Saturday, October 25, 2008

The gift of tongues

I apologize it has been so long between posts. We will pick up the pace with these three behind us. This is the third and final post in a trilogy in response to some questions my cousin in Australia asked: Alcohol, role of women in the church, and the gift of tongues.

The “gift of tongues” has been a matter that is as disputed as any in the church today. More than any other area people tend to rely on experience over the authority of God’s Word when determining what they believe about tongues. This is a great reminder that no matter what our experience, we stand under the authority of God’s Word, not over it.

I would also remind us before looking into question of speaking in tongues, this is a disputable matter. There have been bible believing Christians with various views on this subject. So, as a disputable matter, we will have grace with one another as we deal with this one.

What is the meaning of “gift of tongues”?
In the New Testament there are two lists of “gifts” listed in which the gift of tongues is included (1 Corinthians 12:8-11; 1 Corinthians 12:28-30). These gifts of the Spirit are distributed at the discretion of the Holy Spirit. While all Christ followers receive the gift of the Spirit, individual Christians do not have all the gifts of the Spirit.

The term that is used to identify the tongues movement is “glossolalia,” made up of two Greek words, glossa (language or tongue) and lalia (speech). It therefore means speaking in languages or tongues. Glossology is that department of anthropology which has to do with the study and classification of languages and dialects. The Holman Christian Standard Bible most often translates this word “languages”. The only time Jesus mentions “tongues” or “languages” (Mark 16:17) He adds the adjective “new”. He predicted there would be those that would speak new languages. If I were to say Portuguese is a “new language” for me you would understand it is a language that is not native to me and one I am having to learn. Acts 2:4 uses a different adjective when it says the spoke in “different languages”. It simply means different from what they normally spoke. Context confirms this interpretation (Acts 2:6-8).

The problem with this interpretation is a bit more challenging when one reads many of the translations of 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 13, 14, and 19. Many translations insert the word “unknown” into the English text. The problem is that “unknown” is not in the original text. In every place the word is used it means “languages”. The Greek word “laleo” always means “speech”. It is never used to mean unintelligible sound(s). Therefore it is a strange interpretation to make the speaking of “tongues” in the New Testament anything other than someone speaking in a language other than their own.

Is speaking in tongues proof of baptism by the Holy Spirit?
No. Scripture is clear that every believer has been baptized by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). When the question is asked in 1 Corinthians 12:30 if every believer is to speak in tongues (“languages”), it is obvious the answer is “No”. We need to be careful we do not confuse baptism by the Spirit with “being filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

Related to this question could be a discussion of the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are evidences of being filled with the Spirit. However, as no “gift of the Spirit” is ever listed as evidence of being controlled (‘filled’) with the Spirit this would include the gift of “tongues” or “languages”.

Does the gift of tongues still exist today?
This is where much of the controversy exists in the church over this subject. Persons that hold that the “sign gifts” (tongues, healing, prophecy, etc.) do not still exist today are known as Cessationists. I do not consider myself a pure Cessationist. However, I do believe the sign gifts we see listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not in the same form we see them in the New Testament. For example, the gift of healing as displayed in the “in-the-name-of-Jesus-rise-and-walk” in Acts were not widespread as we see that only in the lives of the Apostles. We see less of this in the later chapters of Acts as the church became more established. But I do see certain individuals that seem to have a gift of praying for others in a way that leads to healing more often than others.

The reason for the lengthy discussion in 1 Corinthians 12 related to tongues is because this was an area the Corinthians were having difficulty. It was dividing their church. They were lacking in the fruit of love (see 1 Corinthians 13). Paul explained in this chapter that love superceded all the gifts.

1 Corinthians 13:8 is a bit problematic for non-cessationists. It says, “as for languages (tongues), they will cease”. It will come to an end. Cessationists believe that time has already occurred. Others believe that time will not come until the return of Christ. I have already explained my view in this post. Maybe you can see the need for grace in all such discussions. It does seem there would be no need for such a gift today if the understanding of the term is one of “new language”.

Well, how do we account for the widespread use of unintelligible tongues we see today? I would offer three possibilities. They can be self-induced, group-produced, or Satan-induced. Satan has been actively attempting to divide the church in any way possible. We are to be about the business of edifying the church.

