The Gift Of Tongues Series

(A continuation from Gifts of the Spirit Part 8)

The Gift of Tongues definition:

A supernatural manifestation of the Holy Ghost, which is a Spirit-inspired utterance where believers speak a language which the speaker is not familiar with or learned. It is controlled by the Spirit.

1 Cor. 14

22 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.

Paul is still referring to “tongues unto God”, not the Gift of Tongues (that requires an interpretation)

Many people confuse this verse

With the Gift of tongues but it’s not.

Paul is still thinking back to the first

outpouring of the Holy Ghost in Acts 2

Acts 2: 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

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

11 …. we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

This was not the “gift of Tongues” but Tongues of Praise unto God… and it was for a sign to the unbelievers.

They said, What meaneth this?

Still yet some are not convinced that 1 Cor. 14:22 isn’t talking about the “Gift of Tongues”

Let’s look at it again and then go right into the next verse:

22 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.

23 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?

This is the key: if therefore the whole church be come together into one place

If Paul had stated in vs. 22 that this was in a church setting, then you could say that “tongues is for a sign to the unbeliever” is the “Gift of tongues.”

BUT he didn’t.

He said… 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:

Then he said…vs. 23 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?

What he is saying is that “tongues” not the GIFT of TONGUES is not for everyone to participate in at the same time when they come to church.

1. It is that prayer language unto God that edifies the personal believer

2. It is for the unbeliever should they hear these utterances as in Acts 2 to persuade them of God moving in a supernatural way.

The reason I’m taking time to make this distinction is this:

Go back to 1 Cor. 12:29 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

There is not a written answer here, but the inference to the answer is “NO”

Not everyone is an Apostle.

Not everyone is a Prophet.

Not everyone is a Teacher. And so on….

Not everyone has the gifts of healing

Not everyone speaks in tongues

Not everyone interprets.

You see, those who do not believe that “Tongues is the initial sign evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost” use this scripture to refute us that do.

They say… see, even Paul said not

everyone would speak in tongues.

But we must understand the distinction…the difference between “Tongues” and the “Gift of Tongues”

This passage was definitely referring to the “Gift of Tongues”

-specifically because immediately

following this, he said “do all interpret?”

All of these that Paul mentioned were listed under the Gifts of the Spirit.

So no… in reference to this scripture, not everyone will have the “GIFT of Tongues” but everyone who is filled with the Spirit will speak in tongues because it is the initial sign evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

The 2nd reason VS. 22 cannot be referring to the “Gift of Tongues” is this:

Again Paul stated: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:

Jump down to VS. 26

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.