The Genuine
Gift of Tongues
Let's begin with a definition. The word "tongue" in the
Bible simply means "a language."
God gives all the gifts of the Spirit to fill a practical need. What
was the need for tongues?
Jesus told His followers, "Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 28:19. This command posed a problem.
How could the apostles go out preaching to all the world when they spoke
only one or two languages? After all, Jesus' disciples were very bright,
even though most of them were not formally educated. In order to fulfill
the great commission, He promised to give them a unique gift from the
Holy Spirit. It was a miraculous, supernatural ability to speak foreign
languages they had not formerly studied or known for the purpose of
spreading the Gospel.
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; ... they shall
speak with new tongues." Mark 16:17.
The fact that Jesus said these new tongues, or languages, would be a
"sign" indicates that the ability to speak them would not come
as the result of normal linguistic study. Rather, it would be an
instantaneous gift to fluently preach in a previously unfamiliar
language.
There are only three actual examples of speaking in tongues recorded
in the Bible (Acts chapters 2, 10, and 19). If we look at these three
cases, we should find a clearer picture of this controversial gift.
"When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with
one accord in one place. 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 [divided] 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." Acts 2:1-4.
Fire is a symbol for power. God sent this gift in the form of tongues
of fire so they would know that He would empower their feeble tongues in
the same way He strengthened Moses to go before Pharaoh (Exodus 4:10-12)
and touched Isaiah's lips with a coal from the heavenly altar (Isaiah
6:6, 7).
Why did the Lord wait until Pentecost to bestow this gift? Acts
2:5-11 sets the scene: "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 marveled, 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? ... We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful
works of God."
The day of Pentecost was a Jewish holy day that fell 50 days after
Passover. Devoted Israelites would come from all over the Roman empire
to worship in Jerusalem. God chose this timely opportunity to bestow
this gift of tongues upon the disciples so they could preach to the
visiting Jews in their native languages. At least 15 different language
groups were represented in the crowd that day (Acts 2:9-11)! As a
result, thousands of these visitors were converted. Then, after
Pentecost, they in turn carried their new faith home to their respective
countries.
From this example it should be very clear that the gift of tongues
was given to communicate the gospel in different existing languages of
the world.
Some have mistakenly suggested that the miracle on Pentecost was a
gift to hear and understand different languages. It was not a gift of
hearing given to the listeners, but rather a gift of the Spirit given to
enable the believers to speak (Acts 2:4). It is not called the gift of
ears for the listeners, but the gift of tongues for the speakers.
Furthermore, the sign was not ears of fire on the listeners, but tongues
of fire on the ones preaching.
It is also sometimes suggested that the gift of tongues is a
"heavenly language" understood only by God or those with the
gift of interpretation. The Bible is clear in Acts chapter 2 that both
the disciples and those listening understood what was being
preached-"the wonderful works of God." Verse 11.
Let's look now at the second example when Peter preached to Cornelius
and his household.
"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." Acts 10:44-46.
Acts 10:1 tells us that Cornelius was Italian, while Peter was a Jew
and spoke Aramaic. History also tells us that the servants in a Roman
home could be from anywhere in the world. Because there were obvious
language barriers at this meeting, Peter likely began to preach through
an interpreter. But when the Holy Ghost fell upon Cornelius and his
household, the Jews with Peter could understand the Gentiles speaking in
languages other than their native tongues. The record is that the Jews
heard them "magnify God" in these languages. When later
reporting this experience to the church leaders, Peter said, "The
Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning." Acts
11:15, emphasis added.
Peter here plainly tells us that Cornelius and his family received
the same gift of tongues in the same way the disciples did on the day of
Pentecost. In other words, they spoke languages they had not formerly
known in a way that could be understood.
The third and final example of speaking in tongues is when Paul
preached to 12 Ephesian disciples. Acts 19:6 records, "And when
Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues, and prophesied."
Paul was the most educated and widely traveled of the apostles, and
he spoke many languages (1 Corinthians 14:18). When the Holy Spirit came
upon these 12 Ephesian men, Paul recognized that they were prophesying,
or preaching, in new languages. Most likely they spoke in languages
common throughout the Roman Empire, since that would be practical for
spreading the Gospel. Luke does not say that they received a form of
tongues different from the first two examples, so we must assume that it
was the same type of gift given at Pentecost.
You'll find that the only times the gift of tongues was associated
with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is when people from more than one
language group were gathered together, thus creating communication
barriers.
Notice that in Acts chapter 4 you have a repeat of the experience
described in chapter 2. The place was shaken and they were filled with
the Holy Spirit, but because there were no foreigners present, the gift
of tongues was absent. Acts 4:31 says, "And when they had prayed,
the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were
all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with
boldness."
The purpose for the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not to mutter or
babble unintelligible sounds, but rather to have power for preaching.
This is why Jesus said, "But ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth." Acts 1:8.
The Message to
Corinth
Of the 14 New Testament books written by Paul, 1 Corinthians is the
only one in which he deals with the subject of tongues. The Corinthian
church obviously had a specific, temporary problem because Paul's second
letter to Corinth never even mentions tongues.
The ancient city of Corinth was famous for its two international
seaports. Because the Corinthian church was a melting pot of many
different nationalities, its services often became chaotic and
confusing. Evidently some of the members would pray, testify, or preach
in languages unknown to the others present. This is why Paul commanded
that if they spoke in a tongue unknown to the majority, they should
remain silent unless there was someone there to interpret or translate
(1 Corinthians 14:28). In other words, it's not polite to speak in a
language that your audience cannot understand. Listen to these plain
statements from the apostle: "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. ... 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. ... 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." 1 Corinthians 14:6-9, 19, 27, 28.
It is truly amazing that some people take this passage and use it as
an excuse to babble during services! The consistent message of Paul
throughout Scripture is the very opposite. In 1 Timothy 6:20, he
specifically mentions "avoiding profane and vain babblings."
And in 2 Timothy 2:16, Paul repeats that counsel: "But shun profane
and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
In other words, the very purpose for the gift of speech is to
communicate your thoughts. If those present do not understand your
communication, then keep silent.
Heavenly
Prayer Language?
Many of my charismatic friends would agree that the tongues spoken in
the book of Acts were normal languages of the world. But they quickly
add that there is a second gift-a heavenly prayer language. This gift,
they say, is to express the Spirit's "groanings which cannot be
uttered." Romans 8:26. The purpose, they say, is so the devil
cannot understand our prayers. But nowhere are we taught to hide our
prayers from the devil. He trembles when he hears Christians pray!
This doctrine of a prayer language is based mainly upon 1 Corinthians
14:14, where Paul says, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my
spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful."
They interpret this to mean that when Paul prayed in the Spirit, he
used a "heavenly tongue" and did not himself know what he was
praying. This theory raises an important question. How would the
supplicant ever know if his prayer was answered?
So what is Paul really saying in 1 Corinthians 14:14? The problem in
understanding this verse comes largely from the cumbersome translation.
Please allow me to rephrase the verse in modern English: "If I pray
in a language those around me do not know, I might be praying with the
Spirit, but my thoughts would be unfruitful for those listening."
Paul is adamant that if we pray out loud, we should either pray so
others around us can understand or else keep quiet! Notice the next few
verses: "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?" 1 Corinthians 14:15,16. According to this text, who has
the problem with understanding? It is the listener and not the speaker
as is commonly taught. If you have ever prayed with someone who is
offering a prayer in a language unknown to you, then you know what Paul
meant when he said it is difficult for you to say "Amen"
(meaning "so be it") at the end of the prayer. Without an
interpreter, you have no idea to what you are assenting. You may have
just asked a blessing on the devil as far as you can tell!
It is obvious from the context of 1 Corinthians 14 that the purpose
of speaking in tongues, or foreign languages, is to communicate the
gospel and thereby edify the church. If the listeners do not understand
the spoken language they cannot be edified. Consequently, if there is no
interpreter, the speaker is simply speaking into the air and the only
ones present who know what is being said are God and himself. This is
the clear meaning of the often-misquoted verse 2. "For he that
speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for
no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries."
Paul emphasizes again that the languages spoken need to be understood
by the hearers or else the one who wants to share the mysteries of the
gospel needs to sit quietly in meditation between himself and God.
"So likewise ye; except ye utter by tongue words easy to be
understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak
into the air." "But if there be no interpreter, let him keep
silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God."
Verses 9, 28. Clearly, the entire purpose of tongues is to cross
language barriers and communicate the gospel!
Some have asked, "Didn't Paul say he spoke with the tongues of
angels?"
No. Paul said, "Though I speak with the tongues of men
and of angels ..." 1 Corinthians 13:1, emphasis added. If you read
this verse in its context, you will see that the word "though"
means "even if." For example, Paul also said in verse 2,
"Though I have all faith ..." He did not have all
faith. And verse 3 adds, "Though I give my body to be burned
..." Paul was beheaded, not burned. So we can see that Paul here
used the word "though" to mean "even if."
Right Priorities
I believe that all the gifts of the Spirit, including the true gift
of tongues, are needed and available to the church today. But the
Scriptures teach that some of the gifts are more important than others
and that we should focus on the most important ones. "But covet
earnestly the best gifts." 1 Corinthians 12:31.
In fact, when the Bible lists spiritual gifts, tongues is usually
found at the bottom of the list. "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." 1 Corinthians 12:28. "Greater is he that
prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues." 1 Corinthians
14:5.
Yet some charismatic preachers have turned the list upside down and
made the gift of tongues the primary emphasis of their preaching. They
would have us think that a Christian who does not speak in tongues is a
second-class citizen. But Paul makes it clear that different gifts are
given to different people, and no one is expected to have all the gifts.
He asks in 1 Corinthians 12:29, 30: "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?" The
answer is obviously NO!
The Bible says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance."
Galatians 5:22, 23. But these same preachers would have us believe that
the fruit of the Spirit is tongues or that every person who is filled
with the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues. Yet out of more than 50
examples in the Bible where God filled His people with the Spirit, only
three times is tongues connected with the experience.
Furthermore, Jesus is our example. He was filled with the Holy
Spirit, yet He never spoke in tongues. John the Baptist was "filled
with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15), but
there is no record that he spoke in tongues, either.
Of the 27 books in the New Testament, only three make any reference
at all to the gift of tongues. There are about 39 Bible authors. Of the
39, only three-Luke, Paul, and Mark-mention the subject of tongues. In
other words, we should put the emphasis where God puts the emphasis.
Creative
Counterfeit
The genuine gift of tongues is a powerful tool for the proclamation
of the gospel. But remember, the devil has a counterfeit for every truth
of God.
Glossolalia (glô´se-lâ'lê-a) is the word often used to describe
the popular experience found in most charismatic churches. It is defined
in the American Heritage Dictionary as: "fabricated and
non-meaningful speech, especially such speech associated with a trance
state or certain schizophrenic syndromes."
Contrast that with the same dictionary's definition for a language:
"The use by human beings of voice sounds, and often written symbols
representing these sounds, in organized combinations and patterns in
order to express and communicate thoughts and feelings."
By any definition, the disjointed sounds of glossolalia are not a
language.
Believe me, I have seen this practice many times. In one charismatic
church I used to attend, the pastor and his wife were a "tongues
team." Every week in the middle of the pastor's sermon, his wife
would jump to her feet, throw her arms in the air, and break out in
ecstatic utterance. But she always said the same thing. "Handa kala
shami, handa kala shami, handa kala shami... ." Over and over
again. This instantly seemed suspicious to me because Jesus said,
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen
do." Matthew 6:7.
Each time this happened, the woman's husband would stop preaching and
provide a dubious English translation for her so-called message. Usually
it began with "Thus saith the Lord." Yet in spite of the fact
that she always repeated the words "handa kala shami," the
pastor's vague interpretation was different each time-and sometimes
three times longer than the utterance. I used to wonder why, if this was
a message from God, wouldn't He give it to us in English the first time.
Baptized Paganism
My exposure to this charismatic "tongues team" reminded me
of some things I had read in my history books growing up. This modern
manifestation of tongues finds its roots not in the Bible, but rather in
ancient pagan spiritualistic rituals. In the sixth century B.C., the
Oracle of Delphi was housed in a temple built near the foot of Mt.
Parnassus. Delphi was also sacred to Dionysus, the god associated with
wine, fertility, and sensual dance, and to the nine Muses, patron
goddesses of music.
While exhilarating music was played, the chief priestess named Pythia
would breathe intoxicating vapors, go into a frenzied trance, and then
begin jabbering. The weird sounds the priestess muttered were then
interpreted by a priest, who usually spoke in verse. Her utterances were
regarded as the words of Apollo, but the messages were so ambiguous that
they could seldom be proven wrong.1
While living with the Native Americans in New Mexico, I witnessed a
similar ritual several times. The Indians would eat the hallucinogenic
peyote, then sit in a circle and chant and pound drums for hours. Before
long, several were spasmodically muttering as they experienced their
tormenting visions. Today the charismatic churches are by far the most
popular among the Native Americans because it is such an easy and
natural transition from their old religions.
Among many heathen African tribes, in order to invoke the blessing of
their gods, the people would sacrifice a chicken or goat and then dance
around a fire for long hours, chanting songs to the hypnotic rhythm of a
pounding drum. Eventually some of the people would become possessed by
their gods and begin speaking the eerie languages of the spirit world.
Then the local witch doctor or priest would translate the messages. This
ritual is still practiced today among the Voodoo Catholics in the West
Indies.
This pagan practice first found its way into the North American
Christian churches in the early 1800s. Many of the African slaves who
were brought to America and forced to accept Christianity were unable to
read the Bible for themselves. Even though they came from a variety of
tribes in Africa, one practice most tribes held in common was the
"Spirit Dances" with the "spirit-possessed" person
muttering.
The slaves mistakenly associated this with the Christian "gift
of tongues" and began to incorporate a modified version into their
meetings. These frantic services, which were accompanied by heavy
rhythmic music, began to spread at first only in the South and the
participants were mocked by the mainline denominations as "Holy
Rollers." Some even went so far as to grab venomous serpents during
their possessed trances as a means of proving that they had the
"spirit." (This was a misuse of Mark 16:18, which says,
"They shall take up serpents," in reference to the time Paul
was accidentally bitten by a serpent but was unharmed by the venom. See
Acts 28:3-6.) For people to hunt down and pick up deadly snakes in order
to prove that they have the Holy Spirit is, in reality, tempting God!
The national expansion of the Pentecostal movement among Caucasians
began in Los Angeles at the Apostolic Faith Gospel Mission on Azusa
Street in 1906. The leader was a black former holiness preacher named
William Seymour. From there, leaders continued to refine the doctrines
and make them more attractive and palatable to other mainline
Christians.
"Then in about 1960 the charismatic movement began attracting
followers within traditional denominations. From then it continued to
have explosive growth until now there are several million charismatics
in Protestant and Catholic churches throughout the world."2
It is important to note the prominent role music plays in all the
pagan religions that practice glossolalia. This counterfeit gift of
tongues first found its foothold in mainline churches through
"baptized" pagan music and worship styles. The dominant,
repetitious rhythms and syncopated beat disarm the higher reasoning
powers and put the subconscious mind in a hypnotic state. In this
vulnerable condition, the spirit of ecstatic utterance finds easy
access.
Now the devil is using this counterfeit gift of tongues, like a
Trojan horse, to introduce pagan worship styles into Christian churches
with a frightening degree of success. Satan wants to shift the attention
of Christians from faith to feeling. Some of these charismatic churches
go so far as to say that the Bible is the old letter, and that messages
which come through tongues are fresh revelations of the Spirit and
therefore more dependable.
So now the stage is set for Satan's final performance!
