Clearing Up The Confusion Over Speaking In Tongues
Part 2
Rock of Offence Commentary
QUESTION: Can all believers speak in tongues?
"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." (Acts 2:2-4)
"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, 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. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." (Acts 19:1-7)
Acts 2:1-4 clearly says that the entire group of 120 disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and all spoke with tongues after the Holy Spirit arrived. The encounter with Paul suggests that all 12 men "spake with tongues and prophesied. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles at Cornelius' house suggests that all were filled with the Spirit and spoke with tongues. If only some did--I believe the Bible would say so. Unless you are desperate to find anything that disproves the notion that tongues is a gift that any believer can experience--the Scriptural evidence suggests that speaking in tongues is a "primary indicator" of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Yet, I know that all true believers possess the Holy Spirit and many have never yielded to Him in this area. The primary blockage to this gift is false teaching, which creates unbelief. Unbelief against any of the gifts of the Spirit will hinder or completely block their expression. In my opinion, false teaching and the unbelief it generates concerning these administrations of the Spirit hinders God's power from operating in the modern church.
"But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching." (Mark 6:4-6)
We see one final example in the words of Jesus after his resurrection.
"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." (Mark 16:17-18)
Jesus said that "speaking with new tongues" is a sign that follows believers. Unknown tongues was a new thing after the day of Pentecost--and they are new to many of us. Are you a believer in Christ? If so, the words of Jesus are for you.
Wait a minute...Doesn't Paul clearly say that not everyone speaks in tongues? He does indeed. But, hopefully we've already learned that he was discussing a specific use of the gift in the public meeting of the church and not the private exercise of the gift, which carries a different purpose. We've learned that the public ministry aspect of tongues used by specially "called" believers falls under the same category as the ministry calling of an apostle or a prophet--only a few believers in the Church are called to operate in the role of apostle and prophet. This is the point Paul is making and the context that must be preserved. This public aspect of ministry is not given to all members the Body of Christ. Tongues are available to anyone who has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit because it's one of the "manifestations of the Spirit". Yet, God may call only a few to exercise it in the public meeting of the Church. This is the area that's exploited by opponents of the gift. They attempt to keep speaking in tongues restricted to the public ministry arena where they have the best chance of forbidding its use. Yet, Paul taught that this is wrong.
QUESTION: How does the Bible describe speaking in tongues?
Tongues is something unique to the New Testament believer
Those who try to preserve an "Old Testament" style of Christianity oppose the new dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues does not occur anywhere in the Bible before Christ's Crucifixion. It was Christ's death, burial, resurrection and ascension that released the Holy Spirit to come and indwell believers. This is why you can't find any evidence of this happening earlier. Jesus said:
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7)
Speaking in tongues is uniquely connected with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he would send Him to us after he went away. It's not only a characteristic, but a benefit given to the New Testament believer. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah foretold of these things:
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people." (Isa 28:10-11)
Peter quoted the Old Testament prophet Joel who foretold of the events on the day of Pentecost when God "poured out His Spirit upon all flesh" (Acts 2:17-20). Bible prophecy tells us about the things that began on that day, yet we don't see "speaking in tongues" until after Jesus ascended back to the Father. Tongues accompanied the "rushing mighty wind" of the Holy Spirit when He came on the day of Pentecost. Some insist that its wrong to associate tongues with the indwelling Holy Spirit. If that's true, I wonder why the Bible goes out of its way to say just the opposite. The opponents of tongues sometimes claim that they're "giving you the Word of God" and that you should listen to them--just because they're saying it. Yet, I choose to look in God's Word for myself to see if what they say lines up. In this case--it doesn't.
Tongues is a sign for the unbeliever
The Bible identifies both a public and a private use for speaking in tongues. The public expression is given as a sign and is only one of many purposes for this gift.
The private use (praying with the Spirit--or praying in tongues--1 Cor. 14:14-15 & Rom. 8:26-27) is a different matter. In this situation speaking in tongues is not a sign. It's the release of the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. It should be readily apparent to critics that no sign is needed for the unbeliever when you're alone in your prayer closet! But, it is needed in the public assembly where visitors attend. One purpose of the public exercise of tongues is as a sign to unbelievers. It's public use should always be accompanied with an interpretation for the sake of the unlearned (1 Cor. 14:23). The Scriptures never restrict tongues to only this expression. Yet, the critics do.
In the Scripture below, Paul is quoting the prophet Isaiah and describing one of the many purposes of tongues:
"In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 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." (1 Cor 14:21-22)
Speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost was primarily for the benefit of unbelieving Israel, yet it also includes "all that are far off" and "all that the Lord shall call". Peter indicates this toward the end of his Pentecostal message:
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. 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."
(Acts 2:36-39)
Tongues provide a sign to unbelieving Israel because it was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Three thousand Jewish believers are saved and the first New Testament Church began. Yet, Paul taught that the gift had various other purposes besides this one.
