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Tongues? Acts vs. Corinth
Tongues in Acts Compared to Tongues in Corinth
©2010 Earl Jackson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED www.RevEarlJackson.com
Act 2:2-12 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Act 10:44-46 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Act 19:6-7 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.
1Co 12:8-10 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
1Co 12:28-13:1 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 14:5-33 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Understanding the Interpretive Dilemma
It cannot be argued that anyone reading the narrative in Acts two, regarding the Baptism with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:5), and the attending phenomenon of tongues, would come to any conclusion other than that tongues was utterance in known languages. Sixteen different language groups are represented as hearing in their own native tongues, wherein they were born (Acts 2:8-12). This is an undeniable fact. If anyone was to read this passage, that is clearly the impression they would get. It is an impression based upon the simple facts of the narrative. The tongues were spoken, as a miraculous occurrence, and everybody heard “the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11). It is quite simple and quite obvious, that in this place at least, tongues clearly appear to be “known languages”.
The cessationist’s know well the power of this argument, and they seize it with a vengeance, and amplify it to the maximum volume. They will declare as loud as they can “See, here it is. Tongues are known languages! See they are listed here.” To them this proves that tongues are known earthly languages of men. And usually after their dramatic seizure of this passage, they will pooh-pooh away the verses in Corinth in one fell swoop with words similar to this…“the word “unknown” was inserted in the translation of 1 Corinthians and there is no such thing as “unknown” tongues, only “known tongues!” This is their mightiest weapon to destroy the Charismatics and Pentecostals…“not unknown, but known languages, plain and simple, and in all cases”. This of course is simply non-existent exegesis, and the assertion of something yet to be proven. But sadly, this is how they think, and this is what they shout from the heights and towers of their man-made battlements, erected to keep out the Holy Spirit from their churches and institutions, and to keep Him from polluting their flocks with the forbidden gift of tongues. It is sad, but this is true. I know, because I used to hold that view myseld, and swim in those oxbows, and those malformed eddy’s. It is a slow, twisting, and circular current that just whirls and whirls, collecting debris, detritus and effluvia. All the while they pat themselves on their backs for having protected their churches from the Devil, who wants nothing more than to get someone babbling in an “unknown tongue”. God forbid that Satan should invade our worship service, hissing and muttering in tongues that are “set on fire of hell” (James 3:6)! We’ll have none of that rigmarole in our churches.
This is a naive and stupid way to approach the subject of tongues. I realize that they see the very mention of tongues as a threat. But their dilemma is clear, either they mishandle the Word of God, or they get invaded by the dark denizens of tongue-wagging babblers from hell. Which is it? They would rather choose to corrupt the scriptures, then be overcome by tonguesters rolling down the aisles and bouncing off the walls, with their dresses over their heads, and all their men having been shamefully usurped of their authority. The whole affair is warped and twisted, but this is how they feel, and they feel it with passion and vengeance. They hate the tonguesters, and they would rather sell out the truth of scripture to a faulty hermeneutic than deal with them in their churches. Their hatred of tongues is vitriolic.
Everybody who knows me knows how I am opposed to the excesses and phoniness prevalent among the Charismatics and Pentecostals. The true gifts operate differently. They operate in complete agreement with the Biblical restrictions and order. I never want to be associated with them (the Costal‘s & Matic‘s) . They are a bad joke, a mockery and a shame to Christ. But, I will never again be attached to the “Cessationists” either, because in many ways they are a worse mockery…attributing, as they do, the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the world, the flesh, and the Devil. That is very dangerous ground, just one small step from the unforgivable sin.
Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Commentators are pretty unanimous in the opinion that “the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” is attributing His works to the Devil. Be careful about this. Be very careful. That is a sin which God cannot forgive. Not because He has no power to forgive it, but because He is zealous to protect the Holy Spirit, the misunderstood member of the Godhead. Because He is unseen and mysterious, the Lord has set careful bounds on what we can say or teach about Him. Preachers who belittle Him, and misrepresent Him are on dangerous turf and thin ice. He is not a man that He should be so readily mocked.
So there is a real dilemma for the cessationists in all of this. They have only two options. Deny the plain teachings of the Bible concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and say that the current day gifts are of the Devil. Or, rewrite the plain teachings of the Bible to fit their prejudices. The third option, which is to embrace all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and to submit to the plain teaching of Scripture, is not really an option in their minds. I'm amazed now, at how many of these cessationists have put articles in their church statements of faith, designed to prevent tongues, and to keep the gifts of the Holy Spirit out of their churches. Just the thought of that terrifies me. Imagine, man regulating God! Telling Him what He can or cannot do! What audacity and pride? I don't think such a thing has ever been witnessed before in all of church history, where people who profess to believe the Bible, think that God can be manhandled into abiding by article 7 of their statement of faith! The cockiness and defiance of such aggressive pretentiousness, is beyond description. But I have seen dozens of churches including statements in their beliefs to limit the Holy Spirit. It is a widespread phenomenon... shocking, immoral and blasphemous!
