8. THE GIFT OF TONGUES. "Glossais."

This is spoken of in the New Testament as "new tongues," "other tongues," "divers kinds of tongues," and even as "the tongues of men and angels." Mk.16v17. Acts.2v4. 1Cor.12v10,28. 13v1. Many Christians do not realise either the purpose of this gift, or the blessing that it can bring. This has often been caused by preachers, who are opposed to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We will, therefore, start by clearing up the misconceptions that have arisen concerning the gift of tongues, and then show why every Christian should desire and can profit, from this precious gift of God.

A DEFINITION OF THE GIFT OF TONGUES.
The gift of tongues is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to speak in a tongue that is unknown to the speaker. It is a miracle of divinely inspired language. The primary purpose of this gift is devotional, it is intended to be a Divine aid to the prayer life. The person who speaks in an unknown tongue almost always, "Speaketh not to men, but to God; for no man understands him." 1Cor.14v2. This gift can on rare occasions be used by God to speak to people in their own language, and when interpreted it can speak to a church.

1. THE GIFT OF TONGUES WAS NOT GIVEN FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL.
The Greek "koine," that is, colloquial Greek, was understood throughout almost all of the Roman Empire, and was the common language of the nations around the Mediterranean. This made preaching in tongues quite unnecessary. On the day of Pentecost the 120 disciples did not preach in tongues, their praise to God in tongues was a sign to the hearers to prepare them for Peter's preaching in his own tongue. Only a small number of those who spoke on the day of Pentecost were commissioned by Christ to go and preach the Gospel to every creature. Mt.28v16-20. The gift of tongues was often manifested in the early Church when no foreigners were present, indeed, if there was no one with a gift of interpretation in a Christian gathering, there was to be no public utterance of tongues for interpretation. 1Cor.14v28.

2. THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS CERTAINLY NOT GIBBERISH.
To say that speaking with tongues by a blood-washed, spirit-filled Christian is "gibberish," or "of the Devil," is to come very close to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. There can be no more serious sin than ascribing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. It is true that Mk.3v28-30., is speaking of wilful unrepentant opposition to the movings of the Holy Spirit, and rejection of Christ; however, rebellious criticism of God's gifts is a very serious matter. 1Sam.15v22,23. It is an offence against the Holy Spirit to disparage, censure and malign His gift of tongues. Eph.4v30.

a. The gift of tongues is genuine articulate language.
There is no Scriptural, etymological or exigetical reason for supposing that speaking with tongues is an ecstatic language or utterance without meaning. The articulate understandable genuine languages of Acts.2v4. are no different than the tongues of Acts.10v6. 19v6. 1Cor.12v10,28. 13v1,8. 14v2,5,6,13,18,22,23,26,27,39. They are "the like gift," "ten isen dorean." Acts.11v17. The only difference is, that in Acts.2v4. some of the hearers happened to understand them. It was the hearers of tongues who were "beside themselves," "amazed," and "ecstatic," according to the writer of Acts, for the word "existemi" is used to describe their reactions in Acts.2v7,12. and 10v45.. (For "ekstasis" see Acts.3v10. 10v10. 11v5. 22v17. Mk.5v42. 16v8. Lk.5v26.) It is true that the Christians who spoke in tongues experienced transports of joy and praise, but they did not talk nonsense, they praised God in genuine articulate language.

The two Greek words that are used to describe tongues both indicate a genuine language. The first "dialektos," means "a (mode of) conversation or discourse," from "dialegomai," "to dialogue, reason, or discuss," it came to signify the language or dialect of a district or a country. The reason why the hearers on the day of Pentecost were so amazed, was that they heard Galileans, speaking their native dialects, as only a native could, and they knew that this was, naturally speaking, quite impossible. We are told that the Medes and Elamites (Persians), spoke the same language, but with different dialects. These Pentecostal believers were mainly illiterate people of limited linguistic ability; yet the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak perfectly, not only in different languages, but in different dialects of the same language. "Dialektos," only occurs in the New Testament in Acts.1v19. 2v6,8. 21v40. 22v2. 26v14..

The second Greek word is "glossa," which means, "tongue," is used to speak of the organ of the body known as the tongue, the tongues of fire, and different nationalities, as well as different languages. Mk.7v33,35. 16v17. Acts.2v3,4,11,26. 10v46. 19v6. 1Cor.12v10,28,30. 13v1,8. 14v2,4,5,6,9,13,18,19,22,23,26,27,39. Rev.7v9. "Glossai," that is, "tongues," or "glossolalia," "speaking with tongues," is certainly nothing like the incoherent, unmeaning, broken ramblings of some wild false religions. In 1Cor.14v2., Paul tells us that it is the intelligent speaking of God's mysteries, "musteria," God's hidden and glorious secrets and purposes. The disciples at Pentecost spoke fluently and powerfully of God's wonderful works, it was only those who did not know or understand the languages, who said that it was drunken gibberish; those who did know the languages, said that it was perfect inspired language and were converted as a result. The Scriptures speak of the gift of tongues as "an edifying gift," not as "vain babblings," Greek "kenophonias." 1Cor.14v4,14-18. 1Tim.6v20. 2Tim.2v16.

