The gift
of speaking in tongues is listed among the spiritual gifts in the Apostle
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
“There
are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the
same Lord. There are different kinds of
working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the
Spirit is given for the common good. To
one there is given though the Spirit the message of wisdom…to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still
another the interpretation of tongues.
All of these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them
to each one, just as he determines.” (I Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV, italics added
for emphasis)
Like the
other spiritual gifts, the Apostle Paul used rhetorical questioning to indicate
that speaking in tongues is distinctly separate from the other spiritual gifts.
“Now
you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 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. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all
speak in tongues? Do all
interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.” (I Corinthians 12:27-31 NIV,
italics added for emphasis)
One of
the first examples of speaking in tongues is found in the New Testament, when
the apostles were gathered together on the Day of Pentecost. Prior to this event, Jesus Christ appeared to
the apostles and told them “…For John baptized with water, but in a few days
you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5 NIV) When the Day of Pentecost came in Jerusalem,
as there were God-fearing Jews from every nation in the city, all of the
apostles became filled with the Holy Spirit and they began speaking the gospel
in dialects and languages that were familiar to the Jews from the various parts
of the world. The apostles’ special ability
(spiritual gift) to speak in tongues bewildered the Jews, since it enabled the
Jews to understand the gospel message in their own dialects and languages.
(Acts 2:1-11)
The work
of the Holy Spirit indwelling believers is not limited to them speaking in
tongues. For example, you have the
Apostle Peter and John praying with their own people, becoming filled with the
Holy Spirit and then speaking the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:23-24, 31) Another example is Stephen working in the
church and how the Holy Spirit indwelled him with a special wisdom that the opposing
members from a synagogue could not stand up against. (Acts 6:8-10) Rather, the spiritual gifts of the Holy
Spirit are manifested in many different ways…through the various spiritual
gifts.
The
practice of speaking in tongues encountered some confusion in the New
Testament, evident by the Apostle Paul using a large portion of Chapter 14 in I
Corinthians to discuss this issue. In Chapter
12, he emphasized how we should “…eagerly desire the greater gifts….” (I
Corinthians 12:31 NIV) In Chapter 14, the
Apostle Paul clarified part of this point with the very first verse emphasizing,
“…eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (I
Corinthians 14:1 NIV) Throughout the
rest of the chapter there are numerous verses contrasting the differences
between the gifts of prophecy and speaking in tongues, as well as addressing
order within worship.
“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…He who speaks
in a tongue edifies himself, but he prophesies edifies the church. 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.” (I Corinthians 14:2, 4-5 NIV, italics added
for emphasis)
“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? 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? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear
call, who will get ready for battle? 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…For this reason anyone who speaks in a
tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.” (I Corinthians
14:6-9 NIV, italics added for emphasis)
“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. If
anyone speaks in a tongue, two – or at the most three – should speak, one at a
time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak
to himself and God. Therefore, my
brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting
and orderly way.” (I Corinthians 14:26-28, 39-40 NIV, italics added for
emphasis)
In
simple terms, the Apostle Paul is primarily addressing how believers should
convey themselves when they publicly speak (e.g., sing, read, pray, etc.) on
behalf of the church during the service.
In other words, if believers are speaking in tongues to the congregation, they should be
limited to two or three speakers and there should be an interpreter present. (I
Corinthians 14:27-28) On the contrary,
as for the other believers who may speak in tongues within the congregation, such as during the worship and/or prayer
portion of the service, they should speak to themselves and God in a manner
that is respectful to the overall order of the church service. (I Corinthians
14:18-19, 39-40)
Overall,
the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is when the Holy Spirit guides a believer
to miraculously utter words in an unfamiliar language and/or dialect for the distinct
purpose of spreading and relating the message of salvation to others and
ultimately glorifying God. Likewise,
some believers may experience speaking in ecstatic utterances while having a
personal prayer time. As a result, believers
should familiarize themselves with the guidelines for this gift, in ensuring
that the message of salvation is spread to others in an orderly manner.
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