|
"SPEAKING IN TONGUES"
(Acts 2:1-4)
INTRODUCTION:
One of the "Tenets" of the Pentecostal movement is the belief in the infilling of the "Holy
Spirit" with the evidence of "Speaking in Tongues" or an "Unknown Tongue". There own
interpretation of this is the Spirit of God ... "The Holy Ghost" ...is speaking through them.
They will further explain that sometimes they do not know what they are saying and that those
present do not know what is being said. Many times they will rely on an interpreter to
explain what has been said. The Bible speaks of no such thing! Many of these believers are
deceived and are not speaking in any tongue .. let alone an unknown tongue. Those who are
present may become confused for all they hear are sounds of "gibbering" and "jabbering".
Those who sincerely believe in "speaking in tongues" believe that this is necessary for an
individual to be completely saved to the "uttermost". All this "seeking" for the "Holy
Ghost" takes place after being baptized in accordance with (Acts 2:38) .. in the name of
Jesus for the remission of their sins. (Turn to: 1 Cor 14... let's begin there.)
I. The Bible Speaks of an Unknown Tongue. (1 Cor 14:2)
A. Even then it is unknown (the language) to the individual being spoken to.
1. The speaker at times understands what he is saying but those he is speaking to ..
do not. ... His understanding in unfruitful.
2. As a result, he speaks to God and he alone is edified (through understanding) ... To
those present it is meaningless ... because his language is "unknown" to them.
a. What good has he done for the those he is speaking to?
b. What good had he done for himself? (1 Cor 14:4) ... (PURPOSE OF PREACHING!)
II.We Know That By "Tongue" ... Paul Has Reference To Words That Can Be Understood.
(1 Cor 14:9) (1 Cor 14:14,15)
A. "Unknown Tongue" here refers to an "Unknown Language" ... to those who are listening.
1. If Paul would be praying in an "unknown tongue" ... those listening would find his
pray to be meaningless ... What good would this accomplish?
B. If I were to speak in another language ... those of you who do not know that language
.. would not benefit from what I had to say. (INTERPRETERS WOULD HAVE TO BE USED.)
1. If the "song leader" were to lead in songs .. in another language .. those who do
not know the language ... could not be edified. (You would not understand the words)
C. We need to determine that in praying .. in preaching .. in singing .. in teaching .. we
need to do all things in "Spirit and Understanding".
1. We are not to "edify" ourselves .. but we are to "edify" one another in "Spirit and
in Truth."
III.When Paul Speaks of "Unknown Tongues" .. He is Speaking of "Unknown Languages".
(Glossa .. Noun.) (1 Cor 4:16-19)
A. Some here .. possibly speak two or more languages .. We could very well converse with
one another in two or more languages ... We have earned them!
1. What about the rest of the congregation .. are we edifying them? NO! .. Is it right
NO!
B. I try very hard to speak with words that all may understand what is being said.
1. When words come up that are difficult to pronounce .. I make every effort to speak
correctly .. many times with an explanation.
2. I want everyone to hear and by hearing .. understand. ... I want men .. women ..
boys .. girls to know what the Bible says .. It could change their lives.
IV. Look Further Into Our Lesson .. "LISTEN TO IT!" (1 Cor 14:21,22)
A. What is the purpose of Tongues? (EXPLAIN) ... Remember this!!!!
1. (1 Cor 14:27,28) ... did you understand that? (DEAF INTERPRETATION)
B. The "Unknown Tongue" is a "language" unknown to the "unlearned listeners!"
1. If there be one who speaks in an unknown tongue .. there should be with him an
interpreter ...so that all could hear and understand!
2. If no one is there who can interpret ... Paul says .. "... let him keep silence in
the church..."
a. There is no profit for him to speak ... for anyone but maybe oneself .. as each
one should speak alone with God.
V. Let's Go Back To Our Text. .. (Acts 2:1-4)
A. Who had the "power" to speak in "Unknown Languages?" ... (Hetero Glossos) which means
... "Strange Tongues". ... Only the 12 Apostles ...
1. The Lord promised to them and them alone .. the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit."
2. One of the "resulting" signs was that they were able to speak in "Strange Tongues"
(Hetero Glossos)
a. Which is "Unknown Languages" ... they were each able to speak in a "tongue"
(Glossa) they had not learned.
b. Every man could "understand" in his own language (Acts 2:6-8).
1. This was not "gibberish" .. it was the tongue in which they were born.
2. A "tongue" that the Apostles had not been taught.
B. Cornelius and his household received the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit". ... Why?
1. To show that the Gentiles had been accepted of God too ... and they spoke in
"tongues" (Glossa). (Acts 10:46)
C. Then those on whom the Apostles laid their hands on received the "Holy Spirit" ... and
they too spoke with strange tongues (Hetero Glossos). (Acts 19:1-7).
D. Were there others? ... The Bible is silent .. no further record anywhere!
1. Why did these men receive limited power of the "Holy Spirit"?
2. To have the ability to go into foreign nations .. preach the saving Gospel of Jesus
Christ ...without need of an interpreter.
E. How long did it last? ... Until the New Testament could be written and given to the
world.
F. Paul preached that the time would come .. tongues and miraculous gifts would cease.
(1 Cor 13:9,10)
a. (Jam 1:25).. "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed."
b. I submit to you that this ... Bible ... is perfect.
G. There are no "miraculous tongues" .. being spoken today. There is no need of such ..
This word of God is truth .. for God is true. (Jhn 3:33)
VI. What About Those Who Claim To Speak In "Unknown Tongues" Today?
A. In their "zeal" .. they over look several important "facts".
1. The "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" ... (Speaking in Tongues) ... has not been
promised to them.
a. It was promised to the Apostles ... ONLY. (Acts 1:4,5)
2. Since only the Apostles could "lay their hands" on others so that they might receive
the "Laying on Hands Measure" of the "Holy Spirit" ... since all the Apostles are
dead .. no one could have that measure today.
3. "Speaking in Tongues" always had reference to "Speaking in Strange Languages".
(Hetero Glossos)
4. "Speaking in Tongues" was for the benefit of unbelievers .. never was it intended
for believers.
a. Today it is practiced in churches for the benefit of believers as a "prayer
language "and an evidence of the "Holy Spirit".
b. Where is the authority? .... surely not in the Bible!
5. If the "claimants" do not know what they are saying .. those who hear do not know
what is being said ... how could they expect God to be worshipped acceptably?
a. This was not the way of the first century worship or practice.
6. Those who claim to speak in "tongues" .. are not able to speak like the Apostles did
on the day of Pentecost ... they have no "miraculous" gifts.
7. God does not speak directly to man today ... If anyone teaches this ... he is a
false teacher and the truth is not in him.
a. "Satan" is a sly "Old Fox" ... "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking who he may devour."
(1 Pet 5:8)
CONCLUSION: Many people have been deceived because they have not studied their Bibles. If
one would only study .. diligently .. with an honest heart .. a searching mind .. they would
be able to see the truth of the Gospel.
Satan is alive and well and rejoicing in their unbelief. (2 Tim 2:15) Let me leave you with
these words of wisdom ... "Do not depend on others to teach you what you need to learn for
yourself. If you put your faith in man .. man will deceive you. Just because a preacher
tells you .. that does not make it right." (Gal 1:8) ... "But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, Let him
be accursed."
|
