saved or at a later
date?
b)
Does
everyone who has the baptism of the Holy Spirit speak in tongues?
c)
Did
the gift of tongues stop with the Apostolic age? Stay
tuned.
Acts 2:1-4 – The day of
Pentecost
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all
together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent
wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that
separated and came to rest on each of them.
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. NIV
Acts 10:44 -46 – The Gentiles were baptized - spoke in tongues
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the
Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with
Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out
even on the Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues
and praising God. NIV
Acts 11:15 -17 – The Holy Spirit fell on others listening.
15 "As I (Peter)
began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the
beginning.
16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: `John
baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave
us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could
oppose God?"
Acts 19:2-6 – Another
group receive the baptism of the Spirit.
2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy
Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even
heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you
receive?" "John's
baptism," they replied.
4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of
repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is,
in Jesus."
5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the
name of the Lord Jesus.
6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy
Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
NIV
Acts 9:17-18 – Paul
received his baptism - different occasion
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.
Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who
appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may
see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from
Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, NIV
You get it all
- In the very beginning, John the Baptist’s message
was of repentance and his baptism was all that was known. They did not know of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. – So that’s why we see for
some, the baptism of the Holy Spirit at a later date.
- When you hear the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and receive it, you not only receive salvation; the
forgiveness of sin, but you are also filled with the Holy Spirit. You
get it all
- The promise of
salvation and the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit is for us today.
Acts 10:43 -44 – You receive the Holy Spirit when you believe
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone
who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the
Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. NIV
Acts 2:38 -39 – The promise is also for those yet not even born.
38 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in
the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 The promise is for you and your children and for
all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." NIV
What did they hear on Pentecost
- First they heard the
sound of a roaring wind that drew their attention to the disciples.
- Next they spoke in Tongues - There is
much debate over whether the miracle was an
- “Unknown” language
spoken that the listener understood or
- That the Disciples
actually spoke in the listener’s “Known” language and dialect.
- My reading of the
scripture
indicates that the listeners heard the Disciples speak to them in an “un-known”
language which they heard in their own dialect – This was an
unrecognized language that the “scoffers” had never heard before and
just thought they were drunk.
- This is
important
– We might recognize the sound of French or Spanish, but not understand it
– This town often had many people coming through speaking other languages
that were recognizable although not understood. – This sounded like
gibberish to them, like a drunk talking. (Understand this, the scoffers had hard hearts and were
not God fearer’s or they would have also heard the message in their
own language.)
- Point
number two –
Everyone was all hearing and understanding at the same time
regardless of their native language; otherwise why would they be so amazed.
– Consider being at the United Nations and German was being spoken, but
everyone heard the message in their own language because they were wearing
an ear piece and hearing a translator
- The
hearers were
given the Gift of “interpretation of tongues”.
(I base my
opinion on the testimony of the scriptures.)
Acts 2:1-13 – People heard
their own language being spoken
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all
together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent
wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came
together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his
own language.
7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all
these men who are speaking Galileans?
8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in
his own native language?
9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites;
residents of Mesopotamia , Judea and Cappadocia , Pontus Asia ,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia , Egypt Libya Cyrene Rome
11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans
and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own
tongues!"
12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another,
"What does this mean?"
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said,
"They have had too much wine." NIV
Purpose of tongues.
- On the day of
Pentecost, the town was full of people from many places, speaking many
different languages and all coming to celebrate the day of Pentecost.
- This would be THE
perfect opportunity to share to Gospel of Jesus Christ to many who would
wind up taking the Gospel message back to their own hometown.
- The sound of a mighty
rushing wind got their attention – Then they were amazed to hear the Gospel
in their own language. – 3,000 received the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
- So the purpose of speaking in tongues
to the crowds was to share
the wonderful works of God and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the
whole world in every language.
That’s
it !
Acts 2:41 – 3,000 heard the Gospel and got saved.
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand were added to their number that day. NIV
Tongues rejected
- Tongues were to be
exercised for the building up of the church and the mutual edification of
its members.
- Many people will
reject this one gift as God prophesied that they would in the Old
Testament and made references to it again in the New Testament. So it is of no surprise that the prayer
language or tongues is so controversial today.