"Utterance" in Acts.2v4., is "apophtheggesthai," the present passive infinitive of "apophtheggomai;" which Baxter's Lexicon, says means, "to speak out, declare, particularly solemn, weighty, or pithy sayings." Vincent writes, "Literally, 'to utter.' A peculiar word, and purposely chosen to denote the clear, loud utterance under miraculous impulse. It is used by later Greek writers of the utterances of oracles or seers. So in the Sept. of prophesying. See 1Chron.25v1. Deut.32v2. Zech.10v2. Ezek.13v19." Robertson writes; "It is used of eager, elevated, impassioned utterance. In the New Testament only here, Acts.2v4., and 2v14. and 26v25. 'Apophthegm' is from this verb." The word "apophtheggesthai," shows the fluency and forcefulness of speaking with tongues under the Holy Spirit's influence, it conveys well the impression of earnest, exalted, passionate utterance and divinely inspired discourse. Indeed, it is not used in the Septuagint of ordinary conversation, it is used for prophetic utterance. The gift of tongues is the very opposite of "gibberish;" it is the utterance of exalted and divinely inspired articulate language.

b. The modern experience of recognised tongues proves them to be genuine articulate languages.
The gift of tongues is anything but gibberish, it is a lovely and precious manifestation of God the Holy Spirit. Those who have been able to understand the languages that Christians have spoken while speaking in tongues, have said that they are perfect. A ten year old girl named Irene Piper was enabled by the Holy Spirit to speak to a Chinese man in his own language. He was told to come to church and accept salvation. The Chinese man said that her accent was perfect, and her forms of speech were so exact that ten years of study would not give the average Western person such knowledge of the language.

In an article in "The Pentecostal Evangel, Crusade Issue," Robert L. Brandt, gave several instances where the gift of tongues was recognised and understood. In one he tells how three educated Hindus became Christians when a Christian spoke their language perfectly under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They said that they never heard a foreigner speak their language so perfectly. He also gives another case of a young man named Paul Goodwin speaking in perfect Italian, there were several Italians in the service, one of them, Leo Pilla, said that he knew Paul Goodwin and knew that he did not know Italian, and yet he had spoken perfect Italian, like a graduate from an Italian college. The message in tongues had been interpreted, this was also confirmed as a perfect interpretation.

We have to be very careful in judging utterances in tongues that seem repetitive and sound peculiar. We read on page 32 and 33 of W. F. P. Burton's fine book "Signs following," how a godly Pastor thought that the repetitive "Kalombooo Vidye" of a Christian lady was nonsense, until Mr. Burton told him that this lady was repeating the exact words in the same repetitive way that the natives of Lubaland did when they showed their highest respect and reverence to their chiefs during sessions of court. The repetitive "Kalombooo Vidye" was used by the Holy Spirit to express this dear Christian woman's love for God. The language of praise is of necessity repetitive, so we should not think that it strange that this kind of repetition takes place when we speak in tongues. In English, or for that matter any language, the vocabulary of praise that is used by most Christians is limited to a small number of words, such as, "Praise the Lord;" "Glory to God!" Wonderful Jesus!" "Precious Lord!" "Blessed Lord!" In fact the simple Hebrew "Hallelujah" has taken its place in the language of worship of probably every Christian group on earth. The "stammering lips" spoken of in Is.28v11., and quoted in 1Cor.14v21., could well speak of the repetitive words of praise given by the Holy Spirit as we speak in tongues. The gift of tongues is of course not limited to repetition of a few words, it can also be manifested as a fluent articulate utterance.

We need to remember that many genuine languages sound so primitive, that even the most intelligent person might doubt the genuineness of what is in reality a complicated, beautiful, and meaningful language. The greatest linguist knows but a fraction of the world's languages. "World Digest" informs us that there have existed at least 6,760 languages, 4,464 of these are dead languages, and only 2,296 are still spoken. A Christian can speak in these languages of earth, or the many tongues of angels, as Paul speaks of them in the plural. It is a fact that children of God have spoken by the Holy Spirit's inspiration, in both ancient and modern languages, and linguists have understood them. However, we need to remember that God does not cast His pearls before those who cannot appreciate them, these manifestations are usually for sincere and seeking hearts.

3. THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS A COMPANION OF LOVE, NOT AN OPPONENT OF LOVE.
Paul certainly does not say in 1Cor.13v1., that the gift of tongues does not profit the Church. The "more excellent way" of 1Cor.12v31., that Paul tells us to walk in, is not the way of love separate and distinct from all other gifts, graces, attributes and talents; it is love as the guiding principle of all these lovely and desirable things. Paul never suggests that we should follow after love and despise spiritual gifts. he exhorts us to seek spiritual gifts out of love for God and others. It is foolish and unscriptural to say, "You can seek for gifts, but I am going to seek for love." Those who seek for love from the God of love will also seek His gifts. The fact that a Christian lacks spiritual gifts does not mean that they possess love, indeed, it may mean the very opposite, for it is impossible to follow after love, and despise or criticise our heavenly Father's spiritual gifts. If we really desire and follow after love, we shall desire, follow after, and encourage His gifts. We are not glorifying God by extolling love at the expense of the gifts that He has given. Paul does not say in 1Cor.13v1-3., that the gifts are "nothing" without love, for they are given by the God of love and are wonderful, it is the loveless possessor that is "nothing," gifts manifested in love profit both the recipient of the gifts, and others who are ministered to through those gifts. It must be remembered that it is not only spiritual gifts that do not profit us without love; knowledge of all sacred secrets and Divine truths, the giving of all we have to the needy, and even martyrdom for Christ's sake are profitless to us without love. We also must realise, that though spiritual gifts lose some of their value without love, love is helpless without them. Love needs God's power to meet the needs of the broken in heart, the sick in body and the oppressed, and in the ministry of Jesus we see the lovely co-ordination of Divine power and love meeting the needs of suffering humanity.