Tongues Is an evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit
We looked at this earlier. In situations where the Holy Spirit is poured out, speaking in tongues occur in nearly all documented cases. It didn't just occur at the beginning of the Church Age on Pentecost and at the Gentile house of Cornelius--but is also practiced both in public church ministry and in the private prayer life of believers, as documented in Paul's epistles to the Corinthian church. (Acts 2:1-4 Acts 2:5-18 Acts 10:45-47 Acts 19:6-7 1 Cor. 14:14-19 1 Cor. 12:7-11 1 Cor. 14:37-40)
Tongues is a spiritual language that sounds foolish to the mind--it cannot be understood.
On the day of Pentecost speaking in tongues was equated with drunkenness. Why? Because intoxicated people tend to speak unintelligently and in an incoherent manner. Yet, Peter corrected this misconception...
"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel..."( Acts 2:14-16)
"For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding (my mind) is unfruitful (cannot comprehend). 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. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (1 Cor. 14:14-16)
Speaking in tongues is yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to speak to God in the language of the Spirit (God's own native language).
"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." (1 Cor. 14:2)
"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. 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." (Rom 8:26-27)
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
(Acts 2:4)
Bible scholars understand that the native language of the New Testament is Greek. That's why so many theologians learn the language and study its usage. It's important that we consider the comments of noted Greek scholar P. C. Nelson concerning the text of Romans 8:26 that says, "but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered". Nelson tells us that the original Biblical languages contain something that isn't brought out in the English translations. He says that the Greek literally reads, "The Holy Ghost maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered in articulate speech." Articulate speech means our regular or normal kind of speech. Nelson says that the Greek stresses the fact that this is not just "groanings" that come out of our mouth during prayer, but also includes other tongues, which agrees with Saint Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 14:14, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful."
Nelson's commentary is important because opponents of speaking in tongues attempt to disqualify the testimony of Romans 8:26 because it casts doubt on their theology. They no longer just have to try to diminish some of Paul's teaching about tongues in 1 Corinthians, but now have to invalidate what is said in his epistle to the Romans. This effort is dangerous because Paul's writings in Romans is where we find the New Testament plan of salvation. Cast doubt on this Biblical text and you're treading in dangerous territory. Opponents try to say that the "groanings" mentioned here can never be a language--because it "cannot be uttered". I believe Nelson's research shows that their interpretation is wrong.
Tongues can be both known earthly languages or unknown heavenly angelic languages
We've already seen the earthly languages of tongues on the day of Pentecost. Some try to limit tongues to only earthly languages. But, Paul tells us that the language can also be an unknown language native only to the Holy Spirit, and he later expands upon this fact. I consider it pure arrogance to think that God's native language in heaven is limited to an earthly human language, such as English. Most of what Paul teaches the Corinthian believers about the gift of tongues occurs between 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and chapter 14. Below in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, Paul is continuing the revelation. The Corinthian Christians abused speaking in tongues and probably used it in an offensive way. In the Scripture below Paul is confronting them with the emptiness of using this heavenly gift void of love. Yet, in the process, he reveals the two different kinds of spiritual languages and their sources.
"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." (1 Cor 13:1)
QUESTION: What benefit is there if I speak in tongues?
BENEFIT #1: It spiritually builds you up.
"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21)
BENEFIT #2: It's a method God uses to edify you
"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." (1 Cor 14:4)
BENEFIT #3: It places your intercessory prayer life in the "unlimited" category allowing you to pray for things known only to the Holy Spirit (mysteries).
It releases the Holy Spirit to make intercession directly to God, not only for us, but also for the saints--this intercession is not like the kind we offer with our limited knowledge--it's intercession performed by the Holy Spirit using the unlimited knowledge He possesses.
"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. 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." (Rom 8:26-27)
"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." (1 Cor. 14:2)
We are not elevating speaking in tongues to a place of false importance. Paul always taught that the person who operates in the public ministry gift of prophesying is greater and more needful than the one who operates in the public gift of tongues. Obviously, I agree with Paul. Yet, the purpose of this study is not to examine the practice of prophesying, but to discover what God's Word has to say about tongues. Prophesying is a completely different thing. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because the public ministry of tongues is considered a "lesser" gift--that we should throw it away. That is what the critics suggest. Yet, the reader will have to make up his or her own mind.
QUESTION: Do I have to speak with tongues to be saved?
I hear this question often and the answer is NO. Some Oneness Pentecostal groups believe that you have to speak in tongues in order to be saved. But, there is no support from the Scripture for this belief. It's a false teaching that causes a lot of confusion. I get concerned when I hear Christians say, "Do I have to speak in tongues?" You get the impression that God is forcing them into some kind of punishment or torment. Speaking in tongues is nothing like that. It's a spiritual gift from God to you. It's designed to benefit and "put you over". It places you in partnership with the Spirit of Christ and empowers you to do far more than you could in your own strength and knowledge. Christians who understand this gift view it as a precious and expensive privilege--not a burden or something you "have to do". It cost Jesus everything, including his blood, to purchase these benefits. He wants you to have them because it makes you far more effective and influential in His Kingdom. It's one of the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph. 3:8). It's more reasonable to say, "Do I really get to speak with tongues?" The difference between those two viewpoints is caused by wrong church doctrine that discredits the gift. Those opposed to the gifts of the Spirit attempt to make believers think it's something evil--or that it's some kind of extreme emotionalism, irrational behavior or even mental illness. These perceptions are part of their defense. They use fear and the Christian's ignorance of the Scriptures to dissuade listeners. To answer the question--No you don't have to speak in tongues. And yes, you can be a true believer in Christ and not speak with tongues. Jesus Christ and Saint Paul never listed it as a requirement for salvation--and neither do I. Millions of Christians have decided that they don't want this gift because they've been told it doesn't apply today. If that's what you really want, God will honor your decision and we can move on to other issues.
