“The Gift of Tongues”

Teaching Notes

Note: Please use this printable guide as a companion to the audio teaching on “The Gift of Tongues.” This guide will help you listen and take notes.

Introduction

Brent’s background.

God is a miracle-working God. But He has purpose for His miracles. Sometimes His purposes change. Therefore, our expectation of certain miracles should change. In other words, just because people miraculously spoke in tongues in the Biblical record, does not necessarily mean we should expect to speak in tongues today.

Experience is powerful. Therefore, every experience that we have must be evaluated by a correct understanding of the Bible. In other words, we should interpret experience in light of the Bible, rather than interpret the Bible in light of our experience.

  1. We are fallible people that have fallible experiences and receive fallible impressions. Our flesh and secret heart desires can adversely affect our impressions and experiences.
  1. Demons can teach us and convince us that the “truth” or a “direction” that we feel comes from God. (1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Kings 22:21ff)
  1. There will be a day when “counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” will occur in attempt to deceive people. Satan can perform miracles that seem to rival those of the Lord. (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Exodus. 7:8–12, 20–22, 8:5–7; Matthew 7:21–23)
  2. Judas performed miracles, yet he was never born again (John 6:66–71; 13:11, 18).
  1. People are susceptible to the power of experience. And it certainly seems the current cultural narrative is that experience is valued above truth.

The miraculous ability to speak in a foreign language is NOT a sign of a person’s salvation.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:27–31, NIV84)

What does the “preponderance of evidence” mean?

Evergreen-Bloomington’s Position on the Gift of Tongues

We believe that the “preponderance of Biblical evidence” weighs in favor of:

  1. That the gift of tongues is a Holy Spirit-inspired speaking of a known human language that wasn’t known to the speaker.
  2. That the gift of tongues is not intended as a personal prayer language. However, if a person in our church privately practices tongues and if the person does not promote or practice their view with others in the church, then we do not take issue with the personal practice.
  3. That the gift of tongues is sign gift. The sign gift could be explained in two ways(maybe more):

a)Miraculous speaking of a foreign language as a “sign” to unbelievers where the gospel is in a pioneering stage.

b)Miraculous speaking of a foreign language as a “sign” to unbelieving Jews as a Kingdom-offer that was revoked when the Jews as a nation refused the Kingdom offer. The Jews were then destroyed and scattered in 70 A.D.

Observations of All the Incidents of Tongues in the Book of Acts

Is the use of tongues done publicly? Privately? Or not enough information to know? / Is the use of tongues in a known foreign language? Or not enough information to know? / Was the language understood by the listeners? / Who is the audience listening to the tongues?
Acts 2:1-21 / Publicly / Known foreign languages / Yes / Jews
Acts 10:44-48, 11:15-18 / Publicly / Implied: known foreign languages (see 10:46, 11:15,17) / Yes: Implied by 10:46, 11:15,17 / Jews and Gentiles.
(But it seems like it was directed at Jews)
Acts 19:1-7 / Publicly / Not enough information to know / Not enough information to know / Paul and disciples of John. Presumably Jews.

Four important observations from the above chart.

  1. The use of tongues was done publicly.
  2. Tongues was most likely the supernatural speaking of a known human language.
  3. When tongues occurred, it was most likely understood by the listeners.
  4. Jews were most likely the primary audience.

What are reasons to consider that the gift of tongues was a supernatural ability to speak in a known human language which the speaker has never learned?

1.There is a clear incident in the book of Acts where foreign known languages were spoken by the gift of tongues (Acts 2:2:1-11). This incident is the clearest and most detailed description of speaking in tongues in the Bible. The other incidents of tongues offer no further information, one way or another.

2.The Greek word “tongue” is “glossa” which means either the actual tongue in our mouth or the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations.

3.In 1 Cor. 14:10, Paul identifies the gift of tongues with human languages using the phrase, “in the world.” See also how Paul compares it in 1 Cor. 14:21, “strange languages/ lips of foreigners.”

