Ever since the first known occurrence on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4) people have always questioned the existence of tongues. They started off trying to bury it saying, “…their drunk that’s all” (Acts 2:13) No one could understand how these people spoke in languages of man that the speakers had not been taught. Because they didn’t understand it they didn’t believe it was real. That is the problem we still face today. But the believer must know tongues are a mystery between the believer and God. Tongues are defined in 1 Corinthians 14:2 as being a mystery between the believer and God no one else can understand it. It is not of the Devil and it has not ceased. There is no way to argue that it is.
Because tongues is a mystery between the believer and God it is necessary to point out that one of the biggest defenses of tongues is that it is only of the Devil. (David Steward, Jesus-) There is a way to now if some is of the Devil or not, according to 1 Corinthians 12:3. “ So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. “(NLT)
If a born again believer is speaking in tongues, he cannot curse Jesus’ name. However, if he does, he is not speaking by the Holy Spirit. Luke shows that if the believer asks God for the Holy Spirit he will not give the believer evil. Nor will he give you the Devil.
11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:11-13
David M. Pizzimenti in his book Tongues Scriptural Answer to Common Objections says “In the Scripture Jesus gave an answer that will dispel all fear and apprehension.” The answer that Jesus gives ensures the safety of receiving the Holy Spirit without fear of having a demon putting in its own spirit. Knowing that the Devil doesn’t know what you’re saying. However tongues is not a means to battle the Devil. “I don’t do anything I don’t have scripture evidence for. ..“ (Hagin p. 252). If anything is not backed up by scripture it is unwise to follow it. Instead tongues are a means of spiritual edification. Jude 20 says. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
How do we know that this scripture is talking about praying in tongues? Let’s take another look at 1 Corinthians 14:4 “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…” The word edify means to “build up”. So from this we know that tongues are for building us up. Which means it is not building up others. Which is what Paul is speaking of in 1 Corinthians 14: he says “But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in a unknown language. “(1 Corinthians 14:19) In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul is correcting the believers because they all came together in a Church speaking tongues which would confuse anyone who does not speak in tongues. In vs 40 Paul says, “But be sure that everything is done properly and in Order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) If things are done in a orderly way and tongues are interpreted when needed, than it is correct; otherwise tongues is there to edify to build up you.
Tongues have ceased! The mistake many have brought themselves to believe is that tongues has ceased. But evidence shows tongues are still active in the churches today. Let’s take a look at both tongues having ceased and is tongues for everyone because they go hand in hand. Taking another look at Jude this time vs 1, “I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.” Jude was speaking to all who are called by God which is all believers and in verse 20 says “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” So what Jude is saying is that all believers should pray in the power of the Holy Ghost!
Mark 16:17-18 says “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages, they will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and they will be healed.”
In this Mark also says that these signs will accompany all those who believe. One of those being they will speak in new languages.
Now let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] 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. 5 There 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: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into[c] one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best[d] gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Often readers want to say that Paul here is talking about how tongues aren’t for everyone. But what Paul is talking about is that tongues are not for the whole church to use in a church meeting.
“Tongue speaking is not something that edifies the church!” (Ian Boyne, Speaking in tongues)
It’s there to edify you.
What is tongues?
There are two different types of tongues. 1 “dialektos"/dialect many languages of man – is spoken of at the day of Pentecost as the spirit of God fell on them allowing them all to understand each other’s languages. 2. Is “Glossolalia” found in 1 Corinthians 12 as a Spiritual Gift but also in 1 Corinthians 14:2 when it says “For if your gift is the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking to God but not to people for they will not be able to understand you, you will be talking by the power of the Spirit but it’ll all be mysterious.”
Has tongues ceased?
In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 does tell us tongues, prophecy, and knowledge will cease. Many believe it has already done so. But if 1 Corinthians 13:10 tells us “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” The Bible can’t be that which is perfect because it is talking about the spiritual gifts and only that who gives us the spiritual gifts can be perfect. This clearly shows us that these things will not be done away with until Jesus comes back. For that is when partial things will no longer be needed. And to show us this 1 Corinthians 13:12 does show us “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” That’ll it’ll be face to face that we see Christ before these things will cease. In other words tongues will not cease until they have fulfilled their purpose.
What is their purpose?
The purpose of tongues falls within the purpose of the Spiritual gifts. What is this purpose of the spiritual gifts? You find the gifts purpose is to build up the body for without one gift the body functions differently. But tongues is also there to edify you. “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself” 1 Corinthians 14:4.
When you speak in front of the Church with tongues and it is to be interpreted that is so it can edify the Congregation.
Is tongues for everyone/can everyone receive it?
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19: 5-6
This scripture shows us that Paul laid his hands on 12 men and they began to prophecy and speak in tongues. Because the Holy Spirit, the anointing came on them.
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Acts 10: 44-46
This shows us that anyone can receive it.
Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”
When someone begins to speak in other tongues can you really object to its existence?
I have heard it asked. How can you be sure it isn’t just emotional babbling? That’s the same as what the crowd in Acts 2 saying they were just drunk!
The deal is they are either speaking tongues or not. If the Holy Spirit is on them its tongues.
Take a look at all 9 Spiritual Gifts to really answer the question 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.[c] 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages,[d] while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
I might write about this later to better understand this but can we not all use each of these..Can we all not be wise..Proverbs..Jeremiah…different places says we can all we have to do is ask. That is the same for all the gifts we must ask. We aren’t going to have the full extent of the gifts themselves but rather the anointing that comes from them as the Holy Spirit falls on us. But you must ask and believe which is how faith works.