Johnathan Edward's
I recently read Jonathan Edward's "Narrative of Surprising Conversions", which is an account of the great revival that hit Northampton Massachusetts, while he was the pastor there. There is not the slightest indication that the people were afraid of the Holy Spirit, or afraid of His works in their midst. People were smitten, and deeply touched as the Holy Spirit operated Sovereignly in the churches of New England during that period known as the Great Awakening. They did not put articles in their Confessions of Faith to keep Him out! I'm sure that if tongues had manifested in his congregation (which I don't think they did), he would have had sense enough to instruct the people on their correct use out of 1Corinthians. Edward's was a brilliant man, of the broadest educational and intellectual levels. He would have taught the correct use of tongues, just as he taught about the other emotional and Spirit caused outbreaks that occurred when he preached both in Northampton, and in Enfield Ct. It is also worth noting that Edwards was quite a boring preacher, usually reading his lengthy and detailed manuscripts, in somewhat of a monotone voice, with little inflection and animation. The miracles which were witnessed during the wonderful revival, were not the works of Edwards, manipulating the crowd or using psychological tricks or gimmicks. They were not the results of pulpiteering or salesmanship. This was a genuine movement of God, which most scholars agree, ranks second only to "Pentecost". There was never before, or since, such an outpouring.
Now the cessationists are keen to point out that the revival noticeably lacked the manifestation of the gift of tongues. They try to use this to show that if tongues were a valid and current gift, then certainly they would have manifested during the Northampton revival. But that is not a valid conclusion, because God is 100% Sovereign in the administration and distribution of His gifts. It is incorrect to suppose to tell God, what He should have done, or would have done, if He only knew what He was doing! Come on. God uses the gifts as He chooses, not as we presuppose that He should. It is no big deal that there were no tongues speakers in Northampton in 1734! Who cares? Does that really change the value of what the Holy Spirit did? Or does that dictate in some manner, how the Holy Spirit will act in 2010? No! These people need to get their heads on right, and give God a little bit of the credit that He deserves. He did a marvelous and wonderful work. By 1760 the revival had spread throughout all the colonies, among Congregational, Presbyterian, Baptist churches alike. And latter it even affected the Methodist's under the preaching of George Whitefield. God is capable of doing great works without tongues, and great works with tongues (Acts 2). It's up to Him, not us, to determine when tongues will be used. There have been periods in history of several hundred years at a stretch where there is no record of tongues. Then bam, all of a sudden, you will read about tongues manifesting. The absence of tongues is not proof of their non-existence, only proof that God did not use them during certain periods. That, in no way affects the Biblical doctrine, or the current application of the Biblical regulations that must attend to the tongues that manifest today.
The First Corinthian Passage
1Co 12:8-10 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Paul begins his discussion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit with a listing of some of them. Kinds of tongues, or "diversity of tongues" is included in this list. It is also important to note that an attendant gift called "interpretation of tongues" is also mentioned. Interpretation is not mentioned anywhere in Acts, but seems to be a different dimension discussed exclusively by Paul. "Kinds of tongues" has been translated by one version as " species of tongues" and that is actually a good translations, because the word γένος genos, where we get our word "genome" and the word "genetic', is a word that has racial overtones, suggesting different races and thus diversity of tongues. Some have argued that because this word has racial overtones, or speaks of species, that tongues here refers to ethnic languages. And that is true in a sense, but it does not indicate that the miraculous gift of tongues is only speaking a foreign human language.
Pan-Dimensional Speech
My understanding of this gift, is that it is "pan-dimensional speech", a word that I have coined. I use it to mean, that when a person is speaking in the gift of tongues, he or she is speaking in the language which spans all languages at once. As in Acts two, all the different language groups heard in their own tongue at the same time. That is precisely what the miracle of tongues is. A French person will hear in French, and and German in German and a Chinese in Mandarin or Szechuan, and the English will hear in English. That is why it is usually called speaking in "tongues" (plural) and not speaking in "a tongue" (singular). It is in the plural in Acts as well. The only exception to the consistent plural use of the word is in 1Cor. 14:13,14,19. ( I will discuss those verses later). Every other reference is to "tongues" (plural). Paul even says that when it is spoken it even spans the tongues of angels as well as men (1Cor. 13:1), that's why I use the word dimensional. This gift spans the whole range of human languages, and even spans the dimensional shift into the heavenly and angelic language groups. Undoubtably this was the primal language of the universe, which was originally spoken by Adam and Eve, before the languages were "confused" at Babel.
