Grace Lutheran Church


 
  The Gift of Tongues
 
 

Acts 2:6

From the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts... AND AT THIS SOUND THE MULTITUDE CAME TOGETHER, AND THEY WERE BEWILDERED, BECAUSE EACH ONE HEARD THEM SPEAKING IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE. (And satan's attempt to discredit - the claim - "They are filled with new wine")

It was a sheet of paper handed to me by John Moore... something a member of our congregation asked him. It was questions relating to our weekend retreat a few weeks ago with Fran Lance... good questions... valid questions... and John asked that a sermon be prepared on the basis of those questions. Specifically it related to one of the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12... the gift of tongues.

I have often wondered if some of the confusion concerning this gift arises out of the word used to describe it... that being "tongues". It is a word that is not commonly used in our time to describe different languages... which is its very meaning. Perhaps that word has taken on other meanings which taint its use.

In fact the word "tongue" is used 102 times in the Bible and the word "tongues" - 36 times. The usages vary but some examples are these :

  • Rev. 17:15 THE WATERS THAT YOU SAW... ARE PEOPLES AND MULTITUDES AND NATIONS AND TONGUES
  • Isaiah 66:18 ...AND I AM COMING TO GATHER ALL NATIONS AND TONGUES
  • Rev. 7:9 AND BEHOLD, A GREAT MULTITUDE WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER, FROM EVERY NATION, FROM ALL TRIBES AND PEOPLES AND TONGUES...
  • Mark 16:17 (Jesus speaking just before His Ascension)... AND THESE SIGNS WILL ACCOMPANY THOSE WHO BELIEVE: IN MY NAME THAT WILL CAST OUT DEMONS; THEY WILL SPEAK IN NEW TONGUES.

Perhaps in our time the word TONGUES evokes an image of a "wagging tongue" and so some have used such imagery in speaking against that gift. Perhaps we would rather use the word "languages" instead... however, the Scriptures use the word tongues, as Christ did Himself, and rather than change the Biblical wording, we perhaps had best define it, rather than tamper with it. Semantics have changed over 2000 years, and extreme care must be exercised before we make changes rather than study their meanings. (Seek understanding rather than change)

However, in fact, "tongues" does mean "languages". When the disciples and those waiting on the Lord received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost, they proceeded to the Temple grounds where those from different lands heard these people speak in their respective languages. We read... AND THEY WERE AMAZED AND WONDERED, SAYING, "ARE NOT ALL THESE WHO ARE SPEAKING GALILEANS? AND HOW IS IT THAT WE HEAR, EACH OF US IN HIS OWN NATIVE LANGUAGES... WE HEAR THEM TELLING IN OUR OWN TONGUES THE MIGHTY WORKS OF GOD". (Acts 4:13 - Peter and John seen as uneducated men)

That was the first use of this "GIFT OF TONGUES". It was in the Temple... the very seat of opposition to Christ and the Cross... people from various lands were there worshipping, and the most unusual occurs... men of Galilee testifying of God in languages they simply would not have known... and in this case... the reason being obvious... it was for impact and clarity... THE MIGHTY WORKS OF GOD would be told in a miraculous way to them, capturing their attention.

At Pentecost, we read... AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE. Of the nine gifts of the Spirit (WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, GIFTS OF HEALING, WORKING OF MIRACLES, PROPHECY, ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SPIRITS, TONGUES and INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES), the Gift of Tongues is the only gift mentioned at Pentecost, apparently given to all disciples. And that gift found its immediate use... and it was for the benefit of those who had come from distant lands. That was most consistent with what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12... TO EACH IS GIVEN THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE COMMON GOOD. Each gift of the Holy Spirit is to benefit others... directly or indirectly.

AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE. Whatever might be said about the Gift of Tongues, we need to recognize that this gift came from God !. It it He who gives this to His people, and therefore it is incumbent upon us to understand it and value it. We have heard it said that this particular gift is among the "lesser" gifts... however... anything that comes from God cannot be considered or labeled "lesser". There are no lesser things of God !. There are no "minors" in God, all are "majors !".

As to the place of "tongues" among the church brethren, we read in 1 Corinthians 12:28... AND GOD HAS APPOINTED IN THE CHURCH FIRST APOSTLES, SECOND PROPHETS, THIRD TEACHERS, THEN WORKERS OF MIRACLES, THEN HEALERS, HELPERS, ADMINISTRATORS, SPEAKERS IN VARIOUS KINDS OF TONGUES... and in verse 29... ARE ALL APOSTLES?... DO ALL WORK MIRACLES?... DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES?

The answer seems obvious... not all are apostles, not all work miracles, not all speak in tongues. It seems apparent that God gives gifts as He purposes... however... from that text we must also conclude... each gift given... given for a purpose within the church... must be acknowledged and prized... for it was God's appointment in His church. Thus again the plea for investigation and inclusion...