In Heb.6v5., the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit are called, "the powers of the age to come;" they are a temporary and partial use of the powers of God's eternal kingdom. In 1Cor.13v8-10., Paul is saying that the temporary manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and the partial manifestations and revelations of God, are swallowed up in the continuous and eternal enjoyment of His supernatural powers and blessing. The part is swallowed up in the whole. In the same way, our present knowledge will come to nought, or vanish away, in the sense that our limited knowledge will be swallowed up in the infinite knowledge of the kingdom of God. The temporary and occasional manifestations of Divine power and knowledge through the gifts will only become inoperative, "katargethesontai," and cease, "pausontai," when they are superseded and swallowed up in the continual, permanent and eternal manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us, then, that we need gifts as well as love until Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom on earth. Paul does not say that the gift of tongues and the other spiritual gifts are of little consequence because they are temporary, for the temporary gifts help to produce eternal love, and then they give way to the eternal, permanent, and complete manifestations of Divine love, power and wisdom. The gift of tongues is important, Paul says that God gives it to us to "edify" us, that is, to produce love and faith in us; it is only like "roaring brass and clashing cymbal," when it is used in a selfish way by an unconsecrated and loveless Christian. The diligent use of the gift of tongues in private prayer will do wonders for our spiritual life, it will help to produce Christ's character and love in us, it is a God-ordained companion of love. 1Cor.14v2,4. Mt.6v5,6.


4. PAUL DID NOT DESPISE TONGUES, HE USED IT EVEN MORE THAN THE CORINTHIANS.
When Paul speaks in 1Cor.12v31. of prophecy and other gifts as being "greater gifts" than the gift of tongues, he is speaking in the context of public meetings of Christians; for Paul makes it quite clear that the greatest gift in the devotional and prayer life of the believer, is the gift of tongues. 1Cor.14v2,4. Paul spoke in tongues more than the Corinthians, and obviously looked upon it as absolutely indispensable for his spiritual welfare. 1Cor.14v18. Paul criticised the Corinthians selfish and noisy misuse of the gift of tongues in their public meetings, and not the gift of tongues, and told them to use the gift in the correct way. Paul informs us in 1Cor.14v19., that "in the church" five words of prophecy are better for edifying Christians than 10,000 words in a tongue. Paul states in 1Cor.14v2,4,15,18., that speaking in tongues has pride of place in private prayer and praise, and in v19, he tells us that prophecy has pride of place in Christian gatherings. In church meetings we should seek to edify others, in private prayer we must edify ourselves. The diligent devotional and loving use of the gift of tongues in the secret place will result in the other gifts being manifested in public. 1Cor.14v2,4,18. with 2Cor.12v12.

Paul states that he spoke in tongues more than any of the verbose Corinthians, he used this gift diligently in private prayer, and quietly, "to himself and God" in public prayer. 1Cor.14v2,4,15-18,27,28. Paul edified himself by using the gift of tongues so that he could edify other Christians, this was one of the secrets of Paul's spiritual power and strength. From his own experience Paul tells us that the gift of tongues will build love, faith and spiritual strength in the possessor of the gift if it is used diligently and devotionally. Indeed, Paul states that it is the one gift whose primary aim is the spiritual well-being of the possessor. We cannot manifest the other gifts of the Spirit when we desire, and when they are manifested, they are nearly always for the benefit of others, but we can speak in tongues when we desire, and be spiritually edified as a result. This is why Paul said, "I offer thanksgiving to God in private, speaking in tongues... more than any of you." 1Cor.14v18. W. J. Conybeare. Let us follow the example of Paul and use this gift of God for our personal spiritual edification and profit.

5. WHY SOME CHRISTIANS DESPISE AND BELITTLE THE GIFT OF TONGUES.
Why do some Christians refuse to accept and follow Paul's experience of the gift of tongues?

a. Some Christians have a fear of the supernatural.
Some Christians are frightened of manifesting spiritual gifts, they cannot trust God to give them "good gifts," or to preserve them from the dangers in spiritual warfare, so they stop in the wilderness instead of conquering their spiritual Canaan. Jesus said that this is due to a lack of faith in our heavenly Father's love and power. Lk.11v9-13. Mt.7v7-11. Eph.6v10-20. Heb.3 and 4. We have all missed our heavenly Father's richest blessings, through fear, failure, and slothfulness.

b. Some Christians love the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jn.12v42,43.
The Scriptures say it is difficult to believe if we prefer to receive glory from men instead of God. Jn.5v44. Some are tempted to "keep in" with their denomination or group, and count the cost of losing friends who reject the Pentecostal experience, so they reject God's lovely gift of tongues. Two young men who had dictated to the Lord, "We want the baptism in the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues," were asked why they prayed in this manner, they replied that it was because speaking in tongues was unpopular. Many Christians still choose to please men more than God, so they criticise and condemn this good gift of their heavenly Father. Acts.2v4,33. Lk.11v9-13.

c. Some Christians are genuinely ignorant of the great blessing that this gift can bring.
Some Christians say, "What is the good of speaking with tongues? It is the least of the gifts." They feel it is of no real benefit. Those who say this show their ignorance of both the Scriptures, and the use of this gift as revealed in the New Testament. Christians should not question the wisdom of God in giving the gift of tongues, they should say, "My heavenly Father only gives good and perfect gifts, so there must be some good reason for this gift, and some profitable results of its manifestation." James.1v17. The gift of tongues may be the least important gift as regards to public ministry, but it is the greatest gift in relation to the devotional life and prayer life, which is the source of an anointed public ministry. There is nothing little about the gift of tongues, it is one of our heavenly Father's good and great gifts.

d. Some Christians have been put off by noisy, Corinthian-type Pentecostals.
Many of the Corinthians were misusing the gift of tongues, and some were even living bad lives, Paul told them this state of affairs was to cease, and that Jesus had personally disciplined many of them. Many Christians have been put off by noisy undisciplined use of the gift of tongues. There are, of course, many mature Christians, whose use of the gift of tongues, is everything that the apostle Paul would have desired, and they follow His teaching on the correct use of the gift of tongues.