Gen 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language.
Gen 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Gen 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth.
Man could communicate with God, and God could communicate with man, using this perfect universal language which God created. It was a great blessing. Multiple languages on the earth, on the other hand, is a curse. So in some sense tongues is the lifting of the language curse, and some sort of reversal of the effects of the Tower of Babel incident.
The Second Corinthian Passage
1Co 12:28-13:1 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
This is the second gift-list that Paul gives and here "diversity of tongues" is mentioned. The word "diversity" is the same word that was translated "kinds" or "species" in 1Cor 12:10. Why the KJV Translators did not translate it consistently is a mystery. This gift-list differs from the first list significantly. Most scholars are agreed that this list appears to be concerned with actual officers in the church. Apostles, prophets, teachers, helps and governments seem to indicate this. But miracles, healings, and diversities of tongues, do not seem to fit the pattern, because they are not generally considered to be offices. What this actually shows is related to what Paul says in verse 31. "But covet earnestly the best gifts" Paul is not saying that all these things are offices in the church. He is saying that all these things are gifts to the church. There is an important difference, because if there was an office of healing, or an office of tongues speaker, then we would have a reason to look for these people in every church. Of course we know that not every church has people like this. These gifts are actually kind of rare. That's why they are miracles. Miracles, and miraculous gifts are not commonplace, but rather they are supernatural and special manifestations. This is precisely why the Pentecostals and Charismatics are mistaken in their belief that everyone who is baptized with the Holy Spirit, will speak in tongues. This directly contradicts what Paul says here. Are all workers of miracle? NO! Do all have the gift of healing? NO! Do all speak with tongues? NO! It is very easy to deviate from the true meaning of a passage by emphasizing a few words wrongly. The Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit are miraculous, because they are not ordinary and commonplace. Cheapening the concept of any of the gifts removes their significance, and opens the way for the cheap (non-miraculous) substitutes (such as what is so prevelent in the Christiamatic a Pentecostal and neo pentecostal groups). I'm all for the genuine gifts, but I am vehemently opposed to phony make believe gifts.
Then Paul say's to "covet earnestly the best gifts." This phrase is used to show that some gifts are better than others. The whole argument in 1Cor. is that the gifts that edify the body of Christ, are the best gifts. Now Paul is clear that tongues edify only the tongues speaker. "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself" (1Cor. 14:4). But gifts like prophecy edify other people. "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (1Cor. 14:3). This is clearly emphasized by Paul. "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church" (1Cor. 14:4). In fact, this idea that certain gifts are better than tongues is emphasized so much that Paul makes a radical statement about it. He says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (1Cor. 13:1). Paul is showing us that tongues can quickly degenerate into something trivial and without meaning. Tongues can become nothing more than a bunch of noisy banging on percussion instrument, worthless sounds, loud and annoying noise. That's why he emphasizes the better gifts, in this case charity or love.
The Third Corinthian Passage
1Co 14:5-40 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
This is the section which Paul uses to expressly discuss the improper usage of tongues, and to regulate them so that they are used "decently and in order" (1Cor. 14:40). I have discussed this passage at length in my article "The Gift of Tongues" so I will not discuss it that way here. Instead what I want to do is simply list Paul's points, so you can see what he is talking about, and where the emphasis belongs. This is how it looks when compiled as a list.
1. Paul would like to see "all" speak with tongues (v.5).
2. Prophesy, however, is better, because it is a greater gift (v.5).
3. But tongues can be elevated to a similar level as prophesy, by interpretation of the tongues which will edify the whole church and not just the tongues speaker (v.5). It requires two gifts in tandem operation to come near to equalling the one gift of prophecy.
4. What profit would Paul be to the church at Corinth if he came just speaking in tongues? (v.6) Note: the implied answer is that he would be of no profit at all. What Paul is saying is that, in church tongues is of no value whatsoever if it has no interpretation.
5. He emphasizes 'revelation,knowledge and doctrine" above tongues speaking (v.6).
7. Even non-living things, like all the varieties of musical instruments, can communicate meaningfully, because of clearly recognized sounds that they make. They all have "signification" (v.10). But tongues, because they cannot be understood, are basically without meaning, being uttered into the thin air (vs. 7-10). This pretty much annihilates the arguments that tongues sounds like and is structured like regular recognizable languages. Studies have been presented bringing linguistic experts to witness to the fact that the tongues that they hear in the studies, are clearly not known languages, because they lack the syntax and patterns that are present in known languages. This however, cannot diprove the gift of tongues, because Paul clearly says that it does not have recognizable syntax and patterns. They are more akin to noise according to Paul, but that is certainly one of the biggest problems with their use in church. Remember Paul is pointing this out, because he is regulating this gift.
