Tongues
Babel
Genesis 11: At that time the whole earth had one language. Man was building a city and a tower with its top in the heavens as a monument to their pride and reputation. God saw that this was only the beginning of what they would do. So He confused their language and dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth. Therefore its name was called Babel, because that’s where the Lord confused the language of all the earth.
Pentecost
In Jerusalem there were three feasts held every year that all the males of Israel were to attend. Passover, Tabernacles, and Pentecost.
After Jesus death on the cross and 50 days after His resurrection from the dead on Pentecost we read in the book of Acts for the first time in scripture about speaking in other tongues. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. At that filling of the Holy Spirit, tongues of fire also appeared and rested on each disciple. These other spoken tongues (languages) were real languages that these visiting foreigners knew and spoke everyday. Acts 2:6 lets us know that the disciples spoke in a language that they themselves didn’t know or understand. Yet those who were in Jerusalem at that time, from other nations, marveled because they could understand these tongues (languages) spoken by the disciples who were clearly of the local dialect. It was because the Holy Spirit spoke to these foreign people through the believers who had been filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus had told the disciples not many days before this time, that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. This was a sign in the early church pointing to the authority of the church. Note: The disciples were already believers who had been baptized. Now they are being filled with the Holy Spirit. (See Filled with the Spirit at the end) After hearing Peter’s sermon at Pentecost many asked “what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “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. And about three thousand were added. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. Note: There is no mention of these three thousand speaking in tongues. And at the end of Act 2:47 it says that the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. No mention of speaking in tongues here either. In Acts 4 about five thousand heard Peter and believed, also with no mention of speaking in tongues. Again in 9:42 many believed and there is no mention of speaking in tongues. The Philippian jailer and his household believed but again no mention of tongues. I do not believe that we must speak in tongue as evidence of our salvation. Although if God needs me to speak in tongues (language) to present the gospel to some unsaved soul and the Holy Spirit gives me utterance to do so, I am open to being used for whatever God wants to do. A study of the book of Acts reveals a more common theme than that of speaking in tongues. That theme would be the boldness of the disciples and the followers of Christ to proclaim the truth about Jesus life, death (for our sins), resurrection from the dead, ascension, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That indwelling gave them the power and boldness. It will also give all Christians the power and boldness needed to do God’s work.
Judgment & Blessing
Important to understand is that Israel a Jewish nation rejected Jesus and even had Him crucified. These languages (tongues) were a sign of judgment to unbelieving Israel. As Prophesied in Isaiah 28:11 about the Assyrians and then in Jeremiah 5:15 with the Babylonian captivity. On the other hand the tongues (languages) is a blessing to us non-jewish (Gentiles) showing that the new covenant or new dispensation of grace or new church age would be for all nations, Jews and Gentiles (us).
Disciples Scattered
After Stephen’s death there was great persecution against the church in Jerusalem and those who scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to Samaria where the crowds listened to him and saw the signs that he did. And they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Peter and John joined Philip in Samaria and prayed for the people that were baptized by Philip in the name of Jesus Christ to now receive the Holy Spirit. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. The Samaritans believed and then were baptized. Here again scripture does’t mention speaking in tongues. Note: You may recall in John 4 the account of Jesus and the woman at the well. The Samaritans were a racially mixed group of Jews and Gentiles. Samaritans were avoided by most Jews.
Gentiles receive the Gospel
Peter presented the gospel message to Cornelius a centurion of the Italian Cohort, his relatives and close friends in Caesarea (Gentiles). While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues (language) and extolling God. The Gentiles were speaking a language the disciples understood, not there own, probably, Latin. And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Note: They 1} received the Holy Spirit, 2} spoke in tongues (language) and 3} then they were baptized.
Ephesus
Paul passed through Ephesus where he found some disciples who through Apollos had heard the message of John the Baptist. He asked if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed? They had been baptized into John’s baptism of repentance and to believe in Jesus who was to come.They had not heard of Jesus death or about the Holy Spirit. But on hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Different languages would have been needed for them to spread the gospel message in this part of the world. Note: They 1} baptized in the name of Jesus then 2} spoke in tongues.
{I believe that as in Matthew 10 when Jesus gave the 12 disciples special authority before sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so also in Mark 16 “The Great Commission” Jesus was giving these close followers who witnessed His life, death, resurrection, post resurrection appearances and ascension special powers that would be needed in the early days of the Church. This begins the new covenant age (Church).
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
In the early days, the Acts of the Apostles were often accompanied by “signs and wonders,” the “wonders” being the miracles worked through the apostles, which served as “signs” pointing to the truth of the gospel.
