Prayer Language & Scripture
A The spiritual gift of a private prayer language is the elephant in the room.
1 Since the Pentecostal awakening at Azusa Street in Los Angeles, the rebirth of Pentecostalism in the church, and the return of tongues, people have reacted with heated arguments and division.
a “Tongues” come from the greek word glossa.
aa Glassa means “language.”
bb According to the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the term glossa had to do with the manner of speech and/or it could refer to a people with their own language.
cc laleo means “to speak.”
dd Glossalaleo means to speak in another language.
b Most people equate “speaking in tongues” with glossalalia.
aa In the New Testament this term could be used to describe for three kinds of languages.
bb Known languages, Foreign languages and Angelic languages.
cc 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Cor 13:1 (NASB)
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues , as the Spirit was giving them utterance . 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. Acts 2:4-6 (NASB)
2 Glossalalia, according to Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, “The phenomenon of glossalalia is spiritually effected speaking (1 Cor. 14.2) not to men but to God (1 Cor. 14.28)
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands , but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Cor 14:2 (NASB)
28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 1 Cor 14:28 (NASB)
a “This phenomenon sometimes comes in the form of praise, thanksgiving, and possibly song; in this inspired utterance the mind (nous in Greek) is swallowed up so that mysterious word is obscure to both speakers and hearers . . .”
b Satan does counterfeit this phenomenon.
aa In Greek religion the Cybele cults & the Delphus Phrygia had similar experiences.
bb If there is a Satanic counterfeit then there must be a Godly authentic gift.
B There are some evidences of ecstatic tongues in the Old Testament.
1 1 Sam. 19.20, On occasion the prophets were overcome by the Holy Spirit.
20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David, but when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing and presiding over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul; and they also prophesied.1 Sam 19:20 (NASB)
a The prophets who came to anoint Jehu in place of Jezebel were thought to be babbling madmen (2 Kings 9.11).
11 Now Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, "Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?" And he said to them, "You know very well the man and his talk." 2 Kings 9:11 (NASB)
b The Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge; “It is probable there was something peculiar in the young prophet’s manner and address, similar to the vehement actions sometimes used by the prophets when under the Divine influence, which caused the bystanders to use this contemptuous language.”
aa When the Holy Spirit fell on prophets, sometimes they acted weird, unpredictable, odd.
bb When the Holy Spirit comes on the people of God/ Man of God they respond/react in a way that may appear crazy to others.
2 Isaiah prophesied that God would speak in ecstatic tongues to Israel (Is. 28.10-11).
10 "For He says, 'Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there.' " 11 Indeed, He will speak to this people Through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, Isaiah 28:10-11 (NASB)
a Paul would later cite this passage in 1 Cor. 14.21.
21 In the Law it is written, "By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people , and even so they will not listen to Me," says the Lord. 1 Cor 14:21 (NASB)
b Hannah is thought to be in a ecstatic state when she was praying for a son (1 Sam. 1.12-15)
12 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli was watching her mouth.13 As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.14 Then Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you."15 But Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord. 1 Sam 1:12-15 (NASB)
c King Saul witnessed prophetic singing and he began to speak by the Spirit.
aa So affected was Saul by this experience that Scriptures say he was “turned into another man.”
bb 6 "Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man.7 "It shall be when these signs come to you, do for yourself what the occasion requires, for God is with you.8 "And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you should do."9 Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day.10 When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them.11 It came about, when all who knew him previously saw that he prophesied now with the prophets, that the people said to one another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"12 A man there said, "Now, who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" 1 Sam 10:6-12 (NASB)
3 The late Rabbi Gertz of Jerusalem shared with Perry Stone that certain ceremonies within the Holy of Holies included a prayer language.
C The Book of Acts records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that included the manifestations of wind, tongues of fire, and speaking in tongues (Acts 2.1-4).
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues , as the Spirit was giving them utterance .Acts 2:1-4 (NASB)
1 The same manifestations appear throughout the book of Acts.
a Acts 8.5-7, When Philip went to preach in Samaria, although tongues are not mentioned, the event has the same elements as Pentecost.
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. Acts 8:5-7 (NASB)
b Acts 10.45-46, at the home of Cornelius they do speak in tongues.
45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, Acts 10:45-46 (NASB)
aa Acts 19.6, at Ephesus they do speak in tongues.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:6 (NASB)
bb It looks as if the Holy Spirit is following the prescribed course in Acts 1.8.
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NASB)
cc Following only following the topographical course, but the spiritual course of Mark 16.15-20. (The Great Commission)
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.17 "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. Mark 16:15-20 (NASB)
c Jesus promised that the signs in Mark 16 would follow those who believe.
2 Paul dealt extensively with the gifts of tongues in 1 Corinthians.
a Paul makes it clear that tongues includes languages of the earth and the languages of angels (1 Cor. 13.1).
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Cor 13:1 (NASB)
b 1 Cor. 12.7-11, He includes the gift of tongues among other supernatural gifts or charisma.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,10 and to another the effecting of miracles , and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Cor 12:7-11 (NASB)
aa 1 Cor. 14.2, Paul addresses the element of mystery in the gifts of tongues.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands , but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Cor 14:2 (NASB)
bb A person who is praying in the Spirit may not understand what he/she is saying, but his/her Spirit man/woman does.
c Paul speaks of “praying in the Spirit” (Eph. 6.18; 1 Cor. 14.15) & “singing in the Spirit.”
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Eph 6:18 (NASB)
15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 1 Cor 14:15 (NASB)
aa Eph. 5.19, includes songs given by the Spirit in tongues as well as known languages.
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; Eph 5:19 (NASB)
bb (I believe these prayers/singing can include the use of tongues.)
3 Surely “all prayer in the Spirit” would include a prayer language of some kind.
a 2 Tim. 1.6, “gift” is charismata. Some believe Paul is encouraging Timothy to use his prayer language.
6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Tim 1:6 (NASB)
b Timothy would need to be edified & strengthened, and Paul is recommending to stir the gift he received by laying on of hands.
aa Jude 20, gives the same them of building upon one’s faith.
bb How? Prayer in the Spirit strengthens believers.
c Prayer languages clearly were practiced in the New Testament church.
Conclusion:
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