I do believe tongues was a genuine gift. On the day of Pentecost, the holy spirit enabled them to communicate in other languages. The Greek word for tongues is similar to our word dialect. It ALWAYS means languages. Another Greek word for tongues glossa is never used outside of the NT in any other writings to mean anything but language. There are 30 references to tongues in the Septuagint ( the Greek translation of the OT, and they all refer to language.
The second chapter in Acts teachers that the apostles were speaking in other known languages to reach all the many people gathered there. (Acts 2:2-12. Clearly, (Acts 10:45-46 attest to this fact.
However, what was the position of tongues in the NT church. Jesus mentioned tongues only in Mark 16:17. And even though the work of the holy spirit are written about extensively throughout all the epistles, tongues are not mentioned. How could this be, if as some hold, tongues are the main evidence of being filled with the spirit.
In the listing of spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. 12:28 the gift of tongues is mentioned last.. Im not going to debate the first gift of being an apostle, as I think Paul was the last true apostle. The next gift is prophecy. Most confuse prophecy with the gift of telling the future. The true meaning of prophecy means to tell forth the truth. Now, we can debate that another time, but study the Greek.
Obviously, all gifts are not on the same level, The lesser gift seems to be tongues.. Paul tells us we are to earnestly desire the greater gifts, love being the theme.
If you study, the early church got off balance easily. This led to problems in the NT church. There were many mystery religions. Prostitutes spoke in a form of tongues in their religion ( nice study), as did many other weird religions of the day. The church of Corinth was made up of people from all walks of life. Obviously, people stood up and appeared to be babbling. They didnt care if there was someone there to interpret or not. Paul saw this as a counterfeit to the real work of the holy spirit. Services sounded like a madhouse with babbling and confusion ( Sound Familiar). Paul admonished them (1 Cor.14:33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.
Some felt that the purpose of tongues is to enable them to have a prayer language. I know some feel strong about this. However prayer language is not a term used in the bible. Gifts were given to build each other up, not private uses. Paul stressed that the church be edified through the gifts. 1.Cor. 14:12
Some people claim to have a private prayer language. However, we must examine any of our experiences with the word of God. If they dont line up, we should negate the experience. Since confusion surrounded the gift of tongues, Paul set CLEAR parameters to govern the use of tongues.
1.Only two or three people at the most were to speak in tongues.
2.Only one was to speak at a time.
3. Each was to have an interpreter. If no interpreter were present, the person was not to speak.
I s this what you see going on today? Hardly! The same problem that existed then, is still a problem today, but people still refuse to listen to the words of Paul, regarding this subject.
I have heard some say, it was interpreted later, that is not biblical. These are the clear guidelines
In Corinth, immature believers were trying to outdo one another spiritually. Some were using tongues as a spiritual show and tell. They were supposed to be helping each other grow up and Paul was showing them that you cant do that through babbling. Telling the truth (prophecy) or witnessing in another language, yes. Un-interpreted talk was not to be allowed. Even if tongues still existed today, these guidelines would apply.
The purpose of tongues then was a sign gift, a mean of truth telling of spiritual things or languages. We now have the complete revelation of God in the bible and it needs no further validation. We get the truth of the Holy Spirit through the completed word, not babbling. The bible can stand on its on. If a messenger feels he can add to that or is saying something not in the word, he is not a true messenger.
We have to understand the purpose of sign gifts and why they were needed in that day. Now, that we have the word of God, sign gifts are no longer needed. (John 20:29) Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. We do not need the sign gifts any longer, but by faith and the word of God.
That is not saying that God doesnt work miracles. However, they are of a different nature. They are not to prove, but help his people out of love. Im sure there are times that people today speak in languages and not know it, until it is interpreted. However, if tongues is true, there will always be someone there to interpret it.
Notice, Paul never mentioned this gift in Galatia and Epepus, though he talked much more about the spirit. If tongues was needed, Paul would have made that clear. Not one verse supports the view of tongues here, but we they were admonished over and over again to be filled with the spirit. If tongues was the only evidence of the spirit, Paul would have made that clear in Galatia ad Ephesus.
The emphasis in the NT was for evangelism and growth, not tongues and healing. Paul stated 1.Cor 2:2: For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus and him crucified As the word completed itself, the sign gifts were not needed as much.
I know many people who speak in tongues and dont have victory over sin. Tongues for many is a spiritual high. When I was in a church that practiced this, there seemed to be groups or clicks Those that have or obtained the gift and those that do not. That is unbiblical. They set up a harmful division between believers.
