The Gift of Tongues
When was the gift of tongues first given?
On the day of Pentecost the disciples received the gift of languages.
ACTS 2:1-5. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
On the day of Pentecost the disciples received the gift of languages.
ACTS 2:1-5. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
What was the gift of tongues?
It was the ability to speak in languages unknown to the speaker but understood by the hearer.
ACTS 2:8. And, how is it that we hear each in our own language in which we were born?
Why was the gift of tongues given?
The gift of tongues at Pentecost was given for the purpose of soul winning; so foreigners could understand the message given by the disciples, and be able to spread the good news when they returned home. The many nationalities represented are mentioned in Acts 19-11.
ACTS 8:5-8. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ….. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
It was also evidence to the unbelieving Jewish nation that the preaching of the gospel was from God. ACTS 8:22 says, tongues are a sign for unbelievers.
Did Jesus mention speaking in tongues?
MARK 16:17 And, these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.
Jesus said that speaking in tongues would be a sign that His followers were speaking in His name. Pentecost was a fulfillment of Mark 16:17.
What are tongues according to Scripture?
Without question tongues are real languages. Through the gift tongues, the disciples could speak with accuracy the languages of those with whom they were sharing the gospel. The Holy Spirit did for the disciples what they could not have accomplished in a lifetime.
It was the ability to speak in languages unknown to the speaker but understood by the hearer.
ACTS 2:8. And, how is it that we hear each in our own language in which we were born?
Why was the gift of tongues given?
The gift of tongues at Pentecost was given for the purpose of soul winning; so foreigners could understand the message given by the disciples, and be able to spread the good news when they returned home. The many nationalities represented are mentioned in Acts 19-11.
ACTS 8:5-8. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ….. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
It was also evidence to the unbelieving Jewish nation that the preaching of the gospel was from God. ACTS 8:22 says, tongues are a sign for unbelievers.
Did Jesus mention speaking in tongues?
MARK 16:17 And, these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.
Jesus said that speaking in tongues would be a sign that His followers were speaking in His name. Pentecost was a fulfillment of Mark 16:17.
What are tongues according to Scripture?
Without question tongues are real languages. Through the gift tongues, the disciples could speak with accuracy the languages of those with whom they were sharing the gospel. The Holy Spirit did for the disciples what they could not have accomplished in a lifetime.
Does the Bible record any other times that the gift of tongues was given?
Yes. Eight years later, some Gentiles received the gift of tongues -proving to the skeptical Jewish Christians that the gospel is for the Gentiles (non Jews) too.
ACTS10:44-46. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision (Jews) who believed were astonished…. Because, the gift of the Holy Spirit, had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
How do we know that the Gentiles received the same gift of languages?
ACTS 11: 15-17”. “The Holy Spirit fell on them (the Gentiles), as upon us at the beginning ……….If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
The words, “As upon us at the beginning,” and “the same gift,” confirms it was the gift of languages.
Is everyone today given the gift of tongues, and is it proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit?
No. The Holy Spirit gives a variety of gifts; tongues is only one of the gifts and not everyone is blessed with the same gift.
Yes. Eight years later, some Gentiles received the gift of tongues -proving to the skeptical Jewish Christians that the gospel is for the Gentiles (non Jews) too.
ACTS10:44-46. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision (Jews) who believed were astonished…. Because, the gift of the Holy Spirit, had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
How do we know that the Gentiles received the same gift of languages?
ACTS 11: 15-17”. “The Holy Spirit fell on them (the Gentiles), as upon us at the beginning ……….If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
The words, “As upon us at the beginning,” and “the same gift,” confirms it was the gift of languages.
Is everyone today given the gift of tongues, and is it proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit?
No. The Holy Spirit gives a variety of gifts; tongues is only one of the gifts and not everyone is blessed with the same gift.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:30. Do all have the gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues?
ROMANS 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy… or ministry, let us use it in our ministering, he who teaches in teaching, he who exhorts in exhortation, he who gives with liberality, he who leads with diligence, he who shows mercy with cheerfulness
Paul speaking to the Corinthian believers said, that they were to come short in no gift. This does not mean that everyone had the same gift.
1 Corinthians 12:1-7. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
What other gifts were given, and what were they given for?
EPHESIANS 11-12. And He himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
The gifts received by believers, are specifically for the building up of the faithful and to quip them for service.
Does 1 Corinthians 14:2 indicate that speaking in tongues is speaking in a language not known to mankind?
