INTRODUCTION
Interest in the gift of tongues has had phenomenal growth in the past few years. Multitudes now claim to possess this gift. As always the children of God "prove all things" (I Thessalonians 5:21) by a careful study of God' s Word. I. THE BIBLE RECORD OF TONGUES.
The gift of tongues is mentioned in only three books of the New Testament (Mark 16:17-20; Acts 2:1-13, 10:45-46, 19:6, I Corinthians 12:1-14:40). It is quite informative to note how few books of Scripture mention tongues. Out of twenty-one New Testament epistles in which salvation, Christian joy, spiritual growth, ministerial qualifications, and the work of God's Spirit are dealt with, yet in only one is tongues mentioned. This is inexplicable were we to view the gift of tongues as it is viewed in the modern tongues movement. (It should be noted that the one time when tongues was mentioned in an epistle it was in rebuke for the elevation and misuse of this gift.) II. THE NATURE OF TONGUES.
The gift of tongues was the supernatural ability to speak in a language that one had not acquired by study. There is no Biblical reason to believe that this language was ever anything but an existing human language. In Acts 2:1-11, the disciples spoke in the native languages of the many foreign Jews present in Jerusalem on Pentecost. In I Corinthians 14:16 & 23, the Corinthians are warned that the unlearned could not understand tongues. These statements would be meaningless if tongues were not human languages already known by some. In I Corinthians 14:21, Paul quotes an Old Testament prophecy concerning the purpose of tongues. This prophecy deals with human language thus revealing again the nature of the tongue at Corinth.
The modern concept of tongues as a heavenly language, or as ecstatic speech has a twofold origin: A. Nearly every form of paganism from early times until the present has been characterized by some form of ecstatic speech. Even in many of the cults that have denied the basic tenants of Christianity there have been claims of having the gift of a heavenly tongue (Mormons, Shakers). Needless to say Christians have always viewed these activities as demonic (Isaiah 8:19).
B. The concept of Biblical tongues being a form of ecstatic speech was introduced into Christian theology by the rationalistic German theologians. They popularized the belief that Biblical tongues were not human languages in order to explain away the miraculous nature of the gift.
III. THE PURPOSE OF TONGUES.
Our Lord makes it very clear that tongues were for a sign (Mark 16:17). When the Corinthian church began to use tongues as a means of self-glorification they were told that they needed to mature and learn that tongues were to be used as a sign (I Corinthians 14:20-22). Let us examine this important point in detail.
In I Corinthians 14:21, Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11 as proof that tongues were a sign-gift. In Isaiah chapter 28, we find Isaiah rebuking the elders of Judah for their sin. They did not repent, but rather reviled Isaiah's preaching as being below their intellectual level (vs. 9-10). Isaiah then gives the prophecy that God will speak to them by the foreign tongues of their invading Assyrian army. From this Paul concludes that tongues are for a sign.
We might also mention that tongues were not a sign to all unbelievers, but to Jewish unbelievers in particular. This is seen in Isaiah chapter 28 and also in the New Testament. In every case recorded in the book of Acts the gift of tongues was a sign to Jews. It is also interesting to remember that the church at Corinth was started next door to a Jewish synagogue (Acts 18:7). Perhaps this partly explains the prevalence of the gift in that church.
In continuing our examination of the purpose of tongues we should notice that tongues acted as a sign of confirmation for at least three different Bible truths. A. The veracity of the gospel.
Tongues were given as a confirmation of the truth of the gospel (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:3-4). We see this illustrated in Acts 2:1-41. B. The reception of the Gentiles into the kingdom of God.
In Acts 10:44-48, tongues acted as a sign to confirm the fact that God had granted repentance to the Gentiles. This was even received as proof by the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:1-18).
Some may question how tongues could be a sign to believing Jews in light of I Corinthians 14:22. The answer is that while these Jews believed in Christ yet the tongues acted as a sign in another area of which they were guilty of unbelief (i.e., the possibility of the conversion of Gentiles). C. Coming judgment.
In Isaiah 28: 11, tongues were a sign of judgment. Many believe that tongues were a warning to Israel of the coming Roman invasion in 70 A. D. which ended Israel's existence as a nation for nearly nineteen hundred years.
Having noted the true purpose of tongues we are now in a better position to deal with some of the errors on this subject. We might first mention that some have taught that tongues were given to assist in the preaching of the gospel. There is no evidence for this idea in the New Testament. Tongues as a sign vindicated the gospel, but were never used to help spread it. Men like Paul who were multi-lingual seem to have had no trouble in communication throughout the Roman Empire. Even in Acts 2:1-41 there is no evidence that the gift of tongues acted other than a sign. Notice that in Acts 2:6-12 the foreign Jews were amazed by the gift of tongues. These people were at least bi-lingual. The tongues were not given so that they could understand the gospel but rather that they might believe it. Many of these were converted and stayed in the Jerusalem church yet communication was never a problem.
