Speaking with tongues

Speaking with Tongues

• A subject many don't understand
• Through study we'll be able to give an answer
• The verses we'll be focusing on
• Isaiah 28:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-18, 10:44-48
• Acts 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12-14

Use of Tongues in the Bible

• Two distinct categories
• We have to distinguish between them
• The initial sign or evidence of the Holy Ghost
• The gift of tongues, "diverse kinds of tongues"
• The gift is used to edify the person or the church

Definition

• Compare Acts 2:4, 6, 8, 11
• "tongues" is actual languages
• This applies to the following

Definition

• Other tongues - language never learned by the speaker
• This is usually spoken as the Spirit gives utterance
• Anyone present who knows the language can understand
• On the Day of Pentecost those who heard, understood
• Acts 2:1-18

Definition

• Unknown tongues - used in the KJV
• The word "unknown" isn't in the Greek
• The meaning is conveyed though
• A tongue only understood by God
• 1 Corinthians 14:2

In each case speaking in tongues is a supernatural experience since it's the Spirit that gives us the ability.

Initial evidence

• Jesus promised the HG to his followers
• Acts 1:4-8 - go tarry
• This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost
• Peter went on to declare it was for everyone
• Acts 2:38-39 - afar off

What is the scriptural evidence that we have received the Holy Ghost?

Initial evidence

• The evidence we find in the Bible
• Speaking in Tongues
• There is no other INITIAL evidence
• A precedent was set
• NT believers spoke in tongues

Initial evidence

• The fruits/gifts of the Spirit
• Are not the INITIAL evidence     
• They are the ONGOING evidence

Initial evidence

• Acts 2:11 - tells us what they heard at Pentecost
• So "speaking in tongues" is the one and only sign
• It was given to the NT church
• Christ died to give us this experience
• We don't seek tongues, we seek the Holy Ghost

Initial evidence

• Once we have the Holy Ghost 
• Many factors are indicative of us walking in the Spirit
• We see these in John 15:1-8 - bearing fruit
• Gal 5:22-23 - the fruit of the Spirit
• 2 Peter 1:5-11 - add to your faith

Evidence of the Spirit in a life

• Being obedient to the teaching of the scriptures
• Bearing fruit of the Spirit
• Being faithful to God's cause(the kingdom)
• Abiding in Christ
• Adding to our experience things that spiritually stabilize us

Edification of the Church

• This is for people that are filled with the HG
• This doesn't apply to sinners
• We'll use 1 Corinthians 12-14 as our area of study
• The use of tongues here is not the initial evidence
• It is one of several signs/gifts 1 Cor 12:8-10

Edification of the Church

• Tongues here is one of the 9 gifts of the Spirit
• For this to edify the church another gift is used
• Interpretation of tongues
• Can be given by the person speaking
• Or by another person in the church

Edification of the Church

• This usually occurs in a church service
• The speaker is full of the Holy Ghost
• God moves on them to speak out in tongues
• The rest of the congregation is usually silent
• After the speaker finishes someone interprets

Edification of the Church

• 1 Cor instructions from Paul to the church
• He set rules in place to govern this 1 Cor 14:26, 28
• "When ye come together"(26) "in the church"(28)
• "done unto edifying"(26) - building up(look up)
• "by course"(27) - by turn(look up)

Edification of the Church

• "by two...at most three"(27)
• Doesn't mean there has to be two
• Does mean at the most 3 "by course"
• After 3 occurrences they should stop, proceed with church
• If someone feels the unction they should speak to God

Edification of the Church

• Three of the 9 spiritual gifts involve speaking
• Prophecy, tongues, and interpretation
• These do not replace or supersede the Preaching
• The spiritual gifts are to edify not to perfect    
• Eph 4:11-12 preaching is for perfecting

The control of the service stays in the hands of the Pastor or someone he's placed in charge.

Edification of the Church

• Speaking in tongues and interpretation
• Accomplishes the same as Prophecy
• Tongues is a sign to unbelievers
• Prophecy is a sign to believers
• Edification, exhortation, and comfort

Edification of the Church

• Gifts are not to set the church in order
• To conduct business
• To purchase or not purchase something
• To pronounce judgement
• So on...

Edification of the Church

• Paul listed peace, decency, and order
• This is how a service should be conducted
• 1 Cor. 14:33, 40
• Anything that violates one of these is wrong
• Not meant to discourage or forbid - vs. 39

Facts to help you witness

• When believers speak in tongues it's to God
• No one understands them
• In the spirit they are speaking mysteries
• They edify themselves

Facts to help you witness

• They should pray that they may be able to interpret
• Speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers

Edification of the Believer

• Speaking in tongues for personal edification
• Need no interpretation
• Used in the following ways

Prayer

• Praying in tongues
• Is a blessing and a privilege to the believer
• The spirit is edified - 1 Cor 14:14-15
• We are to pray with understanding(english)
• Unless the Spirit prompts us otherwise

Singing

• 1 Cor 14:15
• We are to sing in our native language
• Unless God prompts us to sing in tongues
• Then we are singing to Him

Giving Thanks

• 1 Cor 14:16-18
• In this example a believer can be blessing something
• In the process they begin to speak in tongues
• The same principle applies here as Prayer and Singing

Edification of the Believer

• All three of these may be public or private
• If in a public service the type and order 
• Dictate whether it should be done audibly or not
• We have to make sure to follow the Spirit
• If we're sensitive we'll know

In Conclusion

• Paul told us both to 
• "quench not the Spirit" 1 Thes 5:19
• "subject to the prophet" 1 Cor 14:32
• Quenching the spirit - refusing to let God use us
• Subjection - has to do with control

In Conclusion

• It's essential that we control ourselves
• Yet we can't quench the Spirit of God
• There's a balance here
• We can't leave out 1 Cor 13
• Charity superseded faith and hope

In Conclusion

• Speaking in tongues is Gods way of using
• The most unruly member of our body
• Our tongue
• James 3

Let's allow God to use us in whatever way He pleases. Let's magnify Him with praise and adoration, whether in our native language or in an unknown tongue.

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