Speaking in tongues - Speaking in languages.
It is only one of several gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is God who decides which gift one will receive; not everyone will receive the gift of speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 12 verses 4-6: Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
There is much concern about the practise of tongues speaking and the teachings on this topic are diverse. Here are a few teachings on the topic: (1) Some Christians who speak in tongues believe they are speaking in an existing language. (2) Some believe they are uttering a heavenly tongue. (3) Some denominations, teach that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (4) Some believe that speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit and must be interpreted by an interpreter. (5) Some believe that speaking in tongues is a sign that you are saved. What is the truth?
2nd Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. This means that the Bible is the inspired word of God. We need to tap into the wisdom recorded in the Scriptures and know what the Bible says about any topic. 2nd Timothy 2:15 encourages us to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Psalm 119:105 reminds us that the word of God is a light. It reads, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. It is important that everyone has a good understanding of the word of God because it is what guides us in doing the right. John 8:32 says, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
What is the definition of tongues?
Scripturally tongues mean languages. According to the Strong Concordance the Greek translation for tongue is glōssa. The word glossolalia" is the most commonly accepted term for speaking in tongues. It comes from the Greek words meaning "tongues" or "languages," and "to speak."
Are there different types of tongues?
The Scriptures tell us about two types of tongues - known and unknown tongues. On the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost anointed the followers of Christ they spoke in known languages.
Acts 2:1̵4,7,8,11,12 tell us what happened at the first outpouring of the Holy Ghost.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
There are three records of speaking in tongues in the Scriptures and each served a purpose. The occurrence of Acts chapter 2 was for the spreading of the Gospel of Salvation, Acts chapter 10 teaches that the Gentiles were included in God's plan of salvation and Acts chapter 19 teaches us that correct baptism is linked to the reception of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost the setting was public teaching but the two other instances were among brethren.
In the Book of First Corinthians, we learn about an unknown language.
1st Corinthians 14:2 –6, 13,14, 27,28 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.
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the Church.
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.
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
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.
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
It is good manners not to speak when others are speaking and when in the company of others not to speak what they cannot understand. Therefore, in places of worship it’s bad manners when there is confusion because many persons are speaking at the same time and are also speaking what others cannot understand. This is not godliness. Let us follow the biblical guidelines. There ought to be one who possesses the gift of interpretation who will give the required interpretation.
How do you get the Gift of Tongues?
At the end of Christ’s Ministry on earth He promised to send His followers His power. He said, 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.
In Acts chapter 19 we read about brethren who had not receive the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after Him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
Based on the preceding Scripture we understand the importance of being properly baptised. After their proper baptism they received the Holy Spirit and as a sign that they were now on the right path they received the outward sign of speaking in languages just as on the day of Pentecost.
Paul told the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians 12: 4 -11, Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
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:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
1st Corinthians 12:28-30 tell us, God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties
of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”
From this we can understand that only some will receive the gift to speak in tongues, just as only some are called to be teachers, or any other such office.
Tongues are for Sign
Mark 16:15-18, And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
If speaking in tongues is a constant sign that one has received the Holy Spirit then one can always toy with venomous snakes or drink poison as water and nothing will happen to them. It will also be that those for whom prayer is offered will be healed, therefore there should be no more sickness or death. On this basis speaking in tongues is not the only sign of an infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Speaking in tongues is not the constant sign of baptism of the Holy Spirit because there are numerous records in Acts of true conversion and Spirit-baptism where no tongues are mentioned namely Acts 2:37-42; 8:26-40; 9:1-19; 13:44-52; 16:11-15; 16:25-34; 17:1-10a; 17:10b-15; 17:16-33; 18:1-11; 18:24-28.
1st Corinthians 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.”
What is said about the manifestation of tongues?
We are advised from 1st Corinthians 14:40 to let all things be done decently and in order.
Writer - A. E. Fisher
We welcome your questions and feedback. You may contact us at
Comentários