People squabbled over who had and didnt have the gift. Many were led to the alter and prayed for to receive the gift. If they didnt, they were looked down upon as less spiritual. Many try and babble to show holiness. Many get caught up in the emotions of others and its a process of see and do. This was the problem at the church of Corinth. It seems it still exist today.
The second chapter in Acts teachers that the apostles were speaking in other known languages to reach all the many people gathered there. (Acts 2:2-12. Clearly, (Acts 10:45-46 attest to this fact.
However, what was the position of tongues in the NT church. Jesus mentioned tongues only in Mark 16:17. And even though the work of the holy spirit are written about extensively throughout all the epistles, tongues are not mentioned. How could this be, if as some hold, tongues are the main evidence of being filled with the spirit.
In the listing of spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. 12:28 the gift of tongues is mentioned last.. Im not going to debate the first gift of being an apostle, as I think Paul was the last true apostle. The next gift is prophecy. Most confuse prophecy with the gift of telling the future. The true meaning of prophecy means to tell forth the truth. Now, we can debate that another time, but study the Greek.
Obviously, all gifts are not on the same level, The lesser gift seems to be tongues.. Paul tells us we are to earnestly desire the greater gifts, love being the theme.
If you study, the early church got off balance easily. This led to problems in the NT church. There were many mystery religions. Prostitutes spoke in a form of tongues in their religion ( nice study), as did many other weird religions of the day. The church of Corinth was made up of people from all walks of life. Obviously, people stood up and appeared to be babbling. They didnt care if there was someone there to interpret or not. Paul saw this as a counterfeit to the real work of the holy spirit. Services sounded like a madhouse with babbling and confusion ( Sound Familiar). Paul admonished them (1 Cor.14:33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.
Some felt that the purpose of tongues is to enable them to have a prayer language. I know some feel strong about this. However prayer language is not a term used in the bible. Gifts were given to build each other up, not private uses. Paul stressed that the church be edified through the gifts. 1.Cor. 14:12
Some people claim to have a private prayer language. However, we must examine any of our experiences with the word of God. If they dont line up, we should negate the experience. Since confusion surrounded the gift of tongues, Paul set CLEAR parameters to govern the use of tongues.
1.Only two or three people at the most were to speak in tongues.
2.Only one was to speak at a time.
3. Each was to have an interpreter. If no interpreter were present, the person was not to speak.
I s this what you see going on today? Hardly! The same problem that existed then, is still a problem today, but people still refuse to listen to the words of Paul, regarding this subject.
I have heard some say, it was interpreted later, that is not biblical. These are the clear guidelines
In Corinth, immature believers were trying to outdo one another spiritually. Some were using tongues as a spiritual show and tell. They were supposed to be helping each other grow up and Paul was showing them that you cant do that through babbling. Telling the truth (prophecy) or witnessing in another language, yes. Un-interpreted talk was not to be allowed. Even if tongues still existed today, these guidelines would apply.
The purpose of tongues then was a sign gift, a mean of truth telling of spiritual things or languages. We now have the complete revelation of God in the bible and it needs no further validation. We get the truth of the Holy Spirit through the completed word, not babbling. The bible can stand on its on. If a messenger feels he can add to that or is saying something not in the word, he is not a true messenger.
We have to understand the purpose of sign gifts and why they were needed in that day. Now, that we have the word of God, sign gifts are no longer needed. (John 20:29) Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. We do not need the sign gifts any longer, but by faith and the word of God.
That is not saying that God doesnt work miracles. However, they are of a different nature. They are not to prove, but help his people out of love. Im sure there are times that people today speak in languages and not know it, until it is interpreted. However, if tongues is true, there will always be someone there to interpret it.
Notice, Paul never mentioned this gift in Galatia and Epepus, though he talked much more about the spirit. If tongues was needed, Paul would have made that clear. Not one verse supports the view of tongues here, but we they were admonished over and over again to be filled with the spirit. If tongues was the only evidence of the spirit, Paul would have made that clear in Galatia ad Ephesus.
The emphasis in the NT was for evangelism and growth, not tongues and healing. Paul stated 1.Cor 2:2: For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus and him crucified As the word completed itself, the sign gifts were not needed as much.
I know many people who speak in tongues and dont have victory over sin. Tongues for many is a spiritual high. When I was in a church that practiced this, there seemed to be groups or clicks Those that have or obtained the gift and those that do not. That is unbiblical. They set up a harmful division between believers.
People squabbled over who had and didnt have the gift. Many were led to the alter and prayed for to receive the gift. If they didnt, they were looked down upon as less spiritual. Many try and babble to show holiness. Many get caught up in the emotions of others and its a process of see and do. This was the problem at the church of Corinth. It seems it still exist today.
Upvote
0