The purpose of the Gift of Tongues was not limited to its use in the Temple that day. We read in 1 Corinthians 14:4 HE WHO SPEAKS IN A TONGUE EDIFIES HIMSELF. The word EDIFY means "to build up; spiritual growth and development". In that way, it is of benefit to the one who has been given that gift. (See also Jude verse 20)

Again in 1 Corinthians 14:5 Paul says, "NOW I WANT ALL OF YOU TO SPEAK IN TONGUES, BUT EVEN MORE TO PROPHESY". Those two gifts of the Spirit, Paul says, he wants for everyone. He goes on to say, "HE WHO PROPHESIES IS GREATER THAN HE WHO SPEAKS IN TONGUES, UNLESS SOMEONE INTERPRETS, SO THAT THE CHURCH MAY BE EDIFIED". Here the object - the edification of the church ! Thought prophecy is greater, it does not mean dismissal of tongues ! Note the word "UNLESS"

Again in 1 Corinthians 14:2 we read... FOR ONE WHO SPEAKS IN A TONGUE SPEAKS NOT TO MEN BUT TO GOD. The gift of tongues has a use in SPEAKING (praying) TO GOD. It is therefore known by some as a "prayer language" - as THE SPIRIT GIVES UTTERANCE. It is an aid in prayer with the intervention of the Holy Spirit in praying what needs to be asked or said in prayer. (See also Romans 8:26-27)

We read that the Gift of Tongues can edify the church in its worship. Paul writes (14:26f) LET ALL THINGS BE DONE FOR EDIFICATION. IF ANY SPEAK IN A TONGUE, LET THERE BE ONLY TWO OR AT MOST THREE, AND EACH IN TURN, AND LET ONE INTERPRET. The same is true for prophets. The important part - that everyone understand what was said - either through interpretation or a weighing of what was said. Ephesians 4:30 reads... AND DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. Imposing limitations on the Spirit which are inconsistent with Scripture can grieve the Spirit.

It appears to be "both/and". Paul writes in verse 13f... THEREFORE, HE WHO SPEAKS IN A TONGUE SHOULD PRAY FOR THE POWER TO INTERPRET. FOR IF I PRAY IN A TONGUE, MY SPIRIT PRAYS BUT MY MIND IS UNFRUITFUL. WHAT AM I TO DO? I WILL PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT (and here that is equated with praying in tongues) AND I WILL PRAY WITH THE MIND ALSO: I WILL SING WITH THE SPIRIT (another use of that gift) AND I WILL SING WITH THE MIND ALSO.

In summary... the use of the Gift of Tongues must always be seen in terms of edification, intercession, prayer, understanding and communication. (See also Ephesians 6:18)

This gift, as well as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, was, in Peter's declaration, for the LAST TIMES... and in his preaching to the people at Pentecost, he defined last times as having then begun. Nowhere in Scripture does it say it was for the early church alone. It was for LAST TIMES... which, according to Peter, would run from then to the very end of times.

In 1 Corinthians 13:1, the languages that might be spoken through that Gift of Tongues is clarified... as Paul said... IF I SPEAK IN THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS. This would not have been said if it were not possible... the inclusion of the tongues of Angels.

As to the question of the gifts of tongues manifesting itself upon receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is as the Spirit gives utterance. Speaking in tongues is dependent upon the Holy Spirit giving the utterance.

Much more could be said concerning this gift of the Holy Spirit, but in summary:

  1. It is a gift from God, the result of THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER fulfilled at Pentecost.
  2. It is, as are the other gifts, for LAST DAYS, last days having begun according to Peter at that time of Pentecost, 10 days following Jesus' Ascension. We remain in LAST DAYS...
  3. It was initially used to speak to foreigners in their own language praising God.
  4. It is the Holy Spirit that gives the utterance
  5. The use of this gift edifies the person speaking it. It edifies a congregation so long as an interpreter is present. It is appropriate 2-3 times in a service with interpretation.
  6. When one speaks in tongues, the Spirit prays while the mind is unfruitful.
  7. ONE WHO SPEAKS IN TONGUES SPEAKS NOT TO MEN (with exception of course to #3) BUT TO GOD.
  8. One can also use this gift in SINGING WITH THE SPIRIT
  9. The Apostle Paul wrote... (1 Cor. 14:18) I THANK GOD THAT I SPEAK IN TONGUES MORE THAN YOU ALL... (1 Cor. 14:5) NOW I WANT YOU ALL TO SPEAK IN TONGUES
  10. The languages spoken can be OF MEN or OF ANGELS
  11. The gift of tongues, as are the other 8 gifts, is given for THE COMMON GOOD... i.e. ... the benefit of others...

Pastor Nylander

 
 

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