1 Corinthians 12:4-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
First let us clarify what “speaking in tongues” is not. Speaking in tongues is not falling into ecstasy and spewing out a torrent of unintelligible words. This would be more in line with gibberish of today’s modern spiritual experiential movement. It is most definitely not in line with the biblical accounts recorded in Scripture.
Scripture clearly identifies the gift of “speaking in tongues” as speaking a language that is perhaps not otherwise known to the speaker but known to the listener. Although the passage is fairly lengthy it is important not to skip lightly through it. The entire account of The Holy Spirit at Pentecost is recorded in Acts 2:1-12. Verses 1-3 describe the scene, the setting, and the visual tongues of flames resting on each of the original 11 apostles and the newly appointed Matthias—12 men in all.
Acts 2:4-12 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Although the emboldened and
italicized text is unnecessary, it is still interesting to visually note how
much of this text is devoted to explaining this event occurred with real languages
and not gibberish. It is considered factual by most biblical scholars that Paul
spoke at least two languages and quite possibly four. Scriptural documentation
can be found in Acts 21:37 and Acts 21:40-22:2. It is assumed by most biblical
scholars that Paul could speak Hebrew and Aramaic of the Old Testament as well
as Greek of the New Testament and quite possibly Latin of the Roman Empire since
he was a citizen of Rome. Paul never questions the gift of “tongues” but he
knew very well about its problems:
1 Corinthians 14:8-11 and 18-19 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. … I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. but in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
We know all gifts of diverse kinds exist for the common good of the church—to edify, build up, instruct, enlighten, and inform God’s people about the means of salvation through Jesus Christ and to live a life in accordance with God’s purposes. There is no need for tongues unless someone is present who does not understand the language being spoken, and then interpretation is required for clarity, (see 1 Corinthians 14:5).
On the matter of interpretation, Paul gives a very practical example:
1 Corinthians 14:16-17 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
Perhaps this is something to consider: A person who is bilingual has much to offer in spreading the Gospel message. Yet the greater gift, the greater good—whether you possess bilingual skills or not—is to warn God’s people when they go astray and guide them back to following God’s will.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of languages you provided to enable others to hear the truth of your Word. Thank you for those who are able to communicate in various languages today. Thank you for those who transcribe the Bible into a wide variety of languages to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Keep us safely away from the gibberish of today’s modern “tongues” experiences. May we continue to trust in You.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
The devotional Speaking in Tongues and Interpretation appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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