Speaking in Tongues

February 6, 2010 by kingsway
Filed under Discussion

Rev. Daniel M. True

Last July we had an article – “A Universal Language” – in which I addressed the necessity for a common language to establish a “one-World-Government”. In that writing I referred to “speaking in unknown tongues” and that issue would be addressed in the future. Well, the future is here – now!

Like “Divine” healing (that we have already discussed), the issue of tongues has probably caused more “trouble” or unrest in the Christian community than anything else. So, let’s look at possible justifications for speaking in tongues.

I need to state up front that this will be a biased report for, as a former Episcopalian and former Presbyterian, I am one of those who practices speaking in tongues. I was not raised or trained in a so-called “Pentecostal” environment; I was, in fact, enlightened about tongues and was prayed for while serving as a Presbyterian Elder in the 1970’s (and this experience changed my life)! Further study of the Scriptures enhanced my understanding. When you don’t comprehend certain spiritual things, look them up – in the Bible!

Reports from some researchers have shown that, worldwide, “Pentecostal Christianity” involves half a billion people. So, it is not a small, backwoods movement!

Not limited to the non-denominational churches, “tongues” can be found in ALL mainline churches. At the time, looking beyond the Presbyterian Church, I actually found more of this Pentecostal phenomena in the Catholic Church than any other. In those days it was labeled “the Charismatic Movement” or other descriptive phrases. This obviously was to let the “traditionalists” know that there was another outreach or form of service that would not be “church as usual!” Many of those churches hold their Charismatic-type services on other days or at hours different from regular services.

Unfortunately, there is a trend today for some churches to conduct a “contemporary” service, which is generally a Charismatic service without the charisma! The gifts of the Spirit are not welcomed but their musicians/choir do present contemporary Christian music.

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The Charismatic Movement was/is not limited to speaking in tongues but includes divine healing, prophetic utterances, “words of knowledge” – all the “gifts of the Spirit” as described in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. This movement started in the Old Testament (1 Kings 19:12b and is hinted to throughout the book of Job) and has appeared sporadically over the centuries since Jesus left earth.

In recent history, the “modern” movement began as “the Azusa Street Revival” in 1906, lasting through 1915. The revival was characterized by ecstatic spiritual experiences accompanied by speaking in tongues, dramatic worship services, and inter-racial mingling. Worship at 312 Azusa Street was frequent and spontaneous with services going almost around the clock for over 9 years! Among those attracted to the revival were not only members of the Holiness Movement, but Baptists, Mennonites, Quakers, and Presbyterians. (Today, that revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century).

Rather than spending more time researching the history, let’s go forward and look at tongues and the Scriptural references that tend to justify it. In Acts 1:4-5, before His Ascension, Jesus told the followers (men, women and children; not limited to the Disciples) to “wait for the gift my Father promised”. In Acts 2:1-4, along with a mighty wind and “tongues of fire”, the believers began speaking in tongues.

Basically, there are two types of “speaking in tongues”. The first and most common is during one’s personal, private prayer time, when one “speaks” unintelligible utterances, the “tongues of men and angels” (1 Cor 13:1a). This is a person speaking directly to God. Man does not need to know what is being spoken — motivated by God’s Holy Spirit within man,(the tongues) is perfectly understood by the Father and the angels! (1 Cor:14 – For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.)

The other type of tongues is when spoken during a public gathering. This is the most contentious, for there IS a Scriptural procedure for its application during a service (and many do not follow this)! The accounts of speaking in tongues as described in 1 Corinthians are for use during a church service (or gathering of believers). 1 Cor 14:6 – Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? This tells us that there must be someone present to give an interpretation of what was spoken OR, if not, then the person speaking must interpret. He (she) will know the meaning before speaking in case no one steps forward to give the substance of the “message”.

Various examples of tongues, like “other languages” as mentioned in Acts 2:5-8, can be found on Page 2 of this article. Also, you will read about the current trend of trying to nullify the current validity of the “gifts of the Spirit” by stating that they ended with the last of the Apostles, and a Scriptural discussion of how that is NOT the case!