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Introduction

This is not the final sermon to be preached on the subject of “Speaking in tongues”. Christians will continue to debate with each other until our Lord returns to settle this matter once and for all time.

In the many pamphlets and books I have examined opinions differ. We do know that the phenomenon of tongues-speaking is widespread, and it is likely that no issue in Christendom has caused as wide a split in its ranks in modern times as has speaking in tongues.

Therefore in today’s sermon I am going to show you 5 basic and biblical truths about speaking in tongues.

1. The initial physical evidence of Spirit baptism

A. The disciples in the day of Pentecost,

The Bible clearly identifies uttering an unknown tongue is the initial physical evidence of Holy Spirit baptism.

I. Peter and the other disciples of Jesus, Acts 2:1-4

II. The gentile believers in Caesarea, Acts 10:44-46

III. The disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus, Acts 19:6

2. The importance of tongues

A. It Edifies the believer

I. 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 says – “Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

The truths which are communicated to him by the Spirit, and which he utters in an unknown language, may be valuable, and may be the means of strengthening his faith, and building him up in the hopes of the gospel.

B. It’s a sign to the unbeliever

Tongues serve as a sign to the unbeliever according to the following scriptures.

I. It is written in the law: “By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me,”says the Lord. So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 14:21)

II. For with mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people, (Isaiah 28:11)

III. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem. When this sound occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Completely baffled, they said, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!” All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

3. The gift of tongues

The apostle Paul says, “So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:13) Therefore the gift of tongues is two fold.

I. Prophesying in tongues, (for the edification of the assembly)

II. Interpreting the prophecy into the assembly’s native language

III. It’s a one aspect of Praying in the Spirit.

4. The appropriate use of tongues

I was a 15 year old teenager when I attended the first service at our local Assembly of God church with my parents. I heard the lady seated behind me babbling in a funny language. I concluded either she is mad or she is trying to cast a spell on me. My parents were confused too.

1 Corinthians 14:1-19 explains the appropriate usage of tongues in detail. In summary who ever speaks in an unknown tongue during a public meeting to avoid confusion, should be able to provide the interpretation too.

5. Misconceptions, wrong practices and false teachings

A. Seeking after the sign instead of the gift

Many Christians have arranged their priorities wrong. That is they seek after tongues instead of asking the Father to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. This wrong. The baptism of the Holy Ghost should be our aim. Tongues is a result of the Holy Spirit baptism – not vice versa.

B. The Holy Spirit possesses the receiver

I. In some Christian circles it is believed and taught  that the Holy Spirit of God possesses  the believe at the time receiving and takes control of his tongue.

II. Some believe that the Holy Spirit speaks through the believer.

III. Both of these views and are false. Acts 2:4 says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.”

C. The gift of tongues has ceased

This is a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8 (Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away..). But what do the verses 9-10 say? For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside.  (1 Corinthians 13:9-10, NET)

The tongues will cease only after the perfection comes (The Greek word used in the place of “perfection” is “teleios”. It means complete or end. People who believe in Cessationism argue the word refers to the end of the apostolic era. However this term is mostly used in eschatological contexts. The second coming of Christ has not taken place yet and therefore we can agree the gift tongues is not ceased.

6. Conclusion

The Holy Spirit is the author of tongues as well as any other spiritual gift. Today we assessed different teachings, practices, beliefs about tongues in the light of God’s word. It’s foolishness to argue about such great divine gifts without exercising them.  This is what the Lord has given for the edification of self and His church.