40-Bible Teachings about Tongues - RSV

1. The Following Points Should Be Carefully Noted When Considering the Gift of Tongues.

the Gift of Tongues Was and Is a Spiritual Gift Addressing the Need for Communication in a Real Language in Order to Break the Language Barrier and Communicate the Gospel and Authentic Truth.

Acts 2:4-8 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them _utterance_. [5] Now there were dwelling in _Jerusalem_ Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the _multitude_ came together, and they were _bewildered_, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking _Galileans_? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

2. The Word "Glossalalia" Means Languages.
Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in _midheaven_, with an eternal gospel to _proclaim_ to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people;

3. Acts Chapters 2, 10, and 19, Contain the Only Three Mentions of Tongues. In Each Instance, People of Other Language Groups Are Present. In Other Words, the Gift of Tongues Was Present for the Sake of Those Who Would Benefit by Hearing the Gospel in Their Mother Tongue.

In Acts 2, Tongues Are.
Acts 2:8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own _native_ _language_?

Acts 2:11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them _telling_ in our own _tongues_ the mighty works of God."

4. In Acts 10, Cornelius and His Household Upon Accepting Jesus Spoke in Tongues.
Peter was a Jew. Cornelius was a Greek. Cornelius spoke in a real language which Peter understood. This confirmed in Peter's mind the reality of Cornelius' conversion.

 5. Cornelius Received the Same Gift the Disciples Received.
Acts 11:17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus _Christ_, who was I that I could _withstand_ God?"

Every time the Bible mentions tongues in Acts there is more than one language group present.

 6. The Corinthian Church Was Paul's Problem Church. In Corinth, Paul Attempted to Control the Abuse of the Genuine Gift. He Set Forth the Following Guidelines.
1 Corinthians 14:27 If any speak in a _tongue_, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one _interpret_.

1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep _silence_ in church and speak to _himself_ and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:32 And the _spirits_ of prophets are _subject_ to prophets.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of _confusion_ but of peace. As in all the _churches_ of the saints,

7. Paul Was Appealing for Intelligent Communication.
1 Corinthians 14:9 So with yourselves; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not _intelligible_, how will any one know what is said? For you will be _speaking_ into the air.

1 Corinthians 14:19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten _thousand_ words in a tongue.

8. The Holy Spirit Interprets Our Prayers into the Language of Heaven, Interceding for Us at God's Throne.
Romans 8:26 _Likewise_ the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself _intercedes_ for us with sighs too deep for words.

Since the Holy Spirit translates our prayers, it is unnecessary to speak a language we do not understand.

 9. The Highest Faculty That God Has Given to Each of Us Is Our Mind.
Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in _Christ_ _Jesus_,

It is dangerous to allow any power, to control our mind. The mind is the seat of intelligence. It is with the mind that we worship God. Any form of worship which bypasses the mind can become emotional manipulation.

 10. Tongues Is Only One of the Spiritual Gifts. It Is Not the Sign of the Infilling of the Holy Spirit. Witnessing Is a Sign of the Infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:6-8 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own _authority_. [8] But you shall _receive_ power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my _witnesses_ in _Jerusalem_ and in all Judea and Sama'ria and to the end of the earth."

11. The Purpose of All the Gifts of the Spirit Is to Strengthen the Church.
1 Corinthians 14:12 So with yourselves; since you are eager for _manifestations_ of the Spirit, strive to excel in _building_ up the church.

12. Not Everyone Receives Every Gift.
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work _miracles_? [30] Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all _interpret_?

13. As God Sees Fit, He Gives Gifts to Each Person for the Purpose of Furthering His Work.
1 Corinthians 12:6-11 And there are _varieties_ of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. [7] To each is given the _manifestation_ of the Spirit for the common good. [8] To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of _knowledge_ according to the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to _distinguish_ between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the _interpretation_ of tongues. [11] All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who _apportions_ to each one _individually_ as he wills.

1 Corinthians 12:18 But as it is, God _arranged_ the _organs_ in the body, each one of them, as he chose.

Next Bible Study: 41-The Bible's Longest Prophecy

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