Theres more I can say more verses I could use but I don’t think I need to right now maybe I will add more as I go.
Because tongues is a mystery between the believer and God it is necessary to point out that one of the biggest defenses of tongues is that it is only of the Devil. (David Steward, Jesus-) There is a way to now if some is of the Devil or not, according to 1 Corinthians 12:3. “ So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. “(NLT)
If a born again believer is speaking in tongues, he cannot curse Jesus’ name. However, if he does, he is not speaking by the Holy Spirit. Luke shows that if the believer asks God for the Holy Spirit he will not give the believer evil. Nor will he give you the Devil.
11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:11-13
David M. Pizzimenti in his book Tongues Scriptural Answer to Common Objections says “In the Scripture Jesus gave an answer that will dispel all fear and apprehension.” The answer that Jesus gives ensures the safety of receiving the Holy Spirit without fear of having a demon putting in its own spirit. Knowing that the Devil doesn’t know what you’re saying. However tongues is not a means to battle the Devil. “I don’t do anything I don’t have scripture evidence for. ..“ (Hagin p. 252). If anything is not backed up by scripture it is unwise to follow it. Instead tongues are a means of spiritual edification. Jude 20 says. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
How do we know that this scripture is talking about praying in tongues? Let’s take another look at 1 Corinthians 14:4 “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…” The word edify means to “build up”. So from this we know that tongues are for building us up. Which means it is not building up others. Which is what Paul is speaking of in 1 Corinthians 14: he says “But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in a unknown language. “(1 Corinthians 14:19) In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul is correcting the believers because they all came together in a Church speaking tongues which would confuse anyone who does not speak in tongues. In vs 40 Paul says, “But be sure that everything is done properly and in Order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) If things are done in a orderly way and tongues are interpreted when needed, than it is correct; otherwise tongues is there to edify to build up you.
Tongues have ceased! The mistake many have brought themselves to believe is that tongues has ceased. But evidence shows tongues are still active in the churches today. Let’s take a look at both tongues having ceased and is tongues for everyone because they go hand in hand. Taking another look at Jude this time vs 1, “I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.” Jude was speaking to all who are called by God which is all believers and in verse 20 says “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” So what Jude is saying is that all believers should pray in the power of the Holy Ghost!
Mark 16:17-18 says “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages, they will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and they will be healed.”
In this Mark also says that these signs will accompany all those who believe. One of those being they will speak in new languages.
Now let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] 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. 5 There 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: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into[c] one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best[d] gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Often readers want to say that Paul here is talking about how tongues aren’t for everyone. But what Paul is talking about is that tongues are not for the whole church to use in a church meeting.
“Tongue speaking is not something that edifies the church!” (Ian Boyne, Speaking in tongues)
It’s there to edify you.
What is tongues?
There are two different types of tongues. 1 “dialektos"/dialect many languages of man – is spoken of at the day of Pentecost as the spirit of God fell on them allowing them all to understand each other’s languages. 2. Is “Glossolalia” found in 1 Corinthians 12 as a Spiritual Gift but also in 1 Corinthians 14:2 when it says “For if your gift is the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking to God but not to people for they will not be able to understand you, you will be talking by the power of the Spirit but it’ll all be mysterious.”
Has tongues ceased?
In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 does tell us tongues, prophecy, and knowledge will cease. Many believe it has already done so. But if 1 Corinthians 13:10 tells us “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” The Bible can’t be that which is perfect because it is talking about the spiritual gifts and only that who gives us the spiritual gifts can be perfect. This clearly shows us that these things will not be done away with until Jesus comes back. For that is when partial things will no longer be needed. And to show us this 1 Corinthians 13:12 does show us “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” That’ll it’ll be face to face that we see Christ before these things will cease. In other words tongues will not cease until they have fulfilled their purpose.
What is their purpose?
The purpose of tongues falls within the purpose of the Spiritual gifts. What is this purpose of the spiritual gifts? You find the gifts purpose is to build up the body for without one gift the body functions differently. But tongues is also there to edify you. “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself” 1 Corinthians 14:4.
When you speak in front of the Church with tongues and it is to be interpreted that is so it can edify the Congregation.
Is tongues for everyone/can everyone receive it?
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19: 5-6
This scripture shows us that Paul laid his hands on 12 men and they began to prophecy and speak in tongues. Because the Holy Spirit, the anointing came on them.
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Acts 10: 44-46
This shows us that anyone can receive it.
Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”
When someone begins to speak in other tongues can you really object to its existence?
I have heard it asked. How can you be sure it isn’t just emotional babbling? That’s the same as what the crowd in Acts 2 saying they were just drunk!
The deal is they are either speaking tongues or not. If the Holy Spirit is on them its tongues.
Take a look at all 9 Spiritual Gifts to really answer the question 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.[c] 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages,[d] while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
I might write about this later to better understand this but can we not all use each of these..Can we all not be wise..Proverbs..Jeremiah…different places says we can all we have to do is ask. That is the same for all the gifts we must ask. We aren’t going to have the full extent of the gifts themselves but rather the anointing that comes from them as the Holy Spirit falls on us. But you must ask and believe which is how faith works.
Theres more I can say more verses I could use but I don’t think I need to right now maybe I will add more as I go.