- NOTE: What was said in tongues was understood
– Some however, not only rejected the miracle of tongues, but also the
message.
Isa 28:11-12 – Prophecy –
Men will reject tongues
11 Very well then, with foreign lips and strange
tongues God will speak to this people,
12 to whom he said, "This is the resting
place, let the weary rest";
and, "This is the place of repose"-but
they would not listen. NIV
1 Cor 14:21 – Prophecy fulfilled – tongues rejected.
21 In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange
tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,"
says the Lord NIV
Different Kinds of Tongues
- NOTE: the gift of Tongues
is plural, meaning more than one language.
a)
One
is common languages, but unknown to the speaker; There is no express
instance in the NT of this gift being used to evangelize others after
the day of Pentecost.
b)
Another
is an unknown prophetic languages requiring interpretation
c)
Still
another is a heavenly language or the language of the angels and spoken
only to God.
d)
Perhaps
there is another one which I call a New Tongue, where we no longer use
four letter words and run people down with our mouth, but instead we say things
that uplift people.
- Note: The scriptures always list the most
important things first – Tongues is listed last – The least of the gifts. –
Tongues are just ONE of the manifestations of the “out pouring” of
the Holy Spirit
1 Cor 13:1 –
Tongues were thought of as the language of angels.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of
angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal
NIV
Public Tongue
- Public tongues seem
to be limited to just a few who also have the give of interpretation or
know someone that is present that has the gift of interpretation. These tongues were the equivalent to
prophecy, for worship and for the edification of the believers.
- Scripture goes on to
tell us, that should we pray or sing in the Spirit in public, that
we should also pray and sing in the understanding so that those
listening may also be edified.
- We are told that if
you have the gift of tongues, your body is edified although you do not
understand what you have said.
1 Cor 14:14 -17 – Pray in the Spirit and in the Understanding
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but
my mind is unfruitful.
15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my
spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit,
but I will also sing with my mind.
16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how
can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say
"Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are
saying?
17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the
other man is not edified. NIV
1 Cor 14:2 – Prayer
language spoken just to God
2 For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks
not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the
spirit he speaks mysteries.
Acts 2:8 – Common languages
that are not learned.
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue,
wherein we were born? KJV
1 Cor 14:4 – Public Prophetic
languages
4 He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself;
but he that prophesies edifies the church. KJV
Prayer Tongue
- We are told to sing
and pray to God in the “understanding” as well as in the “Spirit”. These “ecstatic utterances” are
not an earthly language; they are a prayer language directed toward God
and not toward man.
- I find myself doing
this often when I don’t know how to pray about something. The Spirit intercedes for us with words
we do not understand.
- I had a friend to
tell me he was singing in the shower, when all of the sudden he was
expressing praises to God with a few words he did not understand or
expect. – While he pondered if this was tongues, he thought NO and
dismissed it. – Maybe he was right.
- Paul asks the
rhetorical question – Will all speak in tongues? - The
answer is NO.
- NOTE: This is a good time
to point out that there were many signs that followed the believers
besides tongues. – They can get rid of snakes without fear of death – If
they drank something that is poisonous, it will not harm them – They will
heal people – and Drive out demons and prophesy (praising God.)
1 Cor 12:29 The rhetorical question with the answer NO
29 Do all work miracles? (No) Do all have gifts of healing? (No) Do all speak in tongues? (No) Do all interpret? (No)
Mark 16:17 – Drive out
demons - Tongues
17 And these signs will accompany those who
believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in
new tongues; NIV
Mark 16:17-18 – Snakes –
Poison - Healing
17 And these signs will accompany those who
believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their
hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all;
they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
NIV
Eph 6:18 – Pray in the Spirit
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests. NIV
1 Cor 14:15 Sing and Pray in the Spirit
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. KJV
Rom 8:26 -27 – We do not know how to pray about some things.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our
weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the
mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in
accordance with God's will. NIV
1 Cor 2:13 – The Spirit speaks Spiritual Words not taught by man.
13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us
by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual
truths in spiritual words.
