Tongues as a sign
Our first observation is that all through the book of Acts, the manifestation of tongues required no interpretation, and all of them were languages known to the hearers. The first occurrence is Ac. 2:3-6:
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.This was the event now known as Pentecost, the inaugural outpouring of the Holy Spirit. A large crowd heard what was happening and gathered to see what this remarkable commotion was about. We note here that many nations were gathered, and they all heard the glories of God in their own language, so there could have been hundreds of languages being spoken. And no interpretation of these tongues was required.
As we continue reading the account, we find the crowd wondering what this meant. Ac. 2:11-21:
...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!Peter explained why this is happening:
16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “`In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ [Joel 2:28-32]This event was the fulfillment of a prophecy spoken hundreds of years ago. But it's interesting that on one hand Peter noted the pouring of of the Holy Spirit on all people, yet on the other hand did not actually understand the connection to the gentiles. It took a vision with a sheet descending from heaven for him to learn that the Holy Spirit was intended for more than the Jews. But even that wasn't sufficient for him, for Paul tells us in Galatians chapter 2 that he opposed Peter to his face. Even with an incredible event, and then a later vision, Peter still had to be confronted by Paul about his racism.
But regardless, we have God's purpose for these tongues. They were a sign that salvation is available to all men. A better covenant had arrived, where everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This kind of tongues was a specific sign to the apostles that God's purpose was farther reaching than they thought.
We find later that subsequent manifestations of tongues in Acts further demonstrated this concept. Ac. 10:44-47:
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”Interestingly, it's now the gentile believers who were speaking in tongues, not the disciples themselves! And again, no interpretation. The apostles are starting to realize that the move of God is for all, not just the Jews.
The next occurrence indicates the disciples are wising up to this, because now Paul asks if they've received the Holy Spirit. Ac. 19:1-7:
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.Not only did they speak in tongues, they prophesied. Interesting. More than tongues, now prophecy as well. And Paul placed his hands on them for them to receive these manifestations. Paul is clearly connecting tongues, and now prophecy, to the move of the Holy Spirit.
This is the last mention of tongues in Acts. All these manifestations were connected to the idea that the Holy Spirit is available to all believers, and it was desirable, even necessary, for them to have Him. The evidence of this was tongues and prophecy.
Tongues as a spiritual gift
Now we move on to the way tongues (and prophecy) manifest in the gathering of the saints. 1Co. 12:7-11:
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.Paul is describing how the body needs to work together in all the gifts. Paul is trying to tell us that these are necessary things for the body to work properly. And here is the first mention of the gift of interpretation. Up until now, tongues was a sign of the Holy Spirit given to all the nations; now the gift of tongues is at work in the church. The Holy Spirit is the one who determines who gets what gifts.
Paul continues to set in order the operation of the body, noting that God has appointed people for certain purposes. 1Co. 12:27-31:
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.Not all people have all the gifts. But everyone has some gift. And those gifts are appointed by the Holy Spirit. But interestingly, there is a hierarchy of gifts. Some are greater than others. And we as the people of God can seek out the greater ones. In other words, the Holy Spirit is responsive to us when we seek His higher work so that we can minister more effectively in the body.
Paul continues to set forth order and context for the gifts to operate in the church. 1Co. 13:1:
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.It's not enough to have the gifts. We have to have them operate in love. They are meaningless, as hollow and empty as a clanging cymbal if we don't have love. But something else is interesting here. What are the tongues of angels? We have seen up to this point that tongues were real human languages. But now we learn of the existence of the tongues of angels.
Some have said that Paul was engaging in hyperbole, that he was exaggerating for the sake of contrasting the gifts operating with and without love. But we don't think so. We think tongues of angels is an apt description. We will discuss this later, as Paul further explains the operation of the gifts in the body.
Paul now turns his focus to a time when the ministry of the body via the gifts will change. The need for these things will go away once something happens, the perfect. We discuss the perfect elsewhere, so we will not repeat ourselves except to say that the perfect is the arrival of a time when we will no longer need to minister one to another in the imperfect ways of tongues, prophecy, and knowledge. 1Co. 13:8-10:
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.At this day we will know and fully be known. We will be completely one with Christ and have all knowledge. There will be no need for prophecy because of the full revelation of Christ in us. Jesus' prayer that that we would be one with Him will finally come to pass. We will be known by how we love one another.
When will this be? We don't know. But we do know that the heart of the Father is that His children will be unified in love, holiness, and the knowledge of God. And clearly, that day has yet to arrive.
Now comes the longest and most detailed explanation of how the gifts are to operate in the church.
1Co. 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 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. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 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.We said before that I believe the tongues of angels are real. Here's why. Paul has just told us, 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. This is a total departure from the manifestation of tongues we read about in Acts. Now the tongue speaker is speaking mysteries to God, not real languages to men. THAT'S WHY INTERPRETATION IS REQUIRED.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.Tongues in the body ministry are not intelligible words! They do not edify unless they are interpreted! Because they are not human words!
10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 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.When people speak in tongues, they are not understood, and they are not edifying others. "No one understands..." Tongues are a spiritual communion with God, and thus are inferior because they only are good for you and not others. Yet Paul persists in the expression of tongues even though they do not edify others. He wants to continue to sing and pray in tongues.
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. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” [Isaiah 28:11,12] says the Lord. 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. 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. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.Despite the shortcomings of tongues as compared to prophecy, Paul commands they must be done. He then sets the order of how tongues are expressed. We note in particular that Paul tells us how to express tongues if there is no interpreter: If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. So even in the case there is no interpreter, speaking in tongues, which Paul says is speaking to God, is desired.
1Co. 14:39-40 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.Paul concludes his long discourse to note that speaking in tongues is not to be forbidden, as long as it is orderly.
Conclusion
We have discovered that the tongues in Acts were different than the tongues as expressed in the body. One kind required no interpretation, because they were signs of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh. The other kind needs to be interpreted in order to edify the body; otherwise, they only edify the person speaking them. But even that is acceptable, just not as desirable.
We also discovered that tongues in the body are possibly the language of angels. But we note they are not TRANSLATED. They are interpreted. They need not be human languages, and in fact it seems that they rarely are in the church setting.
In any case, there is no indication that these gifts should not be expressed today. Paul says they are desirable, and we need to agree with Paul.
No comments:
Post a Comment