4.Tongues were also able to be interpreted (1 Cor. 14:5,14). Only languages which have meaning can be interpreted.

5.The most often used passages to support the idea that tongues may be an unknown language is 1 Cor. 13:2 (where Paul connects tongues with the tongues of angels). However, Paul is speaking in hyperbole. This passage does not say that people ever could or should speak with the “tongues of angels” any more than they could ever “know all mysteries or knowledge.”

What are reasons to consider that the gift of tongues was not designed to be a personal prayer language?

  1. The expressed purpose of tongues is for unbelievers(1 Cor. 14:22).

“Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.” (1 Corinthians 14:22, NIV84)

  1. While Jesus does talk about personal prayer in private, He warns against meaningless talk in prayer. Matthew 6:6-11

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:6–11, NASB95)

“The Greek word here translated “meaningless repetition” is “battalogeo” and means “to stammer, hence to babble; to use vain (empty) repetitions” (The Analytical Greek Lexicon, Zondervan Publishing House, page 68). The New International Version translates this verse, “Do not keep babbling like pagans.” It seems then that Jesus is forbidding any prayer in which the mind is not rationally involved. Notice that Jesus is not speaking out here against Jewish forms of prayer but against those of the Gentiles (pagans). Joseph Dillow in his book Speaking in Tongues describes the type of prayer often used by the pagans in the “mystery religions” of Jesus’ and Paul’s time: “Speaking in ecstatic speech had an important place in pagan worship. The words were believed to be revealed by a god or a spirit to a priest or devotee while he was in a highly excited or ecstatic state. Through this, the worshipper believed that he was having a privileged, intimate contact with his god not possible when he spoke to it in his native tongue” (Speaking in Tongues, Dillow, page 39-40). George Gardinar, in his book The Corinthian Catastrophe, says that “The historians of the mystery religions of Greece picture devotees caught up in emotional hysteria, shaking and falling prostrate on the ground and babbling in ecstatic speech.” --Tongues by David Bovenmyer

  1. All the incidents in the book of Acts where tongues were practiced, it was practiced publicly.
  1. The purpose of spiritual gifts is for the edification of others, not self.

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT)

  1. If tongues is given for personal edification, then why isn’t it given to everyone? Wouldn’t this mean that some people would be able to have a deeper walk with God than others?

“The disciples came to Jesus and asked Him to teach them how to pray. They observed Jesus perform incredible miracles and preach authoritatively like no other. They also observed Him in prayer. It was His prayer life with which they were intrigued and they wanted Him to teach them how to pray personally and intimately with God (Luke 11:1). If tongues were a prayer language that can help one pray and connect with God, why did Jesus not bless them with the prayer language of tongues?” –GCLI, “Signs and Wonders in the Scripture” by Doug Brown

  1. In personal prayer language, the mind does not understand. Yet Paul encourages the Corinthians to have a mind that does understand.

“For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.” (1 Corinthians 14:14–15, NLT)

  1. The context of 1 Corinthians 14 is tongue talking in public at a church meeting.
  1. Jesus is a living example for us to emulate. He demonstrates the “body” in whole, while we are the parts of the body. He promised, the “works I do, will you also.” He exhibited many gifts, including miraculous gifts of healing, miracles, wisdom, knowledge. etc. There is no record that he ever spoke in tongues.

What is the purpose of tongues?

The clearest statement in Scripture is found in 1 Corinthians 14:20-22. This is the only verse in the Bible that specifically and explicitly states what the gift was for.

“Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 14:20–22, NASB95)

In this passage, Paul quotes from Isaiah 28:11-12. Paul makes three clear statements about the purpose of tongues.

  1. Tongues are for a sign.
  2. Tongues are to be spoken to “this people.” The Isaiah passage connects “this people” to the Jewish people.
  3. Tongues are to speak to unbelievers, or specifically, unbelieving Jews.