8. Words without meaning alienate both the speaker and the hearer, so that they cannot understand one another (v.11).
9. We should not just be zealous for spiritual gifts, we should be zealous for the edification of the church (v.12).
10. The tongues speaker is to pray that he may also interpret the tongues which he speaks (v.13).
11. Because praying in tongues is a spiritual exercise without the benefit of increasing ones understanding (v.13). Note: Because tongues edifies the speaker, but not by giving him a form of cognitive understanding, he must seek the gift of "interpretation" (v.12). Whatever edification happens to the tongues speaker when He speaks, it is edificatioon without knowledge! A strange thing, but Paul clearly mentions it. All building up in faith is certainly profitable, but how profitable Paul does not say. My experience with tongues is that it tends to edify the speaker in the sense of giving the person a sense of gladness, service and joy, with no recognizable or understandable reasoning attached to it.
12. Paul continues with this argument that there is no understanding in the gift of tongues without interpretation (vs.14-17).
13. Paul thanks God that he speaks in tongues more than anyone in Corinth (v.18). Presumably that's why he can testify that there is in fact some sort of self-edification involved. This is an important statement because, in Corinth tongues were out of control, and everybody was doing it all the time (v.26). But Paul would have been the most abundant tongues speaker in the crowd.
14. Paul would rather speak 5 intelligible words in church than 10,000 words in tongues (v.19). This too is important because it emphasizes the relative unimportance of tongues without interpretation.
15. He compares children and men, with reference to their understanding (v.20). This relates directly to tongues, which he is here considering to be like a childish thing, because it cannot convey meaning, like the more adult gifts. It would also seem to indicate that more mature Christians put this immature gift aside at some point in their life, and move on to more mature gifts. Tongues speakers don't like the implications of this, because they often get fanatically attached to this inferior gift. Well, guess what? Babies need to grow up and put aside the childish things and move on to bigger and better things in the Lord. That is exactly what Paul is saying here.
16. Paul quotes from Isa.28:11 (v.21)
17. Paul says tongues are a sign for unbelievers, and not for believers (v.22). The gift that pertains to believers is prophesy, not tongues. This insinuates that genuine tongues will occur only when their are unbelievers present, as in Acts 2. This is one of the striking differences between the tongues in Acts and the tongues in Corinth. In Corinth tongues were being abused in worship services, where unbelievers were not even present. In Acts. in all cases tongues were spoken when unbelievers were present.
18. Unregulated and uncontrolled tongues result in visitors thinking you are crazy (v.23). I think this is extremely important. I have seen it time and time again, where people get up and walk out of a service, the moment tongues speaking begins. I have a real problem with this. The tongues speakers will always claimn, "well they are just resisting the Holy Spirit" or something like that. But is that actually what is occuring? I have interviewed several of these people, to try to find out why they left. Almost all have said, they felt that something weird was going on. Several said, that it totally disrupted their worship and concentration, and that when it happened they immediately quit worshipping and started tryoing to figure out what it was all about. Several told me that it scared them, they found it frightening, and that they will look for a different church, because that's too abnormal for their way of thinking. More than one person told me that when it happened, that they felt an evil spirit was in the person, and that's why they left. Several said they thought it was inappropriate to just blurt out like that in church, that it is disrespectful and rude and that it draws attention to the person who is doing it. I feel these complainst are valid. What genuine gift from the Holy Spirit will cause people to leave a worship service thinking the people have an evil spirit, or are crazy? Paul is mentioning this for the exact purpose of discouraging the inordinate and innappropriate use of this gift. I asked one tongues speaker this question once... "Would you speak in tongues at a funeral?" I asked this, because I have never seen it happen, and to me, that is significant. Why is tongues not spoken at funerals, where people are grieving? I think it has something to do with the fact that a togues outbreak at a funeral would be totally out of place and inappropriate. The tongues speakers always manage to control their gift at that time, so why don't they exercise the same diligence, respect and control of the gift in church? I believe that genuine tongues is always controlled and limited by the Holy Spirit, and that is precisely why it is a rare thing.
19. But prophesy convicts sinners, and is therefore much more appropriate, and much more desirable, then everyone babbling in tongues (v.24).
20. Prophesy is more apt to bring about true conversions, and is more apt to make visitors recognize that God is in the church (v.25).
21. It appears that everyone in Corinth was clamoring for attention, and was doing their own thing in church, forgetting that edification is what is most important in the worship service, not everyone showing their own gifts, and bringing their own ideas to the service (v.26). A worship free-for-all is confusing and dishonoring to God.
22. Very strict rules are given to regulate tongues in church (vs.27-28)
- A. No more than two or three tongues are allowed to take place.