Eph 5:18-20 – Be filled
with the Spirit and sing and give thanks
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father
for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ NIV
Heavenly Language
- SIDE
BAR: The 120 believers gathered in the upper
room began to speak in tongues among themselves before the crowds
had gathered. Since they were
already of the same common language; this tongue is thought to be an”ecstatic”
heavenly language of prayer and praise directed toward God
and not toward man – This would be a different language than that spoken later
to the crowds gathered on the outside. – Ponder this.
The infilling is observable
- When the Holy Spirit
is received, it is obvious to the observer and the followers were aware of
whether they had received the Holy Spirit or not.
- The
observable change is some became Apostles, others prophets, teachers,
workers of miracles; those with the gift of healing and administration as
well as speaking in tongues.
- The way we
talk/respond to others changes because we have the fruit of the Spirit – Love – Joy – Peace – Patience – Kindness
– Goodness – Faithfulness – Gentleness and Self Control.
- NOTE: “Fruit” of the
Spirit is singular. – It’s all one fruit – If you have the Spirit, you
exhibit all of the fruit.
- Before
we are filled
the natural works of man is bent toward - fornication – uncleanness – lust – idolatry –
witchcraft – fussing – fighting – jealousy – bad mouthing – drunkenness
and more. – So you can see the Spirit has quite a job to do in us. - It’s an observable change.
Acts 8:17 -19 – Simon the sorcerer observed it and wanted it.
17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them,
and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon SAW that the Spirit was given
at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
19 and said, "Give me also this ability so
that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." NIV
Gal 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. NIV
1 Cor 12:28 – People began to lead
28 And in the church God has appointed first of
all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers
of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help
others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different
kinds of tongues
Gal 5:19-21 Our nature is
opposite the Spirit’s nature
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which
are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions,
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the
like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past,
that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NKJV
GIFTS of the Spirit
- God gave gifts to the
believer as signs and wonders to
testify of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
- The
first 9 gifts
noted are – A word of Wisdom – A word of Knowledge – Special Faith – Gifts
of different Healings – Special Powers – Prophecy (foretelling) – The
ability to discern between good and evil spirits – Speaking in an
unknown language - and the interpretation of an unknown language.
- The
next 9 gifts
noted are – Serving – Prophesying (forth telling )– Teaching – Encouraging
- Contributing – Leadership –Mercy/Compassion – Evangelizing - and
Administration
- All the gifts are
given AS THE SPIRIT WILLS and not as we desire.
- Out of
the 18 gifts noted, why do we put speaking in
tongues at the top of the list?
Perhaps because it’s the easiest one to counterfeit and somehow
we seem a little holier.
- NOTE #1:
It
must be pointed out that the gifts were what we call “in part” not the
whole. A word of Wisdom, not
all wisdom; a word of knowledge, not all knowledge. In other words the gifts were given as
the Spirit “wills” for the purpose “at the time” it is needed; not for
all time. It was given once to the
70 Elders of the OT and it happened to them no more.
- NOTE #2
–
There are NOT two classes of Christians – Those who speak in tongues
and those that don’t. – No where in the Bible does it say that when you
are filled with the Holy Spirit you will speak in tongues. – That’s
assumptive interpretation – It doe’s say the believer will receive a
gift or gifts as the Spirit wills.
- You may
have more than one gift – Scripture does not support someone having
all the gifts, but all the gifts are found or present in the body of
believers.
Heb 2:4 – God testified of
the Holy Spirit’s baptism
4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and
various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his
will. NIV
1 Cor 12:4-11
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same
Spirit.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the
same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but the
same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for the common good.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the
same Spirit,
9 to another (special)
faith by the same Spirit, to another
gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy,
to another distinguishing between
spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are the work of one and the same
Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV
Rom 12:6-8 – More gifts
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace
given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion
to his faith.
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is
teaching, let him teach;
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy,
let him do it cheerfully.
NIV
Eph 4:11-12 – And More
gifts.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to
be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and
teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be built up NIV
1 Cor 12:28 And Some More gifts
28 And in the church God has appointed first of
all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also
those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts
of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
Num 11:24-25 – The 70
Elders – once and no more
24 So Moses went out and told the people what the
LORD had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them
stand around the Tent.