6. PAUL INSTRUCTS US NOT TO MISUSE THE GIFT OF TONGUES.

a. We should not monopolise church meetings with speaking in tongues.
The aim in a church fellowship should be public and not personal edification, therefore, we should curtail noisy or excessive speaking in tongues and seek God for a prophecy. 1Cor.14v5,18,19. We can use the gift of tongues in the church, but Paul says that we should usually speak quietly to ourselves and God. 1Cor.14v28,40. Though the whole church may on occasions burst out in praise and worship and sing and speak in tongues; in a church meeting, speaking with tongues should not dominate our Christian fellowships. A Scriptural order will result in a greater measure of blessing in our churches.

b. We should exercise special restraint when the unconverted or unlearned are present.
Paul states that when the unconverted or unlearned in spiritual gifts come into a meeting the believers must act wisely and restrain themselves, otherwise the visitor will say that everybody is mad. In 1Cor.14v23., "unlearned," is "idiotes," which means unlearned, unskilled, or uninitiated, it only occurs in Acts.4v13. 1Cor.14v16,23,24. 2Cor.11v6. Any public manifestation of the gift of tongues in such circumstances should be by tongues and interpretation. Paul informs us in 1Cor.14v24,25., that prophecy is by far the best gift to manifest under such circumstances. The noisy use of the gift of tongues will almost invariably produce consternation and criticism, whereas, prophecy containing words of knowledge, can often result in the conviction and conversion of the "outsider." The gift of tongues is a sign to the unbeliever when he can understand the language.

c. We should set a definite limit to the number of tongues for interpretation.
Though it is wrong to forbid speaking with tongues, 1Cor.14v39., utterances in a tongue that are for interpretation in the church, should be limited to three utterances. If there is no interpreter in the church, there must be no public utterances, the person must speak quietly to themselves and God. 1Cor.14v27,28. Aaron Linford informs us that the words "By two, or at the most three," "kata duo e to pleiston treis," is speaking of three persons, not three utterances, for the words "two" and "three" are in the masculine gender, and therefore, must refer to persons, not things. It would also seem from 1Cor.14v26., "everyone hath A TONGUE," that Paul said that one person should only give one tongue, as in v29 Paul indicates that each prophet should only give one prophecy in each church meeting; it is certainly a good thing to share the ministry of spiritual gifts. We should not speak an utterance for interpretation at all unless the Holy Spirit moves us in a very definite way, those who insist on speaking with tongues without the Holy Spirit's direction, will find that there is a very limited blessing on it.

Paul had good reasons for limiting tongues for interpretation to three utterances. He did not want the Corinthians to have an excessive emphasis upon utterances in tongues, he desired them to have a correct and sensible balance, and to seek after the gifts which have a greater public ministry, and in particular prophecy. Paul knew that three tongues for interpretation was as much as most Christians could remember, weigh and profit from, particularly if there were also going to be manifestations of the gift of prophecy as well. Paul's limitation upon tongues is very sensible and if we observe it, we will be preserved from fanaticism, selfishness and disorder, and we will enjoy a profitable manifestation of speaking with tongues.

d. We must not confuse devotional tongues with tongues for interpretation.
It is obvious from a comparison of 1Cor.12v30., "Do all speak with tongues?" with 1Cor.14v5., "I would that ye all spake with tongues," and Acts.2v4., "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues," that though all Christians may experience the devotional use of tongues, not all Christians possess a ministry of tongues for interpretation. It is a fact that only a small percentage of Christians who speak in tongues, speak out in a tongue that is interpreted in the Church. It is in the context of ministries to the Church that Paul asks in 1Cor.12v30.; "Do all speak with tongues?" Many have failed to distinguish between tongues that are for private edification, and tongues that are to be interpreted as a ministry to the churches. Indeed, many critics of a Pentecostal experience have seized on 1Cor.12v30., as an excuse for not desiring to speak with tongues. If all Christians do not need to speak in tongues, as these critics say, why did all the Christians at Pentecost, the house of Cornelius, and Ephesus, speak in tongues? Acts.2v4. 10v44-48. Acts.19v6.

In 1Cor.12v27-31. Paul is speaking of ministries that God has set in the Church, to build up the Church, Christians with God-given gifts for public ministry, and the ministry of speaking in tongues for interpretation is mentioned amongst them. There are Christians who have been given outstanding ministries of speaking with tongues, whose utterances in tongues are of such great beauty and carry such a Divine benediction, that one feels that they are upon holy ground, even before there is an interpretation. The gift of tongues that is interpreted and ministers to the needs of a church, is an enlargement of the ability to speak in a tongue, or tongues, that a Christian receives when they receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. However, all Christians are not given this ministry, some, quite properly, only use their tongue for private prayer and devotion, while others have in addition to this a ministry to the church.

How may we know that we have to speak a message in tongues for the church? The Holy Spirit can inform us of this by a sudden powerful impulse and anointing from Him. However, we do need to distinguish this direction and anointing from a surge of emotion and love for God. A surge of emotion, and a genuine anointing and blessing of the Holy Spirit, does not necessarily mean that we should speak out in tongues to the church, it may be a blessing to uplift us, or to help us to pray, or to enable us to praise or worship the Lord as we ought to. Once a Christian has had the experience of receiving a message in tongues for the church, they will be able to tell the difference between an impulse of the Holy Spirit to speak in a tongue for an interpretation, and the normal blessing of the Holy Spirit. This gift can be a real blessing to the church, and if Christians would pray much in private, they would find that God would often use them to lift meetings into real blessing by an anointed ministry of tongues for interpretation.

THE VALUE AND USE OF THE GIFT OF TONGUES.
1. DILIGENTLY USED THE GIFT OF TONGUES TRANSFORMS OUR ABILITY TO WORSHIP.
Speaking in tongues brings into play the highest faculty of the Christian, the spirit that God has given to each redeemed child of God. This born-again spirit is the means of our communion with God, and when we speak in tongues it enables us to give God the spiritual worship that He desires. Speaking with tongues enables us to have direct and intimate communion with God and give Him acceptable worship. Christ said that we must worship God with our spirit if we are to worship Him acceptably, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Jn.4v23,24. The most elaborate and highly organised worship is only a dead form if this spiritual worship that Christ spoke of is missing. However, by the simple act of speaking with tongues, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to worship God on the very highest level, it is truly acceptable worship if we let love for God and others direct our lives.

