Speaking in Tongues - What is the real truth about tongue? Foreign language, Heavenly language or both?
Dear Christian,
I was listening to your audio message about speaking in tongues. I believe it was a month ago I want to share few thoughts from the word of God.
I don't want to judge any particular group, but the bible warns us to be careful of false teachers and doctrines.
1 Timothy 1:3
3 As I urged you when I went into
There is a lot of ignorance and emotionalism when it comes to issues of tongues.
After studying the Bible about this issue I came to the following conclusion.
So what is the real truth about speaking in tongues ?
Can we go by experience and feelings or do we go by the Word of God? The only way to find the truth to these questions of course has to be the Bible and the Bible alone. There is no other way. Everything we need to know for our Christian life can be found in the Word of God , and if it is not clearly taught in God’s Word, then we should not follow it lest we be deceived. The Bible warns us often of this fact.
In this document we will cover pertinent aspects of speaking in tongues from the Bible alone. We will not be going by experiences, feelings or so called “physical evidence.” We cannot afford to adopt an interpretation which demands a change in God’s Word. It is our interpretation that should change if necessary to fit the Bible – not the Bible changed to fit our interpretation. Since the enemy can and does counterfeit miracles of God we must follow the scriptures only.
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Many Christians that practice speaking in tongues as we see it today exclaim it is not possible for this feeling not to be from God. They make this statement with absolute confidence as if it is totally impossible for them to be deceived despite the fact that Jesus Himself warns us ever so clearly that even the elect can be deceived.
Matthew 24:24 says, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
We must also heed the following warning;
1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God…”
Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”
It was this very prophecy you will recall, that Peter quoted on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21) but its completed and final fulfillment still awaits us when God cuts short His work in righteousness in “a short work” (Romans 9:28) in the last days when in tremendous power the whole earth will be “lightened with his glory” and the message of God is represented as crying “mightily with a strong voice.” (Revelation 18:1-2)
The people that spoke in Acts 2:1-12 they all spoke in known tongues and people understood and praised God. In Acts chapter two we have the first and most significant mention of speaking in tongues.
How were the Apostles to preach the Gospel to every nation?
It was by one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit – the gift of speaking in tongues. This is the entire purpose of the gifts of the Spirit – to benefit all for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
It is obvious from this passage, in Acts chapter two, that all of these people from many different countries were hearing the Gospel in their own language for their nation. The languages in which the disciples were speaking were known foreign languages and dialects, not unintelligible mutterings. And they were amazed that these Galileans, uneducated in the “proper” schools, and all from a lower class of society, could speak these foreign languages.
Luke is emphasizing to the reader that the miraculous gift of speaking in other languages at Pentecost was the ability to speak, articulate, intelligible, foreign languages which had not been learned previously and were not learned at that time.
The gift of speaking in tongues (languages) was instant and spontaneous and not “learned.” As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:7, the gifts of the spirit were for the benefit and growth of the whole Church and here we see no better demonstration on how speaking in tongues not only benefited the Church, but made it grow at a phenomenal rate and no assumptions are required.
Acts 2 – The Holy Spirit comes to Jews
Acts 8 - The Holy Spirit comes to Samaritans (half Jew/half Gentile)
Acts 10- The Holy Spirit comes to Gentiles
Acts 19 - The Holy Spirit comes to believers from the OT economy (some of the Baptist's followers).
Therefore, all four groups in the world already received the The Holy Spirit. From then on it is all one way people receive Him - by faith through belief. Transition period it was, and now there is only one way to receive Him by faith at salvation.
When I hear today people speaking in tongues in their meetings, the first question we should ask, do we need to speak in tongues when all the people that are gathered speak the same language i.e Armenian, Arabic, English,…and easily can communicate the message of the bible in their own language.
Take this example:
If someone is in
There were many languages and God wanted these people to hear the message in their own languages.