No; a careful reading will confirm that a tongue is a known language.
1CORINTHIANS 14:2 He who speaks in a tongue (a language) does not speak to men (men cannot understand what he is saying, because the language is foreign to them) but to God (because God understands all languages), for no one understands him (the speaker); however, in the spirit he (the speaker) speaks mysteries (things that cannot be understood).
This text tells us that: If a language is not understood by a hearer (man), it is a mystery to him, but God will understand every language. The next four verses (14:3-6) place the gift of prophecy above the gift of tongues; and also tells us that unless an interpreter can convey the meaning of the language being spoken to the hearers, it is only of value to the speaker and God.
ROMANS 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy… or ministry, let us use it in our ministering, he who teaches in teaching, he who exhorts in exhortation, he who gives with liberality, he who leads with diligence, he who shows mercy with cheerfulness
Paul speaking to the Corinthian believers said, that they were to come short in no gift. This does not mean that everyone had the same gift.
1 Corinthians 12:1-7. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
What other gifts were given, and what were they given for?
EPHESIANS 11-12. And He himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
The gifts received by believers, are specifically for the building up of the faithful and to quip them for service.
Does 1 Corinthians 14:2 indicate that speaking in tongues is speaking in a language not known to mankind?
No; a careful reading will confirm that a tongue is a known language.
1CORINTHIANS 14:2 He who speaks in a tongue (a language) does not speak to men (men cannot understand what he is saying, because the language is foreign to them) but to God (because God understands all languages), for no one understands him (the speaker); however, in the spirit he (the speaker) speaks mysteries (things that cannot be understood).
This text tells us that: If a language is not understood by a hearer (man), it is a mystery to him, but God will understand every language. The next four verses (14:3-6) place the gift of prophecy above the gift of tongues; and also tells us that unless an interpreter can convey the meaning of the language being spoken to the hearers, it is only of value to the speaker and God.
1 Corinthians 14:9. So, likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For, you will be speaking into the air.
What is the significance of different languages?
1 CORINTHIANS 14:10-11.There are, ….. so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
When a language is spoken that is unknown to the person listening it will make effective communication is impossible. Different languages can separate people. The only way to understand a foreigner is to have an interpreter.
1 Corinthians 14:13. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
What did Paul say about using a language that could not be understood?
Pau says, 1 Corinthians 14:14-16….If I pray in a tongue, in a language that I don’t understand, my spirit prays…. This is because uttering a foreign language gives me no understanding of what I am praying for, however Paul says the spirit would know. Therefore Paul says in verse 15, that he will pray with the spirit and with understanding. Meaning, he will pray in his own language. He concludes with, if people don’t understand what you are saying, how will they know when to say Amen? And in verse 19 He adds, he would rather speak five words with understanding that he may teach others than ten thousand words in a foreign language that is not understood.
What advice did Paul give in verse 27?
What is the significance of different languages?
1 CORINTHIANS 14:10-11.There are, ….. so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
When a language is spoken that is unknown to the person listening it will make effective communication is impossible. Different languages can separate people. The only way to understand a foreigner is to have an interpreter.
1 Corinthians 14:13. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
What did Paul say about using a language that could not be understood?
Pau says, 1 Corinthians 14:14-16….If I pray in a tongue, in a language that I don’t understand, my spirit prays…. This is because uttering a foreign language gives me no understanding of what I am praying for, however Paul says the spirit would know. Therefore Paul says in verse 15, that he will pray with the spirit and with understanding. Meaning, he will pray in his own language. He concludes with, if people don’t understand what you are saying, how will they know when to say Amen? And in verse 19 He adds, he would rather speak five words with understanding that he may teach others than ten thousand words in a foreign language that is not understood.
What advice did Paul give in verse 27?
He said that if there were multiple languages being spoken then there should only be two or three at the most; each (speaker) in turn, and each (language) being interpreted. But if there were no interpreters available then different languages should not be used. In verse 28, we read that the foreigner could still speak to God in his own language.
No one could appreciate more than Paul the value of having several foreign languages at his command. He was the "apostle to the Gentiles" and needed his gift of languages to communicate with various nationalities. He upholds the gift of tongues, but clearly makes his point, that only what is understood will edify the church.