When the Holy Spirit enables us to magnify and bless God, and give Him the worship and love of our hearts through the gift of speaking with tongues, He enables us to perform the greatest act a Christian can do, for worship of God is the greatest act of the creature. Acts.10v46. Mt.22v35-40. Mk.12v28-34. The use of the gift of tongues lifts the Christian into a new realm of worship, it enables us to worship God to the limit of our capacity, and beyond our capacity, by the help of the Holy Spirit. Eph.4v18. Rom.8v26,27. The Holy Spirit can inspire us to pray with our spirit, "If I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prays." 1Cor.14v14. He can cause us to sing with the spirit, "I will sing with the spirit". 1Cor.14v15. He can enable us to bless with the spirit, "Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit". 1Cor.14v16. The gift of tongues enables the Christian to reach the highest levels of spiritual worship, it enables us to worship God in spirit and truth, the most important act of the Christian life; how, then, can some despise it and call it, "The least of the gifts?" Jn.4v23,24.

In 1Cor.13v1. Paul implies that the Holy Spirit may cause us to speak in the tongues of angels. If an angelic tongue can express the praise of a great angelic being living in the eternal and uncreated glory and splendour of Gods majestic presence, it can surely express the praise of the redeemed children of God living in this dark and sinful world. How wonderful it is to be freed from the limits of our own small vocabulary and limited eloquence, into the excellence and eloquence of earthly and even heavenly languages, by the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues does for us what no other gift can do, it enables us to exalt, worship and praise God, in a way that we cannot without it, this is one reason why the apostle Paul used it so much. 1Cor.14v18. It is one of God's great and precious gifts.

2. DILIGENTLY USED THE GIFT OF TONGUES TRANSFORMS OUR ABILITY TO PRAY.
The gift of tongues brings into the personal prayer life, the ability of the Holy Spirit. When you speak in tongues you are not limited by your own ability, God the Holy Spirit takes our needs, prayer, praise and desires, and the needs of other people and brings them to God the Father. The gift of tongues enables Christians to utter and fully express the otherwise indescribable longings of their soul and their great and unspeakable feelings of love for God. It gives the Christian the ability to pray to God and worship Him as we ought, it frees us from the limits of human speech and knowledge, for the Holy Spirit Himself gives us the vocabulary and blessing to fully express the needs, feelings and desires of the soul. The gift of tongues enables the Christian to pray on a new level of prayer, for it is God praying through us to perform things exceeding more abundantly than we can ask or think. Eph.3v18-20. In Rom.8v26,27., Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit is always available to takes hold with us against our limitations and problems; he uses "sunantilambanetai," the present indicative middle of "sunantilambanomai," "to lend a hand together with, at the same time with one;" only here and in Lk.10v40., of Martha's request for help. When we pray in tongues we release the power gifts, and pray for the saints according to the will of God.

A diligent use of the gift of tongues in the private prayer life will result in a very blessed and fluent use of this gift. On occasions a completely new language will be given by the Holy Spirit, which possesses all the phonetics and rhythm of a perfect and complete language. However, whether the Holy Spirit gives us many or few words to express our praise or prayer, the exercise of the gift of tongues will bring great blessing and mighty power in prayer. When we use the gift of tongues in our devotional life, we pray or praise as the Holy Spirit directs and in the way that He thinks best; whereas in our own tongue we can pray selfishly, ignorantly, incorrectly, and even with unsanctified ambition and denominational pride. When a Christian prays in tongues, it is prayer and worship on the very highest level, it is God directing the devotional life. The balanced prayer life demands praying and singing in tongues, as well as prayer and singing in one's own language; this was Paul's practice, and we would do well to

3. DILIGENTLY USED THE GIFT OF TONGUES TRANSFORMS OUR CHARACTER.
The gift of tongues is given to build faith and love in the soul, and edify, bless and transform the personality, character and life of the believer, as Paul writes in 1Cor.14v4., the Christian who speaks in tongues "edifies himself." It has the same effect in the prayer life and devotional life, that prophecy has in the Church. The gift of tongues can not only bless the soul and spirit, it can also have the most beneficial effect on the body, and can calm conscious and subconscious worries. It can relax and refresh a tired body and mind as well as bless the soul. Is.28v11,12. with 1Cor.14v21. and Rom.8v11. The gift of tongues gives us a defence against spiritual foes, and gives us the victory over them, for through this gift the Holy Spirit Himself operates in power against the powers of darkness. The gifts of tongues also edifies the soul in love, and makes it strong, a gift that builds love in the character should never be described as "little," "least," or be despised and neglected.

4. DILIGENTLY USED THE GIFT OF TONGUES TRANSFORMS OUR SPIRITUAL MINISTRY.
Prayer and praise in tongues build up the spiritual life of the Christian to the place where they are able to manifest the other gifts of the Holy Spirit. The greater a Christian's ministry is, the more they need to speak in other tongues. One well-known evangelist found that miracles were ceasing in his services because he had been neglecting speaking in tongues. Another well-known evangelist tells us that he does not expect much to happen in his meetings unless he prays for several hours in tongues before he goes into them. The Holy Spirit's ministrations through this gift in the secret place of prayer will result in a blessing upon one's public ministry. Mt.6v5,6. with 1Cor.14v2,4,18. and 2Cor.12v12. Diligently used the gift of tongues can greatly increase our spiritual power, and thus our spiritual effectiveness for God.

5. AN UTTERANCE IN TONGUES CAN TRANSFORM A CHRISTIAN MEETING.
A powerful, love laden tongue can greatly bless the church even before it is interpreted, and if the interpretation carries the same benediction, it can bring a veritable shower of blessing. An interpretation of tongues can bring great comfort, solace and needful instruction, God has set the gift of tongues in the church as a valuable means of public as well as private edification, and when it is interpreted it can carry the same ability to bless and edify as prophecy. 1Cor.14v5.

