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Copyright
© 1976, Diane S. Dew
I. What is speaking in tongues?
A. It is the spirit of man (not
his mind, will or emotions) praying to God.
I Corinthians 2:11
"For what man knoweth the things of
a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the
things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God."
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."
B. It is the Spirit of God interceding for man. Man
prays (forms the words, etc.), but utterance is given by the
Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26, 27
"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."
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."
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."
I Corinthians 14:14
"For if I pray in an unknown
tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is
unfruitful."
C. Primarily, it is a sign that Jesus said would follow "them
that believe."
Mark 16:17
"And these signs shall follow them
that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they
shall speak with new tongues ..."
II. What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?
A. It is a sign to unbelievers.
I Corinthians 14:22, 23
"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?"
B. When given with an interpretation, it may be for the
edification of the church (assembly) .
I Corinthians 14:5
"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."
C. It is for self-edification of the believer.
I Corinthians 14:4
"He that speaketh in an unknown
tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth
the church."
1.
Building up of our faith.
Jude 20
"But ye, beloved, building up
yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the
Holy Ghost ..."
2.
Spiritual rest and refreshing.
Isaiah 28:11, 12
"For with stammering lips and
another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom
he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the
weary to rest; and this is the refreshing..."
3.
Yielding of self to God.
James 3:3-8
"Behold, we put bits in the
horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn
about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which
though they be so great, and are driven of fierce
winds, yet are they turned about with a very small
helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the
tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And
the tongue is a fire ..."
4.
Assistance in prayer.
Romans 8:26, 27
"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."
I Corinthians 2:10-11
D. It is evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:45-47
"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. Can any man forbid water, that these
should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost
as well as we?"
III. What is the place of glossolalia in the assembly?
A. Two or three messages may be given in tongues, with one
interpreter.
I Corinthians 14:27
B. Unless an interpretation is given, however, it is better
in the assembly (for the edification of others) to
speak with the understanding (mind, or soul).
I Corinthians 14:6-13, 19, 28
C. But all things are to be done decently and in order, for
the building up of the body of Christ. "God is not the
author of confusion ... "
I Corinthians 14:26, 33, 40
IV. In the early church, speaking in tongues was accepted as a
common occurrence among believers. What was Paul's attitude toward
the gift?
A. The book of Acts makes several references to speaking in
tongues, relating it to the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
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 10:45-47
"And they of the circumcision which
believed were astonished ...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...which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
Acts 19:6
"And when Paul had laid his hands
upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake
with tongues, and prophesied."
B.
Paul approved of speaking in tongues, and he encouraged
the Corinthian church to excel in it. His epistle to the
Corinthians reveals how extensively he exercised the gift in his
own prayer life.
I Corinthians 12:31
I Corinthians 14:1
"... desire spiritual gifts, but
rather that ye may prophesy."
I Corinthians 14:5
"I would that ye all spake with
tongues, but rather that ye prophesied..."
I Corinthians 14:18
C. Scripture says that all may speak in tongues.
I Corinthians 14:5, 23, 26
D. Operation of the gift is not to be forbidden.
I Corinthians 14:39
"Wherefore, brethren, covet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."
I Thessalonians 5:19
Copyright © 1976, Diane S. Dew
Taken from "Fundamentals of the Faith – Studies in Basic Bible Doctrine," Parts One and Two, © 1976, by Diane S.
Dew
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