- B. They are to speak in course, taking turns, and not all at once. (this seems to indicate that they were to plan when and how the order for tongues speaking was to be, and not just start blurting out in tongues anywhere they felt like doing so.
- C. There is only supposed to be one interpreter for all of the tongues, not two or three interpreters. This also indicates that everything was to be prearranged, and pre-organized, and not left to happen-stance.
23. The exact same kind of orderliness and structure was to be applied to prophesy as well (vs.29-32). These verses clearly teach that there was a pre-designed order of worship, which specified when people could speak in tongues, and when they could prophesy. The idea of blurting out whenever you feel like it is unscriptural. All the gifts are controllable, and the Holy Spirit does not cause people to be unable to control their gifts so that they just blurt out and interrupt the service whenever they feel like it. I heard a preacher who was rudely interrupted by a tongues speaker, and it caused him to lose his concentration and train of thought. That should never happen. Tongues speakers can and should control such outbursts.
24. The reason for these regulations is given...God is not the author of confusion (v.33).
25. Special instructions are given concerning women keeping silent, apparently because they were out of control, and leading all these outbreaks and interruptions in the worship service at Corinth. ( An argument can be made that these verses are Corinth specific, and do not apply to all churches because it says "your women", and by translating "it is a shame for women to speak in the church" in this way: "it is a shame for women to speak in the church in this disruptive manner" (i.e. interrupting). Personally, I don't agree with this notion that these words apply only to Corinth, but it is a valid interpretation, and that's why I'm pointing it out here.)
26. Since Corinth was not the seat of supreme authority concerning the word of God, they were to submit to and acknowledge that Paul's instructions on this stuff are the very words of God Himself, direct commandments from the Lord. (vs. 36-37). This means that we are not permitted to ignore these commandments in our worship services. If they are not enforced, they are being disobeyed. These commandments from God are pooh poohed and ignored in far too many churches,, and that is horrendous.
27. Paul says that people who pretend to be ignorant about his clear instructions and regulations of these gifts, are to be left alone in their ignorance, and the judgment of God on them is implied (v.38)
28. The clear command "Forbid not to speak in tongues" is given (v.39). (Note: the Cessationist's by virtue of their false teachings, are forced to read this verse as: "Forbid always to speak in tongues". Their belief is a direct contradiction of Paul.
29. All things are to be done decently and in order (v.40). This is the overriding principle of the whole passage, and the reason for all the regulations and commandments that Paul gave regarding the proper, controlled, exercise of the gifts.
Private Prayer Languages?
Many people have taken Paul's words in 1Cor.14:14-15, and have developed it into the doctrine of a type of tongues which they call their "prayer language". This doctrine however is not taught here, nor can it be read into these verses. The verses say: "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." The context is clear. Paul is speaking about the use of tongues during the actual worship services of the church, and not something people do when in their closets at home, or when driving their cars. He is discussing "praying and singing" in church, and not private religious exercises. Verses 14-15 follow verse 13 without interruption, where Paul is talking about the necessity for interpretation of tongues because it brings understanding and edification to the other people in church. It is improper to force verses 14 and 15 to be a discussion about some sort of different kind of tongues experience. He is still talking about tongues in church, and the necessity to interpret them and bring understanding into the worship services whenever tongues occur. These verses do not speak about Suzie having a private tongues language which she uses in her car and in her shower at home. Sorry, but that's a complete abuse of Paul's argument. Praying in tongues is the gift of tongues during congregational worship. This is precisely the biggest difference between Acts and Corinth. In Acts Tongues are EVANGELISTIC, in Corinth they are used in Worship for EDIFICATION. This also seems to indicate that tongues are addressed to God in the context of a worship service in church. They are not the deliverance of some secret or coded message to a congregation. God can speak perfect English. That's what the prophets do. They speak in the language of the congregation, and deliver God's message to the people. Tongues on the other hand is a worship, a singing and a praise in the Spirit, which is clearly directed to God, focused on Him and is a worship experience, not preaching a coded message! A good way to judge whether a tongue and interpretation is genuine, is that it will be God oriented, and not man oriented. It will be a prayer, and not a sermon delivered in vocal cryptograms.
I don't know of a single verse that mentions anything about such a thing, and as far as I can see in the Bible there is only one kind of gift of tongues, and that is "pan-dimensional speech, praying and singing in the spirit in church". Now Paul, does say, that he spoke in tongues more than the Corinthians, and he even thanked God for that (1Cor. 14:18). Many try to base the notion of a private prayer language on this statement of Paul. But that is also a doubtful and incorrect interpretation, since Paul was a missionary who traveled widely and was involved in evangelizing and starting churches in lot's of different nations, with lot's of different language groups. God obviously used Paul's gift of tongues in these situations of linguistic diversity, much more than the Corinthians who all spoke one language in their church. That is how and why he came to speak in tongues more than all of them, not because he was using a private, imaginary gift of tongues, but because he was using the real gift of tongues, which is not private, but public, and he was using it both EVANGELISTICALLY (on the mission field) and EDIFICATORY (praying and praising in church).
