In this study we are going to look at tongues. Many churches use
tongues in their worship but is this what God wants?
1 Corinthians 14
1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather
that ye may prophesy.
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.
3) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort.
4) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but
he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5) I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye
prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that
speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may
receive edifying.
6) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what
shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by
revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
Paul tells us he wishes that we all spake in tongues but rather
that we prophesy. Why is this? He that speaketh in tongues
speaketh not unto men but unto God. This does not edify the
church. it edifies the man. We go to church to worship God not
to elevate ourselves.
Another problem with speaking in tongues in a church setting is
that when it is done it is rarely done in the proper manner.
26) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one
of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a
revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
edifying.
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.
28) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the
church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
When you do speak in tongues it should be two or three at the
most and it should only be done if there is someone who can
interpret. If you have no interpreter you should be silent. This
rarely ever happens. If you speak in tongues and do not follow
this guideline you are in error.
What are tongues anyway? Tongues are a discernible language. A
tongue is not gibberish of garbled words. Gibberish only causes
confusion, God is not the author of confusion.
33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in
all churches of the saints.
The two words that are translated tongues in the New Testament
are.
Glossa - a language; one naturally unaquired (a foreign
language) Heteroglossos - man of other tongue
In most places where tongues are discussed it means a foreign
language. This is why Paul said he spoke more tongues than all.
He spoke many languages.
18) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
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.
20) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in
malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Notice he says in the church it is better to speak five words
with understanding than ten thousand in a tongue nobody
understands. Speaking in a manner nobody understands is of no
benefit.
21) In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and
other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that
will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22) Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe,
but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for
them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23) If therefore the whole church be come together into one
place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that
are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24) But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth
not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of
all:
25) And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so
falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that
God is in you of a truth.
Here we are told why we should not speak tongues in the church.
If an unbeliever comes in he will think your crazy. That person
didn’t have the chance to receive God’s word because you are
speaking gibberish. However, if you prophecy an unbeliever
coming in is convinced of all because you are in harmony.
Tongues do not belong in the church unless you’re teaching
peoples of another language. Then it should only be done with an
interpreter so all are edified.
Acts 2
1) 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?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were
born?
I know it is commonly taught that those who are speaking in
tongues are filled with the Holy Spirit. I am not denying that
the tongues that were spoken on the day of Pentecost were of the
Holy Spirit. However, when these tongues were spoken every man
heard the tongue in his own language. It wasn’t a foreign
language like Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 14:18 or a bunch
of gibberish that no one could understand. What we see today
does little more than elevate the person who is supposedly
filled with the Holy Spirit. Obviously they are not or everyone
would know what they are saying. This is a very simple teaching
that everyone can understand. We hope you have found this study
helpful. God Bless!
This article courtesy of The Rapture Rebuttal
www.rapturerebuttal.com