Christians disagree on many issues that may not be crystal clear in scripture. Whether the gift of tongues ceased after the apostolic age is one of these issues. It appears that the Holy Spirit operated differently in the Old Testament and the New Testament and also at the beginning of the Church Age, (which is the transition period between law and grace). Remember there was no New Testament Scriptures written yet so that may be why the sign gifts were important to give authority to the message. I will not limit the power of the Holy Spirit with my limited knowledge because God can do anything He wants. If the word of God can be spoken through Balaam’s donkey why not through you or me if that will serve His purpose. I do not find in scripture that speaking in tongues is a requirement to being a true disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I do understand that the fruit produced through my life is the evidence needed to know if I really am a Christian.}
Corinthians
The city of Corinth was corrupt and morally depraved. Paul’s letter to them was of the corrective nature. Not about the use of tongues but the abuse of tongues.
When we become Christians we are to follow the scriptures. Romans 12:1-2 tells us that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
God will use us all in very different ways, but always for building up one another. 1 Corinthians 12 says that the Holy Spirit empowers each individual as He wills. Here are some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, to distinguish between spirits, various kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. We may have one, some or a mixture of these gifts according to how the Spirit will use us. Different circumstances we find ourselves in may require different gifts. Understand it is not something we make happen it is the Holy Spirit. We do have to make ourselves available and then be obedient when we hear that still small voice. The purpose of the gifts is to build one another up and to care for one another, not to flaunt one’s own spirituality.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? This verse implies that not everyone will have all gifts just what the Holy Spirit wills. Now if they don’t speak in a tongue because the Holy Spirit didn’t give them that gift but instead maybe they preach (prophesy) are they not still filled with the Holy Spirit? Yes they are. If a person is truly saved they are baptized by the Spirit; Therefore, if not everyone receives the gift of tongues then the gift of tongues is not a proof of salvation. The evidence of a Spirit filled person is seen in the fruit that is produced in the life of that person. This is very important to understand and should be taken very seriously. For further understanding start studying in Galatians 5:22-26. It would be another excellent study.
Paul strongly encourages all to show genuine love in 1 Corinthians 13. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul explains that the spiritual gift of speaking (in this case praying) in a tongue speaks to God not to man, because no one can understand him. He builds himself up not the church. If one speaks in tongues and only if someone interprets can the church be built up (edified). Paul goes on in v12 to tell them to excel in building up the church. He explains that praying in a tongue is the individuals spirit praying but the mind is unfruitful. v15 Paul will pray with his spirit and his mind, and sing praise with his spirit and his mind also. In other words he will be silent as for praying or singing out loud in a tongue but speak intelligent words that will benefit the church. In church he would rather speak five words with his mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Read v 22-25 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Confused?, In the underlined verse above the unbelievers are those who have hardened their heart and totally rejected God’s word. It is judgment to them as touched upon above in (Judgment and Blessing). The outsiders or unbelievers in the hi-lighted verses are those who are looking for the truth and are wiling to be taught.
Now if tongues is a judgment on unbelieving Israel and that judgment has taken place, as it did in 70 AD when the Romans captured Jerusalem and destroyed the temple, do we need tongues in this age or is God’s word enough? Is the Bible sufficient to teach, to rebuke, and to correct us in the way we should live for Christ? For myself I need clear preaching and teaching that expounds upon what is written in the Bible. I don’t need to see and hear dramatic presentations to know if someone is a true believer. There will be fruit produced in their life. See Galatians 5:16-26.
OK, back to Corinthians. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. But all things should be done decently and in order. Paul again is telling the Corinthians not to abuse the gift.
Filled with the Holy Spirit
A person is baptized with the Holy Spirit one time when they truly become a Christian. As disciples of Jesus Christ we must continually be open to the authority and direction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us in the proper use of the armor of God, transform us so there is boldness in our witness, and influence us in all areas of our spiritual life.
Peter and John were told not to preach the gospel after being released from custody. They reported what had happened to their fellow Christians and they all went to prayer, asking for power and boldness to witness.
When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
There are many other scriptures about being filled with the Holy Spirit. Read about Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, in Acts 5, 6, 7
We read about being filled with the Holy Spirit in scripture. Bear in mind now that the Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity, He comes into our innermost being and indwells us 100%. I don’t believe He comes and goes as in the old testament. We are completely filled with the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t evaporate or dissipate nor is He consumed or depleted. But because of our free will we can chose to ignore Him or listen to Him as the authoritative God that He is. The Holy Spirit loves us and wants to help us grow into the person we should be and prepare us for eternity. The definition of influence–the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone. With this understanding I am now aware that most of the time I am ignoring Him. I really need to pray that my fallen, corrupt, sinful self will get out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to influence my thoughts and actions. I need to be obedient to that influence. The way that will happen is through prayer and staying in “The Word of God”.
Scripture References
Genesis 11
Acts 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 19
John 4
Matthew 10
Mark 16:
Numbers 22
Romans 12
1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14
Researched and Written by a Friend of Ours Who Wishes to Remain Anonymous and Just Give Credit to the Lord for His Word.