(Section 9) The Baptism Of The Holy Ghost And Tongues Series

IX. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST AND TONGUES

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.”

A. Can there be Genuine Tongues Today?

Spiritual and scholarly men are ranged on both sides of this question, but it is of vital importance that we endeavor to discover for ourselves the Biblical answer. One school of thought maintains that this gift was temporary, to meet special conditions in the early days of the Church and before there was a written New Testament. This necessity has passed and therefore the gift has been withdrawn.

Be that as it may, he would be a bold man who would, without the clearest and most indisputable Biblical evidence, assert that the Holy Spirit cannot, if He chooses, revive the gift of tongues in our day, even though it may have lapsed through centuries. There does not appear to be any clear statement in the New Testament that the gift has been withdrawn, or that it may not occur. J. Oswald Sanders pg 126

B. Tongues in Scripture:

1. New Tongues Promised

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;”

2. Biblically Recorded Events of Speaking in Tongues--- Only in Acts

a. 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.”

(1) At the Day of Pentecost.

(2) Following being “filled with the Holy Ghost”

(3) They were speaking in unlearned languages of men that were

intelligible to men of the particular dialect who where witnesses

of this event following the Holy Ghost entrance.

v. 8 “And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”

(4) Speaking the wonderful works of God. (v. 11)

Some say the “other tongues” spoken on the day of Pentecost were evangelistic in nature and therefore used such as in missionary work. Compare however, the exhibition during the initial filling to the message later preached by Peter. Where not the same individuals possibly present in the congregation to whom Peter preached. Yet, he did not preach in “tongues,” but he preached in his

native language and 3000 were added to the church. Keep in mind, no account was made of adding to

the church during the initial exhibition of the filling, but after the preaching of the Word.

b. Acts10:46 “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,”

(1) Cornelius, his family and others accompanying.

(2) The “Holy Ghost fell on all them.”

(3) Magnified God.

c. 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.”

(1) Certain disciples.

(2) The “Holy Ghost came on them.”

(3) They spake with tongues and prophesied.

3. Gift of Tongues I Cor. 12

a. Not everyone possessed --- “to another” --- “dividing to every man severally as he will. (I Cor. 12:11)

I Cor.12:30 “Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”

This concerns only the specific gift, not personal, devotional speaking in tongues, nor tongues following the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

b. Two Gifts Given Concerning Tongues: (I Cor. 12:10)

(1) Divers Kinds of Tongues --- The Speaker

(2) Interpretation of Tongues --- The Interpreter

c. Where unknown tongues just an unknown language normal to man?

If unknown tongues were simply various languages, then the gift of interpretation would not be a supernatural gift since men could study and learn various languages and exercise interpretation without the Spirit. Therefore, these languages spoken of to be interpreted must have been beyond the normal communications of men.

Are these the tongues of angels that Paul referred to?

I Cor. 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,”

4. Unknown Tongues Private vs. Public

a. Private I Cor. 14:2

(1) speaketh not unto men, but unto God:

(2) no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

If no man can understand him then it must not just be an unknown tongue in that it is unknown to the speaker, but is an unknown tongue in that it is unknown to all men.

(3) edifieth himself

(4) my spirit prayeth (v. 14)

(5) I will pray with the spirit, (v. 15)

(6) I will sing with the spirit, (v. 15)

(7) Paul said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” 18

(8) and forbid not to speak with tongues. (v. 39)

b. Public Tongues to be Interpreted

(1) Interpretation qualifies importance to level of prophesying. (v. 5)