Another false concept is the popular modern teaching that tongues are for the private edification of the user. This of course contradicts the Scriptural teaching on the purpose of tongues and also the truth that gifts are always for the body of Christ as a whole. It is also hard to believe that God would withhold from many (I Corinthians 12:11 & 30) a means of spiritual growth. There is no record of tongues being used privately in the New Testament.
Let us examine some of the Scriptures used to teach that. tongues should be used in prayer and private worship.
I Corinthians 14:2 - This verse is not describing prayer. The reason that a man speaking in an uninterpreted tongue is speaking unto God is because "no man understandeth him.” Paul is not discussing private prayer but the error of using uninterpreted tongues in a church service. If I were to use Spanish in an English speaking church only God would understand me and the church would not be helped.
I Corinthians 14:3-5 - Paul is talking about the superiority of prophecy over tongues in a public church service. He that prophecies builds up the church while he that speaks in tongues builds up himself. There is no mention here of any private act of devotion.
If an Englishman testifies in a Russian church his own heart may be blessed but the church is not profited. The same principle was true in the exercise of tongues. Notice also that in verses 4-5 Paul is discussing a situation where the tongue speaker could interpret his own words. The individual who spoke in a tongue which he did not understand could not even be blessed himself unless someone interpreted.
I Corinthians 14:14-15 - Paul is here speaking about praying in an unknown tongue, but only to rebuke the practice. Prayer is to be conducted with the understanding (vs. 15). This would forbid the idea of praying in a tongue one does not understand. The word battalogeo translated "use vain repetitions" in Matthew 6:7 means to "babble unthinkingly." One is never to pray in this manner.
I Corinthians 14:27-28 - Paul is not here commending the practice of private tongue speaking. His purpose is to forbid the use of uninterpreted tongues in the church. These precepts were used by men of God in former days to rebuke the Roman Catholic practice of conducting religious worship in Latin. Men may pray in any language they understand in private. They are not to pray in a language they do not understand anywhere. In public they are either to speak in a language understood by the church or else their words are to be interpreted.
The charismatic concept of tongues as a private devotional aid is contrary to everything that the Bible teaches about tongues. IV. THE REGULATION OF TONGUES.
The disorders that occurred at Corinth caused Paul to lay down some rules. These regulations must be followed by all who claim to be spiritual (1 Corinthians 14:37-38). A. Everything must be done in an orderly manner - I Corinthians 14:32-33; 40.
B. Tongues are not to be sought - I Corinthians 12:18.
The church as a whole is to desire that the best gifts (those which edify) may be found within her membership (I Corinthians 12:31). Tongues were one of the least gifts (I Corinthians 14:5).
C. Tongues must be interpreted - I Corinthians 14:28.
D. Only one person at a time may speak - I Corinthians 14:27 & 30.
E. Only three may speak in tongues at anyone service - I Corinthians 14:27.
F. Women may not speak in the church - I Corinthians 14:34-35.
G. Tongues must not be forbidden - I Corinthians 14:39.
Paul was afraid that his teaching on the inferiority of tongues as a means of church edification would cause it to be forbidden. (This Scripture of course would not apply after tongues had ceased. Baptist churches have every right to forbid the modern imitation of this gift). V. THE CEASING OF TONGUES.
In I Corinthians 13:8, we are told that tongues would cease. This probably occurred in 70 A.D. when Israel as a nation lost its corporate existence. The gift definitely ceased by 95-96 A.D. when the Scriptures were completed. (For more information see the lesson on the temporary gifts). VI. TONGUES TODAY.
Some may be wondering how we are to explain the modern phenomena of tongues-speaking in the Charismatic movement. As these modern "tongues" contradict the Bible teaching concerning the nature, purpose, duration, and regulation of tongues they cannot be of God. God does not contradict His Word (I Corinthians 14:37; Matthew 5:17-18). The modern tongues experience may have various explanations. A. It may be fake.
B. It may be psychologically induced.
Contrary to the New Testament modern tongues advocates teach people how to speak in tongues. Much of it appears to be a form of self-hypnosis in which the brain is short circuited so to speak. C. It may be of demonic inspiration.
Many are the accounts of demons speaking through those possessed. Christians have always viewed the ecstatic speech of pagans as being demonic. When one considers some of the doctrines and evil fruit that have come out of Pentecostalism it becomes obvious that demons are indeed at work. (Isaiah 8:19) ================= Go to Addendum to Holy Spirit Study
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