The spiritual gift of tongues can be defined as a supernatural ability to speak a language the speaker has not learned. The typical practice found in most charismatic churches consists of men and women speaking indistinguishable, indiscernible, “unknown” tongues. These unknown tongues are often considered heavenly or angelic languages. It is my opinion that there is no Biblical warrant for this practice. An honest, careful study of scripture demonstrates that the spiritual gift of tongues incorporates true human languages, and not ecstatic speech, gibberish, or glossolalia.
Over emphasizing the speaking in tongues is another misuse prevalent in many churches today. Tongues should not be the primary focus of a church. It is also not a sign of salvation. It is not an evidence of Spirit baptism. It is not a means of edification.
Chapter fourteen of First Corinthians is the most in-depth doctrinal discourse on the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. Let’s walk through it, verse by verse, to see what the Bible actually teaches.
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Here Paul is contrasting speaking in tongues to prophesy. Prophesy is to be sought above tongues (vs1) because it edifies the church. The purpose of all the spiritual gifts is the building-up of the church for the common good (1 Cor.
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
The spiritual manifestation of tongues is positive and useful if there is an interpretation so that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 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.
Ecstatic speech and speaking nonsensical sounds is simply is vanity (speaking into the air). The moder
n version of speaking in tongues experienced in many churches does not produce clear, intelligible sounds. The genuine gift of tongues is like a musical instrument producing distinct sounds and tones. Counterfeit tongues is unclear, meaningless, and indistinct, much like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.. 11 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.
Word have meaning. Languages have meaning. Ecstatic and nonsensical gibberish does
not.
12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church….
Paul reinforces the principal that spiritual gifts are for the benefit of the church as a whole, not the gifted individual.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Unfruitful is not good. What is the outcome of praying with an unfruitful mind? (Vanity?) What virtue is there in praying and praising God without understanding? What benefit for the speaker or for others is derived without any understanding?
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue
Genuine tongues is a positive gift. Yet even ten-thousand words in an unknown, untranslated tongue is inferior to five intelligent words of instruction.
21 In the law it is written:
“ With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”
says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
Isaiah 28:11-12 states that one day the Lord would use men of other tongues (foreigners speaking other languages) as a sign of judgment against unbelieving
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
to be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment