Tongues for today
The Word of God speaks about speaking in other tongues, so what’s it all about?
It’s a New Testament thing. This essentially means that speaking in tongues, glossolalia, is a Christian blessing. It is for believers.
Of course, there is a debate about whether it is current, or, if it is for all Christians. There is even some controversy around speaking in tongues.
However it is scripture and it is mentioned enough times for us to gain a decent picture of what is taking place and why we should engage.
What does it mean?
Tongues are effectively languages. OK, that’s easy to understand. The difference is that, with our native tongue we are speaking a known language, a tongue that is familiar to us and which we understand. We also understand those who speak to us in the same language.
Glossolalia, the Greek word for tongues in the Bible, are languages that are not familiar to us, but which are spoken through the utterance of the Holy Spirit. How does this happen?
At the beginning of the Book of Acts, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus’ disciples were commanded to wait in prayer in an upper room in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-4). Jesus told them they were to be baptised with the Holy Spirit, and that they would be witnesses to Him to the uttermost (Acts 1:8).
They continued praying until there was an amazing occurrence.
The Holy Spirit entered the room and there was a rushing mighty wind, followed by tongues of fire residing over the heads of those present, around 120 believers.
Then they all began to speak in other tongues through the utterance of the Holy Spirit. He gave the words. They spoke.
At the same time, outside, there were people in Jerusalem for the time of Pentecost, a Jewish festival, who heard the sound coming from the upper room and the disciples uttering praises to God in the languages of those who heard them (Acts 2:8).
The diaspora had come from many places to Jerusalem, but they heard the disciples praise God in the native languages from whence they came.
It was an amazing scene. The crowd outside thought that the people in the upper room must be drunk, but others said it was a bit early for that (Acts 2:13). Peter, one of Jesus’ Apostles, stood up and began to explain that this was a prophesied event (Acts 2:14-16).
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
Acts 2:17-18
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.’
Peter also preached and many were saved that day. This was the beginning of the phenomenon of speaking in tongues, right at the start of the Church age. You’ll find it in Acts chapter two.
A similar event took place ten years later, only it happened amongst the Gentiles, who were non-Jewish people (Acts 10:45). Previously only Jewish believers were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in tongues. Now it was seen that it was for all people, Jews and Greeks, meaning everyone. God had united all under Christ (Acts 10:47-48).
The purpose
The first letter to the Corinthians talks quite a bit about the gifts of the Spirit including speaking in tongues. There are three manifestations mentioned: the operation, the office, the utterance.
Paul speaks of the operation of the gift of tongues and interpretation in the local church setting, where he gives conditions for its correct outworking. These gifts operate according to the will of the Holy Spirit.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
He also speaks of the office, a ministry gift of tongues and interpretation, where one person speaks by utterance of the Holy Spirit, and another gives the interpretation of what has been spoken.
God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Acts 12:28
It is the equivalent, with interpretation, to the office of the prophet, and can be directive or give warning. The interpretation is necessary because no one knows what it being said until someone interprets. Notice it is a variety of tongues, more than one language or manifestation.
Not all operate in this manifestation, and again it is as the Holy Spirit directs and inspires. Also, those in the ministry position of prophet are encouraged to judge the prophetic utterances.
Then there is the individual utterance, whereby God gives each believer a divine language with which to communicate directly to Him in prayer and in song. This is for all and any believers, and there could be more than one language spoken by a believer at any given time, as the Spirit gives utterance.
Indeed, we are to desire prophecy and all spiritual gifts.
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
This ‘desire’ is strong. It is a zeal for the gifts, especially that we should prophesy. God has not removed this from the Church. They are gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, through believers.
Notice that Paul is not rejecting speaking in tongues, nor diminishing its importance. In fact he desired that we all speak in tongues, but not in the general assembly without an interpretation.
Prophecy edifies all who believe. Tongues edify the speaker, unless there is an interpretation. However, both are important and none is to be shunned.
He is saying that it is more beneficial in the church setting with other people present to prophesy, because tongues are unknown unless there is an interpretation.
He also says we should not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues or prophesying.
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40
We can also ask for interpretation of what we say, but it is clear from this that we will not know what the language is that we are speaking (1 Cor 14:13).
Paul says we are speaking to the Lord in mysteries. No one understands, including the speaker. It is by the utterance of the Holy Spirit. He calls it singing and praying in the Spirit.
He also says that when we speak, pray or sing in the Spirit we are being spiritually edified.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
1 Corinthians 14:-15
There is no scripture that ends speaking in tongues for the New Testament believer today.
There is scripture that says that one day tongues, prophecy and even knowledge will not be necessary, but that day has not yet arrived (1 Cor 13:8). That will be when we are finally taken from this age to be with the Lord forever. For now we need all of the gifts, manifestations and operations of the Spirit.
Tongues edify. Tongues magnify. Tongues build us up in our most holy faith. Tongues are from the Holy Spirit. Tongues are good.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:20
