The Gift of Speaking in Tongues
What is speaking in tongues? Who is given the gift of speaking in
tongues? This is a very sensitive issue to many Christians, so I will be as
gentle as I can, but I will not tickle the ear but rather, let the
Word of God (Bible) speak as for you to determine what you believe
the truth is.
I have created this Christian Speaking in tongues Bible study delving into the why speak in tongues topic not to attack those who are
running around speaking in what they call "Tongues" nor do I
share this Christian Speaking in tongues Truth because the Bible speaks against them doing so in
the Church, as I believe that he who is not against us is on our side.
I share this study because some of these religious leaders that
choose to use Speaking in Tongues as a centerpiece to their Ministry
have taught their flock that those souls who do not or are unable to
speak in Tongues are not filled with the Holy Spirit therefore are
unworthy of God's Grace.
This is nonsense.
Why Speak in Tongues Now?
If one elects to get upset about that which you will read for
yourself from the Bible because it does not sit well with what man
has taught you ... Take your complaints to the one who inspired Paul,
as I am merely showing you Scripture.
Many like to say that interpretation of God's Word is where the
problem is ... And I say Amen. But, let us not just end it at that and
cover our eyes and ears as many choose to do, in a vain attempt to
defend their fragile faith.
No, that is no way to live by Faith. Let us check the fruits of that
which we believe as to prove all things so that we know that we know
that we know that what we believe ... Is God's Truth.
Christian Speaking in tongues Bible study tidbit of Truth ... We are in agreement that there is an Interpretation problem between
many Christians on this topic, so let us find out where the
interpretation prob is because Paul is more than clear when he shares
on the topic in the Bible. You do not need to be a rocket scientist
to discern these simple yet powerful words that he has shared with us.
Here is Truth ... Speaking in Tongues is a Spiritual gift. However, speaking in Tongues is something that is misunderstood by
many (no pun intended). First off, what is speaking in Tongues? Speaking in Tongues is a
spiritual gift, given by the Holy Spirit. The whole purpose of
speaking in Tongues to a group is for the Holy Spirit to speak thru a
vessel to said group of people as for them to comprehend what the
Holy Spirit is saying for these souls to learn Truth.
Let's look at the first time this mysterious spiritual gift of
Christian speaking in Tongues was used:
Acts 2:4-11
4 And they were all [the disciples] 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?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of
Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our
tongues the wonderful works of God.
Why Speak in Tongues - Speaking in Tongues Bible Study Vow
Speaking in Tongues Bible Verses Promise
They were speaking in Tongues which is a universal language which all
men and women could hear and understand.
Let's take a little Christian speaking in Tongues Bible study field trip back in time ...
Long ago all men spoke this same universal language. But God
"confounded" the language and now there are many languages.
Genesis 11:1-9
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one
speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east,
that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick,
and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had
they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a
tower, whose top may reach unto Heaven; and let us make us a name,
lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower,
which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they
have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing
will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let Us go
down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand
one another's speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the
face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the
Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and
from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the
earth.
So, we see that the gift of speaking in Tongues was used for those
who were in need of sharing the Truth of the Gospel to a crowd of
people who speak various languages.
Today, there are many people who speak more than one language but
there are also those who interpret different languages. Today, the
Bible is translated into every language known to man, whereas back in
Biblical times, the availability of the written Word in different
languages was quite scarce, if it was even available at all, so the
need for speaking in Tongues was much greater at that time because
you were speaking to many different languages at the same time.
Why Speak in Tongues - Speaking in Tongues Bible Study Woe
Speaking in Tongues Bible Verses Concern
Not every Christian possesses the gift of speaking in Tongues. Nor
was every Christian ever intended to.
Paul explained that we are many parts, but one body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would
not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these
dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking
by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say
that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities [many different types
and levels] of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but
the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the
same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every
man to profit withal [given as needed to profit the cause].
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the
gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another
prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers
kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit,
dividing to every man severally as he will.
Notice that the gifts aren't all given to each Christian, but
distributed as God deems needed. One gift to one and another gift to
another. Nor does it say that the gift of Tongues (or any other gift)
is given to all.
Why Speak in Tongues - Speaking in Tongues Bible Study Fear
Speaking in Tongues Bible Verses Warning
Here is a quick Christian Speaking in tongues Bible study fact ... There are some congregations where speaking in Tongues is a regular
practice, and they believe that if you've never spoken in Tongues, you
must not be saved yet. And they'll try and con-vince you that you're
missing something, that you're Spiritually incomplete if you've never
spoken in Tongues. This simply isn't Truth.
Imagine how many souls are sitting there babbling away so that those
next to them will think they are Speaking in Tongues but when they
leave and are all alone, they know it was not real so they feel
inadequate.
Where is God's Grace and Love in this? Why would some Christians and even some Christian leaders tell others that if they do not speak in Tongues that they are not Christian? It is because of something that Jesus said about speaking in Tongues:
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover.
Does this mean that all those that follow Jesus will have all of
these gifts? I mean I see very few Christians walking around doing
all of these things.
No, these are just some of the various gifts that Christians
will have if needed just as Paul shared with us above in 1 Corinthians
12:1-11.
