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THE PURPOSE OF TONGUES IN THE ASSEMBLY

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Dave...

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It's important to understand the history of it in the Old Testament to know what is actually happening in Corinth when Paul speaks about it, both encouraging, and rebuking.


Tongues is just a sixteenth century word for languages. I think that some people like the term 'tongues' because it giveth them a magic hocus pocus feeling. It just means languages. No need for the sign anymore. It's primary purpose has went and gone. The secondary uses that were necessary to keep it Biblical went with it. One of the main reasons tongues were spoken at Pentecost pointed towards A.D 70. as was noted in the link provided, God's judgment on Israel. Tongues were also spoken to show by way of miracle that God's "Promise of the Father" that was owed to OT saints was being given, the NT indwelling that all Christians receive the moment Jesus places the Holy Spirit in them, called the baptism with the Holy Spirit. It also showed that God was undoing the confusion of languages that He caused way back in Babylon to evangelize the whole world. The Gentiles were now grafted in per Romans 11:17-24 to provoke Israel to jealousy. Please at least glance over the link provided if you're going to respond. Thanks.

Dave
 
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Richard T

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Though I disagree theologically with your conclusions. mainly because tongues serve more purposes than just judgment at least in the new testament. Plus, as a Pentecostal tongues are an integral part of my faith, experience and gateway to the power and revelation of God. In Acts 2 and about three other instances in Acts, tongues were a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not judgment.

Here is an alternative use of tongues too The reversal of Babel: Questioning the early church's understanding of the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts as a reversal of the curse of Babel
These authors set forth a part of tongues, (the cultural aspects) that I never heard in Pentecostal teachings. To me those authors are wrong on the total package, but they get this one part of tongues that others seem to neglect.

Complicating the subject of tongues, is the gift "various kinds of tongues" and what those are. Of course nearly all of this hinges on if one thinks the gifts have ceased.

I do like your teaching in this chapter on the OT pattern, message, refusal, tongues and dispersion. To me the pattern in the NT for the believer is MESSAGE (The Gospel) Acceptance (Born again) Tongues (Baptism of the Holy Spirit) and Unification (The body of Christ and unity with God).
 
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Rose_bud

Rose_bud

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@Richard T Thank you for this.
Here is an alternative use of tongues too The reversal of Babel: Questioning the early church's understanding of the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts as a reversal of the curse of Babel
These authors set forth a part of tongues, (the cultural aspects) that I never heard in Pentecostal teachings. To me those authors are wrong on the total package, but they get this one part of tongues that others seem to neglect.
Click to expand...

I recently watched a clip/summary of the Azusa Revival, and the message of what that movement meant is so lost and overshadowed by what some regard as sensationalist accounts. The truth of that experience is summed up in the context in which it manifested. In a time of racial tension and segregation, that unity would've been a powerful counter-cultural witness. This outpouring united people from different backgrounds in their understanding of the gospel, breaking down barriers. God's Spirit transcends human divisions, creating one body out of many.
 
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Maria Billingsley

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Dave... said:
It's important to understand the history of it in the Old Testament to know what is actually happening in Corinth when Paul speaks about it, both encouraging, and rebuking.


Tongues is just a sixteenth century word for languages. I think that some people like the term 'tongues' because it giveth them a magic hocus pocus feeling. It just means languages. No need for the sign anymore. It's primary purpose has went and gone. The secondary uses that were necessary to keep it Biblical went with it. One of the main reasons tongues were spoken at Pentecost pointed towards A.D 70. as was noted in the link provided, God's judgment on Israel. Tongues were also spoken to show by way of miracle that God's "Promise of the Father" that was owed to OT saints was being given, the NT indwelling that all Christians receive the moment Jesus places the Holy Spirit in them, called the baptism with the Holy Spirit. It also showed that God was undoing the confusion of languages that He caused way back in Babylon to evangelize the whole world. The Gentiles were now grafted in per Romans 11:17-24 to provoke Israel to jealousy. Please at least glance over the link provided if you're going to respond. Thanks.

Dave
Click to expand...

My two cents:
I wish we would just stick to the definition of the first outpouring of the gift of tongues, why it was so important at this event and why " understanding " was vital to the mission of His Gospel. There wasn't one language, there were many languages being spoken. Coincidentally, there were Jews from different parts of the land all speaking those different languages. Tongues served to " spread" the Gospel to all with no language barrier. Other than that, all this angel prayer language stuff is just a diversion and frankly a false sense of Holyness. Additionally, tongues that have no interpretation is just as Paul described, ones own selfish edification.
Self-edification (via uninterpreted tongues) in a public setting is detrimental because it promotes what only benefits the speaker while neglecting the needs of the whole assembly, which Paul criticizes as a lack of focus on the common good and love for others. Lastly, an unintelligible collection of sounds is not a language and no one is able to interpret. Let us reason, please.

Blessings
 
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Richard T

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Rose_bud said:
@Richard T Thank you for this.


I recently watched a clip/summary of the Azusa Revival, and the message of what that movement meant is so lost and overshadowed by what some regard as sensationalist accounts. The truth of that experience is summed up in the context in which it manifested. In a time of racial tension and segregation, that unity would've been a powerful counter-cultural witness. This outpouring united people from different backgrounds in their understanding of the gospel, breaking down barriers. God's Spirit transcends human divisions, creating one body out of many.
Click to expand...

As to the Azusa revival, I find it quite interesting that Parnham and his students at Bethel College in Topeka, KS committed to be like the church in Acts, even pooling all their goods in common. That was where the Holy Ghost fell first and was later taken to Azusa street.

The Roots of Azusa: Pentecost in Topeka

With the 100th anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival, we should also remember the anniversary
cbn.com cbn.com
So unity, sharing in common, and seeking God all brought on the spark for revival. Perhaps a rededication to Acts is in order?
 
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