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Study the Prophecies of Revelation and Daniel |
last update: 14 August 2005 |
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Speaking in TonguesAnd they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 Strongs Concordance Greek 2084 heteroglossos {het-er-og'-loce-sos} from 2087 and 1100; TDNT - 1:726,123; adj AV - other tongue 1; one who speaks a foreign language
TONGUES (the gift) in Nave's Topical Bible The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians\1Corinthians 12:10,28,30: "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:" The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians\1Corinthians 13:8: "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians\1Corinthians 14:2-19,21-28,39: "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." Easton's Bible Dictionary Tongues, Gift of granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language with which they were naturally acquainted (comp. Joel 2:28, 29). Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1 Cor. 12:10-14:30, "divers kinds of tongues" and the "interpretation of tongues." This "gift" was a different manifestation of the Spirit from that on Pentecost, although it resembled it in many particulars. Tongues were to be "a sign to them that believe not." Some years ago my husband and I visited a church to see a film on prophecy. Shortly after we arrived there was prayer and then the whole church began to speak in what they called tongues. We were the only ones not speaking. After the film several approached us to ask if we were saved. We told them yes and we were then told we could not be for we had not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and we were not speaking in tongues. They told us that they were a New Testament church. As we left we were given a pamphlet on how to speak in tongues so we could be saved. Are tongues a sign of salvation? Paul tells us in 1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation (translate) of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret (translate)? Tongues are not proof of ones salvation. Tongues is only one manifestation of the Spirit. God distributes the gifts and no one possesses all the gifts. Notice too, that tongues is the last gift listed. Speaking in tongues as well as the other gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to edify the Church and to spread the gospel. 1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Speaking in tongues is not the sign of salvation. The sign of salvation is the fruits of the Spirit. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Speaking in tongues is not something to be learned. We cannot learn to heal or any of the gifts, they are given by God. It is a false doctrine when one is taught they must possess all the gifts in order to be saved or that they can learn the gifts. 1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. This verse tells us how we are to use our gifts. Some preachers such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland and TD Jakes among others claim to instruct people in speaking in tongues. They are told to just let their minds go so that the Holy Spirit can act. Is this scriptural when it is God who gives the gifts? When we accept Christ we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Eph 1: 13 " In whom ye also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: having believed, you were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise," (2 Cor. 1:22) 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Tongues were for a sign for those who did not believe. 1Co 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. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? It is not God's intention for one to pray in a language that no one could understand. In every passage in the Bible that teaches about prayer never does it even suggest that prayer should not make any sense. 1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Tongues were simply speaking in a language that was not known by the speaker but was heard by another in his language so he might understand. Rom 8:26 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. 27 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. I have heard this verse interpreted that the Holy Spirit is groaning in a language through the person to God. This verse is simply saying we are weak and that we do not always pray in a way that we should so the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf with groaning, which cannot be uttered (not audible). The Holy Spirit does the groaning, not the person. Tongues of angels 1Co 13:1 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. Paul is speaking hypothetically. We know that man does not speak in the language of angels, but even if he could if he spoke without the love of God in his heart it would profit him nothing. Every account in the Bible where an angel spoke to man he spoke with language that man could understand. Some seek this gift or under the pressure of others to prove their salvation. This is not done in love, but for the edification in the eyes of others or self. This learned or faked use of tongues only fills the room with a meaningless noise like the clanging sound of the cymbal. 1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. There is only one gift of tongues rather than two as some suggest. Acts and 1 Corinthians are the only books in the New Testament that refer to speaking in tongues. Many of the Corinthian believers misappropriated the gift of tongues. The gift of tongues is not some unintelligible speaking or some ecstatic babbling. It is a known human language. God wanted to communicate the gospel to the world that spoke in many languages. Paul gave a careful outline in 1 Corinthians 14 for the Corinthian believers. If the speaking of tongues was not controlled it could only lead to confusion. 1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. If there was no interpreter (translator) it was said to be of no value. Co 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 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. 16 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? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. In the Greek literal translation: I thank my God that I speak more languages than all of you. Paul is stating that there is more than one language and that he is capable of speaking many languages. Unregulated speaking of tongues could be a hindrance in the salvation of others. 1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. Paul even went on to say that the gift of tongues would cease. 1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. Satan has played upon the emotions of man and he uses this counterfeit manifestation to communicate in error. We must be careful to understand what the Word says and act upon it. We are not saved by speaking in tongues. This ecstatic and unintelligible use of tongues is not of God. Tongues that cannot be interpreted do not edify the church. Be careful church that no one deceives you. Strong's Concordance repetitions 945 battologeo {bat-tol-og-eh'-o} from Battos (a proverbial stammerer) and 3056; TDNT - 1:597,103; v AV - use vain repetitions 1; 1 1) to stammer 2) to repeat the same things over and over, to use many idle words, to babble, prate. Some suppose the word derived from Battus, a king of Cyrene, who is said to have stuttered; others from Battus, an author of tedious and wordy poems. Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
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