In each incident in Acts where tongues are spoken, these three purposes are fulfilled or at least implied.

“Signs” are very important to Jewish culture.

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,” (1 Corinthians 1:22, NIV84)

What about the various verses that seem to indicate personal prayer in tongues?

  1. “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 14:1–4, NLT)

It is not clear in the passages that private tongue talking is indicated. In the context, it is clear that Paul is referring to the gift of tongues used publicly. Being sensitive to the context, a paraphrase could read, “if you have the ability to speak in tongues and you use it publicly in the context of the church, and no one understands you, you will only be talking to God, you will be the only one strengthened (if you understand it). If you prophesy, then at least people will understand you and be strengthened.”

Verse 4 does not say that the gift was for personal edification. All gifts are given for the edification of others.

“Therefore, Paul is correcting their method of speaking in tongues. Because no one knew the language being spoken, the speaker was the only the only possible person who could have been edified. Paul is pointing out their method of speaking in tongues left only one person edified whereas if they would prophecy, the whole church would be edified. Actually, since even the speaker did not understand the language, his edification would be limited to the encouragement he received from knowing that he was using his spiritual gift. Surely he would have been even more edified if he had understood the message himself. We see then from verses one through five, (in the church without an interpreter) has two major problems; no one except God understood and no one except the speaker was edified.” --Tongues by David Bovenmyer

  1. “For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.” (1 Corinthians 14:14–15, NLT)

“In verse 14, Paul introduces the subject of prayer in tongues by stating that there is a problem with it: “my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” Prayer in tongues then would appear to be only half prayer. Only half the person’s faculties are utilized (his spirit only). Paul goes on to make a conclusion in verse fifteen, “What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also.” The logical interpretation of this verse would be that Paul decided to pray with both his spirit and his mind at the same time in the language he understood so that all his faculties could be involved in prayer to God. It seems then that these verses, instead of teaching that tongues are for prayer, actually teach that this form of prayer is less fruitful.” --Tongues by David Bovenmyer

  1. “But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.” (1 Corinthians 14:28, NLT)

The surrounding verses indicate a corrective instruction. To paraphrase, “If no one is present in the public worship service to interpret your tongue, then keep quiet, speaking only to God. There is to be silence.”

The original Greek language does not contain the phrase, in tongues. The phrase literally means, “and speak to God privately.”

  1. “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.” (1 Corinthians 14:18–19, NLT)

“Doesn’t this show that Paul must have spoken in tongues privately since he did so more than the Corinthians? Just because Paul spoke in tongues more than the Corinthians does not mean he did so privately to God. Paul was traveling from nation to nation where different languages were spoken. He was constantly speaking in foreign languages (tongues). He may have spoken as many as fourteen languages. Also, we know that as Paul was moving from country to country with the gospel, he would preach to the Jews first. He may have spoken supernaturally in languages he did not know as sign to the Jews.” --Tongues by David Bovenmyer

  1. “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Romans 8:26, NLT)

“A close look at this verse reveals that it does not refer to tongues. In fact, the verse does not state that a Christian makes any sound at all. It is not “we” that groan, but the Spirit. The Greek word that is translated “too deep for words” literally means “not to be uttered, not to be spoken.” (Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon, page 25). So we see that the groaning referred to in Romans 8:26 does not consist of any audible sounds at all but is silent groaning or longing of the Spirit Himself as He intercedes for us before the Father. The surrounding verses support this. Verse 22 says that the creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth. Obviously, this is a silent groaning. The groaning that Christians do is in verse 23….This is again an inward, silent yearning and longing.. Finally, the Spirit is said to intercede for us with unspoken groanings (verse 26). To say that this verse is referring to speaking in tongues is totally unsupported by anything in the verse itself or in the context. In fact, speaking in tongues is never mentioned in the whole book of Romans, even in Chapter 12, where Paul talks about the gifts of the Spirit.” --Tongues by David Bovenmyer