Biblical tongues

Here are some notes from my studies on the issue of speaking in Tongues. I believe this is the biblical perspective. If this is an issue I suggest you read this look at other opinions and above all else read God’s word for yourself.

In Christ,

Bro. Matt

1). The word "Tongues" is literally interpreted languages languages

Therefore it is good to think in context to this fact.

2). Acts refers to tongues of fire

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

The core difference of the tongues/languages of fire and the spiritual gift was that there was no need for interpretation because people could miraculously here everything in there native language.

3). This was probably a sign gift

The times recorded of incidents of speaking in tongues in the book of acts appear to be were a new people group is allowed into New Covenant relationship. The tongues of fire could have been a sign gift exclusively for them. It could be still valid today on rare missionary occasions, yet I assume it has ceased. If we see otherwise, it will be obvious and if verified, I would not dispute it.

4). Acts and 1Cor show that we are all baptized in the Holy Spirit

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

5). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit enables us to have spiritual gifts

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Since we have been “immersed” in the spirit we have the gifts that come with him

Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

6). 1Cor 12 referring to several manifestations of the spirit, refers to several gifts of tongues

1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

1Co 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:

7). 1 Corinthians refers to tongues of men and of angels

1Co 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.

It should be noted that the gift of tongues of men and of angels is not a regulative spiritual gift for every believer. It may be possible for everyone, yet not necessary for anyone.

Paul had this gift

1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

1Co 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.

8). Paul was very confrontational

The man who confronted Peter to his face, and called the Galatians foolish was indeed very confrontational. Non-confrontational ministers would not directly address issues of sexual sin to visiting congregations! To accuse Paul of being non-confrontational is laughable if not offensive.

9). This manifestation was similar to prophesy as well as prayer in the spirit

10). Prophesy, as a spiritual gift was non-canonical

It should be remembered that we have no canonical letters from the church of Corinth.

There were several prophets in the New and Old Testament who never penned canonical literature

The 70 elders under moses

The group of prophets with Saul and David

The prophet nathan

The remnant of prophets in Elijah’s day

Annas and Simeon

The daughters of Phillip etc.

11). Prophesy has been shown on several occasions to be an ecstatic experience

1Sa 19:20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

1Sa 19:21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.

1Sa 19:22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.

1Sa 19:23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

1Sa 19:24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

12). These Tongues speaks internally
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Prayer in the spirit works this way

Rom 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 groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

When ones prays in tongues they have sensible language mind and it reaches to the spirit realm empowered by the Holy Spirit.

13). The spiritual language is the language of the Kingdom of Heaven

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

14). This language comes out of ones mouth as jibberish because angelic speech is unutterable.

1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Rev 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

15). Our natural language is defiled

Gen 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

Gen 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

16). Interpretation of this tongue is prophetic

1Co 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.

17). Yes! This is required of the practitioner if they practice in the congregation.

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

1Co 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.

1Co 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.

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

18). Tongues are a sign for unbelievers in the since that when misused they keep one in unbelief

1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

19). The utterances coming out of the mouth are not the tongue/language. The language can not be displayed in the earthly realm. Therefore what we here is the babbling of the persons mouth. Yet the language is being spoken to God in the spiritual realm.

1Co 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.

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

20). Prophecy draws that which is in the Heavenly realm to the earthly realm.

1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

21). Tongues go from the earthly realm to the spiritual realm.

1Co 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.

22). The gift of tongues is a good thing

Cessationist scholars’ have had a tendency to view the spiritual gift of tongues in a negative light. They have a tendency to add to scripture that this was a bad gift. However the gift is not wrong at all. It maybe misused but the Lord never gives bad gifts

Luk 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Luk 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Luk 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Luk 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

23). The New Testament forbids the suppression of prophetic gifts

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

1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.

1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.