How God's
Spirit Affects Us
The concept that a person who is "slain in the spirit"
should fall to the ground and wallow and mutter is an insult to the Holy
Ghost. The reason God gives us His Spirit is to restore in us His
image-not to rob us of all dignity and self control!
On mount Carmel, the pagan prophets of Baal jumped on the altar and
shouted and moaned. They prophesied and cut themselves. By contrast,
Elijah quietly knelt and prayed a simple prayer(1 Kings 18:17-46).
"For God is not the author of confusion." 1 Corinthians
14:33. If God is not responsible, then who is?
The idea that we lose control when we receive the Spirit is not
consistent with Scripture. "The spirits of the prophets are subject
to the prophets." 1 Corinthians 14:32.
Here's another case in point. After Jesus saved a berserk,
demon-possessed man by the sea, the healed man was seen "sitting at
the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind." Luke 8:35.
The invitation of God is "Come now, and let us reason together,
saith the Lord." Isaiah 1:18. He wants us to use our heads.
Some of you reading this study are no doubt thinking: "How dare
you say these things? I have spoken in tongues for years and know it is
from God!"
As Christians, we should never base our conclusions on how we feel.
After all, the devil can certainly make us feel good. Rather, we must
base our beliefs upon the sure Word of God.
A friend of mine was an active charismatic who often spoke in
tongues. When he studied these things, he began to question if this
"gift" was from the right spirit. So he sincerely prayed and
said, "Lord, if this is not Your will and if I am not experiencing
the true gift of tongues, then please take it away!" He told me
that from that day on, the experience of glossolalia never returned. A
true Christian should be willing to surrender every cherished view and
practice on the altar of God's will and forsake any practice that may be
questionable-no matter how popular, accepted, or beloved among other
Christians. There are some things that are highly esteemed among men but
are an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15).
Babbling in
Babylon
Why is understanding the subject of tongues so essential for us
today? I believe the modern charismatic movement was foretold in Bible
prophecy.
Revelation chapter 18 verses 2 and 4 state: "And he cried
mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is
fallen. ... And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of
her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye
receive not of her plagues."
We must remember that one of the principal characteristics of ancient
Babylon at the tower of Babel was a confusion of tongues (Genesis
11:7-9). Revelation is telling us that in the last days, God's people
are to be called out of Babylon and its confusing counterfeit religious
systems.
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the
mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the
mouth of the false prophet." Revelation 16:13. The phrase "out
of the mouth" represents speech, and please don't miss the fact
that a frog's main weapon is its tongue. Unclean tongues? Perhaps God is
trying to tell us something.
Remember that the confusion of tongues at Babel was not a blessing of
the Spirit, but rather a curse for their rebellion. In fact, we get our
modern word "babbling" from the story of ancient Babel. At
Pentecost, the curse of Babel was reversed so others might understand
the gospel.
Given to the
Obedient
I have met people who told me they've had the baptism of the Holy
Spirit because they spoke in tongues; yet they held a cigarette in one
hand and a can of beer in the other. Now let's get something straight.
There are some basic requirements for receiving this most precious gift
of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will
pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth." John 14:15, 16,
17.
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the
Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts
5:32, emphasis added.
A few years ago several famous TV evangelists fell by the way. They
all claimed to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have the gift of
tongues. But they were living in gross immoral disobedience. They would
speak in tongues on TV, then leave the studio to live a compromising
life. Something just wasn't right. These men also caused me to wonder,
"If this is the genuine gift of tongues, then why do these
charismatic evangelists need an army of interpreters to translate for
them when they preach overseas?"
Why does God give the Spirit? "But ye shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto
me." Acts 1:8. God does not give us the Spirit to babble, but as
power for witnessing!
How can we receive the genuine gift of the Holy Spirit? Totally
submit to God, be willing to forgive others, obey Him, and ask.
Luke 11:13 says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good
gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
1The Concise Columbia
Encyclopedia and Compton's
Interactive Encyclopedia, under the entry "Delphi."
2Compton's Interactive
Encyclopedia, under the entry
"Pentecostals."