Others have tried to base this notion on Romans 8:26-27. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." These verses are talking about the Holy Spirit making silent, and secret, intercession for believers. They say nothing about speaking in tongues. In fact they say that this Spirit intercession is completely non-linguistic and non-vocal. "Which cannot be uttered" ends all discussion that this is soimehow personal tongues. These intercessions "cannot be uttered". That means they are silent and not spoken by the human tongue. How anyone can think this is talking about speaking in tongues is beyond me? The human tongue has no place in a verse talking about God praying and making intercession without the aid of utterance.
A crystal clear statement of Paul, states unequivocally that tongues are not "for them that believe". Look at it: "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe (1Cor. 14:22). If tongues were given to be a sign to unbelievers and not a sign for believers, how can we imagine that they are our own private little form of prayer speech? They are really not for us at all...even when they occur in our church services,with interpretation which brings edification. THEY ARE FOR UNBELIEVERS! Why then are believers so preoccupied with them? That, to me, is an indication that something is amiss. The genuine gift is not preoccupied with believers or self like that. It's all about UNBELIEVERS! I did not write this Paul did!
This doctrine of private prayer tongues, is a popular, man-made Pentecostal / Charismatic enhancement to the scriptural doctrine. It is just like the doctrine of "being slain in the spirit". It is not in the Bible. I know people will hate me for pointing this out, but we can never interpret the Bible , or the gifts of the Holy Spirit, by our opinions, our experiences, or our preconceived notions. Those things must be shaped by the Bible and not the other way around. I know that seeming to pray in a private prayer language makes people feel good, and all warm and fuzzy. But it is Un-Biblical and Extra-Biblical. Un-Biblical means that it is not found in the Bible, as would be substantiated with at least one Biblical reference. Extra-Biblical means that it has originated outside of the Biblical framework, and has been simply inserted and read into the Bible, when it is not actually there at all. It is simply adding to the word of God. We justify it because it makes us feel good, and it doesn't hurt anyone. But subjectivism is not the way to live the Christian life. Smoking Marijuana doesn't hurt anyone, and it makes us feel good, but that doesn't make it right as a Christian practice. There is not one example in scripture of anyone using tongues in a private manner. None. Tongues are for communication in church only, not for private noise-making, which Paul say's is "speaking into the air!" get over it, and quit doing it if that's what you do. Shame on you!
If you are a person who uses a supposed private prayer language, and you think that I am wrong on this, then I challenge you to prove me wrong. Show me the proof or evidence from scripture that there is such a thing as a private prayer language. Where is it? If you cannot show from the Bible, a basis for what you practice, then you need to quit practicing it. If it is Un-Biblical it is Extra-Biblical. If it is Extra-Biblical it should not be a practice among people who claim to base what the do upon the Bible. Extra-Biblical and Non-Biblical means that it is not from God, but from some other source. I would urge you then to pray to God in a real language, and ask Him to remove nonsense from your prayer life. If 10,000 words in an unknown tongue, are not as good as 5 words in a known tongue when we are praying in church; then what makes you think then that when you are praying in private, that 10,000 words in an artificial prayer language, would do you as much good as praying to God in 5 real words? Life is too short to be wasting it with artificial babbling, and self-hypnotic feel-good techniques. Try praying to God with real words, and you will get much more accomplished, and real good will result from actually talking to God. Otherwise you are just babbling nonsense. It means nothing to God, and nothing to you either. If you are one who thinks that you have a private gift, then I challenge you to prove me wrong, or to change your un-scriptural behavior. The times we live in are confusing and weird enough without Christians running around and inventing man-centered practices which confuse the plain teachings of God's word. We are called to be light in the darkness, and practicing things that clearly contradict the Bible, and originate from godless sources, and which diminish the actual true doctrine of tongues, is a gross and visible inconsistency. Please honor God with your tongue as with all things.