25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke
with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on
the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied,
but they did not do so again NIV
Have the Gifts Ceased?
- Can we
receive spiritual miracle gifts today? Yes, as the HOLY SPIRIT
determines.
- These gifts were
given so that compassionate believers could minister to others.
- NOTE: Because we see very little of the gifts
displayed, most believe that the gifts ended with the Apostles. However, I do not find anywhere in
scripture that the gifts were recalled; in fact I find that they will not
cease until Jesus returns.
Rom 11:29 – The gifts are irrevocable
29 For the gifts and the calling of God are
irrevocable. NKJV
1 Cor 12:11 – The Spirit determines which gifts you will receive.
11 All these are the work of one and the same
Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. NIV
1 Cor 13:8-10 – When Jesus
returns the gifts will cease.
8 Love never fails. But where there are
prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know IN PART and we prophesy IN PART,
10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect
disappears. NIV
Cessationists vs.:
Continuationism
- Cessationists generally believe
that the miraculous gifts were given only for the foundation of the church
during the time between the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of
Pentecost and the fulfillment of God’s purposes in history, usually
identified as at the death of the last Apostle.
- Continuationism believes that the
miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit have been available for use by the
church every since Pentecost.
Seek a Gift
- If you desire the
gift of tongues, ask God for it. We
are encouraged to seek gifts – Today we do not seek any of the gifts and
therefore we do not operate in them. ASK and receive.
Luke 11:11-13 – Seek the gift you want.
11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks
for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a
scorpion?
13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give
the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" NIV
1 Cor 14:5 – Everyone did
not speak in tongues
5 I would like every one of you to speak in
tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater
than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be
edified. NIV
Tongues Controversy
- The controversy over
the use and misuse of
tongues started almost immediately and was addressed by Paul in his
letters to the church. - There is still
much debate even today.
- Paul warned us that
we should not put too much emphasis on any particular gift, that ALL the
gifts are important to the body.
- He did not associate
the gift of tongues with the “fullness of the Spirit” or with special sanctity.
- He plainly states
that everyone does not speak in tongues.
- I list Paul’s extensive
monolog with the Church so that you can see how DIVISIVE tongues can
be by attaching such importance to this one gift.
- NOTE: Paul did not forbid
tongues; an acknowledgement of their importance to the body.
1 Cor 12:14-31 – We need
all the gifts – not just tongues.
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of
many.
15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not
a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease
to be part of the body.
16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am
not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason
cease to be part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the
sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of
smell be?
18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the
body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body
be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't
need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need
you!"
29 Do all work miracles? (no) -
Do all have gifts of healing? (no) - Do all speak in tongues? (no) - Do all interpret? (no) NIV
1 Cor 14:1-13 – Prophecy
is a more desired gift than tongues
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire
spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak
to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with
his spirit.
3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for
their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself,
but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I would like every one of you to speak in
tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater
than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be
edified.
1 Cor 14:6 - Pray that you
can interpret what you are saying
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in
tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or
knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make
sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being
played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear
call, who will get ready for battle?
9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible
words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will
just be speaking into the air.
10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in
the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what
someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to
me.
12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have
spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a
tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.
1 Cor 14:14 –Speak in the understanding as well as in the Spirit
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but
my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I
will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing
with my mind.
16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how
can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say
"Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are
saying?
17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the
other man is not edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than
all of you.
19 But in the church I would rather speak five
intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children.
In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
21 In the Law it is written: "Through men of
strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,"
says the Lord.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for
believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not
for unbelievers.
23 So if the whole church comes together and (if)everyone
speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come
in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not
understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all
that he is a sinner and will be judged by all,
1 Cor 14:27-40 – No
interpretation or interpreter – be silent
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at
the most three-should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker
should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the
control of prophets.
33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of
peace.
39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy,
and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 But everything should be done in a fitting and
orderly way. NIV
Scientifically Speaking
For most, the Gifts of
the Spirit are very suspicious – Give me some evidence in a box.
Show me a video of the
gifts in action – Where’s the documentation?
Let’s see some miracles,
some blind seeing, some lame walking, and the deaf hearing.
