The significance of speaking in tongues

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy

Thus spoke Peter (Acts 2:16:18) when answering those who heard the disciples speaking in tongues on the Day of Pentecost. This is “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). It is part of the gospel of which the apostle wrote

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

When Jude exhorted the Church “that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3), he was saying the same as Paul when he wrote to the Galatians:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)

We are warned of men “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:5). The Emperor Constantinople subsumed the Church into Rome and it became secularised and paganised. The apostles (“saints”) became the objects of worship or prayer as did Mary, the mother of Jesus. Tongues ceased generally to be spoken – these were not what Jesus called “true worshippers” (John 4:23). In later times there were minor revivals of “the faith … once delivered to the saints”. Early speakers of tongues were Martin Luther and the Booth family which founded the Salvation Army. * There have been reports of certain well-known individuals speaking in tongues; these may no longer be possible to document, partly because the significance of speaking in tongues has not been understood. * [see addendum below regarding the sentence between the asterisks] In this latter day there is a relatively major revival. Thousands are receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Speaking in tongues was foretold by Jesus:

And these signs shall follow them that believe; … they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17)

The apostles and their companions were unequivocal. They baptised the first Gentiles when they heard them speak in tongues (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. (vv.44-46)

It appears that speaking in tongues is foretold in this verse (Zephaniah 3:9):

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

Isaiah wrote (chapter 28:11):

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

It was necessary for Paul to tell the Corinthians that they should not all speak in tongues at once; we can deduce that they were all able to speak in tongues. First, Paul cites the verse from Isaiah:

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you … hath a tongue …. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:21-23,26)

He laid down a procedure for the orderly exercise of the voice gifts of the Spirit – tongues, interpretations and prophecies. Notice that he speaks of interpretation, not translation, “for no man understandeth him” (1 Corinthians 14:2).

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.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (1 Corinthians 14:27-29)

Tongues is described as the language of the Spirit:

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. (Romans 8:26-27)

Paul writes to the Corinthians:

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh … unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:2,14)

Remember what Jesus said:

the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:23)

Addendum Exception was taken to the words struck out. The following sentence (that between asterisks) has been substituted. I will add a comment within the next few days.

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