The Church of Jesus Christ does not need a new Bible, nor new apostles, nor new faith-healers, nor new charismatic movements, nor self-styled miracle workers. What the Church needs is to return to the Word of God and proclaim the whole counsel of God in the power and love of the Holy Spirit.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am very offended by your post (as I believe the Holy Spirit is offended as well). Anytime you have to read God's word..then dis-assemble it..you are not getting what God is saying. His word is not a puzzle. It is black and white. Also, you have to be careful to realize that "whoever is not against you is for you" as Luke 9:50 reminds us. Your statement that the gift of tongues is either self/group induced or SATAN induced is highly offensive to a denomination of believers that adds to the church daily. Luke 11:11-13 confirms to us that God would not allow a "satan induced" situation to occur within a believer. Your statement suggests that a believer could be speaking in a satanic language. Not possible without a believer willfully giving up their right as a child of God. I am writing this to encourage your readers to read God's Word in Acts and 1Corinthians ..for themselves-without all of your disassembled translations. God's word speaks for itself. If you are to disagree with another denomination's doctrine..disagree. Please do not point to that denomination claiming that they are performing Satanic acts when attempting to reach for more of God. How terrible it would be to serve a God that would allow that to happen.

Mark said...

Anonymous,
My intention would certainly not be to offend. I would agree that every follower of Christ should read scripture as you suggest. I am missing the point of your Luke 11 reference (11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Luke 11:11-13 (HCSB)). I would not intend to indicate that all experiences of tongues in any denomination would be Satan induced. God is a god of order, not chaos.

But I want to be quick to say again, this issue does not need to divide us. We can agree to disagree. After all, it is always my desire to discover God's meaning in a passage, not my interpretation nor any other human's interpretation. "What did God mean?" is the goal to all biblical interpretation.

Anonymous said...

I can certainly agree to disagree, respectively :) My reference to Luke 11 is: Why, when we ask God for the gift of his Holy Spirit..would he instead, give us something harmful-as a satanic tongue would be. I am confused that you are willing to acknowledge tongues in your post, admit that they are listed as a gift given at God's discretion.. yet you only allow three possibilites of why one may occur; self induced, group induced, or satan induced-no possibility of yours suggests God given tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:1-15 tells us to pray with our spirit and to pray with our mind-when discussing tongues. I am in full agreement that God is a God of order-not chaos. But I believe you have to be careful that you don't put "tongues" in the column of chaos. 1 Corinthians 14:13-40 lays out the "order" for tongues within the church. As long as tongues are given by God, and follows his "order", chaos does not, and will not occur. If I told you that something you were doing (that is laid out in God's word) was Satan-induced, you may also feel offended as I did. Thank you for posting my comment and allowing me to respectively disagree, on your blog.

Mark said...

Anonymous,
Thank you for the feedback. You have disagreed in a respectful and loving way. All such comments are welcomed here. I do appreciate your thoughtful and biblical response. We may disagree on this interpretation, but we can still be brothers (or brother-sister) in Christ.

Anonymous said...

You do not know me, but I stumbled upon your blog via a friend of mine.
You say that speaking in tongues isn't the evidence of being baptized with the Spirit, but throughout the book of Acts you read that it is. Acts 2:1-4, Acts 8:5-8,12,14-17, Acts 8:18-19 (what was the evidence Simon saw?), Acts 8:20-21, Acts 9:4-6, Acts 9:10-12,17-18, Acts 10:13-15, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:1-2,5-6.

As for every believer speaking in tongues, you can't take 1 Cor. 12:30 out of context with the surrounding verses. It was a question for the church in regards to the public gifting of tongues, not your private prayer life. Review 1 Cor. 14:4 and Jude 20.

As for 1 Cor. 13:8, you have to continue reading through to verse 10. Tongues will cease "when the complete and perfect total comes..."(AMP); that is Christ.

It seems that you've studied and I think that is great, but you've picked apart the things you want to see. I received the Holy Spirit with the gift of tongues at a very early age, before anyone had the chance to "indoctrinate" me. If tongues to truely something you want to seek the truth about, and not what a man has taught you, God is not a respector of persons and you will find Him when you seek him with you whole heart (not mind).

Here is a book that is a great read on the subject "Tongues Beyond the Upper Room" by Kenneth E. Hagin.