Is speaking in tongues, the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
No. Speaking in tongues is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the ability to speak in tongues is only one of the gifts that the Holy Spirit imparts to believers. Yet in every true believer the presence of the Holy Spirit should be evident. He comes into the life to comfort, guide, teach, lead, encourage and empower; He gives the gifts He chooses to each believer; and He gives talents to be used in God’s service. A person who is filled with the Holy Spirit will have the qualities (fruits) of the Spirit, which are goodness, righteousness and truth, (Galatians 5:22), love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness and faithfulness, gentleness and self control. (Ephesians 5:9). The evidence of the Holy Spirit in the life is not whether a person speaks in tongues, but whether his life has the "fruits" of the Spirit.
No one could appreciate more than Paul the value of having several foreign languages at his command. He was the "apostle to the Gentiles" and needed his gift of languages to communicate with various nationalities. He upholds the gift of tongues, but clearly makes his point, that only what is understood will edify the church.
Is speaking in tongues, the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
No. Speaking in tongues is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the ability to speak in tongues is only one of the gifts that the Holy Spirit imparts to believers. Yet in every true believer the presence of the Holy Spirit should be evident. He comes into the life to comfort, guide, teach, lead, encourage and empower; He gives the gifts He chooses to each believer; and He gives talents to be used in God’s service. A person who is filled with the Holy Spirit will have the qualities (fruits) of the Spirit, which are goodness, righteousness and truth, (Galatians 5:22), love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness and faithfulness, gentleness and self control. (Ephesians 5:9). The evidence of the Holy Spirit in the life is not whether a person speaks in tongues, but whether his life has the "fruits" of the Spirit.
Through faith in God we receive the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is evident that without the work of the Holy Spirit we could never be sanctified, so that is why we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. He plays an integral part in our salvation.
The Bible frequently speaks of people being filled with the Holy Spirit. -John the Baptist, Zacharias, Jesus, Stephen, the Samaritan believers,Saul.
In none of these cases of the infilling of the Holy Spirit did these persons speak in tongues.
Note:
Paul could speak several languages, but he never used them where they were not needed. He would rather speak five words with his hearers understanding him than 10,000 in a foreign tongue. There is no room here for putting the mind in neutral and letting the tongue idle on.
Tongues were never meant for believers' use, but for taking the gospel to foreigners. Paul makes it clear, that where one's native tongue is understood, the use of foreign languages is unnecessary and to be discouraged.
Paul appeals for an orderly worship service. Everything is to be done for the strengthening of the entire church body. The Bible gift of tongues has its place in saving souls, but in God's church "everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way".
How do we explain the modern day version of speaking in tongues where people make all sorts of unintelligible noises?
Some modern tongue exponents tell of the self-benefit that non-intelligible ecstatic utterance provides. They speak of an experience like an electrical current flooding the body with over-powering emotion. Those experiencing it will feel they have had a wonderful demonstration of the power of God: but this is not so. True Christianity is faith in Christ - not feelings. This kind of “speaking in tongues” is not a gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who trust feeling alone are easily deceived.
The Bible frequently speaks of people being filled with the Holy Spirit. -John the Baptist, Zacharias, Jesus, Stephen, the Samaritan believers,Saul.
In none of these cases of the infilling of the Holy Spirit did these persons speak in tongues.
Note:
Paul could speak several languages, but he never used them where they were not needed. He would rather speak five words with his hearers understanding him than 10,000 in a foreign tongue. There is no room here for putting the mind in neutral and letting the tongue idle on.
Tongues were never meant for believers' use, but for taking the gospel to foreigners. Paul makes it clear, that where one's native tongue is understood, the use of foreign languages is unnecessary and to be discouraged.
Paul appeals for an orderly worship service. Everything is to be done for the strengthening of the entire church body. The Bible gift of tongues has its place in saving souls, but in God's church "everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way".
How do we explain the modern day version of speaking in tongues where people make all sorts of unintelligible noises?
Some modern tongue exponents tell of the self-benefit that non-intelligible ecstatic utterance provides. They speak of an experience like an electrical current flooding the body with over-powering emotion. Those experiencing it will feel they have had a wonderful demonstration of the power of God: but this is not so. True Christianity is faith in Christ - not feelings. This kind of “speaking in tongues” is not a gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who trust feeling alone are easily deceived.
Do not be deceived with the nonsensical babblings being promoted as proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Satan has his counterfeits of all that comes from God. Babbling tongues, hysterical laughing and being slain in the spirit (people falling over), heightened excitement and healings in these settings, are most definitely not the works of the Holy Spirit of God. They are a perversion of the genuine gift given by God at Pentecost.
