Should man be speaking in tongues in the church? Many believe that speaking in tongues is no longer for man, that it was just a thing for the apostles and early Christians. That is not the TRUTH.
The gift of
tongues is often misunderstood by so many because when they think of the gift
of tongues they think it is one thing when in fact there are different types of
tongues. There is a tongue of men,
which is simply different languages and then there is a heavenly tongue, the
tongue of angels or you could say the language of angels.
1 Corintians 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
and have not charity, I am
become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The bible
teaches us that one sign when we have received the Holy Ghost is the evidence
of speaking in tongues. In other words,
speaking in tongues is a sign that the Holy Ghost has come upon you. This is
the type of tongue that was spoken on the Day of Pentacost.
The deciples
were told in Acts 1 to tarry for the promise:
Acts 1:4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they
should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,
which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
For John truly
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days
hence.
In Chapter 2 they received the
promise. The Holy Ghost with the evidence
of speaking in tongues! This type of
tongues is simply another language other than the one you normally speak. It's the language of heaven. For instance you may speak English, but when you speak in
the heavenly language, then those around you can understand you even if they don't speak the same earthly language that you speak! This is the "Gift of Tongues".
Acts 2
And when the day of Pentecost was fully
come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all
the house where they were sitting.
3 And there
appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them.
4 And they were
all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were
dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this
was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were
all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these
which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear
we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
We are taught in Mark that one of the signs of a believer is
speaking in tongues.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Man cannot have power over the devil in
himself. It takes the Holy Ghost to
bring the power to cast out a devil.
The gift of tongues may be used here when the Holy Ghost speaks through
man and speaks directly to the evil spirit.
The evil spirit has no power against the Holy Ghost.
This is a heavenly language that no man can interpret unless he has the gift of interpretation. I believe this is the type of tongue that Paul is speaking about
in 1 Corinthians 14. He calls it an
unknown tongue. When they spoke on the
day of Pentacost it was in other tongues, a heavenly language that could be understood by people of other nationalities. That is why in verse
two Paul tells us that no man understandeth him, it is not a language of this
world and only someone with the gift of interpretation can understand it. That is why you should always pray for the
gift of interpretation so that you might be able to give the message to the
church if the Holy Ghost speaks and brings a message forth. Paul calls it an unknown tongue many times,
this tells you that it’s not any known language.
1 Corinthians 14:2
For
he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:
for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:4
He
that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.
1Corinthians 14:13
Wherefore
let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may
interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:14
For
if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but
my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Corinthians 14:19
Yet
in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my
voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:27
If
any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at
the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:28
But if there be no interpreter, let him
keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Verse 28 is the one that often confuses most people because they
think of tongues as just one thing and don’t realize there are different kinds
of tongues.
It is my opinion that Paul is not saying you can’t speak in tongues
in the church, rather he is telling you to speak to God. In other words, when you are praying and the
spirit takes over and you begin praying
in tongues, you are speaking directly to God, not to
the church. When the Holy Ghost comes
upon you with a message for the church there is a different tone to the
message. Usually when he, the Holy
Ghost starts to speak, everyone becomes silent and when he is done someone will
stand and interpret what he said. I say
he because whether it’s a man or a woman that is giving the message in tongues
it is not the person speaking, it is the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost is a he,
the third person of the trinity.
Romans 8:8 teaches us that in the flesh, we cannot please God.
Roman 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh
cannot please God.
Therefore, the spirit, the Holy Ghost will help us in our prayer
lives by praying for us directly to God the Father.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the
saints according to the will of God.
Paul taught us in Ephesians that we
should pray always in the spirit and in the spirit make known the gospel.
Ephesians 6:18-19 Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given
unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the
gospel,
Finally and probably most important of
all, Jude taught us to remember the words of the apostles. They warned the people that in the last days
that Christians would be mocked for what they believed in, but he still told
them in verse 20 to pray in the Holy Ghost.
If we fail to believe and pray in the spirit then our spirit never gets
to talk directly to God the Father. This my friend the what the devil
ultimately wants for all mankind, that they do not talk directly to God the
Father.
Jude 1:17-21
But, beloved, remember ye the words
which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be
mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These be they who separate themselves,
sensual, having not the Spirit.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves
on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
I have another post on Spiritual Gifts that goes along with this one. Click the link here or below to read it.
Kathy Wellman
Reference: King James Bible