Their Christian Speaking in tongues Bible interpretation suggests that if we, as Christians, don't each
one of us at some point in our Christian walk speak in Tongues, that
we are not believers? God forbid ... That would suggest that each
Christian that does not cast out devils, play with snakes, drink
poison, and heal the sick are not believers, are not worthy of the
comfort of the Holy Spirit and will go to hell.
Jesus never said that. It is a misinterpretation on the part of those
who would suggest that if one does not speak in Tongues that the
person is not a Christian.
Hopefully this Christian Speaking in tongues Bible study has put your mind at ease now if you're not gifted with speaking
in Tongues, or did not understand someone who claimed to be speaking
in Tongues.
If you are a Christian and do not speak in Tongues ... It simply means
that speaking in Tongues isn't the gift that the Holy Spirit gave to
you as it would not be needed in your Ministry and/or your Christian
walk (at least not up to this point).
If speaking in Tongues isn't a gift that the Holy Spirit has bestowed
on you, it doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you. It
doesn't mean that you're a spiritual nit wit, or inadequate, and it
certainly doesn't mean that you're not saved if you don't speak in
Tongues.
Because our loving Lord, Jesus also said ...
Matthew 13:3-4, 19
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying,
Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and
the fowls came and devoured them up:
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and
understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away
that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by
the way side.
Why Speak in Tongues - Speaking in Tongues Bible Study Facts
Speaking in Tongues Bible Verses Danger
Ask yourself this Christian Speaking in tongues question ... If these individuals who are standing
before a congregation and start speaking gibberish and say this is
speaking in Tongues and the audience does not understand what in the
world they are saying ... What good is it for the flock?
Again, the gift of speaking in Tongues is for those who are in
need of sharing the Truth of the Gospel to a crowd of people who
speak various languages.
Which brings up an interesting Christian Speaking in tongues Bible study trivia question ... Why would a person claiming to be of God speak in Tongues to an audience that will not understand? Paul addressed this very issue. I'd like to show you some of the things that Paul wrote concerning speaking in Tongues.
1 Corinthains 14:1-9
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?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe
or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it
be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words
easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye
shall speak into the air.
Why Speak in Tongues - Speaking in Tongues Bible Study Hope
Speaking in Tongues Bible Verses Shame
It sounds like even in Paul's day, people were pretending to speak in
Tongues too, because they wanted the people to think them more than
they were.
1 Corinthians 14:10-14
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the
world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I
shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh
shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual
gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue
pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth,
but my understanding is unfruitful.
Did you catch that? If you speak in Tongues, you yourself don't
understand what you're saying, because it is your spirit that is
speaking.
1 Corinthians 14:15-19
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I
will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit,
and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall
he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of
thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is
not edified.
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.
Amen ... It is better to share Truth and be understood by those
present than to speak thousands of words and nobody have any idea
what you are talking about. Paul closes the debate with these words:
1 Corinthians 14:22-28
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.
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.
How and Why Speak in Tongues - Speaking in Tongues Bible Study
Speaking in Tongues Bible Verses Today
So we are not to forbid others to speak in tongues
but they should do so to and for God and not in the Church and if they
do speak in tongues to a group be sure the audience understands by
using an interpreter and never tell other Christians that they are
deemed as unbelievers if they do not speak in tongues.
Again ... The gift of speaking in Tongues in a group was used for
those who are in need of sharing the Truth of the Gospel to a crowd of
people who speak various languages. It is now to be used to as a
private language between God and man and should not be used to edify
oneself by speaking it in Church or where others are present unless
you can interpret it for others which if ya think about it ... Is what
we are to be doing when we are sharing God's Word.
So, if you are one of the many Christian souls that have been told
by or ever hear a Christian or a Christian leader say that if you do
not speak in Tongues, you are not a believer or you are not filled
with the Holy Spirit and they try and quote our loving Lord, Jesus who
died for our sins as the source of this ridiculous claim when He said
...
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they
drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay
hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
You just tell them that if their interpretation of our Loving Lord is
Truth ... You wanna see them drink a little poison as they juggle a
rattler and a cobra while speaking in Tongues.
Tsk Tsk ... The gifts are given as they are needed.
Contrary to popular trends, as you read in the Scriptures provided
above the Bible says that the Church is not the place to be speaking
in Tongues unless there is an interpreter which makes very good sense
because nobody understands what is being said.
Here is something to ponder ... If one can interpret the words, why
even waste the time of speaking in tongues, why not just speak it
clearly in the first place so all can understand unless the man or
woman who is claiming to speak in Tongues.
It has been made clear in the Bible that Speaking in Tongues is
either to speak to a group of people of various languages ... Or to
speak to God in private.
Otherwise it is being used to edify only self.
I am no man's judge so it matters little to me if people run around
in Church speaking in what sounds like Gibberish but something Paul
said comes to mind and heart ...
Why Speak in Tongues - Speaking in Tongues Bible Study Summary
Speaking in Tongues Bible Verses Conclusion
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?
Where is the sharing of Truth in this?
I realize that because of the way many were taught, these words are
hard to swallow. But one thing you must remember is to never trust
man's word. No, not mine either, without first confirming what is
said in the Word of God (Bible).
The problem is ... You just did.
Now comes the time of choice.
