Morning Moments

TONGUES

I get somewhat amused at the fact that our charismatic friends want to take us to Pentecost for the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues" but when pinned down exegetically, they run to 1 Corinthians to say that their "tongues" is a prayer language.  So, they say, every believer must have this "Pentecostal Experience" that they have neither had nor can verify from Scripture.

The text we are about to consider speaks for itself.  It requires another day, but today it is important that to see that the emphasis of the use of "languages" is "in the church" or when believers assemble together.  I have personally attended services where Christians acted like NUTS and had I not been grounded in the faith or an unbeliever, I would have certainly not returned.

DON'T misunderstand me for I have preached in meetings where tongues were spoken, people were healed, and God did some amazing things.  I remember one experience in Puerto Rico when, after I had preached in English with a translator speaking in Spanish, scores of people came forward - some to be saved, some to be healed, and probably some to "receive this Pentecostal experience" - I don't know, but I prayed with them in English and trusted God to do whatever He needed and wanted to do and the pastor kept praising the Lord for the MIGHTY WORKS OF GOD!  I never want to hinder God's work, but I will ALWAYS seek to EXPLAIN God's Word honestly and openly and let God do whatever He desires.

Again, let me say that I am NOT denying the spiritual gift of tongues as taught by either passage BUT they are NOT the same!  We have carefully examined the Acts passages and now we are looking at 1 Corinthians 14:

(14:9) In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.

(10) There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning.

(11) Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

(12) So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.

(13) Therefore the person who speaks in ⌊another⌋ language should pray that he can interpret.

(14) For if I pray in ⌊another⌋ language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

(15) What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding.

(16) Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the uninformed person say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

(17) For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.

(18) I thank God that I speak in ⌊other⌋ languages more than all of you;

(19) yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than 10,000 words in ⌊another⌋ language.

(20) Brothers, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking.

(21) It is written in the law: I will speak to these people by people of other languages and by the lips of foreigners, and even then, they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.

(22) It follows that speaking in ⌊other⌋ languages is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. But prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.

(23) Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in ⌊other⌋ languages and people who are uninformed or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

(24) But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convicted by all and is judged by all.

(25) The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.” 


So, to this point what has Paul said?  Simply that IN THE ASSEMBLY, unless intelligible speech is used, languages are unprofitable!  He says that believers should seek to prophesy so that the body might be built up or edified.  NOW HERE IS THE CLINCHER:  The key to the "languages" is UNDERSTANDING (12-14), so if the body (the church) does not understand the language it is unprofitable.  Consider this!  If tongues is a "prayer language" or "praying in the spirit" why would the interpretation become a prophecy?  If it is "praying in the spirit" would that not then be "groanings which cannot be uttered" which would be consistent with what Jesus taught - "the Spirit makes intercessions with groanings which cannot be uttered?"

In verse 20 Paul says, "...don't be childish in your thinking, but...adults..."  Children insist on their own way regardless of who it hurts and THAT is precisely what splits churches with the tongues movement today, just as it did in the Corinthian Church.  THAT is my problem with it!  The issue for me is not with the spiritual gift but with the determination to demand everybody do it, everybody have it, and split churches over it and THAT IS NEVER THE WILL OF GOD.

We will do one more:)

BLESSINGS!