The Danger Of Persuasive Speech
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom 16:17-18)
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Col 2:8)
"But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." (2 Cor 4:2)
Religious critics (specifically highly trained theologians) use the debate tactic of "stripping out" and emphasizing the negative aspects of a topic in order to discredit its use. This strategy is not spiritual, but political in nature. It's used in world politics and has no place in the church. Dictators and tyrants throughout history used this method to seduce their peoples. The national news media practiced this type of persuasive speech for over 50 years in their reporting methods. Why is it used? Because it works. Why abandon something that works? It's a very effective way to win in almost any circumstance. The only defense against it is a properly educated and informed society. In the church--the only defense is an accurate knowledge of God's Word, which is rare. Getting educated, whether in a worldly or a spiritual sense, takes a lot of effort. Few people make the sacrifice.
A dirty secret of journalism is that it's not about reporting the truth, but about manipulating public opinion in favor of their secular world-view. Likewise, a dirty secret of religious persuasive speech is not always about Biblical truth, but protecting unbiblical religious tradition in order to keep the public committed to it. Why is tradition important? Some churches and denominations build their entire doctrine on it. If the tradition becomes questionable, entire religious organizations will crash and burn. If you carefully examine the verbal clashes between Jesus Christ and the Pharisees (religious leaders of Christ's time)--they were fought between the two "theologies" of religious tradition and Biblical truth. Both "appear" to be supported from the Scriptures. The Pharisees had to confront Jesus because he was a threat to their system. If they failed to confront this threat the entire religious structure they had built would fall. Jesus couldn't be defeated verbally or "theologically"--so they crucified him.
The same battle is going on today--and it's more intense than ever. Some Christians have no idea of the hidden battle that rages behind the pulpits of the church. If you have to discredit something find all the negative things and exaggerate their importance. If positive facts that contradict your position are introduced into the discussion--you must diminish their importance or discredit them entirely if you want to win the argument and protect a cherished tradition. These are some of the tactics of "liberal theology"--and it's not godly. Yet, many skilled theologians practice its principles on the unsuspecting public. It's about winning...and protecting certain unbiblical traditions of religious organizations. It's not always about truth.
Does Saint Paul say negative things about speaking in tongues. Yes he does. Yet, he discusses the negative because the Corinthian Church was misusing the gift. His purpose in drawing attention to the negative is to teach them about the positive side and the proper use of the gift when used in the public assembly of the church. Proper use is important. Without proper use (maintaining order in the public assembly) the church meeting falls into confusion and the gospel is threatened. Saint Paul's discussion of the improper use of tongues was never intended to invalidate the gift. Yet, the religious critic's goal of discussing the abuse of the gift is to cast doubt, diminish or eliminate the use of it entirely. I tend to use this subject as a spiritual litmus test. If pastors, teachers and theologians decide that Spiritual gifts are to be removed from Christian life...how many other things in the New Testament Scriptures have they also decided to remove? This is a question we should all ask.
How do we know that Paul wasn't attempting to invalidate speaking in tongues? He tells us in the Scriptures below:
"I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (1 Cor 14:18)
"Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." (1 Cor 14:39)
Saint Paul told the Corinthian church that he spoke in tongues more than they all did. I don't think he was lying. If Paul lied--then the whole foundation of our salvation found in his other teachings are in question. If Paul's claim is true then he spoke in tongues a lot, if he exceeded the Corinthians. He apparently believed that the gift had a lot of merit. If Saint Paul believed this--maybe we should treat it the same way.
Closing Comments
Failure to discredit the gifts of the Spirit through a proper exegesis of Scripture forces opponents to resort to other strategies. Some are attempting to link speaking in tongues to "New Age" teachings. Once again, the term, "New Age" causes some Bible-believing Christians to react in fear. They trust church leaders because of their "credentials" and never bother to check things out for themselves. They don't make the effort because it would take many hours of study--and it's just easier to "take the word" of the pastor or theologian on this issue. After all, it's not something that important--is it? Once again, I believe this new assault is specifically designed into the debate because of its difficulty. I'm not going to engage in an examination of new age teaching in this study. I know from experience that the Biblical use of tongues has nothing to do with this ideology and it would take an entire book to properly cover the topic. I feel we've offered a fair examination of Scripture for anyone who wants to discover this powerful area of the ministry of God's Holy Spirit.
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