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;”
This statement made by Jesus to His Apostles on the gift of speaking in tongues is in the context of the Great Commission, to preach the gospel to the whole world, to every creature. Jesus' disciples were to receive the power of the gift of the Holy Spirit and they were to proclaim the Good News of what Jesus had achieved for all mankind, first in
Mark 16:20 “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.”
Hebrews 2:3-4
3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
God used world tongues (unknown to the speaker and even most of times to hearers which needed interpretation), along with sign, wonders, and miracles to substantiate the proclamation of the gospel during the church's infancy and subsequent growth - Heb. 2: one of the first verses in that chapter.
Therefore, once the church got going, there is no more "dependent" need for such gifts in the same way they were needed in the first century.
If you notice verse 4 in Heb 2 it is in past tense God also testified to it by signs,. It is important to know this. Today there are different translation of the bible in this way people can understand and see who Jesus is and come to salvation.
What about “unknown languages”
Now that we saw from the bible that these languages that the first century Christians spoke was known to the hearers, Charismatic/Pentecostal groups claim that the language that they speak is ‘unknown’ so they don’t need to translate, they claim it is prayer language or Angelic language. They base their argument on such verses as I Cor 13:1; I Cor 14; and Rom 8:26.
Let us look at this argument:
1 Corinthians 13
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1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
Human and angelic languages are known languages (1 Cor. 13:1). Please notice the use of the plural for both groups of beings. Keep also in mind that each time the angels spoke in the Bible , it was a known world language to the hearers.
The bible states the tongues is a sign for the unbelieving, not the believing. Tongues is not a heavenly language, tongues is plural meaning more than one language, if it was heavenly it would be only one language and it would be called the gift of tongue. And the apostles were given this gift to preach to other foreign language speaking areas without having to learn them for a sign and testament of them being commissioned by God.
Rom 8:26
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26 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.
Romans 8:26 is not a reference about praying in tongues since it is the Holy Spirit who is doing the intercessory praying on our behalf, and not us doing the praying. Then what about the "groanings which cannot be uttered?"
Tongues are uttered the groanings are the Holy Spirit's and not ours.
Many associate the word utterance with uttering, as in quiet mutterings as seen in much of the tongue speaking today. But the word translated “utterance” in Rom 8:26 actually means “to speak out loudly and clearly” or “to speak with emphasis.” Strong’s gives this definition: “apophtheggomai” pronounced “ap-of-theng'-om-ahee” From G575 and G5350; to enunciate plainly, that is, declare: - say, speak forth, utterance.
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1 Cor 14
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
As we can see here tongues are unknown languages to the speaker but not to the hearer.” he utters mysteries with his spirit.”
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
You see here speaking in tongues is plural (Armenian, Arabic, Hindu…)
Unless he interprets these tongues which can be interpreted and should be interpreted according to this verse.
Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
The conclusion of this verse is for this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Notice it is plural here many tongues languages.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers;
Today some Christian groups speak in tongues in their prayer meetings.
All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter; the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
Interpret what is spoken in a known tongue.
39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Notice it is plural here many tongues languages.
So was the gift of speaking in tongues for the benefit of the Church? Was it a sign to unbelievers as Paul said? Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:22
“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…”
What Paul is saying is that tongues are a sign to unbelievers who are moved when they hear the gospel spoken in their tongue by men who had never learned or understood it. This is exactly what happened at Pentecost. They were all amazed when they heard these unlearned Galileans speaking in their own native tongue. So did the gift benefit the Church? We find the answer revealed towards the end of chapter two.
Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Note the word “gave” in verse Acts 2:4 denotes a gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of speaking in tongues is not a learned experience. This is in contrast to the common practice in Pentecostal and the Charismatic meetings where they are taught or instructed how to receive the gift of tongue speaking. When the true gift of tongues is given, no prompting or teaching is required, it just happens naturally by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
In the very book we see the Church established, we also see the first use of speaking in tongues and being used for that very purpose. Every mention is a known language for the purpose of taking the Gospel to every nation. It is never introduced as a personal communication language with God.
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