Gift of Tongues

By

Albert Gomez
September, 2001

Abstract

This paper deals with the controversial issue of tongues, principally used since the book of Acts. The purpose is to biblically present the subject free from denominational tendencies. Using the more reliable encyclopedias, commentaries, word study, and dictionaries available for the serious Bible student. Having in mind to clarify the purpose for which it was given from the beginning of times to this day. Acknowledging that the gift given at Pentecost came to unify God's people, not to divide them.

Tongues: The Purpose of the Gift

The gift of ‘tongues’ is always an exciting topic. In the OT alone this word appears in 28 books. It is rarely used as an organ for speech. Most of the time relates directly to moral, ethical and spiritual issues.[1] However, if we look exclusively at the purpose of it, we will be able to understand better its applicable meaning.

• Allusion from the OT

• Isaiah's Prophecy

His prediction of judgement in verse 28:11, is related with the time of Ephraim's arrogance, which the prophet states that, "Indeed, He will speak to this people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue." If we compare this passage with Paul's exhortation on the gift of "tongues" in 1 Corinthians 14:21, we will notice that it is the same quote from the OT. In which he summarizes the rest of the passage saying, "I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me (v. 21 b)." That is why he mentions that it is a sign for unbelievers (v. 22). Therefore, this sign for unbelievers produces a negative reaction on them. For this sign causes unbelievers to stumble (or could be in reference to arrogant and stubborn people), called "ungifted men (v. 23)" by the apostle Paul. Similar situation occurred in the book of Acts at Pentecost (vv. 2:12-15). Right here we notice that some people (others) did not appreciate this sign, as recorded in verse 13 saying, ““But, others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine." However, from verses 7 to 11 we may infer that probably the apostles (Galileans) were speaking in foreign languages God's mighty deeds. Barnes' Notes commentary is that, "This passage is expressly applied to the power of speaking foreign languages under the gospel."[2]

• Joel's Prophecy

The portion of Scripture quoted by the apostle Peter from Joel's book in the book of Acts is amazingly interesting. After "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and begun to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was given them utterance (v. 2:4)," The apostle relates Joel's prophecy to that particular moment in chapter two. Which announces that, "It shall be in the last days, God says, that I will pour forth my Spirit upon all mankind (v. 2:17 a)." This understanding coincides with the writer of Hebrews regarding the "last days" (v. 1:2), that God has spoken to us in His Son. However, the fulfillment of the rest of Joel's prophecy quoted by the apostle is still expected at Jesus' Second Coming, when, "The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the glorious day of the Lord shall come (v.20 )." Nevertheless, on that occasion Peter's preaching triggered by the gift of tongues, brought three thousand souls to the church.

• New Testament Tongues

• Meaning of the Word

The word tongue comes from the Greek ‘glossa’ (gloce-sah), which means of uncertain affinity; by implication, a language.{3}

• Gift of Tongues

It has been widely interpreted that “an evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was other tongues.”[4] Then it is essential to review the Scripture closely connected with this event. The passages related with the gift of tongues are the following:

• Acts 2:1-8 – at Pentecost
• Acts 2:33 – at Pentecost
• Acts 10:46 – Peter and the Gentiles
• Acts 19:6 – Paul and the Gentiles
• 1 Corinthians 12:10 – as a Gift
• 1 Corinthians 12:28 – applied in the Body
• 1 Corinthians 12:30 – exercised in the Body
• 1 Corinthians 14 – as a lesser Gift

We must notice that the last reference differs from those before. This use of tongues is criticized because, "Does not speak to men, but to God (v. 14:2)." The Greek adjective heteroglossos, which means heteros (another of a different sort), and glossa (tongues). It is translated as other tongues or strange tongues (heteroglossos).[5] This "language" only edifies the person using it, but not the church (v. 4). Notwithstanding, the apostle Paul teaches that we must "forbid not speaking in tongues (v. 39)," if there is someone interpreting it (vv. 27-28). This is a lesser gift because it is not edifying the church unlike the Galileans, who spoke in a well known language understood for many (Acts 2:6). We clearly see that Pentecost brought unity through the Spirit and the language, "the supernatural gift of speaking in another language without its having been learnt".[6] But the argument in 1 Corinthians 14, deals with lack of understanding because the purpose of this gift was for self-edification.

• The Given Languages

• Languages in Genesis

Mankind, after Noah’s descendants in the whole earth used, "the same language and the same words (v. 11:1)."Their purpose was to build a city and a tower where their name would be established (v. 4), meaning to praise themselves strong, being independent from God. Then the Lord observed the intention of their hearts and was displeased (vv. 5-6). Consequently, the Lord confused their language (gave them many languages) and scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth (vv. 7-9).

• Language in the New Covenant

• Together in the Lord.

What men had lost by being scattered and confused (Gen. 11:8-9), is recovered since the day of Pentecost by the gift of God (Jesus), the sending of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5), where every one understood each other being together in one accord (Acts 2:6-7). All believers in Jesus, having one Spirit, we are now united into one body, as the apostle Paul mentioned to the Corinthian church ( 1 Cor. 12:13).

• All One in Christ

All walls of partition came down with Christ the Lord. Man's differences were all reconciled in Him for we became all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:8). The differences of languages that kept us separated are over, now there is not distinction Christ is all, and in all (Col. 3:11). However, even if the gift of language given during Pentecost is not affecting today's communication among people that speak different tongues (we still have a great number of languages around the world), but languages are not impeding unity in the same Spirit. Therefore, we must acknowledge that the purpose of speaking in tongues at Pentecost, which initiated the Church, was to reconcile, gather, and unite all people beyond language barriers in Christ.

[1] Douglas, J. D. & Tenney, M.C. (ed.) (1987). The New International Dictionary of the Bible (pictorial ed.). Tongues p. 1023. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[2] Barnes Notes (1992) Acts 2:11. Complete Reference Library (version 3) PC Bible Study. USA: Biblesoft

[3] Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew and Greek Words. Tongues (NT 1100) , p.20. Iowa Falls, Iowa: Riverside Book and Bible House

[4] Walvoord, J. F. & Zuck, R. B. (1983). The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Acts 2:4 (p. 357) USA: Victor Books

[5] Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words (1985) CD-ROM PC Bible Study. Tongues: Adjective. USA: Biblesoft

[6] Ibid.

All Scripture quotations in this paper are taken from the New American Standard Bible.

Other sources consulted for this study are the following:

• Freedman D. E. (1992). The Anchor Bible Dictionary (vol. 6 pp. 596-600) NY: Doubleday.
• The International Bible Encyclopedia (1988). Tongues (vol. 4, pp. 870-874). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans
• Boice, J. M. (1997). Acts: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker House.