6. DILIGENTLY USED THE GIFT OF TONGUES TRANSFORMS OUR EXPERIENCE OF GOD.
The diligent use of the gift of tongues brings a new revelation of God and His Word. Those who use the gift of tongues diligently in the secret place can testify that it really brings one very close to our heavenly Father and Lord Jesus, and it really deepens our love for them. What a precious gift this is! If we gave no other reason for desiring to speak in tongues, this alone would be reason enough for desiring this gift. Jn.16v13-15. A gift that makes God our Father and the Lord Jesus more real and precious to the Christian, should never be disparaged or belittled. The gift of tongues brings a new realisation of the value and power of the Scriptures, and a new insight into their meaning, indeed, it is only the spirit-filled tongue speaking Christian, who can really understand much of the experience of the early Church. The Bible becomes a new book and living food for the soul. Pentecostal Christians are Bible-loving Christians.

7. DILIGENTLY USED THE GIFT OF TONGUES ENLARGES EVEN A MATURE CHRISTIAN'S EXPERIENCE.
The diligent use of the gift of tongues enlarges even a mature Christian's experience. Some people have said that the gift of tongues is "infant prattling," and not for mature Christians. That this is nonsense is shown by the fact that the apostle Paul was speaking in tongues more than the verbose Corinthians.1Cor.14v18. When Paul said this he had been a Christian for about 24 years, He could certainly not be called "an immature infant prattler." In 1Cor.13v11,12., Paul speaks of our present limited intellectual knowledge of the future heavenly "mysteries" as "infant prattling," but he never refers to speaking in tongues this way. Indeed Paul tells us in 1Cor.14v2., that when we speak in tongues we speak "mysteries," that is, God's deep counsels and secrets, which were once hidden, but are now revealed in the Gospel to the children of God. Our minds may not comprehend these mighty spiritual realities, but through the Holy Spirit's ministrations our spirits can enjoy and glory in God's mysteries. Mt.13v11. Lk.8v10. Rom.11v25. 16v25. 1Cor.2v1,7. 4v1. 14v2. 15v51. Eph.1v9. 3v3,4,9. 5v32. 6v19. Col.1v26,27. 4v3. 2Thes.2v7. 1Tim.3v9. Rev.10v7. Ps.25v14.

When Christians speak in tongues, they speak Divine truths, it is an exalted sphere of utterance, not "infant prattling." The hearers on the day of Pentecost certainly did not call speaking in tongues "infant prattlings;" those who understood the languages said they spoke of "the wonderful works of God;" and they were so awed and moved by the sublime words that they heard, that they became Christians. In Rom.8v26,27., Paul said that even after being a Christian for over 25 years he did not know how to pray for the saints as was necessary, but said that Holy Spirit directed praying through the gift of tongues enabled him to pray for the saints according to the will of God. It is an insult to Holy Spirit to describe His Divine intercessions through us with His gift of tongues with the belittling term of "infant prattlings."

Our minds are limited in their ability to absorb and appreciate spiritual realities, our spirit is not limited in the same way, indeed, it is given to us for the express purpose of enabling us to communicate with God and spiritual realities. Our souls and spirits feed and grow on the anointing and spiritual truths and Divine "mysteries," that come into our being through speaking with tongues. The gift of tongues bypasses and rests the mind; so that even when we are too tired to think upon truth with the mind, our spirits can be nourished and refreshed through this gift. However, we do need truth for the mind, for Peter exhorts us, "As new-born babes, for the pure milk that is for the mind eagerly crave, that thereby ye may grow unto salvation." 1Pet.2v2. Rotheram.

N.B. SOME REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF DIVINE MYSTERIES BEING SPOKEN IN TONGUES.
We will now give some instances where these Divine mysteries have been spoken in tongues and been understood.
H. Horton writes on page 160 of his fine book, "The Gifts of the Spirit," what a missionary in the Congo heard when he was present at the baptism in the Spirit of a young coloured man. The missionary was amazed to hear the young man repeating Old Testament instances of creation and history in perfect English. The young man did not know a word of English and what is more, nothing of the accounts of Scripture that he was repeating. The missionary left the hut to search for his wife so that she could witness this remarkable manifestation of the Spirit. When he returned with his wife the young man was still speaking in English, and was speaking of the New Testament revelation concerning the second coming of Christ.

On pages 30, 31 of his book, "Signs Following," W. Burton tells of an inspiring incident that occurred at Mwanza in the Congo. When churches were getting spiritually cold it was their practice to gather the believers together for several days of prayer, ministry of the Word, and waiting on God. On one such occasion Mr. Burton was keeping "a quiet eye" on the meeting to make sure that there was no "undue" excitement or extravagance, when he was struck by the earnest expression of a young man named Ziba, who was obviously being deeply affected by the power of the Holy Spirit, which was moving upon the men gathered there. Mr. Burton quietly moved around to where Ziba sat and was surprised and moved to hear him speaking in absolutely perfect English of Christ's second coming to earth to reign and the glories of His millennial kingdom. Ziba was a simple village lad without any knowledge of the English language, but he was speaking in English without any ungrammatical expressions or any trace of foreign accent, and what he said was absolutely true to the Scriptures.

So we can see that the mature believer, as well as the young convert, can build themselves up spiritually through diligent use of the gift of tongues. Speaking in tongues is one of God's gifts for enlarging our spiritual experience and spiritual capacity.

8. SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS A SIGN WHEN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE.
Though this is not the normal use of the gift, for the gift of tongues is predominantly devotional, it can produce remarkable results when God manifests this gift as a sign as he did on the day of Pentecost. It can convict and convert the sinner, and be a great encouragement to the believer. 1Cor.14v22. Acts.2v4-12. Mk.16v17-20. The disciples on the day of Pentecost spoke in tongues that were unknown to themselves, but many listeners recognised the languages and were amazed and captivated at hearing the rapturous praise of God and His wonderful works in their own languages. The listeners at Pentecost knew that these disciples did not know their languages, and so when Peter explained what had happened, they were instantly willing to accept the Gospel Peter preached; the tongues gained the attention of the people and prepared them for the preaching of Peter. The gift of tongues is not intended to replace the preaching of the Gospel, it is intended to prepare the listener for the preaching of the Gospel. We will now give some well-documented modern instances where the Lord has used the gift of tongues as a sign to convert the unbeliever and encourage the believer.

W.F.P. Burton tells on page 28 and 29 of "Signs Following" and elsewhere, how during an open air service on a Sunday evening beside Lytham lifeboat house, a dear uneducated Christian woman named Mrs. Whitehouse began to speak in tongues, and Mr. Burton interpreted it, the interpretation was about Christ and His death upon the cross. A man, a prominent tailor, who had lost almost everything through drink, fell on his knees and implored God to save his soul; he was more often than not under the influence of drink, but on this occasion he was quite sober, he told how both the message in tongues and the interpretation had gone straight to his heart.

In the crowd was a young Japanese man, who was studying shipbuilding in Lytham's shipbuilding yard. When he went to his lodging place, he asked his landlady who the people in the open air service were, she replied that they were fanatical, religious enthusiasts, who were thought by some to be religion mad. The young man replied, "well, they may be mad, but I heard a most remarkable thing. One spoke in perfect Japanese, while the other gave the exact equivalent in English".

Here we see the tongue and the interpretation acting as a sign to both the one who understood the language, and to those who did not, the result was a soul won for Christ, and the Christians greatly encouraged to trust in their God.

Mr. Burton goes on to tell on page 29 and 30 of his book, of a highly respected Methodist minister who heard the Pentecostal Christians speaking in praise and adoration to God in seven languages which he knew, they were speaking about the death, resurrection and second coming of Christ, and extolling Christ's blood and His risen power. This so moved the minister that on his way home in the train he longed for the same experience, so he threw his pipe and tobacco out of the train window, and earnestly sought and received the baptism in the Spirit, and spoke with tongues before the train reached his station.

In his book "Grace Gifts," I Rosser tells on pages 105 and 106, how the Holy Spirit brought about the conversion of a Frenchman in 1934 through the use of the gift of tongues. While he was at his sister's house, a French onion seller came to the door, and Mr. Rosser felt led of God to speak to him in tongues. The Frenchman was amazed that a person who had never been to France and never learned French, could speak French so fluently. They asked the Frenchman what Mr. Rosser had said, he said in broken English that Mr. Rosser was a good man and a minister of Jesus Christ and that Mr. Rosser had been telling him that Christ is to return and set up His kingdom on earth; but before He returns, things on earth will get worse, and that repentance is the only way back to God and forgiveness. The Frenchman was broken by this remarkable manifestation of the Holy Spirit and accepted Christ as Saviour.

A minister of the Gospel, who the writer knows personally, testifies that he heard a comparatively uneducated person speaking perfect Latin in other tongues, the theme of the utterance was the power of the blood of Jesus. The person who spoke in tongues had no knowledge of Latin, and yet he was speaking Latin even more perfectly than the minister, who had an Oxford degree, and had spent years studying and teaching Latin.

On page 60 of Dennis and Rita Bennet's book, "The Holy Spirit and You." Bennet records how deaf mute Christians, who had never heard or spoken a word, spoke fluently in tongues under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

There are many other instances which could be quoted to show the use of the gift of tongues as a sign, but I feel the instances that have been quite sufficient to prove this fact to the sincere heart and so we will pass on to our next point.

9. SPEAKING WITH TONGUES IS THE PROOF OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
At the outpouring of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Acts.2v4. 10v45,46. 11v17. and 19v6., when the Christians received the baptism of the Spirit, they spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. They received the common evidence that they had been baptised in the Spirit, which was speaking with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. With the exception of the outpouring at Ephesus, we do not read of any other manifestations of the gifts, and there they not only spoke in tongues, they prophesied as well. From humble housewives to mighty apostles, the initial evidence of the baptism in the Spirit was speaking in tongues. At the baptism in the Spirit of these believers, the Holy Spirit did not give various gifts as the evidence of the baptism in the Spirit, He gave the gift of tongues to all.

I am not trying to be contentious when I say that tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Spirit. I desire Christians to receive the blessing that their heavenly Father has for them. Dennis Bennet tells on page 61 of his book, "The Holy Spirit and You," tells how a neuro-surgeon friend of his said that he understood why God used speaking in tongues; he said that as the speech centres dominate the brain, he did not see how God could do much about the physical brain, unless he got hold of these speech centres. When God takes over the body's most unruly member, the tongue, James.3v2-12., and controls it and infuses it to speak in praise and worship in other tongues, it is a truly wonderful miracle, and the evidence of the baptism in the Spirit.

I would not be so concerned if people who do not agree that speaking with tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit, taught that Christians need and should earnestly seek God for the gift of tongues for their prayer life; however, unfortunately, they usually deride, despise and neglect this lovely gift of God. God has given the gift of tongues to His Church, because He considers it to be absolutely indispensable and necessary for the spiritual welfare of His Church, it is one of God's good, valuable and prefect gifts. None of God's spiritual gifts are mean or paltry; they are all priceless, magnificent, good, beautiful and precious, and we should bow the knee to His wisdom, love and authority. Who are we to criticise the "good and perfect" gifts that our heavenly Father has given to us? He is the Lord, let us recognise the value and importance of what He has given. How dare Christians criticise His gifts, or neglect to seek them, when He has commanded us not only to pursue after love, but earnestly seek spiritual gifts as well? 1Cor.14v1. The gift of tongues is one of HIS gifts, let us recognise its value and use.

9. THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES. "Hermeneia glosson."
This is the last gift spoken of in 1Cor.12v8-10.. 1Cor.14v5,13,27,28. The person who interprets a tongue is said by Paul to possess a greater ministry than those who just speak in tongues. 1Cor.14v5. Indeed, the gift of interpretation of tongues fulfils a similar function to the simple gift of prophecy. It is the ability to interpret an utterance of speaking with tongues, the person who receives the interpretation having no knowledge of the language spoken. It appears from 1Cor.14v13., that every Christian who speaks in tongues can be inspired of God to interpret, however, from 1Cor.12v28. and 14v28., it appears that there are Christians with a definite ministry of interpretation.

The interpretation can be the description of a vision, or a prophetic type utterance. It can take the form of a prayer for heavenly help, a prayer of dedication, a statement of faith and assurance, an expression of praise and worship, as well as words of edification, exhortation and comfort. Interpreted tongues may be addressed to God, as are the devotional tongues of 1Cor.14v2.; however, like prophecy it can also be addressed to man, "he who prophesies speaks to men." 1Cor.14v3. Sometimes the "interpretation" can be the answer to the prayer, praise, and statement of faith, etc., of the message in tongues, and on these occasions it would be more accurate to call it a prophecy rather than an interpretation. However, we must not be too technical in our definitions, it is a powerful manifestation of the gifts that really matters, not a correct definition; the Holy Spirit will interpret the tongue as He thinks best.

"Interpretation," "hermeneia," only occurs in 1Cor.12v10. and 14v26., however, the word translated "interpret" in 1Cor.12v30. and 14v5,13,27., is "diermeneuo," which means to explain, or to fully expound, or interpret. It is used of our Lord's "expounding" the Scriptures in Lk.24v27.; and of the interpretation of the name of "Tabitha," as "Dorcas," in Acts.9v36.. "Interpreter," in 1Cor.14v28., is "diermeneutes," a person who explain or expounds. The Christian who interprets may receive either the complete interpretation before he starts speaking, or more often, he will receive part of the interpretation and begin to speak, and receive the rest as continues to speak. The interpretation can be received even before a tongue is spoken, as well as during or after the utterance. The reception of a genuine interpretation of tongues, is recognised by the heavenly unction which rests both upon the interpreter AND the listeners, any interpretation that lacks this anointing, lacks God's authority. 2Pet.1v21. It is truly a solemn responsibility to claim to speak God's words to men; we are answerable to God for any pretension on this matter. However, Paul tells us that Christians who speak in tongues should pray that they might receive the gift of interpretation, they should not be content to see others prophesy or interpret all the time. 1Cor.14v13,14. Paul tells us that only one person should interpret even if several have the interpretation. 1Cor.14v27,28. This does not mean that the same person should interpret every utterance in tongues, God desires the ministry to be shared. It is a tragedy when Christians are determined to monopolise this ministry, and try to interpret when they have nothing from God. We can only interpret when the Holy Spirit gives us an interpretation.

Why sometimes there is a difference between the length of a tongue and its interpretation.

1. Because of the difference in human personality.
Some Christians interpret with many words, some with few words, because of their different temperaments and vocabulary, some Christians are wordy, some are brief and precise in what they say. The Holy Spirit does not do violence to our personality, and so a Christian's disposition, vocabulary, and spirituality will effect their interpretation or prophecy. This can be confirmed by studying the various styles of the Old Testament prophets, for example, Isaiah and Amos.

2. Because of the difference in the Holy Spirit's methods of communication.
As we have seen the Holy Spirit expounds the interpretation as it pleases Him. The Holy Spirit can give the same interpretation to different Christians in different ways. One may have a pictorial vision and describe what they see in simple words, another may have words spoken to them in their spirit, while another may understand the tongue as it is spoken. The interpretation may be communicated in different ways but the theme is the same. God will often give picture visions to those who are not wordy or verbose, and this is probably the best form of interpretation or prophecy, because it is so striking and easily remembered. When some mature Christians, with an outstanding ministry of interpretation of tongues, are used by God to interpret, their "inspired oratory" is profoundly moving, and at large public meetings these Christians are the ones who should interpret. In these large meetings, Christians whose gift of interpretation is less mature, should humbly and graciously sit back and listen, they can manifest their gift in the much smaller church or house-meeting.

3. Because sometimes a Christian may not give the full interpretation.
A Christian may only give part of the interpretation, because God only wanted them to listen and confirm the interpretation, not give it, or they could have been distracted by something and lose touch with God. Sometimes a Christian will carry on with an utterance in tongues even though their message has finished, because they are being blessed by God.

4. Because sometimes an "interpretation" may really be a prophecy or contain an additional prophecy.
Sometimes a Christian may feel so moved and blessed by an outstanding sermon, an anointed singing item, or a powerful meeting, that they feel that this is an indication for them to speak in tongues for interpretation. However, a surge of emotion or a blessing from God does not necessarily mean that we should speak out an utterance in tongues for interpretation, it may be a blessing to uplift us, or to help us to pray, or praise and worship God. On these occasions praise may be interpreted as praise, or God may give a prophecy in answer to this praise. On other occasions the Holy Spirit may interpret a tongue and give a prophecy in addition to the tongue, and so the "interpretation" will be considerably longer than the tongue.

5. Because sometimes, unfortunately, a Christian may invent an interpretation.
Sometimes through ignorance, wrong teaching, or a wilful determination to invent an interpretation, a false interpretation can be given. We cannot interpret tongues at will, sometimes the Holy Spirit will not give an interpretation to the "regular interpreters," in order to start someone else on a ministry of interpretation. Spiritual Christians can easily discern extempore preaching paraded as an interpretation of tongues; for true interpretation carries the power and blessing of God, and edifies and blesses the church. It is a gift greatly to be desired.


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