Tongues has 2 distinct categories (purposes)
1. initial EVIDENCE
2. EDIFICATION of believer & the church through interpretation
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COMPARE THE FOLLOWING:
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
TONGUES = LANGUAGES
SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES: Language the speaker never learned...
... the Spirit gives the utterance
... Utterance = "something said, remarks, statements"
Possibly another national language, maybe not: Others may understand
UNKNOWN TONGUES: This is language speaking to God =
I Corinthians 14:1-6 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy. 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. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 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?
THIS BELONGS EXCLUSIVELY TO THE CHURCH!
A supernatural prayer language for those that have the Holy Ghost.
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<<<< INITIAL EVIDENCE:
PREMISE: Jesus promised the H.G. to his followers.
John 14:16-17 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; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Acts 1:4-8 And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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.
THIS WAS FULFILLED IN ACTS 2:1-4 ---> THEN PROMISED IT TO ALL!
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.
SO: WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE TO ASSURE THIS GIFT? Only 1 Biblical Precedent
N.T. Believers spoke in tongues! ** only evidence ever displayed **
?? DO YOU HAVE TO SPEAK IN TONGUES TO RECEIVE H.G.??
====> NO: BUT WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE H.G., YOU WILL SPEAK IN TONGUES!
"it's the whistle in the tea pot"
Joy, Peace, Gifts, Beatitudes etc... ARE LATER FRUIT , not initial sign
CONTENTION: some say tongues was to preach to each nationality
Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
PREACHING WAS DONE BY PETER: (using keys to the kingdom)
2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Proponents of this theory --- STILL send missionaries to language school!
120 in upper room were speaking the "WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD" = WORSHIP!
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SEEK THE RIGHT THING! (evil generation seek a sign)
SEEK THE H.G., NOT TONGUES! ---> God is not withholding from you!
this is available to the sinner
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UNKNOWN TONGUES: APPLICABLE TO SAINTS ONLY --- NOT SINNERS W/O H.G.
Only references in the scripture : 2Cor 12-14
FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH!
----> after the H.G. = You have FRUIT & GIFTS of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gifts are found in 1COR 12 ---> UNKNOWN TONGUE IS MENTIONED 6 TIMES
**** FOR THIS GIFT TO EDIFY, IT NEEDS AN INTERPRETER...
I Corinthians 14:2 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.
14:4 He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.
14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
14:19 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.
LISTEN TO GUIDELINES OF USE:
14:26-28 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.
NOTICE: this comes in courses = (MEROS) "allotment by turn or share"
--- 3 courses max!
::: IF NO INTERPRETER, SPEAK SOFTLY W/O INTERRUPTING SERVICE :::
This gift does not supersede the ministry of the word!
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Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: >>>> GIFTS ARE FOR EDIFYING, NOT PERFECTING!
I Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
GIFTS WERE NOT GIVEN TO SAINTS TO : SET CHURCH IN ORDER
CONDUCT BUSINESS
JUDGE MARRIAGES ETC...
14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Note instruction: Anything violating peace/decency is out of order!
14:33 For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
WHEN UNKNOWN TONGUES ARE INTERPRETED, IT EDIFIES THE CHURCH
------> But what about the edification of an individual? <-------
PRAYER LANGUAGE: (the personal form of an unknown tongue)
-----------> used in prayer & singing
I Corinthians 14:14-15 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.
THIS IS WHAT PAUL WAS REFERRING TO IN ROMANS:
Romans 8:25-28 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]. 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. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
GROANINGS: "sigh, groan, murmer, pray inaudibly"
back to above verses: 14:16-18 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:
NOTICE THE TONGUE IS FOR GIVING THANKS! (well) Praising God etc...
Public or Private: but to be done in order
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I Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
Q U E N C H : refusing to allow the Spirit to flow | ISSUE IS CONTROL! |
Speaking in tongues is merely God's way of controlling for his glory
the most unruly, uncontrollable member of our body!
James 3:7-8 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
BUT YOU MUST ALWAYS CHOSE TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT...
I Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
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REMEMBER: EVERYONE THAT RECEIVED THE H.G. SPOKE IN TONGUES!
tongues is not a new concept: just a new application for the N.T.
II Sam 23:2 The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 8:15-17 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
((( This was Simon: only place not specifically mentioned! )))
8:18-19 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:44-48 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. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:5-6 When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
I Cor 13:8-10 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. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.