I know people who never pray in real words. Every time they open up their mouth, supposedly in prayer, they utter a stream of this imaginary prayer language. I am not trying to be mean to them by writing this stuff. I just don't see the value of utterances that make no sense, when instead, you could actually be talking to God in real words that He will listen to and understand, and that you too will understand. Gibberish chatter is not the gift of tongues. I know somebody is going to say, "well, it may not sound like words to you, but I am really praying, and God understands it, because it's from the Holy Spirit. You can't tell me it's not real when I know that it is." Yes I can tell you that that it is not real, and I do it based on an authority much greater than the way you feel or what you think. God is the authority on tongues, and on every other spiritual gift for that matter. What I am telling, I have also showed you from the Bible. If what you say is true, That God has given you a private gift of tongues, for you to mutter when you are driving your car or supposedly praying, then it will also be demonstrable from Scripture. So, show me from Scripture. Actually, you don't need to show it to me, you need to show it to yourself, because you are the one who is deluded if you think that God gave you some kind of personal, private gift of tongues. That is not real tongues. It is blubbering, and muttering. It is gabble and jabber, mumbo jumbo and rigmarole. It is self-hypnosis and sublimation. It is the same thing as a Zen Master uttering OHM for hours on end. It is naval focusing. It is psycho-babble. It is feel-good-ism. It is being misguided, and following other people. But it is not tongues. It can never qualify as a genuine tongues event, because it directly contradicts the scriptural doctrine of tongues.
Comparisons and Contrasts Between Acts
and Corinthians
While this is not meant to be exhaustive, but only suggestive, the following things should be noted.
- Tongues in Acts 2 have no interpreter, because none was required. The reason being, that God simultaneously gave a miraculous gift of hearing as well as of speaking. "We do all hear them speak in our own tongues, the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:11).
- It appears from Corinth that this is not the normal way that tongues work (being accompanied by a gift of hearing). That is why an interpreter, or interpretation, is absolutely essential in the regular use of the gift of tongues in church.
- In Acts 2 the gift was used to speak directly to unbelieving Jews from 16 different countries. They spoke in all these different languages.
- Tongues in Corinth, as in our churches, are used where basically everyone speaks the same language. Rarely does someone enter our church service who does not speak our language. I go to an English speaking church, and I cannot recall any time someone came who could not speak English. Most of the Spanish speakers in our area, attend Spanish speaking churches, and the same is true of Chinese and Russians. This is normally the case. But, this was not the case on Pentecost. That's why God granted "exceptional hearing". In churches where everyone speaks the same language, the modus operendi is that an interpretor and / or interpretation is required.
- We do not know how many people spoke in tongues in Acts 2, but we know from Corinth, that in church services only 2 or 3 are permitted are permitted to speak in tongues.
- We learn that tongues appeared as if the tongues speakers were drunk in Acts 2:15. However, nothing is said like that in Corinth. It say's that people will think you are "mad" or "crazy' if they see a disorderly display of tongues in church..
- The tongues in Acts 2 are clearly related to the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit". But the Baptism of the Spirit mentioned in 1Cor. 12:13, is not a repeat of Pentecost, but simply the inclusion of the believers into the already accomplished Pentecostal Baptism of the church. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit does not individually baptize us into Christ's body. He baptized the whole body on Pentecost, and we are included in that "one baptism" (Eph. 4:5).
- Speaking in tongues can be a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence (Acts 10:46), but it is not the only sign.
- Tongues is a gift from God in both Acts and Corinthians. It is Sovereignly bestowed, so nobody can say that everyone is supposed to have it, or that it is to be evidenced every time we come together for worship. There have been periods of hundreds of years, in church history, where there were no tongues.
- It appear to be unregulated in Acts 2, but because it got out of control it is severely regulated in Corinth. We fall under the Corinthian dialog, and not under the Acts 2 dialog, which was administered by the Apostles. The writings of Paul serves to administrate the orderly use of tongues today. Pentecost will never be duplicated. It was a once and for all time event. So our use of tongues in church today, is not a Pentecostal administration of the gift. Nor is it a Pentecostal manifestation. That is why tongues of fire do not appear over everyone's head. It is the Corinthian manifestation of tongues that we see sometimes today. Corinth sets the norms and standards for the regulation of tongues in all succeeding ages.
- Acts 2 is not the normal mode for the operation of tongues, but was an exceptional event.
- Regulated and controlled use of tongues, as in Corinth, is the norm and standard for the use of this gift today, that's why God gave us 1Cor. 14.
Conclusion
This study has shown us that the tongues event in Acts two, and the tongues teachings in 1Corinthians are separate and distinct aspects of the same miraculous gift. The pattern of tongues in Acts was administered under direct authority of the Apostles. In some cases the gift was conferred by the laying on of the Apostles hands (Acts. 19:6-7). The tongues in Corinth, by way of contrast, were administered through the auspices of a local church, and are indicative of all future uses of tongues throughout history. Tongues are gifts given to the churches, along with other gifts, specifically for the edification of the Body of Christ. That was not their function in Acts. Acts records how God used tongues for immediate evangelism, and communication to people in divers language groups, totally different functions then we find in the post-Acts churches. But that is not their function when you come to the Corinthian manifestations. Our churches today are just like Corinth, not like Acts, where Apostles were the purveyor's of the tongues phenomenon. God planned things like this, and all this is clear just by reading the historical narratives found in the Bible.