Mark said...

Anonymous #2,
Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. I am familiar with each of the references you point out in Acts. Great book ... about the launching of the early church. Interpretive principles would have us ask, is this experience unique (for that time only) or universal (God is prescribing this as the norm for all times and people). This is where interpretations take different directions. Some believe for example the handling of poisonous snakes in the Gospels is prescriptive for all times and all people. Most however, understand it is not. I could read Exodus and suggest we should all part waters as a demonstration of God's power just as Moses did. However, consistent interpretive principles will not allow such application. I do not read of Peter walking on water and attempt to walk across a lake.

I have always been confused why speaking in tongues (which is found in the list of spiritual gifts) would be THE spiritual gift that serves as evidence of a life changed by Christ, but other spiritual gifts in the same list are not considered evidence of such a transformation.

The 1 Corinthians 13:10 reference is a great reference. The word "perfect" is neuter in gender which is clearly not referring to Christ since He is always referred to in the masculine.

For further study I would recommend reading Charismatic Chaos by John MacArthur.

Please let me add again, this issue cannot be that which that divides us to the point of ceasing fellowship. I have friends who practice private prayer language as well as some who also speak in tongues.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mark
Thanks first of all for a warm welcome for us Continuatists.

The gift of tongues (the gift itself) did not belong to the Greek culture or any culture for that matter. So we can hardly have a single term from any culture to accurately call it. It is really insufficient in that sense to try and form an understanding of the gift from 'glossolalia' any more than from 'tongues' (English).

The Fruit of the Spirit is evidence only from a purely relational viewpoint. I would have to know someone really well and over a period of time, and know a bit of pneumatology to discern his character's formative source. That was not what happened in Acts whenever the Spirit was given. The effects were immediate, marvelous, and distinct from the ordinary as to get the attention of everyone whether or not they knew the Spirit. The apostles certainly took the charismata as evidence of the Spirit readily enough! Later Paul defined the charismata as the 'manifestation/demonstration' of the Spirit. (1 Cor 12:7).

You raised a very good point why tongues should be THE sign of the gift of the Spirit. It is just the path of 'least resistance'. I think continuatist ministers would have more obstacles in trying to get people to manifest the other gifts such as prophecy and miracles. It takes considerably more faith to do these than speaking in tongues. So the emphasis on tongues as an initial sign of the Baptism in the Spirit is just 'convenience', it is the easiest gift. There are pitfalls in adopting this to be sure. But the main problem is after this ease and convenience; there is no progress to the 'greater gifts' (1 Cor 12:31) and of course the Fruit of the Spirit (the asking point of Chpt 13).

The 'perfect' is properly neuter as it encompasses all that He brings at His coming, including Himself and our final transformation. Therefore John wrote, "Beloved…it has not yet been made known to us what we shall be; but when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 Jn 3:2
And so Paul's "face to face" expectation.

"What the Church needs is to return to the Word of God and proclaim the whole counsel of God in the power and love of the Holy Spirit."

Well, for the Church to proclaim anything in the power and love of the Holy Spirit, it clearly needs to be built up in the power and love of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise it will merely be acting according to human strength and abilities. This is one reason why the Spirit gave the charismata, as an adjunct to our human abilities. 1 Peter 4:7-11 (other versions then the HCSB) when read from the standpoint of the early Church, which was 'charismatic', tells indeed we are to use our 'charisma' faithfully serving each other 'with the ability that God supplies'. And charismata as service gifts are the main emphasis of apostolic teachings concerning them.

In any case, the Word tells us plainly that the charismata "are the Lord's command." (1 Cor 14:37), and that we are to "observe all things I have commanded you." Mt 28:20). It should be plain as day that it is IMPOSSIBLE for a Christian to hold to a Cessationist position. I would urge you to try to see the charismata from this standpoint of ' the Lord's command' and 'service gifts' rather than as something for the eyes only.

Again thanks for your warmth and God bless you and keep you.

Mark said...

Anonymous #3?,

Thank you for your post. I think we could debate this for some time. The Church has done so for longer than you or I have been around. I appreciate your thoughtful response. One thing I know for sure. My tradition could use a little more of the "spirit" your tradition brings to the table.

Won't it be a blast when the Lord brings all this together in Heaven!