TONGUE SPEAKING

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Text: 1 Corinthians 14.

Delivered on: March 9, 2008. Streetsboro.

Introduction.

1. Over the past month or so, I have had a couple of people ask me about speaking in tongues.

2. Speaking in tongues is a fairly common occurrence in some “churches.”

3. What do we know about speaking in tongues?

4. Can we do it today?

Body.

1. WHAT WAS THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES?
   
   

   1. Some common misconceptions.

      1. The King James Version creates confusion by inserting the word, Unknown, before the word “tongues.”

         1. “Unknown” is in italics. It is not in the original Greek.

         2. However, as a result of this word being inserted, many have taken the position that the tongue being spoken is a language that was previously unknown to man.

      2. Some take the position that this “unknown” tongue was an angelic language. 1 Corinthians 13:1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

         1. While this passage does imply that angels have a specific language…

         2. It does not imply that this is the language that is spoken by those with the miraculous ability to speak in tongues.

      3. Many are confused by the account in Acts 2. Acts 2:4-12. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ⁵ And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." ¹² So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"

         1. Some believe that the fact that everyone heard them speaking in their own language implies that this was a heavenly language that those present were somehow able to understand.

         2. If this were true, how were they able to understand what was being said? This could be done in one of two ways:

            1. It could have been some kind of language that all men are able to understand. I have heard it described as a language that is sort of hardwired into us by God. Perhaps the universal language of man before the tower of Babel.

               1. If this were the case, then whenever tongues were spoken, no interpreters would be needed.

               2. Yet we see that the interpretation of tongues was a miraculous gift that was given to men. Interpreters were needed. 1 Corinthians 12:10. To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

            2. The other possibility is that the hearers were given the ability to understand this tongue by the Holy Spirit.

               1. Note: This is the gift of the interpretation of tongues.

               2. So, we wind up with the Holy Spirit giving miraculous gifts to people who are not Christians.

               3. The miraculous abilities being demonstrated on the Day of Pentecost were being demonstrated by the apostles. They were not being performed on or by sinners.

         3. Note also that they said, we hear them in our own language. They were hearing their own languages, not a heavenly language.
            
            

   2. The tongues being spoken on the day of Pentecost and by Christians with this miraculous ability thereafter, were other HUMAN LANGUAGES.

      1. There were 12 apostles speaking so there could have been up to 12 languages being spoken.

      2. This helps to explain the different reactions we see on Pentecost.

         1. First, some were amazed to hear their own language. Acts 2:7-8. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

         2. But some thought that the apostles were drunk. Acts 2:13. Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine."

         3. Now, if EVERYONE heard and understood some kind of miraculous angelic or heavenly language, none would have accused them of being drunk.

            1. So what had to have happened was that some heard the apostles speaking in a language that they did not understand.

            2. This makes sense. Some would have been near apostles speaking their own language (thus their reaction of amazement). While others would not have been near an apostle speaking their language but rather a language that was jibberish to them (Thus the accusation of drunkenness.).

      3. These human languages were languages that the speaker had not learned by natural means.

         1. I may take Spanish classes to learn the language and then preach in that language. This is not the gift of speaking in tongues.

         2. Speaking in tongues involved speaking a language that was given to the speaker miraculously.

         3. On Pentecost, the people knew that Galileans were suddenly speaking in their own languages. That was why they were amazed. They knew that the Galileans could not have learned them on their own. Or at least, the odds were against it.
            
            

   3. Why do you suppose false teachers would rather have the “Tongue” be a heavenly language?

      1. If it is a heavenly language, they can speak whatever jibberish they wish and no one can question them.

      2. However, let them try to speak a human language that they have never studied, like German or Spanish, and see how long they can get away with it!
         
         

2. WHAT DOES FIRST CORINTHIANS 14 TEACH US ABOUT SPEAKING IN TONGUES?
   
   

   1. Speaking in a language that the hearer did not understand did no good whatsoever.

      1. Illustration. Read John 3:16 in Greek.

      2. 1 Corinthians 14:2. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

      3. 1 Corinthians 14:6-9. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? ⁷ Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? ⁸ For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? ⁹ So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

      4. 1 Corinthians 14:14. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. In other words, my understanding does not bring any fruit among people who don’t understand what I’m saying.
         
         

   2. Paul equates the language spoken when speaking in tongues with languages that already exist in the world. 1 Corinthians 14:10-11. There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. ¹¹ Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
      
      

   3. Paul told them that they were to speak in a tongue only if they had an interpreter present.

      1. 1 Corinthians 14:13. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

      2. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

      3. This is important because today, many who speak in tongues do so without interpreters present.
         
         

   4. Paul commands them to focus on edifying each other.

      1. Evidently, Corinth had individuals who were more interested in putting on a good show than they were in edifying the church.

      2. Tongues were a sign for unbelievers. It was a tool. Used incorrectly, this gift could cause harm to the cause of Christ.

      3. 1 Corinthians 14:22-23. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. ²³ Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

      4. Numerous times in this chapter he tells them to focus on prophesying. Teaching.

         1. 1 Corinthians 14:1. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

         2. 1 Corinthians 14:3-5. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. ⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

      5. 1 Corinthians 14:15-19. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? ¹⁷ For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. ¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; ¹⁹ yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
         
         

3. DO PEOPLE STILL SPEAK IN TONGUES IN A MIRACULOUS WAY TODAY?
   
   

   1. Speaking in tongues was a miraculous gift. 1 Corinthians 12:10. To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
      
      

   2. Let us notice 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

      1. According to verse 8, there is no doubt that miraculous abilities would pass away.

      2. Such was foretold in the Old Testament. Zechariah 13:1-2. "In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. ² "It shall be in that day," says the Lord of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.

      3. The controversy is over verse 10.

         1. This verse identifies the time at which these gifts would pass away.

         2. Miraculous gifts would pass away when “that which is perfect has come.”

         3. What is “that which is perfect?” I have heard three possibilities.

            1. Jesus.

               1. This cannot be.

               2. Jesus is not a “that.”

               3. This is in the neuter gender in the Greek. Jesus is always in the masculine.

            2. The Kingdom (this was taught in a Bible Class at a Church of Christ in the area.).

               1. The only problem with this is that the Kingdom has already come into existence.

               2. Colossians 1:13. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

               3. Revelation 1:9. I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

               4. 1 Corinthians was written around A.D. 56 and Colossians around A.D. 60.

               5. So unless you want to take the position that speaking in tongues ceased four years after Paul wrote this letter, this option is out.

            3. The Word.

               1. Once the word was given, the miraculous would no longer be needed.

               2. The Word is described as the perfect law of liberty.

                  1. James 1:21. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

                  2. James 1:25. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

               3. It provides all the teaching we need. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

               4. This is the only option that works.

      4. We have the word. Jude 1:3. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

      5. Therefore, the ability to speak in tongues has passed away as well.
         
         

   3. There is another line of reasoning we can use.

      1. Miraculous abilities were given to individuals by the laying of the apostles’ hands.

      2. Acts 8:14-19. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

      3. Romans 1:11. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—

      4. Therefore, when the last apostle died, and the last person whom the apostles laid hands on died, then the miraculous age ceased.