Do not misunderstand. There are not two different types of tongues. There is only one Pan-dimensional language, only one gift of tongues. The differences between Acts and the epistolary tongues are differences of administration. The Apostles were the custodians of tongues in Acts, but in the Epistles custodianship has been transferred to each individual church. Each church is responsible for nurturing the gifts biblically, and for regulating them according to the teachings and Apostolic commands of Paul.
We have aimed in this study, to be eminently biblical. Biblicism on this important issue is a must, because tongues tend to cause the most problems in churches, due to the showy nature of the gift, and the ease with which it is falsified. Counterfeit tongues is a huge problem. It is endemic in all kinds of spiritually lopsided churches, and among all kinds of emotionally oriented people. False tongues inevitably foster people who seek to draw attention to themselves, and tongues tend to dominate their whole life. To these kinds of people tongues, are the most important thing in their life. This inordinate preoccupation with one gift, is unbalanced and detrimental, especially if it is not a genuine gift that is being manifested. Great care and spiritual discernment is required when these kinds of false manifestations are occurring regularly. There is generally two approaches to handling the situation; the banishing of all tongues in church, or the "ignore it and it might go away" attitude. Neither approach is appropriate. The Cessationist's have used the banishment idea for years. Unfortunately it is a direct contradiction and deliberate disobedience to Paul's words "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (1Cor. 14:39). The second approach, "the ignore it and it might go away approach" is almost as bad, because it basically says that it is OK to ignore what God commands through the apostle Paul. Paul says that spiritual people will "acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." I think that it is clearly up to the pastors of the churches to require and enforce compliance with the scriptures concerning the use of any gift. Some pastors would not let wolves invade their churches knowingly, but unknowingly they have let them influence their church members, by condoning unscriptural behavior, through failure to address these issues. This is not acceptable. The churches today are infiltrated daily by the shysters and charlatans on TBN television broadcasts, which get beamed directly into our the homes of our sheep. Pastors are required to warn and teach their flock. "warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col. 1:28). That is the plain pastoral imperative. Preachers watch for peoples souls, and are accountable for how they take care of God's precious sheep. It's time they start doing their job, because a great spiritual dirth has invaded our land. Things in this blasted Sahara of darkness appear to be what they are not. Church services are orchestrated to upbeat music, with no message, or false messages, People holding their hands up in worship ecstasy sway to the rhythms of a hypnotic beat. And false tongues are everywhere, and false signs and wonders abound, and all the while the people of God, and even pastors, are lulled into the Devils great slumber of improper toleration.
It is not right to tolerate falsehoods, no matter how happy they make men feel. The church is supposed to be the bastion of truth. But where is it such a bastion in our day? Most of the churches I have ever seen lately, have this false tolerance, and no power and might as a result. We know that we need revival, but we don't know just how badly. The condition in the churches is atrocious. And we have been blinded to our real state, and our critical condition and horrendous need. Some of the biggest churches in the world are right here in the United States, but they are also the most pitiful examples of Christianity imaginable. If pastors and people alike are filled with the Holy Spirit, and yield unreservedly to Christ's Lordship, then tongues will be used in a mighty way. They will be accompanied by interpretations that build up the church. That's what they are for! That is what is so badly needed. But false tongues ain't doing it! False tongues is destroying churches, and sapping the very lifeblood out of Christ's people. The faithful are discouraged. The preachers are weak and wavering. The attendance might be growing, but spirituality is sagging to an all time low. We hire corporate advisers to tell us how to run our churches like fortune 500 companies. But we are not running businesses. We are soul centers, from heaven. For the preparing of people for eternity, and showing them the light of day here on earth. What are we doing? What are we doing? The purpose-driving has driven the Holy Spirit out. The emerging, has caused the burying of the truth. We can no longer go along with this Satanic agenda to mutilate the body of Christ. It's time for action, and it begins with each one of us. If you have been using tongues wrongly, then STOP IT! If you are a wishy-washy pastor, who has condoned everything, because you don't want to ruffle feathers, then STOP IT! It's up to each one of us. No, we will never see another Pentecost, but we must not succumb to the forces of the great harlot either. We can be revived. We can become solid. We can regain power with God and with men. But the current road leads to none of that. So STOP IT! Wake up and start honoring God. May God help us to do just that.
©2012 Earl Jackson All Rights Reserved
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PERMISSION IS GRANTED to post this article on any website or blog, or other electronic media, provided it is posted in it's entirety without alteration, and a clear link is included back to this website. No permission for hard copy, print, or other use is hereby granted. This article may not be sold or used on for profit websites or projects. CLICK HERE to send us any links to the places where you put this article.