Tongues Pt. 4 Series

Dr. Mike Fogerson Tongues 4 August 19, 2012

A In philosophy there is a tool used called “an argument of silence.”

1 Means there is simply no direct evidence that proves anything.

a When people say that Jesus didn’t have a prayer language it is an argument of silence because there is no clear evidence that He did.

b Also true that there is no direct evidence that He didn’t.

2 What I share with you tonight may surprise you concerning the possibilities about Jesus and prayer languages.

B Jesus supported, endorsed, and prophesied about prayer languages.

1 17 "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17 (NASB)

a “new” is kairai, which means “new and unusual.”

b Jesus said that prayer language (new tongue) would be sign that fell on the early believers as the gospel spread.

2 Some question the validity/authenticity of the last several verses of Mark 16 because it is not found in the earliest manuscripts, but they do appear in the majority of the manuscripts we do have!

3 Jesus promised that signs would follow those who fulfill the Great Commission.

a Verified in Hebrews 2.1-4

1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable , and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty ,3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Heb 2:1-4 (NASB)

b God verified the words of the gospel by supernatural gifts, signs, & miracles.

T.S. What I am about to share with you may be unusual (you don’t have to agree with me),

just receive this research with an open heart/mind.

I Nicodemus & Prayer Language.

A John 3.5-8 contains a masterful play on words.

5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again .'8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:5-8 (NASB)

1 Nicodemus is an OT scholar, bible exegesis, theology student.

a “You must be born again.”

aa again is from the Greek “anothen,” which can mean “from above.”

bb No one can access the kingdom of God without a spiritual birth.

cc Once you are saved the spiritual realm opens up to those who have had a second birth by the Holy Spirit.

b Jesus illustrates this new birth by using the word “wind” in our English version.

aa The usual word for “wind” is anemos, but here “pneuma.”

bb Pneuma is translated as “Spirit” in John 3.5-8, literally can be read, “The Spirit spirits where He wishes . . .”

c “Sound” is the Greek word phone, which means “voiced” or “languages.”

aa Vincent Word Study says, “Thou heardest His voice . . .”

bb Could it be that Jesus is telling Nicodemus that the Spirit will articulate phonetically a new language?

2 Could it be, “The Spirit blows where it wishes and you hear the articulated language, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit?

a When Rome brought its kingdom to conquer another land, it brought a language with them . . . the Greek language, which was the universal language of its day.

b Could it be that God’s kingdom breaking through released “the tongues of angels”?

B Ol’Nicodemus would have undoubtedly been at Pentecost.

1 He would have observed & experienced the wind blowing, tongues of fire, ecstatic utterances.

a He would have also had the Jewish tradition of why Pentecost was celebrated.

aa Giving of the Law on Sinai.

bb God spoke to Moses by “voice,” descended in power causing supernatural lightening, thunder, angelic trumpets and smoke (Exod. 19.16-19).

6 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder . Ex 19:16-19 (NASB)