Out of 18 gifts, why are
tongues the only one we hear about?
Scientifically speaking, tongues
are the easiest to counterfeit; the easiest to fake.
The world screams; - SHOW
ME the
evidence for today and I will believe.
SUMMARY - TONGUES
- On the day of
Pentecost they heard the sound of a rushing wind and they ALL began
to speak in other languages.
- Tongues were one
of the SIGNS that were observed among those that were filled with the
Holy Spirit. The evidence of what we call “The baptism of the Holy
Spirit”
- Tongues are just one
of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. – I count some 18 Spiritual gifts.
- Believers receive at
least one gift, others more.
- We are NOT commanded
to be “Baptized in the Holy Spirit”; rather we are exhorted to be “FILLED”
with the Spirit.
- In the beginning, we
see the filling of the Holy Spirit happening at different times in the
believers’ life – Some were baptized into John’s baptism of “Repentance”,
then received the Holy Spirit later - NOW
YOU GET IT ALL. - Baptized once - filled a bunch of times.
- Being filled with the
Spirit happens many times, as the believer LEAKS.
- Worship, praise, reading,
studying, pondering and sharing Gods word refills the believer.
- The filling of the
Holy Spirit is an observable phenomenon. – Peoples lives are
changed.
- The purpose of tongues was to
share the Gospel of Christ to the world in every language.
- It is also a prayer
language spoken only to God as the Holy Spirit, knowing God’s perfect will;
intercedes for us in groans and expressions we can’t understand.
- The scriptures in the
OT pointed out that the gift of tongues would be rejected.
- We see very little
evidence of the gifts displayed today, so most believe they have ceased.
- The gifts of the Spirit,
including tongues did not cease with the era of the apostolic age; but are
still active today. In fact scripture
says they are “irrevocable”.
- The gift of tongues
will cease when Jesus Christ returns.
- All do not have the
gift of tongues.
- You do not have to
speak in tongues to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- You are not a second
class Christian if you do not speak in tongues.
- Tongues are just one
of the tools used to equip the Saints to preach the Gospel.
- The purpose of
tongues is to exhort, lift up, edify and preach the Good News of Christ.
- It is a sign;
a “convicting experience” to the Un-believer – Prophecy is a
sign to the believer.
- There is a Common
Tongue or language not known to the speaker, but commonly spoken somewhere.
– This seems to have happened only once at Pentecost and documented
no more in scripture. – It was for the day of Pentecost only.
- There is Public
Tongue of exhortation and sometimes with prophecy, requiring
interpretation – The only evidence of this today is found in the
Pentecostal denominations.
- There is a Prayer
Tongue or language that is a “heavenly language” directed to God alone
in prayer and in song. This private
tongue seems to be found across all denominations although rarely
disclosed. Most denominations are Cessationists;
Teaching tongues have ceased.
- Tongues edify the
body of the speaker.
- Tongues are the least
of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- All the gifts are given
“in part” not the whole – Like one word in a sentence or a sentence in a
whole paragraph.
- The gifts are activated as the Spirit
wills.
- The gifts are in subjection
to the believer and they are “expected to be” orderly.
- We are told to seek the
best gifts such as prophecy; praising the attributes of God
- Prophecy is not
foretelling, but forth telling.
- For me, I seek the
gifts of Healing and the discernment of good and evil spirits.
- SELAH
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Prov 11:14
I
am grateful for those that went before me providing
concepts,
ideas, historical information and scripture verses.
Discovering your Spiritual Gifts – Kenneth Cain Kinghorn
God’s will for you – Gloria Copeland
Great Doctrines of the Bible - Pneumatology – W.W. Criswell
Harpers Bible Dictionary – Harper & Row
Illustrated Bible Dictionary - Nelson
Illustrated Bible Dictionary: The – Tyndale
International Dictionary of the Bible: The New – J.D. Douglas
King James Version Bible – KJV
Nave’s Topical Bible – Nave
New International Version Bible – NIV
Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible: The
- Zondervan
Questions and Answers on Spiritual Gifts – Howard Carter
Today’s Dictionary of the Bible – T.A. Bryant
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